Jasmine Medina: ADVENTURE AT APACHE LAKE (CH 1) "Happy birthday honey!" Susan Fielding said to her daughter Lori, who had just turned eighteen. "Thanks mom" the short haired brunette answered as she hugged her mother. Just then Lori's father, Michael came from downstairs. "Morning sweetie" he said, kissing her on the forehead "Nothing much going on today is there?" "Daddy!" Lori squealed as she noticed her father break into a huge grin "Now how could I forget my baby's birthday?" he replied giving her a big bear hug "Happy birthday honey...I love you" "I love you too daddy" Lori replied, as tears welled in her eyes "Now I've got another surprise for you" "What?" He then held up a brochure to her. Lori's eyes lit up. The picture on the front was that of a lake resort called "Apache Lake resort" "Is this what I think it is?" the teen asked Michael Fielding nodded and then she almost jumped into his arms "Well Lori, show a little excitement will ya!" "When are we going?" "Next weekend. I thought with school on break, we can head up there for a long weekend....and since we have two rooms adjacent to each other...." "Can I bring Jasmine?" "You can bring anybody you want sweetie, the more the merrier" Susan Fielding added "I already talked with Jane Medina, Jasmine's mother" "I can't believe this!" Lori shouted "I know you always wanted to go there honey" Michael replied "Now we can have a belated birthday party with all your friends" "Thank you so much!" Lori added as she hugged her parents "Nothing is too much for our Lori, especially what you have been through in last few months" "Yeah" Susan added "Nothing like relaxing at a picturesque resort" Lori looked at the brochure and saw it had all the amenities she liked: a pool, hiking trails, not to mention the huge lake which you could canoe on and such. Lori then dialed her phone. On the other end, Lori's best friend eighteen-year old Jasmine Medina answered "Happy birthday!" the pretty Latina girl said to Lori "I was just about to call you...I guess you know" "You mean you knew?" "Yeah, it was a surprise...me and my mom can't wait" "I wonder if Alicia's folks will let her go, they're pretty strict....especially of what happened a few weeks back" "Well" Jasmine added "You'll see her tomorrow" "And Tiffany and Nicole?" "I don't think they'll be a problem" "I can't wait to get up there, hopefully for a fun and relaxing weekend and no detective work for once, promise?" "I promise" Jasmine replied "Happy birthday again Lori" "Thank you! I'll talk to you tomorrow" With that the two best friends hung up and started thinking how to make the week go faster ADVENTURE AT APACHE LAKE (CH 2) "I thought this day would never get here." Lori said to her friends: Jasmine Medina, Tiffany Harrison, Nicole Marcos and Alicia Robles as they sat in the back part of the huge SUV that Michael Fielding was driving. The five eighth graders were best friends and Teammates with the Thunder Ridge Junior High Hawks soccer team, except Alicia was a cheerleader with the school "I can't believe your parents let you go with us Alicia" Nicole said, fiddling with her Ipod "Yeah, I was afraid that might happen" Lori replied "Well I guess miracles happen" Alicia shot back with a smile. Jasmine then leaned over the seat and whispered something to her mother Jane, who along with the Fielding's were official "chaperons" sort of speak. Jane then nodded in agreement. "Okay what are you two whispering?" Lori asked with a curious look "What?" Jasmine then giggled. Lori then reached out and started tickling her best friend in the sides. Jasmine screamed and squealed "Okay okay! I give up!" "Okay Miss Medina, spill it" "I was just telling my mom that we have a surprise for you" "What is it then?" "You'll have to wait until we get to the resort Lori ... Sorry" Jane announced With that Lori gave up and just sat back against the seat as Jasmine gave her mother a wink About an hour later, the SUV pulled into the entrance of Apache lake resort. The girls looked out the window at the picturesque setting: Spacious condos in the midst of the tall trees, not to mention the sun glistening off of the huge lake, named for the famous Native Americans. which looked like it went on forever "Look at this place!" Nicole shouted, "It's gorgeous!" "Tell me about it" Alicia added, "Thank God my parents let me come "How much further to our condo dad?" Lori asked "We have to check in first sweetie" With that Michael Fielding drove a little bit more until he came to the main office and then parked "Okay girls, were here" Susan announced as Michael got out and opened the back door to the SUV. Five excited teenagers then jumped out and frolicked around. Just then a pretty twenty-something Latina came from inside the building, she had some papers in her hand "Hi you must be the Fielding party" "Yes we are" Michael replied "I'm Bionca Marquez, I'll be your tour guide. Now where is Lori?" Lori looked stunned as she announced herself "Happy birthday Lori!" Bionca said, "Okay if we can go inside, we'll let dad sign some papers, then I can show you guys around" "Sounds good" Susan shot back "Doesn't it girls?" The five teens then shouted their approval in agreement as they all made it inside the resort office "Couldn't have picked a more secluded spot Dan" a bearded man said as he carried a large pouch with him. The other man, Dan carried some tools and dropped them on the ground. He then took out a pair of binoculars "Yes Mitch," Dan replied, as he looked through a pair of binoculars "Nothing like a quiet lake resort to hide our operation. Gotta love vacationers" "How much gold do think is buried up here?" "Well if the map is right, I say we'll be rich men very soon" "What about Bill?" Mitch asked as he started surveying the rocks "When's he going to check in?" "In about an hour" Dan said as he looked at his watch "He's our eyes down there just in case something goes wrong, besides, this might not be the only place to look. If Bill can find it, we might be digging down there as well" "What about the people?" "Don't worry about it Mitch" Dan said putting his hand on his partner's shoulder "I won't let anything or anyone stop us from getting what is ours ... nothing" ADVENTURE AT APACHE LAKE (CH 3) "Okay, this is the pool" Bionca said as she led the Fielding party on a tour of the Apache Lake resort. The group gasped on how big it was. "I'm definitely going in later!" Nicole shouted, getting an agreement from Jasmine and the others "But first, we need to see where we'll be staying" Michael Fielding replied "That's right" Bionca added "Right this way everyone" As the group made their way towards their units, a dark haired man had ascended a flight of stairs inside the main office. He then took out a walkie-talkie "Bill to home base" Another voice then filled the air "Go ahead Bill" "In position and ready to dig" "Excellent, keep us updated" Bill then put down the radio and took out a map. He stared at it and then marked a spot along the wall with a piece of chalk. "Here we are!" Bionca said as she opened the door. Immediately, the group saw a HAPPY BIRTHDAY LORI sign hanging over the upstairs balcony "Surprise!" everyone shouted as Lori was shocked and started hugging everyone "Thank you Bionca" Michael Fielding said as Lori gave her father a huge hug "I think she's surprised" Mr Fielding replied "Is this what your were whispering about in the car Jasmine?" Jasmine nodded, giving a sly smile. Lori then hugged her best friend "I love you" she said through tears "I love you back Miss Fielding" "Okay" Susan Fielding shouted "Who's for cake and ice cream?" "First let me show you guys around" Bionca added "I think that would be a great idea" Jane Medina replied As Bionca showed the group the units they would be staying in, Dan and Mitch were busy digging in the rocks above the resort. Just then Mitch stopped. He then took something form the crack of the canyon. It was shiny and looked like gold "Oh my God! would you look at this!" Dan then took a eye piece and looked at it. He then laughed "Jackpot!" he shouted as he took out a whiskey bottle and took a swig of it, he then passed it to his partner "We're rich!" Later on, after celebrating Lori's birthday and settling in their quarters, most of the group had gathered at the spacious pool. Nicole took no time in diving into the deep end, which was nine feet. "Ahhhh it's cold!" she shouted, getting a laugh from Tiffany and Alicia. Jasmine then soon joined them, showing off her brand new blue bikini "Serves you right Marcos!" Tiffany said "Move around, you'll be okay. Where's the others Jas?" "Lori said she would be by later. The parents are doing their own thing I guess" The young Latina had joined her friends on the pool deck as she found a good place to sun herself. There were several other people around, including a few boys their age. The girls couldn't help notice the boys looking at them. They giggled and Jasmine put on her sunglasses and laid down "Guys, what are we going to do tomorrow?" Tiffany asked, sitting up "Tiff" Alicia shot back "I think we should go with the flow and take things as they come" "I agree" Jasmine replied "Yeah, I guess your right" Tiffany added "But I think I'm going to take one of those canoes and go out on that big lake" "That sounds cool" Nicole replied as she got out of the pool "I would love to go" "Out already?" Tiffany said to the young Filipina "You couldn't stop talking about the pool on the way up here" "I know, but it's cold!" Alicia and Jasmine then laughed "Well it is!" Nicole shot back "I think well all go in later to prove to Nicole that your body temperature will take over after awhile" Nicole then stuck her tongue out at Tiffany as she finished drying off. "Oh man" Tiffany shouted "You know what I might do tomorrow?" "What?" Jasmine asked, almost wanting Tiffany to shut up "Take one of the canoes and go check out those canyons above the lake, sort of like a big hike" "I heard rumors of Gold being up in these parts" Alicia replied "Gold?" Jasmine added "I thought that was just in the movies" "No" Alicia added "My grandmother said there is gold in some of those canyons, buried deep of course" "Really?" Tiffany shot back "Guys" Nicole replied "I want to enjoy this weekend, not go see if we can get rich" "And we will" Tiffany added "And we can start by going swimming!" Tiffany then playfully snapped her towel at Nicole as squeals filled the air ADVENTURE AT APACHE LAKE (CH 4) After the girls had made it back to the girls condo from the pool, Bionca was filling them in on some of the things that would make their weekend more enjoyable. "So canoeing is definitely recommended?" Tiffany asked "Yes." Bionca responded, giving the young African-American girl a map of the lake "Apache Lake goes on for about five miles" "Wow!" Nicole replied, "That's a big lake. Probably a lot of fish in it?" "I heard there's some in some parts of it, but most of them are harmless" "That's why we have a pool Nicole" Alicia added, "I know how you like to swim" Nicole just stuck her tongue out at her as Mr. Fielding entered the condo from the adjoining door. "Okay girls, I'm going to grill out tomorrow, so whatever you do, be sure to work up an appetite" "Sounds good Dad" Lori responded sitting down on one of the spacious couches "Miss Marquez" Tiffany added "Is there gold in the hills above the lake?" "That's the rumor" the young Hispanic guide told her "But I don't really think there is gold anymore. At one time, in the old west there was. Anyway" she continued, "That area is off limits to the public and it's dangerous nonetheless" "Really? Like the old west?" Tiffany responded, getting a curious look from her friends "Yeah Miss Marquez" Jasmine shot back "Tiffany brought it up today at the pool" "I was just curious that's all" was Tiffany's response. "Well girls let me know if I can be of any help. Oh and by the way, call me Bionca from now on" Jasmine nodded as the she left. "Okay girls. You better get ready for bed" Mr. Fielding added, "Busy day tomorrow" With that Mr. Fielding kissed his daughter and left through the adjoining door. The girls then dressed in their sleepwear and Lori grabbed her favorite stuffed animal. Lying down, Tiffany couldn't stop thinking about the possibility of gold Saturday morning broke bright and sunny as the girls woke up from their slumber. Nicole was the first one in the bathroom as the others waited patiently as she had a reputation of taking her time. Tiffany then sat next to Alicia. "Alicia are you buying that stuff that Bionca said about the gold?" "Don't tell me your still thinking about that?" Lori asked, rolling her eyes "Not really Tiff." Alicia responded, "All I want to do is go out there and enjoy this place" "What about you Jasmine?" "Same here" the Latina replied, picking up a soccer ball from the floor "They have a big spacious filed out there and I thought we could have a mini game" "I want to go out on the lake" Nicole said finally emerging from the bathroom "My turn!" Lori shouted, running into the bathroom "Lori said she wants to hang out by the pool" Jasmine added "And I think maybe we can see some cute boys down there!" Giggling filled the room as Tiffany spoke up once again. "Nic, will you go canoeing with me?" "Sure, but I want to take my morning swim first" "It'll probably be cold!" Tiffany replied, hitting Nicole with her pillow. Soon a small pillow fight broke out in the condo A little later on, The Medina's, the Fielding's, Nicole and Alicia were hanging out by the pool. Tiffany had wanted to go out on the lake and had rented a canoe. Dressed in a soccer t-shirt and blue jean cutoffs, the light skinned African-American teen paddled her way along the shore near the cliffs. She parked the canoe near some bushes and took off the life preserver. Walking up to the cliffs edge, she wandered around the rock and came across a clearing. "It's awesome up here" she thought as she walked further up a small slope. She snapped some pictures of the rock formation with her camera phone. About fifteen minutes later, Tiffany was tired from the climbing as she sat down. She untied her sneakers and removed her white ankle socks. Rubbing her sore feet, Tiffany then heard a noise nearby. Quickly putting her footwear back on, the teen moved closer to the noise. Tiffany was awestruck as she came across a truck and a man putting a sack into it. Quickly hiding behind a rock, Tiffany listened to him as he spoke "That's five Mitch. How many more?" She stared at them. Where they miners? If Bionca was saying was true, they were not supposed to be up here. Tiffany snapped a photo of them on her phone and turned to leave, but she kicked a rock down a small embankment as she did. She then saw the awful sight of the man looking at her! "Hey! You, girl!" Tiffany ran as fast as she could back down the slope, but suddenly the man caught up to her and grabbed her, clamping his hand over her mouth, silencing her cry for help. Tiffany's phone fell out of her hand and onto the ground "Well well looks like we got ourselves a little spy!" the man sneered. Tiffany struggled as she kicked her legs in the air. The crook held her tight however, even lifting her off the ground as she fought to get away. After a intense struggle the man was able to twist her arm behind her back and began to painfully wrench it between her shoulder blades. "Mmmmm!!!!" "Settle down girl, or you'll get hurt" The man then jerked her along and back where his partner Mitch was. He then removed his hand from her mouth "W..what are you going to do with me?" Tiffany asked, trembling as she looked at the two men, probably not wanting to hear the answer ADVENTURE AT APACHE LAKE (CH 5) Tiffany looked at her two captors as her heart was pounding "Want me to get some rope and tie her up?" the crook named Dan said "Wait a minute" Mitch replied, "She probably has friends looking for her, we don't need trouble from a group of people" Tiffany looked at him like a scared rabbit "P ... please let me go, I won't tell anyone ... I promise." she stammered "I know you won't sweetie," Mitch added grabbing her chin "Because I have an idea, to make sure you keep your pretty little mouth shut" "What do ya have in mind?" Dan asked "We all know we have a mutual friend down there at the resort ... . somebody that can watch her like a hawk." "I don't understand?" Tiffany replied "It's real simple my dear" Mitch said "You don't know who we are talking about, so we'll know if you blab our secret or not" "You think that'll work?" Dan added curiously "Sure it will" Mitch added looking at Tiffany's terrified look "We'll know. Now get going kid, and don't let me ever see you again ... or else" Tiffany heeded Mitch's advice and took the reprieve. She started down the small slope again towards the lake. "Do you really think that was smart Mitch?" Dan asked, "What if she tells someone, anyone" "You worry too much Dan" he responded, putting his hand on his shoulder "I scared her straight, but I better call Bill anyway" "Tiffany's not back yet?" Jane Medina asked her daughter as they prepared to leave the pool area "It's been two hours" "She's probably looking for that gold" Nicole replied "When that girl gets an idea in her head ... " "Gold?" Jasmine added, "I thought she dropped that idea Nic?" "Let me call her then" the young Filipina replied "Probably can't get much reception over there though" Dan was gathering up some things at the crooks camp when he heard Tiffany's ring tone" "What's that?" Mitch asked "It's coming from over here" Dan looked around and spotted the bright red phone next to a rock "It's a phone" he added picking it up as he looked at it. The text said NICOLE CALLING "It's that chick's phone I bet" Dan added giving it to his partner as the ringing stopped "She must have dropped it when I grabbed her" "And lucky for us, you happened to hear it. One of her friends was trying to call her" Mitch thumbed through the pictures on it. There were a couple of pictures of the fivesome: Tiffany, Jasmine, Lori, Nicole and Alicia. Mitch then stared at the one she recently took: the one of Dan with a sack of gold "So Tiffany Harrison, you might be a bigger problem than I thought." He snarled showing Dan the photo "She could have sent this to her friends, but I don't think she did. Let me call Bill, Miss Tiffany Harrison will regret the day that she ever saw us" Tiffany had made it back to her canoe and put her life preserver back on. Horror then swept back over her ... . her phone was missing! She sat down in the canoe and started to sob. "I must have lost it up there, but I can't go find it, I just hope they don't" she thought, not knowing that they did as she started paddling back to the other side of the lake "Did you ever reach her?" Alicia asked Nicole as the girls made it back to the condo "Nope. Just voice mail. I only hope she's enjoying herself" Nicole replied "Lunch is almost ready guys" Lori said entering the room, followed by Jasmine carrying her soccer ball "Where's Tiff?" she asked plopping herself down on one of the plush couches "That's what we were wondering" Alicia added. Just then the door opened and Tiffany walked in. She looked shaken "Well it's about time" Nicole half-shouted "Where were you?" Tiffany took a seat on the couch. Her friends looked at her and each other "Tiff" Jasmine asked sitting down next to her "What's wrong?" "Nothing. I'm just tired" "Come on girl. You can tell me" "I said nothing's wrong!" almost shouting, "Leave me alone!" The girls looked at each other stunned "I'm sorry Jas, I didn't mean to snap at you. It's just ... I ran into ... " "What was it?" Lori asked "A wild animal ... a wolf I think" Tiffany shot back, lying to her friends "Oh my God!" her friends shouted Just then Michael Fielding walked through the door. Tiffany jumped a little and let out a shriek. She then let out a sighed relief a the sight of him "I didn't know I had that effect on people," he said chuckling. "Glad your back Tiffany, it's about time for lunch" The pretty African-American closed her eyes and let out a sigh as Jasmine sensed that Tiffany was keeping something from them... ADVENTURE AT APACHE LAKE (CH 6) After the group had a cookout for lunch, Tiffany's friends noticed that she hardly ate anything and on top of that was really quiet, hardly saying a word except she lost her cell phone in the encounter "That wolf encounter must have shook Tiffany up" Jane Medina told her daughter as they took the food back inside "I think it's something else mom" Jasmine replied getting a worried stare from her mother "I'm going to go take a nap" Tiffany said as everyone was concerned about her "I'll go swimming later with you guys" As she left to go to her room, Nicole gave Jasmine a nudge with her elbow. Jasmine acknowledged her worry "She'll be okay girls" Susan Fielding added, washing up some plates "Just let her rest" "We're going out and kick the ball around mom" Lori shouted, grabbing Jasmine by the arm. Nicole and Alicia followed them "Okay Miss Medina, what's going on?" Lori asked, knowing her friend too well "She didn't run into a wild animal Lori, I'm sure of it" "She saw something else?" Alicia added, slipping on some ankle socks and sneakers over them "Like what?" Nicole quizzed "It had to shake her up pretty bad. I mean I've known her for a long time, and it's not like her to behave this way" "She kept talking about gold up in the canyons above the lake" "Jasmine ... " Lori started up, rolling her eyes "Do you think she went up there?" Alicia asked "Yes" Jasmine replied, putting her long dark hair into a ponytail "Not only that, I think she ran into someone, or somebody's and maybe that's how she lost her phone" "Like smugglers or something" Nicole replied "Exactly" Jasmine shot back "I think it's worth checking out ... we owe her that much" "Jasmine Medina!" Lori snapped, "No detective work, you promised" "I know" she replied "And I won't, but a nice hike will do us all some good, that way together, we'll stay out of trouble." "I was afraid of that" Alicia added As the girls started kicking their soccer ball around, Bill was watching them in a distance from a set of binoculars. He then took out a radio and stood behind a part of the building "Yeah it's me ... four of them are playing soccer, but the girl you saw isn't there ... . yeah it's the right unit ... . got it from the source ... . maybe she's too scared to come outside ... . Okay ... nothing on the bug I planted, not yet anyway ... " With that Bill put away the radio and made his way back inside the building "Where are you guys going?" Tiffany asked, stretching out after her nap "Probably try and find your phone Tiff" Jasmine said "That way it will give us a chance to see those cliffs" Tiffany then froze "Why?" "Don't you want us to?" Nicole added, "Tiff, what's wrong?" "I can't tell you" she said whispering "Why?" Alicia added "Your our friend ... you know the five musketeers sort of speak" "I just can't," she stammered, tears rolling down her cheeks "You saw something didn't you" Jasmine replied "Like a crime in progress?" Tiffany started to sob and nodded. Nicole then sat her friend down "You need to tell us about it" Just then there was a knock on the door. Tiffany then jumped again. Lori ran over to it. It was Bionca "Hey guys, having fun?" She then noticed Tiffany crying "What's wrong?" "We need to tell Bionca" Alicia said, "She can help us" "Tell me what?" "We might have gold smugglers in the canyons above here" Nicole replied, "Tiffany had an encounter with them" "Are you okay?" she said hugging the teen Tiffany nodded and said she was fine as she had gotten that off her chest "You girls sit here and I'll take Tiffany to my office. You can tell me everything and then we'll call the Police, and don't alarm your parents ... . not until we know what's going on okay?" The other four nodded as they hugged Tiffany who followed Bionca. Meanwhile, Bill had been listening to their conversation through the bug that he planted. "Damn nosy brats!" he sneered as he took out his gun and headed up the stairs of the main building ADVENTURE AT APACHE LAKE (CH 7) "I can't believe we're in another possible mystery!" Lori said glumly "I wanted this weekend to be perfect" "And it will be Lori" Jasmine replied "As soon as Bionca contacts the Police ... . let them handle it" "Wise decision" Alicia said agreeing with Lori for once. Just then Jane Medina walked into the room and looked curiously at the teens "Why aren't you girls doing anything?" she asked noticing Tiffany was missing "And where's Tiffany at?" "She's taking a hike in the woods mom" Jasmine said, making up a story "And we have to find her ... " Nicole added, hoping that Mrs. Medina would buy it "What? A new game?" Lori nodded her head "You teens are always coming up with something new to entertain yourselves aren't you?" she replied "Well me and the Fielding's are taking a walk also, there's a nature preserve on the other side of the complex" "We might go over there later mom" Jasmine added "Okay, have fun" Jane replied as she looked at the girls and left. The girls, particularly Jasmine, let out a sigh of relief "Man, I'll be happy when this is resolved" Alicia said "Tell me about it Alicia" Jasmine added, "I hate lying to my mom like that" Tiffany was walking with Bionca towards the main office. Just then Bionca's phone rang. "Excuse me ... .this is Bionca ... .yes ... .right now ... ..okay ... " Bionca hung up her phone and looked at Tiffany. "I'm sorry, I've got to check something in one of the units first" She replied "You can go with me if you want, or you can wait for me in my office ... it won't take me more than a few minutes, promise ... by the way, the door's unlocked" "I can wait for you in your office I guess" "Okay" Tiffany then hurried up the path to the main office. She entered the spacious lobby and then went down the small hall where Bionca's office was. As she started to open the door, a strong hand clamped over her mouth from behind! "Mmmmmpphhh!!!" "It's time to take care of things the right way" the man's voice sneered. The voice was Bill's Bionca had returned to the main office and went to her office. She opened the door and looked around. There was no sign of Tiffany "Tiffany? "Tiffany ... Oh no ... " As Bionca hurried out of the building, Bill showed himself. He then let out a evil chuckle "It's sure been long enough" Nicole said lying on the couch, throwing a soccer ball in the air to try and cure her boredom "Tell me about it" Jasmine added, "Guys, this is really ruining my weekend" "I think we should go down there" Alicia said as Lori agreed with her. Just then there was a quick knock on the door. Jasmine answered it and Bionca rushed in "Guys, we have a problem" "Where's Tiffany?" Nicole asked seeing the concern on the resort director's face "That's what I'd like to know" Bionca shot back "She ... she's missing and it's all my fault ... " The girls looked at each other, as they were unaware that Bill was listening to their conversation. He then laughed some more and looked over at Tiffany. The pretty African-American was sitting against a wall. Her wrists were tied behind her back, her ankles were bound and her lips were closed on a white rag that gagged the terrified teen. Tears had streaked down her face as she wondered what was going to happen to her and by the sound of things, her friends as well ... "What do we do now?" Nicole asked Bionca about Tiffany's disappearance "We definitely need to call the Police" Bionca responded as she tried her phone. She then looked up in the air and shook her head. "I can't get a signal in here girls, let me try your phone" Bionca picked up the phone receiver and then realized the line was dead! "The line's dead" she told the girls "Oh my God!" Lori shouted, "Someone knows!" "Now it could be anything Lori" Jasmine replied "We are in the canyons" "Jasmine's right Lori" Bionca added "Sometimes the phones just go out" "Now what do we do?" Alicia asked, looking scared "I am going to get to the bottom of this" Bionca said "I've got an emergency radio in my office ... I'll call the Police from there" "What about us?" Nicole added "The adults went to that exhibit across the lake" "Stay here and lock the door ... I will be back" With that, Bionca left. "Oh man!" Lori whined, "Is this ever going to end?" "Something's going on guys" Jasmine said "No kidding" Nicole added "But what?" "Sorry Lori, but we can't just sit here" "She's right" Alicia added, "We have to find out what happened to Tiffany" "Someone knows about us ... but how?" Lori added getting shrugs from her friends "I think one of us should go down to main building and look around, see if you can find anything to where Tiffany might have disappeared to" "I'll go!" Nicole shouted "But what about Bionca?" ""I know she's doing everything she can, but I can't just sit here" Jasmine shot back "What about me and Lori?" Alicia replied looking at Lori "We can't do anything here" Jasmine added "But us three can take a little walk, come on" "Hey it's me ... you two better be on the lookout for three Nancy Drew's heading your way possibly ... . me, I have to take care of another one ... " Bill then hung up his radio and looked at the scared Tiffany. "You and your friends are going to be sorry you ever meddled in our business" As he left Tiffany tried to free herself, but the ropes were way too tight Nicole made her way towards the main building and looked around along the side of it. she didn't notice anything of note. She then went to the front door of the main office. The young Filipina then heard a noise coming from Bionca's office. Curiously, she hurried over towards it. Nicole then saw Bionca standing looking at some papers "Bionca? Did you get a hold of the Police?" "Nicole" She shot back "I thought i told you to stay put? Where are the others?" "We can't just sit around and do nothing you know. Anwyay, you didn't answer my question, did you call the police?" Bionca's face then turned serious "I'm not calling the Police and neither are you.." "Huh...mmmppphh!!!" Bill had snuck up behind Nicole and clamped his right hand over the stunned teen's mouth. She then dreadfully realized that Bionca was not on their side! Nicole tried to fight Bill, but he was too big and strong. Her arm got twisted painfully behind her back, forcing her to stop her resistance. "Your stupid partners should have took care of Tiffany, Bill" she said as Nicole couldn't believe she had been betrayed by Bionca "Now we got more trouble on our hands...put her in with her friend..." As Nicole was dragged out of the office, Jasmine, Lori and Alicia prepared to go hiking up in the canyons above the lake. Just then Jasmine stopped "Hey I got a text from Nicole" "What's it say?" Lori asked "It says: NO SIGN OF TIFFANY YET...KEEP LOOKING....GOOD LUCK UP THERE.... "I guess we gotta go" Alicia said as Lori rolled her eyes "Come on then" Bill had finished tying Nicole's ankles together as she sat back to back tied with Tiffany. She was also tightly cleave-gagged like her friend. She let out a squeal as Bionca entered the dark room holding Nicole's phone. "Now what?" Bionca asked "I sent them that text" "Let them fall into our trap" "Do you have to hurt them?" Bill then put his hands on Bionca's shoulder "Baby, how long have we been planning this?" "I know, but..." "But nothing Bionca...you and me are going to be rich...those other two numbskulls can take of the other three for us...then we'll take care if them and have it all to ourselves...." He then kissed Bionca. Tiffany and Nicole bit hard on their gags as they were helpless to stop their friends from walking into a trap... ADVENTURE AT APACHE LAKE (CH 9) "Thank God for Bill" Mitch said to his partner, Dan "Those kids are more trouble than we thought" "Yeah I better get to the path down there and wait for our possible guests" "Maybe they'll change their minds and not come this way" Mitch replied "But we can't take any chances" With that, Dan made his way down the slope to where the canyon path was "At least it's pretty up here." Alicia said as her, Jasmine and Lori climbed up towards the canyons "It would be beautiful if Tiffany was safe" Just then Lori sat down and cried. Jasmine then comforted her best friend "Why of all weekends Jas?" she blubbered "My birthday and all and all this stuff happens" Jasmine then hugged her while closing her eyes "We'll find Tiff, don't worry Lori" "It'll be okay Lori" Alicia added with a hug "Bionca will help us out, she's a good friend" Alicia was unaware of the situation back at the resort as Nicole and Tiffany squirmed and twisted to get loose of the tight ropes that held them prisoner. Being tied together limited their movement, as they couldn't get a good reach on the other one's knots. From where they were sitting, they could see Bill drilling into the floor and hauling out dirt. They could see he was looking at something shiny. It looked like to them it was a gold bar. He then looked at the two teen prisoners and laughed "How much further?" Lori asked Jasmine as she struggled up the slope "Probably not much further" the Latina replied "Guys" Alicia added, "I've been thinking, shouldn't one of us go back and at least wait for Nicole?" "Alicia's right" Jasmine said "But who?" "I'll go" Lori piped up "Please?" "Okay Lori, go back to the condo and wait for Nicole to call" Lori smiled as she hurried back down the slope as Jasmine and Alicia kept climbing the canyon. Several minutes later, Jasmine stopped Alicia from walking. She crouched down and pointed. They saw a man putting what looked like gold bars in sacks. Jasmine got out her camera phone and took a couple photos of the man. She then motioned Alicia for them to get out of there, but suddenly a man clamped his hands over each of their mouths! Jasmine managed to get out a slight scream before she was silenced "You know you two shouldn't be up here" he sneered as he dragged the scared teens towards the camp. "Look what I found" Dan said as he showed Mitch, Jasmine and Alicia "Well well, that leaves one I guess... let's tie up and gag these snooping girls" Jasmine could only wonder if Lori had heard her slight scream, but Lori was still going back down the small canyon. Suddenly, the ground gave way under her foot. Lori skidded down and held on to a ledge...that was the only thing keeping her from dropping to a certain death! "Good work" Bill said as he hung up his radio "Guess two of your friends are now in the clutches of my partners...that leaves one more of you meddlers to take care of..." Nicole and Tiffany could only wonder who was caught and who was not "Pretty soon, we'll get rid of all of you" Mitch said as he tightened the bandana that cleave-gagged Jasmine. Her hands were tied behind her back and her ankles were tied together. Alicia was tied up next to her. They were sitting on the floor of a small cave that was next to the digging area the men were at. In the same cave were more of the sacks that Jasmine had just took a picture of "You won't be needing this anymore" Dan sneered as he dropped Jasmine's cell phone and smashed it with his boot. He laughed and went back to work. A teary eyed Jasmine worked her hands to get loose, but it was useless. She could only wonder if Lori would get back to the condo, but she was unaware that her best friend was hanging for her life down the canyon! ADVENTURE AT APACHE LAKE (CH 10) "I can't seem to reach my daughter" Jane Medina said as she tried her phone again. Michael and Susan Fielding were with her at the nature preserve across the lake from the actual resort "This reception is bad up here" Mr. Fielding replied, I've tried to reach Lori a few times myself ... I think the girls should come up here and see this place before the weekend is out" "Oh honey," Susan Fielding answered her husband "You know the girls, want to do their own thing" "Well I'm going back to the condo" Jane replied, "Maybe even go in the pool ... oh by the way, what were you planning for dinner tonight?" "I think steak on the grill would be perfect" Susan said "But I think we need to go to the store first" "I think you're right honey" Michael replied to his wife "We'll meet you all later" With that the Fielding's and Jane Medina parted ways Lori tried not to look down as she felt her hand slipping from the edge of the rock. Tears started to stream down her face as she faced the real danger of falling off the canyon cliff. Just then she caught a moment of bravery and actually started to pull herself to safety. Suddenly, her hand slipped and she screamed as she seemingly fell ... "Did you hear that Mitch?" Dan said as he put down the sack of gold he had just harvested "Sounded like a young girl's scream" "Yeah, maybe it's that last of the snoopers, better go check it out" >>From their position in the small cave, Jasmine and Alicia worked to free themselves, but the ropes were tight. The girls had a heard a faint scream as well and wondered if that was Lori. Mitch then entered the cave with the sack "Sounds like it might be your friend maybe" he sneered as he put the bags down in a certain order. He then went back outside. The two Latina teens could only wonder if he was right and if so, what happened to her. Jasmine teared up as she twisted her wrists vigorously, but no amount of effort was going to free her ... at least that way. "Mmmmm" she said to Alicia to try and put their wrists together to try and free each other. The two friends tried to talk to one another, but their thick bandana gags made it almost impossible for any speech Dan had made it down the path and then saw something laying on the trail. It looked like a phone that was partially damaged. "Found something ... ." Lori had managed to grab a big branch when she fell, but she could hear the man above her. Her heart was pounding out of her chest with dread "I think she fell Mitch, I can't see anything down there ... " Lori moved close to the canyon wall as she could. Her legs were scraped from the fall, but that was not the least of her worries ... the branch that she was hanging from, started to give way! "Oh my God!" she said, sort of loudly as she got into a bad habit of looking down. It was not a good sight ... jagged rocks jutted out form the canyon towards the lake. It would be certain death if she fell "How much more Billy" Bionca said as she looked at the man drilling "About an hour or so" "What about them?" she asked as she looked at Nicole and Tiffany, still bound and gagged back to back "I've got a plan to get rid of them for good ... that lake is big enough for somebody to disappear in" "Mmmmmm!" the girls squealed as they heard their fate ... they were going to be drowned in the lake! "Do we have to?" Bionca shot back "I mean they're teenagers ... ." "And teenagers have bigger mouths than anybody in my opinion ... look baby, I have planned this out too carefully for any meddling kids to get in the way ... . understand?" Bionca nodded her head and saw the girls, biting on their gags and looking at her ... . tears streaming down their faces Lori then saw something great ... it was a ledge that was not far from her. She swung herself over to it and managed to get her feet on to it. Suddenly the branch broke just as she got her legs on the ledge. She let out another scream, but luckily was far enough over that she pulled herself to safety! "She's still down there," Dan said into his radio ... . "Just heard another scream" Now Lori had another dilemma ... . she saw a way up to the top, but Dan was still around ... . and that meant certain capture ... ADVENTURE AT APACHE LAKE (CH 11) Lori was facing a big dilemma as she sat on the small edge of the canyon. She could hear the man moving above her. Then she heard him "I know you're down there kid ... " he sneered, "We have your two friends" Lori closed her eyes. Was he telling her the truth? If he was, Jasmine and Alicia had run into some bad guys and got themselves captured. "I've got to get back to the resort and get help" she thought as she wondered how to somehow save the day. She crept up the rock formation quietly and then spotted the crook walking back and forth "If I can just get by him somehow ... ." The teen thought, but she could see he wasn't moving anytime soon as he sat down on a rock "Oh great! I'm trapped!" "Mmmm" Alicia and Jasmine squealed to each other as Alicia tried to loosen the knot on Jasmine's wrists. Working feverishly, the two young Latinas were making headway on them. Jasmine twisted and squirmed and then wiggled free of the bonds!. She rolled the gag out of her mouth and put her finger to her lips for Alicia to be quiet. "I'll have you free in a minute" she said as she took the gag from Alicia's mouth. "Hurry up Jas ... he'll be back any second ... " Jasmine quickly freed her friend's wrists. Once done, both of them freed their ankle bonds. Standing up, the girls crept over to the entrance of the cave. Suddenly they let out a scream when Mitch blocked their path of escape! "Going somewhere are we?" He then produced a handgun and held it on the two terrified teens. His other hand produced a radio. "Yeah it's me ... where are you ... I'm coming your way ... ." Mitch then pushed Jasmine and Alicia in front of him "Move it!" Jane Medina had made it back to the condos and found no sign of the girls. "They must be having fun then" she thought out loud as she had no idea of the trouble they were in. She then decided to leave a note and get ready and go down to the pool. Meanwhile Bill could hear her from the bug he planted "It looks like mom's back" he told Bionca who looked at Tiffany and Nicole. She was distracted "W..what? Oh I'm sorry, did you say something?" Bill then walked over to her and grabbed her hair "You're not having second thoughts are you?" he sneered at his girlfriend "No!" she screamed back, pulling away from him "Baby, I'm in this with you, you know that" "Get over there and make some excuse for those girls being gone, you know she will be asking questions" With apprehension, Bionca left to go visit Jane Medina Mitch pushed Jasmine and Alicia forward until they met up with Dan down the canyon path. "What's with them?" he asked his partner "Little troublemakers tried to escape that's what....where's the other girl?" "Down there" Dan shot back, pointing to edge of the rock formation "She's still alive" Jasmine and Alicia were relieved to know that, but for how long would all of them be alive? Mitch then poked his gun into Jasmine's ribs "Okay kid, I've got a gun on your friend, you either come out...or she'll be an ex friend!" >>From her hiding place behind the rocks, Lori closed her eyes as tears started down her face. She had no choice as she could see Jasmine's terrified look. Lori then came out. "Don't hurt her!" Lori shouted as Dan then grabbed her roughly "Hey!" Jasmine shouted "Let's tie them all up...and tighter this time" Alicia could sense Mitch easing up on his gun as she elbowed him in the side! The gun went flying as Lori stomped on Dan's foot. "Why you little brat!" he screamed as Lori ducked. Jasmine had picked up a rock and threw it at him! "Come on...run!" she said as Alicia and Lori scrambled behind her. Just then a shot rang out. "Come on!" Jasmine said, as Mitch tried to shoot at them, but the girls ducked behind a canyon wall. All three teens froze as they could hear footsteps above them. They could also hear Mitch cussing up a storm as he was getting frustrated "We might be here awhile" Jasmine whispered as she hugged her two friends "At least were safe...for now" Lori shot back "I can't believe i did that just now!" Alicia whispered back, her heart still pounding As dangerous as it was, Jasmine and Lori were overjoyed by Alicia's bravery Jane had just changed into her bikini to go to the pool, she heard a knock on the door. She answered it and saw Bionca standing there with a worried look on her face "Bionca, Hi" Jasmine's mother said as she invited her in "What's up?" Bionca said nothing and gave Jane a note. Jane was shocked as she read it. She then looked at Bionca "I'm sorry..." "Where is my daughter?" Jane's face got real angry as she stared at Bionca who tried to explain things "Where!" Jane shouted as she got in Bionca's face "Do you know what mother Bears do to animals or people who get between their young?" Bionca was frozen with anxiety at Jane's chilling words. Jane then grabbed Bionca's hand "We're going to find them now and I think the police will like a nice little explanation on what's going on" As Jane opened the door. Bill stood there and held a gun on them! "Sorry baby, I knew I couldn't trust you!" "B...but how?" "Simple really, I bugged BOTH of their condos.....I just conveniently forgot to tell you" "Why you monster!" Bill then stepped towards Bionca but as he did so Jane saw her moment and swung her feet up, kicking the gun out of his hand. Suprised Bill aimed a punch at her but Jane perfectly blocked it and at the same time elbowed him hard in the jaw. As Bill stagered on his feet she sweeped his legs out from under him and threw him to the floor. While not a trained Karateka like Jane Bill had enough experience in streetbrawls. Quickly he rolled to his knees and swung an uppercut, hitting her straight between the legs. Jane screamed in pain and clutched her groin, allowing Bill to tackle her hard and the two of them tumbled down in the room. Bill briefly straddled her but Jane managed to roll him over and the two struggled frantically for control. Jane managed to slit behind him and wrapped her right arm around his neck trying to control him with a chokehold. However the strong male pried her arm away from his neck and then bit down hard on her wrist, causing Jane to let go off him. As they got back to their feet Jane landed a swift sidekick to his gut that made him fall against the table, knocking it over. Bill picked up a laptop that had been on the table and threw it at Jane who dodged it just barely. Standing back up Bill came at Jane with a wild punch, Jane ducked the punch and replied with a knife hand to the side of his neck that dazed him. Jane tried to follow up with a knee to his groin. Bill quickly turned sideways to block the knee with his hip. With his left hand he managed to grab a hold of Jane's long hair and yanked her off balance. With his right hand he began to punch her hard in her belly and ribs. "Not you or anyone else will stop me from getting what is mine." Jane grunted in pain as her scalp was burning and her wind got knocked out by his punches. Seizing her hair with both hands Bill now spun around as he tried to slam her head against the nearest wall. Thinking about her daughter Jane raised her arms and avoided her head hitting the wall. Grabbing one of his hands holding her hair she twisted his wrist forcing him to let go. A hard kick to his thigh made Bill drop to his knees. Jane prepared to hit him with an elbow to his jaw, though Bill had learned from her previous elbow and was able to raise his arms and blow the elbow. He followed up by seizing her by the shoulders and then headbutted her in the face, slamming his forehead against her chin. As Jane was dazed Bill now slammed his knee hard in her belly which knocked the air out of her lungs. Jane was stunned by the move and was unable to stop Bill from forcing her to the floor. In a quick motion Bill ripped of her bikini top and pulled her hands behind her back, using the bikini top to tie her hands criss crossed behind her back. "Nice try lady, you made me work for that one" Bill laughed victoriously and then slapped Jane on the ass. Enjoying his victory he rolled her to her back and began to grope Jane's naked chest, painfully tweaking her nipples. "Stop it Bill, this has to stop" As Bill looked up he saw Bionca standing there pointing his own gun at him. She seemed nervous but also quite determined as she held the gun with both hands aimed at his chest. Bill looked at her and then smiled. "You can not shoot me Bionca" Calmly he walked towards Bionca as the gun began to shake in her hand. "Please stop" "I will never stop, not until I have what is mine" In a quick motion he grabbed her wrist and twisted the gun out of her grip. Pressing her against the wall he held the gun to her head. "Even if you could shoot me, the safety was still one" He whispered in her ear after which he gave her a tender kiss. Jane Medina was just laying there helpless to do anything to stop Bill. Bill pulled her to her feet and gave her a slap on the ass as he forced her to walk. "Move it mother Bear....... time to make the two of you very comfortable" ADVENTURE AT APACHE LAKE (CH 12) "How long do we have to sit here?" Lori asked Jasmine and Alicia as the three teens sat underneath the rock formation. Dan and Mitch were probably nearby, obviously looking for them. "Not sure" Jasmine shot back "I don't hear anything" "Me neither" Alicia added, "I don't like it" "I think I should sneak out there and see if they're still around" Jasmine added as Lori and Alicia tried to pull her back but the young Latina was persistent and came out of her hiding place. She went out to the front of the rocks and saw nobody ... it was too quiet she thought "I just knew you would go to the cops Bionca" Bill snarled as he tightened the ropes around her ankles. Bionca and Jane Medina were both naked, and secured with ropes in a tight hogtie and tightly cleave-gagged with cut towels. The were in a storage shed that was adjacent to the condos "Mmmm!!" Bionca tried to say behind the gag "Oh did you say something darling?" he snarled at her waving his gun "I just knew i couldn't trust you anymore...I could hear every word you said" He then stood up and looked at the two women "Pretty soon I'm going to take care of you two, but first I've got to deal with two others before you" Jane was wide-eyed with terror. Was Jasmine his prisoner somewhere? This weekend vacation had turned into a nightmare. Bill then left and secured the door with a piece of wood jammed in the slot where the lock would go and Jane and Bionca went to trying to free themselves A little bit later, Bill was busy going through some of the girls things in their room. He then noticed Lori's stuffed animal lying on the floor. He picked it up and chuckled as he left "Perfect..." he snarled out loud Nicole and Tiffany struggled to sit up as the ropes inhibited their movement. They had to move in a certain way. Nicole had grunted to Tiffany that she spotted a sharp object on the table where Bill had been working. It was a small pick of some kind. Hopping as best they could to it, the girls tried to turn the object toward the knots on the ropes holding their bodies together. It seemed like an impossible task. If Nicole pulled too hard, it would pull Tiffany too much and vise-versa. Just as they had got the hang of getting the tool turned the right way, the teens heard the awful sound of the door upstairs opening. Their hearts sank as Bill had returned. "Well well" he sneered at their efforts "Nice try kids, but its time to go now" "Mmmmmm!!!" Nicole and Tiffany squealed as they could sense what Bill meant ... he planned to dump them in the lake! "Where is everybody?" Susan Fielding said as she put down a grocery bag. Her husband looked around and saw it a little messed up and thought it was from the teenagers, not knowing that Bill had rummaged through the place and had Jane and Bionca bound and gagged in a nearby shed "Wow I guess everyone is busy doing something" he said, "I guess they'll be here soon enough ... . I'm going to get the grill out of the storage shed" Michael walked out the door and around back to the shed. He did a double take as he saw the door was locked with a piece of wood jammed in the lock ring "That's funny?" he thought out loud "That wasn't on there before ... must have been pranksters or something" Suddenly he heard muffled noises coming from inside the shed. "Who's in there?" he said quite loudly. He could tell that someone was tied up. He went and got a hammer and quickly pounded the wedge out. Swinging the door open he saw the shocking sight of Jane and their guide Bionca, bound and gagged on the floor. He quickly rolled the gags out of their mouths. Jane caught a breath before she spoke "Michael, thank God ... the girls might be in trouble!" "What in heavens name happened here?" "Why don't you let Bionca tell you ... " Michael looked at the young girl who was crying. Bill had put Tiffany and Nicole in the back of his SUV and was driving up to the other side of the lake. From their hiding place, Jasmine and her friends could hear the vehicle near by, but below them near the lake. Jasmine snuck out of the hiding place, followed by Lori and Alicia. They could see the vehicle as it stopped near a small boat on the lake. They saw a man get out and go to the back of the vehicle. Then their faces turned to terror as they saw first Tiffany and then Nicole being carried to the small boat. They were bound and gagged and struggling mightily. "Oh my God!" Lori said as she looked at her friends "Now what do we do?" "He's going to throw them in the lake!" Alicia screamed "Come on guys" Jasmine yelled to her friends "We have to save them!" The girls turned around to the awful sight of Mitch and Dan, who had spotted them "There they are! Get them!" Jasmine then grabbed Lori and Alicia and made a break for the path with the two men in pursuit "Run!" she said as she suddenly heard a shot ring out ... "What was that?" Michael Fielding said as he waited for the Police to arrive. Bionca was sitting on a picnic bench near the lake as Jane and Susan watched her "It sounded like a shot...up in the canyon" The women got up. Jane then spotted something laying in the grass nearby. Getting closer to it. She spotted Lori's stuffed animal. Jane had picked it up and showed it to her, the stuffed animal had bloodstains on it "Noooo!!! Oh..my...God!...Lori!" Susan screamed covering her mouth absolute horror, her daughter seemingly killed... ADVENTURE AT APACHE LAKE (CH 13) "Honey calm down," Michael Fielding said comforting his wife "We don't know for certain about Lori ... it might have been made to look that way." Jane was crying as well as she looked at Bionca who had put her head in her hands and was sobbing. "You better talk young lady!" Susan yelled at Bionca who looked at her with red eyes "Where's my daughter?" "I told you I don't know ... she stammered, "Bill had Tiffany and Nicole ... I swear!" Just then Police sirens filled the air. "Oh my God!" Alicia screamed as a bullet winged past her head. The girls had made to another rock formation with Mitch and Dan hot on their heels. "They're going to kill us!" Lori shouted to her friends as tears started to flow from her cheeks. Just then they heard the two men shouting from the top of the canyon ... they had spotted Bill trying to get rid of Tiffany and Nicole. Jasmine could see the men making their way down another path towards the lake. Jasmine motioned to her friends to move from behind the rock and to follow the men. They made sure to stay as far behind them as possible. The three teens looked carefully down the canyon and could see the men safely way in front of them. "Lucky for us" Jasmine replied as she started down the slippery path, also keeping an eye on the boat in the lake ... a boat with two of her friends aboard. "Just a little bit more" Bill sneered as he powered the boat near the middle of the lake. The spot was secluded, far away from anyone on shore. Nicole and Tiffany squealed and squirmed as they looked at their menacing captor. Just then the boat stopped. The girls closed their eyes as they thought this was the end for them. Bill got up and looked at the terrified teens. "Time for a swim ladies" he snarled as he got both girls up. Nicole and Tiffany tried to protest all they could, but Bill was determined to throw both of them overboard. Nicole squealed into her gag loudly as Bill picked her up like a sack of potatoes. "It will be over quick little lady," he said, as he was about to toss the bound and gagged girl over. Suddenly a boat nearby drowned out everything and distracted Bill. Tiffany, with all she had kicked Bill in the back of the legs. He flew forward, dropping Nicole over! Tiffany heard the horrifying splash as an angry Bill turned his attention to Tiffany. He whipped out a switchblade, as Tiffany was wide-eyed with fear. "I'm not going to bother throwing you over honey ... the next thing Tiffany heard was a gunshot. She screamed into the gag as Bill fell over on top of her, shot in the chest! The scared girl managed to get herself up and saw another boat approaching. It was the Police! Tiffany was relieved to see such a wonderful sight, but then reality swept over her ... Nicole was in the water, but where was she? Tiffany then was horrified to think that her friend had drowned! ADVENTURE AT APACHE LAKE (CH 14-CONCLUSION) The next thing Tiffany saw was a person in the water and he had Nicole in his arms. Tiffany breathed a sigh of relief as she saw her friend moving, saved by the policeman/diver. Another officer boarded the small boat and untied Tiffany. "Is..is she okay?" the young African-American asked, rubbing her wrists for feeling "She is going to be alright?" "We need to get her to a hospital for observation...just to make sure she's okay" Tiffany could only pray that Nicole was going to be alright "Damn that Bill!" Dan shouted to his partner "I think he was going to double-cross us." "I don't know what he was thinking, going out on that lake with two of the girls...that wasn't part of the plan, but at least they'll be out of our hair." Mitch then signaled to Dan to hide as they could see the other three girls coming down the path. "We have to get out help somehow" Alicia said. Suddenly a hand clamped over her's and Lori's mouths. With his other hand, Mitch pointed a gun at Jasmine. "You three are certainly too much trouble...I say you join your friends out there." "What do know about our other two friends?" Jasmine asked curiously. "Our former partner looks like he's taken upon himself to get rid of them...and now it's time to get rid of the three of you." Mitch forced Jasmine to walk alongside Alicia and Lori towards the water. "Please...let us go!" Lori pleaded "We won't tell anybody...promise!" "Shut up and walk into the water and keep going...or you'll be shot first." Jasmine took her friends' hands as they waded into the water of the lake. At least they would be together and there was at least some comfort in that. As they waded out the girls could hear a helicopter over head and then the greatest sound they had heard all day...THROW DOWN YOUR WEAPON AND PUT YOU HANDS UP! Somehow the Police had found them, but how they wondered, not knowing about Bionca's involvement. "Thank God!" Susan Fielding shouted with joy as she hugged her daughter tightly. Jane did the same with Jasmine. Tiffany and Alicia both hugged each other as they watched Nicole being wheeled away in the ambulance. "Thank God she going...to..be..okay..." Tiffany said before breaking down. "It's all my fault...if I hadn't gone up there..." Jasmine and the other hugged her. They knew it wasn't her fault and they didn't blame her one bit. "I say we try and salvage the rest of this vacation" Michael Fielding perked up "I think Nicole would want that." "What about Bionca?" Lori asked as she eyed her blood-stained stuffed animal "Is she going away to jail too Daddy?" "I would think the D.A. would want to cut her a deal for immunity...and don't worry about the animal honey." Michael then reached in a bag and pulled out another stuffed Teddy Bear, it was an exact replica of the other one. "Oh Daddy!" Lori shouted as she hugged her father "I love you guys so much!" "And I love you mom," Jasmine added as she hugged her mother "I'm sorry." "Jasmine Medina...just so you know, I'm enrolling in the Police Academy here...I need to keep an eye on you guys!" "The Police Academy?" Jasmine said with a puzzled look. Jane then hugged her daughter and the group then shared a hug, knowing that their latest adventure was now over. THE END