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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFnpQeffpc
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjviRhXHsc
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cSISpyjWy
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhcx39AAuG
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprpxnjWoCl
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx8bsfSms3
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzCtAipTcl
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc09j4sejij
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWzGkxowvl
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBUATRBKTQ
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQRR22T6qr
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttc3t0aTXQ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw120lnSxeX
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LehGJh0ix
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq06z83WhUh
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXBZP0Knx2
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmgDDVzYPz
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJA4M7ZBNx
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCVdelPRWY
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrXnuY3gk1
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tSYbJSs7z
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3wD7KUpi8
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JnnURSd0Q
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCInTgAuXD
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLrlQgSKv2
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIYd0wwVyY
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0udqtLN9LN
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRz108jorN
"No, did you?" came another male voice.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i5jEIxiWy
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDN1fuNfbE
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZbhEhWiHV
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7gBUCa5JR
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bISIaIUfC
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5wiZuLAo3
"Me neither. But orders are orders."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXfC3ktHpN
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9HaU2N0mf
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4bSCoTncp
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNYJ0g1sAb
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fHdDKC8Kv
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXMYUP8iHF
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8SvKfsGSf
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqODwNoQXzI
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxlxxydsda
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpawacVuvW
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhRJFw4eaR
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8FgiSQipW
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYpz680Amw
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjroER4LWC
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WsboiYYt5
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0hPzWpANI
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4ZN608F7j
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERuPFg7RQz
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBK2tbPZyt
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGMPTm8gV6
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlv0rmyhfPd
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXFhdUPhTF
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkqZWEQalv
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHKjKwnFek
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jB7kNOMO9
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDCUuumKUV
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ia16kpbeq
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDJ65B6LCM
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9FsQeoZhR
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQVOLAA6q3
"I'm going to check it out."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVISRPmJk7W
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRTJI4HHyK
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGxHNU4JBH
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRucU0vVPS
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwP3JZUSO1z
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWixldMk9E
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfRTXI4zB2
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yqRxW14U0
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwYVDpYBh8
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGaVOASx8n
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdbB7z3YJJ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfahRTi33Kq
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rauGMhMnQ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWYv5OvdNH
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXUBArR4V2
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA0r6PjIid
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5GyaGsFjb
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtqbDuxJuM
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY0zzeFUvA
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRx68VyERd
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNToHzuxqQS
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i8qmaryoF
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLEUS1Oyvi
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1Bkrd5AWd
"I see her! There she is!"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJ0AlkBr7o
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbF22kWQgD
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTd04OF92L
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVu72bzHFAe
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5rzh3fSYV
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50kbJpt8Nl
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4REyXMYCMP
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYssYH4xXe
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBmLRha9Nn
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuUwRQV4gP
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAdwYAw4GH
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoh03crHfG6
***683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0QVKuWiKa
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyERENnKXgu
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDat7bR9vz
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohm91D4UwF
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMwhiISRXW
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlvRTp44bE
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bI0qiTsgF
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsY2Os2dQjj
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoAnGWc33X
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0w59qY5PsD
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVEKlqdEa3
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGTsGqUzr5
"I hope so too."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgYqFpgUGp
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfZM0ijj74
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7nU5dZEem
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AqZPS7Id3
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIt709AC0a
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqp9iufkEil
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCG6F8N1az
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjsTRiS4kQ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QRYinTRst
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkfPXmg5kQ
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwdbcB7E1n
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEYBvKi2HQ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkKVYchUWP
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttkaNO4eAL
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDqQwH5qmo
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukHqiUJDex
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBtN0jHwz2
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPYzrCavr8
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkrSMGKET2
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSvechTvhu
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcgLdYDVoR
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp86bh9mZPz
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8YL38qMI0
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy0nClw9mG
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aRCzXZ80f
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1DcmUzApP
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijKrOH4dEO
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrRRnKivcQ
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxcWCnyJyl
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZMB3CnjOQ
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBk219dODRF
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5rvaHr0r5
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyRenu6iCa
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSdKznB9sK
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZGIDiui1m
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyd3EWSo7G
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk67p3BJXR6
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezFx8msiAK
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ768RFV3DHd
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswCCsCoxNu
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFqIRaVvJ7
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRStAT4Zm9j
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRELRGe0goh
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCMCWpGHX4
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu47pSAa4Q
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40eTgpDUYJ
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJd1MaojO5Y
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC799tgPeB6
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5F7uFqy24
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLgY63fuaT
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hk94v2ibG
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTQldsAIr0
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwnNA0jgY0
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9TsW4vksI
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC53zFezKp
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhjVZzdhDp
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CoY7o3Ntt
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfRagyoEU9
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oKUvL9I2z
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ygCXlMJgk
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1X3Xm8OCk
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCSonWjMer
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdRVrJrPHM
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji4izee7Lr
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMqYEJg6BE
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTRNUP4DQd
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1Su2fJVLa
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI53scKXxlB
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJT83wlzBH
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHhxZU5BVZ
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmUVVqcVdd
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHUxZDKdkU
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIVBbTAaIR
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MYzz69WCN
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EE214MXzx
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAPrh1Cdhw
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93Pi1FfqOL
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOS35AyRkS
"I'm not leaving without him."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXjfdwok3U
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXccGgVYkS
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQebtpUuQ0f
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWaeqeFeHg
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw2KlPvMS8
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOwmSPfVkr
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0CwtzD87d
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkW36dzqsa
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4l1SJpt3KA
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz27njP3ZS
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxqQD0b5xq
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCRAkYUs7P
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ571rqJkVKG
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqCKMfJs5t
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKBUzSouMm
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz1wtrLpcU
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwSGfwp3ig
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9fcKTP01p
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgow6r9he0y
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ApDEdMsWU
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVsGRFoZet
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuifafQY8Ni
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0EKXSD2aK
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRRm9t4LR5
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUrlvup2Ua
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5YNrlxnxM
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaHLM5QyuV
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Up6O4CBAI
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhWFK6nl4S
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JFDOGWP3r
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoek3D1W5Cx
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxTVohE1Rz
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbXW0wF9zc
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DSvdasaSA
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNGN0E7If3
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNsn4GmML8
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgNTBkWSMb
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRmeHX2jsD
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrSyBbTIb8
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhXEB0sroa
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC07b42lI5t
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XfqN8tbIR
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmiSDToYxZ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aorj59xRc
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d0ki8I2Sq
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9GydkeIoo
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGkosrp7iz
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBAW1ViB5b
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGx37jSY2XW
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOkFhzvtbd
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd63dkGRj8q
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NHREZYLds
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLilRnGAbcG
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSD7TH2a6GI
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKtBGqAXZa
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIrtqi3K1W
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD31OIHIFHx
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7YecBRlBB
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOLTvPu39x
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFc1bbRCGpn
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjN5C8WGTqG
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQP7dmUiyU
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KBXTOxlJ1
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngoa5NG7E0
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWXwDUzC2K
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWQ197InYx
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBsYFVaTEP
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaY4fQuHAw
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5aAOM6PP3
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7EzLn4lEW
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuuk7nPJXq
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YTDCy67LQ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8DBEgR3ca
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0adJSjDimV
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZgF7CYm4j
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG83MDnLWjG
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMmVjuuxLF
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH49QaSkAx
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzDinZD0S7
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjy2fvmU4G
The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJinucdIuI
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYeF56yWoo
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KblGyPDnG
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItwH2mC70t
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKW2stfcqFW
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQP51Smi8ZD
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5febDrgJp
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK2oWeYpGv
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmwMJOaQ19
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMnGVnIRj4
The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmeLndzapa
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVImNtH8kL
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDkv4eJvLG
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ITtRfMmvC
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iWCY79ZE0
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Pszwan61B
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh9frp3YVA
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvJiPQWOhG
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qxZJjFFRw
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FU56oRwRH
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsAmiK7mso
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkSnUzl3jo
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUAZG4kncn
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9e26zuGpM
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUi0nADF4SD
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf139BYtfvr
"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2epfMeAvgn
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4M9OZ87Ir
"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Bl6Ml4PTj
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI09YIkajHr
"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCr19cGbuJ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMahXItS9y
"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQMHAy25DB
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6InHINvCk
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjaisQMUkl
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRlS54RiPy
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrvHpf1QfX
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn81qwT63D8
"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblUE41hEXy
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2RfG6b5qe
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYrARgehE1
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk9N4uweaz
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDBx4REpxG
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vtPh3s38r
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtayOIzylL8
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFOv6666Mh
"For what?" Kevin asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpw1Sv1dEf
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGu0TpUk29
"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAoctKvsWt
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtNN5Ozpyh
"Rhénee insisted that we should," said Miss Marie with a smile on her face. "That's why she took my gun."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3I8OoLQTX
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtnYsdMZdA
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12fT4iCdgo
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6Nf5V3wcM
"And that was not leaving me behind?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSR4cpOJHq9
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u8glQxCQH
Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3UkPPlO3R
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AesncjP1m
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ307P73X36g
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgrKWFhkWK
Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."
