VALERIE CHANG CAMPUS REPORTER: The Campus Burglaries




Finally. Valerie Chang's classes had ended for the day as she headed back to
the apartment. The Asian brunette reached in her handbag and took out her
cell. Hitting the first button, her roommate Cassie Warren answered It

"Hey girl, where you at?" Cassie said over the phone. "You know the beach is
calling us!"

"I know" Valerie replied chinking about all the cute guys that would be there
"I'm walking back right now, be there in a few"

"I'll be waiting..." was Cassie's response. Val flipped the phone back in her
bag and headed for the apartment, which was about a quarter mile from where
she was at that moment. Being early May, it had gotten really nice and
beautiful, as Valerie was about to complete her Junior year at Central College
near the west coast of California, which was about an hour from the ocean.
Cassie major was in business, as she wanted to take after her father, who was
a successful businessman near Bakersfield and Valerie was a journalism major,
as she worked for the school newspaper: THE DAILY TARGET. She was trying to
fit the role as reporter and working for a great man, Mr. Ronald Henry.

A few minutes later, Valerie arrived at the apartment and went inside. Cassie
was all giddy as she was already In her bikini top and jean cut-offs. Her tan
showing nicely as Val thought think she wanted to add to it. Cassie had the
all-American looks, the sort of girl next-door type that any guy would love to
have. She was between relationships, as she had broken up with her last
boyfriend a couple of months before. As for Valerie, she was so immersed in
school and the paper that any relationships took a back burner. But she did
indeed have time to look!

"Well, let's go!" she almost shouted as Valerie put down her bag. Just then
Cassie's phone rang

"Hello?...oh hey professor...oh man i forgot. Okay, I'll drop it off"

Cassie rolled her eyes as she hung up her phone

"That was professor Reynolds. i forgot about the file i borrowed from him, i
need to drop that off at his office, he's going to pick it up there later"

"I've got to change first, i'll meet you over there then"

Valerie went to her bedroom and got out her bag that she had already put
together that morning. She slipped off my shoes and into her flip-flops.
Taking off her top, Val already had her bikini on which she bought just last
week. Several minutes later, she picked up her keys and headed out the door

Valerie pulled up her Honda outside Professor Reynold's small office which was
near the girl's place. She was the one stuck driving to the beach, since
Cassie's car was in the shop again. Valerie looked around and saw nothing.
"Where is she?" Val thought as there seemed to be no one around. The young
girl got out and went up to the door. She then noticed something peculiar
inside the window: the place looked ransacked! Valerie then knocked on the
door and was surprised that it was open a crack. Peaking her head inside, the
place was a mess.

"Cassie....? Professor....?

Valerie then heard a low moaning sound coming from an adjacent room. She
hurried over towards it and opened the door. To her horror, her roommate
Cassie was sitting in a chair bound and gagged! Before Val could react,
Cassie's eyes lit up like saucers as she tried to warn her roommate. Suddenly,
Valerie was grabbed from behind, a hand covering her mouth!

"Well well another one" the voice sneered. Valerie then elbowed the man in the
ribs, breaking the hold. She then whipped around and kicked at him with a 360
degree kick!

The attacker managed to dodge the kick with a quick duck. He was wearing a
clown mask. The mask had a white face, red lips and a huge scary smile. He
came at her with a forearm strike aimed at her neck. However Valerie blocked
it and send a hard kick straight in his chest.

The masked man moaned but kept on his feet. Valerie aimed a punch at the clown
face, however the masked man seemed to expect this. He grabbed her arm and
threw her to the floor in a perfect hipthrow. Struggling on the floor the man
pressed his knee on her head and started to twist her arm behind her back.
Valerie fell rope wound around her wrist as the man suddenly let go and ran
off.

"Another time, the masked assailant said as he ran out of the office with the
grace of a cat.

"Cassie! are you okay?" Val asked as she untied the cloth that cleave-gagged
her friend.

"I think so. I walked in on him ransacking the place. He grabbed me and tied
me up"

Valerie then worked the knots loose that bound Cassie's wrists together

"He must have been looking for something in the professor's office"

Cassie then rubbed circulation back into her limbs and stood up

"I guess this means no beach?" Cassie asked, knowing that Valerie had a story
to investigate

"Sorry. But we have to call the campus police. I think they might want to ask
Professor Reynolds of what he was looking for....plus you were attacked"

With that, Valerie sat down and dialed her phone.

"Ron, it's me....can you get over to Professor Reynold's office?...we have a
story, that's why and get a hold of the campus police as well"

"So Miss Warren, what else can you tell us?"

One of the campus security officers was asking Cassie about the break-in at
Professor Reynold's office. Valerie was sitting next to her taking any notes
she could use. Just then a tall man with dark hair entered the room. It was
Valerie's editor at the campus paper, Ronald Henry

"That's about it" Cassie said "He had a ski mask and was obviously looking for
something"

"So what happened Valerie?" he asked obviously seeing the ransacked office
"Are you okay?"

"I'm okay" the Asian brunette replied "But Cassie was attacked by someone in a
ski mask"

"Attacked?"

"Yeah I found her bound and gagged. She walked in on the guy"

"Are you sure the attacker was male Cassie?"

"Positive. I was here to drop off something for Professor Reynolds and the
next thing I know...."

"That's the third one this month" Ron replied

"Third what?" Valerie asked sensing that Ron knew something she didn't

"Burglary Miss Chang" the security officer added "Someone's been ransacking
some of the professor's offices"

"And you didn't tell me Ron?" Val added scolding him "Why?"

"We asked Mr. Henry to keep it quiet for now"

Valerie couldn't believe it. There were three burglaries on campus and she
hadn't heard a word on any of them. She almost didn't hear about this one
either, only Cassie walking on on it changed that.

"Cassie was attacked" Valerie said boldly. "Are you just going to sit on
this?"

"We are investigating this Miss Chang. There's no reason to get involved"

"Not get involved...Ron?"

"I'm sorry Val. We have to keep this under wraps for now...at least until we
know alot more"

Valerie shook her head and grabbed Cassie

"Well we're going to the beach. I owe Cassie that much"

"Sorry. But Miss Warren needs to stay here. We might need more statements from
her"

"I can't believe this!"

Valerie was hopping mad as she stormed out of the office followed by Cassie

"I can't believe the nerve of Ron not telling me. I mean what's the use of
being a reporter if you can't report"

"I guess he has his reasons Val...look I'm turning in. It's been a long day"

"Good night Cassie." Valerie replied "By the way, I'm just glad you're okay"

With that, Cassie went upstairs of the girls apartment. Valerie just laid on
the couch and thought. She then got up and slipped a pair of ankle socks on
and pulled on some sweat pants. She then put on her sneakers and headed for
the door. Stopping and turning around. She then wrote something on a piece of
paper and laid it on the table. Leaving, Valerie hurried over to the DAILY
TARGET office. Finding the door locked was not unusual, what was frustrating
is that Ron had the only key.

"I've got to find out what Ron knows about these burglaries" she thought as
she tried a side window. To her luck, she slid it open! Stepping inside,
Valerie turned on a light.

"You've got to check the security around here Ronald" she thought
sarcastically as she tied her long hair into a ponytail and headed for Ron's
office. Just then she froze as she heard the door start to open!

"Oh no Ron's here!" she thought as she only had time to hide in his closet and
shut the door. To Valerie's horror, Ron was not the person she heard, but the
guy with the Clown mask she had run into earlier that day!

"Stupid Chinese chick!" he snarled out loud as she started going through Ron's
desk. Valerie's heart was pounding as the man was obviously looking for
something, but what? Valerie clicked his photo on her phone. Just then he
pulled out something that made him freeze in his tracks. He had found a photo
of her and Ron!

"Damn nosy reporter!" he said out loud. Valerie was stunned as she
inadvertently kicked something, making a noise. The assailant made his way
over to the door as Valerie put her phone down, hiding it. She then suddenly
swung the door open, hitting him, knocking him over!

"Why you little b...." he yelled as Valerie send a quick punch to him. He
blocked the punch and sprung to his feet. Valerie threw a kick but he blocked
it. He managed to land a mean punch to her belly. As she gasped for air he
tried to throw her with the same hipthrow as in the hotelroom. However Valerie
was prepared. Using her own knowledge of Jiujitsu she stepped around the throw
and footsweeped him. The move was not perfect but he was unbalanced and fell
to his knees. He got got back to his feet and aimed a chop to the side of her
neck. Valerie was able to dodge the strike and with a powerfull sidekick she
knocked the man over and he fell hard on his back.

Who are you? Valerie said to the moaning man. Suddenly she felt herself
grabbed from behind! The man had not come alone. Another masked man held her
tight.  The man was much smaller than the other man as Val struggled in his
grasp. However he dug his fingers painfully into her arms and pressed them
into a nerve cluster. Each time she resisted his grip sended a jolt of pain
through her arms.

"She's not going to try any of that kung fu crap on me!" he said as he jerked
Valerie's hands behind her and crossed her wrists.  She then felt rope
tighten against her skin as the man quickly tied her up. Valerie noticed the
smaller man was wearing a monkey mask.

"She's a damn reporter for this campus!"

"You better let me go or else...!"

"Or else what little lady?....gag this chick" the smaller man ordered,
grabbing her chin. The bigger man quickly pulled a rag deep into Valerie's
mouth. The gag dug into the corners of her lips as the man knotted it tightly
behind her head.

"That's enough chatter out of you Missy" he snarled.

"We need to get rid of any evidence....and then get rid of her"

Valerie could only stare at her two captors and only wonder why she couldn't
have left well enough alone.

Valerie sat on the floor of the DAILY TARGET office. The two masked crooks had
the Asian brunette tightly bound and gagged. Valerie struggled to free
herself, but the knots wouldn't budge. She watched the two intruders ransack
the place including Ron's office.

"I've got to get out of here ... she thought, "Who knows what they have in
mind ... "

One of the men then walked over towards her and stared

"You're lucky honey, it seems like you guys have nothing on these burglaries
... . you best keep it that way. This is your only warning"

Valerie told the men that she wasn't their "honey" and they wouldn't get away
with what they were doing, but her gag made any speech a garbled mess. With
that, the two men laughed as they left the building. Valerie then rolled on
the floor, looking for anyway to free herself. It was hard work and in a few
minutes, she had worked up a sweat. She then realized her phone was still in
the closet. She worked her way to her feet and started hopping over to it. The
pain of her ankles being bound was evident as she hopped but soon she was at
the closet. With her bound hands, she managed to open the door and hop inside.
She managed to pick up the phone and hop back out. Valerie then managed to put
the phone down on one of the desk, which was all messy from the men's
ransacking. Valerie's eyes lit up as she then spotted a sharp object on the
desk. It was a letter opener! The men must have missed it somehow. She managed
to pick it up and with some very determined effort, started to pick at the
knots. Several sweaty minutes later, Valerie had managed to loosen the tight
knots! She then struggled and twisted, managing to pull her hands free.
Rubbing her wrists, she then untied the gag, which had made her mouth dry.
Freeing her ankles, she then dialed her phone.

"I can't believe this happened to you" Cassie said as she sat with Valerie in
their apartment a little while later "But I have to ask, why did you go over
there in the first place?"

"I think you know the answer to that question Cassie" Valerie replied as she
sipped on some bottled water

"I can't believe this!" she snapped back at her roommate "They could have ...
"

"But they didn't. You walked in on them and I did the same ... obviously they
were looking for something and they just wanted us out of the way."

"But they know you're a reporter Val"

"The only thing I care about is what is Ron going to say about all this? I
don't want to lose my place there"

"You could have been kidnapped or worse Valerie!" Ron said to his cohort as he
looked over his ransacked offices of the college paper. It was the next
morning and to say the editor was shocked was an understatement

"But I wasn't. They just wanted to scare me Ron."

Ron shook his head and started to dial his phone

"Security needs to know about this"

"Whatever you think is best" Valerie replied looking at all the mess, thinking
about what the men might have been looking for. After Ron had dialed campus
security, Valerie had to ask him about that question

"Ron, they thought we knew something about the burglaries ... but then they
couldn't find anything"

"So, your point?"

"You told me about these break ins yesterday. Where is the info for all of
this?"

"Miss Chang" Ron scolded "You broke in here last night after I told you we
need to lay low. You're lucky I didn't fire you on the spot!"

"And you don't care that those thugs tied me up and ransacked this place?"

"Yes I care. But if you hadn't did what you did ... .."

"I'm sorry, but there's a story here and you know it. You're covering for
someone or maybe you're getting pressured ... "

"Enough!" Ron scolded again as he shook his head. He then gave the brunette a
hug

"I'm sorry. I'm just glad you're okay"

Meanwhile one of the crooks was talking on the phone in a car.

"Valerie Chang ... .I don't know ... some nosy reporter for the TARGET ...
yeah, I think she'll be trouble, I can feel it ... You want me to dig up any
information on her we can use? ... .consider it done"

The man then drove off across the small campus

Later on, after giving her statement to campus security, Valerie was pacing
the floor of her apartment. Cassie just stared at her as she looked up from
her magazine.

"I can't believe all this" Valerie said as she stopped and looked at Cassie

"You mean Ron?"

"Of course I mean Ron...we have to find what's going on Cass"

Cassie rolled her eyes and then shook her head

"Not again"

"I got to thinking. What if I go talk to Professor Reynolds? I mean he might
know who did this"

"Yeah, it's funny you mention it Val, where's he been anyway?"

"Maybe I should find out"

Pulling her Honda up to Professor Reynold's house, Valerie, dressed in a blue
sundress and black heels, made her way up the front door. She then rang the
doorbell. A few moments later a balding man in his mid-fifties answered the
door

"Professor Reynolds?"

"Yes, do I know you miss?" he asked

"I'm Cassie Warren's roommate, Valerie Chang"

"Oh yes come in. I take it you heard about what happened at my office Miss
Chang ... . is Cassie all right?"

"Yes and yes to answer your questions. I was actually there and ran into the
thug that ransacked your office. You see Cassie and I were going to go to the
beach, but you had wanted her to drop off a paper first. When she didn't
return I went over there and I found her all tied up and before the goon could
get the jump on me, I kind of scared him off"

"Oh dear" Reynolds said "Oh I'm sorry, did you want anything? Water?"

"No I'm fine, thank you." Valerie added, not telling him that the thug and a
helper attacked her as well "I guess you know I'm a reporter for the TARGET?"

"No I did not know that? Do you have any idea who might have been responsible
for this?"

"That's why I came to you to see if you might know"

"No clue Miss Chang. But I think some of my financial papers were missing"

"Financial papers?"

Jut then Professor Reynold's phone rang. After answering it, he told Valerie
that he was being called away to a meeting.

Valerie had driven the short distance to Reynolds's office. Seeing the
entrance blocked off by security tape wasn't what she wanted to see. The Asian
brunette then went around the building to see if she could find anything she
could as a clue. After several frustrating minutes, she then came across a
piece of crumpled up paper in a shrub next to the front door. Looking around,
Valerie then read It:

Professor Gerald ... 555-2186 3 P.M Tuesday

Valerie then looked at the time on her phone. That was an hour from now, if
the note was current and what could it mean? There was only one way to find
out. She dialed the number and a man's voice answered

"Hello Professor Gerald? ... hello? ... hello?"

Just as soon as the voice was there, it was gone. Valerie had a hunch that
something wasn't right as she jumped back into her Honda. She took out her
campus directory out of her bag and got Professor Gerald's building number.
Gerald was fairly new there, so Valerie was not familiar with him. As she was
about to put on her sunglasses, Valerie felt the cold feel of a gun barrel
pointed at her head!

"Do exactly as I say Miss Chang or else....now drive!"

One of those thugs had got into her car and had hidden himself on her backseat
as she was investigating, now she had no choice than to obey...

Valerie started driving as the man, who was wearing sunglasses and a dark
baseball cap held the gun on her

"Where are we going?" the Asian brunette asked, trying to find a way out of
her current mess

"Shut up, and don't attract attention" he snapped

Just then Valerie spotted a campus security car up the street

"Can I ask one thing though? If you kill me, who's going to drive the car?"

"I thought I told you to shut your ... ."

The man never finished the sentence as the Valerie suddenly slammed on the
brakes. The gun flew out of the man's hand and onto the front floor of the
car! Valerie then sped up, the sudden acceleration knocking him back. He hit
his head on the door, knocking him out! The security car had noticed her
erratic driving and pulled in front of her, blocking her. Valerie then jumped
out and ran over to him

"You have to help me" she shouted, "He had a gun!"

The officer checked the back seat and told a relieved Valerie that he was only
knocked out. For a minute, she thought she had actually killed him!

"What happened?"

"He was waiting for me in my car and he forced me to drive ... I saw you and
slammed on the brakes. The next thing I know is that his gun went flying and
he got knocked out"

"You could have been killed Miss ... ?"

"Chang. Valerie Chang. And I know that, but I took a chance"

"Are you that reporter for the TARGET?" He added as he checked the man's
wallet for ID

"Yes I am, why?"

"I saw you yesterday remember? At Professor Reynolds's office"

She then recognized one of them that interviewed Cassie.

"Miss. We told you to stay on the sidelines until we find out what's going on"

"What do you mean?" Valerie said playing dumb

"Your story"

"What story? I don't have a story ... at least not yet"

"Let's keep it that way and let us do our job"

Valerie shook her head and after the man was taken into custody, she got back
in her car and took out the piece of paper she found in the bushes

"I have ten minutes" she said out loud as she drove off

"You mean no one was there?" Cassie said to Valerie as she listened to what
her roommate just went through and about what was on the note

"I waited over half-hour ... nothing. I even knocked on his door, nobody was
home"

"Maybe it meant nothing Val"

"I got a feeling about this ... I mean that phone call I made was weird"

"That note could have been from last week or even before that"

"I know, but the journalist in me can't pass it off"

Cassie then buried her head in a couch pillow and sighed

"Sorry Cass, but I can't. Besides, the campus security really sucks ...
they're just dragging their feet

Early Wednesday morning was sunny as Valerie had already was taking her
morning run. She had on a white t-shirt, red sweats and white Nike sneakers.
Her pony-tailed hair swung back and forth as she jogged along the small
campus, which was picturesque with all of its trees. She had to think about
the situation and how to handle it, but where to start? Maybe professor Gerald
was in and she could ask him about that note. She hurried along to his office
and knocked on the door again. Still Nothing. Something didn't feel right as
she started walking around the side of the building. She then heard a noise
behind her.

"Hold it right there Miss"

Valerie turned round to see a campus security officer coming near her

"Why are you trespassing?" he asked, as Valerie didn't recognize him like the
other officers, she didn't even notice a gun on him

"I was looking for Professor Gerald, do you know where he is?"

"Obviously he's not here and you didn't answer my question? Why are you
trespassing?"

"I don't have to answer anything" Valerie replied as she started to walk off.
The officer then grabbed her arm and tried to twist it behind her back.
Valerie managed to pull her arm free and threw him to the floor with a
footsweep! She then realized he definitely wasn't a guard. He came at her with
his hands raised in a excotic martial arts stance. His fingers extended and
aimed towards her. Valerie recognized the style as Snake style Kung fu. 
Valerie aimed a swift kick to his gut. However it was deftly blocked and he
replied by jamming his extended fingers straight into her belly. Valerie
moaned in pain and was barely able to avoid the next finger strike aimed for
her throat. Valerie moved backwards as she realized this guy was extremely
dangerous. She was able to dodge a finger strike aimed for her eyes, however
when she tried a punch to his face he stepped back and kicked his feet hard
towards her inner thigh, barely missing her groin. As Valerie stumbled back he
came at her again with a strike aimed at her gut. Valerie was able to parry
the strike and send a hard knee to his gut. As he moaned in pain she threw
herself against him and tripped him to the floor. She ended on top of him and
quickly placed a knee on his head and applied a wristlock. The man was
groaning in pain, as Valerie demanded to know why he was there.

"Where is Professor Gerald?" She snapped "Where!"

Valerie then heard the click of a gun behind her as she closed her eyes.

"Why I'm right here Miss Chang ... . why don't we go inside and get
acquainted?"

This time, the young reporter had no escape

"There that oughta hold ya" the fake security officer sneered as he tightened
the knots on Valerie's wrists. The reporter had her hands tied behind her as
she was forced down on a couch. Val winced as the ropes dug into her flesh. He
then bound her ankles together

"Do you people have a bondage fetish or something?"

Professor Gerald just laughed

"No Miss Chang, but it helps keep people in line...especially nosy ones like
yourself"

Gerald then looked at Valerie's phone which he confiscated

"So you're the one behind all this?" she asked

"You can say that" he replied, grabbing her chin "And once you're eliminated,
there won't be anyone stopping me"

Valerie gulped as she wondered how she was ever going to turn the tables on
the current situation

Cassie had awaken about an hour after Valerie left. She hurried downstairs and
looked for Valerie.

"Val?...are you here?"

She then saw a note on the table.

"Went out for my morning run..be back shortly..."

"When have you started running again" Cassie thought out loud. She then looked
at the clock, it was 9:30 A.M. Cassie then dialed her phone, she then looked
worried as it went straight to voice mail

"Where are you Valerie?" Cassie then rolled her eyes as she realized Valerie
had gone back to Professor Gerald's office "You didn't"

Cassie then ran back upstairs to change

"It seems somebody's trying to call you...a Cassie Warren"

"I don't know any Cassie Warren" Valerie replied, not wanting the thugs to
know that she's her roommate"

"She's your roommate. Nice try Miss Chang" Gerald added "Jack here did some
background work of his own. I think you should be impressed...if anything goes
wrong, we still have Miss Warren we can grab"

"Leave her alone you he...grrrmmpphhh!"

Val's speech was cut off by a thick white rag that Jack forced into her mouth
and between her teeth. He then knotted the ends tightly behind her head with
two good knots

"Man she's got a big mouth, even for a chick!"

Valerie didn't like that comment as she grunted loudly in Jack's direction
getting a laugh from both men

"You won't get away with kidnapping me!" Valerie tried to say behind the gag,
but it was all garbled

"Sorry" Gerald replied "I don't speak gag"

There were more laughs at Val's expense

"What about Carson?" Jack asked Gerald "I mean she's the one that got him
busted"

"He might talk, but it doesn't matter...Miss Chang fell into our lap
perfectly. I've got to hand it to you little lady" Gerald added as he grabbed
her chin again "You are definitely persistent, but not clever enough"

Valerie shook loose from his hand as she realized that Jack and the man that
was in her car, Carson were the two men that she ran into in the TARGET
office.They were Gerald's goons. She now had three run-ins with them and this
time, it didn't look good for her... Cassie had just got out of the shower
when her phone rang. Thinking it was from Valerie, she quickly answered it.

"Valerie?"

She then frowned. It was Ron on the other end.

"Oh hi Ron ... .no she's not here ... I don't where she is ... ..she left a
note saying she was going out for her morning run ... ..tell me about it ...
.look can you come over here? I have to show you something ... okay, see you
then"

Cassie then hung up and looked at the crumpled up note with Professor Gerald's
number on it and then thought out loud

"Where are you Val ... and what have you got yourself messed up in?"

"How long boss?" Jack Asked, getting a case ready for a possible next burglary

"Another half-hour or so. I think Professor Martin's place will be a good next
target, I notice he has a big fat bank account"

"And what about the chick?"

"We'll take her with us ... and then find a place to get rid of her once and
for all"

Sitting on the floor of an adjacent room, Valerie could hear everything they
were saying, and she didn't like it ... they were planning to get rid of her
... how and where was the question. Still tightly bound and gagged, she tried
everything to free her hands, but was unsuccessful.

"I've got to get out of here and stop them ... they're trying to make a profit
off these poor people by taking their financial papers and such ... . That's
what Professor Reynolds meant by his financial records being missing ... oh my
God ... sort of an identity theft! Come on Chang, put some effort into it ...
" Valerie thought as she doubled her efforts in struggling. It was no use

An hour had passed by, as Cassie still waited for Ron. Cassie was about to
give up when there was a knock on the door. She peeked out the peep hole and
then opened it

"Well it's about time Ron" she scolded

"Sorry Cass, something came up. Any word on Valerie?"

"Nope and I'm getting worried. No phone calls, no texts ... . nothing"

Ron sat down on their couch and put his head in his hands

"Do you know something?" she asked

"I was afraid she wouldn't let it go. What did she tell you?"

"She went to see Professor Reynolds yesterday and then she found this note in
the bushes outside his office."

Ron then looked at the note and shook his head

"This could mean anything"

"But that's not the worst of it. She was going to go see this guy, when
someone pulled a gun on her in her own car!"

"Are you serious? What happened?"

"She managed to knock the guy out and by chance, she ran into campus security.
As far as I know, the guy's is being held downtown. Do you think this Gerald
is someone who is dangerous?"

"I don't know what to think anymore"

Cassie then stared at him for a second

"You like her don't you?"

"Our relationship is strictly business Miss Warren, nothing else ... look I
care about Valerie. She's a great kid and a great student. I just don't want
her to get hurt that's all"

Cassie could sense he sort of had feelings for Valerie, but dropped the
subject quickly

"Now what?" she asked

"I'm going to pay a visit to Professor Reynolds and then maybe go see the guy
that got arrested"

"What do you want me to do?"

"Nothing. Just go about your business, but call me the moment you hear from
her one way or another. Okay?"

Cassie nodded as Ron left

After several minutes of thinking, Valerie spotted a rip in the bed next to
her and sticking out of the rip, she noticed a small metal piece of the
spring!

"That might be enough to cut these damn ropes"

Valerie then moved over towards it and had to get on her knees as she backed
up to it. Carefully she put her bound hands over the piece and began to saw
away. Kneeling on the wooden floor was uncomfortable, but not as uncomfortable
as being bound and gagged. Valerie could only hope that Gerald and his thug
assistant wouldn't hear her and she could escape. Sawing away, Valerie felt
that she was making progress ever so slightly. The minutes passed as sweat
dripped from her forehead. Finally she felt slack in the ropes, pulling her
hands apart. Valerie then pulled out the gag and moved her jaws around.
Vigorously rubbing circulation back into her wrists, Val then undid her
ankles. Suddenly the door opened and Jack stood there

"Well now" Jack sneered, "You are very resourceful aren't you?"

He grabbed her before she could undo the knots on her ankles and they both
fell to the floor.

"Get off me!" Valerie yelled as she tried to fight him off finally getting the
last ropes of her ankles. She then spun herself up and kicked Jack in the
midsection, sending the thug against a wall. But before she could escape, Jack
got back to his feet. The two engaged in a hard fight at close range. Jack
tried to grab her hair however Valerie avoided this by kneeing him hard in
the ribs. She attempted punch him in the throat however he ducked low and
slammed a palm strike between her legs. As she screamed in pain he quickly
grabbed her throat and tried to choke her against the wall. Valerie was
turning red as she saw a cruel smile on his face. With a hard elbow strike she
broke free from his chokehold. However Jack quickly replied with a punch to
her jaw and stunned her. As she was dazed Jack used the moment to squat
through his legs  and send a swift uppercut between her legs. His knuckles
slammed in her crotch and she doubled over as she screamed in pain. Valerie
was nearly crying as the visceral pain in her groin and lower belly was
unbearable, she felt like she was about to pass out.

Jack laughed sadistically as he knew she was done. He calmly slit behind her
and trapped her in a full nelson. As Jack held her tightly Gerald showed up
holding a rag. He quickly shoved in her face and over her nose and mouth.

"Chloroform!" she thought as she fought valiantly against the two men. She was
outnumbered as she tried to fight it the best she could "Must ... stay ...
awake ... can't ... "

"Sweet dreams Miss Chang ... " was the last thing Valerie heard as her eyes
rolled up into the back of her head and then ... nothing but darkness.

Valerie's world was spinning as she slowly regained her senses. She tried to
open her eyes, but couldn't. Horror swept over her when she suddenly realized
she blindfolded. Her wrists, ankles and mouth were hurting once more.

"Dammit, I'm bound and gagged again" she thought glumly as she felt herself
now in some sort of hog-tie. She then heard an engine start up and then start
moving. The sudden motion caused her to roll one way and onto some things that
felt like sacks. More twists and turns, made the pretty young Asian girl move
the other way and very uncomfortable as well, as if her present immobilized
state wasn't enough

"Where are they taking me? Is this the end for me?" for the first time,
Valerie really felt helpless and alone ... not to mention scared

Back at the apartment, Cassie was lying down trying to concentrate on the
fashion magazine she was reading, trying not to think about where Valerie was.
She was waiting for Ron's call ... waiting ... waiting ... Finally she threw
the magazine down, slipped on a pair of flip-flops and headed out the door.
She got in Valerie's Honda and started it up. Luckily for her, Valerie had
left her keys when she disappeared, so she took advantage of the situation.
She took out her phone and dialed Ron. Cassie frowned when it went to
voicemail.

"Ron. It's Cassie ... I haven't heard a word from you ... . where are you? I
can't wait around and do nothing, I'm heading for Gerald's place ... call me"

After several minutes, Cassie had pulled up the building which house Gerald's
office

Valerie then felt the vehicle stop and the men getting out. The sound of
footsteps sounded so final as her heart was pounding like a drum. The heat
inside the vehicle was getting unbearable as well. Suddenly the doors opened
and she then heard Jack's voice.

"Comfy there?" he sneered sarcastically "One more stop and it's the end of the
road for you honey"

"Come on" Gerald replied, "Time's a wasting"

"Mmmmphhhh!!" Valerie screamed at them through her gag, trying to say
something that would really tick him off. Jack just gave a sinister laugh and
shut the door. Then there was nothing but silence. Valerie squirmed and
twisted with all her might to loosen her bonds, but it was futile. As athletic
as she was, she was no match for the ropes that dug into her tanned skin.

She could only hope Cassie would somehow figure out where she was and then get
help, because she was almost out of options

Cassie arrived at Gerald's office and went up to the door. After knocking on
it several times, she then looked around and tried the knob. Not surprisingly,
it was locked. Cassie then went around the side of the building and looked
around. Trying the back door, Cassie found it locked as well. Almost giving
up, she suddenly spotted something shiny lying on the grass. Getting closer to
it, Cassie then gasped. It was Val's cell phone!

"She was here" Cassie thought. "Maybe she dropped it on purpose, or somebody
dropped it by accident ... . but who ... Gerald? Cassie then tried her phone
again. "Ron pick up please!" There was still no answer. Cassie turned to leave
when suddenly a hand clamped over her mouth! Her heart sank, but then realized
it was only Ron! She turned around and punched him in the arm

"You scared me to death!"

"Sorry ... . but I knew you would scream when you saw me"

Cassie just rolled her eyes and thought he was probably right; she was jumpy
... especially at the moment. Just then campus security and some Police cars
pulled up in front of Gerald's place

"I've been trying to call you, where have you been?"

"Sorry. But I've found out that Gerald's behind it. That thug that was in
Valerie's car, Danny Carson spilled everything, in exchange for immunity"

"Great." Cassie replied "But there's one problem, where is Valerie?"

"Don't worry, we'll find her"

Ron shared her worried look as the Police and security raided Gerald's
building

About ten minutes later, Valerie had heard Gerald and Jack return and the door
open. Val felt a sack being pushed near her.

"Well I see our favorite reporter is still here." Gerald had said
sarcastically

"Grrmmpphh!!! Mmmmphhh!!" Valerie screamed at him

"I told you before little lady, I don't speak gag."

"Oh and I think you will like our next stop" Jack added. "It's called "A
reporters cemetery" I think it fits quite nicely, no need to comment though"

With that, the crooks laughed and slammed the door. Val heard them get in and
start driving. Was this to be her last ride?

"What do you think they'll find Ron?" Cassie asked Valerie's editor of the
evidence that was piled up against Professor Gerald

"Hopefully what all these burglaries were about and more importantly, where
they took Valerie"

"If she's still alive" Cassie said, choking up

"Now don't think that Cass ... don't even go there, we will find her ... .I
promise"

As Ron gave her a comforting hug, Cassie was sure that Ron had feelings for
Val, and if they ever found her, she was going to try and get them together.

Valerie was sore and wore out from her experience in the back of the van. She
had no idea where she was going, or how far they had taken her. She only knew
that couldn't be good.

"I think you went to far Chang ... " She scolded herself "Why didn't I listen
to Ron ... . I'll probably never see him and Cassie again ... "

The van went over some bumpy area that really made Valerie bounce around even
more. Then suddenly it stopped. She heard the doors open as the crooks got
out. She then heard the dreadful sound of them walking toward the back door
and then opening it

"End of the line Lois Lane" She heard Gerald sneer. "Jack, get her ready to
take a little walk"

Ron had gone up to where the Police were doing their investigation. One of the
security officers stopped him

"That's far enough"

"It's okay, officer Marks" another officer said "I think I need his help, but
you'll have to stay outside miss"

Cassie was upset as Ron followed him inside the spacious office building.

"What did you find?" Ron asked him, before the man took him to a secluded spot

"I can't keep covering for you Ron" he said boldly "That reporter of yours
went too far"

"Look, I agreed not to print anything about these burglaries and I won't until
you finish the investigation and I won't"

"If you weren't my nephew ... ."

"Well I'm just glad I have a reliable source in the Police department. Thanks
Uncle Jeff"

"I think we might know where they took your reporter friend"

"Where?" Ron asked

"Gerald owns some property near the campus, sort of a wooded area ... nice and
secluded. We're checking it out now"

"Valerie can't know that you're my Uncle, I don't know what she'll do"

"You do like her don't you?"

Ron then shook his head

"Why does everybody keep saying that?"

"I can read you like a book that's why"

"We better get going then" Ron added, quickly changing the subject

Gerald and Jack jerked Valerie along a long path. Her legs were still numb
from her being hog-tied in the back of the van. Her hands were still tied
behind her back and she was still gagged and blindfolded. In her present
state, she was no match for either of them. Rescue seemed like an eternity as
dread over came her. Suddenly they all stopped. Saying nothing, one of the
crooks loosened and then untied her blindfold. Valerie adjusted her eyes to
the light, which despite being mid-afternoon, was almost secluded by all the
trees. Valerie then saw a horrifying sight. To the left of where they were
standing was a large pit with fresh dirt lying next to it. There was plastic
lining the bottom of the hole.

"Say hello to your eternal home Miss Chang" Gerald sneered. Valerie then let
out a squeal as Jack picked her up and carried her over to it. Screaming
loudly behind the gag did nothing as Jack then dropped her down the side of
the pit. Valerie landed next to some sacks, probably evidence she thought. She
looked up at her captors; it had to be at least five feet up. "Oh my God,
they're going to bury me alive!"

"Goodbye Valerie Chang!" they both shouted

Valerie then heard an engine start up. Then she saw the horrifying sight of a
backhoe that Jack operated and start moving the dirt into the hole!

"How much further?" Ron said to his Uncle as they drove towards Gerald's other
property. Cassie sat next to Ron and looked worried about Valerie's possible
fate

"About another half mile. I bet she's there with them"

"I just hope she's ... ." Cassie added before Ron put a his finger up to her
lips

"Positive thoughts Cassie"

Just then Ron's uncle pulled into a long driveway and got on his radio. He
then pulled over the side of the dirt road.

"You two have to stay here" he said to Ron and Cassie. Cassie then rolled her
eyes

"Officer Thompson is right, it might not be safe"

Jeff then gave Ron his radio

"I'll call you when the coast is clear"

By that time several Police cars had converged on the property. Several
officers got out and they all started down the road

Valerie was helpless as the dirt started to cover her body. She rolled on her
side and pushed her way up to her feet to avoid being hit in the head with the
dirt. She looked for anything to use to cut the ropes, but there was nothing
sharp. Jack made several dumps of fresh dirt and soon Valerie had nowhere to
run. She screamed into the gag again as dirt went up to her upper chest.
Pretty soon she would be suffocated. She tried to be brave, but tears filled
her eyes as she felt the dirt cover her head. Then darkness. Just as all was
lost she heard noises up above that sounded like shouting and then a gunshot.
Valerie tried to poke her head out over the dirt, which was now covering
entire body. Suddenly she heard scrambling noises next to her and then the
sight of someone digging her out!

Ron and Cassie had heard the all clear and came running down the dirt road.
They then both saw the wonderful sight of Valerie standing there, being untied
by Ron's uncle. Jack was in custody and Gerald was being wheeled into an
ambulance after being wounded

"We're going to need your statement later Miss Chang" Jeff replied

"Val!" Cassie yelled as she ran up and hugged her "Oh my God, you're okay!"

Valerie was wore out and covered head to toe with dirt as she hugged her
roommate. Ron then hugged his ace reporter.

"Okay Ron, you can let go now I'm okay" she said as Ron really gave her a long
hug. Cassie took note of his actions and wondered how to get them together

"Miss Chang" Ron scolded "Thank God you're okay"

"I'll have to tell you what happened later, but first I have something to do"

Valerie then walked over towards Jack who was handcuffed.

"Miss me already huh?" he said boldly

She then gave him another 360 degree kick, but this time her foot landed in
his crotch area and he then sunk to the ground in pain

"Scumbag!" she screamed before being pulled away by both Ron and Cassie who
tried to contain their laughter

"That kick was for Laura" she told her curious friends

"Who's Laura?" Cassie asked with a puzzled look

"I don't know" Valerie added "But there's a probably some girl named Laura who
thinks he's a loser too!"

With that, the trio broke out in laughter

THE END