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.413Please respect copyright.PENANASazTToMK4k
413Please respect copyright.PENANATI0MD0MHoU
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANALXzOmwq4hM
413Please respect copyright.PENANALAPoldfyp1
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.413Please respect copyright.PENANACJ0oQsRRXV
413Please respect copyright.PENANA9LMgHTtyhM
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANABSTp4Ds0iM
413Please respect copyright.PENANAx3Kg6zNnYh
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANA6yBEC6Z1rx
413Please respect copyright.PENANAJ9lqh7Y9kD
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.413Please respect copyright.PENANA348Zqivqgl
413Please respect copyright.PENANApT0L931SYx
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?413Please respect copyright.PENANA5ec0ymsvFJ
413Please respect copyright.PENANAzQ3OxwJuQv
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAu26iAwQ8ng
413Please respect copyright.PENANAb5AlqLA0Nu
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.413Please respect copyright.PENANA5k3TgmVfwY
413Please respect copyright.PENANAFlWnSAs6TM
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.413Please respect copyright.PENANAP6CxMaV08g
413Please respect copyright.PENANAHsGORcF18B
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAckAhWXkfPH
413Please respect copyright.PENANAsAWj36XabQ
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANALDMv25ssfz
413Please respect copyright.PENANAlyvqhVIN2D
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"413Please respect copyright.PENANA8SaRRZPZ9f
413Please respect copyright.PENANAOYTys2eiO3
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANA3GWDvxHTnL
413Please respect copyright.PENANAI6tXVnTKvG
"No, did you?" came another male voice.413Please respect copyright.PENANAHsIZ5QYtTD
413Please respect copyright.PENANA25ym2sw8iC
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."413Please respect copyright.PENANAIsxgyo2aXb
413Please respect copyright.PENANAHLoE3GsysO
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."413Please respect copyright.PENANA5yCOOhePJM
413Please respect copyright.PENANAdWyiK204Mq
"Me neither. But orders are orders."413Please respect copyright.PENANA2MPZDloWQ1
413Please respect copyright.PENANAz9o4LVELiu
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."413Please respect copyright.PENANAjsEV2c0BoK
413Please respect copyright.PENANAqMEAuxvYYP
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."413Please respect copyright.PENANALo3E8kPJZj
413Please respect copyright.PENANA7gBqvR1z9O
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.413Please respect copyright.PENANAbqk3vhUivd
413Please respect copyright.PENANArE8qWOmckR
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"413Please respect copyright.PENANAxAVm1D99MM
413Please respect copyright.PENANAXPg0HR68T8
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."413Please respect copyright.PENANAHDcoB6e63N
413Please respect copyright.PENANAVWE8UFV2yE
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."413Please respect copyright.PENANAQslGzXSjmK
413Please respect copyright.PENANALFQzmxdJm5
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAjC81Tr2hWs
413Please respect copyright.PENANAnPkm9uC1Cv
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAuIi1worGv1
413Please respect copyright.PENANAtZIJmr3ChC
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAiqnnpgp2VB
413Please respect copyright.PENANAtyRgef3wGF
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANASfnuNdxvwE
413Please respect copyright.PENANAVpNOK0jd69
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....413Please respect copyright.PENANAIjnItUrHVW
413Please respect copyright.PENANAxjoE27RNY8
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.413Please respect copyright.PENANAV0dkNhkQOD
413Please respect copyright.PENANAOBiQCQeyOP
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.413Please respect copyright.PENANAgrl8oQNh1j
413Please respect copyright.PENANACssyPeEHgh
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:413Please respect copyright.PENANAVTvGRStqAM
413Please respect copyright.PENANAbAu63JtLvk
"I'm going to check it out."413Please respect copyright.PENANAY05GqxMIPA
413Please respect copyright.PENANAbyjqQfXyUl
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAg5y0rcFrVH
413Please respect copyright.PENANAsBwxmKH3mN
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAgr9dEQNjw7
413Please respect copyright.PENANAQHG1dXNYzq
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAcjG6r5ZHRX
413Please respect copyright.PENANAf1kEw572cD
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAreUPqOz3Rw
413Please respect copyright.PENANADNK1uk3daR
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.413Please respect copyright.PENANAmHgrOxOETt
413Please respect copyright.PENANAvr9jejGcvn
"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?"413Please respect copyright.PENANAYm2iUrHgoZ
413Please respect copyright.PENANAf58z1o3tiU
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANApH1uL4Ldmm
413Please respect copyright.PENANA0wEAHU9wmJ
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAKf8iabf67X
413Please respect copyright.PENANAgicmbCuQLV
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.413Please respect copyright.PENANAzk1GoGiZJ2
413Please respect copyright.PENANAZRNWsObj7Z
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.413Please respect copyright.PENANAICXIplPW6t
413Please respect copyright.PENANAkZPOBhrUgE
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:413Please respect copyright.PENANAbTyglEpgld
413Please respect copyright.PENANA3ecVCgO3ea
"I see her! There she is!"413Please respect copyright.PENANAQOWtUj7dAn
413Please respect copyright.PENANAVcdGFpIruo
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAHRWiomv9CZ
413Please respect copyright.PENANAr6PpG7hBd2
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANACjZzykgnTw
413Please respect copyright.PENANAwDi3lAZSTk
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAsl5GH30b1Q
413Please respect copyright.PENANAxnkkk57Iyz
"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."413Please respect copyright.PENANAdtPi757VDl
413Please respect copyright.PENANAHDpVp91pyy
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."413Please respect copyright.PENANAl3r7oswoyI
413Please respect copyright.PENANAX0hiCxk7Oc
***413Please respect copyright.PENANApd1EUUKo57
413Please respect copyright.PENANAUHyKH2YNKk
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANA2X7Nuyo6DK
413Please respect copyright.PENANARcDhBLDNyE
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAmXFiNCes4y
413Please respect copyright.PENANAwQgNdvO1G8
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.413Please respect copyright.PENANApcn61MZ2Yp
413Please respect copyright.PENANAgtCMvTwwur
"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.413Please respect copyright.PENANA6o8fOCB3NR
413Please respect copyright.PENANAatveB2wsXa
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.413Please respect copyright.PENANA5R09pHZ2oO
413Please respect copyright.PENANAbS6DlZ8UgZ
"I hope so too."413Please respect copyright.PENANA3T7K3J60Kp
413Please respect copyright.PENANABdyuhmnIgX
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."413Please respect copyright.PENANAGuTYUW3JqO
413Please respect copyright.PENANAHcyoKrJLRY
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."413Please respect copyright.PENANApt42Y2k1Z5
413Please respect copyright.PENANAh4gJ1OJkmb
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.413Please respect copyright.PENANAkyjexBsdvA
413Please respect copyright.PENANAScW2Oa4BtK
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAvFN5gt6DRV
413Please respect copyright.PENANA3NjWPaAggZ
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."413Please respect copyright.PENANAoMiHEJzfvT
413Please respect copyright.PENANAjbKNJYb7dv
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAGzjBHLn9E9
413Please respect copyright.PENANA34OtrnbPXd
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAmv89rAQjUV
413Please respect copyright.PENANAfdTk8x3a9V
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.413Please respect copyright.PENANAIo7ArWNgoe
413Please respect copyright.PENANAWj2ggMN7x6
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAUq4OHt9CCM
413Please respect copyright.PENANAbdinoj0v5G
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.413Please respect copyright.PENANAeJtOAxZREI
413Please respect copyright.PENANA2SsFDGLKOB
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."413Please respect copyright.PENANA1VHNQRGium
413Please respect copyright.PENANAzQEuLB3nyy
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAlNDST2uQJJ
413Please respect copyright.PENANAdZ8QHUnmXn
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?413Please respect copyright.PENANAe9zOGCs3nN
413Please respect copyright.PENANAIb7mcerNib
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.413Please respect copyright.PENANAcXFyzuDRzC
413Please respect copyright.PENANAM6k8PZWbzS
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.413Please respect copyright.PENANAOgWtD1SZ3i
413Please respect copyright.PENANAzOWykC6s3N
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!"413Please respect copyright.PENANA6MapIMAWyL
413Please respect copyright.PENANAvZH69G71g7
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.413Please respect copyright.PENANAW0vCa27rtg
413Please respect copyright.PENANAUvI6epCFVR
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAYiktwTQgHv
413Please respect copyright.PENANAIFWfYGjvvT
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAB3ctQVjNVD
413Please respect copyright.PENANAGDPuhbm5NK
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.413Please respect copyright.PENANAfT0pDpkjMN
413Please respect copyright.PENANAbvW29ZS05r
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.413Please respect copyright.PENANAi47PDjW0O8
413Please respect copyright.PENANA0Lj6C24XOe
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANA4jESpI50L1
413Please respect copyright.PENANAknQVCBtg5P
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"413Please respect copyright.PENANAPFs45qITTR
413Please respect copyright.PENANAkq3wFK3R5F
"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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAMaK9yexuXK
413Please respect copyright.PENANAw5hhoL5MzW
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.413Please respect copyright.PENANAAgx5E2AeB9
413Please respect copyright.PENANAQBtgs86NVX
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"413Please respect copyright.PENANAMZpQ9inGSw
413Please respect copyright.PENANAjWG3IXdt4R
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."413Please respect copyright.PENANAeSsm73PB8g
413Please respect copyright.PENANAfsFJBwpGvG
"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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAtXDYFYGsyF
413Please respect copyright.PENANAHhqm2x88WL
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.413Please respect copyright.PENANAgi6Yv47u05
413Please respect copyright.PENANAd2yOABJ8AJ
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"413Please respect copyright.PENANAPbLvTBNk3h
413Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3fJmjq3Md
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.413Please respect copyright.PENANAMDD7JLAB3g
413Please respect copyright.PENANAJF5HA4L5aL
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANANeSWWbiNkI
413Please respect copyright.PENANAfrWzrp0Xkl
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.413Please respect copyright.PENANA7GkGM40EYo
413Please respect copyright.PENANAVfv7uUAolc
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.413Please respect copyright.PENANAFUfJt0iEnC
413Please respect copyright.PENANA0cO2zUSxXO
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.413Please respect copyright.PENANAAQv25BgYDg
413Please respect copyright.PENANAWocKAgIeYi
"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."413Please respect copyright.PENANA9Wi86r9Zjg
413Please respect copyright.PENANA32a6P3EyM0
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"413Please respect copyright.PENANAaMbx5ZXfaP
413Please respect copyright.PENANAyy9tttN9tK
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."413Please respect copyright.PENANA2QU9utDjSc
413Please respect copyright.PENANAIIBb6qiHJ6
"I'm not leaving without him."413Please respect copyright.PENANA5HLYE5y0bR
413Please respect copyright.PENANA7aWTpSoSii
"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."413Please respect copyright.PENANAHdEOO7l5h8
413Please respect copyright.PENANARBXyYoIrmO
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."413Please respect copyright.PENANAreryt7zhMM
413Please respect copyright.PENANAG4HeBssQgg
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."413Please respect copyright.PENANAm9jNhMnNWG
413Please respect copyright.PENANAQAHvcrX7E6
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.413Please respect copyright.PENANAa6KSgjbhz3
413Please respect copyright.PENANAXCK4eaCBXn
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAXuoEVpYqxU
413Please respect copyright.PENANAobQS5xNn2i
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANARNrKUg6c1Q
413Please respect copyright.PENANAP3y8FmRmTZ
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAzUVsq5EoTq
413Please respect copyright.PENANAyUoJ9o2WZ8
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"413Please respect copyright.PENANAVHSTAftdIG
413Please respect copyright.PENANAHFGiD5QutW
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAPZLMccFiyp
413Please respect copyright.PENANARo81UnkvGI
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.413Please respect copyright.PENANAK5K6roZkMz
413Please respect copyright.PENANAAV2HDPaHTk
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAqSCWi4wYJv
413Please respect copyright.PENANAADoH1fzIdK
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAODPAxmEPWL
413Please respect copyright.PENANAHYZzNp3HTO
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.413Please respect copyright.PENANAB9rhn76oC7
413Please respect copyright.PENANAfS8khKa3sV
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAWzjx2xTnhS
413Please respect copyright.PENANAaU0SajSaVv
"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."413Please respect copyright.PENANAttz9wxgtCA
413Please respect copyright.PENANAmQtKXgBkuT
"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."413Please respect copyright.PENANAjAuAFIgCo5
413Please respect copyright.PENANABstq5Al98z
"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."413Please respect copyright.PENANAQeKlgaOua9
413Please respect copyright.PENANAtCBQvPwYcn
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.413Please respect copyright.PENANAOsTXbTSiVB
413Please respect copyright.PENANA0I43aGuPu9
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANACwAxj3CG3E
413Please respect copyright.PENANAUVXQjph6Dh
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.413Please respect copyright.PENANAOIwTGirNI7
413Please respect copyright.PENANAPULvCVuM9U
"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."413Please respect copyright.PENANAZd7LUaBVgB
413Please respect copyright.PENANACzab05XM4R
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANATcONG70Wjn
413Please respect copyright.PENANAOwQxDo74A3
"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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAR25aP94ssL
413Please respect copyright.PENANAzSPTKZe1oX
"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?"413Please respect copyright.PENANAbvJtghuOdz
413Please respect copyright.PENANAOXoWBGC7WD
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."413Please respect copyright.PENANAIKQfgDq5fz
413Please respect copyright.PENANAII1xRG3rrf
Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.413Please respect copyright.PENANAFJlREYN8tn
413Please respect copyright.PENANAaiLYh0Jqjb
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.413Please respect copyright.PENANAnbISYuNNtf
413Please respect copyright.PENANAEbnN2amW0l
"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.413Please respect copyright.PENANAoe4T8ATUIU
413Please respect copyright.PENANAq6415fJo0m
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAaLAoWqguTk
413Please respect copyright.PENANA9JFywIkxXZ
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANA1pqELi3D7K
413Please respect copyright.PENANANXUAeXFlCS
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAuaXmIybhA1
413Please respect copyright.PENANAwAIhbIlsNN
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAqtckd0h58P
413Please respect copyright.PENANAqa0sZhamDE
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANA3UPZYqnBqO
413Please respect copyright.PENANAvkZzza9cYg
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANA1p9vfJTcpA
413Please respect copyright.PENANARXbDd57vf8
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANARJA7ljvdHC
413Please respect copyright.PENANAYOXBkwBxw9
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAJwe371rIg2
413Please respect copyright.PENANAWe9WY9aWqU
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAPYCRCY3ACI
413Please respect copyright.PENANAAhdSD0MZVa
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAJOQ2qaZWGF
413Please respect copyright.PENANAVXSIVQ7fcy
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAJglKcgufue
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The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.413Please respect copyright.PENANARVOJT0APTy
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"You're of no use to me," he said. "I wonder what the news of your death will be like. Will your mother even cry for you, I wonder."413Please respect copyright.PENANAxyDis3oKLF
413Please respect copyright.PENANAu9jhizWjp0
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAkmFvI2VMdA
413Please respect copyright.PENANAPbw87bpDki
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANApxuaDwitPU
413Please respect copyright.PENANA1IqEpCHSVp
The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.413Please respect copyright.PENANAG7Y0ZeVzU0
413Please respect copyright.PENANAG9OFrb2Lt6
The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.413Please respect copyright.PENANA1EJzLgSSOn
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"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.413Please respect copyright.PENANAWiAyUgoohw
413Please respect copyright.PENANApVNwI7f7yW
"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.413Please respect copyright.PENANAprni8LDOA5
413Please respect copyright.PENANAGarqQnWulx
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.413Please respect copyright.PENANAQwJDbqphdT
413Please respect copyright.PENANA10ue9svWmN
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.413Please respect copyright.PENANARYGnuyeE2m
413Please respect copyright.PENANAcjZdtrHB78
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAoX8xExsoUQ
413Please respect copyright.PENANAxpicjLW0gO
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."413Please respect copyright.PENANAB2eivXD0ls
413Please respect copyright.PENANAdO8ehHIbno
"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."413Please respect copyright.PENANAXewKW6bWMo
413Please respect copyright.PENANAXSbVnUwbnI
"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.413Please respect copyright.PENANA6rE4vUtBaw
413Please respect copyright.PENANAUP6DvxrTv0
"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.413Please respect copyright.PENANAr75b0RuEPI
413Please respect copyright.PENANAlMiQOGPCzz
"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.413Please respect copyright.PENANAlQj2Utqq97
413Please respect copyright.PENANAO0I6LXeLWj
"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."413Please respect copyright.PENANAfTOPJJCebr
413Please respect copyright.PENANA3Y52pEJcYd
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAsu28nlLtjE
413Please respect copyright.PENANAzBufiO8ryN
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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAqVmey1x85Q
413Please respect copyright.PENANAtxCIUc1C4A
"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.413Please respect copyright.PENANAlcy4czeavq
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"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."413Please respect copyright.PENANAUrACVDZqAn
413Please respect copyright.PENANA07e9WDMiv4
"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.413Please respect copyright.PENANAVp0I1NIBUg
413Please respect copyright.PENANAm5marXLUzm
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.413Please respect copyright.PENANAjr26acqjRx
413Please respect copyright.PENANAzqZKlrp7lP
"For what?" Kevin asked.413Please respect copyright.PENANA2rjKk9vUYS
413Please respect copyright.PENANAGkkzaOuYkN
"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."413Please respect copyright.PENANAhv2jAplviT
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"Rhénee insisted that we should," said Miss Marie with a smile on her face. "That's why she took my gun."413Please respect copyright.PENANAPV6uc70psn
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"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."413Please respect copyright.PENANAvuZDfVfDNi
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"And that was not leaving me behind?"413Please respect copyright.PENANAcQac70Yfcl
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Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.413Please respect copyright.PENANAUfL8noII03
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"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?"413Please respect copyright.PENANADNKZkN6BtX
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Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."