The Neighbor's Secret (Closed)

[BeachBum25]

Something didn't feel right. Will was not comfortable. He was on edge, and couldn't relax.

"Malinda, who was that person? Think about it. When he looked at you, he quickly looked away like he didn't want you to recognize him. Once he saw you, he would only look at me. It was obvious he was trying to avoid you."

Will looked out the window. Peeking through the curtain, he tried to find the guy who delivered the food in order to see if he was talking to anyone else. He couldn't see the guy, at first, but then he saw him talking to someone at a car. It was a young kid that the man was talking to. Will watched as the kid got into a car and drove off. The man then got on his cell phone as he walked away from the hotel and went into a small restaurant across the street.

The man must have paid the kid to let him bring the food to the room. The kid was the real delivery person.

"Let's go. We have to get out of here. Right now, the guy doesn't have eyes on us, but he will shortly. We have to move, Malinda. NOW. This will be our last move. This will get us to your birthday."

He grabbed Lucy's leash and put it on her. He slowly opened the door and they left the room and went down a stairway that was away from what could be observed from the restaurant. There were railroad tracks running behind the motel. Will headed for them and they followed the tracks deeper into Canada.

 

[zydrate]

Everything was happening too fast for Malinda to comprehend. Will wanted to know about the guy who delivered the food. She hadn't remembered seeing him anywhere... had she?? "I...I-- I don't know. I mean, I just thought he got caught looking into the room!"

Now they were on the run again. Will had insisted they keep their bags packed at all times for instances like this. She didn't think they'd need to use it or have to rely on that but now, it was happening again.

Malinda followed Will with no hesitation. Lucy was enjoying it all, probably thinking they were going on another walk.

"Will... slow down..." she knew he was in a hurry but it was already getting dark and the temperature was dropping, not too fast but it was chillier than before when they had gone on their walk earlier this evening. Will did slow down a bit only to grab Malinda by the hand and pull her along. This was crazy, where were they going?

Lucy stopped and yanked at the leash, suddenly barking. Malinda wasn't holding the leash hard enough and Lucy yanked herself free before running away from them. "Lucy!" Malinda started to go after her but Will held her hand, preventing her from going. She started to argue when she heard shouting of voices in the distance. Now she and Will were running, only this time, into the woods. As much as she had wanted to go find Lucy, she knew they couldn't. She just kept telling herself Lucy would be OK...

 

[BeachBum25]

They made it to the edge of the woods, and then they carefully and quietly moved deeper into the wooded area; careful not to step on any branches that may be on the ground and would snap and give away their location. Will knew that Malinda was worried about Lucy. He was confident that Lucy would be okay. They wouldn't harm Lucy, would they?

Will took off his hoodie and handed it to Malinda. "Here, put this on," he whispered to her. "I know you are cold. I will be okay." He could see her hesitate, but he gave her a look that said that he was not taking the hoodie back, so she should just put it on.

After Malinda put Will's hoodie on, they slowly moved deeper still into the woods. Every couple of minutes, Will would stop them and he would listen. He didn't hear any voices. He didn't ear any movement. They moved on. He had no idea where they were going, but he only had a little more than an hour to get Malinda to her birthday, so, he was going to keep moving to keep her safe.

The next time they stopped, he grabbed Malinda by the arm and held her still. Will heard something.... there was movement. He tried to look around in the darkness to see if he could see a shape.. or some movement. Then the pace of the sound increased. Someone.. or something.. was running, and running in their direction. Will motioned for Malinda to kneel down next to a tree. Will then crouched down next to her; ready to lunge at whoever was running after them.

Just then, Lucy ran up to them. She started nudging Malinda, and whining in excitement. Malinda shushed her and tried to settle down. Now Will was more concerned. Did Lucy lead the men to them? Will looked at his watch... 30 minutes. He was not going to let Malinda down so close to her birthday.

"Stay here, don't move, no matter what you see or hear," he whispered to Malinda. Then, without warning, he took off running further into the woods. He could here some voices and then he heard people following him. "Just stay far enough ahead of them," he thought. "Don't let them know that Malinda isn't with you."

 

[zydrate]

Stay there and don't move.. Malinda repeated. Lucy whined a bit but quicly, Malinda knelt down and held Lucy close. She had wanted to call out to Will but knew what he said. Stay quiet... don't move. She heard the noises of people too. They were so close.

She was almost holding her breath as she continued to lisen and keep Lucy quiet. The voices, talking in her native tongue, were moving away from her position. But the bad thing about it was it meant they were probably following Will or he was leading them away and Malinda didn't like that.

Gunshots rang out and it took a lot for Malinda not to scream. Although she stayed quiet, Lucy didn't. Lucy barked and Malinda knew they couldn't stay where they were at. Malinda yanked Lucy with her further into the woods, making sure not to stay as quiet as she could. There was still shouting and talking. She knew Will had said to stay there but with Lucy, she knew it was impossible.

Malinda moved deeper into the woods. She saw a huge fallen tree and she ran behind it, pushing herself nearly underneath it. She slowed her breathing and listened.

Nothing.

No more shouting. No other shots. She dared not move from her spot. Lucy leaned against Malinda as if sharing her warmth.

Where was Will? What happened? What if they got him? Malinda knew she couldn't stay where she was for long. It was getting colder. She waited few more minutes. Still nothing. Malinda sighed. She was now 21. She only knew because of how much time passed. This wasn't like a superpower. Yes, she was still 21. Yes, she was probably still wanted by her stepfather since he was doing what he could to find her. Malinda wasn't sure any more.

Something interrupted her thinking. She was shivering but thanks to Lucy, she wasn't freezing. It was time to find Will.

 

[BeachBum25]

He heard the shots ring out, and he heard the bullets crashing into the trees around him. Will kept moving; changing direction often. It was difficult to keep up any kind of pace; it was dark and he kept brushing hard against trees.

Will kept going.. he had to. He had to keep them away from Malinda. He heard some shouting, but couldn't make out what they were saying. As he was running, he slammed into a tree with his shoulder. It stopped him dead in his tracks. He took a second to catch his breath, when suddenly a bullet hit the tree, only inches from his face. Time to move.

He zig-zagged through the woods until he found a pile of fallen trees. Will climbed in among them and nestled down; remaining as still as possible; hoping that the darkness would allow him to blend in with the trees.

He slowed his breath and tried to relax. He waited and waited. He listened. Will heard nothing. He remained calm. He did not want to be too anxious. Will was certain that Malinda was 21 now, but he didn't have any idea of whether or not that would stop her stepfather and his goons from taking her back. One thing he did know was that her stepfathers goons would not hesitate to take out their frustration on him. Malinda being 21 would not stop that.

A while later, Will decided he had to get back to Malinda. It was cold, but he could handle it. He wasn't sure if Malinda could. He made his way back to where he had left Malinda and Lucy...... nothing. They were gone. Where were they? Was she captured and that was why it was so quiet now?

Remaining calm, but extremely nervous internally, Will looked around and then started to head out of the woods and back toward the railroad tracks. She had to be captured. She would have stayed where he told her.

Making his way out of the woods, Will came into the clearing by the railroad tracks. He paused for a second, and then started to walk toward the tracks.

The next thing he knew, he was flat on his back. Will got suckerpunched from the right side and went down hard. Looking up, he saw three men standing over him. They were all shouting the same thing over and over. "Where is the Princess?"

Will was trying to get his wits about him. He had been hit hard and went down harder. He was trying to come up with a plan when one of them kicked him in the ribs and then another kicked him in the gut.

Tired of not getting an answer, two of the men picked Will up and dragged him back toward the motel where there was an SUV parked. Will was thrown into the back of the SUV where there was a large man sitting.

"So, you are the one that has ruined the plans I had for my stepdaughter."

 

[zydrate]

Walking around, Malinda was lost. She had to be. There was no other signs of life around her. Well, at least human life. She would stop occasionally and listen for anything. For Will to call her or just general movement. Nothing.

It was getting colder, that much she noticed.

"I should have stayed where he told me, Lucy..." Malinda said, her voice shaking as she shivered. The only light was provided by the moon and it still wasn't much. Malinda stopped as she heard something break... like a branch. Lucy growled lowly and Malinda took that as a sign to run.

As she started to move, a hand reached out and grabbed her by her hair and yanking her back, throwing her to the ground. It knocked the wind out of her. She looked up and saw one of her father's men standing over her. He had a gun pointed right at her and although she was coughing from having the air knocked from her lungs, she tried to get back up. But it was no use... she was kicked back down again and the other man pushed the one that kicked her, telling him she wasn't to be hurt. Malinda felt around for something to help defend her and the only thing her hand found was a tree branch, which she grabbed and instinctively shoved at the man's leg, stabbing him in the ankle. He yelled out and kicked her in the side, causing her to scream.

The other man picked her up easily, speaking in their language for her not to fight it. Her father was waiting at the airport for her. They were there to find her and bring her to him. She asked about Will and they told her he was still alive and she wanted him to live, she wouldn't give them any trouble.

****

At the airport hanger, Malinda was dragged from the car to the private plane waiting for her. She saw her stepfather and she hesitated. He had his arms opened, waiting for her to hug him. Of course, she didn't. Instead, she stopped in front of him, her lip was bleeding and he immediately saw this. He asked one of the guards how this happened and he explained that she had gotten out of hand so the other man had hit her.

That's all it took as her stepfather gave his main guard a nod and he took out his gun, shot the man who hurt Malinda... one shot to the head was all it took.

"That's how I deal with problems, Malinda. Let's hope you don't become a further problem.. now come, your mother misses you also."

"Where's Will?" Malinda said, still not moving.

"He's alive and as I'm sure they said, he will remain alive as long as you do as I say. There was no incentive before but now, it seems there is one. He cares for you, I believe... and you do for him. His life is in your hands."

"Don't do this... please. Let him go... Let me see him safe and I will do as you say..."

"It's too late for that. For now, you'll both be going back with me. Your marriage agreement is still valid and trust me, that will be taking place. Let's go"

 

[BeachBum25]

The boot of the large man smashed into Will's face. Will said nothing. He was not going to give the man the satisfaction.

Then the man asked where Malinda was. Will remained silent. He got kicked in the ribs. Every time the question was asked, Will remained silent, and every time he remained silent, he got kicked or punched. Will was willing to take it. He was not going to give Malinda up. He just hoped she was able to escape and, now that she was 21, get to authorities that could help her.

Will felt the SUV start to move. He had no idea where they were going. He was not familiar with Canada, and anything that was around the area where they had been saying. About 45 minutes later, the SUV stopped and Will felt himself being dragged out of the back. He looked around and saw they were at an airport.

There was a plane directly in front of them. It was obviously Malinda's father's private plane, but it was much larger than most private planes. Will felt a gun pressed into his back as someone said, "Move." and directed him toward the stairs of the plane.

Will moved slowly. He was sore everywhere, and he wondered if his jaw was broken where the man had kicked him. Climbing the steps, Will looked around. He tried to take everything in. he wasn't sure what he could do, but he wanted to be ready in case an opportunity presented itself.

Once on the plane he was directed to th every back of the plane. There was a divider, and a door into a separate area in the back. It was obviously the area for the bodyguards and other miscellaneous people that accompanied Malinda's father, including all of his goons.

Will was told to sit down and get comfortable. It was going to be a long flight. He wondered what they were doing and where they were taking him. A while later, he heard the engines of the plane start up, and a short time later they were taxiing. It wasn't long before they were in the air. All the time, Will was looking around... hoping to find an opportunity to do something. He was pretty certain Malinda was on the plane. There is no way her stepfather would have left without her.

He was surprised that he had not been handcuffed, or bound in some way to the seat. He watched as the goons took turns sitting across from him... watching him. He took notice of where each one kept his weapon.

Hijack the plane. Could he do it? Could he get a gun from one of them and get to Malinda's stepfather quick enough. Then, he could have the plane land somewhere and let them off.... holding the stepfather prisoner until they were far enough away. Wouldn't that turn things around?

It was a crazy idea... .one that he was willing to try in order to save Malinda from her stepfather. Would the opportunity present itself?

 

[zydrate]

Her father tried several times to talk to Malinda but she never answered. If she could, she would've sat else where but no, he made her sit across from him on the plane. He droned on and on about what was going on and where they would stop next. He had one more stop in the US before they were to return home and get her ready for her wedding.

Malinda tuned him out... as she usually did. She was thinking of Will. He had to be on the plane also... yes, he had to be. She refused to think otherwise.

"I heard you had a job. Why would you work?"

She just looked at Lennox. With a sigh, Malinda shrugged, "Why not? At least one of us knows what its like to work."

That made her stepfather laugh, "Ahh, yes, there's your spirit...you'll make your new husband have his hands full."

"Why are you doing this?" Malinda asked, "I mean, truly, why? You don't like me, you never have. Why are you... I don't know, selling me in this manner? You have what you want, why aren't you happy with that and just leave me alone?"

"What does it matter? You don't have any say in any of this. The fact that I let you be alone this long is something you should savor."

"Let me be alone?! I have been doing nothing but run from you and get away from you. Isn't that a hint enough that I don't want any of this any more? Take it all, I don't care. I have renounced my role in this family! You are a stickler for tradition so this is something you will abide by!"

He just looked at Malinda. It was taking a lot from him to remain calm. No one dared talk to him the way she was doing right now. Even the guards were at a loss at what to do. Instead of replying, Lennox held his tongue and waved one of the private stewardesses over, "Have something to eat and drink Malinda. We're going to be landing in Florida in a few hours. I suggest you make yourself presentable for the press. We don't want to disappoint them as they are expecting you."

"I want to see Will."

"No."

"Let me see him or else I will let the American press know the real monster that you are."

Lennox laughed again, shaking his head, "Your threats mean nothing... but fine, you want to see him? You can do so... see him for the last time." He nodded at a guard who wrapped his hand around Malinda's arm, standing her up and leading her to the back of the plane. Malinda yanked her arm away, "I know where to go."

They walked to the back of the plane and Malinda opened the door, not hesitating and not prepared to see what she did. Yes, Will was there, sitting with 3 guards back with him. She held in a surprised gasp and rushed toward him, she was immediately yanked back the guard who brought her back. She pushed back at him and pulled away, this time, able to get to Will. She knelt in front of him, reaching to his face, the beating he took evident. "Will... I'm so sorry," she whispered, slipping a weapon she had taken from her escort into the side of the seat between Will's leg and the arm rest. She had wanted to say more but was quickly pulled back to the door. She never took her eyes off of him before she was pulled back to the front of the plane. The door was closed between them.

She looked up at the guard who pushed her back in her seat and shook her head, "I'm sorry for you too..." she said.

 

[BeachBum25]

Will perked up a little when he saw Malinda. It confirmed that she was safe. He saw the one goon grab her and pull her away from him before she pulled away from him. Will made sure to take notice of that man. He would pay. Will wasn't sure how, but, if he lived, Will would make sure the man paid... dearly.

Will did not react in any way when Malinda slid something between his leg and the arm of the seat. He simply moved his leg casually closer to the arm of the chair.

Watching once again as Malinda was pulled by one of her stepfather's goons, Will was starting to develop a plan. He could not make much of a commotion in the back, because that would alert those in the front, which would put Malinda in danger.

He felt the plane start to descend, and he overheard one of the guards in the back with him talking about Florida and saying he wished they could stay there longer. So, they were landing in Florida. Will needed to assess the situation. If they tried to make him stand up, Will was going to have to start shooting, because, if he didn't, they would find the gun Malinda gave him, which would certainly mean they would kill him. Of course, they were probably planning to kill him anyway... just back in their homeland where they could justify it and be exempt from American justice.

The plane landed. One of the guards looked at him. "You just relax. We aren't going to be here long. Just long enough for his majesty to show off his daughter and make some business connections. Then we will be going home... our home."

Once the plane finished taxiing and came to a halt, they left Will alone with one guard. This was perfect. The others would be getting off the plane. He waited for a few minutes, then called the guard over. As the guard approached, Will kicked him in the balls. It was a direct hit with the toe of his shoe. The guard crumbled and as he tried to regain his composure he reached for his gun, but that was about 10 seconds too late. Will had the barrel of the gun Malinda left for him pressed against the man's temple.

Will smiled at him. After taking the man's weapon, Will stuffed a towel in the man's mouth and bound his wrists and ankles with zip ties that were on a counter. "I guess you are wishing you used these on me now, aren't you?"

Will opened the door slowly and looked into the main cabin. There was nobody there. The door to the cockpit was open... perfect. Will made his way to the cockpit and introduced himself to the pilot and first officer. "You do anything to alert anyone, and a lot of people will die, including yourselves... am I clear?" They both nodded.

Will sat in the jump seat of the cockpit and waited. He heard on a walkie-talkie that was in the cockpit that the King and Princess were coming aboard the plane. "Remember what I said."

He got up from the jump seat and waited just inside the door of the plane. Malinda came on first. She saw him, but kept moving. Then her stepfather came onto the plane and was greeted by the barrel of a gun pressed to his eye. "Tell them all to back down off of the stairway. They have 10 seconds to do it or you die. 10, 9, 8..."

Malinda's stepfather gave them the order to get back. Will told the pilots to get the plane fired up and ready to go. Then he told Malinda's stepfather to turn around slowly and close the door.

Once the door was closed, Will ziptied her stepfather into a seat and told the pilots that they were to take off and once they were airborne, he would tell them where to go. "In the meantime, just let ATC think we are going to your original destination."

The pilots did as they were told. Once they were in the air, Will moved over to Malinda. He leaned down to her. "I am glad you are okay. Now, where should we have the plane take you?"

 

[zydrate]

The press was pushing, shouting questions at Malinda, who had since cleaned up, per her stepfather’s insistence. She answered none of them as the man took over the questions, answering for Malinda. He never gave her a chance to say a thing on her own because he knew she would speak out about how he was treating her. He didn’t have time to do any damage control if she were to talk.

Guards surrounded Malinda as they waited for Lennox to finish with his talks with other businessmen there before they headed back into the plane. She was mentally tired and remembered why she hated this sort of life. It made her yearn even more for a normal life with Will.

Yes, she wanted to stay with Will and not have to worry about anything except what to make for dinner night after night. He had said back in one of the hotels was that he wouldn’t mind if she came back with him. She had thought of that ever since. In fact, it was her only hope of doing what she was doing and not giving up.

They were done…finally. Malinda was ushered first up the steps… more like forced as her stepfather held her upper arm quite harshly, making her wince. As they entered the plane, yes, she saw Will and knew to keep moving. Once the gun was to Lennox’s head, he let go of Malinda. She moved aside and watched as the door was closed.

She hugged Will briefly as they were now in the air and he had told her where did he want the plane to take her… her? “You’re going with me, right…? Will?” She saw the look in his face, and she shook her head, “Why? Will, we’re free… we can go together.”

 

[BeachBum25]

He looked at Malinda and shook his head. There was a part of him that wanted to be together with her, but there was the part of him that knew that Malinda had to fix things in her home country. She was the one who could save her country from her stepfather.

"Malinda, it wouldn't be right. You have to let everyone know that he is ruining your country. You have to let them know that he is using your country for political gain and could care less about your country's future. If we were to try to be together, he would just keep coming. It might not be soon, but you know he would. He could not risk you being out here and threatening to take him down. It has to be done now."

He could see that Malinda was not happy. "I am going to contact news organizations and you are going to give a press conference telling the world about him. Then, you will take his plane and fly to New York and give another press conference confirming everything you said at the first one. He is going to stay on the plane, tied to his seat. Between press conferences, you will need to speak with your mother by phone and let her know everything that he has done and has tried to do to you. Once the word is out, you will be able to return to your home country and assume your royal position... maybe even take over as queen since your mother has brought this monster into your country."

Will took her stepfather to the back and bound him in the seat next to his guard. "I hope you two are comfortable. I hear that back in your home country an attempt to harm any member of the royal family is punishable by public beheading."

 

[zydrate]

Will was right. Malinda sat at the edge of the seat as he took her stepfather and the other guard to the back of the plane. She bit her lip and thought of all work ahead of her. If she didn't do what was needed, her country would suffer. It was small country with good people, and she didn't want them to suffer because of the downfall.

When Will appeared, Malinda stood in front of him. Looking at him for a while before leaning into him, "Thank you Will..." her lips were so close to his as she continued to speak, "You've done so much for me... I want you to be with me but you're right," she kissed him lightly on the lips, "I hate how this ended. I want you. I want the life on the farm... but you're right." another kiss, this time, deeper.

It was time to grow up… really grow up. “I’ll miss you Will… tell me you’ll come to me when I fix things as much as I’m able to…OK?”

Of course, he didn’t have to answer. She saw the answer in his eyes.