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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0brvXVNZC
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCOr3MK2SV
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzepczfIsK
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFIhBCMvSx
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy47zRjCtBe
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuZsV7MzhO
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHFqWJCs6d
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhNiVOcvHC
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSrQZSadkz
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwPa3xtZIl
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q9vFxUfMX
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkxkWPwQsZ
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?523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRW8Ej0eHS
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUlrxen04z
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qEIWC3oZX
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmvEBzug2f
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTjI6Be5bY
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGJ6lws9yi
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoDGjaM0QA
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwABOJQlTM
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMNDnm8KhC
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCo57loaWp
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaL0mKR6vKA
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVs7T4ktQ4
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxTYFyfKlE
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf6sTdp8n4
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm1Cl63F9h
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYYGb5iKcm
"No, did you?" came another male voice.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBbBr9Ll9I
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkh209jIL7
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7qWRAsJLT
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDCriz33GS
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQvdTs3mP5
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRqWxU1anR
"Me neither. But orders are orders."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPECrt9TdM
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mELBQfypB
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKZVPP8eEE
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uIuOnZLPd
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEObFwfI7b
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5qazIbvoA
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMH2AMuCdT
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGK6KZT4m2
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX3fJNIPTT
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxzdyej2y2
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddqkzgR5Gy
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTZ90g5qFP
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iUWMFN8Ca
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurPANfTeq5
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWPdgX0IIC
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuFH4mZzWy
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIt1pKpY5c2
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jjj63nLzv
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkpr2jibhM
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs88ioIK2zl
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmSYAxXDF5
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlMJXjnSsj
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....523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOYcYeAdUN
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2lxGxWtyA
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EZm4TuqCM
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69T91fep2a
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JgsOvkhOs
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kylQBFQG8
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWcUR3ezyB
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8v9ex8uMU1
"I'm going to check it out."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2Gkryfpd1
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5t1FEQwhg
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszDftyZkYw
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64MukqBQmi
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXLuYNsNO7
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91sn1lLiyy
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfTm37jDdH
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBm4J8eNaH
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1MgFkmDdu
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJoWuzarhk
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUANJw70qyO
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1No61rVPp
"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?"523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTATDBCjUnB
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1RpsQKEQZ
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESYDSeX4ls
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQdib1UN7Z
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuXZsTV3UG
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6tTwZchfh
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TuU6c6pEI
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJPHMv4nYE
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VWGRfObkl
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqL10NBDIQ
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:523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMV8p3dX1h
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUIpLNlebY
"I see her! There she is!"523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRHvbtQ1PU
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP81GwEMYv0
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GLVNNASRW
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69R2lt4hIJ
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbZmkIBcXH
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCCahihY7e
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZ4AkmQhLP
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mVnFkNHoi
"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."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnl6urbnhjf
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvEy2tqoj3
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRTrQLGWUO
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSY8S4ZX9Vq
***523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiWSALcybn
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8wNqjlVWk
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkjIrqRr0l
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0xX5yoSvP
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qEVNuFiwg
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfyk1MOm6C
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1nAxT1s5F
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9rqFVeJMn
"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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSFhQQW6cN
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfNaXsa3Wv
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFpbJiQetD
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoj1iuQXG0w
"I hope so too."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D7qHA8fyq
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDftyOzWXY
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0R6VBQR9j1
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRig1OmLNNp
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5ZzCsgnOr
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZnmBI5iPj
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQJ8ruRvaZ
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAfAbOdaKR
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0gQFEUUiW
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0l6JDkxbUg
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89lVdNid1j
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AbDk3RdtG
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hT6ksk9mZ
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNSr6AAN6h
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs32Qcj1nPk
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mlssT5bq7
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPIUKsiD84
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqIl7l9K2X
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJAgvR93nD
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPhYIk59MH
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gwEIKZc9a
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGLDnBIMDJ
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZWkVen5L9
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7TOswzHSB
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8V8P2snlA
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKD5tInEJu
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10yqiZkM3B
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqVRYNKexT
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDEvxcxidX
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ugyOqtsXv
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaUBqQcsC8
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0jo7AT0lU
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!"523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ACbULj89u
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhUjrRn5Lr
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFVVrSToqf
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xSTfCcYVv
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jMGI1BKpu
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rCXOzsabf
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA1KAsF7Ir
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYI5EKBg1W
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKepnPetq12
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7o3TBySPw
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJf2ubXi6Ew
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBJaw5ILo7
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFOrIZTFgO
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwCMjgMC12
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhjSjtNH2H
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVTrXnwwFg
"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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuZC3BGzuq
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdI7op9Ss5
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspoVHJpMZI
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz1w9DKu6u
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnfGbkFCoT
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHee3bXWrdh
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWdjkgvIsL
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXajjkvcPUZ
"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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8WeBIdTFx
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVXVnZgERL
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP6GqBfnY2
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c9YRWB3hj
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4LagYvIZy
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao1okT4P7P
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRSzAW3CRx
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEiCI1DX2w
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gMDNcSk5H
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PFj4r3GRA
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOCVpewDIu
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU1X6aA6bW
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm09ZCoj0tx
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0RT6Fr2kG
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25moYlTdt0
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eTkBkIcI4
"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."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrbnWFSqZ8
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeKuE96SGs
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKJhkIJepd
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxhlDQLpR3
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."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIo74bBbrM
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMXhfIN01F
"I'm not leaving without him."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzyQEVbtCJ
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zHOhfQHMN
"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."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8K3kUeisaZ
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RIu74La9O
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."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcn6pakmOM
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIriMpkjLS
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxbzCqUNGy
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2m58T0Fe8
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7yZP8Dj7s
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzm5QInY4B
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKnxidJR0r
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzWeZ1JLiM
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYN5R2mZVG
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDkWHC6RrQ
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwvjzLvDWj
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFSRewFept
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgIBJyqfhY
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziUIRSfxFc
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26t98e24eY
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4u1i3a9rb
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmqjeCWHWD
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NgNgQlxal
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtwmhfAaz7
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DQHQ8hjJg
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcGBv4uL22
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfen4P4A12p
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAmApNTO7a
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcTXYQdCbW
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb5YQJ5uka
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbNNHkj65p
"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."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9otQP9EuF8
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkDWZWcM6M
"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."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPIGJIZpmt
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFId6b7dWos
"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."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiXz9h3RFp
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc71kwsXZdm
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT0VQd6YsZ
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9ig353Ih8
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqmpl8w2N9
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJNW18Vo7L
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9l1PCenSR
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPIBx4lmYn
"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."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRetsxZEBO
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ahdk8OxBF
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7xYbO9wXK
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2OjEjCF2a
"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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOsGEI9XSt
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tEbIYIrKQ
"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?"523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c7AGIhpnM
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNjE44Tc49
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJof8PhKi0J
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcpPXN5AH1
Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8ZtLE6RJf
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUBg4aFxhl
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55nGlX7HSe
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu7mOJ6hkE
"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNqctl71ZL
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfRNPgFeW6
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqnIZ4oNcm
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2PV9unJWD
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjInBm2L2R5
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W1K8rleqp
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHjiJX3GBD
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZw3Qj50U4
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlmPZ0AMAx
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA822WYEU6C
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRMJzTqsK2
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMcA7wUfQq
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpItFGerKMK
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1wVITMLsF
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5D2qLXiwP
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkSnilKMXr
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6u3bSSq2L
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBQqDSEHpO
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVLMyTSAnK
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwQleby8lj
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzDWjCejV7
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbMaIxCeYg
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2eCgnKoTp
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9CUs7vwSt
The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6lX1XgYFE
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgZMHMzOgW
"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."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtRMJpG0iE
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhtjxUu7BM
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg22R4ZInG
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKFJqbfMls
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWfMdck4Jw
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl87JmVsjr
The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9pLcscC9b
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu4iyd4m8C
The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosE1ejEv3J
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoctNK3WgQ6
"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWMNOSTpDp
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnNYC6KXDM
"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxe9aC0eqm
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcDOLlz3AR
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNluK33SFV
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMRn3XUWrp
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyU6N7pN1Nu
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzJ7NwZega
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzGuxoCVvO
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z5Vr0N9hD
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwhpWYBYcY
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSB4aU0jff
"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJvRFAzmk4
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvU0gUkbfV
"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3vvsEEMxj
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFhkg2gQT8
"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXHF9q1qUB
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOY0g3Kfsa
"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCshWV1wQl
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNiRzfN1Fr
"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYf5pe8BRAj
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4J1Jn29C8
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1ImkiTHrT
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zYUAD1vD4
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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwfrLGAtSu
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXRaJyyEuh
"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfdmAz6ArH
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHytwk9YLX4
"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."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WRSZqpWWh
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSK7XhezhJ
"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.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IBuBBAudg
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HT8KB3Yg6
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7eqE2GJRo
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhyfJosoTB
"For what?" Kevin asked.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT9m33G84v
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJl4GC7RMn0
"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBL5PsrZNlI
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cfVMp2oYF
"Rhénee insisted that we should," said Miss Marie with a smile on her face. "That's why she took my gun."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIsJDNEE3u
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcFxysOJZt
"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."523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkmtwVlwpT
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8tVUlkgp2
"And that was not leaving me behind?"523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyNnj1UJRG
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8D9NmhL0s
Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3e5CJc8zp
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAcmKcKEKc
"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?"523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ8koYiZKb
523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2wKOa9yho
Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."
