Debra recalled what Marion said to her when handing her the gun.


    "There are only six shots. "If it goes down, you won''t have time to reload. Aim carefully."<fnc> For original chapters go to fin?novel</fnc>


    She had aimed dead-on, but there were too many.


    She remembered her own words. "Even if I run out, you''ll be there, right?"


    Unfortunately, he wasn''t there.


    Lara fired a shot. The bullet went past the mercenaries and punched through Debra''s chest.


    "Move it!" Erica yelled, hearing the gunfire.


    Randy, Jordan, and the crew raced through the trees. They hadn''t waited outside.


    After Marion took off, they''d followed, piecing together the route with their number.


    The re sent them sprinting. The shots got closer but suddenly stopped.


    "Miss, we''ve gotpany," a mercenary warned.


    Lara nced at Debra, who was lying on the ground. She frowned andmanded, "Pull back."


    Nearby, Marion reached the re spot, but no one was there.


    The gunfire had ceased, but blood stank up the air.


    "Sir, it''s gotta be ahead," a guy shouted.


    Marion bolted forward, with his men trailing.


    "Debra, hold on," he muttered to himself, panic setting in.


    If the woods hadn''t been rigged with tricks, he''d have been here sooner. A bad feeling gnawed him raw.


    He ran till he hit a clearing where the smell of blood hit his nose hard.


    Kale''s body slumped behind a tree, riddled with holes.


    Marion''s heart seized, and he stumbled through the brush.


    "Debra!" he called out, nearly tripping.


    Past the tree, he saw bodies scattered around and Debra down in the dirt.


    His men caught up and froze, daunted by the cold air around him.


    "Mrs. Houston..." someone muttered.


    As they stepped forward, Marion barked, "Stay back."


    His heart pounded wild, and his legs went weak.


    Erica and the others rushed up. She choked up. "Debra, she..."