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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2H1iUzGV3G
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha6qIvRM2C
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBctRS84teJ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TPp6m7VGz
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlpb3grqY7
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnHKUgKSyK
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lGJa9XGv6
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtdSmKTbbT
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuOyHoudGr
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMf2nLPWic
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKIRsKf9S0
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFadj45gher
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?489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3W0SCcnvU
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZI2Kia69y
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ytLLjNya7
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGGetIKhOV
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrn47i0Frvt
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEminYAc10
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5titT1MDp
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1EppBVHxO
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhu5YHlPDTl
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUx6RK3lnt
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSIjeSQs8j
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaWlrfGYV8
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjphx18Ia3C
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwjQ2T4otE
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllzMct1Ucz
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXFYO56nEw
"No, did you?" came another male voice.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ5xVPnlT4
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8ZSf7QQzG
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbcbHVVdo7
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRqX0799B5
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmci35KFRA0
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHzpnckAJG
"Me neither. But orders are orders."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGLGqtT1n9
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MOwP8NLKH
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbxP7eQzgi
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxqtQSMtfM
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRROio5mmOq
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXiUwBtKt0
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnP53XZhirt
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfjopnHu91
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVnPjvwfwh
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Vd2J8mbHt
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh545wqR6R
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPKJQQ0Oz0
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFESjuvH44T
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkTPH7cLcm
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZSN01EpVo
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3ayXKBCyz
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz9Zn8mRYP
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzqnedbmLq
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aKMYkY09P
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WiddoZQQC
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeIAOOcSsO
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe38jFzmGf7
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....489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdUvlgB8ZR
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8vkuB0Qts
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡla7msGesWr
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53Fl5RgklH
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIEOAUd8Sz
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdlw7VYZrd
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTc9BGp6nj
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhyi11i4Kg
"I'm going to check it out."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SAz2GHW15
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXsuIUvMvQ
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubFrICHgt4
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDyjKMVpIb
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg5pMOEoJt
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4PNn4CkhN
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYdyIFZO7f
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEEXPmYWTl
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOjUP0eLWp
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT43To8ozUH
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMAnrfFaZT
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2LTCiEIVS
"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?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23UPOQvZ05
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6fEFLCcaz
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAj2ujV5kD7
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nPGbB6Shm
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOik74460f
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iFiQK4Tga
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodygS1fMVl
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7Ys1KLAdU
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIhikIhLOQ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLiouGuSUN
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:489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG9RImPz5n
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRGNHNS00B
"I see her! There she is!"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHUyM5h1Zj
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm574a2FCVP
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZism0qLNbw
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlha7YJ2W9c
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lGjKAsHwM
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOfmPJujom
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnADuO8oP16
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFERfSpX3H
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2M7APZHnNK
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVipKmLm1I
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qdUVjMsX9
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOkxffyDsZ
***489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxHLcDym6p
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKA1btek4wf
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMwJddhtgS
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZypErCzGsG
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcbIhBIP1H
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyLEW6zF08
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMt7NsGfCh
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A3OMaM6Lv
"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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgZz1LSoxq
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWEF1dZSW3
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBBLdJtLA3
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8Zbb3KNbe
"I hope so too."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw06PBmhY7d
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjYuv52okz
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnduVh7xd8
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBreisNVyy
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOme2asBF0
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjngyd9Ekx
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJg33Ybba4
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaOA3HSMhP
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzl9Mu4Fa3
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWVaweoiMS
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTh5hQYkOia
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpMIXNSQjW
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHILMmbuPGQ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxWVzJlhST
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTIqBYk1S9
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ1xd8lGc7
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5plXiAQKTi
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQbMH1RFLp
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24ig9MsW5I
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalnkz3IdDr
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFkBQkPwXk
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL72xln2F0v
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNXX0iL19j
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TI7rYXRNI
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ4tyOt6jx
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nYzGl0FjO
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaxhtvqQuz
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLZdeZX8VU
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgQ6whhPho
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHTbwaqrDh
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn3i4hn3Ce
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X3btkS7np
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!"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTePNHUUml
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeoKpN9pbu
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuL5RQIG2Be
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTNB2zjNDc
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPyScjV7Ld
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMG2Y3D8BR
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzBDrkeL7P
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeGYfxBXJU
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32L3tDEL9A
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvtUimJX6i
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrScKMQANOJ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkLHgrvaFh
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekCxUKjmho
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVcWLkcsY4
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2yqGxBLho
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xOqJkXA9Z
"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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnT9zv3D1EE
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjK2lpLCL1
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvjNRD5v7p
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuxFMj2rLh
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5koVZDlM7
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamWmp5I35m
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwFh1kLa2s
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGL2Op1eCHD
"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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfeek7DOiK
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OIgLO2RCH
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnglgds0M9
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQNB0H3dz0
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuODbUwgWi
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkOdzenu9a
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleuo4omg7a
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVxa8RUWis
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwSS9zSwwu
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb52w6gTRg
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQEbS8v3AA
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQRpwgMHur
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV0cOgdQrE
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHfWwjdapo
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCCTX7pbzV
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGN9SJF2a3Z
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehYeZgadEA
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE53cgS9LxH
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk65bx93CDE
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg9YBlHNqR
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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KQTQ2p9ZJ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3qymOpeBk
"I'm not leaving without him."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3TLwJhaww
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwGX1z53kK
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkt8sjFdbZ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NwPBgsVgB
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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0lx8VJMTN
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEaKnnSNHb
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgxJ9ybLrX
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAQ7FlOYYv
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f0ZpliNR5
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu56G9X5zSr
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gOxP6k0dq
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYr5y5x4K5
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhOIV0W2P5
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVrjnMtH6P
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr0BEKBAld
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRDfrxSBVz
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL4djOpg17
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVT7ijg9TN2
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRet365g6A
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq34L8RN4wK
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GcKxq0PX9
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn6M6esZHP
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOBTH3LM0C
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlIw0DyREo
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsHY0B0ujs
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLOMseuN6C
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSI0OBw0RJ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGKDPn1O6e
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEQCJeNeLh
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmaV4avboK
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBv2tgYQ59d
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7F46eKFbc
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdqjgXUElT
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHenrvifRCD
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFkczyZNC6
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHVWxii6SH
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGsnJKG3wo
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKcne39Zyi
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPoj7froyV
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoGEGusqAj
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJGFW9GGW9
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcEQJ7M22M
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2nYLnlmvn
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0nE5SKjmN
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHoJOlllmY
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2zexRgDAS
"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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsp2Mr4iob
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TRw7B6Ygm
"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?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdWx95iKbA
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBKYURcdm7
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp74SuMRyx
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIs8v8DCPz
Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQDE1vv3ho
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GkABCLhbB
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJZBXxzy4n
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgCNY6G6Hw
"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqLJoikKX5
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwM67drqI6
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o8rdueYyB
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RQ2adVHfA
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt7x8nwh7o
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbB4D1k16G
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9zH6pHmWb
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8gwDYGlFw
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFMBq5W9XT
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPO0qQglpU
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mG3Vq6eMj
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR09vDX2EV
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpG7SwzagLK
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7f0gOYCHq
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPB4DeKmyu
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA75u9VTyZ
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5SA4Ypyc4
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPX6UASUgV
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIYPVEc5or
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuthb5Apj0f
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡma23cVq370
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQpRLW9jdF
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LybWN4cQr
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYPNqa5lDs
The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZcH20zbou
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXcEhNnnN3
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpbSM8Wcg0
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyy4BheSST
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshK173pov3
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuvcSEn1rx
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALKtklbKzg
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITahe8gk9m
The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7n2PNdquj
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNcYuyiL8S
The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHgNhu3mm9
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfL8wt7Zu7
"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKAVrxTRjN
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJKQEQmePr
"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLUAlSwaVE
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIcLT1rPiR
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfa6aqCttw
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqfYbqTq6G
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8ugbXtShA
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm05DAsxjDL
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WNSdLNMJq
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDc6UdJmkx
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTbonVJfdU
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdpemjNxqF
"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlwaEdOVWt
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhfLE0Ggpx
"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj9UkaE2aq
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIEqEYtVGA
"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG6OT9pZK3
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3KAMiNFq5
"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpK4UTjnnr
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12i7E7Aw07
"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr7dOlQLxv
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqO4sQ1vupM
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgbrx3W0GZ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBR7ILEuRNd
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDIClkAOGN
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxICBozVwww
"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqas41u7P4n
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CK5HOmKkf
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuim2Q3atEE
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm42OFkiz9T
"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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkVcGvDDDk
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WE4N1QyfU
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMGWGCQxhb
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9alKRAIYwb
"For what?" Kevin asked.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CvsQmPmJq
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVeMYOw3AH
"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9OSndwaOA
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM4T5aOv4M
"Rhénee insisted that we should," said Miss Marie with a smile on her face. "That's why she took my gun."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy6TO1hAbJ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjiCR5gs8g
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjkgn60EvS
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qNnktB7Ai
"And that was not leaving me behind?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GwPyVPP84
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMemFadohn2
Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW0KJg8iUh
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuK2q8iXVk
"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?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDdoGgOKdy
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbjzmWcZSQ
Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."
