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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz3N1hMNFZ
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNK3nGtT5rE
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6cvqvYq4t
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cnfd7aAOE
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl62yx2T4M3
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRThgBmCJu
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnsSH1KDtC
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0pxfU2z1M
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1yGFAy0lw
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFDryJzINo
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmunVREIXI
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20a4PtRTVr
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?665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SnQyfzXdZ
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijA8IEsb8P
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdiWSOMt5a
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLm9Us5Ka4q
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fTM3gg8vw
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvOHZRpEP8
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalj94cew9p
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8GAt30ouO
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ntgpC8A96
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGckB0ZJ6l
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQc9YKyrvn
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl5w8b0up1
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4ZibPakxI
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyMge3Pzgv
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJlc2gXFn1
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjTMYFk8la
"No, did you?" came another male voice.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aQ2dtYXrU
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76nL7XUCuL
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQj4kYWVHN
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpY68cyVbk
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsSlE7c03G
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZdrPZTnjX
"Me neither. But orders are orders."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeVAUV3HqO
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktTzAfEEux
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIImkZbu8u
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ogJcLr8mk
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8vgobcyNX
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVh45Eedos8
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKhASP4O6i
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpltPvQ6oRj
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyiODK5mba
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTx7HTxnMEJ
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS9xMuepSL
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQkBRS9beg
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ591i5PoWCD
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZ4wQ8dETd
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdkfn1ZH7v
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTW5eQsaQCM
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIydZYjK1oA
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDaSAgu9PQ
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz1PTEzt83
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZNG8ZmxfT
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq1hK7mjUN
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdLgHrTv8J
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....665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49P9jOUqQ1
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRPZsanQ94
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXlSTjLC6l
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAOXcfy6vX
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡad0hRsiymQ
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhg2ZcOMBww
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9LzMN5MIl
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx4hGpF05V
"I'm going to check it out."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTagl5q7Vc9
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L8M7vpnIb
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlYCHEK0Fq
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZyPErhXNM
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4LnpanugV
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1NucAfRzF
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvvCU7NAlb
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQLZOXcOz7
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreWJl1NV8b
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhya5bUn4L
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM4emcu6i0
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSWjJwmhYr
"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?"665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0WmiCH4u7
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZKjRozM0j
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg833cMhkRp
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqKV0m2nvE
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRwNofSmzV
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf3nBzpxFu
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9EETZt01L
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ5Aq6Vqco
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9I2zpt0Rdx
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmuLgyzjHz
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:665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4x7QXGE2I
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45W2QR1Ihk
"I see her! There she is!"665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfEguOtGtK
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqxHOFpyBD
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OZ1mM2c5O
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIWcmUxQD5
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqA5qNtyvGg
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMtK7Y25j6
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn95JZxK1M
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOaVPpC8mY
"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."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZXoJuAlQ6
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgWRJoZrYF
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZiYVhhQX1
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxw2tKVCU8f
***665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2VqKbNTcJ
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQvMrlb7lC
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqRmgF02nR
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNpGFcIfVl
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD6SULCAHh
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ePGGHVHQW
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyVIebxdO9
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96DAs62iPp
"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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73hQK5kFlk
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdFxOVnFIu
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLt5pPQQ4an
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmX0UmsnjP
"I hope so too."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFc1wWHWtsG
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡim5pLq5hJa
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjXISwKseD
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrf2uLvqZyv
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k9IxtzHWl
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteuRUxuPWk
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMCH8EwKQp
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsA92eXEjjM
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvEC2qYx5Y
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRJOnAOuqB
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZipRLMQ7Pb
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VuMNjibrR
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrkFj6fWFl
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmRHxoXGwJ
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFaCeDOYKq
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZBvIMek95
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF2uZukGjO
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQi4BWTW3zG
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgXaWVjPgf
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf20GxBedwM
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonT16isSed
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF47MLt3Q9a
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlMEp0gpX5
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87eupCVFvN
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd72Cqscnz
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlCzMgRN0j
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6M1Vrt87G4
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWOUHQGFhE
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxqnCW9QLG
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOko7xkszS4
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Yb4lUynsa
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoVR3O4ZDP
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!"665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvC7ar47l6
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0mOaCmrKj
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbxJxBpTql
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuGB2h5WBH
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl91lWFm1O
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2YqQwt9f3
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioJ7C4p5Bp
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfJc3pl4Uh
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81sir2R21x
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P52yl5F4c
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJ8mFaxLW9
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbo6SSoD84I
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVbNwcsBMp
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fYwORxK5H
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtNqAEqtuw
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG2e9zC0iP
"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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfkHmsIsVS
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInzPztXjG1
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr0f537IXr
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwkn7YCLE4
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rYfkbiQzH
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuG4QnpehxD
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwQfbFmE6o
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLCRnIEZn4
"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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsqICjFszy
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzhNY96aUM
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCdbll60EL
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4j4bC91ut
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZOULMKxAy
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawBvgqwcrz
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIdedCn8TZ
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcNSsqxwRt
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShaswMIYY7
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2Xn8DUpg0
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAsKjp9X7y
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwehYMG9eqP
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTzasgbbsu
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpRTiTRHcJ
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41YPeh0qAD
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdj1UReWV3
"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."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVpthOnHwn
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68tSZt3rFC
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULoPaGdVa3
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KtBWVQ37z
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."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQ8NtP3K1C
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItxi2f3nJ5
"I'm not leaving without him."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mgHH1pzrh
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHlH0ap8NP
"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."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9tnflSok6
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaFHC5a4b3
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."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuU6eWn8Qp
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHX7UaAeVv
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAfica8ZNi
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvcb9mDBBU
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejefDyWAtK
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnkWQ1mmji
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnbm7HtABO
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaBNMJjNCD
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATg4C0shmV
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKXz4BAyPz
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYfmQST7K0
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX77pLnKoPZ
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZPdN3v6DY
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnnhibjVQb
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9bOWm6AkF
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CKgeh2eou
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBSgb0s4GF
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfKYTMApc2
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeRqkouocd
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGtLf2bOyK
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxCKvd6bUa
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1c3y9FouYs
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbZuE69R6H
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknORXXnWad
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFfdyijrTm
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXiXOeUzG8
"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."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxNMPJQCcE
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW02nfpK9qu
"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."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RI94rJuaW
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUcx6NPrjX
"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."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCywvmaX43y
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WMkXZrqD4
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVesWmnaap
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWqy1IbIvK
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAnqFydbpt
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ441xTTxGeo
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGB3A63rT1b
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjxUQ6cLGq
"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."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1JrmsRjvc
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRj4ItfC3LV
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNLtPcw1kC
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzptbwZiH8
"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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchjOMWu6Nu
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHHZyl3gvd
"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?"665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxTpOMC5ve
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjMbwU4ndz
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBt5sxzNdMd
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3xU824iF2
Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh6meVjVie
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtPx0gJKqL
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhaHe9uLHx
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtoqBqEUL6
"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFBcPLpIdW
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPnVbW1q4G
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuawm9rR922
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRjgb6vWuu
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4gcuOqsFB
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTG5uw80l8Y
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMiw4m0ptI
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQMoNXd8wY
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkOqOnJqOt
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiaT8Cn4qM
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSz3FClOAh
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3Zz0cz5Bq
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIVawZ1Hxy
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuKtEdw1ZT
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSo0EYdtJEV
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXMUjNjbSh
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFDsrsFXJs
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuDQUdTmuw
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH0OV6eHZy
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ1TWPk5Ii
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqzXC3eJC0
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC18xJASNHK
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWkXjZ6C0y
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybwShWzuZY
The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOasbiDGaL
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12R17JtsDE
"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."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKtIE2ruzM
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNgbJQUnOh
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN89eCVd5TD
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXe4rY023Hb
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ301HdFUjY0
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38Zb80tFvn
The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI98cMEKCfQ
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYy6cKqN4KR
The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPZBBmx9dO
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr67Bt9N1Lj
"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78ao8D5pip
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqgl1QWezD
"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZh6LkDIzv
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfKewP90ze
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSSRflzpxn
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaivtV1FaQ
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGY73HLDFy
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxfBvfquM7
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkC2MqFlOj4
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn976k68Hp
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpKZXg8Zgg
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyo9ArnbD7
"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXqJKvCWGz
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTrGlCBoBg
"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3jPZpsjyP
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqhKJVbiQK
"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9HEvOasWe
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5kTyMsMp4
"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDXpikuLqE
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeOkr6bU7Y
"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVMqfWdZw1
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTgN55dELb
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapzAeZVzzs
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoHMuj22og
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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ8jZwikzR
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigzZkM4W9Z
"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHPz3RJ2GR
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Aubg71stH
"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."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZfuNa93NC
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn4QGv9qoD
"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.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsppC94Qty
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj6dwY6cX4
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGknjbLZ6ME
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf0MWnbjrP
"For what?" Kevin asked.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmyx9VUHds
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSTy42eSym
"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpudiKXaS7
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5M1K7sRFJ
"Rhénee insisted that we should," said Miss Marie with a smile on her face. "That's why she took my gun."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TxjIErlYX
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfreP6iX8Ak
"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."665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqXOvAlNyw
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YZR6PKZbo
"And that was not leaving me behind?"665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiYTzZSh0u
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMcnPowdMe
Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkTmtd70N2
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOrRAQRtv6
"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?"665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2WOMYhTad
665Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyZvFXR1RT
Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."
and then Add to home screen.