A month passed and Laurel doubted that there were any more trolls, though she still kept her guard up.
Tamani and Laurel went to school one day to find that neither David or Chelsea were at school. Laurel knew something was wrong because Del Norte's top students would NOT skip a day of school. She walked over to her locker and opened it to get her backpack out. She pulled out her books and something slid out with it and onto the floor. Laurel looked at it, read it, and ran to Tam as fast as she could.
"They have David and Chelsea." Laurel said, rushed.
"What? Who?"
Laurel lowered her voice. "The trolls have Chelsea and David captive at the lighthouse. If we're not there by 10:00, they kill them. I figure they want the beach to sap us of strength before we get there."
"Alright. Let's go. It's 9:37. We can make it there in time."
They run through the front doors and hop into his convertible. They sped off into the distance.
"What about the sentries behind my house? Couldn't we bring them?"
"Not unless you want to be late to the lighthouse, but- aw crap! I left my phone!"
"... Me too."
"We can't get the sentries, but I sure hope some are following us right now."
They were sent the rest of the way and as they pulled up to the beach. It was high-tide and the pathway to the lighthouse was under 4 feet of water. Just as Tam was about to make the 500 foot trek, Laurel called out to him. He turned around to see her at a jet-ski station. They quickly gave the man a pile of twenties and hoped on the jet-skis only 5 feet out into the water.
They started the engine and sped off towards the light house. When they landed, the house was dark; talk about déjà-vou.
Tam entered the house first and Laurel trailed close behind. They turned a corner to see close to twelve trolls with guns trained on them. The other two had their guns on Chelsea and David's heads.
One of the trolls stepped foward. "Nice of you to join us today," he said in a raspy, rough voice that was heavy with sarcasm.
He turned back around and shot David in the foot. The sound of gun-shot was followed by a scream of David's.
Laurel started crying seeing him in pain. "Who are you and what do you want?" She said, her voice quavering.
"Me, what do I want? Why, we need the key to unlock the gate."
"How do you know about the key?" Tamani said, stepping in front of Laurel.
"Let's just say: I'm only a branch of the tree. I have masters and I have large numbers working for me."
"I repeat. Who are you?" Laurel asked from behind Tamani.
"Ben Maywhalus."
Chelsea couldn't suppress a soft snicker at his name.
"Now I repeat. Give. Me. The. Key. Now. Or somebody gets hurt."
"We don't have the key." Laurel said.
"Do you think I'm stupid? I'm not asking you. I'm asking him." He pointed at Tamani. And shot Chelsea in the foot. Her shrill scream pierced through Laurel's ears. Silent tears streaked down Laurel's face.
"Don't give it to him, Tam!" Chelsea shrieked between sobs.
"I'd never give it to you, if it was the last thing I do!"
"Really? Maybe he needs more of a motivation, boys." He snapped his fingers and more trolls entered the house.
"Still a no?" Ben asked.
"Never." Tam said.
"Really? How about now?"
A troll came from behind Tamani and Laurel and picked Laurel up. Tamani reacted quickly and punched the troll in the face. Three more trolls approached Tamani and restrained all of his limbs. He screamed in frustration, as he couldn't move.
Ben shot Laurel in the shoulder. In the exact same spot she shot Barnes. Tamani knew it was no accident.
"Next one is to the head. Give me the key." Ben said as he raised his gun hand to point at Laurel's head.
Tamani couldn't hold back tears as he saw Laurel in horrific pain.
"Fine. I give up." Tam dug into one of his pockets and took out the key.
Tam's shaky hand handed over the key and Ben took it and raised it to his face.
"Let them go, now."
"No, no, no, no, no. I don't think this is quite as interesting as I hoped. Let's play a game. It's called, 'watch as your loved one dies'! Ready? One... Two..." Laurel mouthed the words 'I love you' to him. "Three..."
A crack of gunfire filled the room and Tamani collapsed to the floor as the trolls let go of him. He couldn't see. Couldn't breathe. Didn't know if he was alive. He just laid there and sobbed hysterically as near a dozen shots were fired.