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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAyKvNhjkamA
411Please respect copyright.PENANA2hqgzrRfpX
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAyvUyqpozU5
411Please respect copyright.PENANACIg8q6hmBf
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.411Please respect copyright.PENANAz3iG2b9aOK
411Please respect copyright.PENANAuncm3cdRgI
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANA0oeCix9s9z
411Please respect copyright.PENANAyIY7qHF4Ki
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANA42q7rRksb6
411Please respect copyright.PENANAzx3aK6EjCf
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.411Please respect copyright.PENANAIItAzAniR2
411Please respect copyright.PENANAENUZtYTZsL
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?411Please respect copyright.PENANAbJcyAahs3z
411Please respect copyright.PENANAvIrtzmFbPr
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAlrST5kQp0O
411Please respect copyright.PENANAs396z9Fcf4
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.411Please respect copyright.PENANAompKDA2Mpl
411Please respect copyright.PENANAge9rIHOVuO
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.411Please respect copyright.PENANAX1y6VXitoD
411Please respect copyright.PENANA7EcaVbCeby
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAOkQ9FFoFS9
411Please respect copyright.PENANAHB9uNp7pPQ
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANA7KDVjGdDpO
411Please respect copyright.PENANAcqjpTpli7a
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"411Please respect copyright.PENANAtya941mSgP
411Please respect copyright.PENANAQVWKaJPIWq
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANA3wXpypadfo
411Please respect copyright.PENANARBUY8SYYqg
"No, did you?" came another male voice.411Please respect copyright.PENANAgrGcguh57D
411Please respect copyright.PENANANHYWN4fthU
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."411Please respect copyright.PENANAEtu8KWeoem
411Please respect copyright.PENANAJzRLLmhoXq
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."411Please respect copyright.PENANAqkb8RtDpzS
411Please respect copyright.PENANAY2kgTdgFyy
"Me neither. But orders are orders."411Please respect copyright.PENANAg17BTrtkFU
411Please respect copyright.PENANAdItAmQ3Tf9
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."411Please respect copyright.PENANANbaqoicmff
411Please respect copyright.PENANAskvE6Dh4Vt
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."411Please respect copyright.PENANADje2PENQW8
411Please respect copyright.PENANAJCMuWrNQLh
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.411Please respect copyright.PENANAnhzaleH7Kl
411Please respect copyright.PENANAvnAFqPWRVg
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"411Please respect copyright.PENANAIjlHqUW2Hf
411Please respect copyright.PENANABhxEpD5rN8
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."411Please respect copyright.PENANA8Dma4wlGKp
411Please respect copyright.PENANAMUaJ3PzxqT
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."411Please respect copyright.PENANA0bNzRoLnCc
411Please respect copyright.PENANAGmtOtIjFfR
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAj2cCMTmcnw
411Please respect copyright.PENANAEyB11hsPDV
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANA7vC4pgFk0U
411Please respect copyright.PENANAtHINLy5sDn
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANADsLdzReKLU
411Please respect copyright.PENANA0iogQuBLes
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAiuLBXIavJy
411Please respect copyright.PENANA5LqV9ONKji
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....411Please respect copyright.PENANAXzDPg7bqPi
411Please respect copyright.PENANAPCfo1Th8tT
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.411Please respect copyright.PENANA9RMMlmA8UB
411Please respect copyright.PENANA3JUDZ1RA9B
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.411Please respect copyright.PENANAF0hAPrv6Uo
411Please respect copyright.PENANA64GzHiPqOb
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:411Please respect copyright.PENANAKb0Nf2aomd
411Please respect copyright.PENANAU2f1mifwBx
"I'm going to check it out."411Please respect copyright.PENANAUqWs7afO12
411Please respect copyright.PENANAU52hyJ5aFP
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAuI6FutX2Ae
411Please respect copyright.PENANAnMWgllh02m
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAucmeCqlNsT
411Please respect copyright.PENANABdVfjPsTJH
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAr8HyFAFWdu
411Please respect copyright.PENANA4cPYUAbGEu
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAuQl8Ieoqy4
411Please respect copyright.PENANA8KHcM0Me4d
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.411Please respect copyright.PENANAYi4caTXOf2
411Please respect copyright.PENANAmBDrnKUVS6
"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?"411Please respect copyright.PENANAPLPHLoaSo2
411Please respect copyright.PENANAKNN0PZ7C87
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAYgUMQHVqJL
411Please respect copyright.PENANAKEN0NwUXCT
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANArpv0XCGqDd
411Please respect copyright.PENANA8Ifpx1BOs9
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.411Please respect copyright.PENANAnlxzu7UpcC
411Please respect copyright.PENANAB0yVZiAmU7
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.411Please respect copyright.PENANAK8K85AmFFd
411Please respect copyright.PENANAoXWYRcivyg
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:411Please respect copyright.PENANAhuogMB5Ykc
411Please respect copyright.PENANAz2uY2BPveL
"I see her! There she is!"411Please respect copyright.PENANAzGvyhyIFYc
411Please respect copyright.PENANA9LLjuLlQFF
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAhYDai8ZGKk
411Please respect copyright.PENANAndRaEyzyz3
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0v2Xe5nXJ
411Please respect copyright.PENANAvu8jyNFsGB
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANABeclgzkvND
411Please respect copyright.PENANA2R8rgPbPcP
"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."411Please respect copyright.PENANAiuXPibgR0j
411Please respect copyright.PENANA3jeEinnqYA
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."411Please respect copyright.PENANAVvRj1EYGbp
411Please respect copyright.PENANAEOVLiVV90I
***411Please respect copyright.PENANAwInhztDHIp
411Please respect copyright.PENANAsepE8P5mYU
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAvu17y88gdM
411Please respect copyright.PENANAktIvWgKpzC
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANA83bUT0iDwy
411Please respect copyright.PENANAvOqUjiC2m0
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.411Please respect copyright.PENANAtZvnQt6FgL
411Please respect copyright.PENANACuqSPUP8Ia
"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.411Please respect copyright.PENANATuigpaGAAB
411Please respect copyright.PENANAaxbolJ04Hb
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.411Please respect copyright.PENANAwVWptRlbfu
411Please respect copyright.PENANAjd47AE8rUm
"I hope so too."411Please respect copyright.PENANA0YUPHnRqAQ
411Please respect copyright.PENANAxoovxPvCV0
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."411Please respect copyright.PENANA4LXJLbQr87
411Please respect copyright.PENANAxFCAHASQ6i
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."411Please respect copyright.PENANAKuErqf5BU7
411Please respect copyright.PENANALVfXUuCG7d
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.411Please respect copyright.PENANAGUfUnVg0ca
411Please respect copyright.PENANABTLF3UwjWA
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANACrNP25tnea
411Please respect copyright.PENANAbe2ktky46Q
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."411Please respect copyright.PENANA1qCv6kx9HV
411Please respect copyright.PENANAODeY7F5cBB
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAOeB8m3mh5p
411Please respect copyright.PENANAXaVgSTClNK
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAvfshXRdYZo
411Please respect copyright.PENANAVMSW8sDtbo
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.411Please respect copyright.PENANA0qMNbqf0eg
411Please respect copyright.PENANAhzI6qLmAsY
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAY2ty32uEF4
411Please respect copyright.PENANAgTk9PZIv8D
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.411Please respect copyright.PENANAFcKHbSxsuz
411Please respect copyright.PENANAGdpAR8OHDW
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."411Please respect copyright.PENANAI9MATspjWs
411Please respect copyright.PENANAInrH74Ai11
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAEgZ4zfvfb8
411Please respect copyright.PENANAgKyqQHNvDg
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?411Please respect copyright.PENANAETOz6tmtk8
411Please respect copyright.PENANAhHiNFxL7XX
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.411Please respect copyright.PENANAvzn4PNbYIT
411Please respect copyright.PENANAAMBj31glwx
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.411Please respect copyright.PENANAkQiXhqD5yZ
411Please respect copyright.PENANAlCgJDOUyAu
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!"411Please respect copyright.PENANAjhiiHRQmyp
411Please respect copyright.PENANAuDf581m3Ay
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.411Please respect copyright.PENANAwYQ9679Bmx
411Please respect copyright.PENANAwUZcFhEj57
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANA4i08kjocrZ
411Please respect copyright.PENANA7WhFDDcWrw
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAiRuM0HlF7O
411Please respect copyright.PENANAgjTu9kwoPx
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.411Please respect copyright.PENANAfoikS2RD0I
411Please respect copyright.PENANAMvaAO9a1v0
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.411Please respect copyright.PENANA7lS7Ax0WHp
411Please respect copyright.PENANA345jhA4Snu
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAQonFlMqNUB
411Please respect copyright.PENANA0z9bnQIdMA
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"411Please respect copyright.PENANAi4nTxyDfAJ
411Please respect copyright.PENANAWVj5oLCl06
"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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAhzHHC9RkuD
411Please respect copyright.PENANAUp97Nh5HNs
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.411Please respect copyright.PENANAfbbJSKBoiU
411Please respect copyright.PENANAvqm2MTaRbL
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"411Please respect copyright.PENANAvJmhzDT5DF
411Please respect copyright.PENANArPYHm4d5KZ
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."411Please respect copyright.PENANAJc3Lk9hF9s
411Please respect copyright.PENANAHNKebYci2c
"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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAlqNe7Q9INy
411Please respect copyright.PENANAZWxVH1y4cv
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.411Please respect copyright.PENANAc51uGfBuRB
411Please respect copyright.PENANAXMfpiTXF5S
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"411Please respect copyright.PENANAoAbPSLMcxX
411Please respect copyright.PENANAKlDFf50CIi
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.411Please respect copyright.PENANAtCEAR4GapU
411Please respect copyright.PENANALVCwX1wben
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAn32RfEtiUA
411Please respect copyright.PENANAOSWEa32pQ2
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.411Please respect copyright.PENANAXWLn4ow8K1
411Please respect copyright.PENANAErafwSpn62
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.411Please respect copyright.PENANAB8qcRUrIO5
411Please respect copyright.PENANAE9NVcMj2r7
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.411Please respect copyright.PENANAAse8dqAK0n
411Please respect copyright.PENANAky3JBWq69b
"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."411Please respect copyright.PENANAnWMg0lR9Qq
411Please respect copyright.PENANAd2NaHSUFWN
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"411Please respect copyright.PENANAePwy89Kdkh
411Please respect copyright.PENANAZbB7psozfu
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."411Please respect copyright.PENANA0FZJfaUCDa
411Please respect copyright.PENANA7hJIdiicyr
"I'm not leaving without him."411Please respect copyright.PENANAWS655PFRGY
411Please respect copyright.PENANAX0EBBu645X
"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."411Please respect copyright.PENANAXycZgj2LW1
411Please respect copyright.PENANAIvQPlQ5VC2
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."411Please respect copyright.PENANAVRJQKazf5C
411Please respect copyright.PENANA72BKvBuXoI
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."411Please respect copyright.PENANABAz3lhd2Kd
411Please respect copyright.PENANAjCLYIE9neV
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.411Please respect copyright.PENANADk1cWrm1HP
411Please respect copyright.PENANA83lfFMqxZM
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAwDkF9lwzNd
411Please respect copyright.PENANAllBjMxWSxT
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANANZy9KqCRTP
411Please respect copyright.PENANAciN182gHK8
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAUFUDtgjrKu
411Please respect copyright.PENANAHAcLb3Obba
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"411Please respect copyright.PENANAHj4c3hPID3
411Please respect copyright.PENANAhAOpnpcMNX
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAuXH7EgVrwy
411Please respect copyright.PENANA2OMPr1iKWh
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.411Please respect copyright.PENANAEmUbiRAzvj
411Please respect copyright.PENANAuHatsUrB3a
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANA7hAuoblEte
411Please respect copyright.PENANAw8yhousx8m
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAwz6i5tAcpe
411Please respect copyright.PENANAf6XWn8wmkB
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.411Please respect copyright.PENANA6WBOr1op0F
411Please respect copyright.PENANAXcrpKIkIj8
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANA2GsMGMuZ6O
411Please respect copyright.PENANAvN1m2Ey52D
"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."411Please respect copyright.PENANACHqs7YVrSO
411Please respect copyright.PENANASsmZfxn08m
"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."411Please respect copyright.PENANADGCoxmLdXJ
411Please respect copyright.PENANARseh5qeYDK
"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."411Please respect copyright.PENANAYlPdxAhAbD
411Please respect copyright.PENANAoVHaKTHc1t
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.411Please respect copyright.PENANACiTPu9EgLy
411Please respect copyright.PENANAYTIjycORdN
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAIBlLu8pNJ8
411Please respect copyright.PENANApZNSQcAYEN
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.411Please respect copyright.PENANAM4pqg6so9c
411Please respect copyright.PENANAVkZm0Ty27c
"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."411Please respect copyright.PENANAVkbvEfKTIT
411Please respect copyright.PENANALy4FJkFntn
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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAbAFV7p1Jju
411Please respect copyright.PENANAY5Yeo2l6bF
"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.411Please respect copyright.PENANA0DMzUQNTjb
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"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?"411Please respect copyright.PENANA1ud7MF8UUe
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Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."411Please respect copyright.PENANA0VpuWk1N1q
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Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.411Please respect copyright.PENANAFw03H4412A
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"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.411Please respect copyright.PENANADqNDEwt5Q6
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"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.411Please respect copyright.PENANAMqE6P0Wcq8
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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.411Please respect copyright.PENANA0RfmR24FL1
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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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAlUz1JTcSKc
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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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAngQwkDkWEX
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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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAabGGobck5N
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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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAj1c3keocsP
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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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAExdAVrO8uP
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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.411Please respect copyright.PENANA6jV63VJ0Zo
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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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAiBtg2ZtbfJ
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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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAD08ln2H9Zp
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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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAD90GKwipUa
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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.411Please respect copyright.PENANA9TbYaY2z3u
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The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.411Please respect copyright.PENANAJubsASyUa9
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"You're of no use to me," he said. "I wonder what the news of your death will be like. Will your mother even cry for you, I wonder."411Please respect copyright.PENANAgpDHMm2Spv
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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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAo5ez9LBaZ2
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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.411Please respect copyright.PENANACrYxNGbjmc
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The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.411Please respect copyright.PENANAeiS975oRqw
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The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.411Please respect copyright.PENANAvEfP3k3ZiF
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"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.411Please respect copyright.PENANAYXLsh1zgoC
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"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.411Please respect copyright.PENANAy7o0NYA5tl
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"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.411Please respect copyright.PENANAaEKrcH0HHa
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"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.411Please respect copyright.PENANAJ1s6naiz7y
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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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAbdkNh1pMH8
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"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."411Please respect copyright.PENANACdSGb0uRx4
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"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."411Please respect copyright.PENANA4XIBfapC0v
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"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.411Please respect copyright.PENANAGD5klpDqGY
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"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.411Please respect copyright.PENANA4NRaDh4q0I
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"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.411Please respect copyright.PENANAjW3WR4g74U
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"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."411Please respect copyright.PENANAbYITjwVyXa
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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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAi711cH2sae
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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.411Please respect copyright.PENANA0eaABNyjHe
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"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.411Please respect copyright.PENANAHxcMeVOR0L
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"I wouldn't mind," said Miss Marie in the backseat, stroking Sophie who had sat on her lap. "The people who are after you know better to get rid of it than draw attention. We better leave before anyone makes their way here."411Please respect copyright.PENANAX1gOcq4hSJ
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"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.411Please respect copyright.PENANAh9AbAwTxV0
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"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.411Please respect copyright.PENANA0jhu399Ohx
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"For what?" Kevin asked.411Please respect copyright.PENANAjreLKLfHck
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"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."411Please respect copyright.PENANATyOP1Qhclf
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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."411Please respect copyright.PENANAVEmrHUyx6V
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"It's no big deal," said Rhénee as she looked into the rearview mirror at Malcom who also looked back at her. "I did what I felt was right."411Please respect copyright.PENANAnWKcW0fk6C
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"And that was not leaving me behind?"411Please respect copyright.PENANA1AeV91Emtp
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Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.411Please respect copyright.PENANAJbGsrLizhr
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"The way you shot that man back there," said Kevin as he briefly looked at Rhénee, "you've dealt with a gun before, haven't you?"411Please respect copyright.PENANAKK6ZnDNOjS
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Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."