Chapter 25 (Where there's hell heaven isn't to far away)

Nikki awoke to Shane sitting beside her rubbing her hair and telling her how much he loved her. She opened her eyes slowly, "What time is it," Nikki asked trying to sit up. "Its late sweety, don't try to sit up," Shane said. "No it's ok I can," Nikki said as she sat up looking around the room. "Where's Belle?" Nikki asked. "I don't know," Shane said. Nikki sat there for a few minutes clearing her head. All at once it hit her she knew where Belle was. "Shane go get Mark now," Nikki said standing up. "What, why," Shane said not understanding what Nikki was saying. "Don't ask any questions just go get him," Nikki said getting upset. Shane turned and left the hut. Nikki quickly assessed her injuries and put them aside because she knew her friend was out there with him. Nikki left the hut, once outside Mark and Shane met her. "So Nikki what's up," Mark said. "I know where Belle is and you've got to help me, you and Shane," Nikki began to explain how she had told Belle about Sean doing this to her and that if she knew Belle she would go after him. "Mark you have to help there's no telling what he'll do to her," Nikki said in a pleading voice. "Ok me and Shane will head out to look for her you stay her, ok darlin'," Mark said. "No damnit I'm coming with you because I feel that all of this is my fault some how. Mark, he's crazy. He'll hurt her, I'm going and you can't stop me," Nikki said. "Damnit Nikki, don't do this," Shane said. But Nikki turned and headed off into the jungle. "Ok Nikki wait the fuck up we're coming," Shane yelled. Mark walked through the jungle looking for any sign of Belle. His insides were turning with hate, cause god help that man if he harmed one hair on her head. "Mark we'll find her," Nikki said as she walked up beside him. She could see the torment on his face. "Nikki I'll kill him if he's hurt her," Mark said with a growl. "Aw you love her don't ya," Nikki said. "Yes I recken I do, now let's find her," Mark replied.

Half way up a trail they were met by Matt, "Guys come with me I thought I saw someone going out toward the cliff just a second ago." "How did you get here before us," Nikki questioned Matt feeling like something just wasn't right. "Oh well, we've all been out looking for Belle since she disappeared," Matt said. "Is that so, well show us," Shane said. Matt walked ahead of them with a smile on his face. "Up there," Matt pointed to where the jungle opened up to a cliff. Quickly Mark and Shane stormed by with Nikki in tow. Matt waited patiently for them to go ahead, after all its what the boss wanted.

Coming out onto the cliff they couldn't believe what they saw. Sean was holding a lifeless Belle close to the edge. Mark went to make a move, "TRAP," was all Belle could manage to scream before she went limp. "So you finally come to my playground," Sean said. "Let her go Sean," Mark growled through his teeth. "Well you see Mark it's not up to you it's up to Nikki," Sean said. "What Sean, What do you want from me," Nikki cried. "You know you've always known I want you to bow down to me and give yourself to me solely," Sean said. "NEVER," Shane yelled. "Oh yeah I almost forgot her super hero," Sean said. Before Shane had time to react he was tackled from behind. Mark quickly moved to his aid and lifted Matt up from him. "Matt why, I thought you," Nikki said confused. "Yeah you were a good lay but nothing to talk about after all my taste isn't for whores," Matt spit at Nikki. "You son of a bitch," Shane yelled tearing after Matt. "Nikki are you forgetting about someone or is the people you've slept with more important," Sean asked. "What will it be her or you, make a choice," Sean said getting closer to the edge. "I can't, please Sean," Nikki begged. "Why Nikki you're begging," Sean said. Mark stood there taking in the scene feeling helpless because he knew if he made a move, Sean would toss Belle over the edge. "Nikki I'm waiting, ok no answer I'm tired of playing this game," with that Nikki watched as Sean let her friend fall over the edge. "NO!" Nikki screamed running to the edge. "You bastard you will pay," with that Mark attacked Sean so viciously, the man became like a rag doll. Mark proceeded to pound him in the face over and over. Nikki peered over the edge of the cliff and seen that Belle had managed to grab on to some out cropping vines. Quickly Nikki extended her hand to Belle. Belle looked up and took her hold. "You hang on Belle no matter what don't let go, you hear me," Nikki said through tears. Shane had Matt down and was able to get a rock and knock him unconscious. Turning he took in the scene of Mark beating an already unconscious Sean. "GOD HELP ME," Nikki screamed feeling her friend loosing hold, Nikki felt so helpless because she knew that she couldn't get Belle up, she wasn't strong enough. "Nikki let go, my size will only pull you over the edge, Nikki listen to me let go," Belle said in exhaustion. "NO NEVER I"LL NEVER LET GO, DAMNIT GOD HELP ME," Nikki felt Belle let go of her hand. "NO" Nikki screamed. It only took a second before Mark realized what was happening he turned and made a quick dive for the edge followed by Shane grabbing on to his legs to keep him from going over.

"BELLE NO," Nikki screamed as she lost hold of her friend. Then out of no where Mark was there grabbing Belle's outstretched arm and pulling her up. Shane used his weight as a leverage to keep Marc from going over. Once Mark had Belle Shane proceeded to back up using all his might. Mark pulled Belle back over the edge and rolled with her to safety.

"Oh god Mark she's not breathing," Nikki cried trying to get to her friend. "No stay away, Shane come help me," Mark screamed with tears in his eyes. Nikki watched as they did CPR on her friend. "COME ON BELLE BREATH DARLIN'," Mark yelled. "Yeah Belle come back to us girl Nikki needs you, Mark needs you," Shane said. After about two minutes Mark was able to feel a slight pulse. "Nikki come here honey I need you to watch her while I go for help," Mark said to a hysterical Nikki. "No don't leave what if they wake up," Nikki said. Nikki looked down at her friend and instantly hit her knees beside Belle. Pulling Belle's head in her lap Nikki began to rock her. "Belle don't leave me, I'm sorry, don't leave me, you can't your all I've got," Nikki cried "Come on please Belle don't give up, so many people need you Belle, Mark needs you Belle he told me he loves you," Nikki cried.

Mark heard a rumbling that sounded like thunder only it kept getting closer. Mark and Shane moved to the edge just in time to see a lifeguard copter appear in front of them. Shane turned and ran back to where Nikki was holding her friend. "Nikki look the life guards here honey it's going to be ok," Shane said as he put an arm around Nikki's shoulder. Mark approached picking up Belle, "Darlin', you hang in there helps here, hang on just a little longer," Mark said as tears slipped from his eyes.