Niki dragged her feet as she walked to school.

It had been a little over a year since Adam had

left to go to Europe. Drew looked up as she entered the classroom and gave a small smile. He
stood up and came over to her desk after she sat down.
How long do you plan to stay in your gloom? If this keeps up, Im gonna have to force you to
visit her again. Niki knew what he was referring to. The previous year when she had first moved
in, Drew showed her the town and along the way, took Niki to her. Her was a creepy old ship in
the harbor that was haunted. Really it was just a tourist attraction not unlike a haunted house.
However, in the middle of the ship was a big finale before you can leave. Niki shuddered at the
memory of the creepy woman at the heart of the ship.
Im not in the mood for your jokes, Drew, she said coldly before turning away. She heard Drew
sigh and get up. He left. Niki didnt want to be at school anymore. She left before the beginning
bell could ring.
Niki wandered into town where she saw her rising behind some buildings to her right.
Niki walked into a bakery shop. she looked at all the sweets and picked out a cookie and a
brownie. At the counter, she paid for her purchases and left. When she reached the park, she
settled down on a bench to eat.
"Hey! Look who it is! Little Miss Perfect sluffing school? I don't believe it!" Niki swallowed the last
of her junk meal and looked up.
"Go away, Kade. It's none of your business," she said coldly.
"Come on, girl. Come hang out with a bad boy. I'm told the ladies like bad boys." Kade snaked
an arm around her shoulders.
"Stop it!" Niki said trying to shrug him off. He tightened his grip and started walking her towards
the street. Niki noticed a car with the door wide open waiting for them. Panic began to rise within
her and a lump formed in her throat.
"What are you doing?" she asked, desperation coloring her voice. Kade's hand made its way
down to rest on the small of her back.
"You and me are gonna take a little ride." Niki was shoved into the open car. Before the door
shut, she thought she heard someone calling her name. Then they drove away....
Drew followed Niki away from the school ready to surprise her with Adam. He trailed her into
town and to a bakery shop. When she settled down at the park, he knew it was time. The shop
where Adam was waiting was just across the street from the park. Drew made his way across
the road. A little bell dinged as he opened the door.
"Finally! You're here! I was getting impatient. I nearly lost my cool and came to the school to see
her myself."
"Well, I'm glad you didn't. This will be a great surprise and will lift her spirits."
"I've missed her so much. She's even more beautiful than I remember." Drew cringed at the look
of love and longing on Adam's face. It reminded him that Adam had won and he had lost. He
turned away.
"Anyway, let's wait for her to finish eating. We don't want her to choke and die at the sight of
you." Drew tried for a joking tone.
"Oh, no. We definitely wouldn't want that." Adam smiled, adopting the tone Drew set. They sat
down at a table and looked out the window, watching her eat the junk food she had bought.
"Has she eating unhealthily since I left? Gosh, she was really that depressed?"
"Yeah, that's why I called you to set this up. I want her to be happy." Adam smiled.

"Thanks for watching out for her. I love her more than anyone else in the world." He turned to
stare out the window again.
"You better. If you ever hurt her I will..." Adam cut him off and stood up.
"What is it?"
"Look. It's Kade." Drew stared across the street in time to see Kade with his arm around Niki,
pulling her with him toward an open car while Niki fought him.
"No!" They broke into a run and into the busy street. People honked at them as they continued.
Kade almost had Niki to the car. They ran faster, fighting to get there in time and save Niki, but it
was too late. Kade shoved her in the car.
"NIKI!" Adam screamed. Kade shut the door and they drove off....
"Where are you taking me?" Niki asked, unable to keep panic from her voice.
"I love the panic I hear. I don't think I'll tell you. Come on, baby. Just enjoy the ride," Kade
whispered in her ear. Niki shuddered. "Oh, that will never do, Miss Perfect. Cut loose a little will
ya?" Kade brought his head around and forced his lips on hers. She let out a little shriek of
disgust and fear. Kade pulled back. "That was a lovely sound. Perhaps I will tell you where we
are going after all." He took her wrists behind her back in one hand and forced her head
towards him with the other. "We are going to her, sweet one. It is closed today and no one will
be there." He grinned evilly in her face. Niki's panic only grew....
Drew swerved the car, trying to keep a visual on the black van Niki was in. He didn't want to
think about what Kade might be planning for her. Adam looked just as worried as he felt.
"Step on it man! They're getting away!"
"I'm going as fast as I can! You don't want to get pulled over before we can save her, do you?"
Adam was silent. Drew sighed. "Look, I'm sorry. I'm just as worried about her as you are. I love
her too ya know!" Adam looked over at Drew, eyes wide. "You don't know how jealous I am that
you won her heart over. I was heartbroken that day. So shut your trap and trust me! I will get you
to her, don't worry!" Adam continued to stare. Finally, he relaxed and looked forward to the black
van again.
"They're headed to her," Adam said.
"Why would they be going there? It's Monday and it's closed."
"Exactly. No one around to hear Niki's screams, no one to save her. You get it now?" Drew
nodded somberly and sped up slightly. The ominous masts of her loomed in front of them. The
car turned down the empty tunnel leading to the ship. Drew pulled in after them stopping
halfway.
"What are you doing?"
"Do you want Kade to know we followed them? It's safer for Niki if Kade thinks they're alone."
Adam nodded his agreement and they started down the tunnel on foot. When they emerged,
Kade was dragging Niki through the entrance of the creepy, old ship. Quickly, they ran toward
the entrance and soon slipped inside after Kade and his captive....
"We're gonna have some fun Miss Perfect. The name sounded twisted coming from Kade's
mouth. Niki felt like her blood had been turned to ice.
Niki tried to think of a way to shake Kades grip. If she could hurt him enough, she could get
away. She glanced down at his knee. Niki kicked hard at it and wrenched away, breaking into a
sprint for the exit.
Kade breathed heavily in pursuit behind her. She pumped her legs, but Kade caught her.

That was a mistake. I was gonna be nice, but now you just did it. He grabbed her wrists in his
left hand and placed his right arm on her lower back, then pulled hard. Pain shot up Nikis spine
all the way up to the base of her skull. She screamed....
Drew and Adam slunk silently along the walls of the hall not risking even the slightest whisper.
They had no idea how far behind they were. Drew began to wonder if they were even on the
right path. He was about to suggest they change course when they heard a scream from up
ahead. Without a word, they broke into a silent run....
Niki looked around the room they just entered. Chains hung along the walls. Kade locked some
cuffs around Nikis wrists and slipped the key into his pocket. He grabbed the end of the chain
and pulled, hoisting Niki up. The chain was left tied around the doorknob.
What are you gonna do? Niki asked fearfully.
What am I gonna do? Im going to inspect you like the beautiful specimen you are. Where
should I start? How about here? He pressed his finger painfully to her sternum. But, before he
could do anything, the door was yanked open. Niki yelped at the sudden pain of being jolted up
and slammed back down. Drew and Adam glanced at the chain tied to the door and followed its
length to where Niki hung.
Drew, get Niki down. Ill deal with this joke of a gentleman. Drew complied. Adam never took
his eyes off Kade. Kade, he said, warning saturating his voice. What do you think you were
doing? You know Niki is my lady. You dare lay a finger on her?
You left her, yet you still claim her? What kind of a sick joke is that?
I would try to explain, but the words would fall dead on your ears. You know no love, only
hatred. I pity you. Adam lifted Kade off the ground by the throat.
Kade sputtered as he said, I dont need your pity! Then he slumped and Adam dropped him.
The key is in his pocket! Niki said. Adam noticed her wrists were still cuffed. He pulled out the
key to uncuff her. She threw her arms around his neck and cried. Oh, Adam! You came back!
Of course I came back, love. I told you I would. Niki continued to cry into his shoulder. Drew,
call the police. Ill get Niki out of here. Adam stood up and made his way out of the ship. Its
going to be okay now, Niki. Im not going to leave you again.
7 years later
Look, honey, theres London castle. Do you see it? Little Marianne nodded. She looked to her
father, who was pumping the little train cart forward.
Yes, Marianne, he chuckled. I see it too. Marianne smiled and Adam smiled back. Youre
going to love it, Marianne.
Will Henry like it too? Henry looked up at the mention of his name. Niki smiled at her daughter
and Henry put his arm lovingly around his little sister.
Im sure he will. Adam turned to look at Niki, not bothering to hide the love in his gaze. Niki
laughed. In a smooth move, Adam pulled her in and kissed her solidly on her laughing mouth.
Eeeeeewww! They looked back to their children who wore twin looks of disgust.
Deal with it, Adam said gruffly, then smiled as he continued to kiss his wife. The kids looked
away and pretended to have a sudden interest in the water of the Thames.
I love you, Niki. I always have. Adam smiled warmly and Niki smiled back. Then Adam
continued to pump the cart towards their beautiful new future in London. The End