Arc Five: Something Smells Rotten in the Big Apple

Part 5: Alone in Central Park

Central Park

December 23, 1991-7:33 P.M.

(Christine's PoV:)

My hands are feeling numb, and my teeth are chattering from the below-freezing temperatures. I tighten up my long overcoat and winter cap. My glasses keep fogging up so bad from the cold, that I have to put them safely away in my backpack. My siblings and I hopelessly navigate around Central Park, trying to find a way out.

It feels a lot like navigating the Lost Woods from The Legend of Zelda, as every path takes us back to the place where we started, like an endless circle. It feels like we've been doing this for hours. It's cold and dark, with some snow falling. The park hardly has any lighting, which makes it a more frightening place to be. I remember what Rhonda-Sue told us, when we first arrived in New York.

We may have escaped the crazy Concierge and the Wet Bandits, but now, the situation my siblings and I face, is finding a warm place to sleep tonight, while hopefully avoiding death from being frozen, slipping on a patch of ice, being mugged or murdered by the homeless people, or raped by the street hookers we've been encountering.

We have also been rationing the food we took from the hotel, so we don't have to worry about starving to death, for the time being. The encounter with the crazy Concierge has made us too scared to return to the Plaza. The uncertainty about Dad's credit card being reported stolen or not, it being the holiday season, and the limited amount of money on-hand, has made it impossible for us to check in anywhere else.

"Are we lost, Christine?" Linnie asks. She and Kevin are also shivering from the cold. We all could use a hot drink right now. It doesn't have to be sweet, just hot.

"I believe we are, sweetheart," I truthfully tell her, feeling hopeless about the situation we're currently in. I wish Mom and Dad were here right now. I then say to Kevin, "I can take your backpack, Kevin, if it's becoming too heavy for you to carry, sweetie."

Kevin nods, hands me his backpack, and tells me, "My Talkboy is in there,"

I just nod, remembering that he recorded the Wet Bandits' plans about robbing Duncan's Toy Chest and their plans about killing us. Kevin and Linnie quickly latch onto me, scared, as we encounter another homeless person. This one is obviously dealing with some serious PTSD, based on his erratic behavior, and judging by the army jacket he's wearing, he must've been a veteran that fought during the Vietnam War, just like my father did, when I was very little.

Dad told me he stayed over there a year after he was drafted, before Grandpa Sean somehow was able to get him out of the warzone, and assigned to a base close to Indianapolis, for the rest of the time he was in the Army. Dad also told me how Mom and Grandmother Penelope cried every night he was gone, hence the reason why my Grandpa got him out of there.

My Grandpa didn't want my Mom to become a young war widow. He also didn't want my Grandma dealing first-hand, seeing one of her children being buried, and he didn't want me growing up without a Father. Also, the McCallister Family had already experienced enough tragedy from losing loved ones in the war.

'He must be having flashbacks from the trauma he endured over there…' I think to myself.

I remember the stories Dad told me about the horrible things that occurred over there, and the heavy guilt he dealt with, about those who weren't as lucky to make it out of Vietnam alive, like he was. I pull away my siblings from him for their safety, fearing he might snap and try to kill us, thinking we're members of the Vietcong or the North Vietnamese Army out to kill him.

"Hey, Christine, look at the sick old lady with all the pigeons using her stained and torn clothes as a perch to poop on. I bet it smells like poop, too," Kevin points and gawks at the woman, making fun of her. The woman is talking with another homeless person near an oil drum that's lit to keep them both warm.

"Kevin, that's a very mean thing to say about someone you don't know. Mom raised you better than that," I scold.

"Both her and her friend look scary. Can we turn back?" Linnie begs.

"I'm sure it will be fine. I have a feeling she can be trusted, and that man has to go through me, if he dares try to hurt either of you," I assure her, walking closer to the pigeon lady.

Hopefully, she can point us to the way out of the park. I also just remembered that Uncle Rob lives here… Maybe we can crash at his place for the night, even if it means unlawfully breaking in, since he's not home. I'm sure he wouldn't mind.

"Well, hello there," The pigeon lady kindly smiles. "Feel free to join me and my friend here by the fire. You three look like you could use a little warming up."

"Thanks. It is cold," I smile kindly in return to her. My siblings stand close to me, as we all place our hands near the crackling fire. I'm feeling that wonderful warmth, pushing away the coldness and chill we've been feeling.

"So, what would your names be?" the pigeon lady asks. Judging from her accent, she must Irish.

Feeling unsure and paranoid if it's safe disclosing our names, taking into consideration what has happened to my siblings and I today. Though, I feel like I can trust her. "I'm Christine. This is my younger sister, Melinda, and my younger brother, Kevin," I politely introduce ourselves.

"Nice to meet you three. My name is Susan, and this gentleman beside me goes by Lefty. Not sure if that's his real name or not," she refers to the quiet older man, wearing the ratty brown overcoat, and moth-eaten stocking cap.

He's eyeballing the three of us, giving me some pre-rape vibes. He's also been drinking, judging by the sour piss stench coming from him. Did I really smell like that to my siblings, when I got drunk last night?

"Nice to meet you, as well," I reply back, while my siblings hesitantly nod. They're still not trusting the bird lady or her friend.

"It might not be any of my business, Christine, but why are three young people, such as you and your siblings, wandering around Central Park, on the night before Christmas Eve? Especially with all the muggings happening… The park is very dangerous at this time of night to be alone in, especially the way you three are dressed," she asks, sounding concerned for our well-being.

We must stick out like sore thumbs with the clean upscale clothing we're wearing; it sends an open invitation to be mugged. She also does make a very good point, if the events of today are anything to go by.

"Well, Susan, you see, we're lost, and we've been trying to find our way out of the park, but it seems like we're just going in circles. I thought, maybe, you could show us the exit that would lead us out of the park? We do have a place to stay tonight," I ask, politely, going ahead with the plans to break into my Uncle Rob's apartment.

"Ah, I understand now. You're not from New York, I assume? Central Park, especially at night, is a very easy place to get lost, if you're unfamiliar with the area. Lucky for you, I do know an exit out of here. Just follow me. Like I said before, the park is dangerous at night, and it would make me feel better, if you three were somewhere much safer…" Susan pauses, turning her focus onto her friend.

"Lefty, what's wrong?" she asks, referring to the expression on Lefty's face. He leers at my siblings and I, scaring us. Lefty ignores her, as he slaps Linnie hard behind both of her ears, knocking her out cold. Her body falls to the ground.

"What the hell?!" I shriek at the insane bastard, feeling insanely pissed off. "Hey, you sick bastard! You dare attack my sister, especially when she hasn't done anything to you?!" I scream at the bum, while making sure Linnie's all right. The bastard just flips me off, as I see his sick gaze focus onto Kevin. In a blind fury, and against my better judgment, I drop the bags I've been carrying and charge at the bum, with the intent to cause him a lot of pain. The crazy bum is fast, as he dodges the punch I throw. He counters with a hard kick to my already-sore ribs, inflaming them, as I double over in pain. "You sick bastard!" I scream.

I helplessly watch him grab Kevin by the arm and put him over his shoulder. Kevin begins screaming to be let down. My mind is thinking of the most painful way I'm going to kill the bum that dared snatched my little brother, when I get my hands on him.

"Lefty, have you gone crazy, attacking those girls?! Why are you holding that boy for?! You put him down this instant! Those three have done nothing to you!" Susan shouts, bravely grabbing a hold of Lefty's arm, slowing him down, and trying to save Kevin.

"Get off of me, you crazy bird woman!" he threateningly shouts at Susan.

I hear her wail loudly, and the pigeons noisily scattering away, after he loudly thwacks her across the face with his hand. He shoves her hard onto the ground, right into a trashcan-judging from the sound-scaring Kevin in the process.

"Let me go, you mean horse's ass! Christine, help me please! Don't let this mean man take me away!" Kevin screams, as the nightmare I had last year about Kevin being kidnapped flashes in my mind.

"Kevin, I'm coming, sweetie!" I cry, feeling full of murderous rage. I try my best to catch the crazy homeless bum that's fleeing away with my brother. I'm unable to see from the darkness, and the pain in my midsection is holding me back.

"Christine, the mean man is taking me to…" I hear Kevin shout once more, before hearing a loud thwack and a sudden silence.

"Kevin!" I scream again, but with no reply. "Kevin, baby, please yell, if you can hear me!" I beg, but again, no answer. "Kevin, scream 'Will's a pill', if you can hear me!" I faintly scream once more, the tears wailing up in my eyes. I frantically look for any sign of Kevin or the crazy bum, but there's none. "DAMNNNNNN!" I burst out, sobbing. I angrily rasp for air, because Kevin is gone, kidnapped by that bum, and I couldn't do anything to stop him. I can hear Susan screaming for help, as I limp back in that direction to help her and Linnie…

Vista Marlin Resort-Miami

December 23, 1991-8:15 P.M.

(Kate's PoV:)

The entire family is together in the sitting room, watching the movie, Christmas at Plum Creek, save for Megan, who's asleep in one of the bedrooms. Fred's lying in bed with her, keeping a close watch on her for me, and to alert me, if Megan needs anything.

Megan became unexplainably sick, all of a sudden, early this afternoon, much to my worry. So, I did what any reasonable Mother would do, when their child becomes sick: I put her to bed. As for myself, my eyes are closed, deep in prayer, asking God to share his strength and wisdom with my family, to us help face the challenges that lie ahead of us, to keep a protective watch over our family, and to be reunited with my three missing children.

The sound of Megan suddenly screaming and Fred barking startles the family. Peter and I quickly leap up and rush to her side, to see what's wrong. Upon entering the room where Megan is, I freeze in terror, when I see Megan's body, convulsing like crazy. "Linnie's in pain! I can feel it! It hurts so bad! Someone, please help her! Oh my God… Christine and Kevin are in danger, too! Someone, please help them…" she screams.

I just look at Peter, as I begin crying, from seeing my daughter in this condition. I'm unsure what to do… I'm scared to try waking her up. Fred hops off the bed and rushes toward me, whimpering. He senses Megan's distress, too.

"Peter, what's wrong with Megan? Why is she saying those things about her siblings? What kind of nightmare is she having?" I hoarsely ask him, feeling frightened, as I try to calm down my fur baby. The stress about everything is really beginning to take its toll with my mental state.

Peter looks at me with uncertainty and speaks, "I'm not exactly sure, Kate. I've heard that some twins can feel the strong emotions and pain that their twin feels through a telepathic bond. I've also heard some twins can talk to one another through telepathy, as well, but I don't know if this applies to Megan and Linnie. I think Megan is just having a very bad nightmare from missing her siblings,"

A sick feeling tightly grips my stomach, hoping Peter is right about this being a nightmare. I don't want to think of the implications of what this means for my missing children, if it's not—if Megan and Linnie do share a telepathic bond.

Peter and I sit on the bed, as we gently grab a hold of Megan. We begin whispering calmly that everything's going to be all right, she's safe, and her siblings are safe. Fred even tries to help, by lying his head against Megan's leg. Megan slowly awakens and bursts out sobbing, once she sees us. It causes me to cry, too.

Megan goes into horrible detail about what she saw happen to her three siblings, causing me to almost pass out in shock. I tightly hold her. My hand is on her forehead to see if she's still running a fever, which has broken, thank goodness. I'm trying to convince her that she just had a terrible nightmare, and that everyone is fine. The sound of a phone ringing causes me to jump, as I quickly answer it, putting it on speaker.

"Hello, Kate McCallister speaking," I'm hoping it's news about Christine, Kevin, and Linnie. Fred, Peter, and Megan listen.

"Mrs. McCallister, this is Officer Malloy of Miami-Dade Airport Police. I just want to inform you, we located your children, ma'am," he speaks. To my delight, I see a tearful smile form on Megan's face, upon hearing her siblings have been found. I hope this eases her worries from the nightmare she just had.

"Where are they?" I ask, tearfully. I embrace both my husband and daughter in happiness about Kevin, Linnie, and Christine finally being located.

"They're in New York City, ma'am," he says. He then explains how Christine using Peter's credit card to check into the Plaza Hotel, triggered the trace placed on the card in locating them.

"Are they still there? Are they safe?" I ask, because all of us are dying to know if they're OK.

"I'm sorry, but I don't have that information. Just get to the airport as soon as you can. A private jet has been arranged by the F.B.I., and is waiting to take you to New York," he says. Peter and I share a look, while the mood in the room deflates. Megan looks like she wants to cry again.

"We're on our way to the airport now, and, Officer Malloy, thanks for your assistance in finding my children," I reply.

"You're welcome, Mrs. McCallister. Have a merry Christmas,"

"You too," Before ending the call, I look at Peter and ask, "I just realized, Officer Malloy mentioned the F.B.I…. You think Andrea might know something? She must've contacted Officer Malloy after you contacted her. I mean, she's probably the one, who chartered the private jet."

"It wouldn't hurt to try," Peter replies. He dials the number to Andrea's mobile phone and puts it on speaker, once it starts ringing.

"Agent McCallister speaking," I hear Andrea yawn, answering the phone. She must be on duty.

"Andrea, it's Peter. The airport police just contacted us and mentioned that Kevin, Christine, and Linnie have been found. The officer explained that they're in New York City, and checked into the Plaza Hotel, using my credit card. He couldn't tell us anything else, like if they were still at the hotel or not, or if they were safe. I thought I'd call you to see if you have any information you could give us,"

"Oh, Peter, Officer Malloy must've contacted you, then. I'm sorry to say they're no longer at the hotel… The NYPD are currently out searching for them," Andrea explains.

"What do you mean, they're no longer there? What in the hell happened, Andrea, to cause them to leave the hotel?!" Peter abruptly raises his voice, becoming upset, which is very rare for him.

"I can't say over the phone. It's better if I explain it to you in person, once you and Kate arrive in New York. I'm sorry, Peter," Andrea replies.

I suddenly become pale, feeling the urge to vomit, from the fear of hearing that three of my children are currently roaming the streets in one of the most dangerous cities in America, at night, in the cold, on the day before Christmas Eve. The way Andrea speaks has me terrified that something bad did happen to them. I guess I should be blessed that Andrea is in New York, too. I don't want to think of how things would be different, if she wasn't. Megan is now crying into my shoulder.

"Alright, then, Andrea. We'll be on our way to New York as soon as we can," Peter says.

"I'll be waiting for you at LaGuardia Airport. Please hurry," Andrea says, before hanging up.

Save for the loud reaction from the family after we tell them Kevin, Christine, and Linnie have been located in New York, packing is mostly a quiet affair, as is the van ride to Miami-Dade Airport. There's some excited chatter from some of the younger members of the family, about having a whole plane to themselves, upon seeing the large private jet that's waiting to take us to New York. We don't even have to go through the terminal building. The van drops us off right at the plane.

I make sure Megan takes some fever reducer, and is resting comfortably in her seat, since she's running a light fever again. I guess the new fears about her missing siblings must've triggered it. I find myself buckled into my seat, with Fred lying at my feet. I look numbly out the window at the darkness, preparing to say "farewell" to Miami, and scared of what kind of news awaits me in New York City about my children.

I pray the fears I'm having about Kevin, Christine, and Linnie being hurt turn out to be wrong. Peter grabs my hand, since it's his way of reassuring me that everything will be fine. The plane prepares to take off…

END

A/N: Mobile phones existed in 1991, but they were very expensive, the batteries didn't last very long, calls were charged by the minute, and were nothing like the Smartphones we have today.