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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyzgiqKni1
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczSeHk2zWp
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOe9pigtbWH
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PKPwEPKe2
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJiCV8KgCc
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HEAZkleaz
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGk6F8OzLU
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJHceh0LlI
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVYxKrOSbz
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNpgIRYVYQ
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWZQGGbFoH
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKJsPCGNmW
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?601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwkSNjPCG6
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVtIndpeqI
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MQO5vbwZc
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGsftsVQc2
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWXaCoujpY
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznWYkrYE6s
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPQNeGkLC5
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06j8FWDzIX
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4SJDHtMzo
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5q4qelCHDz
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCQvetg53j
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3FywXldiw
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWzJmV7vZ2
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaqqklcCaZ
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqc71CaFnb
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl74ukCJNMP
"No, did you?" came another male voice.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvLlTplCrf
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ206ege2Eg1
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA7YERFITd
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfLtpUvy7P
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemXpqMO8XK
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTy7xaBYprS
"Me neither. But orders are orders."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzNJFVN7nM
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnlqEmnpbq
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBLkRFNGQT
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfvCWb9fXD
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg4KeWjJWB
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxviIb5qbJ
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo64gKmZql9
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsXLhrLOwU
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnIVn2korP
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqGcba6e2j
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJzlxp63fD
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tyRRX82gM
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGkJW3VMkI
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpHdyjDqKQ
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7B3RaY1Wfz
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6bqOHMLh1
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qGHpaywdk
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdiJfzI6Im
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZmiF1YzfL
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBrkpogmKH
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBbOiKCLlL
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmgNYY5bno
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....601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkoDSiJ8Ku
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIF9CFdBSpg
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Db6AHRHOP
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNQ7j5Kh5A
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFULGqFtOa5
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0cfkdhjWJ
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyRMZW8For
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTnCuMfFzw
"I'm going to check it out."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7mDcn69R1
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIAHX6Lco2
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0wmBoeQQK
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPwMCRDIrG
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvdj7UZ2s1
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqCc9AmiTh
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68c1qwksXi
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4gebZJGC2
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7q1ZKAJMy
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8S59xTu6dV
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxoFLxsYko
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODBYI0FSqt
"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?"601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCbAw48QQU
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PcSaSf12o
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NiywuM2Ne
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjKGOB8u1t
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLFcZt8IOF
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcflpMcPdV
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJwgJkwV9B
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95v1riHd8R
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC5GG4pnVF
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Og5gwbWw6
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:601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAagmiDicA0
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbHsTs91kI
"I see her! There she is!"601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvj8sJbcQS
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9RwLSFXt8
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmBpnQ9Kcx
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ndwYRfyyM
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKCskzSd3Q
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBd6YADT59
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQkGYi4B9B
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3INNC0DzwI
"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."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJPEcuLbX4
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeekveQZvI
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dVIlG4WaP
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJlvuy7fEg
***601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArK81NWGtL
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumypbfjBID
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HXTQYJSXF
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCuK0ylYcx
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVQ00KhKN3
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4QxtFaB7I
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe10GrbzQ7
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtQ5vyvIS1
"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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4R6x1uaDB
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVNCJtksUB
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FXd92SLDO
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtPCeeju0H
"I hope so too."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfB0OKIqyTU
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM4zAInsmB
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRoylMNPc5
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYPIaXMpCB
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxGUX9MDEm
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfdQAkM5zy
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkP15SiYMT
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PLTf0gAXj
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOvRpJ8TBU
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3NHuYTfje
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfROK6htXa
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1htsusSKjm
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipnVewEHLr
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IaB12S3SS
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZGwUGaggj
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxyAq5KF3p
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBHaeEuJgI
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlbUGxBrib
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmxTQF50CK
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpnlPSl0pc
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekwghRG6rS
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDbdUQ5HxG
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTEu8y0KUW
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLndNi61hkE
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiL1FxlsO9
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9S2IER5vQ
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oFQoSS1hs
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOBtka4MST
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4rD3fyCx8
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJdTtVF0V4
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNbFZj78jq
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDTGxBhdxj
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!"601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWN33gqOqgO
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wR8P8nci1
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAbZgZDN7n
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8kxeR0z2t
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMVByJlO0s
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQCTxaLYMp
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXevM4qBINZ
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS9JUzLe7Z
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBIcUb1gFK
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PhX4dkKTi
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jQRwndIGi
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tAfALk3Bu
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQAhTkLr7b
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uwY2DitRN
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8Wbbjd109
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIv8mMtQi1X
"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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8sj0ZYlXW
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkQHPV7XrX
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUt8VhpHKJE
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuM49vEroVy
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVC4Fm6cca
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvbJBX1bPz
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN16FRj4Eg
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWsik1EOjx
"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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G4Fcnop1P
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYilCsY11t
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgfV5pXfL7
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4IvOJQnid
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVltyJTfzb
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIw9GsX6Z1
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCdlGTp4Pk
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLLuAivZlL
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHeSrr5dLg
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEwHF7Hmji
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAk2XlDBDf
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7OY3cWmNY
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0apj5uhfa
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxzRXcZlpW
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNomwB2IsnM
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU91u3Ulgja
"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."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaW7XGJ4KA
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjm07AbCr4
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuQwSpHKIe
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20Cqsrwqri
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."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDMHjGnyMO
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhGtqRuvar
"I'm not leaving without him."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mn4ac0oF9
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZnnaOxBvw
"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."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5UawFY0Pv
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQl78MMvajE
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."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwU1v5LfziL
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKdX7LTYe5
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpP4DlqG8j
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFpAACTCwH
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdwEsnVDt9
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQlOAph7dH
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYZi5ToSgn
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAkSg4CGXj
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQM30dn3l46
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4bA1PQjat
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUvEfZp6Ok
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP2tx5Vz1O
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH5gjdHk8a
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgF62b7ZN7c
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjSSDeHMeH
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU8xCRPVnE
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4M7Ste5FHA
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbwd4wke0u
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCabV5RWcq
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdKLHrs7fj
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHtRoAI7ZE
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx990oSXB3K
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek5T6dLe9Z
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cau4JMIgt
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡza5oBZIlme
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbVT28cpY0
"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."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvdbBmhktp
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfz7jHYGClZ
"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."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qxPRSIJF0
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIUMY2c7IW
"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."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RsmSO9l5F
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNj6IEfFsE
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPA3E2g7PN
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpsS03nO7M
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ754EcoYo9y
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBdMKiboed
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERlMHgkJg6
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpVYNgcJCR
"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."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6xAwlSPlg
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcwLP4h77r
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkdJL3SvLP
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOCC13aO8s
"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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDKr2wu3UA
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpRReJMkO8
"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?"601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSEKcbDdRN
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTb82m93Br
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47tUnTcrJ7
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3NnBszHQQ
Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhs7bMzROj
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb7r1KPPhq
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKnaznJSeV
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyHr53Fn0J
"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiRumpwnkF
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFxL3DkT5Q
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO885sIKDJ8
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CJkWo5Og4
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqpAFOiP6B
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbPuQRddtl
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxR1pJrHGv
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0BMRmQre9
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG51fqQupr1
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKTlVSf1xX
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAZzRjJWm0
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIRZMeA9ZO
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDeFoZJRXj
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrGYKPy6ky
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rkjb0NpY0
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEz9t83dxH
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmh5Z7qn4XK
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jDSjD0vH0
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMy9ON18nu
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2orJ6c5JQw
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps4FnDZWSH
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKhPbop2eY
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7Ch7bLJRC
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aiKgV5oCE
The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNv50XToq3
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwNV5CoHsb
"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."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvcRMmhHdl
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwNNazStJo
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UMzEvDYh2
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcMVZc3heA
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YppWL3KGu
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhA08Ul3Eb
The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ8LCInX3D
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRIdgtmhQw
The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN94eJLoVxy
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPPW7ioty9
"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87DjEIP6cs
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPvoO4pkzd
"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6GAWOv9uw
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmiKH30TjM
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIiScx4eyJ
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pGQJy9UVy
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4ijC4dOPI
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZhKWhANHp
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyQckbVkiq
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBEv9hYQrS
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS4hacPd84
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5Dc0hVcVp
"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvL5fmA6QG
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pVkcM6Zv5
"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQUOHIYePm
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77s6mDEEBc
"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31b9d9fw9q
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfwSQZwKMO
"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4m4cYyNnZ
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZdgcJnTE7
"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nmBzX6fom
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbNUrqCpoy
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsE3QsmnIZ
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfFRCOfZ4V
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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXsk0khJ4t
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIaysO8JIh
"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX93IvnqEY
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpikI35cuC
"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."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJWtkOEWEO
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7SZwwP8eR
"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.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBo1f98lL3m
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8RECMXZ0y
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6ZuPYAfQH
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEtEEMANxJ
"For what?" Kevin asked.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9by1oZ6TVr
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqRSCc0kFt
"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgEtKLaFc8
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGSiSTnWXj
"Rhénee insisted that we should," said Miss Marie with a smile on her face. "That's why she took my gun."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobLxo3rvQC
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHJZOSWDYf
"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."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCNXputFBN
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg9MOF9sfF
"And that was not leaving me behind?"601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJbtQTdAs5
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLeO8pdEwY
Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzaYEi6XQL
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHfQ9uf6hD
"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?"601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLh54cNLOz
601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYh8Bx6KwO
Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."
