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.398Please respect copyright.PENANA95Hr6Z15vv
398Please respect copyright.PENANAdzZPoYkNyb
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAaWgBBXoxTk
398Please respect copyright.PENANA9ckKYElHwG
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.398Please respect copyright.PENANAFwdu9jX37Y
398Please respect copyright.PENANAoCjlief71u
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANA2UpNb6SHKq
398Please respect copyright.PENANAlno0NX72Kp
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANArP5L0ApnJA
398Please respect copyright.PENANAF1MbtUFUFz
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.398Please respect copyright.PENANAb6T1aSbylp
398Please respect copyright.PENANAmiwxgF98Mr
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?398Please respect copyright.PENANAOoWK7cKwWv
398Please respect copyright.PENANApuJqqQn4Ts
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAgX31qWaQKF
398Please respect copyright.PENANAT5BFUnALT6
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.398Please respect copyright.PENANAEyrWarTZ39
398Please respect copyright.PENANAfvakCt3g9m
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.398Please respect copyright.PENANAzStJxREQY9
398Please respect copyright.PENANAp58ebLSmXe
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAtgtzly76BA
398Please respect copyright.PENANAqwqmkID8lI
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAKucbyjg09d
398Please respect copyright.PENANAJu3QHlWW5d
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"398Please respect copyright.PENANAFqpdmqTrjU
398Please respect copyright.PENANAMTsmgylxvT
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAXtvzKAQwOD
398Please respect copyright.PENANAhY6pPIWLM0
"No, did you?" came another male voice.398Please respect copyright.PENANAtHDOvf0YMH
398Please respect copyright.PENANAxdhSvULykd
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."398Please respect copyright.PENANAQXcwQVUO6p
398Please respect copyright.PENANAvIYE4Leknr
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."398Please respect copyright.PENANAfLAllbaFef
398Please respect copyright.PENANAeCc6sZ7gRu
"Me neither. But orders are orders."398Please respect copyright.PENANAZLE26A2KBp
398Please respect copyright.PENANA1QzVy7UAF8
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."398Please respect copyright.PENANAmqfJs71iOM
398Please respect copyright.PENANAHPM7tcW3yh
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."398Please respect copyright.PENANAzKMKzHJZgL
398Please respect copyright.PENANAqUDeqIlTJY
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.398Please respect copyright.PENANAEGOAYsaJvh
398Please respect copyright.PENANAfJ7lqImIrj
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"398Please respect copyright.PENANA4SWv6NiZXf
398Please respect copyright.PENANAgr43TGV2Sj
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."398Please respect copyright.PENANARApT0bsXFs
398Please respect copyright.PENANAKOCQ8togDm
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."398Please respect copyright.PENANAChfqFx2Fty
398Please respect copyright.PENANAjqADGFYd68
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAEEzoY41pvT
398Please respect copyright.PENANAPfXA1fUWIF
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAifZCmyRjPj
398Please respect copyright.PENANAtNVIRISy0f
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAPl7UUpT10k
398Please respect copyright.PENANA1KoruG4Ooh
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANA65H5HoIizz
398Please respect copyright.PENANAal1Mmt2ZgE
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....398Please respect copyright.PENANA86y8CGGYEb
398Please respect copyright.PENANAuLytFG47vc
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.398Please respect copyright.PENANADPCfHgldOZ
398Please respect copyright.PENANAaIbAEfNgHv
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.398Please respect copyright.PENANAHBYKgSB9sR
398Please respect copyright.PENANALBQ02ngu9R
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:398Please respect copyright.PENANA8JRmewgV7R
398Please respect copyright.PENANAzus13v5Ikd
"I'm going to check it out."398Please respect copyright.PENANAhlStXCB1hI
398Please respect copyright.PENANAR8uGIulxu3
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAwlepVhXXjN
398Please respect copyright.PENANAhmUf9o0T8w
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAC3vZO2jhke
398Please respect copyright.PENANA4vnuY6dieE
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAVSEt4Pcc0Z
398Please respect copyright.PENANAb8PHphshVw
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAEkRFFasIWK
398Please respect copyright.PENANAdDUQzxmeMM
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.398Please respect copyright.PENANAg5X6wcJ20B
398Please respect copyright.PENANArnye03nqnG
"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?"398Please respect copyright.PENANAfYX815afEk
398Please respect copyright.PENANAlr22d837sE
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANA83YjFVTIQ1
398Please respect copyright.PENANAkGyRWXINRl
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANA4qqXEpRmmQ
398Please respect copyright.PENANAatKwavyaXJ
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.398Please respect copyright.PENANAUiNM9f8U7P
398Please respect copyright.PENANAyqcHWBaUbC
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.398Please respect copyright.PENANACndNa6QZ3k
398Please respect copyright.PENANAslqASK2b42
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:398Please respect copyright.PENANAh5VHFjRK5U
398Please respect copyright.PENANAbphHgUtIS5
"I see her! There she is!"398Please respect copyright.PENANAxwpxOkbHDl
398Please respect copyright.PENANAXzNRZeJ86T
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAXqmjoqIshC
398Please respect copyright.PENANAntUrW2ssJy
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANATzfgIfpSaj
398Please respect copyright.PENANAEfB10p9Ecm
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAdBcfYbBlUi
398Please respect copyright.PENANAGnhgYjSDcV
"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."398Please respect copyright.PENANAcciieWtrox
398Please respect copyright.PENANAAXPAMJ4UsK
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."398Please respect copyright.PENANAHNHXddhmXN
398Please respect copyright.PENANAuBGdFyhj4r
***398Please respect copyright.PENANACDybvUBvTQ
398Please respect copyright.PENANADITWRtssJb
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAr3z5CXsyEq
398Please respect copyright.PENANAa3tgKJ51e6
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANALH8RXu7E1A
398Please respect copyright.PENANAHWDPeIsCWr
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.398Please respect copyright.PENANAXFSe5Tj9HT
398Please respect copyright.PENANAOPDQFcjCJL
"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.398Please respect copyright.PENANArkRnBO6nbj
398Please respect copyright.PENANAVZI7iGE4rt
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.398Please respect copyright.PENANAWfyvLglRX9
398Please respect copyright.PENANAMIyhJoHTxU
"I hope so too."398Please respect copyright.PENANAaTEubxInLq
398Please respect copyright.PENANAiOIFh4Lckz
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."398Please respect copyright.PENANAmVL4rCay7n
398Please respect copyright.PENANAFESWTcStP3
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."398Please respect copyright.PENANAUDwZgcjItk
398Please respect copyright.PENANAKKGuJaXit1
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.398Please respect copyright.PENANAgDb4K3hCv9
398Please respect copyright.PENANAX4kETkkXj3
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAtbllRqu6mv
398Please respect copyright.PENANAfb7PmAs5Mz
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."398Please respect copyright.PENANAyUBOdiQl18
398Please respect copyright.PENANABCbLTTnHUV
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAvJdU2Jb1MK
398Please respect copyright.PENANAUz8BSWtuAk
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANANMkqm1u6Ly
398Please respect copyright.PENANABDvyP7KmGV
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.398Please respect copyright.PENANANfn15hh7If
398Please respect copyright.PENANAODwWTlPa48
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANANJ35GPOjPe
398Please respect copyright.PENANAukCcQk2KAm
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.398Please respect copyright.PENANAYajXsYVHq9
398Please respect copyright.PENANAdvBILzv2sC
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."398Please respect copyright.PENANA3HRV71prD5
398Please respect copyright.PENANA3DLJYWUVEl
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAlvJgBuL9LD
398Please respect copyright.PENANAs6fTledGDT
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?398Please respect copyright.PENANA4lPUXL3Mw8
398Please respect copyright.PENANASUdsWjAJv3
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.398Please respect copyright.PENANAErFr5s7eZy
398Please respect copyright.PENANAHuBIVxr9sW
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.398Please respect copyright.PENANAQkYXxVWkkP
398Please respect copyright.PENANAkpkjcnuqOQ
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!"398Please respect copyright.PENANAxQVOnTrtRB
398Please respect copyright.PENANACRvNkuoyw4
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.398Please respect copyright.PENANAdc3GAIQVlT
398Please respect copyright.PENANAkLSArHJ5sV
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANA3sdAQFRMov
398Please respect copyright.PENANAMIvT3yZ9gt
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANA8aFI3NzaTs
398Please respect copyright.PENANAtNRAetwKxY
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.398Please respect copyright.PENANAGy13l6Qvdo
398Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3FQwSpawq
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.398Please respect copyright.PENANAig3LZTBbjB
398Please respect copyright.PENANAV82uMjNNee
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAv1zQZkMbnV
398Please respect copyright.PENANAaHwt5UGiVr
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"398Please respect copyright.PENANACnJ0YKRPbU
398Please respect copyright.PENANAWU0iFzR3ze
"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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAxQCSKyLLLA
398Please respect copyright.PENANADnI1fmB5lH
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.398Please respect copyright.PENANAns655SFQVr
398Please respect copyright.PENANAA1YKCsVBdj
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"398Please respect copyright.PENANA2jtHZAljuX
398Please respect copyright.PENANAJzX6vlPtJv
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."398Please respect copyright.PENANAQq4CWktnbl
398Please respect copyright.PENANAj1SEZSc6Ke
"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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAd8hAKICvxT
398Please respect copyright.PENANAnMifjjiCmE
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.398Please respect copyright.PENANAo118wQKNZw
398Please respect copyright.PENANAGv9F3rJ0xn
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"398Please respect copyright.PENANAByI9yh5pIU
398Please respect copyright.PENANAbqrX5rPr8F
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.398Please respect copyright.PENANAOv7EOywlFG
398Please respect copyright.PENANAbYbpfZogUB
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAF6YdmCKooJ
398Please respect copyright.PENANAtGzdMZoAwz
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.398Please respect copyright.PENANALs1VFC6Bxo
398Please respect copyright.PENANA2GQNw2R8DZ
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.398Please respect copyright.PENANAdyelF4nEx8
398Please respect copyright.PENANAGQ7EpjRgRj
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.398Please respect copyright.PENANAL6h6QiGdHv
398Please respect copyright.PENANAKjeS3lStyS
"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."398Please respect copyright.PENANAYY0jWk8aZn
398Please respect copyright.PENANAppHoQ8HfNz
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"398Please respect copyright.PENANAEfosQjSvpN
398Please respect copyright.PENANAmGMqDFLh6V
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."398Please respect copyright.PENANAtwUOvwa981
398Please respect copyright.PENANA90FnSUrpet
"I'm not leaving without him."398Please respect copyright.PENANA24zvmtnzkq
398Please respect copyright.PENANA9NvlIzO1Y5
"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."398Please respect copyright.PENANAZc54hbOofZ
398Please respect copyright.PENANAkhl3bzscRZ
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."398Please respect copyright.PENANAdoOvQyc1iq
398Please respect copyright.PENANAnoafeN3jmn
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."398Please respect copyright.PENANAQGWJ6gpq6s
398Please respect copyright.PENANAuK0549zoZv
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.398Please respect copyright.PENANAIbY9r7wj2C
398Please respect copyright.PENANANJ7x8dyVXp
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAWxNWaJ1zeG
398Please respect copyright.PENANAkGWBBS8DAc
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAGD1I2lZUY8
398Please respect copyright.PENANAGx8hoeyhWx
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANA5mccApA1gi
398Please respect copyright.PENANAfuHsh4KPvZ
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"398Please respect copyright.PENANAEAdPNWcLVT
398Please respect copyright.PENANALgaiNhaD3e
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAj2j5LnhFli
398Please respect copyright.PENANAvmtTutTKvn
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.398Please respect copyright.PENANA6utm1rYlRU
398Please respect copyright.PENANABQGqkFTxO4
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAOrepk8hLru
398Please respect copyright.PENANAG9CXh3SuQq
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAT9D4JqtLUj
398Please respect copyright.PENANAjPG8RMVWK8
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.398Please respect copyright.PENANAJG9JTXpAbr
398Please respect copyright.PENANAtWb1puNBdD
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANANvCREBjYjV
398Please respect copyright.PENANAeF6Nw9W0YR
"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."398Please respect copyright.PENANAFcA8vAeDdk
398Please respect copyright.PENANAJGKaP1Z9R1
"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."398Please respect copyright.PENANA8uBhDzFYxG
398Please respect copyright.PENANATTBOH7ZgiV
"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."398Please respect copyright.PENANAKevkv6hpK9
398Please respect copyright.PENANAjuqAOgZDTO
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.398Please respect copyright.PENANAumbt9V4gZG
398Please respect copyright.PENANAMKFCE86wI4
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANA9ZUfgiwy8g
398Please respect copyright.PENANAvDiJJrYvjM
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.398Please respect copyright.PENANATDsZUZJ9LA
398Please respect copyright.PENANAahvTs4LsJA
"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."398Please respect copyright.PENANAKwAsLf2DAD
398Please respect copyright.PENANA5I3d1SMqFz
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAhUuhE8u446
398Please respect copyright.PENANAD8nc3R7IVc
"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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAyv0TYqy0UG
398Please respect copyright.PENANA88qtyt7iWu
"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?"398Please respect copyright.PENANAPdlOgG6A2O
398Please respect copyright.PENANAk8d7672Hr2
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."398Please respect copyright.PENANACx32CbfJEw
398Please respect copyright.PENANALpFzuu6edp
Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.398Please respect copyright.PENANAUbh50zlrfi
398Please respect copyright.PENANAZY3v5VohMh
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.398Please respect copyright.PENANAoym8A03hD8
398Please respect copyright.PENANAUmuuNfSOzj
"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.398Please respect copyright.PENANA6LCtuHrJwT
398Please respect copyright.PENANAXE5pgxzvO1
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAdstMLjbDi7
398Please respect copyright.PENANAOifcxVbvyd
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAAJk2U2gsDY
398Please respect copyright.PENANAX5OPdG1iid
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAVPPhnswybc
398Please respect copyright.PENANAJmwxW3ycNV
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANA5YudY4jCe1
398Please respect copyright.PENANAMHAYfui89R
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAg9DlRikB6p
398Please respect copyright.PENANAuImFEx0fPt
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAtLCWdF9CzQ
398Please respect copyright.PENANA5RKsU1hVTm
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAOaTPRryZbB
398Please respect copyright.PENANABztxpzxY4U
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAyj5vMRVmoP
398Please respect copyright.PENANAKChuQ5xqyl
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAkB5Q0G8YDj
398Please respect copyright.PENANALfZnYpA0zh
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAKylEgzYSuj
398Please respect copyright.PENANAR8VPWkcWqc
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANA54l9N59HIt
398Please respect copyright.PENANAY8rikztywN
The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.398Please respect copyright.PENANAMyT6tyZT7O
398Please respect copyright.PENANAxOQpuvi0SZ
"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."398Please respect copyright.PENANA4lYbszz775
398Please respect copyright.PENANAP6CyDsbU8Z
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANA5CywOnNo0t
398Please respect copyright.PENANAVkJ90Ci5b2
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANA7qgEDpZXj1
398Please respect copyright.PENANA0XIg40rTjl
The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.398Please respect copyright.PENANALXqIxmrwQD
398Please respect copyright.PENANA7oZhbkZzrq
The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.398Please respect copyright.PENANAWGrgW0uJSf
398Please respect copyright.PENANAtnIBQSbGeC
"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.398Please respect copyright.PENANAdYDeromB2O
398Please respect copyright.PENANAiLmxpEDDuN
"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.398Please respect copyright.PENANA4RzfZ6RNLr
398Please respect copyright.PENANAylCeKpurXH
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.398Please respect copyright.PENANAADKSEmr3rp
398Please respect copyright.PENANAxAXIq7eyyJ
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.398Please respect copyright.PENANAHG3ho1qXgp
398Please respect copyright.PENANAafQi1HWhwr
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAv2kyWy1Xrn
398Please respect copyright.PENANARPgowyd7Zh
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."398Please respect copyright.PENANAUW25fWg2ZC
398Please respect copyright.PENANA7eSms9zjjN
"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."398Please respect copyright.PENANAyzorljCHTI
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"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.398Please respect copyright.PENANA9UYmhBOfqz
398Please respect copyright.PENANAPiea0FgI4Y
"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.398Please respect copyright.PENANApAN3qAvywo
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"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.398Please respect copyright.PENANAie2DP27qcO
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"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."398Please respect copyright.PENANABP49Hll2Ei
398Please respect copyright.PENANANR7i43BIaC
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAcFwKvrJGwJ
398Please respect copyright.PENANAl1PowoOnDl
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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAm8ZXbhIW94
398Please respect copyright.PENANAyKdYqy99pr
"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.398Please respect copyright.PENANAbrfBO9T2iw
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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."398Please respect copyright.PENANAvCnfcJqytV
398Please respect copyright.PENANAcYhQj4fBV9
"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.398Please respect copyright.PENANAAk3M9wUtjH
398Please respect copyright.PENANATvDYd7ZwLS
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.398Please respect copyright.PENANAKg7FFXObnS
398Please respect copyright.PENANAd5Zaud0TNU
"For what?" Kevin asked.398Please respect copyright.PENANA4NO2xPXwuX
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"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."398Please respect copyright.PENANAARGFQu8aOf
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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."398Please respect copyright.PENANATtd4thBd35
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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."398Please respect copyright.PENANAWlAuT2c2Ac
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"And that was not leaving me behind?"398Please respect copyright.PENANAtFJc29mm6k
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Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.398Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZJg0IDpxp
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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?"398Please respect copyright.PENANAkpDbLOQq3V
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Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."