Are you enjoying the suspense? Is it killing you? Are you ready to find out the identity of Mr. Mysterious?

Disclaimer: I wish i was as good and imaginative as S.E. Hinton to come up with The Outsiders...but i didn't

It was dark as pitch. I couldn't see my hand in front of my face. That is, if I could lift my hand. Something cold and presumably metal held me down by my wrists. Duct tape secured my mouth shut and the rest of my being ached. A crack of light streamed in.

In he stepped. Sauntering like he was the shit. My fist burned with the desire to punch the living daylights outta him. A squeak escaped from my throat. I was pitiful. A scarred animal, caught in a trap.

"My dear, don't be frightened." His voice was warm, yet rough; like he was holding back some emotion. "The others were only for practice…I would never hurt you. That is, if you be a good girl."

Tears stung my eyes. What did you get yourself into Carmen? A voice screamed in the back of my head.

"Now, I'm a very lonely man. My wife and son left me years ago. I need a," he paused, searching for a word, "companion. You, my queen, look ravishing."

I swallowed, hard. My throat burned from screaming. Something told me no one could here me. I was in the middle of nowhere.

Very carefully, he pealed off my duct tape. I opened my mouth to unleash my screams and curses, but he was smarter than I gave him credit for. My mouth was covered by his callused hand.

"Dear, sweet Carmen," I winced at my name, "don't scream. I wouldn't want to hurt you. But if I must…"

My collar bone was hit with a slice of cold. Then pain. I bit my lip so I wouldn't cry out. A knife flashed in his hand. Blood was pouring over my chest, soaking my shirt.

"Ponyboy will get me. And kick your ass," I promised.

I shot straight up. I was in bed. At home.

My hand fluttered absently to my chest. The cold metal lingered on my skin. What the hell was that? My hair brush lay on the pillow next to me and the curtains were closed. Oh. Oh.

He was here. Last night, he waved at me. Then the dream…

With shaking hands, I pulled the covers away. It was still dark outside. Not early enough to get up. How could I go to sleep again?

Unsteadily, I stood up and crept to the window. On it was an envelope. Lavender. I opened the window and pealed it off. It was the same kind that Austin sent me for my birthday.

Sorry I missed your birthday Princess Rose. I need to collect you and give you your present. I have already found you; it's just a matter of time. Soon, you'll forget that measly boy and come to your senses. You are the kind of girl who needs a man to give her what she wants. I am willing to give, if you'd only let me.

Yours truly,

Prince Philip

Was this some kind of sick joke?

I closed the window and starred at the letter until I knew the lines by heart. Call Ponyboy, my head whispered.

My head spinning, I stumbled into the living room. Dialing the number, I sat down.

"Hello!"

"Sodapop?" I didn't realize until I heard my voice that I was crying.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

I sobbed before saying, "Come over, please."

"All of us?"

"Yes, please."

"We'll be right there."

I let the phone fall back onto the receiver. He knew where I lived. He was going to get me. I was going to die.

The knock on my door made me jump out of my skin. Grabbing the scissors off the counter I stalked towards the door. It was the guys of course! Silly, paranoid me…

"Carmen," Sodapop murmured opening his arms. I fell forward and held on tight.

"Sodapop, he's gunna get me," I sobbed like a child.

"Carmen, who is?" Sodapop smoothed my hair and suddenly picked me up.

He put me down on the sofa and I curled up against him, exhausted.

"Carmen, you have to tell us," Ponyboy said at the same time Dallas yelled, "What the hell happened Carmen?"

I lifted my head and looked bleary eyed at Dally. "You remember my first day here?" He nodded, his jaw clenching.

"The guy," I shuddered and Dallas's breath caught. "He-he-"

Dally came forward and crouched in front of me. "He called me, on my birthday…he called," I managed.

Dallas nodded and urged me to continue.

"Then, last night, I saw him outside my window. He left this," I handed him the purple paper.

Dally whistled low and long. "God, Pony, look at this," he handed the letter around.

"Carmen, we won't let 'em hurt you. Never," Sodapop vowed. Ponyboy looked pale and ready to punch a wall. His fists were clenched and he was glaring at nothing.

"I had a dream last night too." I launched into my tale of the nights events, in detail.

"Glad you ain't a psychic!" Two-Bit laughed half-heartedly.

I snuggled closer to Soda who held me tighter. "You're okay, you're okay."

"So, wait. That means whoever-the-hell this is, is the Tulsa murderer?" Steve asked.

"Guess so," I sniffed.

"And now he's coming after you?"

"Yep."

"Shit."

That summed it up quiet nicely.

From that moment on, I was to never be alone. Two-Bit drove me to and from school. Darry was informed what was going on and Ponyboy spent the nights at my house, or I at his. I slept on the couch and for the first time ever, the door was locked.

Nothing happened for days. The entire gang seemed to be holding its' breath.

One night, exactly a week after the note showed up, Ponyboy suggested we go see a movie.

"Sounds like a plan. I'll call the girls," Steve offered.

We met them at the movie house and Two-Bit let my story slip. Kathy linked arms with me to my right and Sylvia to my left. Sylvia and I were never close, but she had a protective edge.

"Whoever it is wants to kill Carmen," Steve explained.

"Over my dead body," Sylvia sneered.

It seemed like I was safe. No one would ever get me. I was safe.

Spring break starts tomorrow! I grinned to myself as I maneuvered the halls. The entire student body was in an uproar of excitement. I approached my locker to find Two-Bit leaning faithfully against it.

"Hey chica!" he smirked as I spun my combination.

"Hi, Two-Bit!"

I slammed my locker open and shoved my Geometry book on the shelf. A dark red envelope fell to the ground. I retrieved it and put it in my jacket pocket. I forgot about it until later.

"Carmen, what's that?" Johnny asked pulling the envelope out of my pocket.

"Oh, it fell out of my locker," I muttered. We were at my place tonight, watching a movie like usual on a Friday night.

My dearest Aurora,

Why do you hide from me? I only wish to give you happiness. Your friends can not stop me! No one can. When we are finally together, you will wonder why you resisted for so long. Just denial my dear, that is all. Come to me. I await you!

Yours truly,

Prince Philip

Damnit! Oh, damnit!

My fist clenched and I thrust the envelope to Johnny.

"It's awfully weird he keeps calling you by a Princess's names." Johnny pointed out.

"I'm calling Sodapop."

Sodapop seemed to be the only one who really understood how scarred I was. The others, even Ponyboy, thought I was over-reacting a bit.

Sodapop came over and looked at the letter with the eye of a detective.

"It showed up in your locker?"

"Yes, it was there when I got there."

"Damn…he may know more than we thought."

Initially, we figured he found my house through some other way besides actually following me. Now, I'm not so sure.

"Sodapop! What am I supposed to do? Just wait till he gets me?" I cried.

"He won't get you."

At the time I believed him. Now I wonder how I could've been so ignorant.

"Carmen, can you grab the mail for me?" my mother shouted from the kitchen.

"I'm on it!" I jogged swiftly to the mail box and pulled the stack of magazines out. Sitting on top, was a pure black envelope. I silver calligraphy it said my name. No return address.

I shoved it in my pocket, not wanting my mom to find it, and raced back into the house.

"Anything good?"

"No, not good at all…" I handed her the pile and went to my room. This is the third letter.

Briar Rose,

What a delight! My plan is being set into motion as you read this! Can you stand it? If you would just give in…But, my dear, you are stubborn and I adore you for that. See you soon,

Have you guessed yet?

The silver writing winked at me and I glared back defiantly. Soon? How soon? I put down the envelope and went to call my confidant: Sodapop.

"Hey, Carmy, we're down at the DX! I'll come pick you up!" he exclaimed.

That was about all.

When we arrived at the DX, I felt like I was missing something. Something vitally important that I was not catching.

"Hey! Carmen, come here for a sec!" Steve ushered me in.

"Dad, this is my other friend Carmen Rose, Carmen this is my dad," Steve grinned as he introduced me to the man. He lifted his head and my heart jumped outta my chest. Oh god. Oh, shit no! I reached out and clutched Ponyboy's hand in warning. Didn't he realize it? Didn't any one realize it? Oh, god…it's him!

Well...whatya think? Is she finally going to be taken? Will Ponyboy be able to save her? Find out next time!!! oh, and Carmen said she'd go on strike unless people review...