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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAy13xLZnAEI
379Please respect copyright.PENANAJMqSp6H0b5
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANA8kkNRmCUyo
379Please respect copyright.PENANAO1MEkm2Fvn
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.379Please respect copyright.PENANAhqdNH9yOW1
379Please respect copyright.PENANAoYm9nNczG8
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAohHCueZM0L
379Please respect copyright.PENANAexkldwnFv1
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAsqeOrp6jQq
379Please respect copyright.PENANAWmb6UeoeCF
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.379Please respect copyright.PENANADAUMvMoIZu
379Please respect copyright.PENANAGR4l242mwa
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?379Please respect copyright.PENANAogNwQGIFW4
379Please respect copyright.PENANAIsiKDQK8la
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAeYqnEBhOin
379Please respect copyright.PENANAmo7xofDIJb
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.379Please respect copyright.PENANAcgjHsV2Qm9
379Please respect copyright.PENANAxBoee27SF5
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.379Please respect copyright.PENANAVKAKLw9SLh
379Please respect copyright.PENANAsRjbD7Sike
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAvxSKf6nqe1
379Please respect copyright.PENANAG4YEAaomLE
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAw2oV20p1ae
379Please respect copyright.PENANAntuo1FNs3T
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"379Please respect copyright.PENANAqZIprI3e3O
379Please respect copyright.PENANAgWsVcqCxG3
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAMpT0NDywjo
379Please respect copyright.PENANA4YsEaOALcf
"No, did you?" came another male voice.379Please respect copyright.PENANAcg5Jz3FW9y
379Please respect copyright.PENANAbchm3r9Ork
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."379Please respect copyright.PENANARPfw7O8M4f
379Please respect copyright.PENANAh7O3XMOYpG
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."379Please respect copyright.PENANAQC6xDKpWjB
379Please respect copyright.PENANAAlXe1XBnmD
"Me neither. But orders are orders."379Please respect copyright.PENANAQKuIYkyw4R
379Please respect copyright.PENANAA4o8fHBkiz
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."379Please respect copyright.PENANAQq7f8z3HlY
379Please respect copyright.PENANAgaPFhhNfiS
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."379Please respect copyright.PENANAsqjbs9C2cm
379Please respect copyright.PENANA5F6bzxTJIF
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.379Please respect copyright.PENANAwapfjdHmM1
379Please respect copyright.PENANAvb7QqfC0Fn
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"379Please respect copyright.PENANALHGxYJQ0HL
379Please respect copyright.PENANAsL3Y0eejDo
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."379Please respect copyright.PENANAH9hThdQlM8
379Please respect copyright.PENANAYkm3LertgK
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."379Please respect copyright.PENANAKMfSfZGEUw
379Please respect copyright.PENANA3VEpEPpAxf
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAL0ROtmk5Ph
379Please respect copyright.PENANA6iwt9F6c3G
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAapORZGDPEK
379Please respect copyright.PENANAkMH8ozNQGB
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANA3BYIGVq8az
379Please respect copyright.PENANA6F1wYMeILf
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANANcPiJfNY8z
379Please respect copyright.PENANAGVixY96Q0o
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....379Please respect copyright.PENANAZd4Wvdoxz5
379Please respect copyright.PENANAgfChsvI9FV
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.379Please respect copyright.PENANAjSyhTpCxjb
379Please respect copyright.PENANAPAXvjtVVz4
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.379Please respect copyright.PENANAdS5kEsDmOi
379Please respect copyright.PENANA4ynoxJwVm3
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:379Please respect copyright.PENANAzxMvdhbrmm
379Please respect copyright.PENANAdtmO3eHdzO
"I'm going to check it out."379Please respect copyright.PENANAsr64fqhQfx
379Please respect copyright.PENANAMnrm9OHE8c
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAtn7mbXkw8o
379Please respect copyright.PENANAmUqeCmq5EX
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAiPc5sNBO56
379Please respect copyright.PENANAKa3To0Cnij
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAdu5lzEOhyd
379Please respect copyright.PENANADRhrWWzWbP
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANATpgcSdGbtB
379Please respect copyright.PENANAiD7dArjowV
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.379Please respect copyright.PENANAliLnvb2ReK
379Please respect copyright.PENANAYLrPtSqbqu
"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?"379Please respect copyright.PENANA30atGeHVbo
379Please respect copyright.PENANAyHOJKXNeVx
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANA7izWH8Pwzm
379Please respect copyright.PENANAhmDoWCldDv
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAVGhmkBcIie
379Please respect copyright.PENANAyPTYZ9CXlA
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.379Please respect copyright.PENANAMXSqgaGA5c
379Please respect copyright.PENANAZvKGoxFh5K
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.379Please respect copyright.PENANA9FL9cWCf4Q
379Please respect copyright.PENANAqJulw3p4tj
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:379Please respect copyright.PENANAmez19FRvlY
379Please respect copyright.PENANA2Gm7VoJqEN
"I see her! There she is!"379Please respect copyright.PENANAbBvW2uRYXt
379Please respect copyright.PENANAiN4l9rixQB
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAMW0ehE7x5O
379Please respect copyright.PENANAj78Vw9ndj8
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAIAPfsLKQvB
379Please respect copyright.PENANAVluKQB3o4k
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANALk7MOARr0c
379Please respect copyright.PENANAmJDXWJsG6o
"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."379Please respect copyright.PENANAZgkAVgYaor
379Please respect copyright.PENANAd6VJlpkxVN
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."379Please respect copyright.PENANAxvvyLVnZVW
379Please respect copyright.PENANAltedqn9q0v
***379Please respect copyright.PENANAslBMvzZE5z
379Please respect copyright.PENANASINotWxsdv
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAt8WgNOJEeA
379Please respect copyright.PENANArKzpm0W9z9
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAmX5g5Nqs3T
379Please respect copyright.PENANAlDicdONbXs
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.379Please respect copyright.PENANASZJ10Vh0NY
379Please respect copyright.PENANAKDRevm3Md8
"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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAZzAHmADhIR
379Please respect copyright.PENANAy9K7skdvht
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.379Please respect copyright.PENANAXjbbhxEgfC
379Please respect copyright.PENANA3HIS0G8tQo
"I hope so too."379Please respect copyright.PENANANmeFxniwKY
379Please respect copyright.PENANANqX216qA8S
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."379Please respect copyright.PENANAmyqzvT3reF
379Please respect copyright.PENANApaeiUwKmIS
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."379Please respect copyright.PENANAHS7jztSwvD
379Please respect copyright.PENANAuQ3lKhJNMK
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.379Please respect copyright.PENANAytgChAnenq
379Please respect copyright.PENANAwUTtxKDngy
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAgPEJsEQg6o
379Please respect copyright.PENANAYoQZJvtqgX
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."379Please respect copyright.PENANAabU81Kjzfx
379Please respect copyright.PENANA2udki8beiv
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAUYtZowTVCe
379Please respect copyright.PENANAvlQvQVMD2j
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAHiT5rguaU7
379Please respect copyright.PENANAs2kedAr4hd
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.379Please respect copyright.PENANANVH9uRQVgJ
379Please respect copyright.PENANAj1HsB72c8m
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAUph1MkYeIM
379Please respect copyright.PENANAaAlpINnuRg
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.379Please respect copyright.PENANAb3Sw2Qr7sv
379Please respect copyright.PENANAwOWmeHAgfW
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."379Please respect copyright.PENANAz5QjHqj34Q
379Please respect copyright.PENANAL6pC17pjOB
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAtimU8spqzs
379Please respect copyright.PENANATrHw6v0Buk
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?379Please respect copyright.PENANALt5JutQ5NP
379Please respect copyright.PENANA6e93yL2h9v
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.379Please respect copyright.PENANAshFd7nHwT3
379Please respect copyright.PENANADDCPb9JHvb
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.379Please respect copyright.PENANA23asxWo0bm
379Please respect copyright.PENANABLBzoh8tTb
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!"379Please respect copyright.PENANANSTKTOOjaO
379Please respect copyright.PENANAQFmYoPm20R
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.379Please respect copyright.PENANAA3ZAGjvH1E
379Please respect copyright.PENANA3KnwljUuzx
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANABREF5P9cm8
379Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3BQYSOmgM
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAUS5uXpKR8X
379Please respect copyright.PENANApNYhWT5mKC
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.379Please respect copyright.PENANA2Qw65hFlad
379Please respect copyright.PENANAqn2rgYWq5M
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.379Please respect copyright.PENANA2wOxy3YOH8
379Please respect copyright.PENANAIltvS9lkr2
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAdm5kpI7SJK
379Please respect copyright.PENANAcFAammHNIG
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"379Please respect copyright.PENANA3yhUOlhfD0
379Please respect copyright.PENANAOuRxsnSgSD
"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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAPbvAqNAp0j
379Please respect copyright.PENANARj8pHuWvC9
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.379Please respect copyright.PENANAtsI0xdkZut
379Please respect copyright.PENANA812LLiF5Bd
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"379Please respect copyright.PENANAMW52K2QOeN
379Please respect copyright.PENANA3FNC38NQBQ
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."379Please respect copyright.PENANAPCmUQOL53w
379Please respect copyright.PENANAWe04JQMlNk
"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.379Please respect copyright.PENANANE4vhw9IvM
379Please respect copyright.PENANAkrdZcnDDgz
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.379Please respect copyright.PENANAdryhFwVXhz
379Please respect copyright.PENANAvJNZcTU5jD
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"379Please respect copyright.PENANATTgc2qxQzy
379Please respect copyright.PENANA1bGefTL8AG
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.379Please respect copyright.PENANAQRuJPTdkes
379Please respect copyright.PENANAPptU94Ocfx
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAqrKCfE0Ioy
379Please respect copyright.PENANAeFkGrb7UzK
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.379Please respect copyright.PENANACF8yt3c47x
379Please respect copyright.PENANAPCghILVZN1
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.379Please respect copyright.PENANASzuVVhYdgU
379Please respect copyright.PENANAWA4xCx4Tjg
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.379Please respect copyright.PENANAU4Ao8LSPwm
379Please respect copyright.PENANA2oZl2uzRwO
"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."379Please respect copyright.PENANAT4E96sH8aX
379Please respect copyright.PENANAlSNpSzvOLZ
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"379Please respect copyright.PENANASTt4VcLZ5m
379Please respect copyright.PENANAFYZ5XRH5wM
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."379Please respect copyright.PENANAa72jRQz6bb
379Please respect copyright.PENANAS1L0joBbSk
"I'm not leaving without him."379Please respect copyright.PENANAWAn6YMAQCB
379Please respect copyright.PENANA7M1uB6mEr8
"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."379Please respect copyright.PENANA7NjQz8sJpj
379Please respect copyright.PENANAlIIlmk7aek
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."379Please respect copyright.PENANASHu0PtkgmT
379Please respect copyright.PENANA1vRa7z8XbD
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."379Please respect copyright.PENANAaWGfRyKfZu
379Please respect copyright.PENANA12dHa8mvjR
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.379Please respect copyright.PENANAs8eedGwwpP
379Please respect copyright.PENANAWCIddj207n
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAdhRRzywbQ9
379Please respect copyright.PENANAghduwXfwEN
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAYftqkdGYNH
379Please respect copyright.PENANAQpNvs7O42N
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAblhfG7Az8J
379Please respect copyright.PENANAJZVhTqKj7a
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"379Please respect copyright.PENANATK2nN4GBAd
379Please respect copyright.PENANA2VUrBNjHQC
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAsRqYkktNaE
379Please respect copyright.PENANAuMKYr6UHS5
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.379Please respect copyright.PENANA93BHAviGLv
379Please respect copyright.PENANAkia8yRbwHc
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAiB500oYyOZ
379Please respect copyright.PENANAhPFSwnUxM5
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAl2HrYPU4Ps
379Please respect copyright.PENANA0XywGeAded
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.379Please respect copyright.PENANA97YAPPD6q2
379Please respect copyright.PENANAGu1h0M8bKt
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAY9OsGUIUDF
379Please respect copyright.PENANAc4h68qplzM
"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."379Please respect copyright.PENANAw2IJTi8yOo
379Please respect copyright.PENANAuiQ1t0wOsE
"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."379Please respect copyright.PENANAzYObitkECZ
379Please respect copyright.PENANA6m3c3AESFI
"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."379Please respect copyright.PENANA20BtyM6E0a
379Please respect copyright.PENANAcrnnyjMLHn
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.379Please respect copyright.PENANALimHnJ3lSh
379Please respect copyright.PENANAgfxyY4ztnF
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANA04AuQjrGzW
379Please respect copyright.PENANAB6tnUyQv5h
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.379Please respect copyright.PENANASEaxy3QGoN
379Please respect copyright.PENANAWvKkmmRr4c
"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."379Please respect copyright.PENANAmnqEbXYuvD
379Please respect copyright.PENANAvx1cOvq524
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANApX9Vysvard
379Please respect copyright.PENANAjYtw5xRKIW
"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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAI4KHqTfO54
379Please respect copyright.PENANAbOET90fZPg
"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?"379Please respect copyright.PENANA7jmnc45jQq
379Please respect copyright.PENANAbFqdkAgfmd
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."379Please respect copyright.PENANAwrFtiZKZsl
379Please respect copyright.PENANA5GkuQH6BPj
Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.379Please respect copyright.PENANABxJr28qcJ2
379Please respect copyright.PENANAKFFfhsbTjt
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.379Please respect copyright.PENANAzypQ8d5UCs
379Please respect copyright.PENANAzB6ze26p0L
"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.379Please respect copyright.PENANAlJH5dWNouE
379Please respect copyright.PENANA0qqd96FIE2
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAaPiVsLzzjG
379Please respect copyright.PENANAC4PDEOxoGZ
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAKYm5dYwWcE
379Please respect copyright.PENANA9B2ZjHhYXS
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANA2jt00vzHMq
379Please respect copyright.PENANAd47ncrO0qQ
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAojpbdFqlmr
379Please respect copyright.PENANArfxzZz0Rl2
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAH6u9MvSZhj
379Please respect copyright.PENANAQuDWjsNq1Q
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAmphFsy9mKZ
379Please respect copyright.PENANApwuiEwohmN
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANA50YoTR5mPS
379Please respect copyright.PENANA5MWPsY0ueg
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAhF5FS2hFdU
379Please respect copyright.PENANAAUe1AbG7yD
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAo2XJPQniPL
379Please respect copyright.PENANAmrDEtfYwoZ
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANApbY4FMyuv3
379Please respect copyright.PENANAAr6zCy51f3
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAfGsx8YdKzA
379Please respect copyright.PENANAxllS2ngurY
The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.379Please respect copyright.PENANAmZe4mevkfn
379Please respect copyright.PENANApSysR5uXOL
"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."379Please respect copyright.PENANAsuRLNRRw6u
379Please respect copyright.PENANAldZ26OuVjN
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAXplqcePejD
379Please respect copyright.PENANAkf2EVB3Ag2
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAACDwG24u0o
379Please respect copyright.PENANAQKN9Z6tGxg
The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.379Please respect copyright.PENANAxI8UJqQP26
379Please respect copyright.PENANAYJxbGwx5gp
The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.379Please respect copyright.PENANA1hwZ9Y1f7N
379Please respect copyright.PENANAaUkt0T6B8s
"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.379Please respect copyright.PENANAyyHVLD1Z3U
379Please respect copyright.PENANASgbclJJ4hs
"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.379Please respect copyright.PENANA8zwKFXfKoD
379Please respect copyright.PENANAhQ4Z0D6HsS
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.379Please respect copyright.PENANA4RCytNKI4y
379Please respect copyright.PENANAWFcIAyov5X
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.379Please respect copyright.PENANAVV0soM8a3X
379Please respect copyright.PENANAnXZot7OS1a
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAUkWgM6KtNo
379Please respect copyright.PENANAIXYY7AWNfz
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."379Please respect copyright.PENANAXdIg5G5hhM
379Please respect copyright.PENANAdFHT0LfkGi
"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."379Please respect copyright.PENANAN2HGLUrkCd
379Please respect copyright.PENANAFASJjQBVys
"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.379Please respect copyright.PENANA2FefoPdDVZ
379Please respect copyright.PENANAmX4oBk5y5X
"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.379Please respect copyright.PENANA9IocL3LzsA
379Please respect copyright.PENANApHDsBsyamH
"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.379Please respect copyright.PENANAO3cvxahdy1
379Please respect copyright.PENANAZCt9MIU9gj
"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."379Please respect copyright.PENANAxLCALqOpEz
379Please respect copyright.PENANA39Ix65vFxY
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAlTGfK75ZQl
379Please respect copyright.PENANA6nmYI4VVEg
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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAc7em06OXFj
379Please respect copyright.PENANANz07R0RtFj
"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.379Please respect copyright.PENANAUAXQic4MVY
379Please respect copyright.PENANAe3bBbmZKw2
"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."379Please respect copyright.PENANA0mhaA3j3JO
379Please respect copyright.PENANAFL0jza8AdC
"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.379Please respect copyright.PENANAJfXJP9lFRW
379Please respect copyright.PENANAHyyHAWqdZ5
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.379Please respect copyright.PENANAfJsTt2x3AR
379Please respect copyright.PENANAXum0bPEvLY
"For what?" Kevin asked.379Please respect copyright.PENANAA7BpzW9alU
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"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."379Please respect copyright.PENANAv0vbto1kJy
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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."379Please respect copyright.PENANADfeaseYQUe
379Please respect copyright.PENANAkSY8t9rcyD
"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."379Please respect copyright.PENANAP1RXhVU4HY
379Please respect copyright.PENANAiFnq7G4mWw
"And that was not leaving me behind?"379Please respect copyright.PENANAXXull0YBDk
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Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.379Please respect copyright.PENANAWnSpxTOcl4
379Please respect copyright.PENANAXYxJbh4Ait
"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?"379Please respect copyright.PENANAfF1gbyTckz
379Please respect copyright.PENANAAW7kyxiCX6
Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."