The Not-So-Lucky Ride

by Paul Ertzberger

Twelve year old Andi Carter pulled the last button through her overalls before walking over to the wooden chest. She pried the lid open then searched for the little bag. Where did it go? Andi wonderd. Ah ha!

She reached in the chest and pulled out a fist-sized drawstring bag. She slowly opened it and found a crisp one dollar bill. She quickly removed the bill and placed it in her back pocket before closing the chest and sprawling herself out on the nearby bed. Andi stared up at the ceiling covered in complex designs. My Aunt Rebecca really is rich. Andi decided. She rolled over on the bed and stared at the door across the room.

“How long has Jenny been in there?” Andi muttered under her breath. She stood up and started to pace back and forth past the trunk. She stormed over to the bathroom door and slammed her knuckle against the wood. “Hurry up Jenny!” Andi shouted. “The board meeting will be over soon. And if Aunt Rebecca finds us, well...”

“Would you quit yodelin’ like a hound dog! You’ll wake Hannah'' Jenny responded through the hard wood door. “I’ll be out soon enough.” Soon enough! Jenny’s been in there forever. Andi mentally whined. Andi turned around to see Levi standing, arms crossed, with his hat on his head.

“Hurry up already!” Levi hissed. “Aunt Rebecca left the meeting early.” Levi turned, walked out of the room, and slowly shut the hall door behind him. Andi hurried across the room and shoved the window open. The chilling winter breeze made Andi shiver. She heard the bathroom door creak. As if on cue, Jenny strolled through the door way decked out in bright blue overalls and a dark brown sun hat.

“Doesn’t it feel so wonderful to finally wear real clothes again!” Jenny giggled.

“Hurry up you slowpoke!” Andi taunted. “Aunt Rebecca’s already home.” Andi threw a hurried glance out the window before returning her gaze to Jenny. “It’s awfully windy. So please be careful on the landing.”

Andi tried to sound as patient as possible. Jenny hurried through the window and on to the skinny tree branch. “Hurry up.” Andi prodded. “I promised Juan Carlos we would meet him in 5 minutes.”

Jenny scurried across the branch as if she were a squirrel running from a hawk. Andi watched Jenny slide down the base of the tree and land feet first on the ground below. Andi shivered and braced herself for the adventure to come. She hesitantly crawled through the white painted window frame before crouching down and grabbing the branch below her feet. Andi held on to the branch with all her might as she crawled to the center of the tree.

“Hurry up already would ya?” Jenny shouted impatiently from below.

“Be quiet.” Andi hissed. “We’ve gotten too far for Aunt Rebecca to find us now.” Andi continued to mosey her way down the tree. Right foot down, then the left. One branch at a time, Andi crept down the tree. Once Andi brought herself to the last limb, she took a deep breath, stood up and grabbed at the tree trunk to slide down. Slap! Andi’s face slammed into the tough Oak bark. Andi pulled her legs away from the tree and pushed out with her hands. Whoosh, she flew through the air holding her breath. She hit the ground with a thud where an impatient Jenny waited.

“Bout time you got down here.” Jenny complained as she rushed out of the yard. Andi brushed herself off and ran after Jenny. They raced down the street, zigzagging to avoid street cars and horse drawn carriages. By the time they reached Trails End park, both Jenny and Andi were out of breath. Andi rushed past the huge sign that said “Trails End Park”. Once she reached the sand Andi collapsed out of breath.

“We made it!” Andi sighed. Jenny rushed over and plopped down in the sand beside her.

“And not a moment too soon.” She added. Andi took a deep breath inhaling the salty ocean air. She glanced out at the ocean and grimaced. Andi didn’t hate many things, but one thing she did hate was water. She wanted nothing to do with it. She glanced up on the tall cliff. There sat the cliff house. Jenny followed Andi’s gaze till she as well found the cliff house. “Is that a castle?” Jenny inquired.

“No,” Andi laughed, “That’s a restaurant called the Cliff House.”

“You’ve been there?!”

“Yeah. 3 years ago when I came to San Francisco to avoid the outbreak of scarlet fever.” Andi recalled, “You wouldn’t much like it. Everyone wears their Sunday best. But they serve the most amazing food.” 

“Good ladies, would you care for a shoe shine?” Andi turned around. The young blond haired boy stared back at her. Where did he come from? He wasn’t there a second ago. Huh, weird.

“I think I’m fine.” Jenny replied.

Andi stood up to face the boy. “I think I’m fine too. But thank you.” The young boy looked down disappointed. He then turned and walked away. Andi turned her attention back to the sea lions resting on the rocks. Jenny turned her head this way and that searching for Juan Carlos. Andi asked, “Where is Juan Carlos? He should be here by now.”

“Are you sure the meeting date was today?” Jenny questioned.

“I’m confident!” Andi glanced over at the horizon. Where is he? He promised he would take us riding.

“There he is!” Jenny yelped. Andi’s gaze shot toward Juan Carlos. She jumped up and began running to the young spanish boy.

“Juan Carlos,” Andi shouted in Spanish. She and Jenny reached the boy. “It’s good to see you Señor.”

“You as well señorita!” Juan Carlos replied in spanish. “My apologies for being late, Penny and Big Red were not cooperando.”

“Cuales horse can I ride?” Jenny asked Juan Carlos.

“Penny, señorita.” Jenny ran to the copper-colored mare and began stroking her side. Juan Carlos handed Big Red’s reins to Andi. “aquí está, señorita.” Juan Carlos walked over to his golden Mare.

“The beach is beautiful today.” Andi commented in spanish as she hopped on to Big Red’s bare back. “Shall we race?” 

“Sí.” Jenny responded.

“¡Por favor!” Jaun Carlos drove his boots into the side of his horse. He raced down the beach.

“Wait up.” Jenny shouted in spanish. She turned her attention to Andi. “You ready?”

“Missee not go.” Andi jerked her head around to see Feng Chee sitting atop his black bay horse glaring back at her.

“Ahh!” Andi shouted. She and Jenny slammed their heels into their horses. They raced down the beach.

Feng Chee jabbed his horse causing the horse to charge after the girls. “Missee take Lin Mei. Missee die now. Missee white devil” Feng Chee yelled.

“Juan Carlos!” Andi screached. They zoomed down the beach avoiding rocks and the freezing ocean water. Andi glanced back at Feng Chee.

He glared at her yelling “Missee give me Lin Mei.”

“No! Never!” Jenny wailed.

Then Andi shot a worried glance at Jenny. “How did he find us?” Andi asked.

“What do we do?” Jenny panicked. Andi’s hat flew off hitting the water with a splash. She eyed the sun hat floating in the water to her left. She shivered as waves struck the rock to her left. Splashing hundreds of water droplets on Andi’s soaked overalls.

 “Ayudanos, Juan Carlos!” Andi yelled. Andi watched Juan Carlos race down the beach oblivious to the catastrophe behind him. Andi turned around to see Feng Chee maneuvering his pistol from his saddle bag. “Jenny!” Andi yelled in distress. “Feng Chee is armed!” Andi turned back to the beach in front of her.

“Oh no!” Jenny looked up at the sky, “a storm’s a coming.”

“Juan Carlos!” Feng Chee cocked his pistol. “Juan Carlos!” Andi screamed. It was too late. Feng Chee pulled the trigger. The bullet shot right between the two girls. Juan Carlos pulled his horse to a stop at the sound. He turned around in time to see Feng Chee shoot another shot.

“No, no él,” he thought aloud. Juan Carlos spurred his horse then turned him around and galloped straight at the coming riders.

*****

Three days earlier, Andi sat next to the crackling fireplace in Aunt Rebecca’s mansion. “My it’s chilly outside.”

“Slow down Andrea. Proper ladies never rush their speech,” Aunt Rebecca scolded. Andi groaned inside. How long will this take? “Andrea I must leave for a meeting at the academy.” YES! Finally our one sided conversation is over. “Now while I am gone there will be no romping around the yard or climbing trees,” Aunt Rebecca stood up, “and you are to behave as a proper young lady.”

“Yes ma'am.” Andi mumbled.

“Very well then, Thomas has the coach waiting outside. Farewell!” Aunt Rebecca pranced over to the door which Thomas had opened and stepped out into the beautiful winter evening. Andi jumped up and raced up the stairs to her bed room. She opened the door then shut it behind her. Everything is just perfect!

 “Jenny,” Andi called quietly, “Jenny.” And just then Jenny shot out from under the bed.

“So what did Justin say?” asked Jenny dusting the cobwebs off her dress.

“Yes!” Andi giggled. “Justin agreed to let us go riding!”

“Victory!” Jenny shouted. “Now we just have to get Juan Carlos to agree.”

“Oh that’ll be easy.” Andi laughed, “He offered to take me before.” The two girls giggled and raced out of the room.

*****

“NO!” Juan Carlos turned away from the two girls. “Señor Hunter has recovered his memory of what happened the night I hit him. He has declared I ought to avoid you or else.” Juan Carlos finished his spiel in Spanish and turned back to cleaning a horse’s stall.

“¿Por favor?” Andi pleaded. “You promised you would take me.”

“No, señorita,” Juan Carlos turned back to Andi and Jenny. “I never promised. I mentioned it would be my pleasure but never promised.”

“This is easy huh?” Jenny mumbled to Andi.

“Señor Hunter believes you hit him. That is the only reason I am still permitted to work here.” Juan Carlos stated in Spanish.

“Juan Carlos,” Andi pleaded in spanish,  ”Just once. When you don’t have to work.”

 “Señor Hunter will expect me back soon. I ought to find him.”

“Juan Carlos, please ask him if you can have this weekend off. ¿Por favor?” Juan Carlos turned and rushed out of the barn.

“So easy,” Jenny commented.

“I need to hurry, Aunt Rebecca will be back soon,” Andi glanced at Jenny, “and you should hurry back inside the academy before Miss Whitaker finds out you escaped.”

“I don’t care about some silly disgrace marks.” Jenny blurted.

“But your mother does.” Andi strolled out of the barn with Jenny close behind.

“Yeah I guess you're right. Well I’ll see you tomorrow. And don’t forget we have a French test.”

“Great,” Andi mumbled. Jenny dashed over to the kitchen door. The new cook didn’t mind Jenny and Andi coming in and out of the Academy's back door, which happens to lead through the kitchen. Jenny slipped inside the Academy leaving Andi all alone in the chilly winter evening. 

After Andi arrived home, she headed up to her bedroom. She slipped out of her school dress and into her nightgown. Before she crawled in her bed,  Andi knelt down beside her bed and prayed. Dear God, please help Juan Carlos change his mind. I understand I’m being greedy but I really want to go riding. Oh and also please keep Lin Mei and Kum Ju. Please help them to learn more about you while in the mission. Please help Mother not worry about me. Thank you for Jenny and Levi, Hannah, and Besty. Amen.

Andi stood up, pulled back the pink covers, and slipped into her soft cozy bed. She laid there staring up at the textured ceiling. What happened to Juan Carlos? He seemed like a totally different person tonight. So I thought my plan would work, but I guess not. I wonder what happened to Feng Chee. Did he hop on a boat bound for…

Knock, knock, knock.

Andi rolled over under the pink covers.

Knock, knock, knock.

Andi shot up out of her bed. She walked over to the door. She twisted the knob and the door creaked open. The hall was empty.

Knock, knock, knock.

Andi heard the sound again. “Where is that noise coming from?” Andi wondered aloud.

“Andi,” she heard a muffled voice whisper. “Andi, over here,” the voice whispered in spanish again. Andi’s head snapped toward the trunk sitting in front of the window. She tip-toed over to the trunk. She lifted the lid and searched the trunk. But all Andi found were clothes and her money pouch. Knock, knock, knock. Andi dropped the lid of the trunk and stared at the window. Staring back at her were a pair of dark brown eyes. “Juan Carlos?” Andi wondered aloud.

“Soy yo.” Juan Carlos nodded through the window.

“Oh my goodness!” Andi exclaimed. She reached over and shoved open the window. “Juan Carlos, how did you get up here?” Andi asked in Spanish.

“Well,” Juan Carlos continued in his native language. “I crawled across the yard. And then climbed up this tree to your window.”

“What made you go through all that trouble Señor?” Andi questioned as they continued their Spanish conversation.

“I’m very sorry,” Juan Carlos continued, “for the way I treated you and Jenny tonight. After you left, I found Señor Hunter and asked him if he would let me ride on the beach.”

“¿Y qué te dijo?” Andi giggled.

“He allowed me to borrow Penny, Big Red, and Copper with me, 3 o’clock this Saturday!” Juan Carlos replied in spanish.

Thank you God! Andi prayed.

“Andrea?” Aunt Rebecca’s shrill voice filled the hall.

“You better hurry,” Andi prompted in Spanish, “I expect to see you Saturday.”

“Tú también, señorita.” Andi hurried to shut the window as Juan Carlos scurried down the tree. Andi snuck over to her bed and slipped under the covers just as Aunt Rebecca opened the wooden door.

*****

The rain started to pour as the horses galloped down the rocky beach. Feng Chee cocked his pistol. Pow. The bullet whizzed straight past Jenny and Andi. “It’s all right, calm down girl.” Andi coaxed her horse. God please keep up safe. She prayed.

BOOM. Lightning struck again, sending Andi’s horse dashing even faster down the beach. Pow. Another bullet sped past Andi. Big Red bucked his front legs terrified by the bullet. “Woah, calm down girl.” Andi managed to coax the mare back into a solid gallop.

“Señorita!” Juan Carlos shouted. Pow. Another bullet whizzed past the girls.

“Feng Chee doesn’t have such good aim.” Jenny commented.

“Missee wrong.” Feng Chee shouted from behind. “Feng Chee sharp shooter.” Feng Chee cocked his pistol, and aimed it right at Jenny. Pow. The bullet flew through the air and, just as Feng Chee hoped, and struck Jenny directly in the back. Jenny flew off her horse crying out in pain.

“Jenny!” Andi screamed. Jenny’s horse stopped confused by the loss of her rider. Jenny landed on the sand crying out in pain. “Woah,” Andi attempted to pull her horse to a stop. Instead of stopping, Big Red kicked his front hooves sky high, sending Andi flying through the air. Splash! Andi hit the freezing water. She paddled frantically but it was no use. The outgoing tide swept her farther and farther away from the shore and Jenny.

*****

 “Andrea Carter!” Aunt Rebecca scolded. She flung open the door to Andi’s room. “Andrea?’ She called. Young Besty ran down the hall before flinging herself at her aunt. “Good heavens child!” Aunt Rebecca scolded.

“Andi’s at the beach,” Besty confessed.

“Besty!” Levi growled. “You promised Andi not to tell!”

“Sorry,” Besty crawled out of the hall.

“The beach?” Levi stomped toward Aunt Rebecca.

“Yes Auntie.”

“You are to address me as Aunt, and nothing else.”

“Yes Aunt. She and Jenny are riding with a friend.”

“Riding, as in horse back riding, on the beach?” asked Aunt Rebecca bewildered.

“Yes Aunt. She left an hour ago.”

“I have a feeling she didn’t even put on her riding clothes,” Aunt Rebecca pivoted and hurried down the long hall.

“She put on some riding clothes,” Levi yodeled down the hall.  “Just not the ones you gave her,” he mumbled to himself. Levi rushed into Andi’s room. He slid across the floor to the large trunk. He stood up and shoved the window open. He rushed out onto the tree branch. Levi then jumped to the grassy lawn below.

“Thomas!” Aunt Rebecca’s shrill voice shreaked. “Fetch the horse and buggy. We’re headed to the beach.”

 *****

Splash! Another wave slammed into Andi’s freezing face. She gasped for air, while paddling frantically yet worthlessly, attempting to keep her body above the surface.  Andi struggled to yelp “H-h-help.” Another wave filled her mouth with salty water. The sky above was filled with lightning as thunder rolled. Great, Andi thought. This is just the place I want to be during a storm. I need to get out. But how?

*****

Clip clop, clip clop. The horses' hoofs clopped in rhythm pulling Aunt Rebecca closer to Land’s End.   “Oh Andrea,” Aunt Rebecca mumbled to herself,  “what have you gotten yourself into now?”

*****

“Oh,” Jenny groaned in pain. “Help, help.” She sighed and rolled over. Her back and chest ached. “Oh,” She groaned again.

“Señorita Jenny!” Juan Carlos leapt off copper and dashed to Jenny’s side. “Señorita, what happened?”

“F-f-f eng Chee,” Jenny stumbled in her broken Spanish. “S-shot m-m-me.”

“Ese hombre horrible.” Juan Carlos muttered under his breath. “Here,” He continued in Spanish. “Lay back against this rock.” Juan Carlos struggled to rest Jenny up against the nearby rock. “Señorita Andi?” Juan Carlos called. There was no answer.

“She, she, she, fell into el océano.” Jenny stumbled.

Juan Carlos let out a muffled gasp. “Vamos, vamos, find her.”

“Descansa aquí,” Juan Carlos replied. “I’ll go find her.”

“Espere,” Jenny warned, “Feng Chee disappeared.”

“Si,” Juan Carlos flung himself on Copper’s back and the horse galloped down the beach. “Señorita Andi,” Juan Carlos shouted. He searched the water. But all he found was rocks, and seals.

Crash! Andi watched as the lightning filled the sky. Splash. A wave crashed into Andi’s face, filling her mouth with freezing salty water. “H-h-help!” she wailed. But there was no answer. “I need to swim to shore,” she thought to herself. But how? I’ve never learned to swim.

“Andi!” she heard a voice shout. Andi turned toward the shore. “Andi!” The voice yodeled again.

“Levi!” Andi spotted her cousin waving frantically from the shore, “Help!” she shouted.

“Hold on!” Levi yanked off his shoes and threw himself into the freezing wake.

*****

“Woah,” Thomas yanked back on the reins pulling the horse to an abrupt stop.

“Thank you Thomas,” Aunt Rebecca stepped out of the carriage and on to the squishy sand. She hurried past the “Land's End” sign and raced down the beach.

*****

Levi kicked his arms and legs with all his might. Struggling to reach Andi. Now Andi, Swim NOW. Andi propelled herself away from the rock and towards Levi. Slowly the two became closer together.

*****

The waves struck the rocks with such force soaking Jenny in freezing water. “I’m so tired,” she muttered to herself. She laid her head down and fell asleep.

“Andi!” Juan Carlos sped down the beach frantically searching for his lost Amiga. “Andi!” he shouted again. Copper raced down the beach oblivious to the thunder and lightning above.

*****

Feng Chee slowly closed the door to the wooden shack. “American missee dead?” the deep Chinese voice asked.

“Soon,” came Feng Chee’s reply.

“Why not dead?” the voice spoke again.

“White Devils strong.”

“White Devils die.”

“White devil sinking in ocean.”

“Other White Devil?”

“Missee shot.”

“Good,” the voice replied, “next task, find the slaves.”

“Len Mei, Kum Ju, gone.”

“No, still in town. Go!” The voice harshened.

“No Len Mei.”

“YES!” The voice yelled. “GO!” Feng Chee turned and exited the hut.

*****

Splash! As Levi gasped for air, the wave crashed sending a spew of salty water into his mouth. He and Andi were merely feet apart. “Andi!” He shouted. Levi kicked his legs. Bringing him closer to Andi. Andi swam harder, paddling with all her might. As they came closer, Levi reached out his hand. Crash! The thunder rolled. Splash! The waves crashed frantically. The two came closer. Boom! Lightning struck. They inched closer. Bang! A gunshot rang in the distance. Levi stretched out and barely clasp Andi’s shivering hand.

*****

Feng Chee hustled down the dark alley. The gun shot had made the perfect diversion. He hurried through Chinatown’s dark and eerie streets. “Where mission home?” Feng Chee wondered aloud. He turned left before creeping down another alley that ended leading out to the mission home.

*****

Boom! Thunder rolled over head. “Hold my shoulders,” Levi instructed.

Andi grasped the boy's shoulders as he started to swim. Levi slowly made his way through the sloshing waves and penetrating rocks. As the shore came closer and closer in sight, the waves became stronger and the rocks closer.

Crash! Lightning struck as Levi carefully maneuvered his way through the dangerous water. To Andi, the shore still seemed forever away.

Levi brought his head up from the water, gasping for air. He splashed his head back under the water and pushed on through the final stretch of water.

Splash! The water struck the rocks as Levi stood up - his waist still below the water. He assisted Andi, limping onto the wet sandy beach. Once the two arrived, Andi collapsed into the sand. “Help!” Levi yelled. “Help!” Levi searched around frantically. “Aunt Rebecca, Help!” He ran a few feet and yelled again.

Aunt Rebecca shifted her glance at the mention of her name. She spotted Levi and started running. The rain was pouring by the time Aunt Rebecca reached them. Aunt Rebecca fell on her knees beside Andi, “Oh good heavens child.”

“She fell in the ocean,” Levi stated.

“She needs a doctor, Levi,” Aunt Rebecca commanded, “find Thomas and command him to help get Andi to Dr. Wilcox.”

“Yes ma'am!” Levi dashed down the beach.

“Talk to me Andrea,” Aunt Rebecca shook Andi’s shoulders. Andi groaned and rolled over. “Talk to me child,” Aunt Rebecca pleaded.

“Jenny,” Andi groaned. “Jenny got shot.”

Aunt Rebecca gasped, “Where is she?”

“In, in the sand,” Andi closed her eyes.

“Stay awake,” Aunt Rebecca shook Andi again.

“Go find Jenny,” Andi groaned.

Aunt Rebecca stood and started pacing the beach searching for Jenny. “Where is that child?” She eyed a rock in the distance. “Is that? No, it couldn’t be.” She picked up her skirt and ran with all her might toward the rock. She fell on the wet sand beside Jenny. Jenny lay there motionless. “Oh Lord, help her,” Aunt Rebecca prayed. She raced back to Andi and lifted her up. Struggling to carry Andi she dashed down the beach. When they arrived at the rock, Aunt Rebecca laid Andi down in the sand beside Jenny.

*****

Levi hurried down the beach soaked to the bone and shivering. He fell face first in the sand exhausted. Determined to save his cousin he pushed himself onto his feet and forced his legs to keep running. When he arrived at the “Trails End” sign he skidded to a stop beside Aunt Rebecca’s carriage. “Thomas!” He panted out of breath. “Auntie says to help get the children to Dr. Wilcox.”

Thomas jumped out of the carriage. “Yes sir.” Thomas unbridled one of the horses before jumping up and riding down the gloomy beach. 

Levi climbed in the carriage and collapsed against one of the walls. He watched the beach out the front of the carriage. He discovered a small speck riding down the beach.  “Señorita Andi?” he heard the rider shout. Levi bolted out of the carriage and started waving frantically. The rider seemed to notice and turned his horse toward Levi. When the rider arrived Levi identified him to be Juan Carlos, one of Andi’s friends from school. “Señor Carter.” Juan Carlos greeted in spanish. “Help, Señorita Andi’s gone missing.”

“No,” Levi assured the boy in Spanish. “She’s safe.”

“Feng Chee,” Juan Carlos muttered to himself. “Bad man got away.” He attempted to pronounce in English.

“Where did he escape to?” Levi questioned in Spanish.

“I do not know. Chinatown maybe. But I do not know.”

“That’s a place to start.” Levi quickly unbridled the other buggy horse and hopped on his back. “To chinatown!” The two galloped through the dreary city searching for the ‘sharp shooter’ Feng Chee.   “Should we check his home?” Levi asked in Spanish.

“I doubt he would be there,” Juan Carlos replied in his native language.

“¿donde entonces?” Levi asked.

“The mission home,” Juan Carlos replied. The two turned their horses and galloped at full speed down the Chinatown street. They made another turn and galloped with the mission home in sight.

Feng Chee snuck across the street to the mission home. “Len Mei mine now,” he chuckled to himself.

“Not so fast!” a voice stated from behind him. 

Feng Chee turned to see two sets of eyes glaring back at him. “White Devils!” Feng Chee shot away from the mission home swerving this way and that, attempting to lose his persistent followers. Feng Chee contemplated what to do. “The shack,” he decided. He made a sudden turn and raced toward the small shack at the end of the street.

“What do we do when we catch him?” Levi asked Juan Carlos.

“Steal his gun I guess,” Juan Carlos replied in Spanish. Feng Chee slid to a stop in front of the shack, swung open the door and stepped inside. The door slammed behind him.

“Great!” Levi complained in Spanish, “now he’s inside that shack.”

“Why are you esperando?” Juan Carlos asked.

“I’m not going in there,” Levi replied confidently. Juan Carlos hopped off his horse and strutted toward the shack. “Fine,” Levi grumbled. He slipped off the horse and joined Juan Carlos. Juan Carlos walked up to the shack and slammed his boot into the door causing it to swing open. “What do we do now?” Levi whispered.

Juan Carlos slowly stepped through the doorway. Click. Feng Chee cocked his pistol. Juan Carlos glanced down and noticed the shack was stuffed with random objects. He slowly reached down and picked up a medal bar lying next to him. Juan Carlos slowly advanced forward keeping the bar in his grasp. He continued shuffling until Feng Chee was in sight. Feng Chee lifted his pistol, the barrel pointed at Juan Carlos. Before Feng Chee could pull the trigger, Juan Carlos had knocked both the pistol and Feng Chee to the ground with his metal weapon.

“White Devil die.”

“I don’t think so,” Levi entered, also armed with a metal bar. Feng Chee shrunk at the sight. Juan Carlos quickly reached down and grasped Feng Chee’s pistol. He pointed the gun at Feng Chee.

“What you do to Len Mei?“ Juan Carlos attempted to speak in English.

“No, not touch Len Mei. Len Mei fine.”

“How come I don’t believe you?”

“You should gentlemen.” Both boys' eyes shot towards the voice.

“Who is that?” Levi whispered in Spanish.

“You know me don’t you Juan Carlos,” the woman taunted. Click. She held the pistol pointed at the awestruck pair. “Drop you weapons,” the voice harshened. Juan Carlos and Levi dropped their weapons. They crashed on the floor with a clank.

Feng Chee stared in disbelief. “You the voice?”

“Yes Feng Chee,” the woman stared at Feng Chee. “I am your leader.”

“De ninguna manera,” Juan Carlos breathed.

“Surprised to see me Juan Carlos?” the woman taunted.

“But how can this be?” Juan Carlos muttered in Spanish.

“Who is she?” Levi whispered.

“Huh,” the woman started. “I thought your Aunt would have told you about me. Well, she wasn’t the most fond of me.” The woman clicked her tongue. “Never fear,” the woman stepped out of the shadow revealing her face, “I am Miss Whitaker.” At those words, both Juan Carlos and Levi almost fainted.

*****

Thomas quickly rushed down the street towards the doctor’s office. “My Miss Carter, you are quite heavy.” He quickly rounded the corner and kept running, attempting to balance Andi and continue running at the same time. 

“Aren't you glad Aunt Rebecca wasn’t around to hear you say that?”

Thomas kept running.  “She insisted on staying in the doctor's office with that friend of yours after they escaped the gloom of the beach riding the buggy horse.” Thomas puffed. “Aunt has worried herself sick about Jenny.” Thomas came to a large wooden door, noticing Aunt Rebecca’s buggy horse parked to its right.  

When he kicked the door, a nurse in all white quickly escorted them in. Thomas set Andi down and collapsed in a chair out of breath. “Follow me,” the nurse instructed. Andi followed after the nurse, who led her into the room where Jenny was laying. Along one wall, sat Aunt Rebecca and in the middle was the table on which Jenny laid, beside Jenny was Dr. Wilcox.

“Doctor,” Andi asked, “will Jenny be okay?”

Dr. Wilcox turned to Andi with a giant smile covering his face, “Your friend is going to be just fine.” The doctor turned back to Jenny. “Thankfully the bullet only grazed the skin and didn’t do much damage. After a few weeks of rest and relaxation your friend will be back to normal.”

Thank you God! Andi prayed.

“Now for you young lady,” The doctor turned back to Andi. “I heard you had quite the swim.”

*****

“What are you going to do with us?” Levi questioned. He and Juan Carlos were tied back to back in the middle of the shack. Miss Whitaker glanced over at the pathetic seeming children.

“That is for me to know and for you to find out. Feng Chee if you please,” she motioned to the door. Feng Chee hurriedly exited the premises smiling evilly.

“Why did you try to kill us?” Juan Carlos asked in Spanish.

“After you and your little friends spoiled my plan…”

“What plan?” Levi questioned.

“Be patient Levi,” The woman scolded. “Young gentlemen never interrupt. After you and your little friends spoiled my plan…”

“Could you just tell us the plan?” Levi interrupted.

Miss Whitaker stood and glared down at Levi. “The plan to accumulate some cash.”

“How?” Juan Carlos wondered.

“Slaves,” came the answer. “The academy was not filling my bank account as full as I hoped. Your friends were on their way to China. FOREVER! But then they escaped from Feng Chee’s grip and escaped with the other slave girls.”

“Man she’s a good actor,” Levi muttered under his breath.

“I can’t afford having any witnesses. When Feng Chee returns, you two will both get what you deserve.”

“You’re loco,” Juan Carlos uttered.

“No, no Juan Carlos, I’m not.”

“Yes you are,” Levi yelled.

“Oh you little rascals. I hoped I wouldn’t have to do this. I hoped you would be quiet on your own. But I must fetch the gags.” The woman turned, then walked until she was swallowed up by the shadows.

“What do we do now?” Levi questioned.

“Nothing.” Juan Carlos replied.

“Ah ha!” They heard the woman giggle, “here they are.”

Both boys’ eyes were fixed on the woman as she emerged out of the shadows, two bandanas in her hands. “Nobody move!” they heard a voice from outside shout. “We are the police. You are surrounded.”

The woman screeched and disappeared back into the shadows. Crack! The door fell off the hinges. Three police officers emerged fully armed. “Over here!” Levi shouted. One of the officers quickly pulled out a knife and cut the hostages free. Levi and Juan Carlos hopped up and dashed out of the building. A squad of officers awaited them. “How did you find us?” Levi asked one of the older officers.

“He brought us,” the officer pointed. Both boys gazed down the man's finger to find Feng Chee standing timidly smiling at them.

“Feng Chee?”

“Yes son,” the police officer continued. “He turned himself in, and brought us here saying we would find an awful woman.” Just as the officer finished they heard Miss Whitaker screech and a deep voice proclaiming, “You're under arrest.”

Levi strutted to where Feng Chee stood. “Why did you lead them here?” He asked.

“Because,” Feng Chee responded, “White devil who take my job, not need to live.”

Levi turned and struggled to hold back his laughter. “Officer,” Levi requested. “Would you mind escorting us to Dr. Wilcox’s office?”

“It would be my pleasure,” came the reply.

*****

Levi and Juan Carlos hurried in the room to find Jenny sitting and talking to a smiling Andi. “She’s safe!” Juan Carlos rejoiced in Spanish.

Levi and Juan Carlos dashed beside the bed. “Hi boys.” Jenny greeted. “Where did you go?”

“All I can say is justice has been done!” Levi replied.

Thank you God! Andi prayed. You saved Jenny and I, you kept Juan Carlos safe. Thank you! You brought justice to Feng Chee, and brought Levi and Juan Carlos back safe. Thank you God! Andi turned her attention back to Jenny.

“Oh I’m so glad you're all safe!” Aunt Rebecca pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her tear filled eyes. Knock, knock. All the heads turned to see Dr. Wilcox stroll in the quite crowded room.

“I’m glad to join the happy reunion,” he smiled. Dr. Wilcox maneuvered himself beside the bed then glanced down at Jenny. “You are one lucky girl,” the doctor commented.

“No sir,” Jenny corrected, “not lucky, blessed.”

The End