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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAeyqS0jy6cV
410Please respect copyright.PENANASc2bcI8Ahg
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAgROEsfv5Ms
410Please respect copyright.PENANAIHzUewcdXT
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.410Please respect copyright.PENANASVam3iLg8H
410Please respect copyright.PENANAxqmUJQ91PD
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAZYc6LcLuIg
410Please respect copyright.PENANALjrVE4bjbf
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAqOoIVL93HT
410Please respect copyright.PENANAp3uHXeQZaq
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.410Please respect copyright.PENANA6XG0uLRPs9
410Please respect copyright.PENANACgY9RIED0g
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?410Please respect copyright.PENANA1V6UfQBxsI
410Please respect copyright.PENANAbopNvc5GWm
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAac4J9UJ2mP
410Please respect copyright.PENANACQ31CmQcMW
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.410Please respect copyright.PENANAa787AkoOfu
410Please respect copyright.PENANAr5hsHoCCAy
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.410Please respect copyright.PENANA2AUyDGueyC
410Please respect copyright.PENANA68Wk0ld1Ay
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAm2wYjflkfB
410Please respect copyright.PENANASZW9Qey6p3
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAnJcMIhJrpU
410Please respect copyright.PENANAxepsn5Zbkt
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"410Please respect copyright.PENANAUB8bjhLaA7
410Please respect copyright.PENANAYRvBK2RXEU
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAIsTZS4z9oF
410Please respect copyright.PENANAmz0373QeJy
"No, did you?" came another male voice.410Please respect copyright.PENANAdZz9PTlqGJ
410Please respect copyright.PENANAn0PA83LyQJ
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."410Please respect copyright.PENANARXPJhaSan6
410Please respect copyright.PENANAnxcjWMlMaT
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."410Please respect copyright.PENANAXuyGEbcYlH
410Please respect copyright.PENANALdWgZpAScm
"Me neither. But orders are orders."410Please respect copyright.PENANAjHOLYHA6Uj
410Please respect copyright.PENANAEeCTPUdjh4
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."410Please respect copyright.PENANA1luvkOvjFn
410Please respect copyright.PENANAGCnblZYB2z
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."410Please respect copyright.PENANA7emWw9jxlJ
410Please respect copyright.PENANApnnjLp64YJ
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.410Please respect copyright.PENANA94H4ZryKpn
410Please respect copyright.PENANAIA3Ee4rVmv
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"410Please respect copyright.PENANAhXJk0YifYz
410Please respect copyright.PENANAZqKjZfpZ0I
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."410Please respect copyright.PENANACMeVwksUl2
410Please respect copyright.PENANAB0gfEpWX16
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."410Please respect copyright.PENANALJHMl0pEFN
410Please respect copyright.PENANAx1N7lO97Iw
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAcfy8mAv9DZ
410Please respect copyright.PENANARpMb2LFBN0
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANA3pOtrHjle6
410Please respect copyright.PENANAvHYawdzmqu
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAaAitnoEo2H
410Please respect copyright.PENANAjBH4tkUG2D
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAEfOeSWHVMb
410Please respect copyright.PENANA3zsIPHJMHw
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....410Please respect copyright.PENANA2lSkUBZnWX
410Please respect copyright.PENANAwqYPKLlxiU
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.410Please respect copyright.PENANAzAPdRXRn9W
410Please respect copyright.PENANAWLg6yqdxFD
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.410Please respect copyright.PENANAN2xJz5FwlI
410Please respect copyright.PENANAXkn1FkSGhm
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:410Please respect copyright.PENANAz99LjAoZpU
410Please respect copyright.PENANAYro08O1nyw
"I'm going to check it out."410Please respect copyright.PENANAwslaE7dZqf
410Please respect copyright.PENANAjACNqJNqUa
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAmktasNXtyo
410Please respect copyright.PENANAeHmxnVe8MD
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAt1tjn7sekR
410Please respect copyright.PENANAt1c6mtUnEa
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAg9Bk4jYaEC
410Please respect copyright.PENANAP2pe6eSK08
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANATeG9F4HqU8
410Please respect copyright.PENANAXNFr3BZBmS
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.410Please respect copyright.PENANAvAycZhcNf7
410Please respect copyright.PENANAv8s9qyOFL2
"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?"410Please respect copyright.PENANA5stWXFLYQw
410Please respect copyright.PENANALLy7XwAfdu
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANARQusps36Gb
410Please respect copyright.PENANARNBkou5X3b
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAHcZRmZZ5F0
410Please respect copyright.PENANAqqbzpDiEo1
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.410Please respect copyright.PENANAm5qFmr7aaT
410Please respect copyright.PENANAwHnmr7TcTo
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.410Please respect copyright.PENANA2XJahIxulF
410Please respect copyright.PENANA7LEWEJFb40
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:410Please respect copyright.PENANA8JfTRz4N62
410Please respect copyright.PENANAYoy9mI6AjM
"I see her! There she is!"410Please respect copyright.PENANAYjVQeKbJSP
410Please respect copyright.PENANAQCTCxxjFiU
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANACb6pB9FJ8z
410Please respect copyright.PENANAeCFBDRdvIC
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANA21HfHrosPU
410Please respect copyright.PENANAHrTS0yw6CZ
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAz0KBzpgYme
410Please respect copyright.PENANADSufz4aAi3
"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."410Please respect copyright.PENANAA6cmGRtKea
410Please respect copyright.PENANABfidwCIGto
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."410Please respect copyright.PENANANKcz2JB2zl
410Please respect copyright.PENANAcbRQ9hDOXK
***410Please respect copyright.PENANAnWN9qEUMlv
410Please respect copyright.PENANAdnwEFDlxkJ
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAt4JJaKhXTl
410Please respect copyright.PENANA8uCwpgAoh2
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAuLWrK8Q7ON
410Please respect copyright.PENANAUb8aZ05AOz
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.410Please respect copyright.PENANAh7FwS5Rybl
410Please respect copyright.PENANAlEqHyEBa2y
"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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAYbFf8L7NIO
410Please respect copyright.PENANAw1Ggdkdq0s
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.410Please respect copyright.PENANAFgwK7J4a9m
410Please respect copyright.PENANAPONeMmpRGD
"I hope so too."410Please respect copyright.PENANAr5bW3Iqgg7
410Please respect copyright.PENANA6tZM4LoT9R
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."410Please respect copyright.PENANAAw1V7t7mU5
410Please respect copyright.PENANAhYzOxiH6ZJ
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."410Please respect copyright.PENANArHZLEIVj8j
410Please respect copyright.PENANAMvgRaQZLYo
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.410Please respect copyright.PENANAKFqwxMU3ad
410Please respect copyright.PENANAQDUjxyw4OK
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAoJNwWUVbkd
410Please respect copyright.PENANANm3Dta7I5t
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."410Please respect copyright.PENANAyTFChFlJJv
410Please respect copyright.PENANASvfK36tHOh
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAnQ0tKzJDm2
410Please respect copyright.PENANANERq46fbM0
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAcMu2k6QuEg
410Please respect copyright.PENANAbkZd6OD8AR
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.410Please respect copyright.PENANACCMfaDTigS
410Please respect copyright.PENANAB56isBYMnq
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAl2qp60D4Gb
410Please respect copyright.PENANAA8D3uizFMw
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.410Please respect copyright.PENANALrl4zCHtP7
410Please respect copyright.PENANAWpht80iv0z
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."410Please respect copyright.PENANAVdprXZmwQR
410Please respect copyright.PENANAp4MyA0zbYN
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAMuPpmVoQEZ
410Please respect copyright.PENANAwEYmEdhbVb
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?410Please respect copyright.PENANAL8cbK1NS9I
410Please respect copyright.PENANAxSEiFa8ChJ
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.410Please respect copyright.PENANAg5Uj5Devae
410Please respect copyright.PENANAXUNJ6IcPgD
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.410Please respect copyright.PENANA6rLhZeFOYo
410Please respect copyright.PENANAZxhY8343CO
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!"410Please respect copyright.PENANAhnBFowFrPR
410Please respect copyright.PENANAV42Mh6uq9E
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.410Please respect copyright.PENANAbuksFygEyG
410Please respect copyright.PENANAy3WuU6dPul
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAVuGUKZNTss
410Please respect copyright.PENANAM16z3zfZiQ
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANA6OGI5yXyVM
410Please respect copyright.PENANAgCSwZomlhM
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.410Please respect copyright.PENANA66tWwytyJc
410Please respect copyright.PENANAsZ3RSxoVyt
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.410Please respect copyright.PENANA17bFeopVXa
410Please respect copyright.PENANAx4Y3peJhDm
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAMCLYxhUPYV
410Please respect copyright.PENANAcq0O1c9bdF
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"410Please respect copyright.PENANAWEYq6MYmww
410Please respect copyright.PENANArOrvHgelKZ
"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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAlVwjG7eHNp
410Please respect copyright.PENANALol26syhcO
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.410Please respect copyright.PENANAUh4erDWVAM
410Please respect copyright.PENANAdKnv5JbTmv
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"410Please respect copyright.PENANA5O7JjVsCn9
410Please respect copyright.PENANAUw2cYtLiRB
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."410Please respect copyright.PENANAQLqvbMiBmr
410Please respect copyright.PENANAOctgJYDbsU
"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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAcJQ6nzyBMR
410Please respect copyright.PENANArEiumxqtQ2
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.410Please respect copyright.PENANArtDTwyGu6s
410Please respect copyright.PENANAIsR4IuBDjE
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"410Please respect copyright.PENANAmRLNRbLbFY
410Please respect copyright.PENANALlTY2Q4Nps
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.410Please respect copyright.PENANAvf7LfcqG3d
410Please respect copyright.PENANA9Ki5ehazqC
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAhVwOHOuedr
410Please respect copyright.PENANA2CA98m74U4
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.410Please respect copyright.PENANAs06Q5zG2SV
410Please respect copyright.PENANAL0TKcIW70y
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.410Please respect copyright.PENANABNZ9dgaV1c
410Please respect copyright.PENANANg7gbN1xK1
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.410Please respect copyright.PENANAnSkEYaGRNy
410Please respect copyright.PENANA6oLuVe67DD
"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."410Please respect copyright.PENANAcWX2Z2Py73
410Please respect copyright.PENANAplSi3MmG7z
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"410Please respect copyright.PENANAUYXy3gQ20D
410Please respect copyright.PENANA1lPUFDh95Y
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."410Please respect copyright.PENANA8cMfUHUQ3Y
410Please respect copyright.PENANA84PfATt5R8
"I'm not leaving without him."410Please respect copyright.PENANAX1evjhN4SF
410Please respect copyright.PENANATAcpaJ7OIS
"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."410Please respect copyright.PENANAAgFWYcILo9
410Please respect copyright.PENANAWtH0Bppgj1
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."410Please respect copyright.PENANAo6guYJ05T7
410Please respect copyright.PENANAIWMwzpvP0i
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."410Please respect copyright.PENANAkJ1vnNAbMI
410Please respect copyright.PENANA80LjTQDkXR
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.410Please respect copyright.PENANAuvfBtkXVeN
410Please respect copyright.PENANAYG50JeDWKm
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAaCQe0doDAQ
410Please respect copyright.PENANAtrE6UtvZGg
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAsUEw3OumYF
410Please respect copyright.PENANApr8KVkrVmO
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAi17uYAVJfe
410Please respect copyright.PENANAu0FYsglQw5
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"410Please respect copyright.PENANA6niS2DnVJe
410Please respect copyright.PENANAtiIKuOUqWj
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAFMLzIflNHv
410Please respect copyright.PENANArJcJWh95yO
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.410Please respect copyright.PENANAEi53l0ug2t
410Please respect copyright.PENANALtBRb3wHgk
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAaASrIm1ejK
410Please respect copyright.PENANARDVOrqy0zU
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAxCm4JIu2V1
410Please respect copyright.PENANACw9JeWYrzq
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.410Please respect copyright.PENANAHUEzjsIJNm
410Please respect copyright.PENANA19LV4wEESi
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAl8vyNI4NdW
410Please respect copyright.PENANAYEiV2bkPve
"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."410Please respect copyright.PENANAOTzzg3lSk1
410Please respect copyright.PENANAjqaem8tozx
"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."410Please respect copyright.PENANAtLjrB4SC0a
410Please respect copyright.PENANAisCFXyEbVO
"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."410Please respect copyright.PENANA6gzkshqflO
410Please respect copyright.PENANA1oGEdda8T8
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.410Please respect copyright.PENANAs31luid59l
410Please respect copyright.PENANAkMYfK5OpwM
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANA1MWU0xalSB
410Please respect copyright.PENANA3hXa49yhdc
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.410Please respect copyright.PENANAkaX6KHNxD7
410Please respect copyright.PENANAQXMiWAxtps
"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."410Please respect copyright.PENANAJ1WZUcqvAL
410Please respect copyright.PENANACdRN9wMx6D
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAfYIGmhe3Q6
410Please respect copyright.PENANAeyOniY9JVw
"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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAh4Kyz7brco
410Please respect copyright.PENANAM1GgV0cols
"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?"410Please respect copyright.PENANAXYifgYVLmQ
410Please respect copyright.PENANAY5w9wvNvZQ
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."410Please respect copyright.PENANAJrDUTgVFEJ
410Please respect copyright.PENANAClV3D9XQWo
Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.410Please respect copyright.PENANAalAosPcAmw
410Please respect copyright.PENANAAEHXyT7X0R
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.410Please respect copyright.PENANAklS2xqFedr
410Please respect copyright.PENANAyJKtW27oNJ
"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.410Please respect copyright.PENANAd6A2CsrmAx
410Please respect copyright.PENANAmY9f8aTESA
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANA2r9XyBFcWr
410Please respect copyright.PENANABORPdAf75r
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAd5rPVAGoQU
410Please respect copyright.PENANAi1m9Hu13ob
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAg8OsIiSdnx
410Please respect copyright.PENANAxiM2CLlR2Z
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAvrr8sRntVP
410Please respect copyright.PENANAk8IyypKWnR
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAfkTsJPgqb1
410Please respect copyright.PENANA0IDRrIkzkP
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAk1W26UuV3p
410Please respect copyright.PENANAkjmTc3PDj4
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAUm0sLYiAkc
410Please respect copyright.PENANA4oQqxqHFpP
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAdV1WW12eL6
410Please respect copyright.PENANAHdsIbOP2bv
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAS6r1G12mfQ
410Please respect copyright.PENANA5wTtwcf17Z
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAMg3K1nrMBf
410Please respect copyright.PENANA7stinYZERU
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANA0rf9iVpzLM
410Please respect copyright.PENANAtNjh3HmSES
The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.410Please respect copyright.PENANAVNxAzmitLK
410Please respect copyright.PENANA4zADqzvNX2
"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."410Please respect copyright.PENANAZSoA8pCOHL
410Please respect copyright.PENANAOB3MzG5quU
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAjiFBnrJDxB
410Please respect copyright.PENANASedIVKWj8c
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAb5lDXszOtt
410Please respect copyright.PENANAntnRk54gwD
The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.410Please respect copyright.PENANAoFxVWZJWji
410Please respect copyright.PENANAdUXw1YOk29
The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.410Please respect copyright.PENANAF4dj9ZRlVn
410Please respect copyright.PENANARRsvYzEIc5
"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.410Please respect copyright.PENANA47FUbyK7Wh
410Please respect copyright.PENANAOrZ5PTCfyX
"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.410Please respect copyright.PENANAQV9FFlDjjG
410Please respect copyright.PENANA3Oy8tACYsw
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.410Please respect copyright.PENANA7bBzCLO99n
410Please respect copyright.PENANACupygRa3UB
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.410Please respect copyright.PENANADgpPpHwqK1
410Please respect copyright.PENANA9VYEniTeTF
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAp7JiY5CVa8
410Please respect copyright.PENANAHnJnvI8SxX
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."410Please respect copyright.PENANA5gs6fIQlTa
410Please respect copyright.PENANAATG9OrYRq8
"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."410Please respect copyright.PENANAJaQj1PBnKB
410Please respect copyright.PENANA0j93bXq9qx
"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.410Please respect copyright.PENANAVLndrqg4Af
410Please respect copyright.PENANAnAJyaoTNwz
"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.410Please respect copyright.PENANAV4IiCmZLS6
410Please respect copyright.PENANAjsdPUKGUCw
"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.410Please respect copyright.PENANAfrmjhMM9qW
410Please respect copyright.PENANA410kbhtrzA
"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."410Please respect copyright.PENANAhCFpqpLCYI
410Please respect copyright.PENANA0dFokAhnJo
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANAT2uF304NdX
410Please respect copyright.PENANAp1iALahdxF
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.410Please respect copyright.PENANA6p2WKJVKqm
410Please respect copyright.PENANAS9AnHnT5L2
"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.410Please respect copyright.PENANAT1UtbEnhbp
410Please respect copyright.PENANAGST5WXQNte
"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."410Please respect copyright.PENANAnejRekBzAB
410Please respect copyright.PENANAD3Nm5Qmnyv
"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.410Please respect copyright.PENANA8hZOQp3dZv
410Please respect copyright.PENANAt9KWceVHwg
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.410Please respect copyright.PENANA9GkKCzbyxP
410Please respect copyright.PENANAy2qKJdiioO
"For what?" Kevin asked.410Please respect copyright.PENANAvBgdSPNuSc
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"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."410Please respect copyright.PENANAZMpm5EfMkd
410Please respect copyright.PENANAaQfcG3Udzy
"Rhénee insisted that we should," said Miss Marie with a smile on her face. "That's why she took my gun."410Please respect copyright.PENANAxNin3JTPme
410Please respect copyright.PENANA8OjiwpKgld
"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."410Please respect copyright.PENANAeaO35R5qYn
410Please respect copyright.PENANAUFy1lkdzQf
"And that was not leaving me behind?"410Please respect copyright.PENANAAWVAVtWwwg
410Please respect copyright.PENANA7WbR4X2WBM
Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.410Please respect copyright.PENANAgrOibkjpdh
410Please respect copyright.PENANAQRUThQv90O
"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?"410Please respect copyright.PENANAFvL26cq31T
410Please respect copyright.PENANAUZGB7dH8tM
Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."