I must admit, I am a bit nervous about posting this, especially after reading all of the incredibly creative entries that have been posted so far. But I've finally gathered up my courage and decided to plunge in. Hope you enjoy!
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Tidings of Comfort and Joy
Chapter 1: In the Bleak Midwinter
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
“How many more days until Christmas, Mommy?” Kelsey James fingered the painted manger of the small porcelain nativity scene that was carefully laid out atop the piano. The manger was empty. True to family tradition, baby Jesus would not make his appearance until Christmas Eve.
“Twenty-four, Kelsey sweetie.”
“Such a long time to wait!” she sighed, stifling a yawn.
“It’ll be here quicker than you think,” her father informed her from his seat in the blue plush recliner.
“Oh Daddy…that’s what you say every year!’
“And it’s true every year. Now come and kiss me goodnight. It’s time little munchkins like you were in bed.”
Normally, she would have argued. But this was December— the month when Santa Claus was watching your every move. Kelsey sure didn’t want to miss out on that American Girl doll she was asking him for!
She gave her father a swift “neck squeezer” and a peck on the cheek. His moustache tickled her forehead as he kissed her. “Sweet dreams, Angel.”
The coral carpeting of the hall felt good under her bare feet as she pattered down to her gloriously pink bedroom and dove under the covers. Kelsey felt her mother’s gentle kiss on her cheek and soft hands tucking the pink Barbie comforter snugly around her shoulders.
“Goodnight darling.”
“Goodnight Mommy.”
Her mother flicked the switch and her room went dark, illuminated only by the plastic ballerina nightlight beside the door. Footsteps retreated down the hall and all was silent. Snuggling deeper into the warmth of her covers, Kelsey drifted off to sleep thinking about Christmas.
She was jerked to awareness as something heavy dropped to the floor from her window. Moving with swift, catlike grace, a dark form swiftly crossed the room and bent over her bed. Before she could scream, a cloth with a sickly-sweet smell was thrust over her mouth and nose. The last thing she saw was a ribbon fluttering down to rest on her pillow. Then the darkness claimed her.
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Full Version: Tidings Of Comfort And Joy
RomanceFanFiction.net > The Highlights - A Place To Start > Seasonal/Holiday Challenges > 2004 Seasonal/Holiday Challenges > Christmas Challenge and Stories - 2004
Thanks for the thoughtful comments, everyone! I'm glad you liked the beginning. I'm afraid you'll have to wait a bit longer to find out what happened to Kelsey though.
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Chapter 2: Christmastime in the City
Thursday, December 2, 2004
“So, what are you getting Jack for Christmas?”
It was a slow day at the office. Lucy, dressed in black slacks and a soft red sweater, was leaning against Sue’s desk and chatting with her blonde friend.
“I didn’t think we were doing an office gift exchange…” Sue replied, her brown eyes twinkling mischievously.
“But you have to get something for Jack! I’m sure he’s getting you a present.”
“Hmm…maybe you’re right. I guess I’d better stop someplace and get him a tie.”
“A tie!”
Sue couldn’t repress a giggle.
“Oh, you…!” Lucy playfully swatted her friend with a folder off of the desk. As she did so, a brochure for the Washington Capitals slid to the floor. She pounced on it. “Hockey? I didn’t know you liked hockey, Sue. Jack, on the other hand…”
Sue feigned ignorance. “I wonder how that got on my desk?”
Lucy opened the brochure. “The ticket ordering form is gone! I think that someone has gotten a head start on her Christmas shopping for a certain handsome, dark-haired agent.”
Although she knew that Lucy’s intentions were good, Sue was getting a bit tired of her friend’s teasing. Snatching the brochure from Lucy’s hands and thrusting it into the wastebasket, she retorted, “December isn’t a good time for curiosity, Luce. Forget the brochure, okay?”
“It’s forgotten.” But Lucy hadn’t missed the blush tingeing Sue’s face.
At that moment, Ted Garret walked into the room. “Gather ‘round people. We have a case.”
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Chapter 2: Christmastime in the City
Thursday, December 2, 2004
“So, what are you getting Jack for Christmas?”
It was a slow day at the office. Lucy, dressed in black slacks and a soft red sweater, was leaning against Sue’s desk and chatting with her blonde friend.
“I didn’t think we were doing an office gift exchange…” Sue replied, her brown eyes twinkling mischievously.
“But you have to get something for Jack! I’m sure he’s getting you a present.”
“Hmm…maybe you’re right. I guess I’d better stop someplace and get him a tie.”
“A tie!”
Sue couldn’t repress a giggle.
“Oh, you…!” Lucy playfully swatted her friend with a folder off of the desk. As she did so, a brochure for the Washington Capitals slid to the floor. She pounced on it. “Hockey? I didn’t know you liked hockey, Sue. Jack, on the other hand…”
Sue feigned ignorance. “I wonder how that got on my desk?”
Lucy opened the brochure. “The ticket ordering form is gone! I think that someone has gotten a head start on her Christmas shopping for a certain handsome, dark-haired agent.”
Although she knew that Lucy’s intentions were good, Sue was getting a bit tired of her friend’s teasing. Snatching the brochure from Lucy’s hands and thrusting it into the wastebasket, she retorted, “December isn’t a good time for curiosity, Luce. Forget the brochure, okay?”
“It’s forgotten.” But Lucy hadn’t missed the blush tingeing Sue’s face.
At that moment, Ted Garret walked into the room. “Gather ‘round people. We have a case.”
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Chapter 3: The Stars in the Sky
Friday, December 3, 2004
In all her eight-and-a-half years on earth, Kelsey had never felt so alone. She’d been in this place for two days, and the only person she’d seen was the tall man who brought her food three times a day. She was always petrified with fear when he came into the room, unable to move or speak until he left. He never spoke, and he looked at her so strangely! Kelsey didn’t think he really saw her. He always seemed to be looking past her, at something…or someone. It made her nervous.
In between meals, she was left to her own devices here in the bedroom. It was a nice room. It was at least twice the size of her own little pink room at home, and had its own bathroom opening out of it. The walls were painted a light lavender with white sponging, and the plush carpeting, the comforter on the twin bed, and the canopy over the bed were all in different shades of purple. The sheer curtains at the two large windows were held back by large bows of purple ribbon.
Kelsey was certain that the room belonged to another little girl…either that or it had been carefully prepared for her own coming. A little wicker table in the corner was set with a miniature tea set made of real china. Two American Girl dolls—Samantha and Kit—sat at the table. The room also contained a large dollhouse and a shelving unit full of toys that her mother condemned as “too expensive”. The closet and the tall white dresser were full of clothes in her own size, but much nicer than the things her mother bought for her at Goodwill and Wal-Mart. In the bathroom, she even found a stack of clean purple and white towels, a toothbrush, and a comb.
Under normal circumstances, she would have loved this place—it was obvious that whoever lived here was rich. But she had no interest in trying on the lovely clothes or playing with the expensive toys. She was alone, far away from home, and a prisoner. The man kept the door he came and went through tightly locked and although she had tried, Kelsey was unable to open the windows. Even if she had managed it, she was on the second floor and it was a long drop to the perfectly trimmed lawn and lush flowerbeds below.
So she spent most of her time just sitting on the bed, staring out the window and wondering where her parents were. Wherever they might be, she was sure they must be looking for her. Please, let them find me soon.
The man had come to take away her almost untouched supper dishes more than an hour ago. Darkness had fallen outside the windows of her prison. Once more, Kelsey lay down in this room so unlike her own, and tried to sleep.
Outside, she could see the silver stars, twinkling in the velvety sky. For the first time since she had been brought here, she smiled a little. In this big, strange, frightening place she found herself in, there was one familiar thing. Those stars were the same ones that shone outside her bedroom window at home. With her face turned towards the night sky, the little girl closed her eyes and slept.
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Friday, December 3, 2004
In all her eight-and-a-half years on earth, Kelsey had never felt so alone. She’d been in this place for two days, and the only person she’d seen was the tall man who brought her food three times a day. She was always petrified with fear when he came into the room, unable to move or speak until he left. He never spoke, and he looked at her so strangely! Kelsey didn’t think he really saw her. He always seemed to be looking past her, at something…or someone. It made her nervous.
In between meals, she was left to her own devices here in the bedroom. It was a nice room. It was at least twice the size of her own little pink room at home, and had its own bathroom opening out of it. The walls were painted a light lavender with white sponging, and the plush carpeting, the comforter on the twin bed, and the canopy over the bed were all in different shades of purple. The sheer curtains at the two large windows were held back by large bows of purple ribbon.
Kelsey was certain that the room belonged to another little girl…either that or it had been carefully prepared for her own coming. A little wicker table in the corner was set with a miniature tea set made of real china. Two American Girl dolls—Samantha and Kit—sat at the table. The room also contained a large dollhouse and a shelving unit full of toys that her mother condemned as “too expensive”. The closet and the tall white dresser were full of clothes in her own size, but much nicer than the things her mother bought for her at Goodwill and Wal-Mart. In the bathroom, she even found a stack of clean purple and white towels, a toothbrush, and a comb.
Under normal circumstances, she would have loved this place—it was obvious that whoever lived here was rich. But she had no interest in trying on the lovely clothes or playing with the expensive toys. She was alone, far away from home, and a prisoner. The man kept the door he came and went through tightly locked and although she had tried, Kelsey was unable to open the windows. Even if she had managed it, she was on the second floor and it was a long drop to the perfectly trimmed lawn and lush flowerbeds below.
So she spent most of her time just sitting on the bed, staring out the window and wondering where her parents were. Wherever they might be, she was sure they must be looking for her. Please, let them find me soon.
The man had come to take away her almost untouched supper dishes more than an hour ago. Darkness had fallen outside the windows of her prison. Once more, Kelsey lay down in this room so unlike her own, and tried to sleep.
Outside, she could see the silver stars, twinkling in the velvety sky. For the first time since she had been brought here, she smiled a little. In this big, strange, frightening place she found herself in, there was one familiar thing. Those stars were the same ones that shone outside her bedroom window at home. With her face turned towards the night sky, the little girl closed her eyes and slept.
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Chapter 4: Out in the Storm
Saturday, December 4, 2004
Sue leaned back in her chair, breathing a heavy sigh. Jack, who had just come into the room, walked over to her desk.
You okay? he signed.
Sue paused a moment, then shook her head. No. “My mom just called. She’s so thrilled that I’m going to try coming home for Christmas weekend. She was going on and on about all of the things she wants to do when I come home. I just couldn’t make myself get excited. She could tell. I hurt her feelings, Jack.” She reverted to sign language. What could I do?
Jack sighed. “I know, it’s hard. You can’t tell her that you’re busy trying to catch a group of terrorists who’ve bombed four small planes and killed more than 100 people. You can’t tell her that you’re exhausted from working around the clock with almost no leads.”
I’m sorry, Sue. “Maybe this will help.” He held up a fat envelope that he held in his hands.
Turning to the rest of the group and raising his voice, Jack ordered, “Heads up, everyone. Garret just gave me this video. Apparently, our friends the bombers couldn’t go any longer without taking full credit for their work.”
He handed the video to Tara, who soon had it running on the large screen.
The beginning showed footage of the most recent plane exploding as it left the runway, shards of metal flying in every direction and flames shooting up into the sky. It gave a close-up of a woman’s body, lying mangled and bloody on the grass amidst the inferno. The video then switched to a young middle-eastern man with piercing dark eyes and a small scar running along his jaw. His face was framed by bare white walls. Could be anywhere, thought Bobby in frustration. These guys are good.
Pure hatred filled the man’s harsh voice as he spoke. “What you have seen here is only the beginning. The Jamaat ul-Fuqra is on the move. We cannot be stopped. We will not be stopped until every one of you white pagan pigs lie dead…”
The tape went on for several minutes. When the screen went black, no one spoke. Finally, Bobby broke the silence. “Jamaat al-Fuqra! We’re really dealing with the big guys this time.”
Jack simply nodded. “And they aren’t just playing around. These little planes are just the beginning…just a taste of what they’re capable of. It’s our job to stop them before they have a chance to do anything bigger. They may have given us an opportunity to do that. Tara, work your magic with the tape. I want to know where this guy was when he made it.”
Tara got to work, remembering other terrorists who had been captured because of a little bit of background noise or a view through a window on videotape. They always want to get their message across. Often it’s their downfall.
Sue’s eyes still held a far-away expression as she tried to understand the incredible hatred she had just gotten a glimpse of.
Jack bent close to her and spoke with a confidence he didn’t feel. “We’re going to get these guys, Sue.”
She nodded.
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Saturday, December 4, 2004
Sue leaned back in her chair, breathing a heavy sigh. Jack, who had just come into the room, walked over to her desk.
You okay? he signed.
Sue paused a moment, then shook her head. No. “My mom just called. She’s so thrilled that I’m going to try coming home for Christmas weekend. She was going on and on about all of the things she wants to do when I come home. I just couldn’t make myself get excited. She could tell. I hurt her feelings, Jack.” She reverted to sign language. What could I do?
Jack sighed. “I know, it’s hard. You can’t tell her that you’re busy trying to catch a group of terrorists who’ve bombed four small planes and killed more than 100 people. You can’t tell her that you’re exhausted from working around the clock with almost no leads.”
I’m sorry, Sue. “Maybe this will help.” He held up a fat envelope that he held in his hands.
Turning to the rest of the group and raising his voice, Jack ordered, “Heads up, everyone. Garret just gave me this video. Apparently, our friends the bombers couldn’t go any longer without taking full credit for their work.”
He handed the video to Tara, who soon had it running on the large screen.
The beginning showed footage of the most recent plane exploding as it left the runway, shards of metal flying in every direction and flames shooting up into the sky. It gave a close-up of a woman’s body, lying mangled and bloody on the grass amidst the inferno. The video then switched to a young middle-eastern man with piercing dark eyes and a small scar running along his jaw. His face was framed by bare white walls. Could be anywhere, thought Bobby in frustration. These guys are good.
Pure hatred filled the man’s harsh voice as he spoke. “What you have seen here is only the beginning. The Jamaat ul-Fuqra is on the move. We cannot be stopped. We will not be stopped until every one of you white pagan pigs lie dead…”
The tape went on for several minutes. When the screen went black, no one spoke. Finally, Bobby broke the silence. “Jamaat al-Fuqra! We’re really dealing with the big guys this time.”
Jack simply nodded. “And they aren’t just playing around. These little planes are just the beginning…just a taste of what they’re capable of. It’s our job to stop them before they have a chance to do anything bigger. They may have given us an opportunity to do that. Tara, work your magic with the tape. I want to know where this guy was when he made it.”
Tara got to work, remembering other terrorists who had been captured because of a little bit of background noise or a view through a window on videotape. They always want to get their message across. Often it’s their downfall.
Sue’s eyes still held a far-away expression as she tried to understand the incredible hatred she had just gotten a glimpse of.
Jack bent close to her and spoke with a confidence he didn’t feel. “We’re going to get these guys, Sue.”
She nodded.
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Thank you so much, everyone who's been replying to my story! Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
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Chapter 5: So Far From Home
Sunday, December 5, 2004
On Sunday, for the first time, the man spoke.
The morning began just like the others. Kelsey couldn’t believe that she’d only been here four days. Already, home was fading. Her reality was narrowing down to this small, lavender room and the strange silent man who had brought her here.
He brought her lunch in as usual. He set it down on the small wicker table. But as he straightened up, he did something he’d never done before. He spoke to her. “You have to eat, Lauren.”
His voice was not harsh and cruel, as she would have expected. Instead, it was soft and almost sad.
Still, she wanted to scream at him. She wanted to tell him that her name wasn’t Lauren and that she didn’t want to eat. All she wanted was to go home.
But still paralyzed with fear of this man with his vacant stare, she simply huddled against the headboard of the bed and watched him leave.
The lock clicked.
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Chapter 5: So Far From Home
Sunday, December 5, 2004
On Sunday, for the first time, the man spoke.
The morning began just like the others. Kelsey couldn’t believe that she’d only been here four days. Already, home was fading. Her reality was narrowing down to this small, lavender room and the strange silent man who had brought her here.
He brought her lunch in as usual. He set it down on the small wicker table. But as he straightened up, he did something he’d never done before. He spoke to her. “You have to eat, Lauren.”
His voice was not harsh and cruel, as she would have expected. Instead, it was soft and almost sad.
Still, she wanted to scream at him. She wanted to tell him that her name wasn’t Lauren and that she didn’t want to eat. All she wanted was to go home.
But still paralyzed with fear of this man with his vacant stare, she simply huddled against the headboard of the bed and watched him leave.
The lock clicked.
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Here's a little bit more. Keep all the great feedback coming! It means a lot to know that my story is being read and enjoyed.
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Chapter 6: Death’s Dark Shadows
Monday December 6, 2004
Chaos reigned. Local police were evacuating civilians, ERT was carefully sifting through every inch of the still-smoking wreckage, and the FBI was questioning witnesses.
The terrorists’ fifth target had been a small private airport in rural Virginia. Once again, everything had been very well orchestrated. The bomb exploded just as the plane took off. The pilot and his twelve passengers were instantly killed. So far, no one the FBI had interviewed had seen anything suspicious.
Suddenly, Tara came hurrying through the crowd to where Jack, Sue, Myles, and Bobby were grouped discussing the latest tragedy. “ERT found something!” she exclaimed excitedly. “The terrorists left us a message this time—one word, written in Arabic.”
“What was it?” Jack questioned eagerly.
“‘Last.’”
“Last?” Sue’s brow wrinkled in puzzlement.
Myles spoke, every word heavy with apprehension. “They’re letting us know that this is their last small target. Wherever they strike next, it’s going to be something big.”
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Chapter 6: Death’s Dark Shadows
Monday December 6, 2004
Chaos reigned. Local police were evacuating civilians, ERT was carefully sifting through every inch of the still-smoking wreckage, and the FBI was questioning witnesses.
The terrorists’ fifth target had been a small private airport in rural Virginia. Once again, everything had been very well orchestrated. The bomb exploded just as the plane took off. The pilot and his twelve passengers were instantly killed. So far, no one the FBI had interviewed had seen anything suspicious.
Suddenly, Tara came hurrying through the crowd to where Jack, Sue, Myles, and Bobby were grouped discussing the latest tragedy. “ERT found something!” she exclaimed excitedly. “The terrorists left us a message this time—one word, written in Arabic.”
“What was it?” Jack questioned eagerly.
“‘Last.’”
“Last?” Sue’s brow wrinkled in puzzlement.
Myles spoke, every word heavy with apprehension. “They’re letting us know that this is their last small target. Wherever they strike next, it’s going to be something big.”
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Thanks so much for all of the great feedback. You guys are the best!
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Chapter 7: Every Longing Heart
Tuesday, December 7, 2004
Kelsey stared at the image that confronted her in the bathroom mirror. The pretty young girl she saw was very different from the ragged waif that had been reflected there on the previous day. Since her capture, she had worn the same pink nightgown she’d worn to bed that night. She hadn’t brushed her hair and had scarcely touched a bite of food.
Today, hunger had finally driven her to take action. The man had left her a lunch of macaroni and cheese, grapes, a hot dog, and some milk. She plopped on the rug beside the doll-size wicker table and ate every crumb, then brushed her teeth with a new brush she found in the bathroom drawer.
With her stomach comfortably full of nourishing food, she felt more alive than she had since she’d come here. Having little to do, besides praying that her parents would soon find her, she decided to dress up in one of the outfits she had found in the tall dresser.
After bathing, she put on a pair of embroidered jeans and a soft mint green top with “Princess” written across the front in rhinestones. Struggling with the tangles in her still-wet hair, she finally managed to pull it back into a somewhat lopsided ponytail.
“You look nice today, Lauren.” Kelsey whirled away from the mirror, to face the man who stood just inside the bedroom door, her dirty lunch dishes in his hands. He’d come in silently as usual—so silently that she hadn’t heard him as she scrutinized her image in the mirror.
Perhaps it was the food she had eaten—her first full meal since leaving home. Perhaps it was the clean clothes replacing her soiled and wrinkled nightgown. Perhaps it was just anger at being once again called by someone else’s name. Whatever it was, something gave her the courage to finally stand up to this tall, foreboding stranger.
“I’m not Lauren! My name is Kelsey!”
For a moment, a look of puzzlement filled the man’s vacant blue eyes. But then he turned, and as silently as he had come, he departed.
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Chapter 7: Every Longing Heart
Tuesday, December 7, 2004
Kelsey stared at the image that confronted her in the bathroom mirror. The pretty young girl she saw was very different from the ragged waif that had been reflected there on the previous day. Since her capture, she had worn the same pink nightgown she’d worn to bed that night. She hadn’t brushed her hair and had scarcely touched a bite of food.
Today, hunger had finally driven her to take action. The man had left her a lunch of macaroni and cheese, grapes, a hot dog, and some milk. She plopped on the rug beside the doll-size wicker table and ate every crumb, then brushed her teeth with a new brush she found in the bathroom drawer.
With her stomach comfortably full of nourishing food, she felt more alive than she had since she’d come here. Having little to do, besides praying that her parents would soon find her, she decided to dress up in one of the outfits she had found in the tall dresser.
After bathing, she put on a pair of embroidered jeans and a soft mint green top with “Princess” written across the front in rhinestones. Struggling with the tangles in her still-wet hair, she finally managed to pull it back into a somewhat lopsided ponytail.
“You look nice today, Lauren.” Kelsey whirled away from the mirror, to face the man who stood just inside the bedroom door, her dirty lunch dishes in his hands. He’d come in silently as usual—so silently that she hadn’t heard him as she scrutinized her image in the mirror.
Perhaps it was the food she had eaten—her first full meal since leaving home. Perhaps it was the clean clothes replacing her soiled and wrinkled nightgown. Perhaps it was just anger at being once again called by someone else’s name. Whatever it was, something gave her the courage to finally stand up to this tall, foreboding stranger.
“I’m not Lauren! My name is Kelsey!”
For a moment, a look of puzzlement filled the man’s vacant blue eyes. But then he turned, and as silently as he had come, he departed.
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I'm sorry for getting so far behind...it's been a busy weekend. Hopefully I'll be able to get in another post later on today. Enjoy!
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Chapter 8: I’m Dreaming…
Wednesday, December 8, 2004
“Sue.” She started as someone touched her shoulder. Looking up, she saw Jack’s eyes, full of concern, gazing down at her. “You haven’t eaten all day.”
“I know…I’ll grab something later.”
Jack shook his head firmly. “Sue, you’re not going to do anyone any good if you faint on us. Come on, let me buy you some lunch at the cafeteria.”
Knowing from experience that arguing would be useless, Sue meekly pulled her camel-colored suit jacket around her shoulders and followed Jack from the room.
Moments later, they were seated across from one another with their food, Sue having chosen a bacon ranch salad and Jack a hamburger and fries.
“It’s hard to believe it’s only a few more weeks until Christmas,” Jack mused.
“Yeah,” Sue agreed. “This case has pretty much taken over our lives. So…what are your plans for the holidays?”
“Not much. My mom hasn’t been feeling too well these days, so she wasn’t up for having the whole family home for Christmas. Bobby and I will probably end up doing something together. You’re going home, right?”
Sue simply nodded, then quickly changed the subject. “I read an article the other day that brought back a lot of memories…it had stories about a bunch of kids and what they were asking Santa to bring them for Christmas. It claimed that every child has some secret dream. Was there something special that you always wanted when you were a kid?”
Jack smiled. “Actually…yeah, there was. There was this one hockey stick—the Super Glide X00T. It was fancier, and more expensive, than anything the other guys had. How about you?”
A dreamy look came into Sue’s big brown eyes. “A castle.”
“A what?” Jack looked amused.
Blushing slightly, Sue replied, “I know it’s silly, but I always had this dream of living in a fairy-tale castle, with a moat and a drawbridge and four towers. With a handsome prince and a fairy godmother, of course!”
“Of course!”
They laughed together and Jack thought that Sue’s laugh, silent for so many days, was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard.
* * *
* * *
Chapter 8: I’m Dreaming…
Wednesday, December 8, 2004
“Sue.” She started as someone touched her shoulder. Looking up, she saw Jack’s eyes, full of concern, gazing down at her. “You haven’t eaten all day.”
“I know…I’ll grab something later.”
Jack shook his head firmly. “Sue, you’re not going to do anyone any good if you faint on us. Come on, let me buy you some lunch at the cafeteria.”
Knowing from experience that arguing would be useless, Sue meekly pulled her camel-colored suit jacket around her shoulders and followed Jack from the room.
Moments later, they were seated across from one another with their food, Sue having chosen a bacon ranch salad and Jack a hamburger and fries.
“It’s hard to believe it’s only a few more weeks until Christmas,” Jack mused.
“Yeah,” Sue agreed. “This case has pretty much taken over our lives. So…what are your plans for the holidays?”
“Not much. My mom hasn’t been feeling too well these days, so she wasn’t up for having the whole family home for Christmas. Bobby and I will probably end up doing something together. You’re going home, right?”
Sue simply nodded, then quickly changed the subject. “I read an article the other day that brought back a lot of memories…it had stories about a bunch of kids and what they were asking Santa to bring them for Christmas. It claimed that every child has some secret dream. Was there something special that you always wanted when you were a kid?”
Jack smiled. “Actually…yeah, there was. There was this one hockey stick—the Super Glide X00T. It was fancier, and more expensive, than anything the other guys had. How about you?”
A dreamy look came into Sue’s big brown eyes. “A castle.”
“A what?” Jack looked amused.
Blushing slightly, Sue replied, “I know it’s silly, but I always had this dream of living in a fairy-tale castle, with a moat and a drawbridge and four towers. With a handsome prince and a fairy godmother, of course!”
“Of course!”
They laughed together and Jack thought that Sue’s laugh, silent for so many days, was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard.
* * *
Chapter 9: Bitter Weather
Thursday, December 9, 2004
Kelsey thought she was imagining it at first. But, pressing her ear against the wall, she heard it even more distinctly. In the room next to her, someone was crying softly.
“Hello?” Kelsey called out. The crying stopped abruptly, but no one answered.
She tried again. “Hello? My name is Kelsey. Is someone in there?”
Faintly, tentatively, an answer came. “Y-yes. Who are you?”
“A friend,” was all that Kelsey could think of to say. “Did someone kidnap you and bring you here too?”
“I guess so. I went to bed at home last night and I woke up here. I don’t really know how I got here. I’m so scared!”
“It’s okay.” Kelsey tried to sound brave. “The man who brought you…us…here—he won’t hurt you. He’ll bring you food. We’ll probably be getting breakfast soon. What’s your name?”
“Sarah.” The other girl sounded a little more confident, but still very scared and lonely. “Why are we here? What does that man you’re talking about want?”
“I don’t know.”
Just then, Kelsey heard a startled shriek from the next room. “What’s wrong, Sarah? What happened?”
There was no answer. A minute or two passed, then Kelsey’s doorknob turned and the tall man padded silently into the room and set down her breakfast plate.
Once he had departed, she tried calling out to Sarah again. This time she answered, faintly but clearly.
“I-I’m here. A man came in. He was so quiet…I didn’t hear him coming and it scared me. He didn’t do anything though. He just set down a plate of breakfast and left.”
“I know. Go ahead and eat your breakfast, Sarah. Don’t be afraid of him. We have each other now.”
* * *
Thursday, December 9, 2004
Kelsey thought she was imagining it at first. But, pressing her ear against the wall, she heard it even more distinctly. In the room next to her, someone was crying softly.
“Hello?” Kelsey called out. The crying stopped abruptly, but no one answered.
She tried again. “Hello? My name is Kelsey. Is someone in there?”
Faintly, tentatively, an answer came. “Y-yes. Who are you?”
“A friend,” was all that Kelsey could think of to say. “Did someone kidnap you and bring you here too?”
“I guess so. I went to bed at home last night and I woke up here. I don’t really know how I got here. I’m so scared!”
“It’s okay.” Kelsey tried to sound brave. “The man who brought you…us…here—he won’t hurt you. He’ll bring you food. We’ll probably be getting breakfast soon. What’s your name?”
“Sarah.” The other girl sounded a little more confident, but still very scared and lonely. “Why are we here? What does that man you’re talking about want?”
“I don’t know.”
Just then, Kelsey heard a startled shriek from the next room. “What’s wrong, Sarah? What happened?”
There was no answer. A minute or two passed, then Kelsey’s doorknob turned and the tall man padded silently into the room and set down her breakfast plate.
Once he had departed, she tried calling out to Sarah again. This time she answered, faintly but clearly.
“I-I’m here. A man came in. He was so quiet…I didn’t hear him coming and it scared me. He didn’t do anything though. He just set down a plate of breakfast and left.”
“I know. Go ahead and eat your breakfast, Sarah. Don’t be afraid of him. We have each other now.”
* * *
I seem to be falling so far behind...to quote Mentor, "24 posts doesn't seem like a lot until you start writing!" Hopefully I'll have a chance to catch up a bit over the weekend. In the meantime, here's a bit more.
* * *
Chapter 10: The Path of Knowledge
Friday, December 10, 2004
“We may finally have something!” Jack told the team excitedly. “A new witness has stepped forward—a Miss Alma Rickter. She’s a receptionist at Silver Wings airport where the last bombing occurred.”
“If she saw something, why didn’t she come to us earlier?” Myles wanted to know.
“Her sister died last Sunday. She agreed to work Monday morning because her alternate was unable to come in until the afternoon. She left around 1pm and was given three paid days off for funeral and family. It wasn’t until she returned to work today that she realized her information might be important to the investigation.”
“And the information is…?” Lucy was impatient.
“Around 10:30 on Monday morning, she noticed an unfamiliar man lurking around the hanger. She went out to find out what he was doing, but he had already climbed into his vehicle, a black pickup. As she stepped out of the main building, he made a sharp turn and sped down the driveway. She didn’t see the man—just caught a glimpse of short dark hair and a dark blue coat. However, she did note the beginning of the license plate number, because it was her initials: AAR.
“Tara, I need you to run the partial and see if any of the matches belong to a black pick-up. If none do, we may have to consider the possibility of stolen plates.”
Bobby spoke up. “Isn’t it awfully convenient that this women left just before the bombing and just got back to volunteer this information?”
“We’ve checked her out,” Jack assured him. “Her story about the sister and the funeral is legit. As for her information—that remains to be seen. But since Tara wasn’t able to find anything on the video, and the message found at the scene of the last bombing had no prints, this is our best hope at the moment.
“Let’s get to work!”
* * *
* * *
Chapter 10: The Path of Knowledge
Friday, December 10, 2004
“We may finally have something!” Jack told the team excitedly. “A new witness has stepped forward—a Miss Alma Rickter. She’s a receptionist at Silver Wings airport where the last bombing occurred.”
“If she saw something, why didn’t she come to us earlier?” Myles wanted to know.
“Her sister died last Sunday. She agreed to work Monday morning because her alternate was unable to come in until the afternoon. She left around 1pm and was given three paid days off for funeral and family. It wasn’t until she returned to work today that she realized her information might be important to the investigation.”
“And the information is…?” Lucy was impatient.
“Around 10:30 on Monday morning, she noticed an unfamiliar man lurking around the hanger. She went out to find out what he was doing, but he had already climbed into his vehicle, a black pickup. As she stepped out of the main building, he made a sharp turn and sped down the driveway. She didn’t see the man—just caught a glimpse of short dark hair and a dark blue coat. However, she did note the beginning of the license plate number, because it was her initials: AAR.
“Tara, I need you to run the partial and see if any of the matches belong to a black pick-up. If none do, we may have to consider the possibility of stolen plates.”
Bobby spoke up. “Isn’t it awfully convenient that this women left just before the bombing and just got back to volunteer this information?”
“We’ve checked her out,” Jack assured him. “Her story about the sister and the funeral is legit. As for her information—that remains to be seen. But since Tara wasn’t able to find anything on the video, and the message found at the scene of the last bombing had no prints, this is our best hope at the moment.
“Let’s get to work!”
* * *
Chapter 11: Far as the Curse is Found
Saturday, December 11, 2004
It was evening. Through the nearby window, Kelsey could see the sun setting in a bank of glorious crimson clouds. For most of the afternoon, she and Sarah had talked softly through the wall that separated them.
Kelsey had discovered that Sarah was one year older than she was and had light brown hair and brown eyes similar to her own. As it turned out, they even attended the same private Christian school, Mount Zion Elementary. In spite of this, they had never before met, being in different grades.
“We’re going to be good friends, Kelsey,” Sarah had said, and she had agreed. But I wish we could have met somewhere else, she thought. Will we ever get to go home?
At last, Sarah’s voice had trailed off into silence, and Kelsey suspected that the other girl was asleep. Tears could be exhausting, and she had certainly shed many of those in the days since her imprisonment.
Why had Sarah been brought here? Why had she herself been kidnapped? Who was their captor really, and what did he intend to do with them? Once again, the questions flooded her mind—questions without answers.
The only one who could fully answer them was the man who was responsible for all of this pain and loneliness, and Kelsey didn’t expect him to start volunteering information any time soon. As of yet, he hadn’t even spoken to Sarah. And when he spoke to her, it was never more than a single comment about her appearance or the meal he had brought to her.
Always, he referred to her as ‘Lauren’. She had grown to expect it as much as she hated it. It felt as if he was trying to strip her of everything that made her who she was…her home, her family, and her very identity—her name.
Well, she might be far from home and a prisoner. She might be forced to eat someone else’s food and wear someone else’s clothes...she glanced down at the ruffled pink dress she had chosen today. She might even be forced to answer to a name not her own. But, Kelsey resolved, she would never forget who she was. This place was not her home, this man was not her father, and Lauren was not her name. She would hold onto that, no matter what happened!
Even as she made this resolve, the doorknob turned noiselessly and the tall man entered the room. She heard a slight gasp as his vacant eyes came to rest on her. “Oh Lauren…your mother’s favorite dress.”
He set her dinner down on the table, but instead of turning to the door, he moved toward the bed where she sat. He’d never come this close to her before. Kelsey shrank back against the wall. Still, he came nearer. He bent over the bed, his hand reaching…reaching… She screamed.
* * *
Saturday, December 11, 2004
It was evening. Through the nearby window, Kelsey could see the sun setting in a bank of glorious crimson clouds. For most of the afternoon, she and Sarah had talked softly through the wall that separated them.
Kelsey had discovered that Sarah was one year older than she was and had light brown hair and brown eyes similar to her own. As it turned out, they even attended the same private Christian school, Mount Zion Elementary. In spite of this, they had never before met, being in different grades.
“We’re going to be good friends, Kelsey,” Sarah had said, and she had agreed. But I wish we could have met somewhere else, she thought. Will we ever get to go home?
At last, Sarah’s voice had trailed off into silence, and Kelsey suspected that the other girl was asleep. Tears could be exhausting, and she had certainly shed many of those in the days since her imprisonment.
Why had Sarah been brought here? Why had she herself been kidnapped? Who was their captor really, and what did he intend to do with them? Once again, the questions flooded her mind—questions without answers.
The only one who could fully answer them was the man who was responsible for all of this pain and loneliness, and Kelsey didn’t expect him to start volunteering information any time soon. As of yet, he hadn’t even spoken to Sarah. And when he spoke to her, it was never more than a single comment about her appearance or the meal he had brought to her.
Always, he referred to her as ‘Lauren’. She had grown to expect it as much as she hated it. It felt as if he was trying to strip her of everything that made her who she was…her home, her family, and her very identity—her name.
Well, she might be far from home and a prisoner. She might be forced to eat someone else’s food and wear someone else’s clothes...she glanced down at the ruffled pink dress she had chosen today. She might even be forced to answer to a name not her own. But, Kelsey resolved, she would never forget who she was. This place was not her home, this man was not her father, and Lauren was not her name. She would hold onto that, no matter what happened!
Even as she made this resolve, the doorknob turned noiselessly and the tall man entered the room. She heard a slight gasp as his vacant eyes came to rest on her. “Oh Lauren…your mother’s favorite dress.”
He set her dinner down on the table, but instead of turning to the door, he moved toward the bed where she sat. He’d never come this close to her before. Kelsey shrank back against the wall. Still, he came nearer. He bent over the bed, his hand reaching…reaching… She screamed.
* * *
Oh my!!! You sure capture Kelsey's fear excellently! My hunch is he wasn't going to hurt her... more like stroke her shoulder, appreciating the dress, or something. Still, so frightening! A strange man, obviously crazy, who's making her slowly morph into a different girl. Keep up the amazing work!
Oh btw, love your signature!!
Oh btw, love your signature!!
Thank you! I am blessed by such insightful comments. It seems that some of my readers understand Kelsey so well...even better than I do perhaps. I didn't create her--she sprang into my mind fully developed and very special!
Since I have so much catching up to do, here's one more chapter for tonight.
* * *
Chapter 12: Gathering Gloom
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Sue felt all of her tension drain away as she watched the interpreter’s hands float, translating the words to one of her favorite carols—“Silent Night”.
Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
Her frustration had mounted over the past week as day after day had passed with no leads. Friday had been the worst. They thought they’d found something when the airport receptionist gave them information about a black pick-up possibly driven by the perpetrator.
But, not surprisingly, the vehicle was found to be stolen and had been abandoned on a deserted road. Although every inch of it had been scoured, it was astonishingly clean of hairs, fibers, and anything else that might have led them to the terrorists.
She was so glad she’d been able to come to church. The message of hope and goodwill communicated through the pastor’s message and the seasonal music brought peace to her heart. She felt refreshed, renewed, and ready to go on.
Just then, she felt her blackberry vibrate.
Later
“All right, here’s what we have so far,” Jack began, his calm demeanor hiding a new excitement. “A rather large shipment of C4 was stolen from a warehouse just outside the city limits early this morning. The security guard was knocked out from behind and never saw the perpetrators. The thieves also knocked out the security cameras. However, they missed one.
“It’s a bad angle and doesn’t give us the full picture, but we do now have some pictures for Tara to run. We may be able to find out who the two on the video are. They may also have said something that will give us a clue about what they’re going to do with the C4.” He handed a tape to Sue. “It’s up to you, Miss Thomas!”
Later
“I couldn’t get it all,” Sue informed the team. “Like Jack said, the angle was bad, and it was pretty dark, but I did catch ‘Tuesday’ and ‘AquaChem’.
“Isn’t that that big chemical engineering plant?” she asked, turning to Jack.
He nodded. “It sounds like that may be their next target. Good work, Sue!”
She smiled. “And one more thing…”
* * *
Since I have so much catching up to do, here's one more chapter for tonight.
* * *
Chapter 12: Gathering Gloom
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Sue felt all of her tension drain away as she watched the interpreter’s hands float, translating the words to one of her favorite carols—“Silent Night”.
Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
Her frustration had mounted over the past week as day after day had passed with no leads. Friday had been the worst. They thought they’d found something when the airport receptionist gave them information about a black pick-up possibly driven by the perpetrator.
But, not surprisingly, the vehicle was found to be stolen and had been abandoned on a deserted road. Although every inch of it had been scoured, it was astonishingly clean of hairs, fibers, and anything else that might have led them to the terrorists.
She was so glad she’d been able to come to church. The message of hope and goodwill communicated through the pastor’s message and the seasonal music brought peace to her heart. She felt refreshed, renewed, and ready to go on.
Just then, she felt her blackberry vibrate.
Later
“All right, here’s what we have so far,” Jack began, his calm demeanor hiding a new excitement. “A rather large shipment of C4 was stolen from a warehouse just outside the city limits early this morning. The security guard was knocked out from behind and never saw the perpetrators. The thieves also knocked out the security cameras. However, they missed one.
“It’s a bad angle and doesn’t give us the full picture, but we do now have some pictures for Tara to run. We may be able to find out who the two on the video are. They may also have said something that will give us a clue about what they’re going to do with the C4.” He handed a tape to Sue. “It’s up to you, Miss Thomas!”
Later
“I couldn’t get it all,” Sue informed the team. “Like Jack said, the angle was bad, and it was pretty dark, but I did catch ‘Tuesday’ and ‘AquaChem’.
“Isn’t that that big chemical engineering plant?” she asked, turning to Jack.
He nodded. “It sounds like that may be their next target. Good work, Sue!”
She smiled. “And one more thing…”
* * *
I have to admit that I got a bit excited when I saw that you had posted twice tonight, Alice. And I was a bit relieved after reading the first post, thinking that I wouldn't be at the mercy of your cliffhanger, since I had still had another post to read. Boy was I wrong!!! Now there's not only one unresolved scene, but two!
I'm thinking and hoping that Lizzy is correct, and Kelsey's captor doesn't mean her any harm, but what a scary situation the little girl is in! I also doubt that it is much of a coincidence that both Kelsey and Sarah attend the same school, and it makes me wonder if their kidnapper is connected through their school somehow. *shivers*
As for the second scene, what else did Sue find out from the video??? I hope you post some more soon, Alice. I'm greedy for more!!
I'm thinking and hoping that Lizzy is correct, and Kelsey's captor doesn't mean her any harm, but what a scary situation the little girl is in! I also doubt that it is much of a coincidence that both Kelsey and Sarah attend the same school, and it makes me wonder if their kidnapper is connected through their school somehow. *shivers*
As for the second scene, what else did Sue find out from the video??? I hope you post some more soon, Alice. I'm greedy for more!!
I agree with everyone else -- you had absolutely no reason to be afraid to post. This is an incredibly well written, gripping story and I am sitting on the edge of my seat wondering what's going to happen with both of plot lines and my mind is racing around with all kinds of scenarios. And you aren't that far behind anymore -- I'm still on Dec. 2 with Myles and Tara! Guess I better get back to work and stop sneaking peaks at other stories and getting sucked in because I can't stop reading.....I'll blame you if I don't finish mine in time.
Kav
Kav
lol. Kav, there's always an excuse, huh? Well, I can see how yours can be ALMOST legit. This is an incredibly compelling story!! Alice, it's wonderful. You sure know how to keep us all hooked! Two unresolved scenes, as Tina so wonderfully put it! Yep, I'm stuck on this one, and now that it's winter break, I have time to be! lol.
I'm not goint o say ditto, but i will agree with evryone else on this. It's great. Very gripping! And what exactly does Sue know?
Agggghhhh!
Alice, I was gone for the whole day, so you'd think I could have avoided these awful cliffhangers...but no, you're still driving me crazy!!! I see you lurking down there; any chance we'll get some more of this fabulous story?
Alice, I was gone for the whole day, so you'd think I could have avoided these awful cliffhangers...but no, you're still driving me crazy!!! I see you lurking down there; any chance we'll get some more of this fabulous story?
You get to find out what happened to Kelsey now...
* * *
Chapter 13: Hopes and Fears
Monday, December 13, 2004
Kelsey screamed. With a jerk, she woke up. Every detail of her horrible nightmare stood out with crystal clarity in her mind. She had dreamed about what happened on Saturday night.
What truly happened had been nothing terrible. The man had reached out to touch her cheek, but when she screamed he had swiftly withdrawn and left the room.
But in her dream, everything had been different…
He set her dinner down on the table, but instead of turning to the door, he moved toward the bed where she sat. He’d never come this close to her before. Kelsey shrank back against the wall. Still, he came nearer. He bent over the bed, his hand reaching…reaching… She screamed.
But he took no notice. He touched her cheek, stroked her hair. “Lauren,” he whispered. “My dear, dear Lauren.” The words did not sound loving. Instead they seemed cruel and sinister.
Finally he left. By some compulsion, she was drawn to the mirror. As she stared into it, her eyes widened with terror. The image reflected on its shining surface was not she.
She reached up a trembling hand to touch her face. It was true. Her familiar features were gone, replaced by those of someone else. Her hair and eyes remained brown, but her hair was shorter and cut differently. Her face was broader, her eyebrows less pronounced, and her chin more square. She no longer knew herself. She screamed.
Breathing heavily, Kelsey reassured herself that it was only a dream. But the terror it had awakened in her heart was difficult to subdue. She slipped out of bed and walked slowly into the bathroom. With a flick of the switch, light flooded the tiny room. Fearfully, she looked into the large mirror.
Her own familiar image stared back at her, her hair tousled and her eyes still wide with fear. She forced herself to smile. How silly she’d been to be so afraid of a silly old dream that couldn’t possibly come true!
But it took her a long time to go back to sleep.
* * *
* * *
Chapter 13: Hopes and Fears
Monday, December 13, 2004
Kelsey screamed. With a jerk, she woke up. Every detail of her horrible nightmare stood out with crystal clarity in her mind. She had dreamed about what happened on Saturday night.
What truly happened had been nothing terrible. The man had reached out to touch her cheek, but when she screamed he had swiftly withdrawn and left the room.
But in her dream, everything had been different…
He set her dinner down on the table, but instead of turning to the door, he moved toward the bed where she sat. He’d never come this close to her before. Kelsey shrank back against the wall. Still, he came nearer. He bent over the bed, his hand reaching…reaching… She screamed.
But he took no notice. He touched her cheek, stroked her hair. “Lauren,” he whispered. “My dear, dear Lauren.” The words did not sound loving. Instead they seemed cruel and sinister.
Finally he left. By some compulsion, she was drawn to the mirror. As she stared into it, her eyes widened with terror. The image reflected on its shining surface was not she.
She reached up a trembling hand to touch her face. It was true. Her familiar features were gone, replaced by those of someone else. Her hair and eyes remained brown, but her hair was shorter and cut differently. Her face was broader, her eyebrows less pronounced, and her chin more square. She no longer knew herself. She screamed.
Breathing heavily, Kelsey reassured herself that it was only a dream. But the terror it had awakened in her heart was difficult to subdue. She slipped out of bed and walked slowly into the bathroom. With a flick of the switch, light flooded the tiny room. Fearfully, she looked into the large mirror.
Her own familiar image stared back at her, her hair tousled and her eyes still wide with fear. She forced herself to smile. How silly she’d been to be so afraid of a silly old dream that couldn’t possibly come true!
But it took her a long time to go back to sleep.
* * *
Oh my goodness.....Alice, what on earth could have possessed you to think this story wasn't good enough to post? This is absolutely captivating, and frightening, and so beautifully written! Kelsey's dream was terrifying. 
And can I thank you for this?
QUOTE
“Lauren,” he whispered. “My dear, dear Lauren.” The words did not sound loving. Instead they seemed cruel and sinister.
((Shiver))And can I thank you for this?
QUOTE
The image reflected on its shining surface was not she.
Good grammar just makes me happy, every time.
QUOTE
She reached up a trembling hand to touch her face. It was true. Her familiar features were gone, replaced by those of someone else. Her hair and eyes remained brown, but her hair was shorter and cut differently. Her face was broader, her eyebrows less pronounced, and her chin more square. She no longer knew herself. She screamed.
What an absolutely terrifying dream. Just gave me the chills, Alice! I can't wait to find out exactly why Kelsey was taken, who Lauren is, and how all of this connects to the case that the team is working on. This story is wonderful!!!
Chapter 14: Disperse the Gloomy Clouds
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
“Okay, guys.” Jack was giving his final instructions to the team before they headed out to AquaChem to hopefully catch the terrorists. “Thanks to Sue, we know where these guys are planning to strike, and we know that today’s the day. She also caught the name Omar Saadi. This isn’t the first time this guy had masterminded something like this. We know how he works. They’re likely to strike between two and three this afternoon—that’s when there will be the most people on the premises. We’ll be waiting for them.”
Later
The people at AquaChem had been warned of the threat, and told to keep to ‘business as usual’ so as not to tip off the terrorists. There were agents at every entrance and Sue and Tara were stationed in the van, parked inconspicuously nearby.
“Sam 31,” Bobby’s voice crackled through the headset. “Nothing going on over here.”
“Sam 36, what’s your status?” Tara began, but was interrupted by Myles’ excited voice.
“I see them! They’re coming in the east entrance in a pickup…the two guys from the tape. I need backup!”
Myles sees them, Tara signed. Sue nodded, her whole body tense with excitement.
There was some garbled yelling and a gunshot.
The moments seemed endless until Tara heard D’s strong, steady voice. “Sam 39. We’re clear.”
* * *
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
“Okay, guys.” Jack was giving his final instructions to the team before they headed out to AquaChem to hopefully catch the terrorists. “Thanks to Sue, we know where these guys are planning to strike, and we know that today’s the day. She also caught the name Omar Saadi. This isn’t the first time this guy had masterminded something like this. We know how he works. They’re likely to strike between two and three this afternoon—that’s when there will be the most people on the premises. We’ll be waiting for them.”
Later
The people at AquaChem had been warned of the threat, and told to keep to ‘business as usual’ so as not to tip off the terrorists. There were agents at every entrance and Sue and Tara were stationed in the van, parked inconspicuously nearby.
“Sam 31,” Bobby’s voice crackled through the headset. “Nothing going on over here.”
“Sam 36, what’s your status?” Tara began, but was interrupted by Myles’ excited voice.
“I see them! They’re coming in the east entrance in a pickup…the two guys from the tape. I need backup!”
Myles sees them, Tara signed. Sue nodded, her whole body tense with excitement.
There was some garbled yelling and a gunshot.
The moments seemed endless until Tara heard D’s strong, steady voice. “Sam 39. We’re clear.”
* * *
Whew, thank God that issue's over. Now, to help Kelsey...
Poor thing, that dream must have been so frightening! And the other little girl, if she were awake, I wonder if the screaming scared her too.
Poor thing, that dream must have been so frightening! And the other little girl, if she were awake, I wonder if the screaming scared her too.
Chapter 15: White Christmas
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
A tear trailed silently down Kelsey’s cheek as she stared out the window at the glistening whirlwind of snowflakes that filled the air and the fluffy drifts already beginning to pile up out in the yard.
Snow for Christmas! Always, that had been her greatest wish. She remembered last year…
It was Christmas Eve. The tree was decorated, standing tall and proud at the front window. Carols played on the radio and the smell of sugar cookies baking permeated every corner of the house.
Kelsey gazed wistfully out at the dull gray sky and frozen, muddy yard. “Why doesn’t Jesus make it snow for Christmas, Mommy?”
Her mother paused in the kitchen doorway, her cheeks flushed above her flour-dusted apron. “Oh, I know you wish it would snow, sweetie. I do too! But we’re going to the Christmas Eve service in another hour, and to Grandma’s house to open presents tomorrow. We have a nice warm house, and friends, and each other. We don’t really need snow, Kelsey.”
But in spite of her mother’s words, she was convinced that it just wouldn’t be Christmas without snow.
The Christmas Eve service was beautiful. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson played the parts of Mary and Joseph, carrying their month-old son Harry down the aisle and laying him gently in the wooden manger. Pastor Mark spoke with fervor about the birth of the Holy Child. And then a small white candle was handed to every member of the congregation. Ushers with tall tapers went up and down the pews, lighting them into a thousand pinpricks of light. The electricity was turned off, and they all joined in singing the old Christmas carols in the glow of hundreds of candles.
Kelsey gasped as they stepped out into the parking lot. The ground was blanketed in white, and huge fluffy flakes were drifting down through the silent air. “He did it, Mommy! Jesus sent us snow for Christmas!”
Her mother smiled.
The moment they pulled into the driveway at home, Kelsey unbuckled her seatbelt and thrust open the car door. A glorious drift, nearly knee-deep beckoned to her. With joyous abandon, she flung herself down on her back and began creating a snow angel.
“Kelsey, your nice dress! You’ll ruin it!”
“Let her be, Doreen.” Her father’s quiet words silenced her mother immediately.
“Daddy, help me build a snowman!” the little girl called.
And he had come. Kelsey would treasure the memory forever…her father and mother in their nice clothes and shoes romping through the snow and helping her build her Christmas snowman. Her father had thrust some snow down her mother’s back and started a snowball fight.
Finally, exhausted and disheveled, they had made their way into the house where her mother made hot chocolate and served some of the sugar cookies she had baked that afternoon.
It was the best Christmas ever.
Where would she spend Christmas this year? “Please Lord Jesus, help them find me.”
Kelsey drifted off to sleep remembering past Christmases, a single tear, like a diamond, still glistening on her cheek.
* * *
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
A tear trailed silently down Kelsey’s cheek as she stared out the window at the glistening whirlwind of snowflakes that filled the air and the fluffy drifts already beginning to pile up out in the yard.
Snow for Christmas! Always, that had been her greatest wish. She remembered last year…
It was Christmas Eve. The tree was decorated, standing tall and proud at the front window. Carols played on the radio and the smell of sugar cookies baking permeated every corner of the house.
Kelsey gazed wistfully out at the dull gray sky and frozen, muddy yard. “Why doesn’t Jesus make it snow for Christmas, Mommy?”
Her mother paused in the kitchen doorway, her cheeks flushed above her flour-dusted apron. “Oh, I know you wish it would snow, sweetie. I do too! But we’re going to the Christmas Eve service in another hour, and to Grandma’s house to open presents tomorrow. We have a nice warm house, and friends, and each other. We don’t really need snow, Kelsey.”
But in spite of her mother’s words, she was convinced that it just wouldn’t be Christmas without snow.
The Christmas Eve service was beautiful. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson played the parts of Mary and Joseph, carrying their month-old son Harry down the aisle and laying him gently in the wooden manger. Pastor Mark spoke with fervor about the birth of the Holy Child. And then a small white candle was handed to every member of the congregation. Ushers with tall tapers went up and down the pews, lighting them into a thousand pinpricks of light. The electricity was turned off, and they all joined in singing the old Christmas carols in the glow of hundreds of candles.
Kelsey gasped as they stepped out into the parking lot. The ground was blanketed in white, and huge fluffy flakes were drifting down through the silent air. “He did it, Mommy! Jesus sent us snow for Christmas!”
Her mother smiled.
The moment they pulled into the driveway at home, Kelsey unbuckled her seatbelt and thrust open the car door. A glorious drift, nearly knee-deep beckoned to her. With joyous abandon, she flung herself down on her back and began creating a snow angel.
“Kelsey, your nice dress! You’ll ruin it!”
“Let her be, Doreen.” Her father’s quiet words silenced her mother immediately.
“Daddy, help me build a snowman!” the little girl called.
And he had come. Kelsey would treasure the memory forever…her father and mother in their nice clothes and shoes romping through the snow and helping her build her Christmas snowman. Her father had thrust some snow down her mother’s back and started a snowball fight.
Finally, exhausted and disheveled, they had made their way into the house where her mother made hot chocolate and served some of the sugar cookies she had baked that afternoon.
It was the best Christmas ever.
Where would she spend Christmas this year? “Please Lord Jesus, help them find me.”
Kelsey drifted off to sleep remembering past Christmases, a single tear, like a diamond, still glistening on her cheek.
* * *
My heart is breaking for Kelsey 
I hope that you get her back with her parents in time for Christmas...
You continue to do a wonderful job with this, Alice!
I hope that you get her back with her parents in time for Christmas...You continue to do a wonderful job with this, Alice!
Aww, how heartbreaking! That was a wonderful memory. I sure hope they find her in time for Christmas!
Too sad. Poor Kelsey
Monday’s child is fair of face
Tuesday’s child is full of grace
Wednesday’s child is full of woe
Thursday’s child has far to go
Friday’s child is loving and giving
Saturday’s child must work hard for a living
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and bright and good always.
Chapter 16: Frosty Winds
Thursday, December 16, 2004
“The ‘Wednesday’s Child’ kidnappings?” Bobby’s voice was incredulous. “You want us to take over that case? I thought Lacey Hendricks’ group was handling that one.”
“They were,” Garret affirmed. “But their team has been compromised.”
“Compromised? How?” Sue questioned.
“Lacey’s daughter Hannah was kidnapped last night.”
A murmur of astonishment rippled through the bullpen.
“But Hannah Hendricks has blue eyes!” Myles exclaimed.
“Blue eyes? What does that have to do with anything?” Not being familiar with this ongoing investigation, Lucy was plainly puzzled.
“Give her the details, Myles. You’re the lead agent on this one.” Garret exited the room.
With the file that Garret had handed him moments before clutched firmly in his hand, Myles strode up to the whiteboard and turned to face his team. “ ‘Wednesday’s Child’ is the nickname that has been given to a series of kidnappings that have been going on in the suburban DC area over the last month.
“Four young girls, ranging in age from six to ten have been stolen from their beds on four consecutive Wednesday nights. Each of the girls had light brown hair, and, until Hannah Hendricks, brown eyes. All four of them attended the same private Christian school—Holy Redeemer Academy, and all of the kidnappings have taken place within a twenty-mile radius of that school.
“Thus far, the only clue to the perpetrator’s identity is the ribbons he has left on the pillows of each of his victims.” Myles turned to pin four photos of young girls, each with a colored bar across the bottom, on the board. “The first girl kidnapped, Martha Lewis, had a white ribbon. Kelsey James’ was purple, Sarah Pierce’s green, and Hannah Hendricks’ blue.
“As I said, these ribbons are the only clues that have been discovered, other than the fact that the kidnapper wears expensive tennis shoes. Footprints beneath the bedroom windows have been the only trace left behind…no fingerprints, no fibers, nothing.
“At this point in time, no ransom notes have been received and we are unaware of the kidnapper’s motive. Although we are forced to assume…as is too often the case…that he is—abusing his victims.” The anger that Myles was valiantly suppressing was evident in his eyes. The thought of those helpless young girls at the mercy of a pedophile was obviously tearing at his heart.
“It’s our job to stop him—before he claims another victim.”
* * *
Tuesday’s child is full of grace
Wednesday’s child is full of woe
Thursday’s child has far to go
Friday’s child is loving and giving
Saturday’s child must work hard for a living
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and bright and good always.
Chapter 16: Frosty Winds
Thursday, December 16, 2004
“The ‘Wednesday’s Child’ kidnappings?” Bobby’s voice was incredulous. “You want us to take over that case? I thought Lacey Hendricks’ group was handling that one.”
“They were,” Garret affirmed. “But their team has been compromised.”
“Compromised? How?” Sue questioned.
“Lacey’s daughter Hannah was kidnapped last night.”
A murmur of astonishment rippled through the bullpen.
“But Hannah Hendricks has blue eyes!” Myles exclaimed.
“Blue eyes? What does that have to do with anything?” Not being familiar with this ongoing investigation, Lucy was plainly puzzled.
“Give her the details, Myles. You’re the lead agent on this one.” Garret exited the room.
With the file that Garret had handed him moments before clutched firmly in his hand, Myles strode up to the whiteboard and turned to face his team. “ ‘Wednesday’s Child’ is the nickname that has been given to a series of kidnappings that have been going on in the suburban DC area over the last month.
“Four young girls, ranging in age from six to ten have been stolen from their beds on four consecutive Wednesday nights. Each of the girls had light brown hair, and, until Hannah Hendricks, brown eyes. All four of them attended the same private Christian school—Holy Redeemer Academy, and all of the kidnappings have taken place within a twenty-mile radius of that school.
“Thus far, the only clue to the perpetrator’s identity is the ribbons he has left on the pillows of each of his victims.” Myles turned to pin four photos of young girls, each with a colored bar across the bottom, on the board. “The first girl kidnapped, Martha Lewis, had a white ribbon. Kelsey James’ was purple, Sarah Pierce’s green, and Hannah Hendricks’ blue.
“As I said, these ribbons are the only clues that have been discovered, other than the fact that the kidnapper wears expensive tennis shoes. Footprints beneath the bedroom windows have been the only trace left behind…no fingerprints, no fibers, nothing.
“At this point in time, no ransom notes have been received and we are unaware of the kidnapper’s motive. Although we are forced to assume…as is too often the case…that he is—abusing his victims.” The anger that Myles was valiantly suppressing was evident in his eyes. The thought of those helpless young girls at the mercy of a pedophile was obviously tearing at his heart.
“It’s our job to stop him—before he claims another victim.”
* * *
Chapter 17: Half-gone was the Night
Friday, December 17, 2004
She made the discovery entirely by accident. Reaching into the second dresser drawer to pull out a white turtleneck, Kelsey’s fingers brushed up against something smooth, hard, and cold. Drawing it out and holding it gently in the palm of her hand, she discovered it to be a silver metal box with a delicate tracery of flowers etched on its shining surface.
Exploring its sides with her thumb, she found the catch and opened it. Her breath caught in her throat. Inside, nestled in folds of soft red velvet, was the most beautiful pendant she’d ever seen.
It was a heart; shining silver like the box which contained it, with a miniature but perfect rosebud etched on its face. It was strung on a narrow lavender ribbon, which tied in a bow just above the locket.
For locket it was. With a touch of her finger at just the right place, the tiny heart fell open to reveal its contents. On the left half of the heart was engraved To Lauren, from Mommy and Daddy. Merry Christmas, 2003. The other side held a picture of a family…father, mother, and daughter.
The face of the father Kelsey knew all too well. It was the same man who carried in her meals day after day…who called her by a name not her own…the man who had brought her here.
The woman looked a little younger than Kelsey’s own mother, and had softly curling light brown hair, brown eyes, and a fair complexion.
But it was the girl that held her attention. She was sure she’d seen her somewhere before. She gazed at the tiny picture, trying to remember…and then she realized. She had seen that face before—it had stared back at her from the mirror in her dream.
* * *
Friday, December 17, 2004
She made the discovery entirely by accident. Reaching into the second dresser drawer to pull out a white turtleneck, Kelsey’s fingers brushed up against something smooth, hard, and cold. Drawing it out and holding it gently in the palm of her hand, she discovered it to be a silver metal box with a delicate tracery of flowers etched on its shining surface.
Exploring its sides with her thumb, she found the catch and opened it. Her breath caught in her throat. Inside, nestled in folds of soft red velvet, was the most beautiful pendant she’d ever seen.
It was a heart; shining silver like the box which contained it, with a miniature but perfect rosebud etched on its face. It was strung on a narrow lavender ribbon, which tied in a bow just above the locket.
For locket it was. With a touch of her finger at just the right place, the tiny heart fell open to reveal its contents. On the left half of the heart was engraved To Lauren, from Mommy and Daddy. Merry Christmas, 2003. The other side held a picture of a family…father, mother, and daughter.
The face of the father Kelsey knew all too well. It was the same man who carried in her meals day after day…who called her by a name not her own…the man who had brought her here.
The woman looked a little younger than Kelsey’s own mother, and had softly curling light brown hair, brown eyes, and a fair complexion.
But it was the girl that held her attention. She was sure she’d seen her somewhere before. She gazed at the tiny picture, trying to remember…and then she realized. She had seen that face before—it had stared back at her from the mirror in her dream.
* * *
First of all, I'm glad that the team is on the kidnapping case. Second of all, the last part of your second post seriously gave me the shivers!! Is Lauren dead, and Kelsey saw her ghost?? *shivers again* Please post some more soon!!
Chapter 18: All I Want for Christmas
Saturday, December 18, 2004
“You ready for this, Sue?” Jack asked, as they stood outside the door of the James’ home. They had spoken with Edward and Susan Lewis; the parents of the first victim, the day before and the experience had been heartbreaking to say the least. The little girl’s mother had been suicidal and her father silent and depressed.
Sue took a deep breath. “We have to do this. Somehow, we have to find a clue.”
Jack nodded, and raised his hand to ring the doorbell.
The door of the modest lower flat was opened by a man dressed in worn khaki pants and a blue polo shirt. He stared at them dully, his eyes shadowed and his forehead creased with lines of pain.
“Ronald James?”
“Yes,” he answered, his face expressionless. “You must be the FBI agents. Come in.”
“That’s right,” Jack assured him, following Mr. James through the door. “I’m Jack Hudson and this is Sue Thomas. I realize that you’ve already been interviewed, but my team has recently taken over the kidnapping case and we wanted to get in touch with all of the families.”
Mr. James didn’t acknowledge Jack’s words, but instead led them down a short hallway and into a cramped but comfortable living room. As they stepped through the doorway, a rather short woman with wavy brown hair brushed past them and hurried down the hall.
“My wife. I apologize—this is…hard for her.”
They nodded understandingly.
As Mr. James pointed them to a seat on the overstuffed blue couch, Sue took a quick survey of the room. A half-decorated Christmas tree stood in one corner, and other decorations topped the piano and several small end tables. A stack of cardboard boxes marked Christmas decorations stood in one corner. She noticed a cobweb hanging from one.
Jack touched her shoulder. She turned towards Mr. James in time to catch the last few words of what he was saying. “…need to know?”
“I realize this must be very difficult for you, but could you give us, in your own words, a description of what happened the night of December first of this year?”
The man spoke slowly, each word dragged out with an effort. He told of how they had gone to pick out their tree that morning, and how excited Kelsey had been to help with the decorating. How she had reluctantly gone to bed after kissing him goodnight. And how they had found her bed empty the next morning with a lavender ribbon draped across her pillow.
“She’s our only daughter…” he concluded. His voice broke, his shoulders shaking with silent sobs.
The two agents watched in silent sympathy.
When he had mastered himself he looked up at them, his eyes bleak. “I-I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize,” Sue said softly. “We understand.”
Jack was hesitant to speak, but knew he needed to complete this interview. “Mr. James…would it be possible for us to speak with your wife?”
The man’s face clouded. “I don’t know. I don’t know if she’ll come out. She’s been…strange since Kelsey disappeared. At first, I think she was trying to pretend it hadn’t happened. She hung a few more ornaments on the tree and started making some Christmas cookies. But then she let the cookies burn while she just sat on Kelsey’s bed.
“One day, she went out shopping. I came home and there were bags and bags of clothes everywhere—more than we could possibly afford. I returned all of them and I don’t think she even noticed.
“But for the last week, she’s been worse than ever. She won’t speak to anyone…not even me. I’m so worried about her. I’m afraid that if Kelsey isn’t found soon, she might—” He broke off. “I’ll go talk to her.”
Rising, he strode off down the hall. In a few minutes he returned, his step slower. “She has the bedroom door locked. She won’t come out. I’m sorry.”
Jack snapped his notebook shut and rose to his feet. Sue followed suit. “I’m sorry that we had to disturb you Mr. James,” Jack said. “Thank you for your time.”
The man nodded, then flung himself into a recliner and buried his face in his hands.
Softly, Jack and Sue made their way to the door and let themselves out. In the car, Sue could contain herself no longer. “Oh Jack…that poor family!”
He held her gently as she wept.
* * *
Saturday, December 18, 2004
“You ready for this, Sue?” Jack asked, as they stood outside the door of the James’ home. They had spoken with Edward and Susan Lewis; the parents of the first victim, the day before and the experience had been heartbreaking to say the least. The little girl’s mother had been suicidal and her father silent and depressed.
Sue took a deep breath. “We have to do this. Somehow, we have to find a clue.”
Jack nodded, and raised his hand to ring the doorbell.
The door of the modest lower flat was opened by a man dressed in worn khaki pants and a blue polo shirt. He stared at them dully, his eyes shadowed and his forehead creased with lines of pain.
“Ronald James?”
“Yes,” he answered, his face expressionless. “You must be the FBI agents. Come in.”
“That’s right,” Jack assured him, following Mr. James through the door. “I’m Jack Hudson and this is Sue Thomas. I realize that you’ve already been interviewed, but my team has recently taken over the kidnapping case and we wanted to get in touch with all of the families.”
Mr. James didn’t acknowledge Jack’s words, but instead led them down a short hallway and into a cramped but comfortable living room. As they stepped through the doorway, a rather short woman with wavy brown hair brushed past them and hurried down the hall.
“My wife. I apologize—this is…hard for her.”
They nodded understandingly.
As Mr. James pointed them to a seat on the overstuffed blue couch, Sue took a quick survey of the room. A half-decorated Christmas tree stood in one corner, and other decorations topped the piano and several small end tables. A stack of cardboard boxes marked Christmas decorations stood in one corner. She noticed a cobweb hanging from one.
Jack touched her shoulder. She turned towards Mr. James in time to catch the last few words of what he was saying. “…need to know?”
“I realize this must be very difficult for you, but could you give us, in your own words, a description of what happened the night of December first of this year?”
The man spoke slowly, each word dragged out with an effort. He told of how they had gone to pick out their tree that morning, and how excited Kelsey had been to help with the decorating. How she had reluctantly gone to bed after kissing him goodnight. And how they had found her bed empty the next morning with a lavender ribbon draped across her pillow.
“She’s our only daughter…” he concluded. His voice broke, his shoulders shaking with silent sobs.
The two agents watched in silent sympathy.
When he had mastered himself he looked up at them, his eyes bleak. “I-I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize,” Sue said softly. “We understand.”
Jack was hesitant to speak, but knew he needed to complete this interview. “Mr. James…would it be possible for us to speak with your wife?”
The man’s face clouded. “I don’t know. I don’t know if she’ll come out. She’s been…strange since Kelsey disappeared. At first, I think she was trying to pretend it hadn’t happened. She hung a few more ornaments on the tree and started making some Christmas cookies. But then she let the cookies burn while she just sat on Kelsey’s bed.
“One day, she went out shopping. I came home and there were bags and bags of clothes everywhere—more than we could possibly afford. I returned all of them and I don’t think she even noticed.
“But for the last week, she’s been worse than ever. She won’t speak to anyone…not even me. I’m so worried about her. I’m afraid that if Kelsey isn’t found soon, she might—” He broke off. “I’ll go talk to her.”
Rising, he strode off down the hall. In a few minutes he returned, his step slower. “She has the bedroom door locked. She won’t come out. I’m sorry.”
Jack snapped his notebook shut and rose to his feet. Sue followed suit. “I’m sorry that we had to disturb you Mr. James,” Jack said. “Thank you for your time.”
The man nodded, then flung himself into a recliner and buried his face in his hands.
Softly, Jack and Sue made their way to the door and let themselves out. In the car, Sue could contain herself no longer. “Oh Jack…that poor family!”
He held her gently as she wept.
* * *
Chapter 19: The Kingdom of this World
Sunday, December 19, 2004
“I want to go home, Kelsey!” Sarah wept. “I’m scared! I hate that man and this place and all I want is to go home!” She sounded hysterical.
Kelsey did her best to comfort her. “I know Sarah. I feel the same way. I miss my Mommy and Daddy. But maybe Jesus will help them find us before Christmas.”
“But I want to go home now!” the other little girl cried.
Kelsey was growing desperate. Sarah’s sobs were growing louder. She feared that the man would hear and come upstairs, and Kelsey didn’t want to do anything that might make him upset. Who knew what he might do?
“Sarah. Sarah, I think I know why we’re here.”
Sarah gulped. “What?”
“I think I know why he brought us here. If you’ll stop crying, I’ll tell you.”
“O-okay.” With an effort, the other girl swallowed her tears. “What is it Kelsey?”
A bit reluctantly, Kelsey began. “A couple of days ago, I found a locket in one of the dresser drawers. It said ‘To Lauren from Mommy and Daddy’ and it had a picture in it.”
“Of who?”
“The man, and a woman who I think was his wife, and a little girl. It must have been Lauren. Their daughter!”
“So?”
“Don’t you understand? Something must have happened to his little girl…to Lauren. Maybe they got divorced like my Aunt Susan and Uncle Bill, or maybe Lauren died. But somehow, she left and he misses her. That’s why he brought us here. So that he can have his daughter back!”
The two little girls talked for a while longer, Sarah much calmer now. She was still angry at her kidnapper, no matter what his reason for taking her. But Kelsey felt increasingly sorry for him. How sad it must be, to lose your little girl!
When the man brought in her dinner, he did so silently. And for the first time, Kelsey spoke to him without being spoken to first.
“How many more days until Christmas?”
* * *
Sunday, December 19, 2004
“I want to go home, Kelsey!” Sarah wept. “I’m scared! I hate that man and this place and all I want is to go home!” She sounded hysterical.
Kelsey did her best to comfort her. “I know Sarah. I feel the same way. I miss my Mommy and Daddy. But maybe Jesus will help them find us before Christmas.”
“But I want to go home now!” the other little girl cried.
Kelsey was growing desperate. Sarah’s sobs were growing louder. She feared that the man would hear and come upstairs, and Kelsey didn’t want to do anything that might make him upset. Who knew what he might do?
“Sarah. Sarah, I think I know why we’re here.”
Sarah gulped. “What?”
“I think I know why he brought us here. If you’ll stop crying, I’ll tell you.”
“O-okay.” With an effort, the other girl swallowed her tears. “What is it Kelsey?”
A bit reluctantly, Kelsey began. “A couple of days ago, I found a locket in one of the dresser drawers. It said ‘To Lauren from Mommy and Daddy’ and it had a picture in it.”
“Of who?”
“The man, and a woman who I think was his wife, and a little girl. It must have been Lauren. Their daughter!”
“So?”
“Don’t you understand? Something must have happened to his little girl…to Lauren. Maybe they got divorced like my Aunt Susan and Uncle Bill, or maybe Lauren died. But somehow, she left and he misses her. That’s why he brought us here. So that he can have his daughter back!”
The two little girls talked for a while longer, Sarah much calmer now. She was still angry at her kidnapper, no matter what his reason for taking her. But Kelsey felt increasingly sorry for him. How sad it must be, to lose your little girl!
When the man brought in her dinner, he did so silently. And for the first time, Kelsey spoke to him without being spoken to first.
“How many more days until Christmas?”
* * *
Chapter 20: Bells Are Ringing
Monday, December 20, 2004
“There simply don’t seem to be any other connections!” Myles exclaimed in frustration.
For the last hour, they had been going over and over their information with the same result…nothing.
Jack summed it all up. “The girls have been all different ages. They come from entirely different family and financial backgrounds—the Lewis family is wealthy, and the James family has to scrape together every last penny to manage to send their daughter to school. No two parents share the same profession. In short, the only connection seems to be brown hair and the school!”
Grimly, the rest of the team was forced to agree.
“There has to be something we’ve missed!” Lucy cried. “Or overlooked. There just has to be!”
Sue nodded absently, her eyes fixed on the pictures of the four girls. Something was niggling at the back of her mind…
Her concentration was broken when Jack stepped in front of her desk. “You want to go get some fresh air?”
“What did you have in mind?”
“I’m going over to Holy Redeemer. Maybe the connection is hiding there.”
“I’m game.” Grabbing her coat, Sue followed her fellow agent from the room.
Fifteen minutes later, they were standing inside the principal’s office. Mr. Richardson was a tall, slender man with graying hair and a pleasant manner. When Jack introduced him and explained the nature of their visit, the man asked if they would be willing to wait for ten more minutes.
“During recess,” he assured them. “I am sure the teachers would be most happy to answer any questions you may have.”
The agents readily agreed to wait. Unfortunately, their patience was fruitless. Although they were able to speak briefly with the teachers of each of the victims, the interviews yielded no new information. At last, weary and frustrated, they exited the building.
As they made their way through the schoolyard, a little girl with blonde hair and big brown eyes broke away from the rest of the children and reached out to pet Levi. “What a pretty dog!”
“Thank you,” Sue replied softly. “His name is Levi.”
“Oh!” the girl exclaimed. “Are you the FBI agent who came to our house and talked to Mommy? She told me that it was a nice man and a lady with a dog named Levi. She said you were going to find my sister.”
Recognizing the family resemblance, Sue realized that this must be Angela Pierce, one of the sisters of the third victim. She nodded.
The six-year-old looked up at her, her eyes full of hope. “Are you going to find Sarah?”
Sue was saved from answering by the ring of the school bell. With a shy little wave, the girl was gone.
* * *
Monday, December 20, 2004
“There simply don’t seem to be any other connections!” Myles exclaimed in frustration.
For the last hour, they had been going over and over their information with the same result…nothing.
Jack summed it all up. “The girls have been all different ages. They come from entirely different family and financial backgrounds—the Lewis family is wealthy, and the James family has to scrape together every last penny to manage to send their daughter to school. No two parents share the same profession. In short, the only connection seems to be brown hair and the school!”
Grimly, the rest of the team was forced to agree.
“There has to be something we’ve missed!” Lucy cried. “Or overlooked. There just has to be!”
Sue nodded absently, her eyes fixed on the pictures of the four girls. Something was niggling at the back of her mind…
Her concentration was broken when Jack stepped in front of her desk. “You want to go get some fresh air?”
“What did you have in mind?”
“I’m going over to Holy Redeemer. Maybe the connection is hiding there.”
“I’m game.” Grabbing her coat, Sue followed her fellow agent from the room.
Fifteen minutes later, they were standing inside the principal’s office. Mr. Richardson was a tall, slender man with graying hair and a pleasant manner. When Jack introduced him and explained the nature of their visit, the man asked if they would be willing to wait for ten more minutes.
“During recess,” he assured them. “I am sure the teachers would be most happy to answer any questions you may have.”
The agents readily agreed to wait. Unfortunately, their patience was fruitless. Although they were able to speak briefly with the teachers of each of the victims, the interviews yielded no new information. At last, weary and frustrated, they exited the building.
As they made their way through the schoolyard, a little girl with blonde hair and big brown eyes broke away from the rest of the children and reached out to pet Levi. “What a pretty dog!”
“Thank you,” Sue replied softly. “His name is Levi.”
“Oh!” the girl exclaimed. “Are you the FBI agent who came to our house and talked to Mommy? She told me that it was a nice man and a lady with a dog named Levi. She said you were going to find my sister.”
Recognizing the family resemblance, Sue realized that this must be Angela Pierce, one of the sisters of the third victim. She nodded.
The six-year-old looked up at her, her eyes full of hope. “Are you going to find Sarah?”
Sue was saved from answering by the ring of the school bell. With a shy little wave, the girl was gone.
* * *
Chapter 21: Candles in the Window
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
It turned out that the little silver jewelry box contained more than one secret. Opening it for the dozenth time to examine its contents, Kelsey accidentally dropped it on the carpet. Dropping to her knees to gather up what she had scattered, she was astonished to find a tiny golden key, tied with a purple ribbon, peeking out from the midst of the red velvet lining.
In a moment, she had guessed what it belonged to. Each drawer of the tall dresser had a lock, but all but one had been open at her coming. Now, she knelt in front of the dresser and inserted the key into the lock of the bottom drawer.
To her delight, it slid in easily. With a twist of the key and a tug on the handle, the drawer creaked open, revealing stacks of papers. School papers. With a start, Kelsey recognized the name of the school. Holy Redeemer Academy. Why, Lauren went to my school!
And glancing down at the red corduroy jumper that she wore, she suddenly realized that she knew who Lauren was.
* * *
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
It turned out that the little silver jewelry box contained more than one secret. Opening it for the dozenth time to examine its contents, Kelsey accidentally dropped it on the carpet. Dropping to her knees to gather up what she had scattered, she was astonished to find a tiny golden key, tied with a purple ribbon, peeking out from the midst of the red velvet lining.
In a moment, she had guessed what it belonged to. Each drawer of the tall dresser had a lock, but all but one had been open at her coming. Now, she knelt in front of the dresser and inserted the key into the lock of the bottom drawer.
To her delight, it slid in easily. With a twist of the key and a tug on the handle, the drawer creaked open, revealing stacks of papers. School papers. With a start, Kelsey recognized the name of the school. Holy Redeemer Academy. Why, Lauren went to my school!
And glancing down at the red corduroy jumper that she wore, she suddenly realized that she knew who Lauren was.
* * *
Once again, thanks to all of you for the splendid feedback. I am truly blessed by such faithful and astute readers. Enjoy tonight's chapters!
* * *
Chapter 22: Offer Your Treasure
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
It was the end of a long day. Certain that the kidnapper would strike again tonight, everyone had stayed late, trying desperately to put together the pieces of this incredibly puzzling case.
Sue was staring at the pictures of the victims, as had become her habit over the last few days. But tonight, she didn’t seem to be focused on the girls. Instead, her gaze was unfocused, and her posture was dejected.
Lucy came over to her friend and placed an arm around her shoulders. “What’s up, Sue? You look really out of it. You tired?”
Sue tried to smile. “Yeah, I guess I am, a little. But it’s not really that. I’ve just been kind of feeling sorry for myself. It’s so selfish with all that those poor families are going through!” Her face darkened with self-contempt. “I called my mom today and told her that I wouldn’t be able to come home for Christmas after all because of the case I was working on. Of course, I couldn’t tell her what it was.
“And she was so upset! She asked why they couldn’t do without me watching videos for a couple of days. She doesn’t seem to understand how important my work is. I just…”
At that moment, Lucy’s phone rang. With an apologetic glance at her friend, she hurried to answer it.
Jack, who had been listening attentively to the whole conversation, now got Sue’s attention. “Hey, I know it won’t be like going home, but you and Lucy are both welcome over at my place on Christmas.”
“Thanks Jack, but we couldn’t intrude on you and Bobby.”
“No Sue, we’d love to have you. I really think it would be a lot of fun.”
Looking into his eyes, Sue could see that he meant it. A real smile flickered across her face. “Okay Jack. Thank you.”
Lucy’s phone dropped back into its cradle with a soft click. Her voice quiet but serious, she announced the nature of the call.
“Amanda’s been kidnapped.”
* * *
* * *
Chapter 22: Offer Your Treasure
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
It was the end of a long day. Certain that the kidnapper would strike again tonight, everyone had stayed late, trying desperately to put together the pieces of this incredibly puzzling case.
Sue was staring at the pictures of the victims, as had become her habit over the last few days. But tonight, she didn’t seem to be focused on the girls. Instead, her gaze was unfocused, and her posture was dejected.
Lucy came over to her friend and placed an arm around her shoulders. “What’s up, Sue? You look really out of it. You tired?”
Sue tried to smile. “Yeah, I guess I am, a little. But it’s not really that. I’ve just been kind of feeling sorry for myself. It’s so selfish with all that those poor families are going through!” Her face darkened with self-contempt. “I called my mom today and told her that I wouldn’t be able to come home for Christmas after all because of the case I was working on. Of course, I couldn’t tell her what it was.
“And she was so upset! She asked why they couldn’t do without me watching videos for a couple of days. She doesn’t seem to understand how important my work is. I just…”
At that moment, Lucy’s phone rang. With an apologetic glance at her friend, she hurried to answer it.
Jack, who had been listening attentively to the whole conversation, now got Sue’s attention. “Hey, I know it won’t be like going home, but you and Lucy are both welcome over at my place on Christmas.”
“Thanks Jack, but we couldn’t intrude on you and Bobby.”
“No Sue, we’d love to have you. I really think it would be a lot of fun.”
Looking into his eyes, Sue could see that he meant it. A real smile flickered across her face. “Okay Jack. Thank you.”
Lucy’s phone dropped back into its cradle with a soft click. Her voice quiet but serious, she announced the nature of the call.
“Amanda’s been kidnapped.”
* * *
This is the second-to-last chapter. I plan to post the end tomorrow. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!
* * *
Chapter 23: Home for Christmas
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Once again, Kelsey relived the memory. The discovery she had made two days before had shocked her. But she knew that she wasn’t mistaken. Her mind flew back…
“Who’s that?” Kelsey had questioned her friend Joan on her first day at Holy Redeemer. Her attention had been drawn by a young girl of about her own age. She was dressed in a simple but obviously expensive red jumper and was being helped out of a white stretch limo by a uniformed chauffeur.
“Oh, that’s Lauren Vanderbilt. She and her sisters are the richest girls at school…they always come to school in that limo and they live in a HUGE mansion over on Rosewood Avenue.”
“She looks like a princess,” Kelsey had exclaimed.
“I guess.” Joan seemed indifferent.
Kelsey soon forgot about the “richest girls at school”. Neither Lauren nor her unknown sisters were in Kelsey’s class and a few weeks into the school year, she stopped noticing the limo when it pulled up in front of the school.
And then, only a few months ago, her teacher had announced the tragic death of Mrs. Vanderbilt and her daughters…
Her recollections were interrupted by the entrance of the man whom she now knew to be Mr. Vanderbilt. Setting down her lunch on the table, he turned to her with a smile on his face—the first she’d seen.
“Tomorrow’s Christmas Eve, Lauren. Where do you want to go?”
“Go?” Kelsey was puzzled.
“Don’t pretend you don’t know…Christmas Eve is always when I take you and your sisters shopping to buy presents for your mother.”
“Oh—of course.”
“So, where do you want to go?”
Kelsey’s mind raced. This might be her chance to escape! She was about to blurt out Wal-Mart or the mall, but thought better of it. Surely someone this rich didn’t frequent the same stores as her family. She didn’t want to say anything that Mr. Vanderbilt would consider strange.
“How about…the same place we went last year?”
“Ah, Taylor’s. Excellent choice!”
Kelsey gave a timid smile, and the tall man turned and exited the room.
Tomorrow was Christmas Eve! Kelsey couldn’t hold back the tears.
* * *
* * *
Chapter 23: Home for Christmas
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Once again, Kelsey relived the memory. The discovery she had made two days before had shocked her. But she knew that she wasn’t mistaken. Her mind flew back…
“Who’s that?” Kelsey had questioned her friend Joan on her first day at Holy Redeemer. Her attention had been drawn by a young girl of about her own age. She was dressed in a simple but obviously expensive red jumper and was being helped out of a white stretch limo by a uniformed chauffeur.
“Oh, that’s Lauren Vanderbilt. She and her sisters are the richest girls at school…they always come to school in that limo and they live in a HUGE mansion over on Rosewood Avenue.”
“She looks like a princess,” Kelsey had exclaimed.
“I guess.” Joan seemed indifferent.
Kelsey soon forgot about the “richest girls at school”. Neither Lauren nor her unknown sisters were in Kelsey’s class and a few weeks into the school year, she stopped noticing the limo when it pulled up in front of the school.
And then, only a few months ago, her teacher had announced the tragic death of Mrs. Vanderbilt and her daughters…
Her recollections were interrupted by the entrance of the man whom she now knew to be Mr. Vanderbilt. Setting down her lunch on the table, he turned to her with a smile on his face—the first she’d seen.
“Tomorrow’s Christmas Eve, Lauren. Where do you want to go?”
“Go?” Kelsey was puzzled.
“Don’t pretend you don’t know…Christmas Eve is always when I take you and your sisters shopping to buy presents for your mother.”
“Oh—of course.”
“So, where do you want to go?”
Kelsey’s mind raced. This might be her chance to escape! She was about to blurt out Wal-Mart or the mall, but thought better of it. Surely someone this rich didn’t frequent the same stores as her family. She didn’t want to say anything that Mr. Vanderbilt would consider strange.
“How about…the same place we went last year?”
“Ah, Taylor’s. Excellent choice!”
Kelsey gave a timid smile, and the tall man turned and exited the room.
Tomorrow was Christmas Eve! Kelsey couldn’t hold back the tears.
* * *
Merry Christmas everyone! May God bless all of you today and tomorrow as we celebrate our Savior's birth.
* * *
Chapter 24: Joy to the World
Friday, December 24, 2004
Sue was once again staring at the pictures, now five in number, that reposed on the board under the heading of “Victims”. The little niggling memory at the back of her mind finally came to the surface.
Getting up from her desk, she strode rapidly over to where Tara was seated, aimlessly punching buttons on her computer keyboard. “Tara, where are the pictures of the victims from the terrorist case?”
Tara’s brow creased in puzzlement. “In the file, Sue. But why—?”
“Would you get them for me? Please?” Sue’s voice was so entreating and her excitement so evident, that Tara went without further questions. When she returned and handed the file to Sue, the blonde agent didn’t even take it back to her desk. She immediately opened it and began digging eagerly through its contents. With a little cry of triumph, she drew out a photo and hurried over to Myles’ desk.
“I think I know who the kidnapper is!”
“Indeed?” Myles’ expression was questioning.
“Yes. I was looking at the pictures of the girls who’ve been kidnapped, and I kept thinking that I’d seen all of them, together, somewhere before. And then it hit me.” She held up the photo she was holding. “You remember the mother and five daughters who were killed in the first plane crash—Mrs. Marcia Vanderbilt and her girls?” Without waiting for an answer, she thrust the picture into his hands. “Take a look!”
Gazing down at the photo, Myles was confronted by a happily smiling family—father, mother, and five daughters. The youngest looked to be about six and the oldest perhaps twelve or thirteen. The similarities between the girls in this snapshot and the girls who had been kidnapped were unmistakable. They were roughly the same ages, had the same light brown hair, and all but one had brown eyes.
And to top it all, around the necks of the five girls were small charms or pendants, each suspended from a different colored ribbon.
Myles looked up at her. “You think these were ‘replacement’ kidnappings.”
She nodded. “Yes. I really think that each of the girls were kidnapped to take the place of one of these girls. And there’s something else, besides the pictures. Remember what day of the week it was when the first plane bombing happened?”
“A Wednesday.”
“That’s right.”
Myles stood up and addressed the other agents around the bullpen. I think Sue has found our kidnapper. Richard Vanderbilt.”
Later
Kelsey was lying flat on her tummy on the bed, staring out at the drifts of newly fallen snow, when she heard a commotion from downstairs. There was a crash and then excited yelling. Then footsteps pounded up the stairs and she heard voices near at hand. Outside Sarah’s room!
“It’s locked.”
“Break it down!”
“No…maybe Vanderbilt has the keys.”
“Here they are! I’ll take this room. You go down to the end of the hall. Tara, try that one. Here you go, Sue.”
And then a key turned in the lock and Kelsey watched in terror as the door slowly swung open. She huddled against the headboard as a blonde-haired woman with a friendly smile peered into the room. Although Kelsey was certain she’d never seen this person before, the woman seemed to recognize her.
“Hello Kelsey. My name is Sue. I’m with the FBI.”
“What are you going to do with me?” The little girl’s voice came out in a frightened whisper.
Sue smiled. “We’re going to take you home.”
Later
Jack and Sue slipped quietly out the front door of the James’ home. Sue looked up at Jack with an amused smile. “How long do you think it’s going to be before they realize we’re gone?”
“A while, I expect. I’m not sure they even realized we were there.”
“Well…when their daughter has been missing for more than three weeks and then returns home on Christmas Eve, I think they have a right not to notice anyone but her.”
Jack couldn’t help but agree.
“May I drive you home?” he asked her as they reached his car.
“I’d like that.” They made most of the ride in comfortable silence, Sue thinking wearily of the bag of presents she must wrap before retiring, particularly the long, flat parcel she had bought for the agent beside her.
When they reached Sue and Lucy’s apartment, Jack walked her to the door. Before turning to go, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small package wrapped in red tissue paper and handed it to her.
Sue was puzzled. “I thought we weren’t exchanging gifts until tomorrow.”
“We aren’t. This is just something special that I wanted you to have tonight.” Merry Christmas Sue, he signed.
“Merry Christmas. Goodnight, Jack.”
With a smile, he was gone.
Sue entered the dark apartment. Flipping on a lamp, she plopped down on the couch and eagerly tore into the wrapping of her surprise gift. When she saw what it was, tears sprang into her eyes.
It was perfect. Every detail, from the moat to the four towers, was exactly as she had always dreamed.
A tiny crystal castle.
The End
"'Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.'
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"
* * *
Chapter 24: Joy to the World
Friday, December 24, 2004
Sue was once again staring at the pictures, now five in number, that reposed on the board under the heading of “Victims”. The little niggling memory at the back of her mind finally came to the surface.
Getting up from her desk, she strode rapidly over to where Tara was seated, aimlessly punching buttons on her computer keyboard. “Tara, where are the pictures of the victims from the terrorist case?”
Tara’s brow creased in puzzlement. “In the file, Sue. But why—?”
“Would you get them for me? Please?” Sue’s voice was so entreating and her excitement so evident, that Tara went without further questions. When she returned and handed the file to Sue, the blonde agent didn’t even take it back to her desk. She immediately opened it and began digging eagerly through its contents. With a little cry of triumph, she drew out a photo and hurried over to Myles’ desk.
“I think I know who the kidnapper is!”
“Indeed?” Myles’ expression was questioning.
“Yes. I was looking at the pictures of the girls who’ve been kidnapped, and I kept thinking that I’d seen all of them, together, somewhere before. And then it hit me.” She held up the photo she was holding. “You remember the mother and five daughters who were killed in the first plane crash—Mrs. Marcia Vanderbilt and her girls?” Without waiting for an answer, she thrust the picture into his hands. “Take a look!”
Gazing down at the photo, Myles was confronted by a happily smiling family—father, mother, and five daughters. The youngest looked to be about six and the oldest perhaps twelve or thirteen. The similarities between the girls in this snapshot and the girls who had been kidnapped were unmistakable. They were roughly the same ages, had the same light brown hair, and all but one had brown eyes.
And to top it all, around the necks of the five girls were small charms or pendants, each suspended from a different colored ribbon.
Myles looked up at her. “You think these were ‘replacement’ kidnappings.”
She nodded. “Yes. I really think that each of the girls were kidnapped to take the place of one of these girls. And there’s something else, besides the pictures. Remember what day of the week it was when the first plane bombing happened?”
“A Wednesday.”
“That’s right.”
Myles stood up and addressed the other agents around the bullpen. I think Sue has found our kidnapper. Richard Vanderbilt.”
Later
Kelsey was lying flat on her tummy on the bed, staring out at the drifts of newly fallen snow, when she heard a commotion from downstairs. There was a crash and then excited yelling. Then footsteps pounded up the stairs and she heard voices near at hand. Outside Sarah’s room!
“It’s locked.”
“Break it down!”
“No…maybe Vanderbilt has the keys.”
“Here they are! I’ll take this room. You go down to the end of the hall. Tara, try that one. Here you go, Sue.”
And then a key turned in the lock and Kelsey watched in terror as the door slowly swung open. She huddled against the headboard as a blonde-haired woman with a friendly smile peered into the room. Although Kelsey was certain she’d never seen this person before, the woman seemed to recognize her.
“Hello Kelsey. My name is Sue. I’m with the FBI.”
“What are you going to do with me?” The little girl’s voice came out in a frightened whisper.
Sue smiled. “We’re going to take you home.”
Later
Jack and Sue slipped quietly out the front door of the James’ home. Sue looked up at Jack with an amused smile. “How long do you think it’s going to be before they realize we’re gone?”
“A while, I expect. I’m not sure they even realized we were there.”
“Well…when their daughter has been missing for more than three weeks and then returns home on Christmas Eve, I think they have a right not to notice anyone but her.”
Jack couldn’t help but agree.
“May I drive you home?” he asked her as they reached his car.
“I’d like that.” They made most of the ride in comfortable silence, Sue thinking wearily of the bag of presents she must wrap before retiring, particularly the long, flat parcel she had bought for the agent beside her.
When they reached Sue and Lucy’s apartment, Jack walked her to the door. Before turning to go, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small package wrapped in red tissue paper and handed it to her.
Sue was puzzled. “I thought we weren’t exchanging gifts until tomorrow.”
“We aren’t. This is just something special that I wanted you to have tonight.” Merry Christmas Sue, he signed.
“Merry Christmas. Goodnight, Jack.”
With a smile, he was gone.
Sue entered the dark apartment. Flipping on a lamp, she plopped down on the couch and eagerly tore into the wrapping of her surprise gift. When she saw what it was, tears sprang into her eyes.
It was perfect. Every detail, from the moat to the four towers, was exactly as she had always dreamed.
A tiny crystal castle.
The End
"'Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.'
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"
Amazing story! Wonderfully written! 
You have an amazing talent, Alice, and a wonderful writing style! I'm so happy they figured it out and the families were reunited with their daughters. Feel bad for Mr. Vanderbilt for losing his family, but it certainly didn't make what he did right. Jack and Sue at the end were wonderful.
Hope we see more from you soon!
Hope we see more from you soon!
Fantastic! The girls were returned home, the other case solved, and a very sweet ending between Jack and Sue. I loved it!! And, I am looking forward to whatever you have coming next.
WELL DONE!
What a beautiful, suspenseful, intriguing and well-written story this was!! I loved the mystery behind why the girls were kidnapped--very original idea! That was an enchanting ending with Jack and Sue as well. I look forward to more from you in the future!
I loved how you brought everything together. There was mystery right up until the end. And a sweet ending with lots of promise for Jack and Sue's future. I really enoyed reading this. Thanks for writing it.
kav
kav
You certainly kept me guessing right up until the end.
I loved Jacks present to Sue. A great way to end the story.
I loved Jacks present to Sue. A great way to end the story.
What a beautiful story Alice. Very well done. Please write us another story soon. 
"Aaaaargh!" Surveillant wails with primal howl of absolute pain.
How!? Oh, how did I miss this story?
Alice, I cannot tell you how much your beautiful and rich piece thrilled me to no end. So perfect on so many levels. I am (though it may shock some) actually unable to type more right now.
Surveillant leaves to go recover from the delight of literary overload . . .
How!? Oh, how did I miss this story?
Alice, I cannot tell you how much your beautiful and rich piece thrilled me to no end. So perfect on so many levels. I am (though it may shock some) actually unable to type more right now.
Surveillant leaves to go recover from the delight of literary overload . . .
Thank you so much for your lovely comments everyone (especially Surveillant 
...hope you're going to be okay!). I appreciate it more than I can say. As for another story...we'll see! I'm rather busy at the moment. However, I may post some of my previous work (most is original fiction, not fanfiction.)
...hope you're going to be okay!). I appreciate it more than I can say. As for another story...we'll see! I'm rather busy at the moment. However, I may post some of my previous work (most is original fiction, not fanfiction.)
I just caught up.
It was a beautiful Christmas story. Loved the ending.
It was a beautiful Christmas story. Loved the ending.
I thought I had replied to the end of this story, but somehow I hadn't. First of all:
Now, as for the rest...Alice, this was an amazing story. You wrote a solid case file with new characters that we couldn't help but care about, and you left us feeling confused about our villian. We didn't know whether we should feel anger, fear, or pity! I think that's a mark of exceptional writing; there were no one-dimensional people in your story. Great job, and I look forward to reading more of your work (original or otherwise) when you have time to post it.
QUOTE
It was perfect. Every detail, from the moat to the four towers, was exactly as she had always dreamed.
A tiny crystal castle.
I was right about the Christmas gift! A tiny crystal castle.
Now, as for the rest...Alice, this was an amazing story. You wrote a solid case file with new characters that we couldn't help but care about, and you left us feeling confused about our villian. We didn't know whether we should feel anger, fear, or pity! I think that's a mark of exceptional writing; there were no one-dimensional people in your story. Great job, and I look forward to reading more of your work (original or otherwise) when you have time to post it.
Alice what a delight to come back after two weeks away, and be able to read the rest of your story all in one sitting. This story was so touching and you did such a wonderful job bringing it all together. The emotions you brought out, and I was only able to guess, but not able to imagine how you would bring the story to such a happy and wonderful Christmas story ending.
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