It was a school day like any other for Mandy. The only difference was that Mark was at one of his College interviews, so she was by Steph`s side on the line to get their lunch.
Clayton was waiting for this opportunity, because deep down he was a coward and he wouldn´t risk another confrontation with Mark.
He was past that. His plan was very elaborate and now he was sure to succeed. He thirsted for revenge and he felt that today he was going to get it.
In the morning, when he noticed his adversary´s absence he went straight to the basement to get ready.
In there, he was very meticulous because he knew he had plenty of time until lunch hour. He was going to execute his plan at the cafeteria. He thought it was just fair, because he felt that it was the place where he had been the most humiliated by his enemies.
He opened the packages and got the ropes first. He put them around his waist like some belt, and gave a loose knot in each. That way it w
CHAOTIC SITUATION When the students started to run out of school in panic, Oscar and Lais started to frantically look for Mandy among them. She was nowhere to be found. They got inside and kept searching and they parted ways to be more efficient. Oscar was checking the classrooms and Lais was on her way to the cafeteria, since it was lunch time, it made sense to her. She was lucky enough to cross with Charlie in the corridor. He was carrying his hurt sister and Dorothy was sobbing beside them. “Please, talk to me.” Lais pleaded because by now she feared the worst. “He took Mandy. Help, please.” It was all Steph could mutter and her head fell on her brother´s shoulder. Charlie quickened his pace but Lais held Dorothy´s arm. “What happened?” “One student, Clayton, he hit Steph and took Mandy.” “At gun point?” “No. he has a knife to her throat.” “Where did he take her?” “We didn´t see. Sorry.” Dorothy ran a
MANDY Mandy forced herself to remember her mother´s advices during those trainings with Mark. Carol always emphasized that you should never risk your life. If it was an armed thief you were dealing with, it was better to solve things quickly by giving him the valuables he requested. Here it was not the case. Maintain calm, otherwise the opponent gains advantage. Mandy took a deep breath and watched Clayton scream another ‘shut up’ to the people knocking on the door. Try to negociate. Distract the person. Gain time. Yes, that was it. Mandy could gain time. And maybe influence him a little, though she was pretty sure that he was kind of delirious. Clayton took another rope and proceeded to tie it around her mouth and around her head, trying to silence her. He certainly didn´t have practice at this, because normally a cloth was used for this intent. Using a rope was so cruel, because it hurt her delicate lips more than other materials. “Mmmpf.” M
The rescue team carried Clayton in a stretcher and took him to the municipal hospital. Two policemen accompanied them. He was already eighteen and would have to answer for his acts. Paramedics cut the ropes to free Mandy. She was not severely hurt and her main concerns were her mother and Steph. As soon as she was free, she embraced her mom very tight and said in a shaking voice, “Mom, first you gave birth to me and now you saved my life!” “Oh, Mandy! I love you so much.” They were all in a state of shock. Because Mark had already phoned his mother, Pamela was waiting for them in the general Premium Hospital, for a complete check up and psycological assistance. They decided to use the chopper and while the paramedics carried Mandy, Arthur took Carol in his arms and carried her all the way. “Arthur, my love, don´t be silly.” “Are you sure you aren´t hurt, Carol?” “I hurt more when I was a teen and fell from trees. This w
MARK AND MANDY “I still can´t believe that it all happened and I wasn´t even around, Mandy.” “You were in my mind and in my heart the whole time, Mark. It helped a lot.” “I can´t imagine what you went through.” “It was painful. I saw him hurt Steph and I was helpless there. Nobody could do anything because Clayton surprised us all.” “If the bodyguards were present they would probably just shoot him.” “I´m sure they would. With their training, they could manage between the time that Steph was hit and the moment he put the knife on my throat. But they were outside.” “Arthur was furious with them.” “Yes. He already gave new orders. When I´m not home, or at his place, they should not let me out of their eyesight.” “Good.” “You know, I feel sorry for Clayton´s mom. Her son is only a sick person. And we shouldn´t hate him either, Mark. Some people have diseases in the lungs or the kidney. He has it in his brai
MAMA CASTLE People talk. It was impossible to avoid the news completely. Since reporters had been at the school during Mandy´s rescue, they interviewed many people there. Then Mama Castle heard about it and was more than relieved to see all her family well after the ordeal. But she wouldn´t rest assured until she heard all the details. “Is the aggressor in jail, son?” “He is under police supervision. And some of my guys are there too. For the moment he is at the hospital, healing from a concussion and some broken bones. He is stable.” “Mandy, maybe you should change schools.” “I don´t know Mama Castle. I only have one year until graduation. The school is pretty safe. It was an unlucky isolated case.” “Isolated case? Carol, what do you say about it?” “You know, Mama Castle, all my life I had a feeling about being my destiny to watch over my daughter very closely. It´s like I knew something like this was going to
AT SCHOOL When Mandy was walking down the school corridor, hand in hand with Mark, it seemed that everybody had a nice word to say to her. She was indeed lovable and friendly. By now, people knew what she had gone through and made sure they transmitted her a warm welcome. As a matter of fact, many of them visited Steph at the hospital and her room there was completely full of flowers. All the students had a sense of realization that a big tragedy had passed them by and the relief was enormous. It touched Mandy´s heart to witness all that. There was so good in the world despite the bad that tried to have a say in it. A TEACHER´S SORROW Professor Jackson wanted to have a private word with Mandy and Mark, because most of all he wanted to apologize. “Mandy, I am so happy that everything worked out in your favor. And thanks to your mother. It was like it was something that she was destined to do.” “Thanks, mr. Jackson. Mom f
When Arthur saw Carol in her beautiful wedding dress, using the tiara and other jewelry he had given her, his heart raced. His mind became very alert because he knew that he was going to memorize this moment. They were not only images. Those, a camera could capture. It was a deep emotion that was being exchanged between Arthur and his bride. All the guests could feel it. They were the reason why people still believed in true love. It was there for anyone to see. When Paul gave her to him at the altar, their hands touched and it was like healing was taking place. Undescribable. Their eyes locked and there were many promises there, ready to become reality. All the beauty, the goodness and the happiness seemed to enter their lives when they were declared man and wife in this touching ceremony. When the priest said that he could kiss his bride, many people present had happy tears in their eyes, not only the closest family. It is like when
When they were back from the honeymoon, Arthur and Carol soon heard that Mama Castle was going back to Europe in a week or so. She had things that needed to be done in her home, the castle. She insisted that they should visit her soon and many promises were made to her. The grandparents also returned to their farms, using a new jet plane that Arthur had purchased recently. It should stay at Paul´s farm, to be used as often as they wanted. It was a fact that they would see one another much more from now on. At his house, Arthur felt lighthearted, because now he had a family. It meant to him more than any currency, metal or steel. Carol and Mandy filled those walls with their love. Arthur enjoyed their simplest gestures because they were cute and fun to be with. AT THE OFFICE Mandy was told by George that Arthur had made his morning free because he wanted a meeting with her. So she knocked at his door and walked in. “Did you want