Dragging the bicycle along became difficult with rocks on the path and the force of gravity as Rhénee went uphill.Sophie had been leading the way the whole time. They already went past the stream, headed north-west and now climbing up a hill.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6wVlGPFfK
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoF0dijfo76
After a few minutes of struggling with the bike, Rhénee finally gave up and decided to leave it behind making sure it leaned against the tree so as to not let it slide down the slope.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUahDMBWFy
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKY8COyLusL
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe5q7cRhfC
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1IDMaIWTa
The trees around them were much closer than before that sunlight barely shone through the canopies. The sudden change of scenery sent a chill down her spine. She wondered if Sophie in front of her was as scared as she was. Animals do feel scared at some point. Some were just too stoic to show it; like Sophie.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfp21BtJHi
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81TaCvRGFq
They were soon at the top and she spotted something further ahead. Her eyes widened even more when she realised that it was the old wooden cottage.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAzk3lCzfc
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYluTuYMAW
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWbGPfOqzS
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiW9nZjkZC
Rhénee still had her eyes on it before they fell on Sophie. A question soon popped in her mind. How did the cat know where to find it?683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAigs7t4TN
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AfHvUZuiN
Her facial expression changed as she and the cat continued to look at each other. Rhénee knelt on one knee to look at Sophie more closely. The cat on the other hand, continued to look at Rhénee like any other pet would look at their owner.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoiNTemLdF
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO6AO7oy8G
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BfHqB1aJO
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNA9RQh9cW
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzt8WPVt58E
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBqXvqYHRc
It didn't matter. Somehow, the cat had managed to find something that would take days for anybody else to find. All she had to do was go in and see why she was wanted there.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkaqitRTQ2
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TfepQgcJn
Before she could lift herself off the ground, she heard the sound of breaking twigs and movement. A voice of a man came from the cottage and it startled her.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtphjLwaFcv
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdN1GGEUyP
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0HRXhX5XI
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqumZL7Ucc4
Rhénee quickly lowered herself further. Luckily, there were tall plants around the area making it easier to stay hidden. Sophie in front of her, hadn't moved an inch.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAD2BRlHco
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJaH5pTewS
"No, did you?" came another male voice.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWppjFNoHX
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sfAGstnNo
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEebZJ3vqZG
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8Eyn2ysJv
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoauGmsgWBw
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡey1wxpuUcZ
"Me neither. But orders are orders."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCeCBn0Hva
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wdLzKLE3t
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTT8VfFhvm
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70YB1DeOr0
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEm8qUlTbhg
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJrZkwt7MK
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlwOvAtcuo
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6z2x5EsWgm
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBn7YYCl3WR
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOf2dj8zky
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cVgB66eos
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK8FadlgNP
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyUAzOnSOA
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88vZvZvfz0
Rhénee heard the sound of broken twigs again and the creaking of old wood. She slowly raised her head and saw one of them go inside the cottage and the other go round back.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53PCFzm2ln
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWPt9b2Oh7
Rhénee didn't have any other option. If she were to stay here longer, they might see her and bring her in to whoever was in charge. Coming here might have been risky, but she was glad she hadn't brought the others with her. Who knows what would have happened.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90xhZBEYFW
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JY7bbGeIV
Without standing up and on all fours, Rhénee started to crawl back the way she came. She didn't turn around, but carefully crawled backwards, trying not to make a sound. Sophie also started to walk back. Luckily for the cat, her paws never made a sound, while Rhénee had to be extra careful.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAjmoJ5Qys
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeiDM9ZJ6w
While she continued to crawl backwards, her knee settled on a twig and with her weight, it snapped. Rhénee paused as she grew horrified. It was a huge snap and she knew it. She looked at Sophie behind her and the cat paused too. They looked at each other and waited to see if any of the two men had also heard it.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb6Rvyl09z
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5DAUrWMHo
When no noise came from the cottage, it felt like a go ahead for Rhénee to continue on her silent retreat. She didn't know how far she had gone for her not to be seen by those at the cottage. She felt it was now best to stand and run, until....683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQYhYMVfE5
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPRppYVWQa
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYsXZMHamE
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNDL96qTZk
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3phCnEGxtG
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRv96BxdLs
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8YYUHZUqL
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNSlEmuHqr
"I'm going to check it out."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWLBp6qbhy
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8AiHhWc3C
The loud creaking of the old wood of the cottage broke the dead silence of the forest and heavy boots made it's way in the direction Rhénee was hiding. She grew terrified as she heard them. She backed away a little further trying not to make a sound.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyZUnYMz5C
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRfJocaLSE
The man looked around in the place where he thought he had heard the noise. He held a hunting rifle in his hands. He had no idea that if he took a few steps to the right and walked straight ahead, he would be face to face with Rhénee. He made sure to pay attention to the ground.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJJQT8JWX8
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPKffdLri1
Rhénee knew he was close and for curiosity sake, she slowly lifted her head a little to see where he was. She saw him further ahead to her left and she soon ducked down again. She felt like there was no where to run. He would see her if she did.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQ8sYi3d0Q
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjt8g62nSO
As she slowly backed away quietly, she felt her foot hit into something hard. She looked behind her and noticed a tree. Her foot had hit the tree's roots that crept above the ground. She slowly went round it, so that she wasn't in sight. When she did, she stood up with her back against the tree trunk. She took in a deep breath and hoped that the man hadn't heard her.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYnDdzpEUH
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqsL7AYnvf
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUq4do0hdO
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVre2zoMpQS
"Goodness," Rhénee quietly said to herself as she rolled her eyes, at the same time, worried about the cat's whereabouts. "Where could she be?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIj2LkCNe2
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDthuKxraQ
Rhénee paused when she heard the snapping of a twig not too far away. She held her breath for a minute. Rhénee's heartbeat quickened as he came closer in her direction. Rhénee wanted to take a peek, but that would only blow her cover. It was over now. He would find her within seconds.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpVHAplN7f
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0jZVMiud8
All of the sudden, movement in the vegetation came from the other side and Rhénee saw Sophie run off in the opposite direction. That attracted the attention of the man with the rifle and he followed the cat.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvh5YGViVe0
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgC69xFRCus
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YLGgN8BtQ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ESycf2dda
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj04w4HjN97
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr0Dj94D0F
She continued on her retreat, trying not to draw attention to herself. She was at the edge of the hill when she heard the voice of the other man at the cottage cry out:683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQeCtg2oPN
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQHZGbtfpk
"I see her! There she is!"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eBca8tCIP
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHK4XxpGPz
Rhénee turned her head to see a skinny man who had hidden behind the cottage, make his run towards her. The other man with a rifle, quickly turned to look in the direction of his partner and when he saw where he was heading, he saw Rhénee up ahead.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0I06gYLgs
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN1JTsD1Eo
Rhénee cursed as she turned around to run. But now that she was heading downhill, it was going to be a whole lot harder to get away as she tried to prevent herself from falling and rolling down the hill.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wb4nkueYf
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP9oJYpeG5
As she continued her descend, she heard the loud powerful sound of the gun behind her. In a flash, a bullet flew past and hit into a trunk of a tree just a few feet ahead of her. She was lucky it didn't hit her, but that just made her even more terrified as she continued to half-run half-walk down the hill. She didn't even dare look behind.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNMmouuUYd
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqRHtcvXbW
"Don't shoot her, damn it!" the man who held the rifle said to his companion as he finally caught up with him at the edge of the hill. "We need her alive."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5e187nLG1
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm4De74uWO
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0YGOU8ahr
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86k2lFD9dS
***683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2hUPwOnKn
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMDrzhReiq
Kevin and Malcom had just diverted away from the little stream. Miss Marie had stayed behind in the car they had parked by the side of the main road. With her help, she had drawn them a crooked stetch map on a napkin of the directions in which to take if they were to find the cottage and hopefully, Rhénee, if she had gone the right way.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCOMXKqQcG
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqZGhF44ha
They had followed the stream all the way north as it flowed down the opposite direction. They had reached a landmark where two large rocks were placed on each side of the stream. It seemed a little odd. It was as if someone had put them there. Miss Marie did draw them on her sketchy map and told them to be aware. If not, they would miss their turning point and go the wrong way.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8Jg2XjtQn
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut6Ngh6EX3
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJS4CJDDXVf
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4jjna1Etb
"I don't know," said Malcom as he folded the napkin and put it in his back pocket. He had no need for it anymore. After the rocks, there was nothing but a straight path up west that they had to keep and that was it.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgp3p8go2k
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6QaU0AkH5
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hLiBmhZnO
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUVmwR6YgP
"I hope so too."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3LyvorMu7
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JCQwAbLsx
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlsew3o5JV
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEGs4ZTQ85
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHqdjR4Mvv
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnV5Mtw49I
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxbc5E4OgT
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfMWWJdYEm
They heard a noise. Kevin turned his head to his left and saw the green vegetation move as if there was an animal running by. He stopped in his tracks, and so did Malcom.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte6IfVferz
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUT9etOsX8G
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVB3z8qN9R
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHvJo9PrO4
But the animal ran in their direction. Kevin's heart almost skipped a beat. He relaxed when he saw that the animal coming closer into view was only a black cat.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5dSZiAa6T
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIid1S6akj
It looked like the cat would pass them by, but it stopped abruptly in front of them. It was then that Malcom and Kevin noticed the purple collar around its neck.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBB5McIFozK
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN0WswdEZM
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSule6TZtI
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1RKq8OM5M
The cat responded with a meow and slowly howled a little. Kevin found it a little odd. He looked around for any sign of Rhénee. If she had carried the cat with her, she should be nearby.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nSo7r1YGF
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzVvQJXp0u
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHKNFV8e3D
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLOv8uCqQI
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9BWiDBAj9
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddvObkjcVf
The cat swiftly turned around and went back the way it came. Kevin and Malcom ran, following it. Soon, they heard the sound of a gunshot.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7lMONx88D
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsZmRo4NQp
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYioulsZGME
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV7ZCcoYu1
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzdZn0WvlL
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtg8pYUhSe
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6vn5RhFE5
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hHNwxRuoT
Malcom tugged Kevin by the arm. "Don't just stand there," he said as he ran ahead so as to not lose trail of the cat. "We have to move!"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xhbLmJbTY
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfZsF4oLHw
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxhl3Zmllp
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdUtoNdFxa
Rhénee felt relieved when she finally reached the bottom of the hill. She took the route she had used, heading back to the stream. She looked behind her and saw the two men coming down the hill. Luckily, their pace had been reduced because the hill was steep.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfx7CUvfvr
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxPvS6ERhU
Rhénee continued to run and this time as fast as she could. From afar, she saw the dark shape of Sophie approaching fast. She assumed the cat had heard the gunshot and instead of running for its life, it came back for her.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJM5gNJD9y
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidSc2pBbEx
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eI77iQ0ev
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORLys8zQdO
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTzsnOKAM6
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfo02EvgPkz
Rhénee stopped first when she reached Sophie and was glad that the cat was alright. She picked Sophie up in her arms when Malcom reached her.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJgykRZ8sU
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5RnUuySas
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ862YsH4GNn
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpIm7cRec7
"No, I'm fine," said Rhénee as she took a look behind her. "We have to go. There are men after me."
Malcom took hold of one of Rhénee's hands while the other held Sophie close to her chest. Just as they were running back, Kevin came into view and he couldn't help but sigh in relief when he saw Rhénee.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhC8fUCWTm
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFXUH9563K
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlQ3xVIS1w
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mM0aj6PZb
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr1O9W6jit
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqJqlhHojZ
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7v81Ly3BxK
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeXgjKeKHa
"Take her with you," said Malcom as he gave Kevin Rhénee's hand. He reached the back of his trousers and drew out a 9mm handgun.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9h1Fg8wVPK
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR02TMT4B3G
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsmO6Q7f75
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxKyHtGgdI
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkYsWGlpFZ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqRXNRRHsQ
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKidU1R51aP
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqqe4NNvUn
Malcom flipped the safety of his gun and hid behind a tree. He did so just in time as the man with the rifle fired at him and the shot hit into the side of the tree that Malcom used as cover, removing a chunk of wood. He drew out his weapon to the other side and fired. He almost hit the man with the rifle, but he too went behind a tree.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQA8G2cdrp
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE2PbnoNYk
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXarXTALyMh
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EhUH2hhWx
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ9SqlXi5s
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT3wpqk7CW
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb9ZTWPjtA
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxyoIGcab8
"We don't have much of a choice now, do we?" Kevin asked. "He's the only one who came with a gun and he can hold them off for a little while."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTQMhDkG69
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoyOyJLnC9
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ9o9L6nFF
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zVDBdKhh1
Kevin held Rhénee's shoulders. "I know. But you have to understand that he only wants to keep you safe. Malcom is a smart guy, he's got this covered."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYesLq5cBG
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBCxPFqxGv
"I'm not leaving without him."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4xwV8E7ld
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHGs3wGlTy
"I don't want to either. But he kept a promise to your grandmother and that is to protect you. Knowing him, he could even die for you just to do so."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWWwCKBXdY
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5qQ1UQIMR
Rhénee didn't know what to say after that last statement. But at last she shook her head and quietly said, "I don't want anyone dying for me."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vMepDaXlu
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7USS59Ijr
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wKedOs8zn
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeVt4S7mkT
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3W1qabHVti
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASaHnp859P
In the meantime, Malcom continued to shoot at the two men in front of him. It was two against one with their guns firing at him. Lucky enough, their bullets hadn't hit him, but the tree he used as a shield wasn't having the best of its days. Malcom noticed that they were closing in on him, but still managing to shield themselves from his bullets. He had to back away. If he stayed where he was, he might not be so lucky.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JMwTf5ugw
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxBMyXNV9M
The man with the rifle had to reload now and then, and he was soon caught off guard as he tried to do so. Malcom had a clear view of him and took his shot hitting the man clearly on the upper right arm.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5ceNz9azF
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkMIrMDBQg
The man yelled in pain as he dropped his rifle and almost went to ground, but composed himself quickly when Malcom shot at him again and missed.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBtFSjbqaR
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcdfU08BuI
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70wLfjmkcC
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUjljxLDs4
Malcom looked to his left and he saw the other man with the shorthand gun, gain ground on him. Malcom started to back away a little and shot at the man as he approached, but no luck. He had to lose the man before he ran out of bullets. He only had one magazine left in his pocket.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvSX3fACJh
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86x7jXebsi
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJZmoVxSaF
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNk2ikvxdBX
Malcom backed up behind some trees. He leaned his back on one as he reloaded his gun. He looked to his side and saw the man hide behind a tree a few metres away from him. But then, he saw the man's leg slightly sticking out. If Malcom was lucky, he might just graze the man a little. It could give him time to run, but not for long. Anyway, it was worth the shot.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauK0vrHVs9
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokUSdRFzxO
Malcom aimed for the leg and when he pulled the trigger, he soon heard the loud howl from the man and a curse from his lips.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mlfBeQP6E
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9JRS1j49d
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9oCEnit4Z
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA7V65XTk1
Kevin, Rhénee and Sophie had soon reached the dirt road that took them all the way to the main road. They found Miss Marie waiting outside Malcom's car. She looked relieved upon seeing Rhénee.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡke82w3qeeL
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYsALrQPKe
"Goodness, you're in one peace," said Miss Marie as she held Rhénee's shoulder and her cheek when she got closer. "You weren't hit, were you? I've been hearing gunshots."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPAGQY2GZ5
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3baz6aDjN6
"I'm fine," said Rhénee as she gasped for air and looked behind her at the forest trees. Sophie fell right out of her arms and landed on the ground. "We have to go back for Malcom. I'm not going to let him die because of me."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KL5LR1zY2
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHb3G1JBkr
"We can't, Rhénee," said Kevin as he held her other shoulder and turned her around. "As much as we would like to help him out, remember, we don't have weapons."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrYkzNDvN0
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuAkSydM8q
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23WeAVQYlH
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzq2egWfLF
Kevin and Rhénee looked at Miss Marie as she withdrew a shorthand barrel gun from the pocket of her apron. They never expected it from her.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8Am0QSpOf
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniKRLJZqE9
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGfCSmSK51
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfFM7PYPfJ
"The world isn't safe for people like me," she said. "I need to protect myself. And now it seems the one that needs protecting wants to protect others."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuMIHRF3Ff
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5TQnGkHtV
She looked at Rhénee as she said this and she held up the gun to her. Rhénee stared at it before looking back at Miss Marie. Without another thought, she took it.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLAO7LCuz0
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQfZEHKr0X
"Did Malcom leave the keys?" Rhénee asked as she turned towards the car and went to the door that led to the driver's seat.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tAkSEnRTu
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvmjFnUlb4
"Yes, he did, he left them in the ignition," said Kevin as he looked at the gun in Rhénee's hand. "Have you used a gun before?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6Ng3FwVNd
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB6q9rzZ2Z
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwCNCKql4i
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmU7JQ3Y03
Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCAHCNzGuf
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QXx6bDq60
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuO8Zt6v2lI
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHmuiRANRO
"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjof4TASAP0
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQgNNgK7mn
Malcom had already passed the point where the two rocks sat on either side of the stream and now ran down south. The man whom he had shot in the leg was gaining ground on him, making sure he made his presence known with the firing of his gun.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdgThOkZPZ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaCngFBaqW
Malcom would have stopped to shoot back, but he felt that the man was way too close and would strike him point blank if he stopped. It was best to be a moving target to make it hard for the man to hit him, that's if he was lucky.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJY56DSPYX
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa805UugdYA
They reached an area where the trees were spaced further away from each other and Malcom knew he was almost at the main road where the others were probably waiting for him. But he had to deal with the enemy somehow. He would put the others in danger if he didn't do something.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeppmdT89rI
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0RSFzfCoo
He quickly took cover behind a tree and he heard footsteps. And just at the right moment, he aimed his gun and pulled the trigger. He didn't hit the man as he thought he would as the man hid behind a tree just in time.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WihpWLULc
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpdlqUb9NW
Malcom fired continously at him, keeping the man in his place and backing away as much as possible. He soon ran out of bullets. He cursed at the gun and tucked it behind his belt. He knew that his only option was to run for it. And he did just that.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4xWxBeiFP
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOcbpwrQvQ
The man behind the tree smiled to himself when he realised that Malcom was out. He reloaded his own gun and with his painful leg, took a limp forward and went after him.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiV52gADIz
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgRb3Gtvck
Malcom was almost there. The dirt road that lead all the way up to the main road was visible in front of him, yet it seemed so far.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9BDsMEoq5
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQMq317mD5
The enemy came into view and pointed his gun at Malcom and shot at him a few times. This time, the man got lucky and managed to hit Malcom at the back of his left shoulder.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcltFcXZBMZ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjO6GIfIRTX
The force from the bullet made Malcom fall forward his knees. He tried to stand, but he fell right back down, holding onto his wound. He started to drag himself, trying to get away from the man.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeerUUE8m9a
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCpRbuo22t
The man soon gained ground on Malcom and with his good leg, managed to kick Malcom in his ribs. Malcom rolled over to his back as he held himself. He lost his breath for a second and mourned in pain a little.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL20xhumSUi
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIRLAZSfj2
The man put his foot on Malcom's chest, pinning him to the ground. Malcom held the man's leg and tried to get it off of him. The man looked small and skinny, but the pressure he applied on Malcom's chest was too intense that for a moment, Malcom thought his ribs would crack.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDpkftHJco
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyehWEmXMTm
The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZLBegvA8e
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrnVXzmlOt
"You're of no use to me," he said. "I wonder what the news of your death will be like. Will your mother even cry for you, I wonder."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGMapNEvPF
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwfyzwfWSC
Just when he was about to pull the trigger, the sound of a car engine filled his ears and he looked up to see a black Mercedes coming in at full speed. Malcom also couldn't help but turn his head to see his car speeding down the dirt road.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFj5he5zsoI
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pcuYDx6rV
Everything happened so quickly when the car braked to a stop in front of them with dust flying everywhere. The man apparently saw who was in the driver's seat and just before he could lift up his gun to shoot, an arm with a gun at the other end quickly extended out of the driver's side window and two shots were fired. The bullet hit the man squarely in the chest, the other went to the head.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlE2R3vrGA
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSeCwgZKN6
The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4m5i4lqmF
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAxPUIR4Oh
The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ523wtTU4n6
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbwjHt5U8M
"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhCyqrtjdA
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhspx4hQXon
"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIW4CKei5e
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8ePzF0Rrt
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LzJ9WZ9va
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjY8bxY4UNh
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUgr8TC1mU
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnbOao6ST5
Kevin reached them and even he grew worried when he saw Malcom's bullet wound. Rhénee removed a handkerchief from her back pocket and placed it on his wound to stop the bleeding. Luckily, the bullet had gone right through.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJd9Kb5sLC
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOGOWV5Pzb
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlG52aiVLs
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgUWW7cXiK
"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYv3Sqqh5cf
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoGbVKHZwq
"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q1N7wBvSo
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIuTl0FH73
"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnsGEH0ke2
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZag7yJATN
"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEZH0sy432
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sLVdBnTZd
"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykbMOUPoW5
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaqALl6q1U
Kevin placed Malcom's arm on his good shoulder anyway and helped him up. Malcom walked on his own to the car with Rhénee and Kevin right behind him just in case. Miss Marie opened the door to the backseat and Malcom went right in to join her.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWGwZ7pJdF
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxTkB3mupR
Kevin also got in, this time, taking the wheel. Rhénee went in on the other side. She looked outside the car window on Kevin's side and noticed the dead body they had left lying there.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHktcQXSukA
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVjhxpPzxl
"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknzBOjMx9n
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WcJEirIzl
"I wouldn't mind," said Miss Marie in the backseat, stroking Sophie who had sat on her lap. "The people who are after you know better to get rid of it than draw attention. We better leave before anyone makes their way here."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXqi24H2FA
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqXTaAvHem
"Yes, we should," said Kevin. The car engine was already running and so he turned the car around and drove back to the main road.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTdhcA3AAA
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdG4JBl3uVh
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaNy6ZBMHA
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpbgsYkVDC
"For what?" Kevin asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGqVoKI0TT
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYOroRAGUz
"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsY4ocp40U
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVsiwVScNv
"Rhénee insisted that we should," said Miss Marie with a smile on her face. "That's why she took my gun."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUwtxBm9oK
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHFrp1loSK
"It's no big deal," said Rhénee as she looked into the rearview mirror at Malcom who also looked back at her. "I did what I felt was right."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09N7mgiED0
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSksmALdma
"And that was not leaving me behind?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjeGt0zgkC
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmZcHmWbJy
Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFqXmKZerN
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodM87yIkHt
"The way you shot that man back there," said Kevin as he briefly looked at Rhénee, "you've dealt with a gun before, haven't you?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk21gtZIj04
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmyh8jLvgd
Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."
