Jasmine Medina #7 "AMUSEMENT PARK PERIL" AMUSEMENT PARK PERIL (CH 1) "I can't believe it's almost summer already!" Nicole Marcos said as she brushed her long dark hair. "I can't wait until Saturday!" "Yeah" Jasmine Medina answered "Yep and my mom is leaving Gina in charge of everything." "Gina's cool though" Lori Fielding chirped in as she sat with her two friends at lunch. "Especially what happened last month." Lori was talking about the girls' last harrowing adventure with Gina's former classmates, Erica and Corrine and their professor. "Okay guys, what did I miss?" The voice belonged to Tiffany Harrison, a striking light skinned African-American girl who played soccer with the others. "Hey Tiff" Nicole replied, "Jasmine was just telliing us about Gina being in charge of us Saturday." "From what I heard about her, Isn't that like the drunk being in charge of the wine cellar?" Jasmine and Lori laughed at Tiffany's assessment about Gina. Gina Cimino was a college graduate and was now helping out Jane Medina with her fledging private detective career. Jasmine and Lori (As well as their mothers) had just been through a bad experience with Gina and her former classmates, but lived through it like their other harrowing adventures. "She's not that bad Tiff" Jasmine shot back "Besides, she's working with my mom now." "Okay, whatever." Tiffany resonded to the Latina "Anyway, this place were going to is got to have ALOT of cute guys walking around!" "Oh God" Lori blushed "I knew it was coming!" "There's definetly bound to be some there" Nicole chirped in, almost squriming in her seat "I love summer!" "How big is this park?" Jasmine replied "I heard they have three roller coasters" "FOUR!" Nicole beamed, getting a smile from Tiffany. "I get queasy on those things" Lori shot back "They have alot of other great rides too, something that doesn't go fast or upside down or..." "We get the point Lori!" Jasmine said as she hugged her best friend. "Just don't barf on me." Nicole half-shouted. Lori just stuck her tongue out as the other three laughed playfully at Lori's cop out. The time then ticked down on their lunch hour. AMUSEMENT PARK PERIL (CH 2) "Are you serious Tiffany?" Jasmine said as she tied her sneaker "Alicia will be there?" "Yep, talked to her last night." Alicia Robles was a former classmate of the girls. But because of her near death experience at the Apache Lake resort, her Grandmother had enrolled her in a private school in town. "I mean she's like family." Nicole added, getting a nod from Lori. "Are you ready guys?" Gina Cimino asked the four teenagers. They quickly hopped into Gina's Chevrolet Citation. It was about 8:A.M on a sunny Saturday morning and the park opened at nine. "Yeah I think so" Jasmine answered as she won a so called *lottery* to see who would get to sit up front with their older chaperone. That left Lori squeezed in the back between Tiffany and Nicole. Jasmine could tell that her best friend did not like the seating arrangement. "Do ya wanna switch?" the Latina asked, looking serious at Lori. "Nah, I'm okay... I mean you won Jas." Gina then laughed as she pulled out of the Medina driveway and started towards the park, which was located about an hour outside of Thunder Ridge. About a half an hour later, Gina pulled into the parking lot of the Fun Time Amusement Park. There were alot of cars in the parking lot already. "We're late!" Tiffany shouted, looking at a big line getting into the large place. "Only five minutes" Gina shot back "Relax" The five girls disembarked from the vehicle. All four teenagers were wearing different colored t-shirts and shorts, as well as sneakers. Gina on the other hand had on a white blouse and blue sweats. She also wore flip-flops. Jasmine could tell that Gina was a bit uneasy about her weight. The older girl was very pretty as she kept her dark hair in a ponytail, but was still a little on the big side. The female quintet made it up to the front gate and the girls presented their passes that were given to them by their soccer coach, Miss Patton who was currently out of town. The girls had pitched in to pay Gina's admission also. Once inside the girls heard a familiar voice...Alicia! The Vanessa Hudgens look-a-like ran up to her long lost friends and hugged them. "Oh my God! You guys look great!" "So do you girl!" Tiffany responded "Where's your grandmother?" Alicia rolled her eyes before responding. "Can you believe she dropped me off?" "You're kidding?" Jasmine shot back "How? I thought she was very strict, I mean pulling you out of school..." "You can thank your mom Jasmine for changing her mind." Lori then hugged Jasmine and then Alicia did as well. "Oh I'm sorry, Alicia this is Gina Cimino....she works for my mom." The two girls exchanged greetings and the group made their way deeper into the park. After a few minutes, Gina excused herself to go to the bathroom. A few minutes later, the young brunette then opened the door and went inside. Looking into the mirror, Gina took her hair out of the ponytail. She then winced as she noticed the bathroom stall all messy. Shaking her head, Gina walked back outside and noticed a storage room next to the bathrooms. She then knocked on the door. To her surprise, a few minutes later, it opened. A man stood there and stared at her. "Are you in charge of this bathroom?" "I'm sorry miss." "Well are you?" Gina replied, putting her hands on her hips. "It's a mess in there!" "I suggest you see the manager about it" the man snapped, before closing the door. Gina then heard a click. She then tried the door....it was indeed locked. "Of all the nerve!" she said out loud, before storming off. She then did a double take. "I've seen that guy before....but where....?" AMUSEMENT PARK PERIL (CH 3) Gina returned to the group with a curious look on her face. Jasmine couldn't help but notice her look. "Earth to Gina!" "Oh, I'm sorry guys....got something on my mind." "Well it's time to have fun." Tiffany added, putting her arm around the older girl "That is why we're here!" "Yeah you're right Tiffany." Gina shot back, looking back towards the bathrooms with the same look. Jasmine and Lori both caught her stare and then looked at each other. "So now what?" Nicole asked her friends to what the plan was "We're missing all the fun!" "Okay then" Gina added."Who's going with whom?" "Jasmine, could I pair with Gina...you know me and some of these rides" Lori asked, getting a hug from her best friend. "I'm I missing something here?" Alicia asked, getting a snicker from Nicole and Tiffany. "Okay, I'll pick Nicole" Jasmine replied. Tiffany and Alicia then paired off together. "Let's take a picture of all of us" Gina said as she got out her camera. "First you five, line up." The five teens had goofy looks on their faces as Gina snapped a few pictures with her camera. Gina then got into the shot herself a few times. She then put her camera back in her handbag. "Okay guys; meet back here in an hour okay?" The four teens nodded and went their separate ways. "It looks like it's me and you kid" Gina said to Lori "Where do you want to go?" "Let's just walk...we'll take it from there." "I can't believe Javier actually saved your life!" Nicole said to Jasmine as the two teens walked along the midway. "I mean, talk about storybook!" Jasmine just smiled as she looked at Nicole. "If he was only a few years younger Nic..." "Well anyways, he is sooooo fine!" Jasmine playfully elbowed Nicole in the ribs and gave her a goofy look. "Well duh!" The two teens giggled loudly as they drew stares from boys their own age. "Any chance of you coming to High School with us?" Tiffany asked Alicia. "Not sure yet, I mean my Grandmother is strict.....but if Mrs. Medina could pull this off...." "I would love for you to be back with us, you know the same posse!" Alicia then hugged Tiffany. She then pulled away and started to sob. "What's wrong?" "I love you guys and I missed you!" "Ahhh!" Tiffany responded as she noticed some of the games nearby. "I win you a stuffed animal" "You don't have to do that Tiff...." Tiffany then yanked her arm in that direction. "Come on Miss Robles!" "Ooohh! Look at that hat!" Lori squealed as she saw a straw hat that looked liked it right out of Tom Sawyer. Lori tried it on as Gina snapped a picture of the teen. "Do you have any change Gina? I kind of left mine at home." Lori said embarrassingly. Gina reached in her purse and gave Lori a five dollar bill. "Thanks, I'll pay you back tonight." Lori then held it up so she could see the watermark on it. Gina turned her head in curiosity. "Lori, what are you doing?" "Oh it's a trick my dad taught me.....he can tell if a bill is counterfeit or not. Not saying yours is, just a habit...." That's it!...Gina thought....That's where I know him from.....he's a counterfeiter wanted in this county!...... Gina needed proof of her claim as her and Lori walked off to meet the others. AMUSEMENT PARK PERIL (CH 4) After meeting up with the others and having lunch, Gina couldn't get the thought out of her head about the man. She was sure that he was a counterfeiter wanted by Local and New Mexico authorities. She sat there as she looked at the five teens enjoying the New Mexico summer. "I'll be right back girls, until then, Jasmine's in charge." Gina said as she winked at the girls. There were playful boos and hisses from the other girls at Gina's choice. "What's up with Gina, Lori?" Jasmine asked. "I don't know, but she has something on her mind." "It's probably that silly hat she helped buy for you!" Tiffany shot back, getting a stuck out tongue from Lori. "Maybe she wants one too!" "Did she meet a guy maybe?" Nicole added, sipping on the water. Half the group cracked up in giggles as Lori looked serious. "Come to think of it, she's been preoccupied with something." "It's a guy!" Nicole shouted, letting out a squeal as Lori tossed one of her last French fries in her direction. Meanwhile Gina quickly walked and went up to the same bathroom area. She then noticed an OUT OF ORDER sign on the door she was before. With the curiosity getting the best of her, Gina thought she heard a small noise coming from inside. It sounded like a small machine running. Taking a few more steps, Gina could definitely hear something....but what? She tried the door again. Locked, like before. She quickly walked around to the other side and saw another door. Curiously, she tried the knob. To her surprise, the door was unlocked. Gina slipped inside and tiptoed up to where the noise was coming from. It's a hidden room.....she thought as she got closer. She got out her phone and started to dial it. "What's taking her so long?" Jasmine asked, getting a stare from Lori. "What do you care Jas" Tiffany replied "You're in charge!" "Ha ha, very funny....look guys, something doesn't feel right." The Latina shot back getting a nod from Lori. "Give her a few more minutes" Nicole said, turning her head to see a cute boy walking by. Tiffany caught Nicole's glimpse and smiled. No signal.... Gina thought to herself as she tried her phone. I need proof though that man is the counterfeiter and is running his operation in this place and who's helping him do it?....the co-ed turned back around, but brushed into something. Gina then froze, but kept hearing the same noises from before. Maybe they didn't hear that....Gina then got the door, but it was now locked! Gina's heart started to pound as she suddenly heard footsteps near her. She went back to the door and tried desperately to open it. Come on....come on.....just then the door started to pry open, but a strong hand grabbed Gina, clamping a hand over her mouth before she could scream. The man's other hand closed the door shut. Gina managed to twist ouf of his hold and turned towards the man. Swiftly she aimed a kick to his groin, however the man easily sidestepped it. Gina tried to fight back but the man was clearly trained in martial arts as well. As she swung a punch he caught her arm and spun her around, twisting her arm painfully behind her back and pulling her head backwards by her hair. Gina grunted in pain as her shoulder nearly got dislocated. Then the man leaned towards her ear and spoke in a sinister voice. "So it looks like we have a snooper here huh? Not a good idea, sweetheart...let's go inside shall we?" Gina was now caught, seemingly in the clutches of counterfeiters. The man forced Gina inside the small storage room. Walking a few feet further, she came to a bigger room. There she saw a couple of printing presses and stacks of plates to make more money. Gina was right, they were counterfeiters! "Who the hell is she?" one of the three crooks asked. "This is the chick I got rid of before, but caught her snooping around outside." "Look" Gina pleaded "I didn't see anything." The man who had grabbed her laughed. "Yeah, until now.....we can always use the insurance unless something goes wrong." "You better let me go, or I'll scream!" The head crook quickly covered her mouth again with his hand. "That's a very unhealthy idea sweetheart....get some rope!" He ordered to one his partners as Gina wondered what the girls were going to do when they noticed she was missing....and in danger! AMUSEMENT PARK PERIL (CH 5) "Man it's been twenty minutes!" Nicole Marcos complained, unaware of Gina's dilemma. "Does she have that weak of a bladder?" Alicia added, getting a nod from Tiffany. "Did she say anything to you Lori?" Jasmine asked her best friend. "No, but she got real quiet when I bought this hat, or at least when I held up her five dollar bill I borrowed." "Do you still do that Lori?" Nicole responded, giving her a goofy look. "Yes, I do Nicole. My dad taught me how to look for counterfeit." "That's it!" Jasmine shouted "What's it?" "Maybe Gina spotted something that had to do with counterfeiting? I mean maybe her and my mom could have been working on something." "Yeah, if she wasn't in California this weekend, I could ask her." "Or we could ask Gina herself." Tiffany said getting up "Let's go find out ourselves." The five teens got up and headed over to the bathroom area. "Who do you think she is boss?" the crook with a baseball hat said "Maybe a reporter..." "Don't know, but intend to find out. Let's check her bag." >>From inside a cramped closet, Gina Cimino was trying to shift herself around. The crooks had tied her hands and feet tightly. A white rag cut into her lips, tightly cleave-gagging her. Gina tried her wrists but found no slack as the nylon ropes cut into her skin. She could hear her captors outside her prison room. The co-ed positioned herself to listen against the wall. "Just a bunch of girl junk if you ask me boss." "Hey what's this.....? Medina investigation services." The head crook said as he looked at a business card. "She's a P.I.!" the third crook piped up "Obviously she was snoopin' for somebody." "There's one way to find out.....bring me that can over there Jim." The crook named Jim went over to a shelf and brought his boss the glass bottle. The head crook then shook it and took out a handkerchief. He poured some of the liquid onto the cloth. He then went over to the small closet and opened it. "Mmmmmpphh!!!! mmmm!!!" "Boy, you are a feisty one...get up!" "Now you're gonna tell me why you are here and who hired you." Gina shook her head as the head crook untied the gag from her mouth. She then saw a gun pointed at her. "Don't even think of yelling honey. Now tell me what I need to hear." "W..w...I don't understand?" Gina stammered "I don't know what you mean?owww!" The head crook pulled her hair and pushed the gun into her cheek. "Talk!" "It's closed!" Lori said looking at the OUT OF ORDER sign on the bathroom door, unaware that Gina was a few yards away inside the building. "Now what?" Alicia asked. "Where's the other bathroom?" "Near the security office, according to park map. Hopefully we'll run into her.....at least we can talk to security." Jasmine shot back. "Gina's known to pull practical jokes though, but I'm not sure this time." "Man if she is pulling a practical joke..." Nicole fumed "I mean we get to this place and now this happens." "We don't know what happened Nic." Lori calmly added "But something's amiss." With that the quintet headed for the park security office. "Hey boss, look at this" The crook with the baseball hat said holding a camera. "What is it Ray?" "The chick's camera." "Anything on it?" "Just some pictures of her and some teenage girls." The boss looked irritated at that statement. "Is that all?" "The pictures were taken here.....about an hour ago, looks like she might be babysittin' or somethin'." "Is that so?" the boss said looking at Gina, who just looked at him. "That's all we need...five teeny boppers trying to find her. I've spent too much time and effort on this operation!" "Boss, what if we find them first?" The head crook looked at his partner and then started laughing evilly. "No! Leave th....mmmpphh!!!" Gina tried to protest, but the boss put the rag over her nose and mouth. Gina squealed, but soon her eyes rolled up in the back of her head and she was out from the chloroform. "We need to put this chick in a more secure area....you know where. Make sure you gag her again before she wakes up." "Right boss." "Now to figure out how to deal with five potential problems." he sneered, looking at the photos of the group. AMUSEMENT PARK PERIL (CH 6) Jasmine and her friends hurried over to the security office in attempt to find the now missing Gina. Lori tried her phone again. She rolled her eyes as Gina's phone went to voice mail. "Still no answer." the short-haired brunette told the others. "Something is not right for certain." With that, the girls went into the security office. A husky man with a thick mustache greeted the teens. "Can I help you girls?" "Yes, maybe you can." Jasmine answered "Our friend is missing." "Missing? Are you sure?" "She went to the bathrooms and didn't come back." "Maybe she ditched you." he shot back, getting a dirty look from Tiffany. "She's our chaperone Mr......Bruno." Tiffany replied, looking at his nametag. "Miss, I understand but unless I know more, there's not a whole lot I can do." "You've got to be kidding me!" Nicole half-shouted "There's has to be something you can do?" "Do you have a picture of her?" "I do" Lori spoke up as she reached in her small handbag and took out a photo of Gina and gave it to Mr. Bruno. "Her name is Gina Cimino" Jasmine responded. Just then another security person entered the building. The girls noticed that he looked like the nerdy type as he wore thick glasses, he was quite young and they doubted he was older then nineteen. "Did you get me fries Dan?" Bruno said to his co-worker, almost ignoring the girls and taking the lunch bag from Dan. "Excuse me?" Tiffany spoke up loudly "Now that you have her picture, what are you going to do about finding her?" "Don't worry girls.....I'll take care of it." Mr. Bruno shot back, taking a bite out of his burger. "Here's my cell phone number." Jasmine replied as she wrote down her number on the back of one of her mother's business cards. Bruno just nodded as the girls left the office. "Man, some security" Alicia spoke up "He was rude!" "Yes he was Alicia" Tiffany added "What do you think Jas?" "Guys, I think it's time to split up and do some sleuthing on our own." "Why did I know you were going to say that?" Lori said as Jasmine put her arm around her best friend. Gina was coming to as she focused her eyes. She still felt pain around her wrists, ankles and mouth as she was still tightly bound and gagged. The co-ed looked around and could tell she was in another room, but where? Was it in the same place as she was before or another place? Listening closely, Gina could hear voices like before, but there was screaming along with it. Where am I? She thought as she looked for a way out of the small room that she was locked in. "Did you take care of the problem Jim?" the head counterfeiter asked his partner. "Taken care of. But what about the women?" "Maybe we can ignore it and take care of the other chick." the third crook, Ray responded. "Ray, don't be stupid." the boss shot back, correcting him. "Think about it, we have five teens in this picture with this Gina girl who works for a P.I.? It all adds up to trouble if we don't do something about it." "I don't need five Nancy Drew's messing everything up for us." Jim added. Just then the boss's phone rang. "Yeah....is that so.....how long ago?.... See what way they were headed?...... Okay keep me posted." "That was security. Less than a half hour ago, five teenage girls stopped by and asked them to find a certain Gina Cimino. Still want to ignore it Ray?" "But we still don't know what they look like?" Ray responded "I mean that photo is small." "We can try and enlarge it, but for now I have another idea." The boss went over to a table and picked up Gina's phone. Opening it, he spotted her contacts list. He then stopped and did a double take. "I'll be damned!" he snarled "What is it boss?" Jim quizzed, looking at Ray. "One of the name's on here is Medina." "So? Isn't that the name on the business card?" "There's two Medina's listed. Jane and Jasmine." "Mother and daughter? Sisters?" "Don't know.....maybe partners.....but there's another name here." The boss started to text the person on the list. "Oh my God, Gina's in trouble!" Tiffany said as she stood next to Lori as she read the faux text. "Come on, we better hurry!" The two teens ran off towards where they thought Gina was....unaware of the trap they were possibly walking into. AMUSEMENT PARK PERIL (CH 7) "I think we should call Jasmine, Lori" Tiffany said as she stopped her friend from running and then dialed her phone. "You know I left mine at home." Lori nodded and dialed Jasmine's number. A few seconds later, Lori rolled her eyes and stared at her phone. "Voice mail" the cute brunette said, flustered. "She must be in an area where there's alot of people." "Text her" Tiffany replied. "On it." Lori started to send her best friend a quick message, but suddenly her phone went dead! "Not now!" "What's wrong?" Tiffany quizzed "This stupid phone of mine, it won't keep the charge. Come on Tiff," she added, grabbing her friend's arm. "Let's check it out ourselves." "Almost complete boss." Jim said as he downloaded Gina's camera pics of the girls onto a laptop. "There, done." "Good work." the boss replied as he eyed the enlarged photo with an evil eye. "Now to print a couple of copies out......hopefully in time to catch some little rats. When these get done, get over there and help Ray." "Gotcha." Lori and Tiffany made it over near where Gina's text said she would be. In the funhouse, about halfway in. "This sure is a funny place where she might be....pardon my pun." Tiffany said as she looked around. "This is where she said she was though." Lori started to walk near the building and Tiffany quickly stopped her. "What is it?" Lori asked, puzzled. "I just thought of something. What of that text is bogus?" "Bogus?" Lori shot back. "You mean coming form someone else?" "Exactly. And didn't you and Jasmine say that Gina wasn't the texting kind?" "Yeah, but maybe she's in trouble and couldn't talk." Tiffany then rolled her eyes. "Okay maybe so.....so what do we do then?" "One of us should check it out and the other one goes to security and tries to convince them to help us." "Those keystone cops?" Tiffany sneered "You can go; I'll go in and see if I can find anything." "I'll give you fifteen minutes.....maybe I can call Jasmine from their office at least." The two friends parted ways as someone was watching them. That someone then looked at the photo and circled Tiffany and Lori's faces. A few minutes later, Lori had arrived at the security office once again. Walking inside, the brunette didn't see anyone. "Hello? Anyone here?" Lori turned around and walked right into Dan, the nerdy looking guard from before. The teen jumped at the sight of him. "I'm sorry I startled you, can I help you Miss?" Lori caught her breath and then spoke. "Do you remember me from earlier?" Dan shook his head. "Me and my friends were in here looking for someone.....you brought in lunch for your partner." "Oh yeah, I remember. I'm glad you came back, I think I might have found something." "You did?" "I have it back here." "Oh, by the way can use your phone...mine went d......mmmppphh!!" Lori had been seized by Ray, who was behind the door. He had his hand over her mouth and tried to pull her arms behind her back. Lori wiggled free and spun around, elbowing Ray straight in the jaw. With the big man stunned the landed a hard knee to groin that made him double over in pain. From the corner of her eyes she saw Dan move towards her. Just in time avoided the karate chop aimed for the side of her neck. Ducking low Lori managed to kick him hard in his abdomen. Dan grunted and replied with a elbow strike towards her face. Lori was able to block the blow with her arm and punched Dan in the face, knocking off his glasses. Dan blinked with his eyes but was able to avoid her kick aimed at his thigh. "My glasses bitch" Angry he swung a punch at Lori, which she managed to block. However before she was able to react he seized her shoulders and kneed her hard in her belly. Lori grunted as a deep visceral pain nearly made her double over. Dan slapped her across the face and then pushed her back, straight in the arms of Ray who quickly hooked his arms around hers and forced her arms behind her back. The wicked Dan walked towards Lori and grabbed a hold of her breasts and began to painfully grope her. Lori screamed in pain as Dan had a grip like iron clamps and it felt like her breasts were about to get torn off any second. After giving one last hard squeeze Dan picked up his glasses and carefully inspected it. "You are lucky they are not broken, otherwise I would have put a real hurt on you." "Nosy kids!" Ray sneered as he held an almost crying Lori tight. "Settle down sweetie, if you know what's good for you!" Lori's head was spinning, as fear overcame her. She had now fallen into the crooks clutches, the same ones who had obviously grabbed Gina and probably soon, Tiffany! "We need to move her quickly, before Bruno gets back from the duty I sent him on. Just hope that Jim can catch the other one....put her to sleep." "Night, night sweetie." Ray snarled as he began to choke her neck with his right hand. With trained precision he dug his fingers into her carotid arteries, blocking the blood flow to her brain. Lori squealed, but in just seconds she began to feel lightheaded. Soon the cute teen slumped into unconsciousness. AMUSEMENT PARK PERIL (CH [http://static.yuku.com/domain/bypass/images/cool02.gif] Tiffany had walked through most of the funhouse. She then realized it had been more than fifteen minutes. Come on Lori...where are you? The teen walked more down one of the corridors. She came up close with some of the Funhouse's 'characters', which made her jump. She knew it was part of it, so she collected herself and kept moving. Suddenly she heard a noise which sounded like voices coming from behind her......they weren't the usual screams from guests, but two men talking and from what she could see, were carrying something large. The figures disappeared through a door. With curiosity getting the best of her, Tiffany snuck back and came to the door. The striking African-American girl looked to see of anyone else was coming up the corridor. She sensed a couple of guest was approaching from the same direction. Her heart pounded as she tried the door. It was open as she stepped through the door. There wasn't much light as the teen snuck down the narrow corridor. There's nothing here.....she thought.......where did they go? She kept walking, hoping that she could find her way back to the main part of the funhouse. Suddenly she saw a light and could hear two men talking. Creeping closer, Tiffany could see the two men. One was a security guard. She figured he wouldn't be too happy to find her back here. But her concern turned to dread as she then saw Gina sitting on the floor, bound and gagged! And next to her was a tied up Lori. She looked to be unconscious. Maybe that's who they were carrying....Lori! That guard is a criminal. She covered her mouth and knew she had to get help. She could hear the two men talking about finding the other one. Tiff turned to go, but ran right into a third man. Tiffany screamed, but the man's hand clamped over her mouth! "Nice of you to join the party!" he sneered as Tiffany's eyes lit up with fear. She obviously had fallen right into a trap. "That was too easy." Jim said as he finished trying Tiffany up. "Even if somebody heard your scream, you're in the funhouse remember?" Biting on her gag, Tiffany looked at him with a disgusted look. She struggled with the ropes that tied her wrists behind her back, but they held tight. "I admire your spunk kid." he added as he turned to his partners in crime. "This one seems like she's waking up." Dan said. "I have to get back to my post now. You two know what to do." With that the three men, left the three captives, shutting the door behind them. "Any word from Lori?" Alicia asked Jasmine. "Check your phone now." Jasmine looked down at her phone and saw nothing. She then dialed it. "It's gone straight to voice mail." the Latina answered. "Something doesn't feel right." "Oh great." Nicole added "Can this day get any worse?" "We three might have to split up." Jasmine said to her friends "We can cover more ground." "Hey, what's that?" Alicia said, spotting something familiar lying on the grass. The girls hurried over to it and saw a straw hat lying there. "Wasn't Lori wearing one of these?" Alicia added, picking it up. "How could you forget?" Nicole shot back, rolling her eyes at the headwear. "It could be hers..." Jasmine added "But they do sell them all over." "Unfortunately." Nicole added, sarcastically. "Nicole!" Alicia scolded her old friend, knowing that if the hat was Lori's, losing it was hopefully the only problem. "Come on guys, we need to speak to that security guard again." Gina looked over at the two newest captives, Tiffany and Lori were tightly bound and gagged like she was. The teens rolled on the floor next to Gina, trying to get at each other's bonds. Lori tried to tell Tiffany to lie still, but their mouths were stuffed with cloth and both girls cleave-gagged on top of that. Only grunts came out of their mouths as Lori tried to shift her wrists around to Tiffany's. Lori could feel the rope biting into her skin as she tried to feel for the knots on her friend's wrists. Having been tied up with Jasmine before, gave Lori hope that this would work. But a few minutes of trying, the suddenly hot room and the tightness of the knots were too much to overcome. Lori sat up and moaned loudly behind her gag. Tiffany joined her as Gina watched the two teens try anything to help them all escape. Whatever those creeps are up to, they made sure we wouldn't interfereLori thought rather glumly. She looked at Tiffany, who had teared up. Lori had to be brave, but tears started to form in her eyes as well. The trio just sat back and waited for the crooks to return. The girls end of the year party had turned into a real nightmare. They had fallen into the crooks clutches, and the geeky looking guard was helping them, but who were they and what were they doing here? Oh God, Jasmine....please find us...... AMUSEMENT PARK PERIL (CH 9) Jasmine, Nicole and Alicia made their way back to the security guard office. Walking inside, the three teens saw the guard, Mr. Bruno who they had trouble with before. He rolled his eyes as he recognized the trio. "Well well if isn't you three again" he said half-heartily "Hey wasn't there five of you kids?" "Yes" Jasmine replied, giving Bruno the hat they found. "My best friend Lori was wearing this." "So?" "We found it on the ground near here." Nicole snapped "What are you going to do to help us?" Bruno then laughed loudly before catching himself. "Let me get this straight girls', this Lori girl is now missing?" "Yes" Alicia responded. "And another girl Tiffany also." "Girls," Bruno shot back "Did you ever think your friends are playing jokes on you?" "How can you say that?" Nicole shouted, before being calmed down by Jasmine. "We're telling you the truth!" "Look kid, there's nothing to go on. That hat doesn't prove anything." Just then Dan walked into the back door. He noticed the teens from the picture and listened on the other side of the wall. "I can't believe this" Jasmine responded "What kind of security is this?" "Maybe I can help you girls" Dan said, stepping out from behind the wall. "Finally!" Nicole shouted again, looking agitated at Mr. Bruno "Good, now I can go to lunch." Bruno snapped as the phone rang. Bruno answered it and then started talking to somebody, his mood lightening up considerably. He then motioned to Dan that he would eat later. "Come on girls; let's go see what we can find." Dan said, as he escorted the teens from the office. The girl completely unaware that he was behind Lori and Tiffany's dissapearance, as well as Gina's also. Back in their prison room; Gina, Lori and Tiffany continued to struggle against the tight ropes and gags. Gina was getting frustrated at the lack of slack in her bonds. She suddenly noticed something across the room. It looked like something shiny sticking out of the wall. Getting to her feet, and ignoring the pain in her ankles, the attractive co-ed hopped over to it. Lori and Tiffany moaned their approval as Gina backed her wrists up to the object, which was a rusty piece of aluminum, which looked sharp enough to saw through the ropes. "Come on Cimino...concentrate..." She said to herself as she began to saw through the ropes, which was made of clothesline. Tiffany and Lori rolled to each other again, each one finding the other's bonds. Seeing Gina working on her bonds gave the teens motivation to try again and get free. About a good ten minutes later..... "Almost there.....got it!" Gina yanked the rest of the loosen ropes from around her wrists and loosened the gag from her mouth, pulling it down around her neck. She then spat out the sodden wad of cloth and took a refreshing breath. She then rubbed circulation into her reddened wrists and then freed her ankles. "I'll have you guys free in a second." Gina said as she bent down and started to untie Lori and Tiffany. Free of the nasty gags, the teens took some refreshing breaths. Gina then freed their wrists and ankles. "We've got to find Jasmine!" Lori said, as she hugged Tiffany and then Gina. "Those men have to be stopped." "They're counterfeiters." Gina said as she and the girls made their way to the door. "I shouldn't have been so impulsive and investigated on my own. We just got to get....." Gina was interrupted by Jim who blocked their path! Tiffany and Lori both screamed. "Going somewhere ladies?" "I know where you're going scumbag" Gina shouted, kneeing him in the groin area! "Down!" Jim doubled over in agony as Gina then knocked him on the head with a open hand! Lori and Tiffany looked shocked as Jim appeared to be out of it. "Where did you learn that from?" Tiffany asked, looking astonished. "Mrs. Medina taught me a few things.....but not the crotch shot, that's mine." Lori smiled wide as she noticed Gina's phone in Jim's shirt pocket. "We need to call Jasmine." she said, but then noticing there was no signal, or a weak one at that. "Agreed" Gina shot back "But first, let's bind and gag this loser." "Excellent choice Gina" Tiffany responded "And let's make it tight as he tied us." After tying up the crook, Gina led the teens out of the funhouse. Just then they heard steps behind them. "Come on girls, run!" As the girls ran into the main part of the funhouse, the steps got louder. Just then Lori screamed...... AMUSEMENT PARK PERIL (CH 10) Lori had run right into a giant spider web. She screamed some more as she tried to brush the silky strands from her body. "Man, I hate spiders!" she yelled as Gina and Tiffany helped her out. Just then Lori felt something crawling on her leg......the spider! Freaking out, the brunette teen brushed hard against it, sending it flying. She then stood there catching her breath. Meanwhile the footsteps had stopped. "I don't hear the footsteps anymore, listen...." Tiffany said as they all listened carefully. Suddenly the footsteps returned and were coming in the girl's direction. The teens froze as Gina got ready to pounce. Just then the walkway was blocked by another man who held a light on them. The girls let out a shriek, but they soon realized he was a maintenance man. "What on earth are you three doing here, this ride is closed for repairs.....now out!" "Listen mister" Gina pleaded "We were kept prisoner in here by these counterfeiters." "Counterfeiters? Why you kids will make up any story to do what you want, like trespassing." "Trespassing?" Lori shouted "We were kidnapped!" "If you don't believe us" Tiffany added "We managed to escape and take out one of the crooks." "Yeah, he's tied up back there in that small room." "You three?" the maintenance man laughed "I can't believe it!" "It's the truth!" Tiffany added, obviously falling on deaf ears, just like the rest of their experience with the help at the park. "Come on guys," Gina added "Let's get out of here....I can get a signal and call the Police." "Police?" the man said "You're kidding right? If what you said is true, we can have security take care of it." "No way" Lori responded "One of the guards is working with the crooks." "Somebody named Dan." Tiffany added. "Dan Wells?" the man said puzzled "He's a good man, now let's get you three out of here now before I really get upset!" Gina then led Lori and Tiffany out of the funhouse as the man followed them. A few minutes later, the trio was back outside. Gina immediately tried her cell phone. "Are you calling the Police?" Lori asked the co-ed "No, Jasmine. We need to all meet up and get to the Police." As Dan led Jasmine, Nicole and Alicia to where they thought Gina had disappeared to. "This is the place she last went to" Jasmine said, looking around. Just then her phone rang. The name said GINA on the caller I.D. "Oh my God, it's Gina!" "Gina?" Jasmine asked with apprehension on her face "Where are you, what happened to you?" "Jasmine, listen to me. Where are you?" "Me, Nicole and Alicia are near where you were last. We finally got a security guard to listen to us." Gina then closed her eyes. "That's not that guard named Dan is it?" "The same, why?" Jasmine added, as she then saw the shocking sight of Dan's gun then pointed to Alicia's ribs! He then snatched Jasmine's phone from her hand and closed the connection. He then looked around to make sure no one else was watching. "Now if you two don't want to see your friend get hurt, I suggest you cooperate....now move!" Dan then forced the trio in the small building where the counterfeiters were. "Hello....hello...Jasmine? Oh my God, that scumbag must have taken them prisoner!" Lori put her hand to her mouth. As much as Jasmine, as well as her had been caught in the past, it was still hard to accept. "I hope you're calling the Police now Gina." Tiffany asked, as Gina redialed her cell. "No, Mrs. Medina....she has contacts. Then maybe we can make these nimrods believe us" "This was dumb Dan" the boss said "You're plan is falling apart." Dan was tying Jasmine's ankles together as the pretty Latina was sitting on the floor with her hands tied behind her back. Nicole and Alicia sat bound and cleave-gagged with bandanas next to her. "Yeah, you better listen to him......because...." Jasmine said boldly as Dan rolled up a bandana and forced it between Jasmine's teeth and tied the gag tight behind her head. "That should keep you quiet Chica!" he sneered as he got up and joined the boss and Ray. "Plan is going fine, but Jim should have checked in by now." Jasmine looked at her friends. Nicole trying valiantly to get loose. She could only wonder if Gina would get help, but how soon would it come? AMUSEMENT PARK PERIL (CH 11) Gina was satisfied at her conversation with her boss, Jane Medina. She closed her cell phone as she walked with Lori and Tiffany. "What did she say Gina?" Lori asked, curiously. "Is she back in Thunder Ridge?" "Yes. Got back a few hours ago. She's checking into everything right now....hopefully she'll send the Calvary soon. This is all my fault, if I hadn't been so interested in....." "Don't beat yourself up Gina," Tiffany replied, knowing that Gina felt guilty about everything. "We've all been there." Gina then hugged Tiffany and Lori. "We'll find them, don't worry." "But now what?" Lori asked "Can we do anything?" Suddenly Gina noticed Jim coming near them. She then grabbed the teens. "Yeah, run!" The trio took off in the middle of the park with Jim in hot pursuit. >>From her spot on the floor, Jasmine tugged at her tied wrists, but as usual they held tight. Ray noticed this and taunted her. "You ain't gettin' loose kid, but nice try." Just then Dan's phone rang. He had a concerned look on his face as he answered it. "Where the hell have you been Jim? Whoa....you're what?......where are you now? No.....I have another idea, pull back." Dan closed the phone and looked at the teen captives. "It's seems like our partner was after your other friends......but it's a little hard with so many people around. I think one of you can do better." Jasmine looked at the gagged faces of Nicole and Alicia, who returned stares. "I think if I release one of you, I think it will be perfect bait to trap the others." The boss then stopped him. "Have you lost it completely? Letting one of them go to find their friends." "Do you have a better idea?" "Why don't you just call the Gina chick and tell them to give themselves up?" Dan looked at him and picked up Jasmine's cell phone. He then went over to Alicia and yanked her to her feet, despite them being bound. The teen let out a yelp as Dan pulled on her hair. Jasmine and Nicole shot evil looks at him at the way he was treating their friend. He then dialed Gina's number. "Hello Gina." he sneered. On the other end, Gina and the two teens had found a hiding place behind some bushes. Gina could still see Jim walking around. "Yes...." she answered, knowing it was bad news on the other end. "I have something of yours, or should I say three." Dan said, as he threatened Alicia with the gun. "Leave them alone jerkoff! It's me you want." Lori and Tiffany tried to reason with her, but just got the brush-off. "Look, it's me you want....let the others go." "I don't think that would be too much fun, do you think?" Dan then cocked the gun and pointed at the trembling Alicia's head! as Jasmine and Nicole squealed behind their gags. "Go with Jim, or else I start shooting. And that means all of you." Gina then heard her phone click. She shook her head and cursed. "What's.....wrong....oh my God!" Lori said grabbing Gina's arm. "What did he say?" "We have to turn ourselves in, or the others die." Tiffany looked at Lori and then they both looked at Gina. By the looks of things, they had no choice. Please Jane, hurry up.....Gina thought. "Hopefully, this will soon all be over." Dan said as the counterfeiters packed up their equipment. "I mean for you three....err six." The girls squealed as they knew their fate was sealed, but how? A few minutes later, they got their answer. "I think the old comet rollercoaster would be perfect to get rid of these meddlers." Ray then interrupted him. "You mean the one's that unsafe to ride?" "The very one. It's shut down, but I think one more ride would be very nice to see, and of course at night time." Jasmine closed her eyes as tears formed. Alicia was already crying. Nicole, as brave and feisty as she was, closed her eyes as well. The peril waiting for them was an old broken down roller coaster, which if run, would probably jump its tracks, killing all of them.... AMUSEMENT PARK PERIL (CH 12) Gina looked at the teens and thought for a moment. "I have an idea. When I yell, start running in the opposite direction and go hide, not sure if they might go search for you.....at least it will buy us some time." "What?" Lori shot back. "We can't let you go alone, they'll hurt the others." "Don't worry Lori, I'll convince those scumbags somehow." "I don't like this." Tiffany added, holding onto Lori. "We don't have a choice." "My mind's made up. I'm the one they really want. Just trust me." "And what do we do in the meantime?" Lori quizzed. "Call Jane Medina and wait for her, hopefully she'll be here soon......try and keep the communication open with her." "I just hope this works....." Lori said, her voice tailing off. Gina and the girls emerged from their hiding place in the bushes and Jim pacing back and forth noticed them. He went up to Gina and stuck a pistol into her ribs. "Nice to see you again honey." he sneered, getting evil eyes from Gina. "Let's go shall we?" The foursome walked as Jim held Gina just like a couple in love. She hated every second of it, but had no choice as the others were in danger. After a few minutes of walking, Gina suddenly stopped. "Keep moving!" Jim ordered. "Now girls! Run!" Just like that, Lori and Tiffany took off in the opposite direction as fast they could. Startled Jim grabbed Gina as some people walking by noticed his strange behavior. Jim then kissed Gina on the cheek to somewhat pacify the passersbys. Gina closed her eyes in disgust. "That was REAL stupid chickie!" he whispered loudly "But very brave, I must admit. Hopefully the boss will approve.... but I'm sure he'll send out a search party for those kids." As Jim made Gina move, Lori and Tiffany had ran almost to the other side of the park. Out of breath, the teens made their way into another clump of bushes. They grabbed each other and hugged. Lori then looked out and noticed no one near them. Lori then got out the phone and dialed it. She closed her eyes as Jane's phone went to voicemail. "Mrs. Medina....it...it's Lori.....p..please hurry....." Lori was sobbing as she closed the phone. "Hopefully she's nearby." Tiffany spoke up. "For everyone's sakes I hope so." Jim forced Gina inside the counterfeiters hideout. She immedialetly saw Jasmine, Alicia and Nicole all bound and gagged and sitting on the floor. All three squealed at the sight of her being roughed up by Jim. "Where's the other two?" Dan asked, noticing Gina by herself. "They ran away." Jim replied. "On my orders" Gina said defiantly. "Is that so." Dan sneered as he grabbed Gina's chin roughly. "Very stupid move girlie, I hate it when people don't follow directions!" Jasmine and the others hardly couldn't bare to watch Gina's rough treatment by Dan. "Go find them yourself!" she half yelled before a rolled up rag found the back of her mouth courtesy of Jim. He pulled the gag tight and knotted it behind Gina's neck tightly. "Yes, I will.....tie this bitch up! cut off her circulation if you have to!" Jim pulled Gina's hands behind her back and started to tie her tightly as Dan wanted. "I want this park shut down now......make some sort of safety announcement." Gina was then pushed roughly to the floor next to Jasmine. Jim then binded her ankles tightly. "What then?" Ray asked. "Find those other brats, they won't leave without their friends I'm sure of that. And when you find them.....kill them!" Gina looked at the teens who were in tears. I hope I didn't sign their death warrant......come on Jane, hurry up..... After several minutes, Tiffany nudged Lori who had somehow fallen asleep next to her. The girls then heard a man's voice over the loudspeaker. He was said something about the park being closed for safety reasons. The announcement kept playing for several minutes. "You don't think that's because of us?" Tiffany asked. Lori then thought. "Unless the Police are here?" "But Mrs. Medina hasn't called back yet....." Lori then realized Tiffany was right. Those Crooks are closing the park and would only be a matter of time before we are were hunted down and caught! AMUSEMENT PARK PERIL (CH 13) Lori and Tiffany made their way along a strip of bushes that was adjacent to the park's perimeter fence. Lori then checked her cell phone again. "Are you sure you have it turned on Lori?" Tiffany Harrison asked her friend. "Of course I do, but nothing from Mrs. Medina." "Where could she be? I mean, if she doesn't show up soon....." Lori looked at Tiffany with an I know look. "Have you seen anything yet?" Dan called out on his walkie-talkie to Ray and Jim who were outside looking for Lori and Tiffany. "No Dan, but it looks like the last of the customers are leaving." "Good. Get up there and lock the gates, I'm going to cut the main lights and get our ride ready for our guests." Jasmine looked at the others as Ray acknowledged Dan on his walkie-talkie. A familiar sense of dread came over the pretty teen. "Okay ladies, we've got to go check some things, try to stay comfy while we're gone. With that, Dan and the 'boss' left the four bound and gagged captives to struggle for their lives. "Mmmmphhhh!!!" Jasmine squealed as she maneuvered her back against Gina's. Alicia and Nicole did the same as the foursome tried to free each other. "Grrrrmmphhh!!! Mmmphhh!" Gina tried to say to Jasmine that her hands were going numb and couldn't try Jasmine's knots. Jasmine sensed this and trying her best to have Gina sit still, desperately reaching for the knots holding Gina's wrists prisoner. The Latina noticed how hard Alicia and Nicole were working up a sweat, time right now, was their worst enemy. Lori and Tiffany worked their way more along the outside corridor towards the main gate. Suddenly, the girls saw several lights go out. Tiffany then grabbed Lori. "Oh no! we won't know where we are." Lori then clamped her hand over her friend's mouth. "Shhh! Calm down Tiff, those guys can be anywhere....." Lori scolded her as she looked around. "I doubt if they will kill all of the lights, so we've got to think of something." Tiffany composed herself and followed Lori along the fencing. They then made it to the main gate. To the girl's horror, the main gate was locked. "Oh my God, it's locked!" Lori half-shouted, forgetting what she just told Tiffany. Just then Lori's phone rang, she could barely make out who was calling, but even she could tell it was wonderful news.....Jane Medina was on the other end! About twenty minutes of trying got the girls nowhere. Jasmine realized that as many times she had been tied up, this had to be the most thorough job yet, and that was saying a lot. Tears rolled down her cheeks as just then Dan and the 'boss' returned. The girls gulped and closed their eyes as their ankles were untied. As they were jerked to their feet, the blood rushed to their numb ankles. "Time for your ride ladies. The comet awaits you." Dan smirked. "Oh I admire your effort on trying to get free...." He just let out an evil laugh as the girls were forced out the door. The captives were about to put on an old rollercoaster than completely unsafe! Lori fumbled the phone a minute, but quickly answered it. "Mrs. Medina! Thank God, where are you.....in the parking lot......we're by the fro...mmmphhh!" The girls were suddenly hand gagged from behind by Ray and Jim! "Lori?Lori?....sounded Mrs. Medina's voice on the phone before Ray took it and smashed it with his boot. He then took out his walkie-talkie. "Dan, guess who we just found?" "Get rid of them; make it look like an accident." The 'boss' then interjected. "Don't you feel this has gone to far Dan?" "Are you getting cold feet old man? Check them." As the 'boss' turned, Dan brought his gun down on his head, knocking him out! Jasmine, Gina, Nicole and Alicia squealed loudly as they sat in each of the first four cars of the old coaster. Dan then picked up his former partner in crime and dumped him in a back car. "Sorry girls, your friends won't be joining you on your final ride, but you do have him." Jasmine let out a scream behind her gag. How can one man be so hateful and cruel... With that thought, the old coaster was about to start its slow and fateful ride...... AMUSEMENT PARK PERIL (CONCLUSION) "Come on girls, walk!" Ray and Jim ordered as they pushed Lori and Tiffany along to meet their fate. "W..What are going to do with us?" Lori stammered, not liking what the crook had to say. "Shut up and keep moving!" Just then, out of nowhere a loud noise was heard behind them. "Ha ha ha, too late girls to stop the roller coaster!" Lori looked puzzled, but in that instant a familiar sight flashed before her eyes. The noise belonged to Jane Medina's black S.U.V. ramming the front gate, knocking down the fence as she drove over it! "What the hell!" Jim shouted, as Tiffany broke free from his grasp and started to run. Lori stomped on Jim's foot and then for good measure, kicked him in the right shin like she was lining up for a penalty kick. The vehicle stopped and Jane jumped out with another officer. "Freeze! On the ground!" Jane ran over to Lori and Tiffany who were in an embrace and trembling. "Girls, are you okay? Where are Jasmine and the others?" "We don't know their captive somewhere in this place." Jane then turned her attention to the now cuffed Ray and Jim. "Where is my daughter and her friends? Where!" Despite the look on Mrs. Medina's face, the men were defiant. "One of them said something about too late to stop the roller coaster, then you busted in here..." Jane thought for a moment and then looked at the teens. "Oh my God, the old Comet coaster. We need to cut the power to this place now!" But at that time, the old coaster had started up on its fateful journey carrying Jasmine, Nicole, Alicia, Gina and as well as the crook known as 'the boss' slowly up the first large hill. Dan had left the area and was making his way back to the hideout when suddenly lights went on in front of him. Thinking it was Ray and Jim, he called out to them. "Wow that was quick, what did you do with the bodies?" "Nothing, scumbag!" Yelled the voice of Jane Medina! "Where's my daughter?" "You're too late, but you will meet her in the afterlife SOON." With the light being on, Dan saw a long, metal pipe and picked it up. Wielding the pipe like a bo staff he then attacked Jane with it; Jane avoided the swings and managed to grab his arm and trap it under her armpit. Jane gave him a quick elbow strike and managed to make him drop the pipe. Swiftly Jane sweeped his feet from underneath him but Dan managed to roll away and got back to his feet. Both in a fighting stance they shortly circled each other before Dan attacked with a spinning kick at her chest. Raising her arms Jane was able to block the impact but was unable to avoid Dan from following up with a punch to her ribs that made her stagger back. Dan aimed a forearm strike at her temple which was blocked by Jane who countered with a punch that him him straight on the nose. His nose bleeding Jane followed up by elbowing him across the jaw and punching him in the abdomen. She swung another punch at his jaw but Dan caught it and used her own momentum to pull her off balance and twist her arm behind her back. With his other hand he grabbed a hold of her hair. "You are going to pay for that!" Forcing her arm high behind her shoulders he then began to drive her forward, trying to slam her face against the nearest wall. Raising her feet Jane pushed off against the wall and avoided hitting her face. Spinning free from his hold she elbowed him in the jaw and knocked his glasses off. A hard sidekick to his gut made him double over. As Jane came at him Dan raises his hand in an attempt to fend her off. Jane seized his arm and spun him around. Wrapping and arm around his neck she began to apply a chokehold. However Dan kept struggling and managed to peel her arm away from his neck. Wrapping his arm around her legs he spun around and threw her to the floor. Jane tried to roll away but took a hard kick to the side and felt ribs pop. Just in time she rolled away as his foot slammed on the floor where her head had been just half a second ago. Jane tried to hit him but Dan now easily blocked her strikes before seizing her shoulders and kneeing her straight in her gut. Gasping for air Jane was staggering on her feet and Dan kicked her straight in the chest, knocking her against the wall. Her busted ribs and his heavy blows to her midsection had taken her toll on her and Jane could barely breath. A sadistic expression on his face Dan came towards her. Jane faked a punch and instead threw a kick. However Dan easily caught her leg and replied with a vicious punch to her busted ribs. Jane felt like her ribcage got split in half, with a howling scream she clutched her side as the pain nearly made her pass out. Dan grinned and punched her hard across the face. Dazed Jane got pressed against the wall and Dan began to roughly grope her breasts. "You are quite a handfull Miss Medina, you are even more fun to abuse then your daughter." Jane wanted to say something but Dan began to choke her neck with his right hand. "Shhhhh, it's oke. This is almost done. You will see your daughter in the afterlife." Jane felt her face turn red as black dotts appeared in front of her. He was going to strangle her to death! Thinking about Jasmine Jane summoned all of her strenght and punched down hard on his arm choking her, breaking his grip. Dan looked suprised but then replied with an elbow towards her face. Jane ducked low and gave him a heavy punch to his gut that made him gasp for air. Grabbing him by the shoulders she slammed her knee in his groin and made him scream in agony. Like a wounded animal Dan stumbled back. Leaping towards Jane spun in the air and hit him in the face with a perfect spinning back kick. Dan reacted like he got shot by a canon, his body went limp and he dropped to the floor like a lifeless doll. "Don't ever do that again slime!" she shouted as Lori and then Tiffany ran up to her. Lori then noticed Dan laying motionless on the floor. "The Police found the power box Mrs. M!" Lori shouted "What did you do?" "Put him down where he belongs." "Loser!" Lori said to him, still not close enough to where he could grab her leg. As Lori ran to join the others, she thought she heard him say 'bitch' suddenly the whole place was plunged into darkness. The Police as well as Jane brought out heavy-duty flashlights and made their way over to the old coaster. "Jasmine? Gina?" Jane shouted as they hoped they weren't too late. Jane did the dread the worst as Lori teared up. "Anybody?" A few more moments of silence filled the New Mexico night as suddenly Jane heard a faint squeal. "Over there!" she pointed as she shined her flashlight in that direction. A few seconds later, she was overjoyed at the sight of her daughter, although bound and gagged still. Gina and the others were moving around as well. As the floodlights were turned back on, everybody realized how close the car was to jumping the track....it had stopped right before a small hill that led straight down to a broken track! "Let's get them out of there." Jane said in a most relieved voice. "What took you so long mom?" Jasmine said as she hugged her mother. "You should be thanking Lori here; it was she that got a hold of me. We checked these men out and it seems the New Mexico authorities have been looking for these guys for months. It's just lucky that I got here when I did Jasmine Maria." Jasmine rolled her eyes as she heard her middle name being called out. Jasmine then made it over to Lori. After a few tender smiles, the best friends embraced and let out a few tears. A few friendly "I love you's were exchanged as Gina saw their warm embrace. She started to leave when Jane cleared her throat. "Not so fast Miss Cimino, I think you have some explaining to do..." "Don't be so hard on her Mrs. Medina, I think we all do." Tiffany shot back, getting laughter out of all of them. "Let's go home!" Lori shouted, changing the subject. "Yeah, to a hot bath!" Jasmine retorted. The two best friends then walked out of the park and smiled, one more dangerous adventure liven through. THE END