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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAXatWGzvRB4
399Please respect copyright.PENANA4dmwt6h08j
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANASKl0UKdlfo
399Please respect copyright.PENANARiZtS6ImiV
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.399Please respect copyright.PENANAjoyn36mrCd
399Please respect copyright.PENANAigsqjh3a7D
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAMXAT6VfwPB
399Please respect copyright.PENANAEs7QmviR6a
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAHfOS8UTVOj
399Please respect copyright.PENANAVKDHA26S3D
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.399Please respect copyright.PENANAmVPgnOY5Et
399Please respect copyright.PENANAOmWSIlPVaQ
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?399Please respect copyright.PENANAw3xEnt8c8B
399Please respect copyright.PENANAn9wUMxp5Si
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAvgExfPxK08
399Please respect copyright.PENANA02NauO9ADc
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.399Please respect copyright.PENANAQDfDWaFVeW
399Please respect copyright.PENANAOmfzLPjUyy
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.399Please respect copyright.PENANA411MXCZVk7
399Please respect copyright.PENANALJdTvkrzfB
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAmFwWOJU3q2
399Please respect copyright.PENANAI6OAaCDbDC
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAZUT4623En2
399Please respect copyright.PENANAIJuBimSYPo
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"399Please respect copyright.PENANAf96jl3TUYN
399Please respect copyright.PENANAnAkWvngiUr
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAiopp7F0pGr
399Please respect copyright.PENANAH2f2sjcoUU
"No, did you?" came another male voice.399Please respect copyright.PENANAnhsb21wlxL
399Please respect copyright.PENANAURyVzdQzIH
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."399Please respect copyright.PENANAtDwyKJJxO8
399Please respect copyright.PENANA0GnYLJYn3U
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."399Please respect copyright.PENANArViBpqjDkr
399Please respect copyright.PENANAykY5dsHVRI
"Me neither. But orders are orders."399Please respect copyright.PENANAymANGaFaVT
399Please respect copyright.PENANA0cEVPePx4l
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."399Please respect copyright.PENANADedNnSjlOP
399Please respect copyright.PENANA3Hwbrzi75h
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."399Please respect copyright.PENANAMq5ssMs0ul
399Please respect copyright.PENANA6s0vRZFen1
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.399Please respect copyright.PENANAANPugcNSMI
399Please respect copyright.PENANASp5foSDuUO
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"399Please respect copyright.PENANAtfYXzrcJOl
399Please respect copyright.PENANAiOhATkT3U4
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."399Please respect copyright.PENANAMJeW3A31CC
399Please respect copyright.PENANA4czVWGZCOY
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."399Please respect copyright.PENANAn4KCvPxBOJ
399Please respect copyright.PENANADqKZc5hfsE
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAyo3MLy5OaJ
399Please respect copyright.PENANABuNf6gTxR7
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAm5kI9a501U
399Please respect copyright.PENANAIUBdYzN2AH
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAX3pN4oY4Nm
399Please respect copyright.PENANAlkOOQ26yFT
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAYjCyZBFVeT
399Please respect copyright.PENANABxbr3E3VG7
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....399Please respect copyright.PENANAHi2t0qejc8
399Please respect copyright.PENANASwXfPw7fqM
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.399Please respect copyright.PENANAeP8uplV4ms
399Please respect copyright.PENANABO7H2TT0lq
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.399Please respect copyright.PENANAXXhpcgR8uN
399Please respect copyright.PENANAhjXoVKSrUF
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:399Please respect copyright.PENANAT8cSyLp6Ta
399Please respect copyright.PENANARez64Nqvbc
"I'm going to check it out."399Please respect copyright.PENANAZyqATZsgET
399Please respect copyright.PENANAFILMHmk5In
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAOMQIg69K0V
399Please respect copyright.PENANAljpPThdjJ5
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAtpApNgIODe
399Please respect copyright.PENANAyfU6vclkUT
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANANd3ECIT11b
399Please respect copyright.PENANA8V5hybLM0H
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANArqSiR2Ox4I
399Please respect copyright.PENANApUhrHzLPGq
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.399Please respect copyright.PENANARdL10Exe2X
399Please respect copyright.PENANAFzlOaPgggD
"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?"399Please respect copyright.PENANAmsMkovnw3S
399Please respect copyright.PENANAv9bKbQlbcp
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAINT9AtqYJN
399Please respect copyright.PENANAkQauhaKRAZ
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANA2ns9C5oecA
399Please respect copyright.PENANA7R1IwQsaPX
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.399Please respect copyright.PENANAcso6vWftFK
399Please respect copyright.PENANA88sebGmfh9
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.399Please respect copyright.PENANAN4VwkAnLPL
399Please respect copyright.PENANAuNhErEXv4X
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:399Please respect copyright.PENANAWz14BbF2NS
399Please respect copyright.PENANAmaMjCNfTPK
"I see her! There she is!"399Please respect copyright.PENANAp9klEiuqdg
399Please respect copyright.PENANAQJryxrivnc
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAghsrR7J0Ls
399Please respect copyright.PENANA9heQwgJgRk
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANA73wubGjUQe
399Please respect copyright.PENANAiXf3OptYPM
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAWHT8i94yp4
399Please respect copyright.PENANAO2ravMVCS5
"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."399Please respect copyright.PENANADketjtUohz
399Please respect copyright.PENANALbdm0X1I4q
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."399Please respect copyright.PENANAfDHlvFBGED
399Please respect copyright.PENANA3EiAjF81xj
***399Please respect copyright.PENANAqlkXaHCS3N
399Please respect copyright.PENANAJPtOKK8Sfw
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAZIwlqU0IOy
399Please respect copyright.PENANAefNOdOwKLx
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAmMKXvlLMlk
399Please respect copyright.PENANAXsR9arz66X
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.399Please respect copyright.PENANARdbEdIlszv
399Please respect copyright.PENANAk7YuJeZAuq
"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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAOk7XND3skN
399Please respect copyright.PENANAJk3yp1VebL
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.399Please respect copyright.PENANAkkeOWKVx0S
399Please respect copyright.PENANAVm2M9ir4B3
"I hope so too."399Please respect copyright.PENANARQQ6yxnN2h
399Please respect copyright.PENANAAQkMLH7V6w
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."399Please respect copyright.PENANADHox1HvFze
399Please respect copyright.PENANAdQ5jzpjEKL
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."399Please respect copyright.PENANAMK5LbZV55i
399Please respect copyright.PENANA90uIGDpD10
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.399Please respect copyright.PENANANnDnjJuYZe
399Please respect copyright.PENANA2dF6BO5xJj
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAihvOtV6mDA
399Please respect copyright.PENANA2WEjbHFZIH
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."399Please respect copyright.PENANA50IaQWXG6H
399Please respect copyright.PENANAN4RYtrofea
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANACairZY79Ts
399Please respect copyright.PENANAtlAQoxc9YI
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAHYEzOtg3S5
399Please respect copyright.PENANA2oWYdk9Dcg
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.399Please respect copyright.PENANAPzRkqiG60F
399Please respect copyright.PENANA3IYiqEug1S
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAXk5mVbN4Ti
399Please respect copyright.PENANAL3fPUTngNK
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.399Please respect copyright.PENANASUcHSVjYu5
399Please respect copyright.PENANAzim4pj8O8x
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."399Please respect copyright.PENANALTXB39eTDt
399Please respect copyright.PENANA0ybSVWDEko
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAlZjcqLTtM2
399Please respect copyright.PENANA1FAy5w8wDz
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?399Please respect copyright.PENANAx7WAwrYqN7
399Please respect copyright.PENANAmuW3k5Vokk
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.399Please respect copyright.PENANA3d6ieFpu6z
399Please respect copyright.PENANAsp36q2ZS0g
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.399Please respect copyright.PENANAcMjif4D4if
399Please respect copyright.PENANAeiDWIQlH4N
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!"399Please respect copyright.PENANAOO6b3L5FKE
399Please respect copyright.PENANAGYXC2o1VLp
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.399Please respect copyright.PENANAldpLVZdEzD
399Please respect copyright.PENANAkmjcmmQ2SP
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAkEUbeNbXW8
399Please respect copyright.PENANAFN3rxQEu9y
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANACXSL26JoZG
399Please respect copyright.PENANADgL5IGtBo4
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.399Please respect copyright.PENANAFBVBw8YWuF
399Please respect copyright.PENANAMbSDqbzaW3
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.399Please respect copyright.PENANA9LM1RuxUDV
399Please respect copyright.PENANAh1GrSt0ldv
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAYGXJLy87Sv
399Please respect copyright.PENANAHDPGAKMONw
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"399Please respect copyright.PENANAJlFauayq1T
399Please respect copyright.PENANAQq99fRA5dl
"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.399Please respect copyright.PENANA6VsGXJgEMM
399Please respect copyright.PENANAiyZtyGKG6P
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.399Please respect copyright.PENANA1VMzoQCjox
399Please respect copyright.PENANAJudzh7uR4S
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"399Please respect copyright.PENANAWxQnWXLU7F
399Please respect copyright.PENANAjT7GWz0hCL
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."399Please respect copyright.PENANAHjoLsmrdaW
399Please respect copyright.PENANAPAARZrpFuU
"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.399Please respect copyright.PENANARxpXHvZ6Ca
399Please respect copyright.PENANA99odJTkrus
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.399Please respect copyright.PENANAlicceMG3uK
399Please respect copyright.PENANALAm18Y6JCX
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"399Please respect copyright.PENANAm3lNiyhxCD
399Please respect copyright.PENANAmxrLEd6tIe
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.399Please respect copyright.PENANAutDK2QaPCQ
399Please respect copyright.PENANAEkQJjgJkXM
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAkiRTdKkXYg
399Please respect copyright.PENANAClar7EkIRL
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.399Please respect copyright.PENANAvvctqHLOSk
399Please respect copyright.PENANAN0a7mTMIBn
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.399Please respect copyright.PENANA8GTxeNRiT6
399Please respect copyright.PENANApctAGYJ2Mb
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.399Please respect copyright.PENANAmr9AgZp4zU
399Please respect copyright.PENANAhkVvN3TgwP
"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."399Please respect copyright.PENANA296h9T8bOD
399Please respect copyright.PENANAO7EnvFQBQm
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"399Please respect copyright.PENANADU2ywanZSN
399Please respect copyright.PENANAun0e85X8xG
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."399Please respect copyright.PENANA85GFecexQV
399Please respect copyright.PENANA8jpbSAxqdY
"I'm not leaving without him."399Please respect copyright.PENANAcbGOvlAObN
399Please respect copyright.PENANAOJeGxsyJNh
"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."399Please respect copyright.PENANANXACbAcBR0
399Please respect copyright.PENANAj0mw8AkBfU
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."399Please respect copyright.PENANA9Q3XnGZPpx
399Please respect copyright.PENANAY0DBacFL4F
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."399Please respect copyright.PENANAUbWqklu6Db
399Please respect copyright.PENANASeVwLgukck
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.399Please respect copyright.PENANAKsnDpMtuNT
399Please respect copyright.PENANAsDxZjzcgMP
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAmQCGv0V9dA
399Please respect copyright.PENANAF7aecBLmLe
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAILnX9UftOF
399Please respect copyright.PENANAyMEu4fL8yM
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANA5edxSO0c3m
399Please respect copyright.PENANATX5w6NOYq0
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"399Please respect copyright.PENANAvRiHaGrptk
399Please respect copyright.PENANA7XUKR8aBIL
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANA9lDCWLSby1
399Please respect copyright.PENANASAHK9qaP66
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.399Please respect copyright.PENANAojCnW5cR7V
399Please respect copyright.PENANAk5O9GLGWKR
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAEBZob014qi
399Please respect copyright.PENANAOidDpouj8G
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAGCf8dM04O1
399Please respect copyright.PENANAIXXxU1vluf
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.399Please respect copyright.PENANA6DKNuwbW7A
399Please respect copyright.PENANATG2ZTmGvXP
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAB8uiCeBTIc
399Please respect copyright.PENANAG78Fr4fCSl
"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."399Please respect copyright.PENANAHTM7TyO6m0
399Please respect copyright.PENANA7V0nb0eUwC
"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."399Please respect copyright.PENANAR4G5FQ4crT
399Please respect copyright.PENANAs3LGjoMiAA
"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."399Please respect copyright.PENANA3nUsr9I2IG
399Please respect copyright.PENANAbLUvISjGMu
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.399Please respect copyright.PENANAiwR9SSdjCi
399Please respect copyright.PENANA5oswaj3qhB
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAuhWpGTxwEY
399Please respect copyright.PENANAWfkpR85eCm
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.399Please respect copyright.PENANAAAkj7Xj5Ik
399Please respect copyright.PENANAHNthQkv4se
"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."399Please respect copyright.PENANA3qqlywLO0q
399Please respect copyright.PENANAHDEXtZ1Le8
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAYNDfzZTOSQ
399Please respect copyright.PENANAq4PwJgxwAn
"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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAaMTUsWVDO4
399Please respect copyright.PENANA08IRyQJtkF
"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?"399Please respect copyright.PENANADoKvjiweae
399Please respect copyright.PENANAneaAiHfVNP
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."399Please respect copyright.PENANACbSFMt2g3m
399Please respect copyright.PENANAdUi9gmQf5R
Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.399Please respect copyright.PENANAowtq4bxWkH
399Please respect copyright.PENANA4KeppuNlBN
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.399Please respect copyright.PENANAl5VdLnBUfB
399Please respect copyright.PENANADIzTNIdH1R
"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.399Please respect copyright.PENANA0llcJyd23h
399Please respect copyright.PENANAPiFiulfY4z
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANALqa2a8efmC
399Please respect copyright.PENANAN7zfBE176g
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAs9ebtfKqtU
399Please respect copyright.PENANAAFogDZXmws
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAcLUHoi9nRf
399Please respect copyright.PENANANc92XoZlPx
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANA2CYeAtac8T
399Please respect copyright.PENANAzv99vNGTBL
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANApRntPsu1vR
399Please respect copyright.PENANAU77ruCaD7g
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAASlTtIckxp
399Please respect copyright.PENANAPgFIV0vIFr
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANABvUH2wVuER
399Please respect copyright.PENANAPbWhHfcbTJ
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAZID1IZoERp
399Please respect copyright.PENANAKLkuy2uZOv
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANA33vnJ3SDUU
399Please respect copyright.PENANALbgHhr9LbX
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAz3L4gqum05
399Please respect copyright.PENANA0kToJv7O3V
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANA233BFFZrwF
399Please respect copyright.PENANAzu2dCVZ9k1
The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.399Please respect copyright.PENANAa9jx1hvFef
399Please respect copyright.PENANARmw7hlk29r
"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."399Please respect copyright.PENANArR3teipgwg
399Please respect copyright.PENANA70KAERZWOt
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANA4HTJt6pZ0o
399Please respect copyright.PENANAG1oPaWUMzT
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANATt9fHGZD24
399Please respect copyright.PENANAPlSiqMD6Lq
The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.399Please respect copyright.PENANAjE5y68xOvP
399Please respect copyright.PENANALhnx607hzN
The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.399Please respect copyright.PENANA2kkmREjJo4
399Please respect copyright.PENANA8bMnHM5jEg
"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.399Please respect copyright.PENANAYRPoV3tVe2
399Please respect copyright.PENANA3AeePwqvxf
"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.399Please respect copyright.PENANActctdBezzj
399Please respect copyright.PENANABwojklbC0w
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.399Please respect copyright.PENANAn3ZtDpVflK
399Please respect copyright.PENANAKGwooLIiXv
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.399Please respect copyright.PENANAWKZqwvjF6A
399Please respect copyright.PENANA58oYRcOaGa
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAXZBNLAPUIY
399Please respect copyright.PENANAeRvk14Zyp7
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."399Please respect copyright.PENANAKPfAPnFdRo
399Please respect copyright.PENANA6lVZVLQHbk
"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."399Please respect copyright.PENANAZOlzhcBrBf
399Please respect copyright.PENANAjvL7r51jpl
"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.399Please respect copyright.PENANALN8NGVJRvc
399Please respect copyright.PENANArGUwIqubWN
"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.399Please respect copyright.PENANAkC5zRbJKSr
399Please respect copyright.PENANAqdhGQGN81v
"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.399Please respect copyright.PENANA2fRP0xQQD5
399Please respect copyright.PENANAK2zS6xYD39
"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."399Please respect copyright.PENANAByP3FDNdQ9
399Please respect copyright.PENANAdJ6yR1OA1S
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANASwwQhai5co
399Please respect copyright.PENANA1XB5fxDpM9
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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAXbECfHt2yC
399Please respect copyright.PENANAMoAZDeKG0E
"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.399Please respect copyright.PENANAK1gTVEwU44
399Please respect copyright.PENANAWdL5SmXrjn
"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."399Please respect copyright.PENANAZQiw9B367x
399Please respect copyright.PENANAPZ2C9wD2k3
"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.399Please respect copyright.PENANAziVeGGO87u
399Please respect copyright.PENANAitZFkAUuMN
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.399Please respect copyright.PENANArD8Oxxyw7W
399Please respect copyright.PENANAZnSmS1iZJh
"For what?" Kevin asked.399Please respect copyright.PENANAi108yCBvn9
399Please respect copyright.PENANAX8DPITTgSP
"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."399Please respect copyright.PENANANRuEkVAoNy
399Please respect copyright.PENANAFzIjaFcXOn
"Rhénee insisted that we should," said Miss Marie with a smile on her face. "That's why she took my gun."399Please respect copyright.PENANAt66u8OiwmT
399Please respect copyright.PENANAMV5oEmIyOk
"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."399Please respect copyright.PENANAKcnpx7jrzL
399Please respect copyright.PENANAAczGPXXuDC
"And that was not leaving me behind?"399Please respect copyright.PENANAHTtH9lXHs6
399Please respect copyright.PENANAz2fPbT5Lcd
Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.399Please respect copyright.PENANA8LFeZ4vcAv
399Please respect copyright.PENANAtcX17m4lO1
"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?"399Please respect copyright.PENANAcascgLjeDT
399Please respect copyright.PENANALfeKWJk9qu
Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."