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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8Obgzxc6n
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7wSgT0DjB
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPwBbWWD1j
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyc6TPU6b0P
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFjBq0XCud
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ7Mg2GJ4a
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedHGjqFtFo
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDcmaTQ0Z0
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4yX7JIVwU
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8uizbVBt1
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbEC2XCx1m
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEOScFMdln
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?645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9XCYUr1dz
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE362xJYiEU
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1mMJZff9v
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ujIzsSHYQ
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk8EnJIyrV
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBHMRh5ozL
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMJQMOmOpP
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsWqePGt14
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW6kRlZ233
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdTRqtLNgS
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQt4gtFb7e
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC05T9To8c9
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SFneECUwR
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5it6mT2yc
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBrli26DIE
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABW0ms03bq
"No, did you?" came another male voice.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ063rdX9mVs
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79IRunMMYt
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHFto5RqVo
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIeogpfoGu
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0NGI33n60
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW9kVIIVdP
"Me neither. But orders are orders."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLO5J3k8Sx
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSAbrY7TUF
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J26oNgogv
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQgc5h2h5L
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88MTdWl1HD
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlFxAG1rvk
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmRdKE9APL
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2xi4La15K
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKxwfN9VAu
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00j8WG6LSl
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5RgC377wI
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQD7tfBF9O
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHxbwbzMfG
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUBeDoCbtN
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7Xl04BVNs
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKfCnZXnGH
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoKxkpaqFq
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DE4epeBN0
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVdiOXlhMt
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFRRZpiWLH
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESrix6qEZG
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PwS4U3mcR
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....645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ye4Zg5pRl
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1njYVWfsn
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBEHllyx7r
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlud5CmsQg
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9a5I2PJsL2
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9n8OecEza
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4yMefC8aJ
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjEYfKrRn0
"I'm going to check it out."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunNSb3N8tZ
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxvL58EkXw
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwL1BvF7SUA
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Cp14vemO1
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qhVLB36EF
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fRctXUgKU
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx6Mpe4RUe
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsG4HbCWQJ6
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT8pQo3S1r
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvMMIrHFU4
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQRP4VJTL2
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m9mlo3oKC
"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?"645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSa8m03QRej
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2OqCCXuGw
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ811Cu7n9XM
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhFp2wyklC
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoHHO0nLJ3
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPydHUiIwRc
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpWveLhD2o
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GEfKo4ofT
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfk7xF3DnQO
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWG2lbomToU
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:645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2gOzrIHnn
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZgpJO8Dtn
"I see her! There she is!"645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxqZIze7f0
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6tXiuB4JZ
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2S5dnHFjR
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhEqNMqByQ
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsh2WQzCBq
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXe7Dqgq6GA
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9ewuCUSmc
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Pk1tgLlsH
"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."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdmdIfcwBP
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4gIYHUrNV
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeSpJJGnba
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRMZhEbx4N
***645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vIMJrWmVG
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb4v7jd5Nz
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHy6nWyzz3
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEM1Qfgx7EC
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuO33fqNENY
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Bs3BEmP2I
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrSaCNY9Tm
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQq6k01CKg5
"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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxtD7TNKVb
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9drk4xJFB
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8i8ut6UE6
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqSKiaskae
"I hope so too."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLze6MQuGM
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWNScpE94D
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g0c1zXCPG
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMRnHCTQOC
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmDcYJEqPr
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RputJAeDQ
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqZsfXxwSV
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLczTmJ962v
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Pb1UtWfhV
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRQLDc7PNX
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTyiL0Xjqt
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RUQlgOX50
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwN6CmrQoyB
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUjPaQ96fG
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6m1OBBgBy7
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHHMqWcKd9
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3MnSCB7Yp
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0xpadquML
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1TUSMmiFE
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtZGKl5oYZ
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaztY9StVLo
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdIqQ7BCZU
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y8uNh4k59
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN0ngPDSiY
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLihYbjTB4
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAcNHer0q9
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lCGykdFYK
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrt95ZPfD6
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtx6tS9cAE
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEGcTnNpoQ
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYUm1SI9Wm
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsMlMTiQtO
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!"645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyjGGvHnS2
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z9LLC5X7T
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSV2kym8yiE
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsD7AjEHtaz
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMA5G4w8jm
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaBAjgkx7a
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfu4oxvtAM
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ADz1QqJ5O
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEtCRccsqF
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUQmNoEweE
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNvoEPve6e
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCAWWLklfm
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OtdFC4De3
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatYrhJWe3X
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0GRO19N6W
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ6EyY20Fe
"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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJk9BYIttwM
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxga4YZ7Dk1
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0V42fmrOL
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQ5gQNPhOo
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q8KbVwJsw
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEgvWCljjy
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4gi7bpCxX
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVRibxJexq
"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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2Zm34r7PM
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEHa9pSsg0
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisXQmnmS0z
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3ZDLpKxvS
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZwwi1dqpg
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst16F8RZn3
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOMCjrrvMC
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5Z2Lb4skv
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBx0tnn7NSu
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFDiuqG9mL
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6jfUMdZok
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYbAxsL8DC
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcjR4COieH
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9M7FPgHEDo
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIWPkALIzX
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI6UJBiaVD
"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."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYob8I8aXL
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO2UhOFvVk
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP92N0zqx7K
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PIyUToJQD
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."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVqrTx4rWR
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oIUtPfEj9
"I'm not leaving without him."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut2Urq4nBL
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWbSmu18Oo
"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."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9hRDmsiOw
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDpR5JveZK
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."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fNt6780qi
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGbR0IhAUP
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3N5jzxu33m
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiwxmggl0n
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFqiB96uyU
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZrxQyPJXu
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOgFIXJA6c
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkVIOc9oCH
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwjn0WaUrA
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHuDjF2rJc
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGMrzihC23
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOksrA1LBv
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84KNIGe0PR
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyuvLDXNCa
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTqXdqSQEY
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf2OJ6w77K
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRC4E7ln9Bv
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wjUJq43gh
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3vhPH3JCz
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUouwCqOjMQ
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxLftNCJoR
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92vEPwx1Rd
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDIDU2yIuK
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu921X6S9b
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTO8zi7eBks
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAdJD7OQ13
"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."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OSO123IGW
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtDIdLP4FF
"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."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYschN7KYW
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJo41aM2EEb
"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."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFIUiFYs6q
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaFtX8tX0k
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡol4hCPyP89
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcd94sHnXu
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkeasWoTk7
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjabOmuuFe
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPKGhWxDzu
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKtOu0ZpcL
"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."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7HTzQYEHP
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKvxO3MCvL
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcYApbBXTD
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlJdmTEzJj
"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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJ1HVGDjmE
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYSA3schhk
"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?"645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYESOxuv0eQ
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmr1jQFUm5Z
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqafkmVjYX
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6CkKuDdP9
Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fjO726Xow
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGptNGj42s
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLULuoz3cs
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9nrCfbIto
"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKve5FefhE7
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHD5yvAsNd
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhz5YWEj6LR
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUrbA5tNaH
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDajQXO7it
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCpTvUBE5f
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9UJMkyGFF
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6gjyS20RN
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1t8F9EjTC
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rb4C2tgCB
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSCFvjs95r
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAMzY2vYHI
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVyFyqWsuB
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoCdiWXs4Q
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsRvRgxO3v
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFGH30RA7W
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojtagvu5WX
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTQvu9vZ9c
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAd4Y9ijpR
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lQ4srCJNv
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kfqdUbMmL
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvpIoXpVo6
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4spMPNv15
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOmt66TFWP
The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8HdLv4oWa
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO3ZWXQ1Ft
"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."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwhFCM4SV8
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDohiBviv4E
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxnNHlR3aI
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaZDDdCwfT
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6GEH2o16z
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPePi8P0Pt2
The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeD87tsIW5I
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡks4Wfk2o8I
The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDi44my6BZ
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcNbAuXSWh
"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYERyrGEDgp
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerbEqHXyfF
"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1fs5RCS0l
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQX4z101RZd
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaUK9tejWT
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzTkcbqzMX
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMOBdzruIy
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0Jx0k52O8
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzU1yrpCZBd
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjyjFqPl0f
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgrfQoaYXV
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ3NjcUJ4s
"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeJXZaGDJS
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH9OHGpeF1
"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIZLYFPqDj
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTVzZYnI3u
"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJYMCXF6Zg
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy94m7KxfB1
"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxumPqt8isF
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWl9ZsrmBfx
"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KmptsIbNB
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRUPcM6orI
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzrjqxVzLJ
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaAGmM8VJ6
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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMme1YTwmyL
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ1ugrDUwT
"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHciNxjyI0
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnFXFhNPON
"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."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwmrHdUPp8
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF0GFHsjV1
"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.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBylpoJvGrq
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NPDhkvbxd
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkcTePN1tM
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHTLFBpkH2
"For what?" Kevin asked.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoM4lSzKiU
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNtB1WzT5c
"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnWpD8SvFB
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9kvWnsriL
"Rhénee insisted that we should," said Miss Marie with a smile on her face. "That's why she took my gun."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTgGpk3nK5
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNuJjBtp0N
"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."645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmOU2hBqs3
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwhODpkkL8
"And that was not leaving me behind?"645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbzLrAD4Z4
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhb2cPpFKm
Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJ9dyuScxY
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv53LJsbh4K
"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?"645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqzVDoUVT2
645Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkKkN4fMIA
Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."
