Disclaimer: I don't own this book, movie, nor the characters. They belong to Natalie Babbit, and Natalie Babbit alone. Props to her book, which I loved.

A/N: Here's the fifth chapter finally! Sorry for the wait!

Chapter 5

It had been several hours since Winnie had begun her journey to find true love, but something in the pits of her stomach was telling her that it was not going to be easy. Suddenly she heard the sound of crinkling footsteps that were not hers...they came from behind. She stopped. They stopped. "Isn't this strange?" thought Winnie to herself. She knew that it was more than strange. She knew that someone was following her and she had no idea who it was. "Calm yourself down," she whispered to herself, "Calm yourself down." But she couldn't...her heart was racing faster and faster by the minute. Her pace had slowly increased and at the moment, she was lightly running through the dense forest. What she didn't see because of the darkness of the night, was a log right in her path. She tripped and flew face first over the log and hit the solid ground. The sound of footsteps came closer and closer until finally a person flew right on top of her.

"I've got you now! I've been waiting for this moment," snarled the voice of a man

Winnie started screaming and pounding her fists. She tried to roll over and beat the man so she could get away, but the weight on top of her was so great that she could barely move a muscle without great effort. "Get off of me!" she yelled.

"Oh, so you think I'd get of you right now when I've got you in my fingertips?" laughed the man. He covered Winnie's open mouth with his hand so that she couldn't scream anymore. Then with his massive strength, got up, picked up the kicking and hitting Winnie, and put a gag in her mouth. Then he tied up her hands and feet.

"I've got to think of a proper punishment for you," he said. Then he started chuckling. "I have the best thing! It will be painful, very painful for you."

He searched around for a nice solid tree...which wasn't too hard to find in the forest...and strapped Winnie to it. He gathered dry leaves and twigs and scattered them all around the base of the tree...underneath Winnie's feet.

Winnie's eyes and lips started trembling as she released a flood of tears. She was so confused. What did she do to this man to deserve such a punishment?

"Now, my dear, you might be wondering why I am doing this to you, where I have come from, and why you deserve this so much," he said as if reading her mind. "Well, I'm gonna answer just that. Sometime ago my cousin was killed by a so-called Mae Tuck. And a so-called Winnie Foster was the cause of her escaping. Now, I know that he would've loved to seek revenge, so I'm doing this for him. In fact, his ghost talked to me some time ago telling me about you and showing me what you looked like and all. He never told me what such a fine young lady you are...or excuse me...would've been had you not meddled in the whole affair. His ghost told me that you were to be killed in a most painful way..." At this the man paused and gave an evil grin and continued, "and what more painful way then to be burned alive."

Then the man cackled to himself in the most evil way. Then he reached for his pocket and pulled out a box of matches. Winnie watched in fear as he lit one. He held it up to his face and his eyes were bloodshot and glazing in the moon light. As the clouds moved from the moon, she caught a glimpse of his clothing. He was wearing a green suit.

"Ah...so you see my clothes. The man in the green suit would you call me?" he chuckled. "My cousin was the man in the yellow suit. You did a bad thing for being responsible for his death."

Then as he was about to lay the match at the base of the tree, a strong voice from behind the man in the green suit yelled, "You blow out that match now."

"Who are you? Smoky the bear?" the man cackled. "I have business to do." The man in the green suit turned back around towards the tree and threw the match in the tree. The fire started burning and Winnie could already feel the heat near her feet...and it was rising.

"No!" yelled the voice. Then the young man started running towards the tree that Winnie was burning at, but he was stopped by the man in the green suit. They started getting into a fist fight that ended up with them wrestling on the ground. But all the young man could thing about was saving her. He needed to think fast, because the fire was rising higher by the minute.

Suddenly he spotted a revolver in the belt of the man in the green suit. He reached for in when he wasn't expecting and pulled the trigger. The man in the green suit dropped to the ground never to say another living word again.

Quickly, the young man ran towards the tree, and not even thinking about his own life, put himself in danger and started to rip the rope which bound her with his bare hands. When he finished, he grabbed the body and gently laid her across his lap with her head cradled in his arms. He was weeping at the body of the girl just laying there lifeless.

"Winnie," he cried shaking her, "Winnie it's me! Jesse! Please tell me you're gonna be fine." Then his head collapsed into his head and he flew into a fit of tears. "Please say something...anything. I just want to know that you are alive."

The world was silent. Everything was still but the clouds in the sky which slowly re-hid the once bright moon.

A/N: This has been the easiest chapter for me to write so far. Sorry for the wait, and thanks for the encouragement from many reviewers who have encouraged me to keep on with it. For each and everyone of you who did just that, I thank you.

So, what do you think of my update? (laughs evilly) Aren't I mean? I already have the whole chapter planned out, so I hope to update sooner than months and months.

Next chapter: Is Winnie still alive or will she never return again to the living world? Stay tuned to find out! Oh. And before anyone gets all paranoid...remember this little hint: water is good for you.

Please review and let me know what you think! Thanks! Oh, next chapter will be the last chapter. One more thing. I wanted to take the time to thank you reviewers personally.

Sandstar72: Thanks so much for your review! I would've used your idea but I've actually had the idea of a man in the green suit ever since I started writing the story. But I appreciate you idea.

Meggie: Ditto. The way the book ended was so unsatisfying. Oh, and you said that you hope my ending is better. I know it looks really sad right now, but I always end my stories on a good note. Thanks for reviewing!

Cloiy anarya: Thanks for the review! Ever since I saw the movie and read the book I'm like, "Why didn't she drink the stupid water?" So I made up my mind to write a fanfic. And I'm happy that I am.

Tobubaka: Thanks for the review! I'm sorry I haven't emailed you yet. I forgot all about it. I'll email ya soon if you still want to talk hockey!

Amy Balderrama: Thanks for reviewing!

Cancan227: This update is for you.

Jenny of Masbolle: Your review brightened my day the most. Your words of encouragement really helped me to want to start writing this again. Thanks so much!

Lauren: Does something seem familiar to you? I used your idea! Thanks so much! You helped me a lot. Thanks again.