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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUb98dHd5A
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK6iw5F35B
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjUIgxP4fx
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvAEvdp23A
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyiX6UhhfX
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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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJf9un9x9Z
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34UC7efy5o
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFiK0p3dG2
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkaK0EZN7V
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLo4bTl6JZ
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vhWzQERVE
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?555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjwY53CHu9
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1spta339p0
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQxtllTES8
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizmFWvgyud
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqx6VQy02Z
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The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTGrCzyKFp
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3g3E2aQfta
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhvXld7b4E
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NQVGfFWFj
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1VtNYA2v4
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13z5jjciAg
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5phl6woiwd
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ktQWccI3s
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiO7MJ9J46
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSnlUKla7r
"No, did you?" came another male voice.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjsFUK7H8j
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVnva48Thl
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSLhKENMEj
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ8gjKjAPh
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkyEYj5JWA
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OcjDKQQgQ
"Me neither. But orders are orders."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPXvaY179O
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvlvaayC9u
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSqrYIIZby
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgVu8G68Pr
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMiMHRRaiW
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHc98hhjbSi
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZQTzZ1Iez
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUERMqYxnWy
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4JQXJFYEu
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a9AaeBg05
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMC0t4lRzJ
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxHYJpoD6m
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3gyhFJ8mE
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjbr288AkC
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxGMBc3N7O
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTeBKicyj5
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3YTLjM7v2
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5y9wAfRpd
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t2x1bPqA7
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq1ZGXlwzu
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jsjPWCSdJ
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUhu2GB7wf
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....555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZIxKUy92b
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvDcPfNZht
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzLi0TGyib
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7XTG2v1PY
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8yVxyEvTf
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw5XKnBqOr
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjhkjCZr0I
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3hsPIHpKD
"I'm going to check it out."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8gzAUozZq
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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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXlc9GrAMc
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8YvCqXh5k
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpoRcgelcM
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvwwU00bEf
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWnNIsxRHK
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDe60UhEMu
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZN88mXVPQ
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs79Lrgm3Bf
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOIzuan1KB
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyAsXmcHOZ
"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?"555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlyZfkVXgQ
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSD66P68mxz
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2BVnjp7jx
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCE5Xwlr9VK
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJxGZuPEfe
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHR8oxBXaj4
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7kIdFpkGM
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbULmQCWhjK
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdcDJAIvgu
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCqnNh6npH
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:555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYmACnzT3M
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaf9UBLdTo
"I see her! There she is!"555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm50npL6Uh4
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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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMIROmglxu
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlAdC8KNBd
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1eRh98mhn
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFqvX5TbBP
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxgM18d0re
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkm09CfIlWw
"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."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8inb5N85D
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Oiwe58Acl
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTIKBzlf2G
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***555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWBm8KXuKT
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt0sWqXYLG
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQSTbpap1Y
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYwg4BTLaz
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvI72NHLFx
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"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lqyK7PbYv
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qFj6im3kd
"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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4yCOt50Pk
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fwSFM9OUq
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlOLGtP3FH
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcalDia6GR
"I hope so too."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMEf0QPmKE
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcR42dx4SI
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnh7zBV82I
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbhHBIshYX
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZbujli9Fy
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4YutbPriP
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9d9zQFxGcG
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlux1FcNxkK
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0W5NRCn23
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMdu9nSxCZ
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSYE6QjtFX
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ncS94yStW
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY46m5fVYlX
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVq18GbTujq
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxDKqnPoYL
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqt9qncqDm
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqajfKpdgEb
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazy7KxZh9R
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPT0gH0EMo
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoTzF7DaiS
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwTFF2HsQn
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbhOlEjteP
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolbcDlA4PJ
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMvDyRDqDB
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHiLmVHKbK
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMYHsuP2wg
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPgrYmXA1U
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rEo8ynhqN
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdV8o3knuG
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT37QGCIhg3
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAZehewANu
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPLEYF0dhA
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!"555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQnnP4nHyk
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNdrsSA2py
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OZD3lLdhO
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSgOVNxlTR
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AVXozwCGj
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV4fPhOgz0
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslxnEra3HV
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecvSkGKKWD
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoPh3X6HsM
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrWP0aXcCI
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU38QGwxGx
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaY4OboZ7hu
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5UfYNCepf
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8nRGwkGpZ
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74NxjHN1Id
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGVWwzKh24
"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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6BpqqB5UL
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjm9ZIf6TEW
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xSDQweQFo
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAkcSdIPeH
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjEAsWCaKZ
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnLV7juWeZ
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMj8PuLzpi
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyfFX79Suq
"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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9Ty3uLebc
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgHXAg4ByW
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4I7WkRn9m
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQjrdPK6jp
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mCztbS9qD
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeM514Zsl4
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIA4mdomgD
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6INkIT5UBS
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRxIJhJPhm
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCko4UYHNYo
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqlzQG1iGl
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeDTliYqGc
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ9s3rqqRI
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEeej2LkZv
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrZz6bUKm4
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FSrAG6d5t
"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."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUmvB0AVzL
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyOyY43AAi
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYtQOW4jDa
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiuGqASrHa
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."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIXAPoBREO
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"I'm not leaving without him."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkUcSdZSbL
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"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."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxq59iUKX2
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnCZx6yspd
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."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWG5Bw2xPfE
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"That's not for you to decide. Come on."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRtECfnUXS
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Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAlQEfcf0i
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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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZ192cyjkk
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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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16ziUAQuR0
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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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeaatiPyW8
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"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mr0SPu5S4
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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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLJibnXY0k
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjMq5Nozp9
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0faqkfkDaZ
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUrK6VVjVh
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38lkzTM4Zc
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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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa7vWZoCh5
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Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRt8YkZdUb
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYYKLSwk50
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0u9iWNfBNO
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6DqnUQwJa
"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."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3dtr2y208
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRKl02jYB0
"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."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzRB1XQKz9
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozlJDTe7RT
"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."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNg0hibpNN
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6BfJxnols
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y00hYap28
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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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAEVLHmZ4o
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"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH07Ms2OISl
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"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."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr1FZhgCi9
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezgWEdcIr0
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBASHPKUv0J
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvJESqMsYa
"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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRhFgdTxqv
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEXHtmoj2J
"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?"555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bQe0Wq7QX
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Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKYlGh4UK6
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYWGqGXKi9
Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOL57n5poR
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOaYdRHJoY
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWv2f0YcCe
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"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bNheLczee
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eeorgKHSp
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH0rUppsg7
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFceDPkcesT
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLCdppa9HC
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYUTvk1Vil
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UM3yBOShu
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Rv8cyBs0Z
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnYtj3Kilf
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLGu1LImlX
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcnajH0Ora
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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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRnEMP9MQf
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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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eHVrq2O5M
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBChHy4BpMN
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6p4kaMe8W
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaFajUwQMb
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CRIK9rqCz
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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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQFixL7Ua6
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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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAUngdL4Od
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The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0MoA5oXSR
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"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."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNPfkdqBgt
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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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MtqXEUPp0
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ7lLo7YDU
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn3D3DgBQl
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The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8roYp2DloW
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The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpMaNEKSgp
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMXTdgo1bT
"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPSv0VpXDC
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"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1qkFIWJQ6
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0T1w4LHXm
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jidQMmaYG
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"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPkumFdPa1
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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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliE0NFWHLK
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"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8amT3ryVwY
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"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSwNedfGF8
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"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3LIEfs5VS
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"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMqSjsUuJV
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"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkJcHVNSo5
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"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ6c44rAAT
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXn4i4nyWV
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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkb44mmzla
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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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknuSsCSL1G
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"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIxBSDkPij
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivpsqqvfgx
"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."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKXCz80C3b
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSfP3dHCEn
"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.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4iDfJWJCk
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInoqjjrEn3
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHPlTB2LhJ
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"For what?" Kevin asked.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCyLRCXxDI
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"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7DiVXd5A4
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV0g44Do8X
"Rhénee insisted that we should," said Miss Marie with a smile on her face. "That's why she took my gun."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD99FkqNQ7
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ISRGi1sZT
"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."555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mPihSbgrJ
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"And that was not leaving me behind?"555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfOkSS8N0J
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Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNliWKaThg
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlRvwBcQCW
"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?"555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHEPmUvYdR
555Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJnolcIcvW
Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."
