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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAuqv71XzSMh
380Please respect copyright.PENANAC2BCFnE5DR
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANANCdEdO98mG
380Please respect copyright.PENANANs6xX0qy2W
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.380Please respect copyright.PENANAmnwRHWRXDV
380Please respect copyright.PENANAbxjBJ246yI
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAtiXs3k34vq
380Please respect copyright.PENANApb7H15Cks3
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANALFxRz9M4dO
380Please respect copyright.PENANAhpfLCXAQbn
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.380Please respect copyright.PENANAvPS2AwCKnE
380Please respect copyright.PENANAe5WWNwQyck
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?380Please respect copyright.PENANA7fCXeJrixi
380Please respect copyright.PENANAzH1D0HExVc
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAfGYU4pI9dC
380Please respect copyright.PENANA520oShvbxU
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.380Please respect copyright.PENANALZtZIYnad4
380Please respect copyright.PENANAZvbkhgHWjR
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.380Please respect copyright.PENANASUzTEZ0NjK
380Please respect copyright.PENANA9ClnmVJx7V
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAPfScwK0AhS
380Please respect copyright.PENANAvH8fXkVoN9
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAAmooBUhFc0
380Please respect copyright.PENANA2VAtKZE91b
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"380Please respect copyright.PENANAB8scR0xSg0
380Please respect copyright.PENANAwftwjhlykd
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAmRXuqX7Dcd
380Please respect copyright.PENANA3Bk7DdCkqv
"No, did you?" came another male voice.380Please respect copyright.PENANAEHF6KCSQkC
380Please respect copyright.PENANAYmhoYcOVWB
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."380Please respect copyright.PENANAL4TNK9yv5m
380Please respect copyright.PENANAOgEzabQHhc
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."380Please respect copyright.PENANAKelz4mieZY
380Please respect copyright.PENANA6a7MyKknJR
"Me neither. But orders are orders."380Please respect copyright.PENANApfMqPJqDxE
380Please respect copyright.PENANAjbloX9RWVe
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."380Please respect copyright.PENANAlCSMA1NEOB
380Please respect copyright.PENANAIkUr4n7ucY
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."380Please respect copyright.PENANAPwAkGnGvad
380Please respect copyright.PENANAe9RxsZnxFA
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.380Please respect copyright.PENANAsj8LztEAdr
380Please respect copyright.PENANAV39o0ZTpcX
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"380Please respect copyright.PENANAzGuG0UeiXz
380Please respect copyright.PENANAHaplWNggXT
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."380Please respect copyright.PENANAacTlEgxW3e
380Please respect copyright.PENANA8e0vX14nZJ
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."380Please respect copyright.PENANAuIJbZautKM
380Please respect copyright.PENANA5IB1pT8vuh
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAo6ldIDOsP6
380Please respect copyright.PENANARXTsOYStOu
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANA87Dt1EbB4O
380Please respect copyright.PENANA0STxVihgtN
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAXK4IJyBlYv
380Please respect copyright.PENANAnIY4Y1VoQ8
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAUvC8WEslcp
380Please respect copyright.PENANAoBNqsIihPM
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....380Please respect copyright.PENANAdkf3rQIzfZ
380Please respect copyright.PENANAUhbChfiCbs
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.380Please respect copyright.PENANABJaxkGyDeq
380Please respect copyright.PENANApsukqXmd7e
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.380Please respect copyright.PENANAXydE09j0XO
380Please respect copyright.PENANACkPwhBVZhB
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:380Please respect copyright.PENANAof8wZO3Dwt
380Please respect copyright.PENANAEf9m8CS3X8
"I'm going to check it out."380Please respect copyright.PENANAQbV6aedBUc
380Please respect copyright.PENANAK879mHX5Sp
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAjLLM5P33rP
380Please respect copyright.PENANAxGNoiT7Ntn
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAf6nONosjNu
380Please respect copyright.PENANAsSaeeTuiyI
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAiDXichuPwm
380Please respect copyright.PENANATJVQFAZDG4
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANA6sSrHr1Wvt
380Please respect copyright.PENANAKLOWKuBCou
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.380Please respect copyright.PENANAMwGFxV8izj
380Please respect copyright.PENANAXaa8pW0Xs6
"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?"380Please respect copyright.PENANArGSWNzqMsC
380Please respect copyright.PENANASGGD3by7Fo
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAov4zSIeCz1
380Please respect copyright.PENANA0jxLzy2TgV
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAtL5AgnJkw9
380Please respect copyright.PENANAwbj5N2x9i0
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.380Please respect copyright.PENANA0vrtJipnMg
380Please respect copyright.PENANA1Lh4PGqAPB
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.380Please respect copyright.PENANAR2QiPlNZxY
380Please respect copyright.PENANARsxOio9w2K
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:380Please respect copyright.PENANA9ooMJa36NR
380Please respect copyright.PENANADpj4CRQB7q
"I see her! There she is!"380Please respect copyright.PENANABtGIYyWuZ1
380Please respect copyright.PENANATzfiABAgEx
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANA8wwMHWfY3Y
380Please respect copyright.PENANABzo9dXlMsy
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANArJGxXz2j1u
380Please respect copyright.PENANAw1yCpHHNeX
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANALrDroRX3M5
380Please respect copyright.PENANA1B2bRvEy00
"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."380Please respect copyright.PENANAub34xZMQiI
380Please respect copyright.PENANAdYyg34C04F
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."380Please respect copyright.PENANAMauauctnuk
380Please respect copyright.PENANATiludQyRRI
***380Please respect copyright.PENANA3anQUyiLGJ
380Please respect copyright.PENANAPEfC5xq9So
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAC8Bz8BQlsy
380Please respect copyright.PENANAC69cgEDHY9
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANALGvOpFFVIJ
380Please respect copyright.PENANAGgwWpwx8XA
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.380Please respect copyright.PENANAwY4AKUL4hs
380Please respect copyright.PENANAGybZ3WbvR8
"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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAuXokRO2oST
380Please respect copyright.PENANACZwQs5Pz3l
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.380Please respect copyright.PENANAuPkwJgGKlo
380Please respect copyright.PENANA1gxWDXnMaS
"I hope so too."380Please respect copyright.PENANA0s95MARkgR
380Please respect copyright.PENANAPFsshrTuas
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."380Please respect copyright.PENANAfl0kkBvTxK
380Please respect copyright.PENANAan8TlGfktG
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."380Please respect copyright.PENANAtIem9BHkGN
380Please respect copyright.PENANAZeDYgN5RAo
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.380Please respect copyright.PENANAVVrJZxxwAR
380Please respect copyright.PENANAOGQaVYgofs
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAyYqqRX2YiV
380Please respect copyright.PENANAozJlbis92Z
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."380Please respect copyright.PENANAzGbWiveTCq
380Please respect copyright.PENANAvICh0T8hWV
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAtcKtRJOBCY
380Please respect copyright.PENANAjpKI0rYWdT
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANASWqjbdjLPF
380Please respect copyright.PENANAaLc95lq9Db
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.380Please respect copyright.PENANAujY1ydmND5
380Please respect copyright.PENANAziiIqzIfEC
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANA5YtX4J3yom
380Please respect copyright.PENANAJAeEDimfUd
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.380Please respect copyright.PENANABd9WyHYCB7
380Please respect copyright.PENANAPYTV01AzCP
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."380Please respect copyright.PENANA2Ebz3IeHEu
380Please respect copyright.PENANAahVLNCLENO
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANA2B5g5yLTf5
380Please respect copyright.PENANAgo1V900FMt
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?380Please respect copyright.PENANAzEKB0TeL4o
380Please respect copyright.PENANAj5BeCtPN2z
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.380Please respect copyright.PENANAtQmDR7uttd
380Please respect copyright.PENANAC02efEShrF
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.380Please respect copyright.PENANAL4HorowxxF
380Please respect copyright.PENANACbPQG6fsji
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!"380Please respect copyright.PENANAQV4zSKFNqk
380Please respect copyright.PENANAkGgmunpyC5
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.380Please respect copyright.PENANAI0inSvyxLt
380Please respect copyright.PENANACO3YUmA6Vh
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANA4JgdD7j8Lm
380Please respect copyright.PENANAuDTCLkT8Qz
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAR6cQaHnorx
380Please respect copyright.PENANADQp5a9z0LL
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.380Please respect copyright.PENANAHqzMvwWmMM
380Please respect copyright.PENANA3o0dsLRmM8
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.380Please respect copyright.PENANA32cs6OLboJ
380Please respect copyright.PENANAmCbjdm4L5S
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANARGN3BOfSGv
380Please respect copyright.PENANAyx6Se6jluH
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"380Please respect copyright.PENANALWaF0iij5O
380Please respect copyright.PENANAGSXBGepyWj
"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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAXoeztArbeD
380Please respect copyright.PENANAOKfiZxR5HQ
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.380Please respect copyright.PENANAErF3Gdp0NE
380Please respect copyright.PENANA1BaOrO1i63
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"380Please respect copyright.PENANAWymQZ43bex
380Please respect copyright.PENANAQQNEpvBwyH
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."380Please respect copyright.PENANAkhdhOzNquc
380Please respect copyright.PENANAAAxzjx0Zld
"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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAvtmaDRYxDP
380Please respect copyright.PENANAGu2yYt12Wk
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.380Please respect copyright.PENANAgn6pttnrNr
380Please respect copyright.PENANAuuKkMDiVza
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"380Please respect copyright.PENANAa2WH5RRPjQ
380Please respect copyright.PENANADG0DQOyuQd
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.380Please respect copyright.PENANAmqbM9viA8P
380Please respect copyright.PENANAHJyfSRKbUo
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAF5rxncsmzh
380Please respect copyright.PENANAP2enXGZaWo
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.380Please respect copyright.PENANAtmGpnLStqd
380Please respect copyright.PENANAGAm7xgD92D
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.380Please respect copyright.PENANA5JcqDoQqS1
380Please respect copyright.PENANAZeebKvL5Mn
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.380Please respect copyright.PENANAyhxLkshGzB
380Please respect copyright.PENANAEXSn03oxNC
"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."380Please respect copyright.PENANAxnMPX6i7Zt
380Please respect copyright.PENANAoigQleFfym
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"380Please respect copyright.PENANAxhykBM8jba
380Please respect copyright.PENANAzXqREj6M6V
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."380Please respect copyright.PENANAi4gVAW4X0j
380Please respect copyright.PENANAGfPVuGYaRo
"I'm not leaving without him."380Please respect copyright.PENANAsH577DeOFX
380Please respect copyright.PENANAaQ7iwNNBjL
"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."380Please respect copyright.PENANAY74oB54EUW
380Please respect copyright.PENANAJWEVOIqRCZ
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."380Please respect copyright.PENANAofNezwmRu9
380Please respect copyright.PENANAWphCoCdXsB
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."380Please respect copyright.PENANAsVGM1q8YL8
380Please respect copyright.PENANAdyDXkYx8od
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.380Please respect copyright.PENANAYMGc786ah9
380Please respect copyright.PENANAeVMg7hKtbu
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAFqUqgIzNX3
380Please respect copyright.PENANAQBId1Pm5wn
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAhvRRRRYIo1
380Please respect copyright.PENANADVNr0kBDEt
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAa5qYzV0M2B
380Please respect copyright.PENANAqYSO2Z8QMP
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"380Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7LgufqzFz
380Please respect copyright.PENANAmn1IVlctrn
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAQcweOE66iN
380Please respect copyright.PENANA0KOmEdWBGK
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.380Please respect copyright.PENANA4rs00gEc4T
380Please respect copyright.PENANAMvVzKNX6fq
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANA17c8VejNQ1
380Please respect copyright.PENANAsTzrLOdEYE
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANARAb6H24D4D
380Please respect copyright.PENANAzSSRlyRf0m
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.380Please respect copyright.PENANAbRh6EhPHTw
380Please respect copyright.PENANA3xN4bD8NSP
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANA5hYPfSD5YL
380Please respect copyright.PENANAGQHLteLC78
"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."380Please respect copyright.PENANAmxQ4T9SMdu
380Please respect copyright.PENANAqL6KKboJNq
"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."380Please respect copyright.PENANA6Mf601SkTN
380Please respect copyright.PENANAGJbQYkegxA
"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."380Please respect copyright.PENANA0AIyXj4FVj
380Please respect copyright.PENANAhRHFE1xR4y
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.380Please respect copyright.PENANA6WqG3rcdbg
380Please respect copyright.PENANAorPa4KT6jx
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAKT5zFwEw5v
380Please respect copyright.PENANAMVkjNXOLEA
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.380Please respect copyright.PENANAp1KgFIsfPh
380Please respect copyright.PENANANErR3asvm2
"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."380Please respect copyright.PENANAHiw96HOqQN
380Please respect copyright.PENANAabRHExMQFk
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAN8TezUgZFj
380Please respect copyright.PENANA5of1TbRGhM
"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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAKzlPOuXs1L
380Please respect copyright.PENANAyma4tbfEBA
"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?"380Please respect copyright.PENANAq4r3RoLrz5
380Please respect copyright.PENANAoFfdTysaGG
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."380Please respect copyright.PENANAc8vsDQ7EUz
380Please respect copyright.PENANAOM1VPHBSrY
Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.380Please respect copyright.PENANAPkZFS7EkvL
380Please respect copyright.PENANAYuMQyHtq8s
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.380Please respect copyright.PENANA0O5V5OHhgG
380Please respect copyright.PENANAu8ALI3C4z4
"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.380Please respect copyright.PENANAOfxsGx0nwV
380Please respect copyright.PENANAike8ufha3G
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAzyHd2q1A4L
380Please respect copyright.PENANArFgYaWpjeS
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAfiXIj9JiTK
380Please respect copyright.PENANAbrtivgsyoX
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANANShDZrvEtR
380Please respect copyright.PENANA8P7j6jke38
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAdYi41oP4yD
380Please respect copyright.PENANAV5hvT3zPyZ
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAi3ifYnjxbF
380Please respect copyright.PENANAzKLf6UDtZh
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAlMYbsrvSNt
380Please respect copyright.PENANAGGgoanmicG
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAMfac6Uru0c
380Please respect copyright.PENANANmrTjlG21n
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAnOVN0Jff8v
380Please respect copyright.PENANAWuKYfpPyoV
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAfG6bV2f75T
380Please respect copyright.PENANATPUjkx2h6Z
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANA1SUa50Q4ja
380Please respect copyright.PENANAHEsa5WhJyj
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAGm9YVAXMgg
380Please respect copyright.PENANAoRCY0rI0mS
The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.380Please respect copyright.PENANAl2QuX3YrMY
380Please respect copyright.PENANASX8b1qOuyV
"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."380Please respect copyright.PENANAMeM9VsO6ou
380Please respect copyright.PENANAKaiOpwRf20
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANALENq1Bx1lC
380Please respect copyright.PENANAVtEHIMpVkg
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANA7TjX98I7BA
380Please respect copyright.PENANAtCa7nLX1ax
The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.380Please respect copyright.PENANAF7LOQCOcGh
380Please respect copyright.PENANAGEhPvNSkmY
The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.380Please respect copyright.PENANAutQXvgHKK4
380Please respect copyright.PENANARpYvjhssWJ
"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.380Please respect copyright.PENANAnk6qREaSrU
380Please respect copyright.PENANAVuWQgH7F90
"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.380Please respect copyright.PENANAOBLJIFAe7s
380Please respect copyright.PENANAbl4ot0MQk3
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.380Please respect copyright.PENANAV4EV8RIg3w
380Please respect copyright.PENANA4JpuFJxuFQ
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.380Please respect copyright.PENANAomsvjHdUEJ
380Please respect copyright.PENANAzTkDlvwPNa
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAu0IRHcD2Hq
380Please respect copyright.PENANAcFPZgImUl3
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."380Please respect copyright.PENANAMun4ZU5btH
380Please respect copyright.PENANA3T60ToWnUH
"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."380Please respect copyright.PENANA6eX3epLZDB
380Please respect copyright.PENANAAORTzPJrqr
"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.380Please respect copyright.PENANAPfcULqAXWv
380Please respect copyright.PENANA1Un6y2qaln
"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.380Please respect copyright.PENANAKLXkFgJ8zu
380Please respect copyright.PENANAHAD0krPVuL
"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.380Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8ENpyce9T
380Please respect copyright.PENANAC0F5PJG6UH
"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."380Please respect copyright.PENANAPCRzL3LDz5
380Please respect copyright.PENANAoOlMLTCkIy
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAfI9fFyBKME
380Please respect copyright.PENANAjtHSuHan4T
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.380Please respect copyright.PENANANXgad66Fzx
380Please respect copyright.PENANAJbiSOjoIhk
"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.380Please respect copyright.PENANAic1aeybnXS
380Please respect copyright.PENANAUfbBJrhGnC
"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."380Please respect copyright.PENANAPnwtK3kB1p
380Please respect copyright.PENANAFkjhDb1E4z
"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.380Please respect copyright.PENANAejQz3Z9uFs
380Please respect copyright.PENANAbQkxDBCHVa
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.380Please respect copyright.PENANAgufNNHwnpq
380Please respect copyright.PENANAqzHMeCilcV
"For what?" Kevin asked.380Please respect copyright.PENANA5rKbOInvsJ
380Please respect copyright.PENANAXAdiSo0Zbm
"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."380Please respect copyright.PENANATQSZHerTe7
380Please respect copyright.PENANAEnpXDfcGmw
"Rhénee insisted that we should," said Miss Marie with a smile on her face. "That's why she took my gun."380Please respect copyright.PENANAOo9erwdJzO
380Please respect copyright.PENANAqZDQns0Z0W
"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."380Please respect copyright.PENANA3622ZcaqUm
380Please respect copyright.PENANAMlfKc0skl2
"And that was not leaving me behind?"380Please respect copyright.PENANANgPcl4NvY2
380Please respect copyright.PENANAVhKRMAg5p2
Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.380Please respect copyright.PENANAoIdNpZ5JCp
380Please respect copyright.PENANAp1xHnN6vCp
"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?"380Please respect copyright.PENANA0rsdFmhwte
380Please respect copyright.PENANAL92rFKsx0h
Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."