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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmQTzjpxff
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2usj1IwjFo
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdensPZvDf
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JX2Rr47Bl
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhq13jowJXC
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPxb6UUk3K
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyUcrycBmG
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4EqjaBS3J
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r6KeEkx66
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXApUB7IFCO
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0YYP7iw3z
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMGNSze4ui
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?591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamO9x2wd32
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluYBBImCsl
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zrGPCsaw2
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJHevYK4I9
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMQyGRGaF2
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKENeBBiA9W
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqLzR4ArXx
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS2qW3zEVS
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoISmdK7ed
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvjfxbZmBS
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YU9pjHPo5
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIz2TLVICt
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85QbkR7X3A
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeJ5RksZuL
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk92lkpkXw
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oBZgqvPFE
"No, did you?" came another male voice.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcto197BgO
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJ6sIfCtnJ
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnZ0dvWqpj
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKGEL2Hk9O
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkxOGMqazh
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVepmBf40Zm
"Me neither. But orders are orders."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Qr36ixArK
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPYjT2B76e
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ey9QG2ntc
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWjwxxAnJZ
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqhXks1hQ8
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqj8XaMiUM9
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6vJhzgtAr
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrKjFBfM1T
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9yWQklMgM
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjg2f29Kzs
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAMneTC1RB
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PcEFNGDSI
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezRDJQdbMK
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze4lsgoch2
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzRABr1YuK
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKE0OanBEl
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpbuYP5jGm
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdTtFNqOS6
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrSYzXewCO
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDoNdFn7W7
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dSP0DsXOs
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgI538HuvRA
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....591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtJIMAyQ4V
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07CYcAQeEH
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S4CYdRY4Q
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBmQojGLoZ
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT9OrFGcst
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzqG4TlgKo
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYfAHcXXD9
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShUxkUpVNN
"I'm going to check it out."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROjLPwhTm8
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdWxAf1NbE
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbAE0nYEai
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPAwVfnA1f
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gy0kGAlDM
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMRRSVUrug
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCGS20hzfF
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXi0J5qLge
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8zP1aTU61
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvzSHGO7zQ
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU9DzKDsqP
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDs9mfDeRR
"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?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDeGOfod4r
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgpiF2WcUm
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJCAyaupb2
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0Nuj0JwAn
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9obwoduhI
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOHZrIgqpU
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsAZLCgFHL
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIsznpFWW1
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcV8WcmU7HM
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3IVOojH9g
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:591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWO3Z425DF
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQ1woOSnvv
"I see her! There she is!"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSJlLqtfjw
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsUEAmtHUV
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib5xWr4IFF
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjKpeGL1VQ
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbqbTzP8HK
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwweivYsX7q
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ96HuJkzWX
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO5KL3qebC
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh32NKMLN9i
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOo4J6uOms
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtz69L3XTd
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTwSU6mm2n
***591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWS9xop6Amy
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSfYXpoRNU
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hmqbb2H6P
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMIYzKvCOR
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0oxNtDgJG
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvB922Yw88
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzLS6acEh1
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUS0v2NCVg
"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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp096YsCpiy
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACgZ4WaD4n
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3675L1leBb
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLlBuiazYh
"I hope so too."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxiyi3S6c9
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQUNG5nIrf
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFHrTuY7xP
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3e9Bzvu7k
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaLluaoOkT
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk886BSQfZu
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsizelPpAv
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRRUVtYOZ6
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMooaM7xQe
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByFcpdBKuE
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UAl85gNeh
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCmAJXp6uU
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBM3kJMfZTP
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCoUaSz8Y6
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE1LwbZUZB
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFHHjBTp71
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUeBxPAqQy
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXsyGFaNXw
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiYxJ3oQWE
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsyYKmJp9v
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXvDhEa3zg
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQWlFXDD1a
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WUhMxoIgd
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2TvsUBylX
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8oB6InPNT
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv0eTIzNEo
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1KakgQwl9
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jw9thjRVp
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2txMnLzzEP
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmG3tiM6SjH
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptyz8MRgLk
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGLYjNDYmT
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!"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs3KzjCyPJ
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBICQQ7fOOK
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXfRpW9L0H
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62gKbkeEwZ
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUBzBzaXeX
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS81iAxP5l
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXk6bU8ls05
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerrw3kzu3f
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkxfCAYv8D
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4ZoNhVWoH
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDG0PN6j7U
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS33ng8XHeg
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wZrlKFyV8
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0VQMhaci0
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfw4zkoqLN
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFw7gVfUkTb
"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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviMonuXvp4
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa0niFovJZ
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxSGILxl2n
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH79ypftDn4
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XvQV8RuBP
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqwPz6nCDq
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7Md6niaOu
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIydnXfC0yr
"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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThIG57MIxQ
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KCNuCkwzI
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndOv4fKJnX
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iR0WfL4qA
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLidxOB3O7z
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EF2enzgej
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwikxm4Bp2
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fUYyZaSRv
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMV8bwFHVe0
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9O8ViQYYo
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0Mednlcg8
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqY9dMV8RR
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3HQwh8J2i
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCUNBEHMmk
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN09gq47mc
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRC4ihA6kG9
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUMooANAjI
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rWcvZx4j6
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQANVxKIiRY
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KD1pTdZRQ
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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpkwkZKK6F
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalkLJRgT7z
"I'm not leaving without him."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2Bl07O2vy
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYN68di6Nb
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj2ODyrimm
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgy8NnFJnW
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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY5apySdMp
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7inVuAKQW
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tj6xGI13Y
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNgCOCV5tf
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5ET7tAmgG
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD8rpxPDHk
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx4Ctjcija
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYDuzoS4l8
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiDVJM7hO7
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghTisy6AAd
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUqbTQjiAg
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK7awd9pzp
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6IxJn98HO
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5f9DbOIRP
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv860tS8c18
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUIArn3Rpi
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr9lkHahnq
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTDREBhUYk
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Aa0dln0Mj
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTz0Fxp4JM
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p00oBTzIL
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA4SuegLAO
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yMOFn5IM1
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeqfgelSme
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrDPFA9dFJ
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnynhJmfJhy
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWsqqHAgol
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7mealquxC
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9174YarlLA
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnjjJogqk8
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88h4aFt49Z
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSioHuo8MAu
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYw3j98gXD
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87ZD6x2mIV
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsBceawZRf
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCfMSerbYN
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaEnbDDeJm
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X1UnekEjc
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvKajrtd1e
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjrJC32JSP
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSFGTQj4Bd
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgCq9xBh1d
"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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe18UCtghBI
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRU3bkSo7s
"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?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4mlrQwUog
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPc2PZ6QGe
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsHlR83aPU
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQltyiBQnb
Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ILLG0ykto
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2dDdeMrsu
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMW2Zl7APi
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQKe0wz5VS
"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VsNTn26N6
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMbHrxyEij
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mbQfpTOqj
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewfQFBnGz5
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXuawGRRU9
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kZnBNDlnj
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOc6n12wMs
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg869ahtzEI
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyn3xZsx7u
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHS7UC35CP
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz75rasFKE
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkqZLAGPop
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Dr0b9VYpg
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjashQ2f2h9
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqRu9iDFv0
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlOOWZcmZU
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeygMlDI3G
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk47QzqBL3
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HdEKj1rmj
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzNdrGAFTz
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKhjJlTYrB
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp2AtzSX2z
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJxD83uKdw
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGv392Qb1M
The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00Ek8wqwaz
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPCnIUvaot
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekEexaeQm6
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhEuhaCcN0
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDVJT00ORf
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAxB8gAWwc
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOf8uwF9Tu
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRrUNL0DB7
The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtXTqKls0q
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9tjMllp3s
The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04ExB6Boyh
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TOVH6HFng
"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0RYXT3lg0
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTQkuOBZwa
"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVWJZxztNo
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32hq7ubHoz
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1RE0kgqbW
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh84PBzEAt
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJZl1Fv738
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwGLUsG9t2
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLQWTFZXx5
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFpq4lYvJs
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKch4lA8pHR
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0g0hJnGeH
"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyurfVlDIC
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCSBg0jFZx
"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwi7na8M5B
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hmHyWZsQ3
"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQSD4EW3lV
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bqNBKSv1a
"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS624WAB5oc
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Vw1J80iuM
"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3DrDobyFN
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBHouGcH8F
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNT4sJrFlzf
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeSzCHu7Ra
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgW7K1HnqV
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5Gon5bKxI
"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndDVq0z0OW
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6xtUFgjjf
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT27MBuvYGP
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR1k35KYG1
"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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprR9H9NZxa
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV2Fv3okF2
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCZoYzxplj
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jk3kuqwGJ
"For what?" Kevin asked.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9iqoRup7A
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqNLHNcIyK
"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiH800NswVm
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06Qh13svMQ
"Rhénee insisted that we should," said Miss Marie with a smile on her face. "That's why she took my gun."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bVMcxiTAu
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CbpZnUKvL
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPl0qKvmoP
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu4r8EeVAM
"And that was not leaving me behind?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL32gARm49d
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWY8O3Q8Ou
Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EMxeDOf3k
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPR7nfsypg
"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?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1J8hZQfLsN
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n1vZgkKEU
Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."
