Jasmine Medina-Teen Sleuth "Mystery at Soccer Camp




MYSTERY AT SOCCER CAMP (CH 1)

"I think were here honey" Jane Medina said as she drove her black SUV up the
long driveway surrounded by signs saying: WELCOME TO THUNDER RIDGE SOCCER
ACADEMY. eighteen-year old Jasmine Medina sat in the passenger seat and looked
out the window and saw all the brightly painted soccer fields

"This place is sooo big" Jasmine replied as her pretty smile got bigger as she
looked around. Jasmine and her mother had recently moved to the small New
Mexico town after the divorce of Jasmine's parents. The divorce had been hard
on Jasmine, as her parents still loved each other, but grew apart due to her
Father always being on the road doing business.

Jane pulled into one of the many parking spaces and shut off the engine. She
then helped Jasmine get her bags from the back. Jasmine loved soccer and her
mother thought it was a great opportunity to enroll Jasmine in this two week
camp, plus it was a perfect opportunity to make new friends, something that
Jasmine had no problem with due to her outgoing personality. She hoped to get
a head start before Eighth grade started in a few months

"Look at all these kids here honey. I don't think you're going to have any
problems fitting in."

"I'll be fine mom. I just wish Daddy was here"

Jane kissed her daughter and picked up one of her bags as they started walking
to the orientation building

"I know you miss him and he is so proud of you....I'll call him for you later
okay?"

Jasmine teared up and nodded. The Medina's had only been in the area for about
ten days, so they hadn't had much time to get settled in or even see much of
the area of Thunder Ridge. All Jane knew is that Jasmine wanted to go to this
Soccer camp in the worst way.

Jasmine and her mother made it into the large orientation building. There were
teenagers from everywhere in the state, as enrollment was limited to in state
only. It was co-ed, but separated by gender as well as age groups. Jasmine
would be training and staying with girls from ages 13-16 and would have one
roommate.

"This is going be a long wait mom, you can go if you want"

"Jasmine Maria Medina!" Jane snapped, "I can't go yet. Remember the parent has
to sign their name for insurance purposes?"

"That's right I forgot"

"Probably being distracted by all the cute boys here"

Jasmine rolled her eyes and gave her mother a smile

"Okay you caught me! Anyway, we're all going to separated after orientation,
so this is the only time I'll have to look!"

Jasmine giggled as she hugged her mother

About twenty minutes later, It was finally Jasmine's turn. She was given a big
folder of paperwork that had to be completed by the next day. Jane then signed
the insurance papers. The orientation lady gave Jasmine one more piece of
paper: it was the name of her roommate

"I'm rooming with someone named Lori Fielding and were in the Hansen building,
room thirty"

"Well, I can walk you over there honey...unless you want me to leave again?"

"Come on!" Jasmine beamed as she grabbed her mother's arm and the two made it
out of the large building and toward the dorms.

Several minutes later, mother and daughter had made it over to the Hansen
building. They climbed up the stairwell and found room thirty. Jasmine opened
the door and saw a girl sitting on one of the beds.

"Hi... Lori?" Jasmine quizzed as she put down her papers. The short haired
brunette answered her with a smile and a nod. She was wearing a blue t-shirt,
white shorts

"I'm Jasmine and this my mother"

"Nice to meet you Jasmine and Mrs Medina" Lori replied as she looked at the
paper that had her roomate information on it to make sure of their names

"Nice to meet you Lori, I'm Jane" Jane answered "Well honey I guess this is
it...I think I can go now!"

Both Jane and Jasmine laughed as they gave each other a big goodbye hug

"I love you mom"

"Love you too dear. Call me tonight and most importantly, have fun!"

"I will, promise"

"Nice to meet you Lori"

"Likewise" Lori answered softly

With that, Jane left leaving Jasmine and Lori with all the time to do the

Paper work they had to do, not to mention getting to know one another.

MYSTERY AT SOCCER CAMP (CH 2)

"Can you believe all this crap Lori?" Jasmine said as she fumbled through all
of the papers she had to look at "I mean some of this stuff is so lame"

"I know it but we have to to it"

"Thank God we use our legs for this sport, my hand is cramping up from signing
my name so much"

Jasmine got up and brushed her medium length brown hair, which she put in a
ponytail. She was wearing a soccer t-shirt and shorts. She sat back down her
bed and then laid down on it stretching out her barefeet

"So tell me something about yourself Jasmine"

"Well I'm eighteen, birthday was in May. I love Soccer and most sports and me
and my mother just moved to Thunder Ridge two weeks ago."

"Mother? No father?" Lori asked not knowing what had happened. Jasmine turned
and looked at Lori

"My parents are divorced. My dad lives near Santa Fe"

"I'm sorry" Lori shot back "It must be hard on you"

"Yeah it is. But my parents still love each other, but my dad's a buisness
man, always on the road"

"I see. You don't have to tell me anymore" Lori shot back, almost feeling
embarrassed about asking it in the first place

"What about you Miss Fielding?" Jasmine said quickly changing the subject "Are
you from here?"

"Yep. I live about five miles away. I'll be going to Thunder Ridge Junior High
in the fall, maybe even to play soccer"

"Me too" Jasmine added "Eighth grade"

"Yeah but my parents want me to get into a good college"

"College?" Jasmine said looking puzzled "Isn't that a few years down the
road?"

"Nothing like being prepared Miss Medina, you have to plan your future now.
I'm kind of a book worm"

"Well you are a worm!" Jasmine said as she grabbed her pillow and hit Lori
with it. Lori then hit her back

"Nice to officially meet you roomie"Jasmine smiled as she gave Lori a hug The
two teens had a feeling that this was going to be two weeks of absolute fun

Meanwhile, outside the orientation building, a dark haired man pulled out a
cell phone and started dialing.

"Yeah it's me.....listen, plans have changed.....why?....because I said
so...this place is too perfect....no cops, just bad security and so many kids
around here, we'll blend in nicely in the background as more of that
security.....meet me at home base in an hour and we'll get set up..."

With that, the man put away his phone in his pocket that revealed a gun!

MYSTERY AT SOCCER CAMP (CH 3)

The sun had broken through the next morning, Sunday, as the girls had gathered
in the large spacious hall for breakfast along with hundreds of other teens

"Well today is the day we meet Javier Gomez!" Jasmine gushed to Lori as she
went through the line with her tray "He is soooo cute!"

"I know he's an All American, but I still think David Beckham is it"

"Lori, he is so 90's!" Jasmine answered giggling "I now Javier is not real
known, but ... .." the teen replied rolling her eyes

Lori snapped her fingers at her new friend.

"Wake up Jasmine!"

Jasmine quickly regained her senses and the two girls made it over to a small
table. They were wearing their soccer kits that the Academy had given them for
the camp, even the cleats.

"So Lori, what do your parents do? You haven't told me yet"

"I'm sorry. My dad was in law enforcement for a while, now he's an
administrator at the Police Academy"

"Wow!" Jasmine gasped as she slurped some orange juice "And your mom?"

"She basically stays at home, you know doing mother things, but I think she
wants to go back into teaching as well."

"Like what?"

"Math. She was mathematics major in College. I guess that's where I got my
smarts from"

Jasmine started snickering as she bit a piece of toast

"Okay Jasmine, what is so funny?" Lori said tossing a napkin in her friend's
direction "What?"

"I'm sorry, I can't help it. I just wish I were good as you in school. My mom
just worked odd jobs, basically helping out my dad. A lot of cashier jobs. The
divorce settlement is good but ... ."

"You want your mom to be successful right?"

Jasmine teared up and nodded. Lori then took her new friend's hand

"I've known you what ... ? Twelve hours or so, and I feel I've known you a lot
longer than that. I usually don't open up to people, but you make it easy"

Tears rolled down Jasmine's face. She then took a napkin and wiped them and
then sniffled

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize roomie, I think were a lot more alike than you think"

With that the girls finished with their breakfast and got ready for the 9 AM
assembly that would officially introduce them to the camp

"Welcome to Thunder Ridge Soccer Academy everyone. My name is Henry Samuels
and this is my assistant, Miss Chloe Webster. We are the directors here"

Jasmine and Lori sat with hundreds of other teens as they listened to the two
adults talk about the ground rules of the camp, which included cell phone
usage being limited to certain hours and the use of the pool. Then a young
handsome man with long brown hair entered the auditorium to cheers and
squeals.

"Lori, it's him!" Jasmine beamed as she sat on the edge of her seat. It was
Javier Gomez, the star player of the local university.

"Man, he is gorgeous!"

Javier spoke to the crowd about different things about the game before exiting
to cheers and more squeals

"Beckham!" Lori said as she then gave the young latina an elbow

"Nooo way" was Jasmine's reply, clearly smitten with Javier

"Alright girls, my name is Emily Patton, I'll be your instructor for the next
two weeks. Why don't we introduce ourselves to everyone"

Emily had a striking appearance with long blonde hair tied in a ponytail. She
was a member of the women's team at the university. The group of twenty girls
gathered around her and introduced themselves. Jasmine and Lori then took
their turn as the group then broke up into drills. Jasmine then proceeded to
dribble around a blonde named Melissa who was none too pleased about it

"Come on chica, bring it on!"

Jasmine sneered at her remark and proceeded to dribble around Melissa again,
but this time the girl tripped Jasmine, sending her down

"Hey!"

"Sorry" Melissa laughed as she walked off to Emily's stare. She then blew her
whistle for a water break. Lori then helped Jasmine up

"You okay?"

"Sure, just part of the game. Who is that anyway?"

"Her name is Melissa Davidson. Her father owns almost everything in town I
think"

"Oh great, a diva"

Melissa seemed to hear Jasmine's remark and confronted her.

"That's what someone gets when I get showed up....got it chica?"

Melissa walked off as Jasmine wanted to get at her in the worst way. Lori then
grabbed her new friend.

"She's not worth it Jasmine"

The girls went back to training and now it was Jasmine's turn to get at
Melissa as she took out the blonde with a hard tackle

"Hey!" Melissa shouted as she got up holding her leg. Emily then blew her
whistle and called Jasmine and Melissa over.

"I've had about enough of this ladies, understand? Miss Davidson go get your
leg looked at and Miss Medina take a seat over there and cool off"

Melissa sneered as she walked off limping. Jasmine was fuming as she took a
seat on the grass and then looked at Lori who shrugged her shoulders. Jasmine
couldn't believe that she was the one being punished.

Meanwhile, Melissa had walked over to the where the medical office was. She
has turned the corner when all of a sudden a strong hand clamped over her
mouth! "Mmmpphh!!!"

The dark haired man who was making the cell phone call earlier, had grabbed
her. He then held a rag over her mouth. It had a foul odor to it. The young
blonde then slumped into unconsciousness.

MYSTERY AT SOCCER CAMP (CH 4)

The morning session was winding down as each girl took turns with dribbling
the ball around orange cones for accuracy. Jasmine was still distracted by
what happened with her and Melissa, that she messed up quite a few times.

"That's enough ladies" Emily shouted then blowing her whistle. "Afternoon
session starts at four, see you all then"

Jasmine then tried to apologize to her instructor as Lori watched from a
distance.

"Miss Patton, I'm sorry about before, I didn't mean anything by it...."

"I know. Miss Davidson can be a handful...she was here last year. Look
Jasmine," she added "You have wonderful potential, talent is there, but you
have to rid yourself of distractions, got it?"

Jasmine nodded in agreement as Emily told her that she would see her and the
class later. Jasmine then ran over to Lori

"What did she say?" the teen brunette asked

"It's cool. Oh speaking of cool, how about the pool?"

"Hey, that rhymes!" was Lori's response "I can't wait to get in there!"

Each girl giggled and ran back to their dorm room. A short time later, the
girls arrived at their room and were about to enter it. Just then a girl
approached them. The girl was sixteen year old Carla Mancini, who was in the
training seesion with them. She was holding a note

"Hey guys," the pretty long haired brunette said "Remember me?"

"Carla right?" Jasmine asked as Carla nodded

"Listen, I don't blame you for what happened to Melissa"

"Blame?" Lori asked "Why, just because of what happened out there?"

"Melissa was my roommate"

"Did you say was?" Jasmine quizzed as Carla gave her the note. It was written
on fancy stationary and basically said that Melissa had quit the camp and went
home. She had called her mother to come quickly to pick her up. The note
concluded by saying that she didn't want to be around people that were "Below
her"

"She is so shallow. She up and quit like that? I mean it was just a soccer
tackle, and truth be told, I think she got to me"

"I know, that's why I'm telling you that I don't blame you Jasmine for her
quitting. I've known Melissa since last year and she can be quite the diva,
spoiled you might say"

"You can say that again..." Lori said softly before Jasmine gave her a
friendly elbow to the ribs

"That still doesn't explain this note though?" Jasmine added giving the note
back to Carla

"Okay. It's not like her to leave and not tell me anything. We're like
sisters. She hasn't called or left me a text message. Nothing. I even tried to
reach her, but it goes straight to voice mail"

"I kind of feel responsible in a way Carla," Jasmine added as she looked at
Lori. "Why don't we go down to the infirmary and see if she ever got her leg
looked at. Maybe we can ask Mr Samuels or Miss Webster if they know anything"

"You would do that for me?"

"Yeah. I just want this to be a great two weeks and get along with everybody"

Carla then hugged her as Lori rolled her eyes. Lori wanted to go in the pool
in the worst way, but that would have to wait for now due to her new friend's
sudden interest in a girl that seemingly only got along with only a few
people. Just then Chloe Webster arrived in the hallway.

"Miss Mancini" she said giving her a note. It was identical to the one Carla
showed Jasmine "Care to explain what's going on with your roommate? I don't
like my camp being disrupted by drama"

Jasmine and Lori looked at Carla. Something was going on, but what?

MYSTERY AT SOCCER CAMP (CH 5)

Carla froze as Chloe demanded an answer. Jasmine then spoke up.

"It's kind of my fault Miss Webster"

"Your fault? And your name again?"

"Jasmine Medina"

"Oh yeah. Ellen told me what happened out on on the field"

"I'm sorry about that"

"Don't be, a little humility never hurt her"

Carla then gave Chloe a stare as tears welled in her eyes

"I think something happened to her Miss Webster. She hasn't called me or..."

"Miss Mancini, it looks like to me that Melissa Davidson only wants more
attention"

I think she's been kidnapped!" Carla shouted, much to the other three's shock

"That's a very serious thing Miss Mancini. Is there a ransom note?"

"No..but..."

"If that's the case and I highly doubt it, I do not want the police involved.
Let the security guards handle it. In fact, lets do that right now."

Chloe broke out her phone and ordered a guard up to Hansen Hall. In a few
minutes, a guard showed up. He was a big man with a shaven head

"Yes Miss Webster"

"John, isn't it?"

"Yes maam?"

"Did you see anything strange this morning?"

"Like what?"

"Like a girl being kidnapped?"

"Come again?"

"Miss Mancini here thinks that her roommate might have been abducted. Can you
keep an eye out for anything suspicious and report back to me"

"Sure will"

The guard left and went into the stairwell. He then took out a phone.

"I think we have another problem....I'll be right there" he said as he then
put the phone away

"Do you believe Carla?" Lori asked Jasmine as later, finally both teens were
in their bikini's and tanning by the pool

"Something is definitely not right Lori. I mean why would she leave without
calling her best friend? And if someone did grab her, why?"

"She's rich...and spoiled..and..." Lori added, not seeing Jasmine's side of it

"Maybe she did leave and will call Carla when she feels like it. End of story"

"Wow, some conclusion"

Jasmine then got up and put on a robe and slipped into her flip-flops

"I'm going back to the room. We have practice in an hour"

"I'll be up soon"

With that, the pretty Latina walked up to the path that led to the their dorm.
From a distance, something caught Jasmine's eye. It was a black van and it was
backed up near one of the buildings. Then two security guards came out of the
building carrying what looked like a large green duffel bag. Jasmine crouched
down behind some bushes and watched curiously. She recognized one of the
guards as John, the shaved headed man that Chloe talked to earlier. She shook
her head and was about to leave, when the next thing she saw was the bag
moving! Someone was in there...Melissa! or so it seemed. Jasmine's heart was
pounding as she watched both guards look around, like they didn't want to be
seen. If it was Melissa, she was indeed being kidnapped. Careful on not being
seen, Jasmine carefully moved away from the bushes unaware that the men had
spotted her leave

"Someone was watching us, snooping" the dark haired man who had grabbed
Melissa sneered

"You sure?" John, the bald headed guard asked "Miss Webster maybe? I told you
about what she said. She's probably out walking the grounds"

"No, it was some young chick I think"

"Probably nothing to worry about, lets get her inside"

A muffled mmmppphhh was heard from beneath the bag. Meanwhile, Jasmine's pulse
rate was racing a mile a minute as she made it back to the dorm and into her
room. She then flopped on her bed, even with wet hair.

"Jasmine, you okay?" Lori asked, drying her short hair "It looks like you've
seen a ghost"

"Something else Lori" she answered as she sat up and looked straight at her
friend. "I think Carla was right, I think Melissa was kidnapped. I think it's
time to help Carla find her friend"

Lori looked at her shockingly as Jasmine was serious

MYSTERY AT SOCCER CAMP (CH 6)

"So what did you find out?" Lori asked her friend as she finished drying her
hair

"You won't believe what I saw Lori" Jasmine replied as she started to dry her
hair with a towell "But i need proof"

"Did you see Melissa?"

"Not exactly"

"What do you mean by not exactly?"

"I saw two security guards carrying a large green duffel bag into a black van.
Thank God they didn't see me" Jasmine answered

Lori rolled her eyes "That's it?"

"The bag was moving, like a person was inside.

"Maybe it was an animal or something...we live in New Mexico, maybe they
caught a coyote that got loose on the grounds"

"Lori come on, they were looking way too suspicious to be carrying a wild
animal"

"Sorry. You're right, it downs sound strange. Who besides Carla should we talk
to?"

"Well, I'm getting suspicious about Chloe."

"Chloe? why?"

"Well one of the guards I saw was the one that Chloe called on the phone
yesterday, the same one she told to keep an eye out on for anything
suspicious, the bald guy? They might be in cahoots together"

"Jasmine, you're imagination has runaway from you. Come on, lets get ready for
practice. We can talk to Carla at least"

Jasmine nodded as she started to change into her practice gear

Practice was dragging on in the afternoon as the girls took a water break.
Carla then went up to Jasmine and Lori

"I heard from Melissa" she beamed. Jasmine then looked at Lori

"When?" Jasmine asked looking puzzled

"She texted me earlier this morning. She said no hard feelings by the way"

As Carla walked away, Jasmine stopped her

"I think she was kidnapped, just like you said"

"You do? Carla quizzed "For certain? How?"

"Jasmine thought she saw her being carried into a van by two security guards
and one of the guards was that one that Chloe called and talked to"

"Well she texted me"

"Anyone could have done that Carla, especially someone who has her phone"

Carla returned to a worried look as Jasmine reassured her that they would find
her. Later on that night, Jasmine called her mother and told her that
everything was going good, not mentioning the mystery unfolding involving
Melissa Davidson that she seemed to be now in the middle of

The next morning broke bright and sunny as Jasmine rose to shower. Lori was
sleeping as Jasmine put on some jogging shorts and a white-t shirt. She
slipped on pair of white ankle socks and then a pair of running shoes. She put
her long brown hair in a ponytail and grabbed her cell phone. Just then Lori
rolled over and opened her eyes.

"Morning" Lori said yawning "Where are you headed so early?"

"Morning to you too. Sorry I woke you. I'm just go for my morning run, wanna
go?"

"Nah, I can meet you at the pool later?"

"That's a deal. We can be there a while since we don't have practice until
four"

"I'll meet you later then and stay out of trouble"

Jasmine smiled as Lori rolled over. She had to clear her head from all this
craziness, but she couldn't shake what she saw. Several minutes later she made
it down to the area where she saw the van. She then froze in her tracks. The
van was back. She crouched down and watched. Several minutes later, nothing
happened. She then jogged over to it and looked around. There was nobody
there. Against her better judgment, she stood on her toes and peeked inside.
She couldn't see much. Jasmine looked around and then tried the back door. She
closed her eyes as she could feel her heart start pounding. She slowly opened
the door and crawled inside, shutting the door behind her softly. The back of
the van was entirely enclosed from the front. A perfect area to hide someone,
she thought as she looked around. She then noticed something shiny laying on
the floor. It was a bracelet, and by the looks of it, very expensive. Jasmine
thought that maybe Melissa could have somehow left it for a clue to her
disappearance. The only other thing in there was a large blue tarp that was
halfway rolled up. Jasmine turned to leave when suddenly the van started up!
She reached for the door, but was thrown back on the tarp when the van shifted
from reverse to drive. She was now trapped and headed for wherever Melissa
was, and if she was right about it....the same amount of danger!

MYSTERY AT SOCCER CAMP (CH 7)

Jasmine was frightened as she tried to cover herself with the tarp. If the men
opened the back, she would almost certainly be noticed. Then what? She tried
not to think about it. She was in way over her head as she got out her phone
and started texting. It was to Lori, telling her of the situation. Then her
heart dropped. Her roommate was still asleep. She could only hope that she
would get the message and try and find her.

As bad as the situation was, she still had no proof that Melissa was in that
bag yesterday, only speculation. Everything though was adding up to a
kidnapping, but why? She could only hope that she would find out soon. The van
then stopped after several minutes. Jasmine peaked out from under the bag but
as soon as she started for the door, the vehicle started moving again. She had
to get out of there, but how? There was no way she could jump out. She had to
wait until the vehicle stopped for good and then pray that the coast was
clear.

Several more minutes later the van stopped again. This time, Jasmine heard the
engine cut off and the person driving get out. She then heard footsteps that
sounded like walking on gravel coming closer to the back. She closed her eyes
as her heart was in her throat. She heard a man's voice say something to the
effect "It can wait" and then nothing but silence.

The teen waited a few more moments and then thought "It's now or never"

She peeked outside and saw nothing. She then softly opened the door and slowly
opened one of the back doors. Looking out she crawled out and made her way
over to a pile of wood that was adjacent to a small building that the van was
parked next to. The building looked like it was a small storage place
somewhere in a wooded area. She got out her phone and checked her messages.
Still nothing from Lori as she sent another text. She then took a picture of
the van and the building. Just then the two security guards appeared from the
building. She quickly snapped a picture of the men being very careful. She was
now certain that something was going on and Melissa was probably inside. She
had to get out of where she was, but where was it? Near the camp? She went to
put her phone in her pocket but saw a large spider on one of the pieces of
wood. She made enough noise to attract the attention of the guards! Jasmine
made a run for it, but was quickly grabbed by the bald headed man. Jasmine
screamed, but his hand clamped over her mouth, silencing any dialogue.

"Why you little snooper!" the dark haired guard, who had a name badge of
Wayne. "It's that girl i noticed yesterday"

"This girl was one of the ones that was with Chloe Webster."

"She wants to play Nancy Drew I guess, get her inside and tie her up"

Jasmine tried to struggle, but it was useless. She was caught and now in great
danger. Her curiosity had got her in this situation.

Lori woke up and looked at the clock. It was now Nine. She got up and looked
around.

"Jasmine...Jasmine, are you here? Maybe she went to the pool without me" she
said out loud, unaware that her best friend was in grave danger.

Lori then checked her cell phone. She had two text messages. She started
reading them and gasped. They were from Jasmine and told of her situation.

"Now what do I do? Oh Jasmine, why did you have to be so headstrong?"

Lori then tried Jasmine's number. It rang and went to voice mail. Something
was wrong.

Meanwhile at the other end of Jasmine's phone, Wayne had it in his hand as
Jasmine watched him delete her photos of the evidence. She was sitting in a
wooden chair with her hands tied tightly behind it. Her ankles also tied
together with rope

"Won't be needing these anymore Missy. Your friend Lori is trying to call you"

"Where's Melissa?" Jasmine asked sobbing, trying to be brave in a dire
situation. "Where is she. I know you have her"

"Gag her, she's getting on my nerves"

John quickly pulled out a thick white rag and forced it between Jasmine's
teeth. He pulled the ends tight and knotted it behind her head.

"Even in the text messaging era, teens still talk too much" John replied as he
got a snicker out of Wayne.

"Go get the other one"

Tightly bound and gagged, Jasmine watched as John brought Melissa out. She was
bound and cleave-gagged like Jasmine. She had been crying. John then retied
the terrified girl to a chair facing Jasmine. Melissa let out a mmmppphh as
she looked at Jasmine who returned her grunt. Whatever happened on the field
between them, was now forgotten as the two teens were in the hands of two
criminals. Jasmine then heard the back door and a familiar voice. She was
shocked as who she saw standing there....

MYSTERY AT SOCCER CAMP (CH EIGHT)

Jasmine couldn't believe her eyes as to who was standing with the two fake
guards. It was none other than Carla Mancini! The sultry brunette had a smug
look on her face as Jasmine now shockingly realized that Carla was in cahoots
with the guards. Jasmine figured that they weren't that far from camp. Maybe
there was a path through the woods that Carla used to get there. The young
Latina wanted to get at her in the worst way, but being bound and gagged as
she was, she had to sit helplessly and listen to her so called "Friend" gloat.

"How did she get here?"

"Nosy brat must have been in the van" Wayne replied looking at Jasmine

"So she must have found the bracelet I planted. I was hoping that you would
back off Jasmine, but you couldn't...so you fell right into my trap"

Jasmine twisted her wrists in an effort to free herself. She was tied tight
and the knots out of the reach of her fingers, even if she could loosen them.
Carla then stood between both captives.

"How are you doing Melissa?...cat got your tongue?"

"Mmmppphhh!!!" Melissa could only say as she gave her roommate a dirty look

Carla snickered as she looked at Jasmine.

"I guess you're wondering why I'm doing this huh Jasmine? I'm suprised that
the snooping that you did didn't uncover the reason. Well no time like the
present I guess"

Carla then walked back and forth between both bound girls

"Melissa's father cost my father everything! Including his life!" Carla
screamed as she stared at Melissa, pulling on her blond hair. Melissa closed
her eyes and started crying again. Jasmine then recalled hearing something on
the news about a Davidson employee commiting suicide a couple of months ago...
she couldn't recall the name, but it must have been Mr Mancini

"Everything was going good for us. My mother passed away when I was little.
But my father was doing good, really good working for old man Davidson....then
he turned on my father and fired him...and for no good reason either. Dad
couldn't take it anymore and one day I found him in the garage....with the car
engine still...on..."

Carla's voice tailed off as she broke down. Jasmine was sobbing along with
her. Carla was out for revenge on Melissa and now Jasmine had found out about
it. What fate Carla had for them was unknown

"Thanks to a little manipulating, I set it up to be her roommate. It made my
job easier as everything was set up nicely...from using Melissa's stationary
to write her so called "Goodbye" and from the planted security guards. John
worked with my father, so I was thrilled when Miss Webster called a guard the
other day and who happened to show up but John here. As for Wayne, nothing
like a relative helping you out"

"Relative?" Jasmine tried to say behind the gag, but it was a garbled mess

"My uncle Wayne" Carla said as she hugged him. "The only relative I have left
thanks to...her!"

After a few minutes, Carla continued.

"I had to make it look like I needed help, to throw off suspicion. I knew
Chloe wouldn't buy the kidnapping story as she does want to keep things hush
hush and I knew Melissa would try and make you look like the bad guy, and you
would feel guilty...I mean she was the last person you would want to help. I
mean you're here for your soccer skills, not to play Nancy Drew. I tried to
stop you by telling you that I heard from her, but you got persistent and then
got real nosy. I had to bait a trap for you Jasmine. Sorry about this, I
really like you and Lori. I can sense that your friend didn't want to join you
in your adventure. The only thing is, what should I tell her?...I don't know
if she'll believe me if I tell her if you quit and went home. Well I'll think
of something, maybe even grab her as well....that way I'm safe"

"Leave Lori alone!" Jasmine grunted loudly again with those words not really
intelligible either

Carla only laughed as she walked over to the thermostat and turned it all the
way up!

"You know it can get real hot in this state in the summer, not to mention a
small building without air conditioning. I only hope you two can be
comfortable sitting here until I decide what to do to with you"

With that Carla and the two guards laughed and left the two bound teens to
struggle with the tight ropes, not to mention the rising temperature in the
small enclosed room. Jasmine had to get her and Melissa out of there and then
somehow get Carla and the guards. Carla was sick and needed help, but at the
moment, the young brunette needed something to help free herself. Jasmine
looked around and then noticed that the men had accidentally left her cell
phone on the table! "If only I could get to it" Jasmine thought as she started
to move the chair across the hard floor....

MYSTERY AT SOCCER CAMP (CH 9)

Lori looked at the clock and it said 1 P.M. There was only three hours until
the next training session and Jasmine had been gone since morning, without
word. Carla was not around either as Lori was unaware of Carla's activity in
Jasmine's disappearance. To make matters worse, Lori didn't know what security
guard to trust. She knew Jasmine had seen the shaved haired guard supposedly
putting Melissa in a van...but who was the other guard? She had tried Chloe
Webster and Henry Samuels's offices, but they were out for the morning. She
then decided to try her cell phone again. "Please pick up Jasmine....please"

Jasmine and Melissa were still tightly bound and gagged to the chairs in the
small storage room which was now getting stifling with the heat all the way
up. Jasmine had managed to slide her chair across the floor to the small table
that her cell phone was. "Luckily, they forgot it" the pretty Latina thought
as sweat dripped from her forehead. Melissa, sweating profusely as well,
encouraged Jasmine as she tried to operate the phone with her nose. Then she
noticed something bad. The phone ringer was turned off! Then she noticed
several calls from Lori's phone. Her friend had been trying to call her. "Lori
must know I'm in a bad situation, maybe she'll go to get help..." she thought
as she tried to push the ringer button on...to say it was hard would have been
an understatement. Sweat dripped on the table as she tried and finally managed
to get it! Just then the phone rang and it was from Lori again "Now if only I
can push the answer button..."

Jasmine's phone rang and rang as Lori no longer got her voice mail as before

"Something's different...Come on Jasmine, pick it up" Lori said out loud as
she was unaware that her friend was tied up. "Where are you?"

Jasmine kept trying to push the button, but it was harder to do than the
ringer button. Then her face turned to horror....the battery was dying! "I
forgot to charge my phone" she thought, scolding herself. "How could I be so
careless" Then the phone died completely and maybe the girls' hope for rescue
with it! Jasmine teared up again as she looked at Melissa, her lips closing on
her gag as her eyes closed. The girls were now sweating like no other soccer
practice they had ever had. Jasmine had no idea how hot it was getting, but
the girls had to get out of there soon or maybe they would pass out. Thirst
was another thing as their mouths were dry from biting on the thick cloth.
Jasmine then looked around. "There's got to be a way out of here...something
to help cut..." Jasmine's eyes lit up as she saw something sharp coming from
one of the side walls. It looked like a piece of aluminum that had been cut
from the original wall, almost a jagged piece. The brunette slid her chair
some more, trying to make it over to it.

Lori's frustration continued as she now realized Jasmine's phone had went back
to voice mail. "How could it keep ringing that one time?" the short-haired
brunette thought, unaware that Jasmine had manged to turn it on.

"Maybe I better try and see Chloe or Mr Samuels again" She left her dorm and
started to make it over to the office buildings. She first went to Chloe's
office. The note said she was still out. With a frustrating look on her face,
the teen then tried Mr Samuels office. Her face lit up as she saw he was back.
She knocked on the door and then announced herself

"Mr Samuels?"

The tall blond haired man was putting some papers away when he answered her

"Can I help you miss?"

"Mr Samuels. My name is Lori Fielding and I have a problem."

"What sort of problem, Miss Fielding?"

"My roommate Jasmine is missing"

"Missing? Since when?"

"This morning. We have a training session at four"

"Is this all you wanted?" he then said sternly "First Miss Davidson, now your
roommate, Miss Medina isn't it?"

Lori was shocked at his attitude as well as his elusiveness

"But Mr Samuels...."

"Look kid, go bother Miss Webster with this problem. Besides, I can't get the
Police involved, she'll fire me on the spot. Miss Webster will help you."

"But she's out...."

"She'll be back before 3:30. Now if you don't mind..."

Lori shook her head at his attitude as she left, going back to Chloe's office.

"I guess I'm going to have to wait until she gets back" Lori thought as she
sat down next to Chloe's door. She then buried her head in her lap and started
sobbing. Jasmine had gotten herself into something bad and Lori couldn't bare
the thought of never seeing her new best friend again. She had no one to turn
to. She thought about calling her parents, but the thought of panicking them
wasn't worth it. "The last thing I want to do is having this camp close down"

Meanwhile from a distance, Lori was unaware of someone watching her....

MYSTERY AT SOCCER CAMP (CH 10)

Jasmine had made it over to the jagged piece of metal that was jutting from
the wall. "I know this will work" she thought as she backed up the chair where
her wrists were over the sharp aluminum. Sweating profusely, Jasmine looked at
Melissa with optimism as she began to saw away at the tight ropes. It was
going to take time, but it was the girls only chance. Jasmine could only pray
that the guards or even Carla wouldn't come back

Lori looked at her phone and the time said 3:15. She had been sitting outside
Chloe Webster's office for quite awhile. The teen then realized she had
inadvertently taken a nap. Just then Chloe Webster returned as Lori hopped to
her feet.

"Miss Fielding isn't it?" Chloe said as she addressed Lori.

"Yes" Lori answered it as she was pleasantly shocked at Chloe knowing her by
name

"What can I do for you?" Chloe replied as she unlocked her office and invited
Lori in

"First of all, What is Mr Samuels's title?"

"He works for me why?"

"He was really rude and wouldn't help me"

"Rude? How?"

"Jasmine's missing now" Lori said bluntly "And he said he couldn't help me"

"Whoa whoa your roommate? The Hispanic girl?"

"Yes. And Mr Samuels said only you could help me, that it wasn't his problem
and you would fire him if he called the police"

"I'm sorry about that. I think we have a problem now. If your friend is indeed
missing, then I might not have a choice but to call them. Miss Davidson was
trouble, but..."

"Miss Webster, the last thing I want to do is have you close this camp....I
just want Jasmine back safe...I know she's in some sort of trouble" Lori
replied as she then started sobbing again

"I see how much you care for her. Why don't you tell me what happened and why
you think she's missing okay?"

Lori nodded and wiped her eyes with a tissue. She was finally feeling that she
was going to get to the bottom of this bizarre mystery

Jasmine was sawing away for it seemed like hours. The sweltering room was
practically unbearable as she kept working. She had to get herself and Melissa
out of there and get the Police somehow as well and to get Carla help to deal
with the pain of her father's suicide. Suddenly she felt the ropes fray. With
all of her strength she had left, she worked her hands until she was free! She
immediately rubbed circulation back into them. She then pulled the gag from
her dry mouth and worked her jaws around. She then freed her ankles. Melissa
grunted to Jasmine to free her as well as the Latina slowly moved over to her.
Her legs had to get feeling back as well. Jasmine quickly untied the blonde's
gag and started to free her hands

"Oh Jasmine...thank God..." Melissa said hoarsely "I'm so sorry I treated you
like crap..."

"We can be myspace friends later, first we have to get out of this room and
call the police...."

Melissa was soon free and rubbing her wrists for feeling. As Jasmine untied
Melissa's ankles, she then helped the blonde, who was still in her now soaked
soccer uniform get on her feet. Jasmine then went over and grabbed her now
dead cell phone and then helped Melissa walk to the door. She was praying that
the guards or Carla wouldn't be there to capture them again. Jasmine then felt
the beautiful air hit her face as they went outside. The teen was thrilled as
she saw nobody around.

"There's got to be a path here somewhere"

Jasmine looked for a path and then saw something by some trees

"There it is! Come on!"

Jasmine was fully aware that Melissa couldn't move that quickly, at least
temporarily...but they had to hurry to get back to the camp.

"Feeling's coming back Jasmine" Melissa announced as she tried to keep up with
her rival "Carla is sooo dead!"

Jasmine was thrilled to have the "Old" Melissa back, but she was horrified to
see the security guards, John and Wayne coming down the path and noticing them
trying to escape!

"Hey! Get them!"

Jasmine pulled Melissa by the arm and started into the woods

"Come on Melissa, run!"

The teens could hear the guards cursing as they were on the girl's tail.
Jasmine then pulled Melissa down into a clump of bushes. Melissa started to
talk, but Jasmine covered her mouth. Jasmine rolled her eyes as she looked at
her phone and dead battery

"Why didn't I charge it!" she thought, scolding herself a second time. The
girls were in danger with seemingly no way out as the guards were almost on
top of them....

MYSTERY AT SOCCER CAMP (CH 11)

"They have to be here someplace" The guard named Wayne said as he looked
around "They couldn't have gotten far. I know you two are out here! Why don't
you make it easy and give yourselves up!"

Behind the clump of bushes, Jasmine and Melissa were crouched down awaiting
the inevitable....the guards would recapture them

"I wonder how they even got loose?" the guard named Wayne said to his partner

"They're more clever than we thought....come on, over here"

Jasmine could hear the men move away, at least temporarily. She then stared at
her dead phone

"Jasmine, staring at it is not going to make it work"

"I know. We have to figure a way out of this mess"

As the girls put their heads together, Wayne and John looked in an area away
from the girls

"John, stay here. I'm going to close both gates. That way they're trapped
between us and these woods"

Meanwhile Lori was telling Chloe Webster about Jasmine's disappearance

"I got these text messages this morning from Jasmine"

"What does it say?"

"It says: I'm in danger, inside a black van and it's moving. Call for help.
But I didn't know who to turn to. I tried to call her several times, but it
went to voice mail. It did just ring and ring once, but no one picked up"

"Doesn't sound like she was kidnapped. Sounds more like she was someplace she
shouldn't have been"

"She told me she saw two security guards carrying a large duffel bag out of
one of the buildings. She said there was something moving inside and she
thinks it was Melissa"

Chloe started to laugh and then saw Lori looking at her scared

"One of the guards was that shaved haired man that you called yesterday"

"John? He's new around here"

Lori nodded as she looked at the clock. It was getting near 4 PM. She was
going to be late for training

"I have a session real soon, I have to go"

"Okay Miss Fielding, I'll do what I can from my end. I'll look into the guard
situation and my apologizes for Mr Samuels and one more thing.."

"What's that?"

"I wouldn't trust Miss Mancini if I were you"

"Carla? Why?"

"Because I think she's as much trouble as Melissa...trying to disrupt my camp"

Lori left hurriedly to get changed for her session thinking hard of what Chloe
told her

"We've got to move from here" Jasmine told Melissa

"Where? The woods?"

Jasmine nodded as the two girls got up quietly and snuck out of their hiding
place, unaware that John was the only guard looking for them at the moment.
The two teens forged deeper into the woods, not knowing where they were going.

"Jasmine, this is insane" Melissa said to her "They're going to catch us
again, unless we get lost out here"

"Positive attitude Melissa. My father taught me some things about the woods a
few years ago."

"Like how to get lost without food and water"

"Like looking for the direction of the sun and moving in one direction, things
like that. Come on"

Jasmine grabbed Melissa's arm and the duo trudged deeper into the unknown

Lori had barely made it to the training session and ran into Carla who was all
smiles

"Carla, where have you been? I was looking for you all day... Jasmine's
missing"

"What? How?"

Just then Emily Patton, the girls' instructor blew her whistle for the session
to start

"Miss Fielding can I see you for a moment?" Emily said

Lori then ran over to her

"Yes Miss Patton"

"Miss Webster called me and told me the situation and about Miss Medina. Would
you like to be dismissed from practice?"

"I don't want to cause a problem Miss Patton, but with Jasmine gone I don't
know if I could give you my best"

"Understood. And Miss Fielding," Emily added "everything will be okay"

"I hope so" Lori said softly as she went back to Carla

"Carla, I'm going back to the dorm. Can we talk after you get done?"

"Sure" Carla said as Lori left.

Several minutes later, the girls saw a wonderful site. It was a stream! Water!
The girls hurried up to it and enjoyed splashing it on themselves as well as
the delicious taste to their mouths from not having anything in a while,
especially Melissa

"Hey, I just thought of something" Jasmine announced "If we follow this, I
think this will lead us back to camp. In fact, i think this is the little
stream that runs behind one of the fields....Melissa?"

Jasmine turned to see why Melissa wasn't joining her in her optimism. Then she
noticed why. The blonde stood there shaking. Nearby in the distance was a
rattlesnake all coiled up and ready to strike!

MYSTERY AT SOCCER CAMP (CH 12)

"Don't move" Jasmine whispered to Melissa as the rattlesnake shook it's tail
violently at the girls

"Easy for you to say" Melissa stammered, her heart pounding like a drum

Several tense moments later, the snake gave up it's stance and moved on. The
girls then breathed a sigh of relief

"Come on, let's follow the water"

Lori had laid on her bed for about ten minutes thinking about what Chloe told
her about Carla. She then sensed Carla knew something about what was going on.
After changing from her soccer uniform into a regular t-shirt and shorts, Lori
then slipped on her flip-flops and went down to Carla's dorm room. Making sure
that Carla wan't there, Lori knocked on the door a couple of times and then
closed her eyes

"I shouldn't be doing this" she thought as she tried the door "This is for
Jasmine though"

To her surprise, the door was open. Lori then went inside and looked around.
Everything was in order and neat. Lori then went to the closet. Nothing but
clothes hanging up. She then noticed a box on the floor marked DAD. Curiously,
she took the lid off and proceeded to look through what was inside. There were
newspaper articles that contained stories of Carla's father's death. Looking
further, she found more papers with Melissa's father and pictures with a big
red X marked through it. Lori then gasped to what she saw next, Melissa's
picture in one of the papers had a X through it along with a death threat next
to it.

"Oh my God! Carla?" Lori thought as she folded the one with the threat and put
it in her pocket "Miss Webster was right about Carla....I think she's behind
this"

Lori turned to go but then heard the door. Carla was back! Lori hurried into
the closet, shut the door and crouched down. Lori's heart was pounding as
Carla was seemingly not alone. Lori then listened from the dark space

"I can't believe you two let them get away"

"John will find them. They won't get too far"

"Look Uncle Wayne, this was going to well...they need to be found so we can
finish the plan"

Lori couldn't believe what she was hearing as she carefully peeked out the
door. Wayne was the other security guard! and he was Carla's uncle. She had to
get out of there and get to Miss Webster...fast. Lori then listened more as
Carla started to argue with him.

"Don't you talk to me like that young lady!"

"You're not my father!"

"No, i'm not" he shot back as Lori gasped of what happened next. Wayne had
taken a cloth and held it over Carla's nose and mouth! A few moments later,
Carla slumped to the floor.

"Now to take care of you, like I took care of your father"

Wayne had chloroformed his own niece and from Lori heard, he had killed
Carla's father. She didn't know why Melissa was targeted, but she did know
that Jasmine must have got to close and was kidnapped and Lori would be next
if she couldn't get out of there

"Yeah it's me...." Wayne said on his phone "Took care of her....Okay will
do...

Lori then saw Wayne pull out a large duffel bag from underneath Carla's bed

"Sorry Carla, but you had it coming"

Wayne pulled the large bag over Carla and zipped it up. Then he proceeded to
lift it over his shoulder and leave the room. Lori was frozen in her spot, but
she knew she had to get to Chloe and stop Wayne from hurting Carla, Melissa
and especially Jasmine

Jasmine and Melissa had followed the stream for it seemed like miles.

"We're going around in circles Jasmine"

"There!" Jasmine shouted as she saw the metal fence in the distance that
marked the camp's property.

"Now all we have to do is get over it"

"And how do you suggest we do that?"

"The tree over there. We can swing on one of the branches and then lower
ourselves over the fence"

"I thought you might say that"

"I'll go first." Jasmine said as she climbed up the small tree and onto the
branch that stuck out over the soccer camp's property. Jasmine swung herself
over and dropped onto the grass.

"Come on...it's easy."

Melissa got up to the branch, but it broke sending the blonde tumbling down
next to Jasmine

"Are you okay?"

"I think so, tell me we don't have to do that anymore"

Jasmine shook her head as the girls carefully made it back to the buildings

Lori hurriedly made it over to Chloe's office and knocked on the door.

"It's open"

Lori opened the door and saw Chloe sitting at her desk

"Miss Webster you're right, Carla is behind this...."

"Are you certain?" Chloe replied as Lori nodded her head.

The teen then heard the door shut behind her. She whipped around and saw Wayne
standing there! Lori started to scream, but Wayne's hand stopped any shouting.
Lori's heart was pounding as she shockingly realized that Chloe was working
with Wayne and was behind the kidnappings!

"Well well, Miss Fielding I guess you figured everything out." Chloe said
getting up and looking at the shaking teen. "You couldn't stop snooping could
you, just like your friend Jasmine. You fell into a trap just like she did. I
didn't want to hurt you, but now I have no choice."

Tears welled in Lori's eyes as she was now in the hands of the criminals and
soon was to be joining Jasmine and the others. What fate was in store for them
was unknown. But one question remained, why Carla too and where was she?

"The brat knows too much" Wayne said, as he tied a white rag between Lori's
teeth and knotted it tight, gagging the teen

"Your niece caused us problems. And now these two, especially this little
snoop. She has caused us a bigger headache. Tie her up and put her in the
adjacent room. We'll figure out what to do with her later as well as that
bratty niece of yours"

Lori could only pray that Jasmine would somehow escape, not knowing that she
had and was on the grounds again...

MYSTERY AT SOCCER CAMP (CH 13)

Jasmine and Melissa hurried along the perimeter of the grounds towards the
buildings making sure that John wasn't still behind them.

"We must have lost him a while back" Jasmine said "Come on, hopefully we can
run into a regular security guard"

The girls moved a few more yards before their path was blocked. Much to their
relief, a security guard who they haven't seen before stood there. His name
was David

"Are we glad to see you ... David" Jasmine replied smiling at Melissa

"Where have you girls been?" David replied looking at the girls worn out look
that included dirty, sweaty clothes "Aren't you Melissa Davidson?"

"Yes ... I was kidnapped. Look, two of your guards are not guards"

"What are you talking about?"

"We'll tell you everything" Jasmine added, "Right now we need to call the
police. My phone is dead and I was a prisoner as well "

"The police? Miss Webster needs to know about this"

As David phoned Chloe, the girls were unaware of her involvement in the
kidnappings

Lori squirmed and twisted, but could not loosen the ropes that held her
prisoner in Chloe's back room. She was sitting on the floor of the small room
with her hands tied tightly behind her back and her ankles tied together.
Biting down on the gag in her mouth, Lori scooted along the floor and put her
ear against the wall. She then listened to Chloe and Wayne talk in the next
room.

"That was David, one of the regular guards. It seems like our two young
females are back on the grounds. They want him to call the police. This is not
good. Where the hell is John? And how did they avoid him" Chloe shouted,
rolling her eyes and then slamming a manila folder on the desktop

"Let me call him"

"Good idea" Chloe exclaimed, getting perturbed really fast

As Wayne demanded John to get back to the campus, Lori was wondering how she
would ever escape or at least warn Jasmine. She couldn't believe that Chloe
was behind everything. Obviously, she had no intention of calling the police
and especially not now. But one question remained, why? And why was Carla
chloroformed and seemingly kidnapped? Lori then listened as Chloe talked

"We've planned this too well to blow up in our face now. Between that niece of
yours, the two detective wannabes and that incompetent John ... "

"Baby, everything is cool. Don't worry. We'll get the money that's coming to
us"

Lori then heard the two kiss. She started to put the pieces together. They
were planning to get rid of both girls and take their inheritances! Lori
remembered that Wayne was actually the one who killed Mr. Mancini, that he
didn't commit suicide.

>>From what she had heard, Carla was the intended target, but Melissa would
bring in the real cash. Jasmine and now Lori just happened to stumble onto the
plot and now were in real danger, at least Lori was. Tears welled in her eyes
once again as she wonder what fate they had in store for her as well as Carla.
She could only hope that Jasmine and Melissa would avoid being recaptured.

As Jasmine and Melissa were escorted back towards the dorms, Jasmine froze at
the site of the black van that pulled up near them. John then got out and
walked toward them.

"That's him!" the girls screamed, but nobody else seemed to be within distance
of them

"Hold it right there!" David said drawing his gun. But John quickly kicked it
out of his hand and punched him in the face, knocking him out cold! Jasmine
grabbed Melissa and started running

"Split up! Go that way! Run!"

Jasmine made it over to some pine bushes that were nearby. She had lost sight
of Melissa. A few moments later, she then saw the van drive away towards the
main buildings. The pretty Latina hurried back over to the injured David and
helped him up.

"Are you all right? Oh my God your head!" Jasmine gasped as she noticed blood
coming from the area that John had hit. Jasmine helped him up and tried to
help him walk towards the guardhouse

"Where the hell were you?" Chloe screamed to John as he got out of the van. He
had pulled up to a secluded spot and met Chloe and Wayne there

"Looking for them, what do you think?" as he walked to the back of the van and
opened it. Melissa was lying unconscious while Carla was still out cold laying
next to her

"I got one of them. What's with Carla, I thought that was your niece ... ?"

Suddenly Wayne knocked John out cold with the barrel of his gun!

"No need for you to know that ex partner"

"Good" Chloe said, "He was getting on my nerves. Bind and gag these two girls
and then put him in the front. We'll have to make it look like an accident"

"But there's still one more problem ... that Medina chick is still missing,
and with our luck lately, probably blabbing to the cops"

"I don't think so." Chloe sneered, "We have the perfect bait to catch a little
mouse ... her best friend Lori..."

MYSTERY AT SOCCER CAMP (CH 14)

Jasmine made it to the guardhouse with the injured security guard named Dave.
Two other guards helped her bring him inside

"Why don't you tell them what you saw Miss" Dave said grimacing as he sat down
with the others help.

"Well where do I begin?" Jasmine started before the phone rang

"Excuse Me," the guard named Greg replied as he picked up the phone "Yes ...
yes she is ... okay ... "

Greg gave the phone to Jasmine.

"It's for you ... its Miss Webster"

Jasmine looked puzzled as she answered it

"Miss Webster?"

"Miss Medina" Chloe answered, "Glad you're still there. Look I heard about
what happened, are you okay?"

"Yes, I think so ... but Melissa is missing again ... "

"I see. Have you talked to your roommate, Miss Fielding and tell her what
happened?"

"No. My phone is dead; I couldn't call her. You haven't seen her by chance
have you?"

"No I haven't, maybe she's in her room, have you gone back there?"

"No not yet. Let me go over there. Miss Webster we have to call the police."

"Already taken care of"

Jasmine was relieved; unaware of the trap she was about to walk into. Chloe
hung up her phone and smiled. Wayne then emerged from the other room holding a
struggling Lori

"One more to go honey. Put her with the others"

Lori squealed as Wayne forced her to move. She realized that Jasmine was
walking into more danger

"Thanks for the escort over here" Jasmine said to security guard Greg as she
tried her door. Opening it, she realized that Lori wasn't there.

"She isn't here," Jasmine said, looking for a note of some kind. Something
then swept over her. Lori was in trouble, something told her that

"Oh know ... I think my friend's in trouble ... . have the police got here
yet?"

Greg shook his head as he walked with the teen down the stairwell. Suddenly
Jasmine saw the black van parked near the door

"Oh my God ... . the van!"

Jasmine then heard a noise next to her. She turned to realize that Greg was
knocked out by ... Wayne!"

Jasmine screamed and turned to run, but she ran right into Chloe who held her
tight and covered her nose and mouth with a white rag! Jasmine was horrified
as reality told her that Chloe was doing this. She tried to fight it, but
suddenly her eyes got heavy and then she was out. Wayne pulled rope out of his
pocket as he helped Chloe get Jasmine to the van. Opening it up, Lori as well
as Carla squealed behind their gags to see Jasmine now a prisoner. Melissa was
still out, but tied up. Suddenly sirens lit up the air as Chloe gritted her
teeth.

"No time ... dammit, get her in the van ... now! By the time she wakes up,
it'll be too late for them"

Jasmine was tossed into the van next to Melissa and at the feet of the bound
and gagged Lori and Carla

"I'll meet you over there. Just get over there now!"

Lori and Carla prayed that the police would block their escape, but would they
get there in time? Wayne drove the van across campus and onto a path that led
out to the main road. Several minutes later, the van stopped. The girls heard
no sirens around and their hearts sank. Tears rolled down Lori's cheeks as she
realized this might be the end. The girls then heard a car drive up and then
heard Chloe get out and start laughing as she talked loudly with Wayne.

"I think we did it baby, we lost them! Time to get rid of four witnesses and
pin it on him....nothing like a 500 foot drop at the end of this road"

"We ain't safe yet until we hit that border." Wayne said as he pulled John,
who was still knocked out, into the driver's seat and put the van into gear!
The couple then kissed and then got into Chloe's car and drive off. From
inside the van, Lori suddenly realized the horror of the situation: the van
was moving again ... . but it was moving downhill, with a 500 foot drop at the
end of it. The girls had no idea how fast the end would be!

MYSTERY AT SOCCER CAMP (CH 15)

The van picked up momentum as is sped down the hill out of control. Lori and
Carla screamed loudly into their gags for Jasmine and Melissa to wake up from
their chloroform induced sleep. Lori kicked Jasmine several times with her
bound feet, as tears rolled down her cheeks. "Wake up Jasmine ... oh my God!"
she tried to say, the thick cloth muffling it. Lori was somewhat relieved to
see her breathing at least. Lori pushed her back against Carla's in an effort
to free themselves, but the bumpiness of the ride made it difficult at best.
"We're all going to die." she thought as she closed her eyes and prayed.
Suddenly Jasmine stirred about and then opened her eyes and then felt her
head.

"Mmmppphhh!!!" Lori and Carla squealed loudly as Jasmine tried to sit up. She
then realized their dire situation.

"Oh my God!" Jasmine screamed as she tried to make it over to Lori. More
bumpiness made it difficult for her, but the teen finally made it over to Lori
and pulled the gag from her mouth.

"Jasmine ... oh my God ... here untie me! ... "

Jasmine then saw Carla who pleaded through her gag for Jasmine to untie her.

"Carla? ... what? ... "

"It's a long story!" Lori added almost hysterically as Jasmine quickly freed
her friend "First we have to stop this thing!"

Lori quickly rubbed her wrists, freed her ankles and then untied Carla. She
then made it over to Melissa before another large bump sent her flying against
the van's front.

"Lori!" Jasmine screamed "Are you okay?" she added as she grabbed Carla and
Melissa and joined Lori against the wall. Lori was unhurt, but scared out of
her mind like the rest of them

"Everybody grab a hold of each other! If this thing stops, we're going to hit
real hard!"

"I heard them say that there was a 500 foot drop at the end of this
road...we're going to be killed!" Lori said almost hysterically

"We have to hope and pray this thing stops somehow then"

Carla grabbed Lori who held Jasmine. Melissa started to stir about as Jasmine
covered her. Jasmine crossed herself and prayed. A few anxious moments later,
the van turned and then hit something sending it on its side. The girls
screamed loudly, as they tumbled about in the van...but held onto each other
for dear life. The moment had passed and a panting Jasmine looked around and
saw what it look like everyone was okay.

"Oh my god ... .!" She said shakingly. "Is anyone hurt?"

"I think I hurt my arm" Carla said as she grabbed it, but I'm okay otherwise"

Lori closed her eyes and let out tears of joy. They didn't go over any 500
foot drop, but how far were they from it? Jasmine crawled to the door and
managed to open it. Indeed, the van was on it's side and from what she could
tell, it had hit a large dirt embankment braking it's momentum, with the steep
drop just yards ahead

"Damn Uncle Wayne!" Carla yelled, "We could have been killed!"

"I think that was their intention" Jasmine answered, still trying to fathom
what just happened "That was too close!"

The rest of them made it out of the van as police sirens came near them from
down the dirt road

"He turned on you Carla" Lori said, after untying Melissa "He and Chloe
plotted against you all along to get your inheritance as well as Melissa's. I
think he even killed your father, I'm so sorry"

Carla then broke down and cried

"I'm so sorry ... " she sobbed, "I didn't mean to hurt you Melissa ... "

Melissa then hugged her as suddenly police sirens filled the air. "The best
sound I've heard in days...Dave must have called them." Jasmine said as she
hugged Lori tightly and cried. "I thought I would never see you again." she
added as she also told Lori about her dead cell phone "You and my parents..."

"Me too" Lori replied

"And I can't believe Chloe was behind the whole thing, I mean i suspected her
earlier, but..." the Latina added "But you figured it out ... like a
detective"

Lori wiped her tears and then laughed as she rolled her eyes.

"Yeah right. You saved our lives back there probably"

"But right now I think we BOTH could use a shower ... you're a mess!"

Jasmine replied, as she released her dirty hair from the ponytail and shook it

"And charge that phone of yours!" Lori snapped

Jasmine could only hug her and laugh at that statement

IN CONCLUSION ...

Wayne and Chloe were caught trying to escape and arrested and he confessed to
killing Carla's father to get her inheritance.

John recovered from the accident and was arrested for being an accessory, but
testified against Chloe and Wayne to get a lighter sentence.

Carla also testified against her Uncle and Chloe and with Jasmine, Lori's and
as well as Melissa's statements, only got a suspended sentence in juvenile
court. She moved to California to live with a distant cousin that she didn't
know she had

As for Melissa, she had decided not to take anything for granted anymore, to
not be so spoiled, but her parents enrolled her in a private school near
Thunder Ridge for her own good.

The girls were awarded two weeks of free training courtesy of the camp's
owners. Not only that, Javier put on a clinic for them which of course Jasmine
loved. Jasmine and Lori had lived through a harrowing adventure and near death
only to come out of it even stronger, almost inseparable friends.

THE END