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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAWigxwaCpgH
388Please respect copyright.PENANAoyAUeb7fmY
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAyoMowriTAz
388Please respect copyright.PENANAq3dA3mp4ok
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.388Please respect copyright.PENANABBel4oRxPc
388Please respect copyright.PENANAd3a0snEUhY
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAddjrf1k8xG
388Please respect copyright.PENANAA1N8oyz7J6
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANA5GqraOjXqz
388Please respect copyright.PENANABDOlurWfKR
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.388Please respect copyright.PENANAF3LeXmdg8K
388Please respect copyright.PENANAW3UJLFLBpE
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?388Please respect copyright.PENANAwW4yIGAVZ7
388Please respect copyright.PENANAPp8c7lRaI0
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAa6A1FitC6K
388Please respect copyright.PENANAR8BgK424LH
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.388Please respect copyright.PENANARg2jUVHftF
388Please respect copyright.PENANAySJfkc7Jy0
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.388Please respect copyright.PENANA5gtlsmbYoO
388Please respect copyright.PENANARRJCEA7cu0
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANA96KcuHlnvu
388Please respect copyright.PENANALyhcGHB8v1
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAZumFxeAAp6
388Please respect copyright.PENANAX1cX2VECKi
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"388Please respect copyright.PENANAPifERy36Gf
388Please respect copyright.PENANAyFpxbbR5Od
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAYuFHbf6EMq
388Please respect copyright.PENANAaB9DNrpFQv
"No, did you?" came another male voice.388Please respect copyright.PENANAGhafJ6XYeR
388Please respect copyright.PENANA1FTE9O6ar8
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."388Please respect copyright.PENANA17D5t0VFii
388Please respect copyright.PENANAR8C2ShAFOl
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."388Please respect copyright.PENANAzqhyy2Djgm
388Please respect copyright.PENANAZCB3zKBBTs
"Me neither. But orders are orders."388Please respect copyright.PENANAS9bWZLeXnX
388Please respect copyright.PENANAjhaiyC5PLi
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."388Please respect copyright.PENANAUhJtPP0aw8
388Please respect copyright.PENANAOBuEYDuVYt
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."388Please respect copyright.PENANAJDPALAvFrY
388Please respect copyright.PENANAD8XFYkYGTo
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.388Please respect copyright.PENANAoFdmaMSnmo
388Please respect copyright.PENANAzZ3oY1Ifb5
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"388Please respect copyright.PENANAJmViEmja7v
388Please respect copyright.PENANAQnSc7mvLj8
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."388Please respect copyright.PENANAVnxQIJfwEO
388Please respect copyright.PENANAYPqEJGJhta
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."388Please respect copyright.PENANACNKcDK9Ne3
388Please respect copyright.PENANAZELKyEqbvQ
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAvtkGfGz4dt
388Please respect copyright.PENANAQg8SBEnTb2
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAiDmht4yHVh
388Please respect copyright.PENANAwAqe3aGL5C
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAnhJ9bkukGE
388Please respect copyright.PENANAfZ6BcxEyaM
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAruD0bdXLFM
388Please respect copyright.PENANAxGQnfyzfLk
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....388Please respect copyright.PENANAMeiIsWj6lb
388Please respect copyright.PENANAyZKBqf8xNy
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.388Please respect copyright.PENANAncHrb1891P
388Please respect copyright.PENANAPwl5VzLirg
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.388Please respect copyright.PENANALLB8kPrxco
388Please respect copyright.PENANAws8xDVX6RJ
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:388Please respect copyright.PENANAazJqG0FhEZ
388Please respect copyright.PENANAHMC29wL3RZ
"I'm going to check it out."388Please respect copyright.PENANAAyY2M8Q7s2
388Please respect copyright.PENANAkjm0GOCODO
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANANsJ2JTDtxa
388Please respect copyright.PENANAY2ZsC0zEGS
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAxJuiUOba1q
388Please respect copyright.PENANA6wOniQpqqo
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAWk8oEmPOop
388Please respect copyright.PENANA6uOunjm3fx
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAVtMkqZlbOZ
388Please respect copyright.PENANAqulz3c6H4L
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.388Please respect copyright.PENANAxMQhzmNYdw
388Please respect copyright.PENANANLZNXnPpmY
"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?"388Please respect copyright.PENANAWID4Xte8i6
388Please respect copyright.PENANAKBrZcWgYmr
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANArMsuRn3uku
388Please respect copyright.PENANADIHQ7N7G6p
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAJErtTQImTW
388Please respect copyright.PENANA06DDKeXnHK
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.388Please respect copyright.PENANAIMzpyco0sK
388Please respect copyright.PENANA2qQdMpiJg0
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.388Please respect copyright.PENANAmyXxiBvXhH
388Please respect copyright.PENANAEZhqf8Fpi7
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:388Please respect copyright.PENANAhR6E8l2GBm
388Please respect copyright.PENANAhfoBCCz0GJ
"I see her! There she is!"388Please respect copyright.PENANAvWVCetBO4G
388Please respect copyright.PENANAvy367s09U4
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANA3skn7MJywy
388Please respect copyright.PENANAR96JDeOU63
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAdGwNSUzPFO
388Please respect copyright.PENANAZPGfqvuvOR
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAMICJ5Xhg44
388Please respect copyright.PENANAEVTFzAdgnt
"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."388Please respect copyright.PENANAZSnUpYsASK
388Please respect copyright.PENANAbZNZM6gAwY
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."388Please respect copyright.PENANA3WUvGEvemV
388Please respect copyright.PENANAD2F9xzC0am
***388Please respect copyright.PENANAkhFa8QyvMS
388Please respect copyright.PENANAmAUoOjgo1n
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANA1NbMvYXpEH
388Please respect copyright.PENANA83eUr8iFHk
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAJuztvwIg1R
388Please respect copyright.PENANAfM2lGllaBb
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.388Please respect copyright.PENANAr8K8Ti3TkY
388Please respect copyright.PENANA9ZPojvWz7j
"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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAp8geEa2gnq
388Please respect copyright.PENANAXlNFkK34xO
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.388Please respect copyright.PENANARw1NPCrvud
388Please respect copyright.PENANAPTbwE6nosU
"I hope so too."388Please respect copyright.PENANAVQUIFIA34q
388Please respect copyright.PENANAtOYFK8E5r3
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."388Please respect copyright.PENANAsp157qKIRo
388Please respect copyright.PENANA2Y8aA0kC4L
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."388Please respect copyright.PENANA8C3XSIaFhH
388Please respect copyright.PENANAE9G2CQk2JH
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.388Please respect copyright.PENANAMop6dzBOKC
388Please respect copyright.PENANAZGdh1vT6Vj
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAyuQVYKpaMc
388Please respect copyright.PENANA7oNVizcGPj
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."388Please respect copyright.PENANAWBkqp43paa
388Please respect copyright.PENANAGuZqdOufrz
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAlBlzSgbdLV
388Please respect copyright.PENANAeizVVyAuQV
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAlIF6YIn4Up
388Please respect copyright.PENANAeI2qLY9MAC
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.388Please respect copyright.PENANAuvEfoPV6X1
388Please respect copyright.PENANAJYdcmfQkU9
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAoC9gWBHw7n
388Please respect copyright.PENANAW6mNQEkyX2
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.388Please respect copyright.PENANAqJXpOqGw9H
388Please respect copyright.PENANASERlgphCnz
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."388Please respect copyright.PENANAOjkEfJk8IN
388Please respect copyright.PENANAfG0Xgivro4
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANALxkccs8Wgb
388Please respect copyright.PENANAqhaapSrHzf
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?388Please respect copyright.PENANAdrdaVo66k4
388Please respect copyright.PENANA98CPVczNi4
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.388Please respect copyright.PENANA6xpc7L1SGY
388Please respect copyright.PENANAYLfl0HOG48
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.388Please respect copyright.PENANA5kFDk1akzB
388Please respect copyright.PENANAYd8WtY1fMX
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!"388Please respect copyright.PENANACppxhLBcIx
388Please respect copyright.PENANAscRgnlCwDP
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.388Please respect copyright.PENANAEw1psV4MVI
388Please respect copyright.PENANA1j7HasMbpA
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANACeuF9akZWz
388Please respect copyright.PENANA5Y25LjDz7F
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAPKswfhe4vW
388Please respect copyright.PENANAwvMHigHp14
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.388Please respect copyright.PENANAjjAOINUNoc
388Please respect copyright.PENANARsAzqPgRAj
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.388Please respect copyright.PENANAkfDEEG07L5
388Please respect copyright.PENANAE8gYW7lvbT
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAbA03XCwX9O
388Please respect copyright.PENANAfR3LdfLTa9
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"388Please respect copyright.PENANATMpIOzQR6r
388Please respect copyright.PENANAFZM4EeTI7U
"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.388Please respect copyright.PENANA3ImFIaYyZD
388Please respect copyright.PENANAeYfLmj2Ck8
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.388Please respect copyright.PENANA2xAnZsb1uj
388Please respect copyright.PENANAUF1XGwrPiD
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"388Please respect copyright.PENANAdGPPDG2e9R
388Please respect copyright.PENANATkd8EWNiQC
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."388Please respect copyright.PENANAjaGTxNlgx3
388Please respect copyright.PENANAoJH0WBnA66
"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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAbzyy3Xu2xO
388Please respect copyright.PENANACBo10odZIz
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.388Please respect copyright.PENANAwIkccNFwku
388Please respect copyright.PENANAtfhoK01CEj
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"388Please respect copyright.PENANApYA1APKZlV
388Please respect copyright.PENANArwaPxtue6o
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.388Please respect copyright.PENANAmNfSQji84O
388Please respect copyright.PENANAZJoTsI0dO0
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAgq18igJPEl
388Please respect copyright.PENANAer8IcdzQHi
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.388Please respect copyright.PENANAnGAw2AQ345
388Please respect copyright.PENANAmUmJUdQGfj
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.388Please respect copyright.PENANASJ2q8VzgzE
388Please respect copyright.PENANAT9X3BwdnbR
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.388Please respect copyright.PENANAlRRb5GE34M
388Please respect copyright.PENANAuLnD49QkZx
"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."388Please respect copyright.PENANAX0Fbobn6wl
388Please respect copyright.PENANAWKwvoKBAza
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"388Please respect copyright.PENANAIA9Dj6PhV0
388Please respect copyright.PENANAVosfwWkwSr
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."388Please respect copyright.PENANA7b0W3iKbg2
388Please respect copyright.PENANAfkr256YMJr
"I'm not leaving without him."388Please respect copyright.PENANA52MUPCk9lG
388Please respect copyright.PENANA9oeh1lRLTq
"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."388Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9gNii8EJe
388Please respect copyright.PENANA7K0ufvklF9
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."388Please respect copyright.PENANAMkc2pqaJ9f
388Please respect copyright.PENANAZbd4Isq4lc
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."388Please respect copyright.PENANAwjXXGdrHii
388Please respect copyright.PENANAlvJPBf7fBl
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.388Please respect copyright.PENANAbNJXAG55Py
388Please respect copyright.PENANA6Th8yhV4my
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAQkyOH9anGD
388Please respect copyright.PENANAUPvfm8Qs1n
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1tBIONbMZ
388Please respect copyright.PENANAMwivJVCyd9
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAyGMsImMoR3
388Please respect copyright.PENANAA3GqpGLPln
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"388Please respect copyright.PENANA7BgW3R3ldT
388Please respect copyright.PENANABM5TYrToxI
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAwFMIwvKWAe
388Please respect copyright.PENANA46DICG1kyj
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.388Please respect copyright.PENANANlpgMYdWVI
388Please respect copyright.PENANAcT1c7Dx0o5
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANA8p94fgQU8E
388Please respect copyright.PENANAa3KQWRu8jx
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAqkqeYVGMio
388Please respect copyright.PENANANozvfFHKCy
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.388Please respect copyright.PENANAlTZj7xRvJg
388Please respect copyright.PENANAbAR29i8K6Z
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANALtDttrDV3j
388Please respect copyright.PENANAF7xBqXY7gZ
"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."388Please respect copyright.PENANA2MIpEFhZca
388Please respect copyright.PENANAKSQydOUt28
"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."388Please respect copyright.PENANAROtqlRK2AJ
388Please respect copyright.PENANA96EjKlfRwl
"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."388Please respect copyright.PENANAd4s41TWzwb
388Please respect copyright.PENANAhV4MtmwlfU
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.388Please respect copyright.PENANAzMrKHNmuSw
388Please respect copyright.PENANAQb1bA35Ruk
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANA8FgGCxr9s6
388Please respect copyright.PENANALivNv0oPSo
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.388Please respect copyright.PENANAjqqhWUdbCL
388Please respect copyright.PENANArBZaSsry9a
"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."388Please respect copyright.PENANA8IcaivwIsD
388Please respect copyright.PENANAKG4SdyjSIr
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANA11PLVHZveU
388Please respect copyright.PENANAlWninSnntJ
"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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAjnlgeLsEij
388Please respect copyright.PENANArBJ2e5cxUv
"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?"388Please respect copyright.PENANA0R4eefing2
388Please respect copyright.PENANAQelV9kPr8Y
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."388Please respect copyright.PENANARjZw1JZ3Pj
388Please respect copyright.PENANAezGqOTob3y
Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.388Please respect copyright.PENANANpQzff4MQT
388Please respect copyright.PENANAKQtrJuwiw8
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.388Please respect copyright.PENANAAgzA2N6Td4
388Please respect copyright.PENANAFXBef48xWk
"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.388Please respect copyright.PENANAvfCo0lU3A4
388Please respect copyright.PENANAvfab9H3Z8v
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAH2dRk7N04o
388Please respect copyright.PENANAgcDvEkaQwe
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAeHagTcUsYF
388Please respect copyright.PENANAohPioSUB4H
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAvmTBrAgf50
388Please respect copyright.PENANApRVJMimFil
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAeYO4ycMigU
388Please respect copyright.PENANA0HxH1uGkqf
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAj9RIw07lVd
388Please respect copyright.PENANAeMEU8gs6i1
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANA147dF4HUiG
388Please respect copyright.PENANAk5AwZD9Zvw
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANABFQBjwRlIF
388Please respect copyright.PENANARtuZl3OuHb
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANA7fSizYUh7l
388Please respect copyright.PENANAibeR5JyBT3
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAvzrrtqMe0v
388Please respect copyright.PENANAKQUqcxEtrI
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAAYSdq0jSB6
388Please respect copyright.PENANAzMZIh64j1k
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAmrQUo38JWD
388Please respect copyright.PENANAr0MkziwDAN
The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.388Please respect copyright.PENANAMSbxHLpxBn
388Please respect copyright.PENANAbPc1l16gVt
"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."388Please respect copyright.PENANAEHiKwPEPDK
388Please respect copyright.PENANAMHhAsBy0h5
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAeWZnC0wxxg
388Please respect copyright.PENANAwpGaLRe0jc
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANADWzWLafCoE
388Please respect copyright.PENANAXRR885nnNY
The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.388Please respect copyright.PENANAWYiZ2rgeiq
388Please respect copyright.PENANAmcPyqtJno1
The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.388Please respect copyright.PENANA4jzrxnnMca
388Please respect copyright.PENANAQbBBh4rTe3
"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.388Please respect copyright.PENANA7pr2wWpRzF
388Please respect copyright.PENANAH4D2foGwq6
"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.388Please respect copyright.PENANAfmVaneLmps
388Please respect copyright.PENANAQAQYomMitS
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.388Please respect copyright.PENANA80ddX86q3U
388Please respect copyright.PENANAE6JbUa67ye
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.388Please respect copyright.PENANAN1Kv6DWbWl
388Please respect copyright.PENANA4AkDmci3XD
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAu8D9is5Vdq
388Please respect copyright.PENANAWigiq3KsNz
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."388Please respect copyright.PENANANH5iyhlbaS
388Please respect copyright.PENANA2ZNHUISJxD
"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."388Please respect copyright.PENANAVqd9XJx6cM
388Please respect copyright.PENANAvycHfy21I7
"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.388Please respect copyright.PENANA0uohcflasX
388Please respect copyright.PENANAnzt7jAhLz6
"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.388Please respect copyright.PENANAvravy91xTM
388Please respect copyright.PENANATAxWhvQ6Sf
"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.388Please respect copyright.PENANAnSdIoKGW3j
388Please respect copyright.PENANAZR2k0oTHyh
"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."388Please respect copyright.PENANAqAY2RSkNi6
388Please respect copyright.PENANA5iJwSZ0fwi
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANABiswwEVlLK
388Please respect copyright.PENANANiOywpqKGz
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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAz7DV4Up8BU
388Please respect copyright.PENANAuM77VJtNWu
"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.388Please respect copyright.PENANAajdPSKVmMc
388Please respect copyright.PENANAIURhfoWd6U
"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."388Please respect copyright.PENANASwpvKLE1qo
388Please respect copyright.PENANAf6zMq1h93R
"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.388Please respect copyright.PENANAlxsZPm4pIJ
388Please respect copyright.PENANACyuYNFEqvE
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.388Please respect copyright.PENANAW4cXBmiU5W
388Please respect copyright.PENANAzfInkgtiw8
"For what?" Kevin asked.388Please respect copyright.PENANAOabJyIYPwR
388Please respect copyright.PENANA1jdIvJ5nlz
"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."388Please respect copyright.PENANAqKmiYN6D2L
388Please respect copyright.PENANA8mojQvG2Hk
"Rhénee insisted that we should," said Miss Marie with a smile on her face. "That's why she took my gun."388Please respect copyright.PENANAgurAzB8B7B
388Please respect copyright.PENANAiZxlK9uoay
"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."388Please respect copyright.PENANAvyFxUMTcV4
388Please respect copyright.PENANAr9wHYVBIDq
"And that was not leaving me behind?"388Please respect copyright.PENANAASbNocoaw6
388Please respect copyright.PENANACjSaG3OBXx
Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.388Please respect copyright.PENANAbadkHMmguL
388Please respect copyright.PENANAyZegkwoCxn
"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?"388Please respect copyright.PENANAIKcfEyFhv6
388Please respect copyright.PENANAlRrNRyaVWG
Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."