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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZi7ohlqLuw
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRHEPljTj9
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvsHoGogPR
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8451Rwaxy
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Rr4lDv6Qg
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPYIiPwYFk
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3MX0gNIJY
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNU6DndgfM
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxepMO7QD7K
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUZWNgEscJ
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ofOjIuH5x
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡun94L4i982
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?629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUBOvqfTwm
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6ndqZmQOR
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiDj7FJXfw
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMC5OiBmzR
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxq6QtseNY
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNG7TbZzkLU
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3W7v05TPH9
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HxyhRiCC4
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR771juxyQ
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRRP925dIz
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwcCY2MDmv
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cimjVKQkb
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNuB9Cxkcz
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WX2wGJJIm
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIDe5IFe3n
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5e7XSKmST
"No, did you?" came another male voice.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEYbaTJKkT
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3Pm3Bh189
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtO2mD4PY81
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FPgegckU3
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwI9rFuxhn
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnICTKwpNy9
"Me neither. But orders are orders."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazjS8WVnmz
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe2mT4wfEW
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiop8W65dy
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbvneuR21M
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YfS4oYQum
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFgsXGtmE0
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDwxMmXU7E
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NuJgtRL9X
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuAlIO1wrw
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplMIOrWdFg
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUaJxC7kvC
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uOp00jeJa
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAv5ee050K
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4BcM6FoEg
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJDau3F7TN
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCy15Yaxa4
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWt9o064KUa
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm4gXIFItI
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ9L3BOXMl
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTakV63Wrwv
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6svSkpt8J2
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOA6XKDivNc
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....629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkixswFmqFQ
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKfTRjCx0d
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOOfRBaDUT
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFeqpS553y
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcQhUpInxj
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFQWGTKwDy
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ztxwx3t9d
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VDVuLk07B
"I'm going to check it out."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT3qTZduZt
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sBcB32rpW
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtPbocOqs6
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEB2vOPygHH
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyH1KOdqTv
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3sXANgMj5
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qLJkL1rTB
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjTE8eK5Bw
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0PBZ4Og8i
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMftTLshRs
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRNWKtqNGz
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkM9HuV2Wj
"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?"629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDEMdXjGs4
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m4oYQUWe3
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Us9G6w103
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6Uui8Sbua
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXDyNIAwUP
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDFJDRJs6h
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEQzwrijlf
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmUmHcG9yD
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6mlZtSbFM
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UEzWI7Q6n
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:629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXl6VuTgOe
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVJjbvTx4w
"I see her! There she is!"629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1z5nfr8uyr
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRXHgrF4M7
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SxFJ564LI
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTGmc61fBi
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s7MhfQo2Q
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUB3TcgrnM
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCYPg2TlVH
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D06mMrjn0
"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."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6hD3RRNiY
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GbmPGbaFV
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgxvRvvHNc
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqQmDyuffV
***629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkkf4vnqnz
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR2eCsRUA2
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd6spLqup6
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2jnhwHSiS
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfyGd6yDvK
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1eLalZJ3n
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK1hhbuUOu
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ry5MOdRpN
"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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jZG4B1tRZ
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssCSqJSo8J
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmgQbCDqHs
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZLxq9ZnWi
"I hope so too."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RXAcLCI3i
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9A6weYNFbz
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFIvedG2cT
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFccgufq3G
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerC837QYh9
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxe60f071J
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBnnsmZPOU
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G3zLpH8zb
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYdcZwiKSF
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuKnc2n4Wy
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMAfJXKqEh
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLJWYbU1LM
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmwnaH0SU2
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdD6VEVOSW6
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUAUiWcL8T
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxvLhABPvw
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCV19qa8NN
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijIl2t3FLt
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQXagQtqLo
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBCqoIC136
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGN2K8Vp0Gr
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsJNwZSJcx
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bw04bvcgG
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorp7dd802Y
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LockfVGCf
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF4b5Yykod
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF4MzaqNoB
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2mL3XEq2H
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkoh1YV5p3
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DQdqnbqWA
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpt76Gzc0bx
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx3srXtyX3
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!"629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaefxXkph7
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWm1oDfONa
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTLgtVQEwh
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7naSdY4TOy
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPeQh4icjq
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRGSz4mrkv
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUrLiNy13q
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6ETstsDdn
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDK6hYHG0R
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ92xMDaDex
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6pel9sbD1
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxTD1ukd1r
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxCsrdHt3Q
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrESQPYt984
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSE916UBCW
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUJyOEHC8W
"No, I'm fine," said Rhénee as she took a look  behind her. "We have to go. There are men after me."8964 copyright protection625ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7AYFUz7yv 維尼

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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB2ZS6vh1y
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQynbpppfn
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1fdv9PPza
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI53nHhGLom
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37hLTVqoeC
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcFPW7DZUK
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfJKWGYHWA
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaQDx2sMqy
"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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ey3B1E2kK
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCN4Cw1XQhe
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJQI6GGAAD
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrFLRFF7DW
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsyaHGf73v
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAard6Lg4Bg
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScfgw4UvAe
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡev8BmnjlVO
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxrW2YkFXe
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeHmyHFYIT
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKezsEKSTM
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47S74IVMLl
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQwI2RZEMQ
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMYhmqInep
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQhGGCGZ61
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0VLNGttDP
"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."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRspJfc68Xn
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVPud8haxu
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38rVF9A8HO
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRW01hf2D0
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."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXoXHFqCgP
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSG9SQQwAdB
"I'm not leaving without him."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdURt0l1bY
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGQHvmOLOu
"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."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0lJA2XYdA
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSPbOsBQmu
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."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaalHhM3Gp
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeQTZTyXcJ
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49p4cg8DwL
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGONdn2IeR
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sSLU8AyEF
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZB5itzVRpW
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwziAzmreH
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCGSY1YFAX
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6tco1d8Y9
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FIx2EniMh
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNwVIUzSFZ
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSK3OOfJxN
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0DoaeR9yd
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCu6IOgkhR
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIZZUI41yZ
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCWls1fyEH
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q4YU2W4tM
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PkF3yqw3F
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUQPXuQHnV
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEfSWDmBrP
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIG8ofWDdp
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxps6CfPEjt
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK3gmrxNv3
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhxPSgcGRA
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBdIB69dxx
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJenEdYqqSS
"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."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9UBtHUCrv
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNJHqZbP1V
"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."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g0IRyRIOj
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkQSzD2XiX
"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."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzpNtjUOPW
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQB2Q1wkrA
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6k9OXRnvv
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0erMG2cTK
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdoQZIh9fC
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtq3JuDLqZ3
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10lJGbIm8j
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTrtuqUAKn
"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."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpg7IXr9xO
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kM6rRNQqy
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDVRs22Ar6
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleeqdbVtSF
"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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgXSPh5zpM
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHUJyKjyAQ
"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?"629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwtMkTQq2L
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aDY2eaC7K
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY0OXtrMPh
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YwhLPxIgf
Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxudIp4BAuz
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6L1ZQAs4u
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFGQS1omWq
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AVOJYimjB
"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnElCIfbRiM
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcSC7q7Bwd
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sEves9Rdc
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcHixBcXhq
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHABsHFjlfJ
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwVnkIOp52
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfumm16QyY
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgU7LqEkNj
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuwKyZZ0pF
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzHY1vzJUm
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPrgyCZFHl
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gD5u7emEm
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeVQ3RMaX9
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPeUw4LKpv
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn2PzGGpLW
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8UC3EVKWJ
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrce8f6WX9B
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBOWTF1MbM
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86kPggjOEe
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVcnSfITpK
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGjlS9w7aE
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo1DibuXoS
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgIIlina4K
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeNxJeK3uV
The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjATpvGDQAG
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVau0oq4doV
"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."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8K4XKhI6a
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqs5Vz96Qyr
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWuwsmAz2Q
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDRVHRJGIp
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YEsORzDko
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7G1n1djs7
The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Z33StKcKm
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFIyhwF0Xt
The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh4b1wlscw
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbIcgGmoaK
"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdGmMckQ27
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6TTlTzqtK
"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6998dpcWdE
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVywFRGoF0z
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMcTatKqAb
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2KkumwppQ
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J3FWM78P0
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNROu022Kat
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzEMoc79LH
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7Uy2quZDw
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEplyThq0wT
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSCTdHPHZi
"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcFmz8rG1b
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWtXIzqsvb
"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhng8Ls3jh
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ApYItM6t8
"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j6JBAr2m6
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDdtdDvKt8
"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWM3zFVFrzQ
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS81DNGsUIj
"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXv1Vn3dQk
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNezpud3chL
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXSrzKuA3s
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf4wWPorl6
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAk9CSd5Te
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoi8zhDxvOh
"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHuNHB7Asx
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIThBcrI1f
"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."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIPExKcyF0
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOveUJLggoC
"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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMG77aDwA5
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lyfBCK0yS
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdjojsPklA
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlTSHI4RDo
"For what?" Kevin asked.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19bOWBcfdA
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCmLgVIjN0
"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2TYOcOg04
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoOdPoQffD
"Rhénee insisted that we should," said Miss Marie with a smile on her face. "That's why she took my gun."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZr6fObOPC
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErQPxIMoev
"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."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvjx0AKLTA
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhdsVDhZuC
"And that was not leaving me behind?"629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ1BG63Mhm
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvzSoRSmnT
Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFQMe66hXF
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb36MoILnI
"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?"629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VOIm6lijj
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx79YTl1LTC
Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."8964 copyright protection625ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXAGmtGPX6 維尼

3.128.95.177