Chapter 13

PV Elementary

1 Month Later

"Okay boys and girls. Wow today sure went by fast didn't it. All right, get your backpacks from your cubbies and go out in the hall to find your parents alright! Go on now. Bye everybody!"

Misty said with a sigh of relief as she waved goodbye to her class, the day had seemed to go on forever. Even though teaching was her dream job sometimes her class could be a handful. Despite it all she was thankful she was given the opportunity, not expecting for it to happen after she came so close to going to prison. Luckily another suspect came into the picture at the last minute and Misty was proved innocent of the casino crimes, thanks to excellent lawyers combined with Di and Del's help. Without them she wouldn't have been able to make it this far and was grateful for all of their help, from hiding her from the cops to getting her a room at the Valley Inn. She also had faith that Ian was keeping an eye on her too.

"So Miss Misty are you gonna give me a ride back to Wildwind today?" Kate asked as she grabbed her backpack.

"Oh sweetie, not today. No, today your daddy is coming home and he'll make sure you get home. C'mon I'll walk you out."

"So, Miss Misty..."

"Yes Kate?"

"Um I just was wondering, have you and my daddy met?"

"Well, I've seen your daddy before when he drops you off, but we haven't really talked much."

"Oh, 'cause I think you'd really like each other a lot."

"Oh, alright. Well look Kate I think your rides here. I'll see you tomorrow okay? Bye!"

Misty said as she walked back to her office. Despite what she had said, Misty had only heard Kate's father mentioned around town, but had never actually had a conversation with him. She heard about his reputation for being a bit of a ladies man, but that he had a great sense of humor which had obviously been handed down to his little girl. She also knew though that he was a respected P.I, accounting for her never meeting him face to face and always hiding from him. Even though another agent had been convicted of the crimes Misty still hadn't gotten to know most of Pine Valley outside of her students and the staff of the Valley Inn, and had every intention of keeping it that way for a while longer.

"Oh Daddy I had the best day ever! I missed you so much! What was the big surprise...

Oh, hi. Miss Krystal."

"Hey sweetie, your daddy had to work later then he thought he would so he asked me to give you a ride back to Wildwind. Now c'mon, in the car."

"Oh. Um, okay..."

"So how was your day at school?"

Krystal said from the front seat.

"Fine, I guess." Kate said with little enthusiasm as she stared out the car window, wishing she would have just walked with Emma.

Finally the car got to Wildwind and Kate was about to get out when Krystal stopped her.

"Hey Kate. Is it okay if I talk to you about something really quick. It's kind of important."

"Sure. What's up?"

"Well, sweetie. You know that your daddy and I have been well, going out quite a bit lately."

"Yeah, 'cause your friends."

"Actually, your daddy and I are a bit more then, just friends. We've known each other for a long time now, and we have a, special bond."

"Okay and..?"

"And a month or so ago, your daddy and I decided that, we were going to, well, show how much we care about each other and our kids, by starting a family together. Kate, your daddy and I are..."

Kate began to tune out Krystal, and just tried to make sense of the situation. The situation she'd wanted to avoid ever since she found she had a half sister. She had already had a feeling what Krystal's news was going to be, the second her dad told her about a big surprise. When Krystal came to get her her suspicions were confirmed when she looked at her hand and saw a diamond ring.

"Kate? Honey, did you hear me?"

"What, Oh yeah, I heard you."

"So, How about a hug for your new step mama. Kate?"

"I. I have to go."

Kate said as she jumped out of the car.

"By the way Miss Krystal, I only hug people I really love who really love me back. You didn't make the list."

"Now Kate!"

"If you want a hug that badly, find my half sister Charlotte! She can give you and Daddy hugs from now on. She can be the only little girl in your new happy family. I'm done!"

Kate yelled angrily as she slammed the car door and bolted to the park.

"Kate! Get back here!" Krystal screeched as she tried to chase after the girl but it was no use. She decided to go to Wildwind and figure out where her soon to be stepdaughter liked to run off to.

Somehow without Kate even realizing she wound up at the park after sprinting from Krystal's car. She found a park bench and looked into the distance.

"Great, now I gotta find a new place to live. I definitely can't go home ever again. If Daddy hadn't asked her to marry him none of this would have happened. I could be at home watching cartoons with Daddy and Emma and I could play house and everything would be fine. But no, she had to come and ruin everything."

Kate said to herself. She knew though it was getting late and that she had to come up with a new plan. She saw in the distance her school and decided she'd head that way. Maybe she'd figure out a way to get to the Chandler Mansion to see Little A or even the best route to Di and Del's. As she approached the school she saw someone recognize her and run over in her direction.

"Miss Misty!" Kate said happily. She didn't have to go far to find somewhere to stay, hopefully her teacher would let her stay with her, she thought to herself as she walked into the school.

"Honestly Kate Martin. What is your obsession with wandering through Pine Valley at all hours? Oh my God, you did get home didn't you? You had someone come and get you after I went back inside right!" Misty panicked

"Yeah I went home first, and then I left. And I'm not gonna go back."

"Okay listen. You stay right here in the courtyard and don't move. I'm going to go, lock up the classroom, and when I come back we'll talk about this. Alright?"

"Yeah that's fine!"

"Good, don't move."

Misty said as she walked to her room, all the while with an eerie feeling someone was watching as she cut through the outdoor path behind the school to her room. As she locked her door and went back the same path to the courtyard she heard footsteps coming from behind her, and as she broke into a sprint she felt a hand come over her mouth.

"Don't say a word, and we can make this go very easy Agent Sunshine."

Suddenly Misty started kicking and screaming despite the hand trying to silence her cries. She tried as best she could to get attention and heard footsteps but then saw everything fade to black.

"Miss Misty?" Kate said cautiously as it had been 10 minutes since Misty went to lock the room. As she ran down the path to the classroom she heard a muffled scream in the distance, a thud, and footsteps.

"Miss Misty! Oh no! Wake up. Miss Misty please! C'mon wake up!" Kate begged and pleaded trying to get Misty to open her eyes.

"Help somebody please! Help!"

Then suddenly Kate saw a mysterious shadow behind her and turned around.

"Mister? Can you help me? She…She won't wake up…Please!"

Kate sobbed as she looked back at Misty, but felt a hand come over her mouth and she passed out, as she felt herself being carried off by the man in black..