WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE THE END!!!!!!!!!!

     The old nurse looked at Melissa saying nothing as she backed away from her. Here Melissa felt terrible for yelling at the kind old woman so she sighed and apologized saying "Gertrude, I am sorry, it was wrong of me to be so disrespectful to you, I know you are only trying to help."
     Gertrude reached out to touch Melissa's hand saying in a very comforting tone "I understand, it must be very difficult for you to talk about what has happened, but you, being a psychiatrist yourself, know the value of getting it all out, off your chest." the old nurse smiled sweetly "If you ever change your mind I can arrange for a visit. You just let me know, and I'll take care of it."
     "Thank you, I appreciate your concern, but now I am very tired and would like to lie down now."
     Now Melissa's bedroom was on the second floor so Oliver had one of the rooms downstairs prepared for her. It just so happened that the room he had made ready for her was the very same room Charles had wandered into, many years ago, the night he had come to see her after his bar room brawl with Mr.Pruce. Melissa had been ashamed and embarrassed by what Charles had found there, but now she had no ill feelings whatsoever as she went into the room where a hospital bed had been placed for her. With a bit of pain and discomfort Melissa was helped into the bed by her nurse and her cousin. She was given a mild sedative and soon she was fast asleep. Her son had crept into her room with Cairo, who laid down at the foot of the bed as little Charles left the picture he had drawn for his mother. It showed, crudely drawn by the three year old, a bright blue sky with a happy yellow sun shining down on him and his mother, both holding hands with giant smiles upon their faces. Oliver came in to find the boy on his knees in prayer by his mother's bed saying "Dear God thank you for bringing Mommy back home to me."
     "Charlie." Oliver said in a whisper "Come, let your mother rest."
     The little boy smiled up at his uncle who took him by the hand and gently closed the door. Melissa fell into a deep sleep and dreamed a peaceful dream. She found herself walking through a deep green jungle, all was cool and quiet, she felt no pain as she touched her naked body; which had been made whole again. She could hear the sweet gentle laughter of children off in the distance. Melissa felt safe as she walked on surrounded by bright colorful flowers and birds chirping above her head. So serene and blissful was this place she thought surely this is what Heaven must be like. Here she felt that no harm should ever come her way. Then as she knelt by a crystal clear stream she saw floating on the waters a sheet of paper that was as bright as a star. Reaching out she picked up the blank sheet of paper in her hands. No words were written on it and she could not understand what this could mean. Then she suddenly found herself back at her house where she saw herself sitting at the large desk in her study. She watched in amazement as she observed herself writing on the piece of paper. Here Melissa walked up behind herself and peered over her own shoulder as she watched her hand moving quickly writing out  the words 'I am alive. I have survived. I am safe. No harm shall come my way.
    
                          THE  END          



                                                                      

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE Last Chapter Continues

     Melissa felt her pulse quicken as Oliver stared out the window. She had deliberately checked out of the hospital one day early so no one would be aware of her homecoming. Her son stood by her squeezing her hand as he was afraid someone was coming to take her away from him. The old nurse narrowed her gaze as she stood by Oliver by the window. Two men in dark suits exited the black sedan and approached the house.
     "Oh thank God." Oliver said relieved "It's the F.B.I. Melissa."
     "Agent Hunt?" she asked perplexed "I already told him everything that happened." she sighed not wanting to go over any more details of her abduction, torture and rape. "Charlie, Mommy needs you to go upstairs to your room for a little while." she instructed her three year old.
    "No Mommy! I want to stay with you." he protested.
    "It's alright darlin' I'm not going anywhere, everything is fine, now go draw me a picture okay, and take Cairo with you." she smiled.
    "Alright." the little boy replied as he slowly went upstairs with the dog.
    Oliver opened the door letting the two Agents inside. Melissa greeted them introducing them to her nurse, who reminded Agent Hunt of Frau Blucher from the film 'Young Frankenstein'. She smiled shaking the men's hands as she warned them both in a stern voice not to upset Miss Christian, who was of course not happy to see either of them.
    "Miss Christian I am sorry to have to come visit you unannounced but I and Agent Owens  went to see you in the hospital but you had already left." he explained as Agent Owens shook Melissa's hand with a serious look on his face.
     "Well, I have already  given you all the information, and I'm not sure what else I can tell you." Melissa sighed as a worried look came upon her face. Oliver went and stood next to her as she sat in her wheelchair.
     "Yes, Agent Hunt, my cousin just got home, please I hope you have not come here to upset her." Oliver said with indignation.
     Here Agent Owens spoke up not caring for Oliver's tone "No sir. We have merely come to inform you of a rather serious development in your case." 
     Melissa froze for a moment unable to respond momentarily. "Tell me." she said after a brief pause.
     "May we sit down?" Agent Hunt asked as he retrieved a thick folder from his attache case.
     "Yes of course! Where are my manners? Please have a seat." Melissa motioned with her good hand. "Would you like something to drink, some iced tea perhaps?" she said remembering to be gracious to the guests in her home.
     "No, we're fine." Agent Hunt replied as the two men sat on the large brown leather sofa.
     "Well then gentlemen, due tell." Melissa said as Oliver placed a hand on her shoulder.
     The F.B.I. Agents opened up the folder, pulling out two photographs setting them down on the coffee table. Melissa recognized the face of her tormentors and she tried to turn her head away. Oliver looked down and picked the photographs up, he too knew these men from his trip to Argentina. "That's them!" Oliver shouted as he stared down at the large capital letters in red that spelled out the word DECEASED; which was a joy to his mighty heart.
     "Yes, forensics has confirmed Norman Pierce, a.k.a Bengiman Pruce, and Jerome Hays were in the wreckage of the plane." Agent Hunt said as he took the photos back from Oliver and set them on the table in front of Melissa.
     "Yes, just like I told you." Melissa rolled her eyes as she had witnessed first hand the men's demise. She sighed.
     "Well Miss Christian," Agent Owens said shaking his head. "You also informed us of the two women you believed to be responsible for your kidnapping."
     "Yes, Xation's sisters." Melissa replied.
     "Yes, Xation's sisters, I flew down to Argentina to interview them but.., " he paused as Melissa interrupted him.
     "What did they tell you?" Melissa asked her heart racing with anticipation.
     "Unfortunately I was unable to obtain any further information from the Diaz sisters."
     "Well what did you think they would confess?" she laughed.
     "No, I was unable to question them because they are no longer alive." Agent Owens informed her.
     Melissa sat motionless in shock her mouth dropped open as she stared wide-eyed "What?" she asked incredulous.
     "They both committed suicide several days ago, just about the time you were found alive in the jungle."
     Both Melissa and her cousin Oliver could not believe what they were hearing. Melissa was confused as she said "Felina?"
     "She slit her wrist in her bathtub." Agent Hunt replied.
     "Serena?" Melissa whispered.
     "Swallowed a bottle of Nembutal." Agent Owens informed her as he pulled out two more photographs and passed them over to her.
     Melissa looked down at the pictures; which were taken as Xation's sisters lay in their caskets. The beautiful dead women looked very peaceful in the photographs, unlike the angry faces Melissa saw at the trial and execution of Charles. Now Melissa became angry saying. "You took their pictures at their funeral!?" which she thought was completely disrespectful.
     "I took them before the funeral started." Agent Owens explained. "I also obtained copies of the Death Certificates. This was necessary for our files."
     Melissa did not know what to say as Oliver and her nurse took the photographs and looked at the dead women. Oliver had known them personally as he had spent the entire summer in '95 with them. He was sad about the circumstances of their demise but he was happy the two women no longer posed a threat to his beloved cousin.
    "That's why we are here Miss Christian to inform you this case is officially closed." Agent Hunt said as he retrieved the photographs from the aged nurse.
     Melissa bowed her head saying a silent prayer that only God heard and understood, then she looked up and took in a deep breath. "Thank you gentlemen for your time, hard work and dedication." she said as she reached out to shake the F.B.I. Agents hands as they stood giving her a welcome smile. "I can't begin to express my gratitude for everything you have done."
     "We are just glad you made it back home to Texas and your family. If you have any questions or need someone to talk to you have our number." Agent Owens said with a knowing look.
     "Yes Miss Christian you have been through quite an ordeal and it will take your mind sometime to heal. I hope you can get passed this trauma and move forward with your life, but as Agent Owens has stated, you can call anytime, day or night, we will always be there for you."
     With that Oliver showed them to the door thanking them profusely as he shook their hands patting them on the back for job well done. As he turned and closed the door locking it he looked over at his cousin who seemed neither happy nor sad as she stared off into space her green eyes glistening with a few tears. The old nurse reached down moving a long strand of hair from off Melissa's face as she bowed down saying "I can schedule a psychiatrist to come out and see you tomorrow." she said trying to be helpful.
     Now a flash of anger came upon Melissa's face as she shouted up at the old woman "I am a psychiatrist!"

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE Last Chapter

     Cairo had been laying out by the mailbox since Melissa disappeared. Oliver had to bring his water and food dish out to him as the dog refused to leave the spot where he stayed day and night, rain or shine, for nearly two weeks waiting for his owner to return. The old greyhound had not eaten much and had slimmed down to his old racing weight. Oliver had grown quite concerned but each time he tried to physically move the huge dog, Cairo would bare it's sharp white fangs and growl fiercely, once snapping at Oliver's hand, so he was a smart human and Oliver let the animal be. Now it was another hot Texas summer day the sun high in the sky as Cairo turned his head towards the road, pricking up it's ears as the old black dog stared intently at a large white van that traveled slowly down the quiet residential street.
     As the medical transport van neared the house Melissa sat in her wheelchair looking out the windshield at her home as Oliver followed behind in his Mercedes with her son strapped in the back seat. Here she began to tear up as a wonderful happiness filled her heart. She had been through so much and Melissa was overjoyed to be coming home. As the van pulled up in the driveway Cairo stood up barking loudly as he ran after the vehicle somehow knowing his master had returned. Melissa heard the familiar sound of her beloved dog and she tried to turn her head to look down out the window but the cervical collar around her neck would not permit her to do so. The driver feared he would hit the dog as it jumped up pawing at the sliding door which separated him from his master. The old nurse, who was afraid of dogs, hesitated getting out of the passengers side waiting for Oliver to hold the excited animal back. Melissa called out saying "Cairo! Sit!" hearing his master's voice the dog obeyed. Now when Melissa was brought down out of the van in her wheelchair the dog strained against Oliver's grip on his collar, and as Melissa assured the old nurse she had nothing to fear Cairo broke loose and ran straight for Melissa standing up on it's hind legs pawing at her lap as he licked her face. "Good boy!" Melissa said petting her old dog with her one good hand. The old nurse stood over by the van her trepedation subsiding as she saw the giant black dog was as gentle as a lamb.
     Cairo sniffed his owner and seemed curious as to the casts on her ankles, wrist and around her torso. Melissa was in much discomfort but that melted away as she sat in her wheelchair in the driveway of her home as her son came over hugging the dog and his mother saying "Cairo missed you too Mommy!" he smiled sweetly "It's okay Cairo. I told you Mommy would come home." Suddenly Cairo with a happy wag of it's tail ran back to the mailbox where he stopped then turned back around and in a flash was back at his mater's side where he laid it's giant head on her lap dropping the drool covered tennis ball out of his mouth into her good hand. Melissa was so touched by this gesture from her beloved animal she began to cry uncontrollably.
      "Mommy don't cry!" little Charles began to tear up as he stroked her face saying "Your home now! Everything is going to be okay." her son said reassuring his mother.
      "I'm just so happy I made it back!" Melissa exclaimed through her tears feeling elated.
      The old nurse sighed wiping a tear from her eye at this touching scene as she said "Come Miss Christian let's get you inside it's a hundred degrees out here."
      "Yes I want to go inside my home now." she smiled as her son wiped his mother's tears with his tiny hands as Oliver went and opened up the front door. Melissa was wheeled inside to the cool quite comfort of her big beautiful house and as the small group, including the dog, went in all the turmoil and trouble she had suffered melted away like ice in the sun and Melissa took in a deep breath praising God for her safe return.
     "Melissa." Oliver said as he heard a car pull up in the driveway.
     "Yes?" she smiled up at her cousin.
     "Are you expecting anyone?" he asked looking out at a black sedan that was parked behind the medical transport van.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE End Chapter 9

     All was quiet in the house as Jason went and poured himself an ice cold glass of milk. He felt very depressed and he thought it was strange that, even though he had just learned of his aunt's death, no tears would come. He felt a change in himself and he could not understand why so much sadness had been brought upon his family. Jason looked out the window at the calm night and the full moon shining down on the lake. He opened up the french doors which led to the balcony. Standing out in the warm summer night the scent of pine trees drifting up from the forest below Jason wished his heart and mind were as peaceful as the night here in the mountains. Jason stared out across the lake and over to the Laurel Valley Country Club where he and his mother had a wonderful day out on the golf course and cheeseburgers and milkshakes in the clubhouse afterwards. It seemed so strange to him that hours ago he was a happy little boy without a care in the world. Summer would be over soon and he would rejoin his classmates and friends at his private school and the leaves would be changing soon as the fall approached. But now he did not care about school, his friends, his golf game, or cheeseburgers and milkshakes. He knew he was too young to endure the pain of more deaths in his family, but he knew his resolve to be strong must remain.
     As Jason looked up into the dark sky lit up by the bright moon and millions of stars, his mind thought back to the day of his father's murder. He remembered he had just arrived in Texas with his grandparents on a long flight from Argentina. He could recall the aroma of garlic and simmering sauces coming from the large kitchen as he entered his father's house. He was tired and hungry but his heart filled with joy as he was reunited with his long lost mother. He had not seen her in many years and on his fifth birthday he wished, as he blew out his candles on his birthday cake, that his mother would return to him; and at long last his wish and prayers were answered and as his mother sat with him in his room she smiled and cried tears of joy as she sat watching him eat his grilled cheese sandwich and bowl of delicious tomato soup. As he sat with his mother he was overjoyed and so happy to have her in his life again. He remembered he had fallen asleep in her warm arms, his head pressed against her breasts he was overwhelmed with feelings of being safe and loved.
     It was sometime later he was awoken by the sound of a gunshot coming from his father's room down the hall. Startled and in fear he had sat up in his tiny bed waiting for his mother and father to come and tell him everything was alright, but his father never came. It was Charles, whom he always had a great affinity for, who came into his room sitting on the edge of his bed saying. "Jason, there has been an accident and you and your mother must leave the house tonight at once."
     "Where's my daddy?" he had asked not knowing Charles had just murdered his father.
     Charles never answered him instead he took Jason in his arms and carried him downstairs where his mother was waiting for him. Her hair was soaking wet and she seemed in shock and had been crying, her eyes moist and swollen and there were deep red marks on her throat. He recalled Charles taking them out to the driveway and he gave his mother an envelope full of cash. As the two of them drove away Jason looked up at the window to his father's room hoping to see his father's face but he would never see Xation's face again.
     Jason looked down into the dark forest thinking of running out into the vast wilderness where he could be alone with the bears and the wolves but he knew that was just the little boy in him. Now he understood he must be brave and strong for his dear precious mother for she and his grandparents were all he had left. These dire circumstance would force him to become a man. He felt his father would be proud to see him tonight, no tears in his eyes or fear in his little heart. Jason let out a sigh as he went back into his home closing the doors behind him. He had to get up early and pack and prepare for his aunt's double funeral. As he went passed his mother's room he heard her on the phone with the airline making travel arrangements. He wanted to go back to Argentina to the land of his birth, back to his family's estate. Jason missed his grandparents deeply and he thought of happier times with his father and Tia Felina who had taught him how to ride and the last Christmas they had spent together as a family. Jason curled up in his bed as many wonderful memories filled his head he was finally able to fall asleep then he dreamed a dream of his life way off in the future. He saw himself as a full grown man riding along the pampas on a white stallion the wind in his dark hair and the sun in his eyes and a smile upon his face.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE more chapter 9

     "Mom?" Jason asked in a hushed voice as he crept closer to her bed.
     "Oh Jason!" Lexa replied ashamed he had heard her crying.
     "Are you okay?" he asked his little heart racing with concern for his beloved mother.
     "No." Lexa answered truthfully as Jason sat next to her on her large comfortable bed.
     "What is wrong?" Xation's son asked as he reached out touching his mother's hand as she held the phone up to her ear. "Who are you talking to?"
     "Your grandfather.., something terrible has happened." she said trying to fight back the tears in order to be brave for Jason.
     "Has something happened to grandma?" Jason asked fearing the worst, for he loved that dear old lady.
     "No honey, grandma and grandpa are fine." Lexa replied putting his little heart at ease, if only for a moment. Carlo heard the conversation and he tried to get his daughter-in-law's attention as she said "Your aunts have..," she paused not wanting to tell him of the double suicide in order to protect his young, innocent mind.
     "Tia Serena? Tia Felina?" his heart sank then saddened.
     "Leah! Wait!" Carlo shouted into the receiver.
     "Yes?" she stopped talking and listened then replied to Carlo "Okay." Lexa took the phone from her ear handing it over to the shy, dark eyed boy. "Your grandfather needs to speak with you."
     Jason took the phone knowing he had about two seconds before this tragedy would be known to him. He slowly placed the phone to his ear as he stared into his mother's sad green eyes. "Hello." Jason said his voice shaking.
     "Oh there's my boy!" Carlo said as a little bit of joy seeped into the raw, broken parts of his heart, for his grandson was the only blessing God would allow him now. "Jason, I first want to tell you how much your grandmother and I have missed you, my dear boy!" he said a slight elation in his voice as he went on forgetting, momentarily about the tragedy, as he asked "Did you like the set of golf clubs I sent for you?"
     "Yes, I shot a 69 yesterday." he said answering the old man's question but changed the subject to matters more pressing. "Tell me what has happened!"
     Lexa wiped her eyes as she took in a deep breath watching the expression on Jason's face as he received the awful news. It was strange, for as he attained the knowledge of what had transpired over the weekend, his face changed. Now it was true he had his father's dark eyes and dark hair, but Lexa had always seen her sister Leah's face in the boy; which could have been due to Lexa's overwhelming sadness of missing her dear departed sister, of this she could never be sure. But here and now a deep serious look overcame Jason and now he looked just like his father Xation Day.
     "Grandpa, I wish this never happened," Jason paused  "but we will come, so you will not be alone. I love you very much and we will be there soon." he paused listening to his grandfather then he said goodnight and handed the phone to the woman he believed to be his mother.
      Lexa took the receiver and placed it back in it's cradle as she waited for a torrent of tears to come pouring out of her nephew, but he only looked deep into her eyes, as if he were staring straight through her. Now she felt suddenly ill at ease, for though he was being strong and quite brave, Jason was being stronger and braver than a nine year old little boy should be. "Jason? Did Carlo tell you what happened?" Lexa asked shocked by his lack of sadness.
     "Yes." he replied in a still calm voice that now sounded darker and deeper.
     "How do you feel right now son?" Lexa asked amazed that Jason was sitting there before her, in his spider-man pajamas, looking like a miniature version of Xation Day.
     "I am very tired." Jason answered calmly. "I want to go back to sleep now."
     "Come, climb in." Lexa said pulling back the covers of her bed.
     "No mom, I'll be okay." Jason said with a sigh. "I want a glass of milk and then I'll go back to bed." he leaned over hugged his mother telling her everything would be alright. He lovingly kissed her on the cheek, then he rose up from where he sat and walked towards her bedroom door. Jason did not look back as he went into the hall, shutting his mother's door behind him.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE Begin Chapter 9

     "Hello?" Lexa answered half asleep as her phone rang in the middle of the night at her home in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
     "Leah?" came a deep voice over the phone, Lexa instantly recognized the voice on the other end of the line.
     "Carlo?" she asked not sure why Xation's father would be calling so late. Lexa had a terrible sinking feeling as she sat up in her bed. "Has something happened to Aphina?" she asked concerned for Xation's mother.
     "No, it's not Aphina." Carlo answered a sadness in his voice as deep as a well.
     A chill ran across her skin as she paused hearing Carlo weeping as he spoke, it was difficult to understand what he was saying. "Felina?" Lexa asked fearing she had heard him correctly.
     "Both of them Leah! They are gone!" he cried with the pain in his heart from losing his two beautiful daughters. "My Felina and Serena!" he tried to explain through his bitter anguish, and what he told Lexa nearly broke her heart. Now it was true she, and her dead sister Leah, had always been treated like outsiders by Xation's sisters, but as Lexa heard dear old Carlo crying, telling of the suicides, she felt a deep pain in her heart and she wept along with the old gentleman. There were long pauses through the pain of loss, a few words at a time would pass between them. Lexa tried to console the dear sweet man, who always held a special place in her heart and she in his, but this was a very difficult thing to do thousands of miles away in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
     "Carlo, you must be strong for Aphina!" Lexa encouraged him.
     "Leah.., I know you and my girls did not always get along, but it was only because they were so jealous of anyone Xation loved, but they truly deeply cared for you." said Carlo as he went on weeping. "And.., now they are gone..," he paused " perhaps you will come and visit with Jason? For the funeral." now Lexa had heard the sound of men crying as they suffered pain and misery, but she had never heard such a pitiful, plaintiff, anguished plea, when Carlo said. "Please Leah, Jason is all we have left! My children are gone forever! Jason is all we have left now! Please."
     "Of course Carlo, I would never keep your grandson from you." she paused "Especially now." here Lexa began crying harder saying "Oh, how will I tell Jason? He's only nine years old! First his father and now..," Lexa began to hyperventilate a little as the sad sound of her voice carried through the spacious cabin; which overlooked Laurel Lake, where she and Jason had lived happily for the last two years. Jason, ever curious and with a feeling of dread, got up out of  his bed and crept down the hall to his mother's room, drawn there by her tears. Xation's son opened up the door and went in.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE End Chapter 8

     Serena felt as if she were light as air, as if she were floating a few inches off the bed. Her pupils constricted as a cold wave swept through her body, she could no longer hear the wind blowing outside or see the flames flickering in the fireplace. Now as it happens, with a massive dose of Nembutal mixed with wine, the central nervous system is the first casualty of the drug, next the sensory cortex shuts down, along with confusion, shallow breathing, nausea, including hallucinations.
     Serena wished to pray but she felt the Lord had forsaken her the day a bullet entered her brother's brain. Now as quickly as she felt as if she were floating, a heavy wave of unseen hands seemed to slam her back down on, and into the bed again. She now felt three or four inches in the mattress as she sank down. This feeling was due to the damage caused to her cerebellar function. As the drug seeped into all her body fluids, with high concentrations in the brain, liver, and kidneys. Now as the chemicals were metabolized by her hepatic microsomal enzyme system she began to have many psychiatric disturbances.
     Here Serena still had time to be saved, she could have reached for the phone on the nightstand and called down to the maids quarters, or her parents; who, if they left their room downstairs in the west wing, would have been in Xation's room in four minutes. But Serena was lost in strange feelings and dreams that seemed  to be real. She rolled over on her side, eyes closed and panting, as her body tried to get in a little oxygen, for her body wanted to survive, even if she did not. But her flesh would lose this battle tonight, as her soul wanted only to go away to the grave.
      Serena felt no pain, in fact she felt nothing, unable to see or hear any longer she felt her grip loosen as the framed picture of her and her brother and sister slipped off the bed, shattering as it hit the tile floor. Then she felt the sensation of someone crawling up in the bed beside her. She felt two nice strong arms wrap around her tightly, in these arms she felt peace and love. Serena could not turn and see who this large, muscular man was, but his grip on her body was squeezing the air from her lungs and she could no longer breathe as she felt the last gasp of breath escape from her body. At this point in the overdose Serena suffered from tachycardia, followed by a coma, followed by full circulatory collapse, leading to respiratory arrest, then Death.
     And so it was, and now you all know, at 3:47 in the a.m. in the Estate of the Diaz family, just north of Buenos Aires and east of Villa Rosa, the most beloved sister of Xation Day, the charming, elegant lady Serena Maria De La Rosa Diaz died in her brother's bed with all the pain in her heart that this World had to offer. She had killed herself for she was sick with love. And from this terrible sickness she could find no cure, so it was that the in the arms of Death, where Serena might find her salvation.
.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE More Chapter 8

     The storm had passed and all was cold and wet outside as Serena looked out for the last time at the view from her window. Serena pulled the drapes shut tight as she stood there numbed by the chill of death she had witnessed. Her mind was sharply focused on the path which leads away from life and she would not change her mind or course of action. Now her sister Felina had been so courteous as to select the dress and shoes she wished to be buried in, and had been so kind as to leave a note, if however brief, she had left one final communication from her heart and mind. But, here now, Serena would not be so kind.
     She left her bed unmade, the nightstand with two empty bottles of expensive red wine, with a glass still full on the dresser. Serena went into her closet slipping off her nightgown as she took a long pale blue silk robe and wrapped herself up in the cool, soft, garment. This is all she would need to clothe her in her grave. Next Serena went into her large bathroom where she washed her face and brushed out her long black shiny hair. She then opened up the gilt mirrored medicine cabinet and took out a full bottle of Nembutal, a powerful barbiturate. Gazing at her reflection Serena looked into her dark eyes and gave herself a bittersweet smile saying "I have to go away now."
     Serena left the bathroom not bothering to turn off the light as she walked over to the marble top long dresser and picked up the last glass of wine she would ever have here on Earth. She walked slowly out of her room not bothering to close the door behind her as she walked down the long dark hallway. She walked towards her sister's room as she turned right going down the hall that went passed the grand staircase; which led her down over to the east wing of the house where Xation's room was. As she walked in silence carrying the glass of wine in her hand she reached for the key in her pocket; which rattled against the bottle of pills as she retrieved it from her pocket. Serena felt a thrilling rush in her heart as she unlocked and opened the door.
     Here it was dark, so Serena went over and pulled back all the drapes letting whatever bit of light in from the cold dark night. Here the storm clouds had parted and  a sliver of the cold winter's moon shone through in a silvery, pale blue stream of moonlight. Long dark shadows were cast in the corners of the room as her eyes adjusted to the light. Serena felt very cold, but not faint of heart. She went over to the fireplace and pushed the ignite button on the gas fireplace; which lit up in orange and yellow warming flames. Serena gazed in at the fire for a moment until she brought her gaze to the line of photographs on the mantle. There was Xation and Leah on their wedding day, Xation on the eighteenth hole at Augusta, A picture from his college days in London. Pictures of him riding in one of his many polo matches. A picture of him with his son. Now Serena had not been in her brother's room in a along time but she was familiar with all the photographs here, as it was she who had placed them here along with the all the, long since burned down, candles, but here in the center of the mantle was a picture she had not seen in quite sometime. It had been taken by Charles as they all had traveled aboard the sailing ship 'Il Pointe' on their trip to Monaco for the Formula 1 Race in '93. It showed Xation in the center, tan and shirtless, with Serena on his left and Felina on his right, both in bikini's, all with huge smiles on their faces. This was one of Serena's favorites but it had disappeared from her room about two years ago. She surmised Felina had brought it in here, perhaps in some small effort for them to be closer to her brother. Serena picked up the silver framed picture and went putting it on the nightstand. Then she took out the pills, pouring the entire contents of the bottle into her dainty hand. She popped a handful in her mouth a few times, swallowing the lethal dose with the glass of wine. As she took in the last sips she realized that of all the glasses of wine she had consumed in her life these last few drops were, by far, the sweetest.
     Serena pulled back the down comforter and silk sheets as she slid into Xation's bed for the last time. She laid her head back in the soft warm pillows inhaling the lingering aroma of her brother's cologne, as the flames from the fire lit up the room in an orange glow. Serena looked at the photograph as she reached out clutching it close to her breasts. She felt very calm, very relaxed, almost in a euphoric state, but remember she was quite drunk at this time. Serena then felt as though she were sinking down in a hazy fog, and as her heart rate decreased she whispered in a voice as faint as her heartbeat saying "It is finished."

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE Begin Chapter 8

     Now, you who have suffered the bitter pain of life and know the taste of blood and degradation, and survived with a smile on your face, might have some words to offer Serena as she sat there in silence, shocked and mortified, suicidal thoughts of escape filling her mind. But on this dark, cold, winter's night there was no one to comfort her, or give her heart ease. Serena never felt close to her mother and father, so she let them sleep.
     Serena had no idea how long she had been sitting on the edge of the tub holding her dead sister's hand. She only remembered she was crying as she turned and tried to pray. She remembered she was crying, her tears all rolled away. She wanted to leave this world and join her brother and sister and her dearest Hays. She thought how unfair it was that Felina had gone before her to the grave, and now was with Xation and Hays in heaven, or where ever they may be,that was the place Serena wanted to be. Now a torrent of tears fell from her dark eyes as she stood up from where she sat perched on the side of the blood filled tub, it looked as if Felina were resting in a vat of red wine, but there was no blood of the grape here. Serena thought how much her sister was like a rare, fine vintage; of which the World had drank her in. Felina had made the World blush and feel faint, as she had gone straight to it's head. Crying on Serena reached for the closest thing to wipe her eyes  grabbing Xation's smoking jacket off the vanity chair. She took the silk brocade garment burying her face in it as she wept. Then as she wiped her face she heard the sound of a metal key falling on the tile floor as it slipped from out of one of the pockets. Serena paused, looked down at her feet seeing the little silver key she knew instantly which door it would open.
     Serena sighed as a small flutter of joy filled her aching heart. Felina had left her this final gift, the key to her brother Xation's room. Now gripping the key tight in her palm she stood next to Felina and bending down she kissed her sister's cold wet forehead saying "Thank you my dear, sweet sister. You must forgive me for what I am about to do, but I have no other choice in this matter. Thank you for leaving me the key." Serena smiled sweetly softly saying "So when I come to see you, I hope you and Xation will be waiting there for me." Serena stroked Felina's long black hair for the last time as she went and blew each of the candles out, save for one; which she took in her hand, it's soft warm light leading the way down the long hall as she went to her room to retrieve her bottle of Nembutal.
     As Serena walked slowly towards her room in the glow of the flickering flame her shadow following close behind in the great house; which was as dark and still as the grave, her mind began to think. Now Serena had been well educated, a lover of Literature, History and Art and many thoughts came to her; the words of kings, queens, princes and poets, the thoughts of philosophers and the great eastern religions, the words of Solomon and  the words of Jesus Christ; but all these words failed her, for everything was Death to her tonight.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE End Chapter 7

     Serena had managed through much tears, and two bottles of red wine, to finally fall asleep. Now she was awoken just a few minutes later by the sound of someone walking past her bedroom door. She listened to the familiar sound of Felina walking down the hardwood floor in her riding boots. Serena looked at the clock and thought it strange her sister would be dressed for riding at two o'clock in the morning.
     Serena got up out of her warm bed as she wished to speak to her sister. As she went to open her bedroom door Serena heard the click,click of her sister's boot heels on the floor, but when she went out in the hall there was no one there. Serena was a bit drunk and highly upset in a delicate emotional state of mind, but she knew what she had heard. Serena went down the hall and went into her sister's room where she heard the strains of the classical guitar playing on the stereo. A terrible feeling of dread crept into her mind and an icy chill ran up and down the length of her spine as the air seemed to grow colder all around her as she stood by her sister's bed in a thin white silk robe.
     "Oh no." Serena said as she noticed the long silver sequence and rhinestone gown laying draped across the large bed, along with the matching high heels. This is when Serena found the short note Felina had written. "I have to go away now." Serena read the note aloud. Then she turned as if some unseen hand was moving her towards the bathroom. Serena could smell the fragrant oil from the burning candles and with much trepidation she slowly walked across the room, her bare feet cold on the marble floor. She felt her heart race as she reached out putting her hand on the door knob. Slowly, whispering a prayer for all to be well, Serena pushed the door open softly. Taking in a deep breath she stepped in as the glow of the candles flickered filling the room with a warm soft light. Serena looked at the long vanity table; where she noticed one of her brother's smoking jackets laying on the chair. This was odd, as his room had been locked up ages ago. Now Serena called out to her sister whom she thought might be in the closet removing her riding gear. There was, of course, no answer.
     Serena then turned to leave and as she reached out pulling the door back she looked down in the blood filled bathtub where her sister was sitting back in the tub, her head fallen over to the side. Serena in shock and horror sat down on the edge of the tub in silence, staring down at the pale white, naked corpse of her dear, dead, sister. Serena went numb all over as she realized what her sister Felina had done. Serena reached down in the red still water lifting her sister's cold lifeless hand in hers. Serena began to weep as she gazed down at the large deep gash across her sister's limp wrist. Here Serena began weeping holding Felina's hand in hers as she lovingly stroked the back of Felina's hand saying in a low plaintiff wail. "Why?" Serena said choking on her bitter tears pleading "Why didn't you take me with you? How could you leave me here on my own?"

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE more Chapter 7

   'This is what you want, this is what you get.' Felina heard the words of her brother echo through her mind as she slipped down into the steaming hot water; which was warm as an embrace. Felina in her last bit of theatrics, to set the mood, she had gone so far as to pour an entire bottle of sweet almond oil into the tub as the knife lay there beside her. Felina had set her mind on edge. She wanted to slash away, slash away all.
      Felina gripped the sharp, steel, blade in her hand pressing the knife against the blue veins of her wrist, pulsating with the red blood of life. As the classical guitar notes of Segovia filled the air Felina thought for a moment of a memory of a song from a band she saw at a small venue in Seattle. Felina sang softly "Bury me softly in this world. I give this part of me for you. Sad rains down and here I sit holding red flowers in her tomb."
     Here Felina took the knife slashing deep into her flesh and the pain was so intense she cried out "Jesus!God! Lord!" Felina bit her lip as she endured the severe pain as she felt her life begin to drain out from her with each beat of her heart. She slid her hand underneath the sweet, aromatic, water as she felt the short, sharp, pain as the life blood seeped from her self inflicted wound pooling out in deep red clouds in the water. You could hear her whisper "Lord, I want to be inside of you." Felina panted her last breaths coming like water off a mountain "I give this part of me for you."
     The pain was intense but she summoned up the courage of her people saying. "Forgive me Father for what I have done. For now I give up my body through my blood."  Here the water seeped a deep crimson with her blood, the color of rubies as Felina managed to say "Mother Mary pray for me now, and at the time of my death." Felina, there in the glow of the candle light, closed her eyes; And so it was on this dark, stormy winter's night here in Argentina the highly regarded, elegant, dear lady, the most beautiful sister of Xation Day, Felina Serafina De La Rosa Diaz lie broken, bleeding and dying. From this calamity there was no hope of escaping. Felina was gone she had punished her flesh to let her spirit fly.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE Chapter 7

      Serena stirred in her bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, as usual. She had, instead of taking her prescribed medication for her depression, Serena had sought her solace at the bottom of a bottle of red wine. Still she could not sleep. Now not so long ago she would have crept into Xation's bedroom to try and sleep in her dearly departed brother's bed, but for some reason Felina would always fly into a rage. So Felina had taken to hiding the key from her. So it was Serena arose from her bed turning on the light, going over to the little reading corner she had by the fireplace; the wood of which was just about burned down but still radiating a warm, comforting heat. Serena scanned the endless shelves of books, sliding her hand across the spines of the many volumes until she stopped, slipping out a thin, small, antique volume of The Poems and Plays of Robert Browning. Serena, not caring what she read at this point, settled back in her warm bed pulling the down comforter up around her naked body. She read the first few pages of Pauline A Fragment of a Confession, without much interest, until she came to a passage that touched a nerve in her miserable,bitter,little, heart. And these are the words that were printed on the page. 'Betrayed by sleep.., until the feeling rushed that I was low indeed, yet not so low as to endure the calmness of thine eyes; And so I told thee all, while the cool breast I leaned upon altered not its quiet beating; And long were words, like a hurt bird's complaint. Bade me look up and be what I had been! I felt despair could never live by thee.'
      Serena felt the pain and bitter tears well up inside her as she closed the book, crying like a child who has lost it's way home, for she had remembered this from an evening when Hays had read the very same story to her years ago. Now her infinite sadness wrapped it's self around her like a suffocating cloak of darkness and Serena had no control over the emotions pouring out of her. It was very late and she knew everyone was asleep, so she let herself have another good, tension releasing, cry, perhaps the exertion would bring her mind to ease of sleep. And as she was weeping Felina came a creeping down the long hall. She had dried herself off, wrapping up in one of her brother's expensive silk jacquard smoking jackets, her long wet black hair a disheveled mess falling around her shoulders. Now Felina could hear her sister crying and so she paused at the door, pressing her ear against it, she clearly heard the terrible sadness coming from within; which only added more resolve to Felina's nerves as she listened. The sound of her sister sobbing had a strange cadence to it, almost like music. This made Felina shed a few tears of her own, as she heard the sound of her little sister's tears for the last time. She wanted to go inside and say goodbye, but she was afraid to do so would take all her resolve and courage to kill herself away. So instead, Felina stepped away from the bedroom door saying "Farewell my dearest sister." Then Felina walked down the long hall to her room preparing her heart for the grave.
     Just as Felina opened the door to her large, elegantly decorated room, she heard the rumble of thunder as a heavy rain began to fall, lashing against the roof of the great house. This was just the touch of drama she needed for her last night here on Earth; which would be over by the hour. Felina went in and gathered all the candles she had in her room and brought them into the bathroom where she placed them, lighting each, one by one, Felina placed them all around the massive garden tub as she turned on the hot water. For this is the room she would leave this world in,  she gazed at her reflection in the mirror, and now she felt a sudden sense of thrilling release, as if she were about to attend the event of a lifetime. So she removed the smoking jacket placing it on the chair of the vanity table, letting her wet hair fall down over her shoulders. She combed out her long black hair for the last time. Preparing herself for Death Felina put her make-up on, applying a thick coat of deep red lipstick, almost the color of blood. Felina stood in front of the vanity mirror smiling for the first time in many years as the anticipation of escape from this world came closer to her horizon.
     She went back to her bedroom where she made the bed and straightened the room up a bit. Then she went to her massive walk-in closet where she selected the dress she wished to buried in along with a matching pair of high heeled shoes; both of which were covered in silver sequence and rhinestones. She lay these on her bed along with a short note which simply read ' I have to go away now.'
     This is when she retrieved the long sharp knife from the drawer. Felina went over to her stereo, the knife in her hand, and put a recording of Segovia on, her favorite guitar player of all time; and as the sweet sound of the classical arpeggios filled the air Felina walked naked, just as she came in this world, into the illuminated bathroom where the candlelight reflected in the mirrors and off the gleaming gold fixtures. Now the rain pounded harder and the thunder became louder, when off in the distance lightning flashed across the sky. Outside the wild, cold winds and rain, were raging; but here inside, tonight Felina felt as though she were coming closer to her world. She had no first hand knowledge of the hereafter, but she was resolved in her agitated state of mind that nothing could be worse than her life here on Earth. Maybe tomorrow the Devil might find her, but tonight nothing was worse than the pain in her heart.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE End Chapter 6

     Now when Felina and the old, tired, horse could go no further she brought the poor creature, it's heart pounding back to the stables. Felina was drenched in a cold, bone chilling sweat just as the animal. Felina removed the saddle and tack, then dried the horse's gleaming wet coat off with a small towel. She made sure to brush out it's long flowing white mane and tail. Next she covered the noble, gentle creature with a woolen horse blanket. She mucked out the stable for Iguazu bringing him fresh water, even though a stable boy would be there in the morning, Felina wanted to do her last bit of service to her family and the animals before she was no longer bound to the Earth.
     She felt quite ill, her thighs aching with the strenuous ride, a deep red flush to her face and fevered brow. Wiping the sweat off her cheek, she went over to the small refrigerator next to the tack room; where she brought out a handful of peppermint candies for the horses she loved. Felina went over to the stalls giving each horse a treat as she petted their faces saying goodbye to each valued member of her animal family. It was with a great heaviness in her heart that she bid each beautiful creature adieu. She stopped, picking up the massive black cat that lived in the stable, their well honored 'mouser'; which purred with delight as she did so. Felina stroked the soft silken fur as she lovingly nuzzled the old cat to her chest and with a tear she set the happy cat back on a bale of hay. Felina walked to the big doors and turned around and said "Good bye, for now, my dear, faithful friends, until I see you all in Heaven again." with this she shut off the light and closed the door. Walking up the path that led to the great house in which she would no longer be living Felina gathered her courage, wiping the tears from her eyes.
      The air was frigid now and the sky had grown very dark. The wind blew harder against her face and her sweat drenched body as she struggled to keep one foot in front of the other, so great was the pain in her thighs and calves. Felina had no concept of time, she could have been out riding for an hour, or ten, she could not say. The house was dark now as she approached, the scent in the air of wet wood, dew and dead leaves. A deep icy chill ran through her veins, her blood like frozen water as she made it up the stairs to the terrace. Felina stood in front of the french doors and as she reached out resting her hand on the door knob, she paused before going in, thinking of the countless times she had done so, coming into the house in a happy mood, or slamming the door behind her in a rage. On one occasion she had become so angered by Serena, Felina had slammed the door so hard shattering nearly every pane of glass, much to her father's disgrace. Now she turned the knob for the last time entering the grand, well appointed mansion she had known all her life, where she learned to crawl and walk upon the marble floors, her newly found voice echoing off the walls and down the long corridors.
     Felina stood inside the doorway for a moment, then she closed the door gently behind her, locking it. Here she tried to work out in her head the best course of action to take on this her last evening alive. She stood there drenched in her riding clothes smelling of sweat and horse manure. Felina went up the grand staircase, but not to her room, no, she went instead to the east wing of the house; where her brother Xation's master suite was located. Now this room had been locked shortly after his funeral and it was left exactly the way it was when he had left, to fly back to Dallas, never to return again. Felina had hid the key behind a painting in the long hall that led to the large room. She had come on a few nights when she could find no rest and would come and curl up in the massive four poster bed; the sheets still smelling of Xation's cologne. Felina entered the quiet room where all was still, the scent of dead, dried roses permeating the air. Felina walked softly her boot heels echoing off the tile floor as she passed the fireplace; the mantle of which was covered with pictures of her handsome brother, and candles which had long since burned down. It was a sad abandoned altar but three years had passed and the sadness that existed in this room was like a burdensome spirit of despair, the weight of which had become a burden to extreme to bare. It was in this dark hour Felina went into the marble and gilt-mirrored bathroom where she stripped off each piece of her wet clothing one by one, tossing her garments on the bench by the glass shower. She gazed at her tan naked skin and the smooth curves of her lean muscular body, and she was pleased, if only her heart and mind could have been as sweet and pleasing to the world, perhaps she would not be taking her life tonight. But nothing is fair in love and life so her thoughts turned to the knife. Her morbid souvenir from the night of the attack. Charles had tossed the knife aside as he had finished the long deep, clean cut in her rapist's throat, the blood stained  weapon had slid underneath the prep table. Felina had found it a month or so later and had wrapped it up in a bar towel and hid it in a drawer for many years. So she thought of this knife tonight, believing it only fitting that she use the very same weapon to slit her wrist, and give up her life. Felina wanted to suffer and from this sharp instrument of death is where she wished to receive the pain.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE Chapter 6 continues

   Felina had been out riding for about twenty minutes passing through the dark, leafless trees, so dark in the wet wood, like black skeletal hands reaching up to the sky with their bare branches. It was nearing dusk under a grey sky as a bitter, chilling, wind blew hard along the pampas; which was as vast and wide as the hole in her heart. Now Felina thought of herself on this, her last ride on her family's estate. She knew she was well educated, articulate, charming and elegant but she also realized, in her 47 years of living, she had never developed the aptitude for graciousness, understanding, patience, or love. For though she desired greatly to love and be loved, she never actually had the capacity, in her cruel, little, bitter heart, to do so. For loving is an art and she lacked any talent for it.
     Felina had been the first child to come into this world of her family. It was she who was treated like a tiny queen, given the best of everything, with a sparkle in her dark eyes as if to say 'I am above doing all wrong and cannot be blamed for my actions.' Adored by her parents and the staff, until a usurper came to steal her crown, in the form of her little brother Xation. Now she loved that boy with all her heart, and he was the only person in her life that she had ever truly loved; in such a way she would have gladly taken his place when Charles came to bring an end to Xation's life that terrible Spring day. But such was not the case, for she was taught that the Lord is a jealous God and his children should have no other god before him. So, she was a jealous sister and she would not have her brother love any woman above her. Now Xation did love and care for Felina with a loving, gracious and patient heart and when he was a little boy he would tell her. "You are my dearest sister and I have been sent by our Heavenly Father to make sure no harm shall come your way."
      Felina would laugh at this always as he was her tiny protector. She had taught him to ride when he was around seven and when she was around ten. He had taken to the saddle and was a fine rider. Now as she rode down to the old polo grounds, now long covered with thick weeds. Her family had let the field go to seed after Xation's murder. No longer would there be the games, and friends, and food, and fine champagne toasts to the victors. Felina dismounted here sitting herself down on the old rotting wooden bleachers as Iguazu grazed on the dead dried plants. Felina took in a deep cold breath as she relived in her mind the various scenes from summers past of fun and admires that flattered her at every turn, the young lovelies come to enchant and charm her handsome teenage brother. Many thoughts raced through her mind as she sat there. Then Felina recalled a poem she would tell her brother when they were young and bored on a rainy day "With you my child I wish to play. I'll give you gifts if you will stay. I'll pick you flowers and presents bring and dress you like a noble king." here Felina began to cry as bitter tears of pain, loss and remorse welled up in her black eyes. She was angry and sad, filled with such a violent rage, but she was now bound and determined to direct all the hostility she felt towards herself. She raised her voice cursing at the sky, her horse becoming nervous as she cried out like a wounded animal. Felina sprang up, climbing up into the saddle, she kicked sharply, digging into Iguazu's ribs with the heels of her riding boots as she brought the old horse to a full gallop, flying along the ground at a quickening speed, the wind in her hair and death in her heart as the sky grew dark and the cold winds howled.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE Chapter 6

     It was a bitter cold evening on an early August winter day at the horse ranch north of Buenos Aires. Felina and her sister Serena sat in two matching leather wing back chairs; which were pulled up close to a roaring fireplace. Their parents sat side by side on a large leather sofa, a chenille throw covering their cold laps. No one spoke, the only sounds coming from the crackling of the wood as it burned brightly and the tick, tick, tick of the mantle clock. The news had come a few days ago and they were all beside themselves with grief. Aphina's chef had prepared a sumptuous meal, but it only grew cold on the dining table and was now being cleared away. Felina watched the young maid carry the dishes away and she wondered if she would ever have an appetite for food again.
     Felina sat there her hand under her chin as she was deep in thought, her black eyes vacant, her heart filled with great sadness as the crushing weight of guilt forced her into a deep depression. She knew it was she who was to blame for this tragedy, in more ways than one, and her family knew this as well; which made it very difficult for them speak to her. If she were not such a vengeful woman maybe Hays and Bengiman would be here tonight and they would have sat and supped with the family, as they had done thousands of times. Felina looked over into the dining room remembering days gone by of New Years feasts, Christmastime tidings of blessed joy, good cheer and fond memories. Felina could hear their laughter through her tears. But her lust for revenge exceeded all reason and now her two dear friends were gone forever more; and that woman, Melissa Christian, had made it out alive.
     Felina sighed shaking her head as she glanced over at her brokenhearted sister, who had lost Hays, the only man she ever loved, besides her brother Xation. And Felina thought of what Xation would say to her for this disastrous turn of affairs, but he was long dead, shot in the head by his 'friend' Charles. Then her tortured mind turned to thoughts of Charles. How it came to pass that she herself had brought that spider into her family's web. It was she. Everything that led up to today started that hot night when she had neglected to lock the door to her cafe. That man had come upon her, raping her, choking her. And then Charles was there to rescue her from such danger. She remembered clearly seeing him grab the knife and pull back the head of her attacker. She could still see and smell the blood pouring out from the deep long gash. Felina had been saved that day, but with all the trouble and trail of dead bodies, perhaps they would all still be alive if she had died that day, but that was not the case. If she had just remembered to lock the door, an action that would have taken but a second, everyone would still be alive                        
     Felina became restless so she stood up and announced she was going for a ride before the sun set. She wanted to take one last ride around the property on her beloved Iguazu, a huge white stallion that was once her brother Xation's pride and joy. She had been lost without her brother and Hays had been so kind and loving towards her after Xation's death. She hated herself for convincing him to get Bengiman out of prison and kidnap that woman for her. The last time she saw him alive was when they were in the limo together on the way to the airport with the bound and gagged Melissa lying on the floor of the long car. She remembered how delighted they were and how easy it was to take her. Hays had given her a wonderful warm embrace and she said 'I will see you back in Argentina', then she had climbed back into the limo and gave Hays a great big smile as he blew her a kiss goodbye.  Felina thought of all this as she walked out to the stables, taking in deep cold breaths of frigid air as her mind filled with darkness and thoughts of suicide.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE end Chapter 5

     Melissa closed her eyes for just a moment, then she wanted to ask the agent a question, but as she looked around she noticed the room had changed in the blink of an eye. It was far more spacious, brighter, and filled with newer equipment. She thought how strange it was that the room could change in the blink of an eye so she said "Agent Hunt?"
     "Yes Melissa?" Agent Hunt replied.
     "I told you not to call me by my first name until we are back in Texas!" she chastised him.
     Agent Hunt cleared his throat as he stood up from the chair beside her hospital bed, then he went over to the long white vertical blinds and he pulled them back. There lit up in neon, in the night sky, were the tall towering smoked glass high rises of Downtown Dallas, just south of the Medical Center. Melissa strained her neck trying to get a better view, but before rejoicing she began to think this was another game her morphine laced brain was playing tricks on her again, so she said to the agent. "How do I know this is real?"
     Agent Hunt just smiled and walked back across the room to the door, and opening it he gestured for someone to enter the room. Now here Melissa thought if Charles walks in now then she was merely dreaming and not home safe in Texas after all. Then, to her sheer amazement, and absolute delight, she saw Oliver come in holding her little boy in his arms. Melissa let out an exhausted cry as tears of joy streamed down her face, like water off a mountain as she was so happy she had lived to witness this moment. "My Angel!" she cried reaching out her arms to her son. Oliver and little Charles smiled and they too had happy tears for their reunion.
     "Mommy?" little Charles said perplexed, as the woman in the bed did not look like the mother he had known.
     Here Melissa realized now her appearance must have been so unsightly. She even could see the look in her cousin Oliver's eyes as if to say 'You left looking like a Barbi Doll and returned looking like the Elephant Man.' Yet it was true, only her right eye and a small portion of her forehead was not cut, swollen, or contused."Don't you recognize me?" Melissa asked her bewildered son with a deep twinge of pain in her heart.
     "What happened to you mommy?" he asked, curling up in the bed with his mother resting his head on her chest listening to the soft, quiet, beating of her heart as she said "Mommy was in a bit of a plane crash, but I'm okay now.., well, I need some time to heal, but I promise, my little Angel, Mommy will be pretty again."
     "I love you mommy, no matter what you look like."
     This wonderful sentiment out of the mouth of her only child made her weep a little. Agent Hunt was touched by the scene and, though he had many questions for Melissa about the kidnapping, he excused himself for the evening and let the matter be. Oliver was overjoyed to have his dearest cousin back in Texas, however, he was still very concerned about her safety. "What are we going to do Melissa, what if his family tries this again?"
     "I want you to go tomorrow and speak to the Commanding Officer at the Joint Reserve Base and hire 4 of the biggest Marines you can find. Make sure they have their marksman certification." Melissa instructed finally realizing she did need a security team after all.
     Oliver stayed for as long as he could with Melissa until one of the i.c.u. nurses came in announcing visitor hours were over and that he had to leave. Now, when the white haired nurse found the little three year old curled up next to his mother sleeping, she felt a little spot of warmth and joy in her old heart; and being this patient had been all over the news, surviving a kidnapping, and a plane crash, the old nurse changed her mind and let Oliver and the little boy stay, completely disregarding Hospital Rules and Regulations.
     Melissa felt the spirit of love in the room and she felt safe, and warm, and loved. She could not say why the Lord had spared her life, but she knew something very powerful had urged him to protect her. This thought brought a passage she remembered reading as a child... 'Blessed is the Lord, my God, who has covered my head in battle and delivered me from the hands of mine enemy'.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE chapter 5 continues

     It was around four, in the a.m., on a stormy Sunday morning when Melissa finally made it to the small hospital; where a staff of four hurried her in for x-rays. Melissa was sedated the entire time; which was good as she did not want to suffer any longer. The following was her diagnosis:
     Left wrist broken due to fracture of upper area of the Carpals, including: the Lunate bone,
     Scaphoid bone,and the Triquetrum bone.
     Fracture of the left clavicle.
     Right and Left Ankle shattered, including Talus bone,
     Cracked Calcaneus of the left foot.
     Fracture of the hip at the Anterior Superior iliac spine.
     Six fractured ribs, of the following: left side True Ribs #3, #4, #5, #7,
     right side, False Ribs #9, #10
     Broken Nasal bone, increased pressure of the Sphenoidial Sinus and stress of the Perpendicular plate of
     the Ethmoid bone.
     Melisaa was prepped for surgery to fix her nose so she could breathe easier, and she was set with casts on both ankles, her wrist, and one wrapped around her torso from her breast bone to her hips. Melissa was given anti-bio tics and a tetanus shot for the bite marks and deep lacerations; these wounds were cleaned and treated. She would need much rest and rehabilitation but, for now, she rested in a drug induced coma, and after three days she awoke to find a uniformed F.B.I agent sitting in a chair at her bedside. Melissa glanced over as she could not turn her head with the cervical collar around her neck. It took the older gentleman a moment to realize she was awake, as he was busy reading the file in his hands.
     "Where am I?" she asked in a soft, raspy voice she did not recognize as her own.
     Here the dark haired gentleman looked up startled by the sound of her voice as he had been waiting hours for her to awaken. "Miss Christian, I am Agent Thomas Hunt, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and you are in a hospital here in Guatemala City." he paused trying to glean any recognition of this fact in her eyes. "How are you feeling?" he asked concerned.
     Melissa pondered his question for a moment then she replied. "I'm not really sure right now." she answered a strange, far off look, in her green eyes, as if she could see for a thousand years. Then she looked at Agent Hunt asking "We're not in Texas are we?" she whispered an awful tone of sadness in her trembling voice.
    "No.., you were taken from Texas seven days ago." he informed her, as she seemed to not understand him, he went on. "You were kidnapped after your luncheon last Thursday and taken by plane from Dallas, then the jet crashed in the treetops of the jungle outside of the city, it took two days to find you and bring you here." still no sign of recognition or understanding coming from her, Agent Hunt continued "Now Miss Christian you were the only survivor.., the men that kidnapped you.., well, let me just say you won't have to worry about those two ever coming after you." he smiled, then an expression of deep serious thought flashed across his face as he leaned a little closer to her beside saying. "Are these the men that were on the plane with you?" he asked pulling out two photos from the file, showing them to her.
     Melissa looked at the pictures, at the faces of the men that had caused her so much trouble and pain, then she gazed up into the dutiful agent's dark eyes simply saying  "Yes."
     "Thank you Miss Christian, may I call you Melissa?" he smiled sweetly.
     "No.., not until you get me back to Texas." she said in all seriousness. "I want to go home."
     "I understand.., " he said gently  "there's no place like home." Agent Hunt said sincerely informing Melissa she would be going back to Texas on a chartered medical care flight in the morning.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE by: M.C.McNeel Chapter 5

     Melissa found herself in a large, soft, comfortable, warm bed. All was white, the sheets, pillows, walls, floor, ceiling. She felt safe and warm, as if she were floating in a cloud. She found herself lying on her side and she felt no pain whatsoever, lost in a deep and soothing, tranquil, peace. Now she felt someone come up behind her, slowly climbing in the bed with her, and she was not afraid or fearful, as she heard her name being whispered by a warm, friendly, familiar voice. Charles had come to be with her now, wherever they were. He moved his body close to her, she could feel the warmth of his breath on the nape of her neck as he pulled her long silken hair up and off her back exposing the soft flesh of shoulders. Charles wrapped her up in his nice, strong arms, Melissa sighed deeply in relief, of her release from the weight of the world she had known. Charles and Melissa stayed together curled up with one another for, what seemed like, an exquisite eternity. Then she felt a change, a shift in the presence of her dearest Charles. Then as she heard her name being called again, she opened her eyes in a sudden panic as she recognized this unwelcome voice. As she heard Hays laughing loudly in her ear she felt him suddenly begin to squeeze her body tightly.
     Melissa felt the pain and pressure return to her lungs and body as she opened up her bloodstained eyes to the blackness and horror that had come for her now, in the darkness. All was black, she could not see her attacker, who had tracked her down again. Melissa only heard him laughing, breathing on her neck with acrid hot breaths, enveloping her small frame into his as he wrapped his left hand around her long, blood soaked hair, pulling back hard exposing the delicate flesh of her supple neck. Now Melissa tried to scream but she found her mouth taped up, along with her wrists; which she held up to her face, and it looked as though she were in prayer, as Hays pulled harder on her hair. She could feel his naked body pressing deep into her flesh as Hays reached up with his right hand wrapping it around her throat, choking her with all the force of a python.Melissa felt the breath leave her body, the shock and horror was completely overwhelming.
     In his reckless abandon, Hays was so enthralled by his lustful rage, he began pulling down harder on her hair, squeezing tighter on her neck with every thrust of his body causing Melissa great pain, she felt as though her hips would shatter with the pressure he exerted. Melissa began to cry, hot tears streaming down her bloodstained swollen cheeks as she tried to breathe. Then, in his depravity, Hays leaned his head down closer to her back and shoulder, he began to lick at her soft skin and just when she could stand no more she felt him open his mouth, his hot breath steaming her skin, then Hays sank his teeth deep into her flesh and Melissa let out a powerful, pain filled scream.
     Melissa awoke choking as a team of E.M.T.'s had her on a stretcher on the ground as they frantically tried intubating her left lung as it had collapsed and she was going into shock. As one of the men placed a cervical collar around her neck, Melissa felt a sharp pain in her right arm as they injected her with a nice dose of Thorazine. One of the men commented about the bite marks all over her back and arms.
     "Are these animal bites?"
     One of them shined a flashlight down and shook his head saying "No, these were made by a human."
     Then Melissa felt a pain as terrible as being stabbed in the lung with a sharp stiletto knife. Melissa tried to cry out as she felt the tube inserted deep into her lung she gasped finally able to breath taking in a sweet, fresh, breath she began coughing trying to gulp in as much air into her lungs as possible. Now Melissa was not sure how long she had been out in the jungle wreckage of the plane and she tried to open her mouth and speak, but no words came. The emergency medical team began shouting directions to one another as a medical helicopter hovered above the opening in the trees; where the jet had crashed through.It was night and hot and humid now the rains had passed. Melissa felt them lift her up as she was brought up out of the jungle onto the chopper; where a nurse from the Guatemala City Hospital tried to ascertain who Melissa was. Now, Melissa spoke and understood the Spanish language the nurse spoke, but due to the traumatic events she could barely remember how to speak English and Melissa had trouble remembering her name.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE End Chapter 4

     There was a deep silence as she lay there on the wet jungle floor, atop the thick lush ferns, the rain pouring down as the inferno raged just a few yards away. Melissa, on her back, staring up,  could see clearly, though her left eye had nearly swollen shut and she could not hear. Melissa could only take in short shallow breaths as the pain in her ribcage was overwhelmingly painful, and as she began to lose consciousness she felt the presence of someone, or something, standing over her. Melissa opened up her bloodstained eyes, just for a moment she looked up in silence, looking up into the face of a dead man.
     "Charles?" she tried to speak but no sound came. There he was, dressed the same as when she first met him. Charles smiled down at Melissa, his eyes shining like sapphires, a look of deep abiding peace on his pale face. Now he did not speak a word and Melissa believed she was dead, Charles must have come to lead her across the gulf between the living and the dead. Now it occurred to her at this moment that something was wrong. She had been taught that in death there is great peace and no pain, nor fear, nor dreams. But here she found herself injured, flat on her back; which was just about the only part of her body not broken, in the most horrendous pain. Melissa called out to Charles and then she heard him say, as if in her mind, 'close your eyes.' As she stared up not knowing if she were alive or dead she cried out in a loud voice, as the vision was swept away with tears, "Jesus! God! Lord! Do not forsake me!"
Here she closed her eyes as she became numb by the cold, stinging rain. Melissa thought of her son, of home, of Texas, and all the things she had never taken the time to do. She would barter with God to save her life, but Melissa knew what she had prayed for. The plane to crash, her tormentors to be killed, all that was left to seal her answered prayer was for her to die. Melissa closed her eyes and commended her soul to the Lord, if He would have her today, and take her away from life, then she would go with Him without a fight. So with a prayer on her lips Melissa fell into an unconscious world of shadows and light and thunder.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE Chapter 4 continues

     The scent of Death was all around mingled with jet fuel and blood, Melissa took in a deep painful breath as she crouched down on the ceiling of the plane as it teetered slightly rocking the upside down aircraft again. Trying to keep focused, she looked at the massive dark wet limb protruding up through the plane below her, if she could just twist her body around and hang on she could climb down to the ground, to the earth, but it would be through much pain. All was slippery and wet with the hurricane rains but she reached out slowly pulling herself close to the tree wrapping her naked, bruised and battered body around the wet wood, the leaves slipping up against her skin as she squeezed her muscular thighs with all her might. Now here she was thankful for her long daily swims, and chasing her three year old around, for though she was 44, she had the body of a 25 year old and the heart of a lion. She was no weak and feeble woman, no far from it, though she was injured and had suffered greatly she had a clear and focused mind of a singular direction and that was down, and she had sixty feet to go. So down she came, coming fast , vines and broken branches scratching at her skin, tearing long painful crimson gashes deep into her flesh, but down she came through the intense, excruciation, her only fixation to live.

     Now just as she had about thirteen feet before she reached the ground, Melissa heard and felt the shaking of the trees as a massive explosion engulfed the little plane, as a spark finally ignited the jet fuel in flames. Poor Melissa was nearly there when she was blown out of the tall trees and thrown to the ground. The breath rushed out of her lungs, as three more ribs were broken, a fracture deep in her pelvis and both ankles broken. Melissa could not breathe for a moment as she rolled on her back just in time to see the fire engulfed jet plummet to the Earth, where she saw the twisted, burning metal carcass of the once luxurious, expensive aircraft land on the body of Bengiman Pruce who had fallen directly below. Now he had fallen from a great height, in more ways than one, but this had not killed him; and he felt the heavy, hot, metal crush every bone and organ in his body. He had no time think. He had no time to pray. And then he was gone. Bengiman Pruce, born Norman Reginald Pierce, was dead.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE Begin Chapter 4

     Melissa could hear Mr.Pruce. Melissa could smell the jet fuel and feel the pain. Her naked, bruised and broken body was covered in warm, wet, jet fuel; which seeped into her cuts and bite marks with a stomach turning, excruciating burning sensation engulfing her open wounds. She had a few broken ribs and breathing was difficult as she tried to pull herself over to the hatch; which now was below her. Mr.Pruce heard her moving about and listened to her laboured breathing, sounding like a bear, as she crawled down and out of the cargo hold. The sensation was strange to her as Melissa realized what had happened. The plane ripped apart, wires sparking left and right, as rain pounded down through the gapes in the fuselage, the broken tree limbs, blood covered leaves, the men hanging upside down in their seats. She carefully stood up on the ceiling standing behind Mr.Pruce as she let out a scream as she peered over and saw Hays' body without a head. First she thought his head was merely tangled up in the wet, dark leaves protruding through the ceiling, but as she looked closer at the scene she realized his head was missing and there was so much blood, so much blood.
     "Please say you forgive me." Bengiman said once more as the intense pressure building in his head caused his ears to bleed.
     Now this moment was like an eternity as she stood naked soaked in blood and jet fuel inside the shattered plane, the two bodies hanging upside down, it was sick, and it was twisted. Melissa felt as if she were in a blood soaked dream, something out of a Quentin Tarantino film perhaps. The smell of blood and sulphur, the storm raging, the wild winds, rocking the plane up in the treetops, the headless corpse, the fat bald man begging to be forgiven. Melissa knew he would die, and she was always taught you  have to forgive someone,only, IF they ask for forgiveness. Now she was more than Christian in name, Melissa was a Christian at her heart so she bent down a little closer to her doomed rapist/kidnapper/torturer and as she reached between the seats finding the release button of the seat belt; which was straining against his 220 lb bulky frame, she said "I forgive you Bengiman." Melissa whispered softly and sweetly in his ear and as she was about to press the release button dropping him to his ultimate demise she heard him say his last words on Earth.
     "I don't want to die." Bengiman said his voice trembling.
     "Neither do I!" she shouted as she released him from the seat, gravity taking hold of his body sending it crashing through the limbs and broken branches. She heard the impact of his body as he smashed down sixty feet below in the wet, warm soil. As the weight of his body dropped away the plane shifted, settling down a few feet lower in the trees. Melissa knew instantly she had to get off the plane and climb down through the shattered branches, however, this task seemed impossible due to her injuries and she knew the sparking of the wires would ignite the jet fuel leaking from the cargo area, covering her skin. Melissa did not panic, instead, with only one chance to make it and seconds to live, she summoned up the courage and the ferocity of her people, a long drawn blood line of victorious warriors and brave soldiers. She had the determination to live and this would be her salvation.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE End of Chapter 3

     Now the massive storm had come ashore on the Yucatan Peninsula but, so vast was the storm system,  it covered the entire State of Texas, as well as Mexico and Latin America, many people would die this day. All flights out of DFW Airport were grounded as over two hundred lightning strikes were caught on radar between the hours of three and four. Serena and Felina were waiting out the long flight delay in the Admiral's club; which is always reserved for the rich and elite.
     "I am very concerned, I have an uneasy feeling today." Serena confided to her sister who was busy trying to get the attention of an attractive, tall, green- eyed man at the bar. Serena had to give Felina a nudge to get her to pay attention to her.
     "Serena everything will be fine. Please do not trouble your mind with strange thoughts. The boys will arrive many hours, now, before we do, Mother knows what to do." Felina said trying to calm her sister's nerves, and she was a little shocked her little sister seemed to have lost her stomach for their evil escapade.
     There are many of us who do not have the training and skill to bring a small Lear jet down through torrential rain and turbulent storm clouds without becoming unnerved and the Brazilian did a fine job flying through the unstable winds as lightning flashed across the sky. Bengiman and Hays were terrified as the cabin shook violently their white knuckles gripping the arm rests of their seats. Poor Melissa was tossed about in the cargo area like a rag doll, but she had seen, when Hays opened up the hatch door earlier, a large black cargo net secured to the wall of the fuselage so she tried her best to make her way over crawling in the darkness. Clutching up at where she had remembered seeing the net she reached out and pulled herself inside, securing herself to the plane, saving her from breaking her neck.
     Based on the speed of the aircraft, and time and rate of descent, the pilot knew he was about thirteen miles from the small airport; which was surrounded by a mountainous region, covered by thick green jungles. With zero visibility the pilot had to use all his wits and training to make it to the airport without crashing into the trees. The sound of the storm raging all around was as terrible as a nightmare, but this was all too real and as the little jet was buffeted about by the intense winds Melissa prayed, once again, for God to make the plane crash and kill her and her tormentors. Now as you may know, God hears all prayers, but only he decides which ones he will answer. On this day God heard Melissa crying out to him in her anguish and pain, and he must have felt compelled to help her with her simple request, when a strong down burst of wind sent the little plane plummeting down, upside down into the trees. Hays and Bengiman screamed for their very lives as the plane flipped in mid- air crashing down violently into the jungle canopy below. The fuselage was sheared in half, the cockpit and pilot ripped away from the rest of the jet. Now when the metal burst apart Hays and Bengiman were still firmly buckled in their seats, hanging upside down, and as Bengiman felt the rush of blood to his brain he looked over and saw Hays in his seat but when Mr.Pruce realized Hays no longer had his head attached to his body Bengiamn Pruce let out a loud plaintiff wail, like that of a wounded dying animal, as cold rain came down through the wide openings of the battered plane, the wet leaves of trees and broken limbs crushing through the ceiling. Bengiman lifted his head in horror as he realized the area above his head was now sheared away as well, he realized he was up above the jungle floor, all that held him down was the seat belt which was straining to hold his massive weight. So, even if he did not fall, he would die from the all the blood rushing to his head. If he tried to get out of the seat he would fall to his death. His mind raced with panic, fear, and doubts of his survival. Hays was now dead his blood pouring out from his neck onto the wet leaves, the pilot was thrown 120 feet where he died on impact. Now as the doomed Mr.Pruce sat there upside down, on the verge of death, he suddenly remembered Meilissa and he yelled out hoping she was still alive to hear what he needed to say.
     "Melissa! If you are still alive, I want you to know I'm sorry for what I did to you. I'm getting very dizzy I think I am about to die.., Please say you forgive me!" Bengiman Pruce shouted at the top of his lungs unsure if she heard him, unsure if the beaten and broken woman was still alive.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE Chapter 3 continues

     Bengiman and Hays had cleaned themselves up and put their clothes back on. After downing a few glasses of whiskey they both felt a little less agitated. The two men spoke not a word between them until Bengiman commented how disgusted by what they had done together, as he had never raped a woman, let alone side by side with another man.
     "Well," Hays said nonchalantly "I wouldn't call what we did rape."
     "How's that?" Bengiman asked confused by his statement.
     "She didn't resist, she just lay there, you know, when you rape someone, the thrill is in the resistance, the fight she puts up, feeling her body squirm underneath you, it's not even really about the sex." Hays explained.
     Bengiman was shocked saying "Oh, is that so? Now Hays, just how many women have you raped" he asked with a furrowed brow.
     Hays merely laughed and said "Now, that's between me and Jesus."
     Bengiman shook his head in disgust as he poured out another glass of whiskey. He went and sat on the opposite side of the jet leaning his seat back so he could close his eyes and try to take a nap. Hays settled back in his seat over the wing as he gazed out to his right  watching the storm clouds below and the bright sun setting far off in the west. Within the dark swirling clouds he could see bright flashes of lightning dancing off in the distance as the hurricane grew in intensity. Hays felt safe up here above the clouds and the chaos of the world below. He reclined his seat and closed the shade as the soothing sounds of the jet's engines lulled him to sleep. All was quiet and peaceful in the cabin and the two men got some much needed rest, as Melissa was correct, they were old and out of shape, both nearing fifty, and it took all the energy they had to violate her. And it was in this gentle stillness  they were awakened by the sound of the pilot's voice coming over the intercom.
     "We have entered Guatemala air space and will be setting down in about twenty minutes to refuel at  a small airport. So please fasten your seat belts as we may experience some turbulence due to the storm over the Gulf."
     Bengiman did as he was instructed but Hays stood up and went over and opened  the hatch of the cargo hold shouting down at their captive "We have to land to refuel so keep quiet!"
     Then from out of the darkness below; which smelled of blood and urine, came a voice that sounded as if it were out of the mouth of a tormented demon from Hell when Melissa screamed up at them "Why am I still alive!"
     The sound of her frightful voice made Hays feel extremely uneasy, and Mr.Pruce sat there a numbness overcoming him, as the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, all the color draining from his face. Hays slammed the hatch shut, locking it as he went and sat back down over the wing, fastening his seat belt as a strange fear welled up inside of him, he felt very uneasy as if he were being watched, as if a thousand eyes had been there with them the whole time, watching every move he made as he forced himself upon Melissa choking her, biting her arms, and breasts. Now the flippant comment he made about it being between him and Jesus seemed to be haunting his thoughts for now he felt terribly ashamed for what he had done out of his own hatred and indignation.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE Chapter 3

     Now, after the two licentious men had no more strength within to carry on any further, they tossed Melissa back up on the bench covering her with the blood stained blanket. Mr.Pruce and Hays sat there trying to catch their breath, wiping their sweat covered bodies with a small towel. Now Bengiman looked over at the beaten woman, her long strawberry blond hair matted with sweat, blood and cum, a greasy sheen to her naked body, her legs parted, the remnants of the duct tape still on her ankles; where they had cut the tape apart with a small pocket knife.
     Melissa licked at the duct tape and it finally fell off, she then behaved in the strangest way and Mr.Pruce stared over at her as she started laughing, wildly at them, and now the two men realized, as they gazed at her, that Melissa had somehow changed, the sound of her voice, a crazed look in her eyes, as she sat laughing at them like a fiend, even her face, bruised and swollen as it was, looked different now. Melissa sat there bleeding from every orifice in her body except for her eyes and ears. Blood rolled down her nose into her mouth and, as she spoke, the trail of blood trickled down her throat; which was red and had the hand prints of Hays like little scarlet snakes wrapped around the flesh of her neck as she leered at them saying "What's the matter you two old donkeys! That all you got?" Melissa said and it was strange to hear her voice, for she heard an old southern woman speaking, and then she realized it was her saying these words! "Damn all we need is more people and few kegs a beer and then we'd have a real party!" she laughed, in a voice not her own, as Mr.Pruce and Bengiman sat there stunned by what she was saying."I mean come on! Let's just get this over with! We all know you two will need a couple of chili peppers shoved up your asses, if you want to rape me like that again! You limp dick mother fuckers!" she laughed like a crazy person.
     Bengiman and Hays looked at one another with the same thought in their sadistic minds 'I think we drove her insane.'
     Melissa continued saying the strangest things "You boys are nothin' but a couple lemons hanging off an apple tree." she smiled "You two had your tap root bent, your all flowers and no fruit! What happened ? Your parents lose ya in a poker bet?" shaking her head holding up her hands still bound at the wrists "Come on let's get this over with 'cause I can't stand looking at you fucking donkeys, and don't be flattered I don't mean that in the way you think I do, I been more satisfied by a Vienna sausage sandwich!" she taunted them over and over until she stopped took in a deep breath and turned her head sharply to the left towards the back of the plane, as if she saw someone standing there and she spoke to it saying in a hushed whisper "I can hear you. I'll be home real soon!"
     An icy chill filled the cabin of the small jet plane and Hays felt a cold wave move up and down the length of his spine as she screamed at them "Get your little knife, here," she said turning her head "The main artery is here, just behind my left ear, there will be a lot of blood, but just do it! I have to go now, while he is here with us!" she pleaded with them to end her life, but there was only a long silence as no one spoke then she yelled louder. "Get your gun then shoot me in the head, get it over with!" her eyes welled with anger and frustration as she shouted at the top of her lungs "Give me the knife! Give me the gun! I'll do it myself you fucking miserable cowards!" Melissa stopped talking, but only because she was in so much pain and out of breath, her face red, the veins in her neck ready to pop, but not once did she break down in tears. She thought for a moment as she tried to catch her breath then she said. "I know where you are taking me."
     "Shut the fuck up!" Hays yelled at her as went over and slapped Melissa across the face, but she only laughed showing the strength and endurance of an Amazon Warrior.
     "It's that sick bastard, Xation's, sisters!" she guessed correctly "Who else could you two plum duffs be working for? But those vindictive, miserable cunts!" as soon as this word passed her lips Mr.Pruce went over in a flash and punched her right in the face, breaking her nose and loosening a tooth. The shock to her system was like a surge of endorphin to the part of her brain controlling hatred and rage as she sat back, smiled sweetly, then taking her hands, wrists still bound, she reached into the side of her mouth with her thumb and index finger pulling out the loose bi-cuspid; which she flicked at Bengiman Pruce as she laughed hysterically. Then she stood up lifted her leg like an animal and urinated all over the floor.
     "God Damn it!" They shouted.
     Hays grabbed the thin blanket off her bruised body, covered in bite marks, wiping off the warm yellow piss as Bengiman opened up the hatch; which led to the small cargo hold in the belly of the plane. "Throw her down here! I can't stand the sight of her!" he said as Hays helped him pick her up tossing Melissa down into the hot darkness of the cargo hold with her blood and urine stained blanket. Melissa was happy to be away from them so she lay her bruised and battered body down using the blanket to stop the bleeding of her broken nose. It would take a little while for her to fall into a deep, painless, sleep but before doing so she prayed to God ,once more, asking him to please let her die quickly and if he would please make the plane crash that would be just wonderful. So she said her prayers, fell asleep, and dreamed a dream.