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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfdjAvt1TC
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19iORQeUri
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQhVC5WqeK
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82YFOsL96m
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhOSo5ILGV
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypINpDyloE
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3K3D27hYI
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXEJ6vhN5k
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZPqupzyFU
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbHqdcwMsb
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxKZ9nBgpV
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh0v2rK2cy
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?634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkdfYEpnUJ
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsUfYkFnrq
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWM5ouzNlKs
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZZmSDsUa5
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRq2Ydr37Ky
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAL4KQmQnv
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhS2SAtfpEE
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnXciELzhA
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPjlBL72SF
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s0ehAMcV9
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk12P6tVzeZ
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jWe3EEjiY
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXWmq9CUMn
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BJ6JcFliR
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjK809aSIkn
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFHiTUf1OJ
"No, did you?" came another male voice.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHEk0cCw9y
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEdG8FHeQW
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2y0hA4oRI
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXVAAv78z2
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLR9lwS7EoS
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWhZchoXcc
"Me neither. But orders are orders."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzreo4GwBO
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBUTn9Q3Q4
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrWRG404Wf
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUOUKeSOb8
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRUZ4DIEHi
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYyxXqUyqt
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdHwbVF81W
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xOcPjQcrN
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3HahiI7gs
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMXFHQ1AVO
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zEN8bEZ7A
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuJRhgFmez
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXHNTxe1le
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwXNgChJot
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZGNTcP2rE
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRAjp3YFWf
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZU3GpDhoqs
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mfeUza4rt
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFy9Hhz4bs
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmYE8zJj1O
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBy8CD4Ux0
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2qxDRN6zN
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....634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U5xJ1xqOz
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3ExRwrkqi
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpO8NquYvz
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qIFhBXlNo
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4Ku1az13j
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURBvBk7iWL
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPel2ReusyB
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCNRUmjiik
"I'm going to check it out."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsi5kDnREh
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3y2kythFG
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg5LTufknR
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HmKpBwBo6
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPyZjyKkKr
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOQMr0Dq4y
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFBnCnjoCt
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7BT1mbq8P
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLt0ROhzGKV
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCJfAJiwjw
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IezHKd6lq
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdhM1AMQYa
"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?"634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8F3MT7pvJ
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Udlgaravx
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLRtZuocX0
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpt9mFB0J9
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyhBbwC6EK
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBrWP8W76n
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGHPJb3VIo
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL316NPciu
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUcBYjWsz6
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4Oq2Fi4eW
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:634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArqBLsCZ5B
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRcc2Igwad
"I see her! There she is!"634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEfxDUaq3i
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSPluJgBGv
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPlaS8kjw3
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5eONPQp1S
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUcHuvovsw
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTZYrHkNqh
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI7B0ODZtR
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtpfEYdPIu
"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."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ymG52uP8K
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDwWpnIHVc
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aySKo9IoT
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVJ6yiA15D
***634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWN4Maiqqp
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2t2yrDyu5o
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K3WzOmOgx
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94NVvqrFJ8
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVAX6BH8Ui
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LnBFlTKy3
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV25Q8mgwq
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOdTT3CDRx
"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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yJAPVSd2U
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcSmNjCIRM
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDxKhZ7549
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOSTF3VNgZ
"I hope so too."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj8n1GNad2
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpIF5PEmc3
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFbacuADzy
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzV63R8Nt5
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkxOdyBlyz
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLfdILCHES
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFXbujsoX7
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fIKOzj76I
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazuj4oxede
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETPKTkWvkn
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya3bfuDraM
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyPIryCKoL
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KrZ3pVmB1
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡen8hqhHsZ2
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQMd4FrMmy
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxauN9bfUZo
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpSk6sRpoz
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLuMaCYa6R
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLJW1TE6Re
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ9PRVOAOJ
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUIrJZHK1g
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQt2dMWknj
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgg9Tg7Icnj
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F7TfBZFYa
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHedlCFC12
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksob35NL8w
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg8WUFply8
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDsN2zRskR
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pyTVFEihJ
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJa7lv3USgl
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNylvoO3UUv
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK9Ugnv8i1
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!"634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqf1Vq7v3J
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPQKzJnyvq
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvLcCflroH
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhTjVKKvZO
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NUkaka2ES
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3P59Nk3Re
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H11fHNsi5
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzrbEgiWcU
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEsrlVs0Ow
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHE79oiruLG
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA4BuI2fBZ
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NW0GWWxOT
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3O0lSveXI
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVdfvjHS3W
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dbCA1CB8V
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrStEvuXah
"No, I'm fine," said Rhénee as she took a look  behind her. "We have to go. There are men after me."8964 copyright protection630ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0avkIdqpb 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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozABVXzA2J
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYv9dgc7wNL
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fsFGChoDu
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTExkdpYEg8
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHrQjc66x3
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYBZ0ovRUJ
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODnjnW4WBk
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRGkppJlS0
"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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQ6c5LLpEq
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76CN2d2xYy
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhjrHFU6ce
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrlbhUTHl6
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fjCYHhID2
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GY9ly23id
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLiMHlSCht
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdT6VfwdZw
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHfFAzeCMZ
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCrwvnqmuB
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElePflfr1C
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9OKhnTX4D
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38pZRarE83
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQxuAZe4Qc
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpv1KB7qwP
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSCk2AvMSK
"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."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6XZRtB8lh
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDojma7tpGC
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNK34S6SD84
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaJjmimcx5
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."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR8KqzB73D
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYy3ileMTm
"I'm not leaving without him."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX8oPmiHnk
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKD1wlDOfHF
"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."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPpzEeeNVU
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvIuDkCoq9
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."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1mvVKueMJ
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDKObu1MRC
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcw2Ia58W7I
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyDVnb9Cxu
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD4llq4H7T
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtMIW8V75j
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Mt9C2rRRZ
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9MzCDpBcQ
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7CeAgdAPF
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2y6nFh7Xs
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5mawjFbWm
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bFUdodVqd
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGouRVjtday
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexwYq3sqU4
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSdCQgxY4u
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8HHpmDqYI
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcwpioEHyL
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5hXbrFodJ
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DiZc8GM9g
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BDfy6Nt28
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5gC4WybZL
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknIm3xu3r3
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUsXCT2mKg
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RURwy86xb
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NWYlbXMAF
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxFREcxhOX
"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."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlskYr4KrVr
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfnznMImdV
"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."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZaUVgw7OQ
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8m4SrAd2t
"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."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkCaknfMLl
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jgysO1eEm
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBznUw5Q7PE
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5Jd7TbloZ
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9t4V7YOr6
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqT3WN75Fu
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIt2iJDZ4j
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMkAWYrFMS
"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."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9m4fHVM65s
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhnhIdp3HN
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUCb3qFYCn
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrskO2qoEt
"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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQaPQuRFRv
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EVI5Xtlmf
"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?"634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKH2QVkdK4
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25mTems08b
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmDx2uh7Nv
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq9ac2e8PE
Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iioNIUA69
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1LUkdiDt6
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedwTZuVddG
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7XAOyIPtY
"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgSNObhaiu
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsajywDKIfp
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig9WIwi08L
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60f1SDzjSe
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCgtMY1aIn
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjzEUxxSUk
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4hfnf7onm
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtULbovQGd
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRqyUn6O9m
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyN9xf6j5t5
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedxPDihEP9
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa5zIG72Yz
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ya1qlHqrB
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML05DiiWPz
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWUb30U2YR
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyF0eeV3ECE
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInT8DMrShv
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FCX96fWEq
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcGcbkmZlr
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5JADlUQBJ
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pVCh1zQJV
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEN3llgixy
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlunbQzHV5N
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttUBKTcoLU
The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEM9Fw4c5a2
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqCWXHDPeY
"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."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yFTCGkTYO
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizRlnvWOoy
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTgBJRBjcz
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJjIUgDye6
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xeq39UJ0D
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ITRNc2r4h
The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJbmXb8Q1g
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJX0y5lIOR
The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyeibEr2Wi
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl8W96vTd6
"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyyBNphkO2
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeVPfRo4W8
"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0EgcqwTB8
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb7fUFmvd5
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyVtKFyBqP
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCydKL7PNR
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhOpvF2D85
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogozdQrMpG
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwFRHo6Lg8
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8Jr5oUMoY
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAXGNxOzTc
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI53wg0qioJ
"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3gTQcnSiG
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuDUMf1XC0
"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjvJXG2o7H
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgvYrfBz0w
"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeT4vus1or
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxZ6K2vQmi
"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo1EPpFdMK
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVgEsryYfC
"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnEoPnRxHa
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcd5TlsSK0
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43pYbaZcQb
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfkMXTNIby
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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29lxZubOtR
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2q8BN0T6N
"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUD3mCq7gbD
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTpUN2HnQi
"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."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHp3Bw7lMbB
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uY0VXxdJD
"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.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoacJBRkBS
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBrziE06aN
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaIxHg8cWl
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHpPjlLR2I
"For what?" Kevin asked.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ571V1spF47
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSZFKQbhQu
"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtttnLxPhJv
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPL62Ewgzyg
"Rhénee insisted that we should," said Miss Marie with a smile on her face. "That's why she took my gun."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5YlaYmGtc
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKMZFAIk59
"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."634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgCmQGSfi9
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzIebePmZv
"And that was not leaving me behind?"634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmXcTY5Yjc
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xWT8oq2F5
Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKl5zFVx8vt
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cim3r0BNs
"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?"634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxBiKOJMRH
634Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8URaDCZDTK
Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."8964 copyright protection630ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmEiS81jYb 維尼

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