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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAyCtznrl8Ey
389Please respect copyright.PENANAEL9JfTjY1k
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAd8H3soHnUl
389Please respect copyright.PENANATpiG4HrCZf
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.389Please respect copyright.PENANAWNW86GR9Tm
389Please respect copyright.PENANAwLlZpDOy4I
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANACRgeJAMTSL
389Please respect copyright.PENANA6B46s1SIUy
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANApyyRwoO2H0
389Please respect copyright.PENANA3UepZqjmSe
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.389Please respect copyright.PENANA9nY0iHnPVa
389Please respect copyright.PENANAFAqK95u2rN
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?389Please respect copyright.PENANA6L6HDJz6Bx
389Please respect copyright.PENANA9F1eWReBlZ
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAC1jwDS8Fej
389Please respect copyright.PENANAC4mcageh7K
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.389Please respect copyright.PENANANFvFgbRkU9
389Please respect copyright.PENANARmIfxIMxby
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.389Please respect copyright.PENANAJ4e3IjCHFP
389Please respect copyright.PENANAJ5G3YC7f5Q
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAXZYbFj6PA5
389Please respect copyright.PENANAADo1idjHwZ
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANA4rH2zKNqST
389Please respect copyright.PENANAT76OihYdfl
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"389Please respect copyright.PENANAHERfe0nrk0
389Please respect copyright.PENANA19eBIPnVp0
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAYpFayC9BZ2
389Please respect copyright.PENANAkAQXy33SiJ
"No, did you?" came another male voice.389Please respect copyright.PENANAI5iMGMi2qJ
389Please respect copyright.PENANAZAgc7Y3V1E
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."389Please respect copyright.PENANAl1ZCtcOlwK
389Please respect copyright.PENANAnI8nIdDayJ
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."389Please respect copyright.PENANA6LZrzKgX4I
389Please respect copyright.PENANA12wGAOi8bt
"Me neither. But orders are orders."389Please respect copyright.PENANA9PMWfUVYTT
389Please respect copyright.PENANAN3ueXeKRVN
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."389Please respect copyright.PENANA4ceC489pDI
389Please respect copyright.PENANAlzBPmfVTZr
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."389Please respect copyright.PENANAVVOiVkI0cY
389Please respect copyright.PENANAiJ9n9j6IUU
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.389Please respect copyright.PENANAWt8ue5Q2m1
389Please respect copyright.PENANAYtht97YoYz
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"389Please respect copyright.PENANAUWnCV9Skyt
389Please respect copyright.PENANAu081taUmEu
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."389Please respect copyright.PENANAWgYM422PKy
389Please respect copyright.PENANA9xm76PAugw
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."389Please respect copyright.PENANAgHUkB61Iyo
389Please respect copyright.PENANALX0sJQb7my
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANANGsyP0gbtk
389Please respect copyright.PENANA02vWVkgLNP
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANASCgsQx4czQ
389Please respect copyright.PENANA9tgg5FNT8e
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAp1BQ8xkfqv
389Please respect copyright.PENANAIXU6WrlgP6
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAyUpLJj3F2J
389Please respect copyright.PENANAF5Fo5JGOrz
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....389Please respect copyright.PENANACVmekT8eNV
389Please respect copyright.PENANAmsRlsxK5iv
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.389Please respect copyright.PENANAmZk2dTJrS3
389Please respect copyright.PENANAZUULpMdYlw
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.389Please respect copyright.PENANAEm2aRqVgqa
389Please respect copyright.PENANAldGa1UaDkd
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:389Please respect copyright.PENANAr9VLHADVbi
389Please respect copyright.PENANAVaQC7kQPw8
"I'm going to check it out."389Please respect copyright.PENANAI8ithzvTHM
389Please respect copyright.PENANAiTxdLAoopj
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAaOoqJc3J7k
389Please respect copyright.PENANAkPJDjAcCSN
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAASHglJbTAW
389Please respect copyright.PENANARKxiK1aZ77
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANASF2j5urG02
389Please respect copyright.PENANAxoUGreAoqN
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAeHbRpUtsoX
389Please respect copyright.PENANAPKXBBgxRiV
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.389Please respect copyright.PENANAvNqE736eMm
389Please respect copyright.PENANAoVUtKECidq
"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?"389Please respect copyright.PENANALGzhN7vtw5
389Please respect copyright.PENANAUQZuhvMKqM
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAlWzJkKyk4D
389Please respect copyright.PENANAJplPJwIwd1
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAFSseD8CylV
389Please respect copyright.PENANAELqm2Ovxps
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.389Please respect copyright.PENANAomJYNRuELn
389Please respect copyright.PENANAqmlrr6yIx9
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.389Please respect copyright.PENANAUK7xiiePwe
389Please respect copyright.PENANAlX0DjsbBQa
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:389Please respect copyright.PENANAB2jO76KkgI
389Please respect copyright.PENANAfkQWyBTXIO
"I see her! There she is!"389Please respect copyright.PENANAv1MraFheLP
389Please respect copyright.PENANA9Uey5Hfgi6
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANA6H7HKT4OkK
389Please respect copyright.PENANAltrBKr9yKy
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAblgeAHtwok
389Please respect copyright.PENANACwHXq5Ljbk
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAGvgH4X6kwH
389Please respect copyright.PENANAgOkhe9VIHX
"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."389Please respect copyright.PENANAc9WjvdlNLG
389Please respect copyright.PENANAzQ9JyHKT6O
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."389Please respect copyright.PENANATSsCyYOa4t
389Please respect copyright.PENANAghfayQyAeH
***389Please respect copyright.PENANAozXv2nPwYQ
389Please respect copyright.PENANAgQgmeH3CZI
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAYhG1ubto0U
389Please respect copyright.PENANAurj2XDSyqi
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAUZoyo8lhWn
389Please respect copyright.PENANAxQq8jpUIOH
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.389Please respect copyright.PENANAWQoOBdIotv
389Please respect copyright.PENANAOvdL80hlPG
"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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAt4Grq8r0wc
389Please respect copyright.PENANAq69ERKjAec
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.389Please respect copyright.PENANA5pGh0VZQWA
389Please respect copyright.PENANARvq0dn3EG5
"I hope so too."389Please respect copyright.PENANAyelGMoljK9
389Please respect copyright.PENANANDRCy3GR43
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."389Please respect copyright.PENANAFzvmlPwnxL
389Please respect copyright.PENANAKAezCde08C
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."389Please respect copyright.PENANAUcTsF71KJ4
389Please respect copyright.PENANA2i9Oa7rOJy
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.389Please respect copyright.PENANAfg4wNxZ89K
389Please respect copyright.PENANAm0o7nTjJ31
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAES9yovi8ob
389Please respect copyright.PENANA45LNdToOdn
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."389Please respect copyright.PENANA4aPdzyELkE
389Please respect copyright.PENANA0DFq8oLFV1
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAiZtXyV9hSN
389Please respect copyright.PENANAGEgLhZF2Va
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANALTuCeIzoqy
389Please respect copyright.PENANAr1QwG5PeSn
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.389Please respect copyright.PENANAVGvXPOXMt6
389Please respect copyright.PENANALqKvO3OxCv
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANALD9VIwpx4P
389Please respect copyright.PENANAogKl8Bh8CN
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.389Please respect copyright.PENANA8qhOnDrukS
389Please respect copyright.PENANA7FwIKrKqzX
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."389Please respect copyright.PENANADpiyK0wOXV
389Please respect copyright.PENANAOdYq1r8N8G
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAMO45v62OFT
389Please respect copyright.PENANAwENHAFHZl1
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?389Please respect copyright.PENANAZV5SNbREjC
389Please respect copyright.PENANAhxg6tV63eP
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.389Please respect copyright.PENANAV7YsDtBRxY
389Please respect copyright.PENANA9SDBIVw5eV
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.389Please respect copyright.PENANAyVaTLbyPJo
389Please respect copyright.PENANA024hRr9ajU
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!"389Please respect copyright.PENANAmIDR38a6EG
389Please respect copyright.PENANAvLPTHajdAV
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.389Please respect copyright.PENANAW16VopLmpF
389Please respect copyright.PENANAwFe5N8hT4u
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANADUyvBoXTWJ
389Please respect copyright.PENANAzC19hmPiCD
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAkIel2n3EQa
389Please respect copyright.PENANAahxxhaJs1I
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.389Please respect copyright.PENANADrGfZRsJpd
389Please respect copyright.PENANAdd5EMM7QCw
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.389Please respect copyright.PENANAPduMuwipx1
389Please respect copyright.PENANASRUU5tMDuj
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAMS7MZGDFgH
389Please respect copyright.PENANAGKZdgrzdsI
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"389Please respect copyright.PENANArFjbbMsBjM
389Please respect copyright.PENANAVpz2xvw6Ib
"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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAewMz5ev8TW
389Please respect copyright.PENANASTAejmdimM
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.389Please respect copyright.PENANA5qzsCNKWU3
389Please respect copyright.PENANAI1FBV4nR2I
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"389Please respect copyright.PENANAGEYkfcPfy5
389Please respect copyright.PENANAtykyfmOs0C
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."389Please respect copyright.PENANA2zy0cf9E94
389Please respect copyright.PENANAwjg4TPHgBc
"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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAiE2vlxNySb
389Please respect copyright.PENANAUlqzcPfNdr
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.389Please respect copyright.PENANA7zIDUMLAtT
389Please respect copyright.PENANAlBIPJBbDdY
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"389Please respect copyright.PENANARFg3aN2DVt
389Please respect copyright.PENANA9Lm5AipMH0
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.389Please respect copyright.PENANAyc5UpNf6yp
389Please respect copyright.PENANAHcYiYc8ymz
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAx5R0viPsFg
389Please respect copyright.PENANAmEPrnRouJb
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.389Please respect copyright.PENANAouNo96GNbs
389Please respect copyright.PENANAg0SQneSV1z
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.389Please respect copyright.PENANAXgfaxNe6PB
389Please respect copyright.PENANA0WjrSjP9RI
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.389Please respect copyright.PENANAY9YZorE63h
389Please respect copyright.PENANA4MwIUT0j5L
"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."389Please respect copyright.PENANAZoTVy9EVs3
389Please respect copyright.PENANAOWVFNOrzk4
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"389Please respect copyright.PENANAlP02ub0Faz
389Please respect copyright.PENANAXI9wZ6R39s
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."389Please respect copyright.PENANAvfzHjSXBzf
389Please respect copyright.PENANAqi6B6NxeKZ
"I'm not leaving without him."389Please respect copyright.PENANAHEJegb1X5w
389Please respect copyright.PENANAwfcWBj8EUo
"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."389Please respect copyright.PENANAdMgjE2ni8Q
389Please respect copyright.PENANAu8VXGgCGFb
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."389Please respect copyright.PENANA6kTkYf9Dl1
389Please respect copyright.PENANAdFaX3eRTKP
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."389Please respect copyright.PENANA5IFav0fq56
389Please respect copyright.PENANAwRUITCmmmg
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.389Please respect copyright.PENANAAqVLV8hoVa
389Please respect copyright.PENANACw4c2bj1ac
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAMWNAYbxYfq
389Please respect copyright.PENANAVVC0TPdjBp
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAVjSCvt2E0f
389Please respect copyright.PENANAfHLNRZI8DO
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAvCNch31wfP
389Please respect copyright.PENANACNVEsOdRSj
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"389Please respect copyright.PENANAzo4fFg1W46
389Please respect copyright.PENANAKRBtLlnzJD
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAVRtfyGvIS7
389Please respect copyright.PENANAkitpJnNcMy
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.389Please respect copyright.PENANA4RT4AAvoL5
389Please respect copyright.PENANAF7W1Nj8qO8
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANArxl1KQHk8F
389Please respect copyright.PENANAEbT0jAml89
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAqb2g11Hr8L
389Please respect copyright.PENANAoGmTQalWRu
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.389Please respect copyright.PENANA3iM7Y2Sahd
389Please respect copyright.PENANA6Ol8mPgvxg
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAGlRaJkl5X9
389Please respect copyright.PENANAYYsHxKGAOl
"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."389Please respect copyright.PENANA56giGrH8xx
389Please respect copyright.PENANA5fNCATmKU9
"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."389Please respect copyright.PENANAM7Ott4gBK3
389Please respect copyright.PENANA6aWqoiWKe2
"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."389Please respect copyright.PENANAdRGlBFDuin
389Please respect copyright.PENANAjEQYExTSRr
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.389Please respect copyright.PENANACoydQ0dRDl
389Please respect copyright.PENANAA9IOkJCbXd
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAcgOGAN911d
389Please respect copyright.PENANAgk5sHPvbv0
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.389Please respect copyright.PENANAyIy1T6iYr0
389Please respect copyright.PENANACOL8MPZku1
"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."389Please respect copyright.PENANAfKpPP4DJOk
389Please respect copyright.PENANAGZdVDdEPrr
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAn1ypobnZwb
389Please respect copyright.PENANAeYAywxXdg4
"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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAGIxbtcNgC5
389Please respect copyright.PENANAkcTcnJWRbu
"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?"389Please respect copyright.PENANAQtWTsLdZdz
389Please respect copyright.PENANAs65PvXF9Qt
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."389Please respect copyright.PENANAQjmDDcGwMi
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Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.389Please respect copyright.PENANAIkKxA1g7GN
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"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.389Please respect copyright.PENANAJvZ0diKUlo
389Please respect copyright.PENANAtYpqTNuxRI
"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.389Please respect copyright.PENANA4iTZusZnuZ
389Please respect copyright.PENANAKicHRjSk8k
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAe0VCPNvErm
389Please respect copyright.PENANA2NeicarCcK
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAqK6ueyctdY
389Please respect copyright.PENANAR88A4z2YhP
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAZhLQoJnw9f
389Please respect copyright.PENANAHuYmpE0AM3
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAKwmpf7zk5t
389Please respect copyright.PENANA0Hwk9vCGdo
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAPyfKwFJSGa
389Please respect copyright.PENANArB5HlDZroF
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANA1RCqwtc6bb
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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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAzfdATIF0kH
389Please respect copyright.PENANATE5J8FQ4lr
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAyxPLwRq80D
389Please respect copyright.PENANAZ8tQRBYLDw
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAtQ9RtAeoUW
389Please respect copyright.PENANA5BxF5GQM5O
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAXrpkPpbY2Z
389Please respect copyright.PENANABXFkT60W0E
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAdyTQnDRrUJ
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The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.389Please respect copyright.PENANA2hvfTXjN0t
389Please respect copyright.PENANAYFq2u9N2Ub
"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."389Please respect copyright.PENANAK5AEcp6N1u
389Please respect copyright.PENANA2Utv1Egcrr
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAF56PpA56Ol
389Please respect copyright.PENANAC0aqwxzuH3
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAaUjvpbsrd3
389Please respect copyright.PENANAGvq62orus8
The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.389Please respect copyright.PENANAHnJJotP5hv
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The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.389Please respect copyright.PENANA3skgCrqSXr
389Please respect copyright.PENANAAlxYqwDDPm
"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.389Please respect copyright.PENANAcUwx2rIFFY
389Please respect copyright.PENANAGXEk9v0iJO
"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.389Please respect copyright.PENANAE19jR98ymH
389Please respect copyright.PENANA9Yy9N3wEZh
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.389Please respect copyright.PENANAXr8n7C9jah
389Please respect copyright.PENANAV5xov24SyF
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.389Please respect copyright.PENANArVWSyP4Yc7
389Please respect copyright.PENANAAZR5HWzuO8
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAONHkkn5h1u
389Please respect copyright.PENANAi9QtMJq0Uf
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."389Please respect copyright.PENANAAGXqEdtIdR
389Please respect copyright.PENANA0NhhMFxys9
"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."389Please respect copyright.PENANAcw5JUUUMdV
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"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.389Please respect copyright.PENANABmv9iFi5AY
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"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.389Please respect copyright.PENANADGD6oDiaiE
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"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.389Please respect copyright.PENANATBBhG5pwHq
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"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."389Please respect copyright.PENANAOEtMPrJJfn
389Please respect copyright.PENANAwZoZNINSGi
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANAiJVA8AkRCz
389Please respect copyright.PENANATFftHZ5ux7
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.389Please respect copyright.PENANALYHnqT4CyW
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"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.389Please respect copyright.PENANABLkZV8TWYe
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"I wouldn't mind," said Miss Marie in the backseat, stroking Sophie who had sat on her lap. "The people who are after you know better to get rid of it than draw attention. We better leave before anyone makes their way here."389Please respect copyright.PENANAYIeuVsagvJ
389Please respect copyright.PENANAUF9rbV9j1j
"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.389Please respect copyright.PENANALWmMGuIhlv
389Please respect copyright.PENANAgp1Mx7HXCM
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.389Please respect copyright.PENANAixoR3ft3uT
389Please respect copyright.PENANAmskf24FyHy
"For what?" Kevin asked.389Please respect copyright.PENANACGp4LegAXC
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"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."389Please respect copyright.PENANA7xSVyUmwhL
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"Rhénee insisted that we should," said Miss Marie with a smile on her face. "That's why she took my gun."389Please respect copyright.PENANAiMvmXPPlgb
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"It's no big deal," said Rhénee as she looked into the rearview mirror at Malcom who also looked back at her. "I did what I felt was right."389Please respect copyright.PENANABo6CM04FuE
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"And that was not leaving me behind?"389Please respect copyright.PENANAYm6Mh8Zq2b
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Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.389Please respect copyright.PENANAh7jBt26szs
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"The way you shot that man back there," said Kevin as he briefly looked at Rhénee, "you've dealt with a gun before, haven't you?"389Please respect copyright.PENANArqeDBtDdBg
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Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."