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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH4TanFCUx
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtiEMFIuNE
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxG5IYyLxt
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxUg8zmwVs
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwxuKf2e2C
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVrMMhAh47
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8DOwIwnUo
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlfmdk36QS
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXLsWzMqlB
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCtFSs5hv1
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLFibonO96
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPCNcU98HQ
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?586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAcpcreArb
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9WJpn6Lsj
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmagiux2dyY
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrblbMmIevp
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zeXKbZ6NX
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaioYHbnCx
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveoYO859kM
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBQA7CCNXu
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5y5Ym0VyON
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL73KDn0ty
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQXb49tGXd
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEryEqRz1s
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlePHSl2oK
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIBHTnlvri
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJpOv3JUbK
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3a0CU3NWa
"No, did you?" came another male voice.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlC5GlEkA6
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjwifIgeUT
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyE0Sb7Oej
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzxaIiU2ui
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5UkE6MY5h
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulVDrbR0hI
"Me neither. But orders are orders."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJJDFmlcIr
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOr3bVai7b
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO358oHErm
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCySgukXo4q
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLZrO2D6Wy
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ589Cy5HJY1
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbi3KcBDeY
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypzvi9EG6Y
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYI3NMmm6H
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UfYmJFsZw
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBdcSztgi9
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QhBPSuWg5
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2rBLyW57t
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGt4ztfzD9
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtrJXbQXl4
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoEaaBp3AP
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnnJFtg1YW
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QaS7Gi2OL
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSkaapBbrv
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHyUUYjbcy
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHA8xk1dQmk
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeStFCttex2
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....586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PsK7ZC6S1
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwvf4EpblS
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUR0couj2h
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTlk35hDf4
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKcW9d61mG
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0sjFnksXG
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jrgW1c9Gn
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17DEpqVeCA
"I'm going to check it out."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQGyXgxzH5
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUvx7yrjrV
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpNCnuOlOT
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbKynWpeVw
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9jKtIhIM6
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYuW1TyYRg
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UYbE5XX6y
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDhgnMR6S6
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9bKttrwNm
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebsuM1X9aB
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrd6U5reAu
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvu1joLIoQE
"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?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcakEsH6Ia
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91l3k56dXg
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ys8WbyOvp
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOuxpIKLJL
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZKIfZZPkN
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaxGqQTzoL
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98drpz4Pxj
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud5K57eWFC
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO4MOzgMMy
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Oaz0Xreel
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:586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEacFicNpHH
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbfthCHjxb
"I see her! There she is!"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1mnwQrjY5
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSnZclCTAL
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL2bGZnFt0
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Fe27T1UII
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRmFnPWz9T
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcvTbSGXDQ
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfivYPcPWz4
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yR47WyUF0
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DtXLYsEVS
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4E6Rb02Cjr
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbzI0NC4Rp
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESJejYEy5Q
***586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4pR1eB4KH
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidiM585Dun
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpxCIyYbd5
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtG29QYdslj
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7t8cqw9tT
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvYWjNOLmD
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBOYlc4VyJ
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUBA3y5epG
"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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMAz3BU55m
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhQcGD1zO3
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSEpTCXT21
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fb0HZ53KK
"I hope so too."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4beesiXMl
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CaRISh3oi
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6rkI8Dao8
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOjKK0via9
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVVMDkED5y
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU904Z0bxV
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdPJHpT9ne
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBi8YR1tgR
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIcY8BINrJ
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3a4XuuagH
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4mUgRmZkR
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnOniSeniJ
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEfiP4P4cJ
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDJytJnqzr
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJbkbMkoxm
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AwuaC3cba
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgk4bpztNW
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDrlCPXnvm
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoEDDXsyFE
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI1o5WB81x
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALbpkII3uE
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb426zuTtrg
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtgJ2octK4
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgr8rhBO3C
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeghPGNsOG
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZogQG2XhN
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4k5Gb62q5
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOGxHieEIQ
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8opFwjwuR
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lzBX2brJN
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwoLxVWGBM
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3t1vNeDAgY
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!"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGouFxpiyVr
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHd5lZ9JdV
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2UgTx0Wye
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchXhxmroZt
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4swMWFwTZ5
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0Du3MUoey
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMO83UKw3L
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQX2IlozYfb
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobsbViVBXE
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wpIDTRuy6
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgVvxbSsaM
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoenJzNt44V
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfs6LZf3Tu
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjvEAhKnPc
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY13R5c68YE
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdT6TEzx5A
"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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuSfcgu7G3
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvyajrH7Zu
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DomuI0sko
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMmPH5iYFI
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Sl2dklqQu
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VQv5ZJJ22
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSm5FKvxDH
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDg7pucLe38
"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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaWl3OzR9D
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImQfr8amtd
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAFEVXu2xZ
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe4ISE5dsF
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLH6DyOYte
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdR0eY0KnA
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rP4geN36f
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYPK7RT8go
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4e8zE7cLN
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMom64xN87
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJbRkYQAS7
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaehfWYZJxa
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡul5EvqkYBl
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ829LeO9d2I
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfA5s7LeQc
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Na6KixRGN
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmmtjWcmP0
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6KHd24cjX
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mGFppyqGO
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJ7EEGFkvX
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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMkjYsy5Gj
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYi1EgUdJp
"I'm not leaving without him."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMQqQB1R4w
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacJ7rOaqlW
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7HDpClQ06
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdAyCFK3Ar
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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJE1N5tkGcx
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJiHelVguK
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV8sqqpkvc
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJl8uMMDk1
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8EOnanKSp
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYq7AKCOXb
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtCJ8OymUW
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDDUyy0qts
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0QKn5sNhv
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8KI07n6Wj
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxU0cg6Z3P
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOczSqQQuN
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEugwfEUfxp
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDClGqT9VA
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2ocpjnjoL
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOB0J881NP
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBGqsl9y23
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq9vapTifj
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5MdPVUl0c
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r8bgPHm7A
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWf29doOvyU
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0WFjc9V9G
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29udCkbgRq
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCXcDCCgEb
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWKfIe9bDU
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmfxfG8Cb0
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpus4yDsPa
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCmtalusJK
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC34HAhhYi
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIK12iC5lXB
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowVdremwSf
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6Yo1gWgRY
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPbGTWY7Ai
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WCkj9KzMo
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcwZ6foNv8
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KbaHKiUkq
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Nrtb1x6uP
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVr9jYZhVfZ
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicNvwZMvNB
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8NIdDJlHg
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwDuH23CpI
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ebPgnIW4l
"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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHFmsKUxyJ
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpzoYQLEVJ
"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?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOzm8WzkOH
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqr0VV76J6
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy45j2nGsCZ
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxE52eDzl0k
Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxCB0IeXUE
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVMgT635hT
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8XZ72acP5
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4xYv8fbBr
"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0UbYFFXVG
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBw9GqSlns
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7bUW0P1dS
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbiekaww4F
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBx7O8xSZn7
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQMIth31VO
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcQYo50b9T
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fukDg25Ya
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ108bucqDfP
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVBFukOmp0
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkeVh2itZW
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaFck2JSlM
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIYziLm3Yl
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrAlgsWgZI
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaalmboIfnH
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeIGhUQzl8
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGm5fb6rCcr
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeZTf4i8Cp
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM6wJslaBz
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRHN4MI5SZ
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfq47qlf2r
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cjjoaImdw
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1I7oBcKPSR
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Kh3OA9Qwn
The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8FFRUM5F1
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntC5J55XO8
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPU79y1hYV
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyr1BGAklu
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVi3Y9IXn5
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBD1VdqNCE
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Qt5QbSIpw
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2JWhzjPxS
The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYG0DhGUG7
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUjbEGMrnd
The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVRDxvgZJC
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2qim0TRSN
"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OiuGiVvnh
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4txnLauQyN
"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVuA0fwOTw
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt1b8L8TUM
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UbN7ehRHT
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIUmcapfB6
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSdrOoD2N3
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpa0dwQMin
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW3OQi52T3
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a2g6p3Pbi
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrJQH2tCbK
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9JGtOXjez
"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbwIqJNuZN
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xCUNeGUHq
"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3SVU8X7kS
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC1z1LbB3m
"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGw7mqiKr6
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCQmDcgSXN
"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyf3nX1ZO9
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7ajFkeI6r
"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrLkgy63WR
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8vsxJUNyR
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bZUX20jsa
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBt407gILDR
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5A9SIWcRp
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaLXBrsBlX
"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKhyvDnQIg
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPO4y4nUIao
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b9m9NMoHf
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAiicRNEL1
"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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q9YTPru8h
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YihI8GwVy
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0Lj1Tsxbn
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zBlImfYjn
"For what?" Kevin asked.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0lOHdQcWn
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnx3watjLco
"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CHvPFBfrv
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzecUjcCMr
"Rhénee insisted that we should," said Miss Marie with a smile on her face. "That's why she took my gun."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CJW1VaNaE
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Vr81d7Dwp
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHDp9XWCbu
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJyd4rLHsL
"And that was not leaving me behind?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUsPMUnYCt
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyNME6MPOC
Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPlQ6O3wzc
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9tIEub8l7
"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?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHjm7UaXoO
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMijcuVcNf
Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."
