Peter's eyes fluttered open at the sight of sunlight pouring in through the window. He sat up and looked to his side and saw Cara lying peacefully, still asleep, beside him. He smiled; he wouldn't wake her—she looked too relaxed. The light was better than it had been last night, so Peter could clearly see her bruises clearly now. They were faded to green instead of the dark purple that Peter's shoulder was, but they were blotchy and covered way too much of her body…it was a horrible sight to look at, not because they were flaws, but because someone actually had the nerve to do something like that to her. Peter swore he'd get at least a punch in when they found Jeff, that was for sure. Peter got up carefully as not to disturb Cara and he saw in the mirror that his body was still smudged with Cara's lipstick from last night. Peter laughed at that and went off to the shower.
Cara started to wake up soon after that. She smiled as she thought about last night; screw Jeff, this was it! She stretched and got up out of bed. Once she was dressed and showered, she went on over to the living room to find everyone, including Bill sitting in a group. "Hey guys," said Cara sitting down next to Peter. "Bill, where's Jane?"
"Just what I'm wondering," said Bill. "Jane's missing—and by the looks of my car, she put up a fight. Someone nabbed her up last night after the gala, and I'm thinking Jeff." At that precise moment, the phone rang.
"I've got it guys," said Abigail, picking the phone up. "Hello? "What do you want? You took her where? Oh, of course we're gonna come and get her you dirty, rotten bastard! I don't give a fuck if I'm your sister dammit, I'm gonna kill you when I get my hands on you! What? There's no freaking way we're gonna give Cara up to you jerk! Oh, yeah, I'll see you soon alright!" Abigail slammed the phone down. "You were right Bill. Jeff has Jane, he said he had someone here at the hotel to nab her up after the gala last night to give Cara an incentive to come to him. He also said that if Cara didn't get to where he is today, he's gonna kill Jane."
Cara was in outer space. She felt dizzy and unreal. She leaned back into the couch and started to cry.
"Cara, what's wrong?" asked Mike.
"Oh, guys, this is all my fault!" she sobbed. "I swear, if it weren't for me running off to all you guys no one would be in this mess! No one would be about to die, and you'd be living your happy little lives without all of this crap to deal with! I should have just stayed with Jeff and lived through it…"
"What are you saying Cara?" said Peter, making everyone in the room jump. He rushed in front of her and grabbed her hand. "Cara, how can you say that? You ran because you had to, why in the world would you want to stay with Jeff? And hell, I know it sounds stupid, but I've enjoyed all of this, except for the evil guy after you and getting shot! Meeting you was one of the best parts of my life and I don't know what I would do if you hadn't knocked on our door that night! I am convinced that you are the love of my life, and that all of this is not your fault."
"Yeah Cara," said Davy. "Look, don't pin yourself on all of this. Today, we'll leave you here and go sneak Jane out, trust me, we're The Monkees, it'll be a synch!"
"No," said Cara, wiping her tears away. "Guys, if anyone's going to face Jeff and save Jane, it's gonna be me. I'm so sick and tired of running, it's not even funny."
"But Cara, you'll get hurt," said Peter.
"Yeah, and I don't care!" said Cara. "I'm done with all this hiding! Jane stuck her neck out for us, right? If it weren't for her, granted she almost had us caught, but still, if she hadn't switched sides, Jeff would have me right now! I think it's time to return the favor, and kick Jeff's sorry little ass."
"Well, I guess there's no stopping you," said Mickey. "Abigail, where did Jeff say he has Jane?"
"The old closed-down prison on the other side of town," said Abigail.
"Do you know how to get there?" asked Bill, frantic.
"Yeah, that's his little hideout," said Abigail. "Oh, when I get my hands on him…"
"Same here," said Cara. "We should leave now."
"Don't we need a plan?" asked Mike. "I mean, we can't just barge in there not knowing what we're doing, it could be dangerous."
"This whole thing is gonna get dangerous, plan or no plan," said Cara. "We have to go now if we're gonna have time to get Jane out of there."
Over at the old prison, Jeff had Jane tied to a steel bar in the middle of a dank, dark room. Alice stood in the corner, ready to strike if Jane should try to do anything stupid. "So Jane, it's nice to see you here again," sneered Jeff.
"Go to hell Jeff," spat Jane. "What do you think having me here is gonna accomplish?"
"Very much actually," said Jeff. "You see, I told those idiots back at that hotel that if they don't come here and get you today, you'll be dead by the next morning. Hey, we'll both win! You'll live, and I'll have Cara back! Isn't that fair?"
"Not by a longshot!" said Jane. "Trust me, they'll come, but they won't let you catch them, not Cara, not anybody! And when you take me out of these ropes, I'm gonna make you wish you were never born!"
"I'd love to see that," said Jeff. Jane made a move to lunge at him but Alice was quicker than her, slapping her across the face. Jane's cheek stung and she was shaking with rage, but she would not lose herself completely in there. She knew Cara and the boys, most importantly Bill, were coming after her; they had to be.
Everyone piled into one car, the Monkeemobile, on the way to the old prison. Abigail argued her way to the drivers' seat ("I'm the only one who knows where we're going, so I should drive!") and Mike submitted, taking the front passenger's seat again. The other five were crammed somehow in the backseat.
"Are we there yet?" whined Davy. "I'm getting crushed back here, I am!"
"It's a bit of a drive," said Abigail. "Cara, you okay back there?"
"Trying not to think too much," said Cara. "I can't believe this is actually happening already."
"Bout time," said Mike. "This guy's gonna get his just deserts I tell you. We probably way outnumber him too."
"Jeff has a lot of tricks up his sleeve," said Cara. "You really never know what you're gonna get. I wonder who he had in the hotel who kidnapped Jane."
"I dunno," said Mickey. "Did anyone seem suspicious?"
"Not anyone who I saw," said Peter. "I mean, I didn't very much care for that Rick fellow, but I don't think it was him. Maybe it was just a random person."
"Well I don't care if it was the Queen of England!" said Bill. "We gotta get Jane and set this asshole straight!"
"Bill, you seem really fired up over this," said Mike.
"Well why shouldn't he be?" asked Abigail. "Jane's gone!"
"Yeah, that's it," said Bill. Abigail pulled into a gravel lot in front of a large, hulking, windowless black building.
"This it?" asked Mike.
"Yeah," said Cara and Abigail. "Boy do I remember this place," said Cara. Everyone got out of the car except for Cara, who just sat and stared at the building.
"Cara, are you okay?" asked Peter.
"I'm fine," said Cara. "I just can't believe he's in there right now."
"It'll be alright," said Peter. He held out his hand and Cara took it. Peter helped Cara out of the car and the two made their way over to the group.
"Now how do you suppose we can get into there undetected?" asked Mike.
"We'll have to really think," said Mickey.
Back inside, Jeff was contemplating. "What am I gonna do to them once they get in here?" he asked.
"You won't do shit!" screamed Jane.
"Bitch, shut up!" screamed Alice. "You are annoying!"
"Oh, who asked you?" said Jane. Alice raised her hand again and Jane cowered.
"Well, I know I'm taking Cara, that's a fact," Jeff continued. "But do I kill her right away or use her some more times before I waste her? Decisions, decisions…"
"You're never gonna get away with this you know!" said Jane. "They're gonna outnumber you by so much, it's not even funny!"
"I thought both of us told you to shut your mouth, you irritating little insect!" said Alice.
"Oh, fuck you!" yelled Jane.
"Jane, I would advise you to keep your temper to a minimum," said Jeff. "Or bad things are going to happen to you whether anyone comes or not."
"Such big words for you Jeff," sneered Jane. "You might hurt yourself if you keep using them." Jeff let loose and punched Jane hard in the face twice, one giving her a bloody nose and the other blackening her eye. Red blood poured onto the white dress she still had on from last night.
"If that doesn't shut you up, I don't know what will," said Jeff menacingly.
The group stood on the dark first floor of the prison building, looking up the stairs. "What floor did he say it was on?" asked Peter.
"He didn't," said Abigail.
"I think he wants it to be like a game," said Cara, searching every corner. "Sort of a test; I wouldn't put it past him." Somewhere upstairs, a horrible, piercing scream echoed. Everyone, but mostly Bill, flinched. "I know this sounds horrible," said Cara again, "but I think we're going to have to follow the screams."
"Let's go guys," said Mike. He started to climb up and the rest of them followed. Peter clung to Cara on the way up. She remembered that he was afraid of the dark, and this place was very dark.
"Hold up," said Bill, making his way to the front of the line. He pulled out his lighter and lit it. "That better?"
"Much," sighed Peter. His grip on Cara loosened a little, but not by much. Not that Cara minded anyway.
"Hey guys, what's in this room?" asked Mickey as they got to the first landing.
"I dunno, but do you think we should be going in there?" asked Mike.
"There may be stuff in there we can use," said Davy.
"Like what?" asked Abigail.
"I dunno, a better light, some weapons, anything," said Davy. "I think it's worth a shot."
"Anything can help at this point," said Cara. "Let's have a look." The group turned the corner into the dimly-lit room. It was very dusty and was filled with lots of old odds and ends, some nearly unrecognizable.
"It doesn't look like anyone's used this room in ages," said Peter, picking up a pair of rusty scales. "Any idea of what this room was used for?"
"Who knows," said Mickey. "Probably just a storage room." Suddenly, there was a loud growl from the corner. "Geez, who's hungry now?" said Mickey.
"Mickey, I don't think that's a stomach," said Cara. Out of the shadows, a large, dirty, black dog appeared, growling, bristling, and very very mad.
"Nice doggy?" whispered Peter. The dog growled louder and started to bark. It ran at Peter, who made a run for it.
"Shoo!" yelled Bill, warding it off with a broom he had found on the desk. The dog knocked the broom out of his hands and bit his leg. Bill yelled in pain and tried to kick the dog off. Mike rushed over and kicked the dog himself, who went to turn on him.
"I've got Bill!" shouted Cara. "Everyone, get out of there and lock the door!" Cara had Bill lean on her as she rushed him out of that room. The others were inside brandishing brooms and books and anything they could get their hands on to keep the vicious animal at a distance. They got outside the door, but the dog got there too.
"Come on, we've got to push this thing back in!" shouted Mike. The four guys worked on the door while Cara and Abigail tended to Bill. The dog was peeking its snout outside the door, and with much force and effort, they finally had the door closed and locked. Growling and barking was still audible, but it was contained.
"Great job Davy," said Peter. "Nice suggestion going in there."
"Hey, I didn't know what was in there!" said Davy. "That dog was evil it was!"
"Bill, are you okay?" asked Mike.
"I'll live," said Bill. "Thing got my leg good."
"Here," said Mickey. He pulled a scarf (still don't know why he had a scarf) out of his pocket and handed it to Bill. "Just wrap it around your leg, like a bandage."
"Got it," said Bill, doing as Mickey said.
"Bill, do you want to stay here with one of us?" asked Mike.
"Hell no, are you kidding?" said Bill. "I'm going up there for Jane!"
"Man, how do you really feel about that bird?" asked Davy.
"What do you mean?" asked Bill.
"Oh, don't kid yourself," said Peter. "I see how you two are together! I can tell you like her, and she's crazy about you! Hey, it used to be me, but that was back when she was insane."
"Okay, so I like her," said Bill. "And that's why I'm gonna go after her dammit."
"Okay, you can come if you think you can," said Mike. "Just be careful."
"I will," said Bill, getting up. He held his lighter high as he limped up the stairs like everyone else. Somewhere upstairs, there was another yell.
Cara gripped Peter's hand, and he held her into him. "Everything's going to be fine," he said to her. She didn't say anything, but she probably didn't need to. The yells and screams and the voices got closer and closer as they approached their destination. Cara's heart thumped in her chest; she was actually going to face that bastard Jeff for the first time in months…was she actually ready for this?
They stopped outside the door where the noise was the loudest. "I think this is it," said Abigail. There were voices coming from behind the door:
"It's been hours," said Jeff. "Where are all your friends?"
"They'll be here!" said Jane. "Just wait and see!"
"Jane honey, I'd just face the truth and see that your 'friends' are flakes!" said another female voice that sort of sounded like—
"Alice?" whispered Mike. "It can't be Alice!"
"Only one way to find out," said Cara. Slowly, with a shaky hand, she gripped the doorknob and turned it. She pushed the door open, and the group burst inside.
"Not coming, eh?" said Abigail. "Hi there big brother, long time no see!"
"Well, you did come after all!" said Jeff. "What a pleasant surprise!" Jane sat in the middle of the room, tied to a post with a black eye and a broken bloody nose with blood spattered all over her white ballgown. In the corner stood Alice, looking menacing.
"Okay Jeff, you got what you wanted, now untie Jane and let her go!" shouted Cara from the crowd.
"Ohho! Look who we have here!" said Jeff. "Cara you little bitch, before we let Jane go, why don't you come right over here." He pointed next to him.
"Over my dead body," Cara growled. "Let Jane go!"
"Fine," said Jeff. He went over and cut the barely conscious Jane down from the post. Bill rushed over as Jane tumbled to the floor, cradling her.
"Fucking bastard," Bill cursed as he brought Jane back.
"Damn right," said Jeff. "Cara, dumb bitch, I said get the hell over here!"
"Like hell she will!" shouted Peter, coming in front of her.
"Aw, well look at this!" said Jeff. "It's the little idiot I ran into with my expensive car! Hey kid, if you give me a ten dollar bill I think we can figure something out, how about that?"
"Oh, knock it off!" said Peter. "Yeah, that was me then, but I'm a man dammit and I'm not afraid of you! If you want Cara, you're gonna have to go through me!"
"Yeah, and me!" said Davy.
"Me too!" said Mickey.
"And me!" said Mike.
"Plow on through me man!" said Bill.
"And me, you bastard," said Jane as strong as she could.
"Me too," said Abigail.
"Just face it man, you're outnumbered seven to two," said Mike. "Man Alice, how could I have trusted you?"
"You shouldn't have," said Alice. "It's okay, I don't like you anyway."
"I don't care how many people you have on your side!" said Jeff. "I'm taking Cara and that's final!" Peter didn't know how he did it, but he threw a punch and landed it right smack in the middle of Jeff's face. Jeff glared, and the fight began. Fists of everyone flew everywhere, except for Jane and Bill who managed to sneak downstairs to nurse their wounds. Cara was getting yanked between Peter and Jeff in a flurry of punches. Meanwhile, Mike and Alice were having their own little piece.
"Man, I don't get it!" said Mike. "You know, you're evil, get it, EV-VIL!"
"Well, I'm glad we got that straightened out!" said Alice. She grabbed a wooden plank lying on the ground and brandished it.
"Oh God, I'm not hitting a girl, I'm not hitting a girl, I'm not hitting a girl…" Alice whacked him in the head with the plank. "Oh, Goddammit, I'm hitting a girl!" He lunged at her and the two punched and smacked each other to no tomorrow.
"Hey, hey Jeff!" piped up Davy, interrupting Peter and Jeff's fight.
"Oh, what the hell do you want tiny?" moaned Jeff.
"How old ya say your sister was?" asked Davy, grinning in anticipation.
"Uh…eighteen," said Jeff, confused. "Why?"
"She hangs out!" said Davy. Jeff gave him a very pissed-off glare and Davy sped off, Jeff after him. "Run Peter!" Davy called. Peter did just that. Cara ran after him, but nor before Jeff had snacked the living daylights out of Davy and grabbed Cara.
"Help!" yelled Cara, kicking and flailing to get away from Jeff.
"Mickey!" cried Peter, trying to get Cara back. He and Mickey pulled, trying their hardest to free the girl.
"It's not worth it kids!" said Jeff. "She's all mine!"
Abigail snuck behind Jeff and started to slap him in all kinds of ways, but Jeff let go of Cara with one hand and knocked her unconscious with one swipe. "Abigail!" Davy shouted and ran to her. He dragged her out of the room. Mike and Alice were still locked I combat, but Mike managed to hold Alice off long enough to run. He grabbed Mickey on his way out, not realizing that he was helping Peter.
"Peter, help me!" Cara shouted.
"I'm trying Cara, I'm trying!" shouted Peter. His grip was getting weaker, he could feel it.
"Just give up kid," said Jeff. "Cause that's all you are, a kid!"
"That's not true!" shouted Cara. "He's a man, a good one at that, and I love him!"
"Psh, love!" scoffed Jeff. "No such thing! You're just a dumb bitch, how can you know what love is anyway?"
"I know what it is!" said Cara. "And let me tell you, Peter does it just fine!"
"You better let her go or there's gonna be trouble!" said Peter. Just then, behind him, Alice wielding the wooden plank snuck up and smacked him in the back of the head. Peter fell to the floor and Jeff dragged Cara up the staircase to the highest floor. The last thing Peter saw before he blacked out was Cara kicking and scratching at Jeff, and the last thing he heard was her screaming, "Help!" He had failed, and she was gone.