Chapter 25

Frankie had given Nicholas the rough end of his tongue as soon as he and his wife landed; not so much to Melanie after she humbly admitted her own past transgressions but still enough for her to feel fresh shame and remorse. What made him simmer down was Audra's reminder that they'd already made their peace with their mother so therefore he had to let it go. It was the first time Audra Gräslund Brady had ever seen her husband lose his temper and attack anyone, not that she didn't understand why. After causing Carly a lot of unhappiness, Bo should have known he would face his day of reckoning; the rest of the family as well. Her heart had ached for Carly when she lost her baby and like Frankie was not pleased when she'd insisted on returning to Salem.

'I shouldn't have allowed her to come back here.' Frankie pounded his fist on the table agitatedly. 'And I'll never understand why she didn't come to me instead of Bo in the first place. I'm her brother... the responsibility of protecting her was mine!'

'She obviously was trying to protect you too; she left Alamania as a wanted woman with a price on her head.' Adrienne pointed out.

'And as you're her only relative, she was probably afraid they'll come knocking at your door first,' said Audra in Swedish accented English. 'And you have to give Bo some credit; he did protect Carlee and helped her find Melanie.'

'Yeah, and then fed her with promises and lies! You should've seen how she looked the night she came to the house Audra; so devastated and sick! Where was Bo then, tell me! I never thought a guy I regarded as the brother I never had would reduce her to that state! And then his family treating Carly, my sister, like an outcast ...!

Audra held his head, pressing her face close to his cheek consolingly when he was too angry to continue. Melanie winced at the sight of her uncle's anger while Nicholas remained silent, feeling he had no right to voice his own opinion about the Bradys after his own behaviour and praying his mother would be found alive and vindicated. Justin wasn't scared of Frankie but he sorely hoped Carly hadn't mentioned his own unkindness because right now Frankie was angry enough to rip his sister's detractors apart with his bare hands. Excusing himself, he walked to the bar where Melanie and Nicholas was talking to Dario.

'You know you didn't have to call Frankie over; I promised I would defend Carly.' he scolded.

'You're saying that he didn't have the right to know what's going on?' Nicholas demanded.

'I'm not saying that! But you knew what was going to happen if Frankie came here... look what happened at the station!'

'They deserved it. And did you seriously think that Uncle Frankie would side with them and go against Mum too, I don't think so! And why I called him, I have no reason to trust the Kiriakis men, including you. Victor's out to get my mother and the only person who can protect her now is her brother. You don't like it, bite me!' Melanie snapped.

Justin struggled to hold his temper. 'You deliberately turned him against his family; do you think that's right?'

'My sister did nothing wrong.' Nicholas said coldly. 'They knew Mum, far more than us and it was their duty to help Mum and Mel forge a relationship instead of judging her over something they knew nothing about ;they painted her as a home wrecker chasing a married man, including you. So don't start lecturing her about what's right and wrong.'

'And they are not his family, we are. We may not be as large as the Bradys and the Horton clans but we're doing what we can now to take care of our own.' With that they rudely and deliberately turned their backs to him.

'His family... pft!' Nicholas fumed after Justin left them. 'He's got a lot of nerve.'

'That's not even important Nick, Mum and Ciara are still out there somewhere. I just hope the police find her before that bitch does.'

'I've seen her a few times.' Dario, who was seated at Melanie's right, said, shaking his head. 'Creepiest woman I ever lay my eyes on.'

'This woman once buried Mum alive, trust me honey, she's evil with an E.' Melanie bit her lip, filled with shame and disgust at how she'd allowed Vivian buy her wedding dress and Carly had tried so hard to warn her. 'Oh God... this waiting's killing me, if anything happens to Mum or Ciara...'

Nicholas patted her arm, while Dario stroked her hair.

'It's going to be okay, baby.' He consoled her, hating the way she looked so anguished and miserable. 'I just wish I'd applied to the academy earlier than this, then I would be out there right now with Rafe looking for them.'

Melanie stared at her boyfriend. 'What are you talking about?'

'This wasn't the way I wanted to tell you and I figured you'll freak out but...' Dario shrugged ruefully. 'I applied to the Police Academy and I've been accepted.'

'Hey man, congratulations.' Nicholas shook his hand.

'Congratulations? Dario!' Melanie exclaimed in disbelief. Not wanting to witness a spat, Nicholas grabbed his glass and went back to his uncle and aunt's table. 'How could you do this without talking to me about it?'

'You know I don't want to stay behind a bar polishing glasses for the rest of my life. Look at my brother, he made it to the FBI.'

'Are you comparing yourself with Rafe again? Because no matter what you think, he does not look down on you. Arianna never looked down on you; I don't look down on you, Dario Hernandez!' Melanie said, really alarmed and upset at his news.

'I know all that, okay?' Dario held her face between his palms, his own hard. 'But it's time I made something of myself and I know I can make a difference by joining the police force; protecting life and enforcing the law instead of breaking it. And there's nothing wrong wanting to hold my head up in front of you and proving to your Dad once and for all that I'm not some punk.'

'Dario, I love you.' Melanie pleaded. ' How am I going to stand worrying every day and night about you when you become a cop?'

'If my brother can watch his back, then so can I. Every job has its risk, Mel. But I know this is right and it's where I belong. Come on... are you with me?'

Melanie sighed before hugging him tightly. 'Of course I'm with you, you stubborn idiot!' She pressed her face against his neck, running her fingers through his hair. After losing Nathan and Phillip, Dario came into her life just when she'd thought she would never be happy again and an unlikely friendship had evolved into a passionate love. With Dario, she didn't yearn for anyone else , nor thought about what might have been; probably because he was a part of her late best friend, Arianna. His safety worried her but she wasn't going to stand in his way, considering how insecure he'd been since they started dating, feeling he couldn't measure up to Phillip.

'I'm with you, totally.' she raised her head, smiling faintly as she touched his cheek. 'And I know the academy's going to make a damn good cop out of you.' She kissed him just as there was a pounding on the doors and a voice yelling 'Open up!'

'It's Brady!' Justin rushed across the room to unlock the doors. 'Well?' he demanded as everyone ran to him. 'Any news?'

Brady replied a little breathlessly, 'Bo talked to Ciara and Carly, they made it to a payphone but then they lost communication.'

'What do you mean they lost communication?' Frankie snapped. 'What happened?'

Brady swallowed. 'Ciara suddenly screamed "she's coming" then all we heard was a crash.' Wisely he refrained from adding that Carly had been shot. 'But they were able to trace the call on time so Bo's gone out there with some men to look for them.'

'Please God, let him find them on time!' Melanie sobbed. 'How could this be happening after everything...' she clung to Dario as he put his arms round her.

'But do they at least have concrete evidence that Mum didn't kidnap Ciara?' Nicholas demanded.

'Yeah, Carly said Vivian hired some guy to kill her and Ciara was talking to her at the parking lot when he grabbed them; we know that much.'

Adrienne looked puzzled. 'But then how did they get away?'

'She didn't say, we'll know more when they find them and I know they will find them... alive.' Brady emphasised the last word. 'We just got to exercise more patience here. Rafe's still searching with his team, there's a chance he might find them too.'

'The hell with patience... I need to know my sister's okay!' Frankie exploded with frustration.

'There's nothing for us to do but wait, min kärlek, you especially!' Audra admonished him. 'And we must not assume the worst... we have to believe that Carlee and the child managed to get away from that woman.'

'Well one thing I do know.' Brady said resolutely. 'Bo's definitely going to make sure that woman's going to get what's coming to her... and it's way overdue too.'

::::::::::::::::::::

Carly and Ciara desperately ran through the trees; Ciara keeping a vice grip on Carly's hand, her heart pounding in fear. She had no idea where they were going as long as Vivian was far, far away from them.

Finally they stopped, panting from the exertion. 'Are you alright?' Carly managed to ask.

'Yes.' Ciara whispered, wrapping her arms round Carly's waist.

'My little trooper, you're really brave... I'm so proud of you.' Carly stroked her hair with before squatting down kiss her on both cheeks and hugging her.

'Thanks Carly.' Ciara said tearfully, returning the hug. 'You think they might come after us?'

Carly rose, looking round them. 'No darling, I don't think so. Even if Vivian would bother following us out here, she won't be able to track us.'

'Carly, I'm scared.'

'Oh... I know you are, but I'm here to protect you and we did manage to talk to your Mummy and Daddy so they're probably on their way here now. We just have to find a safe place to wait. Here... get on my back.'

Ciara obediently climbed aboard and Carly made her away through the trees, wishing she had a flashlight. If they were lucky, they might find a cabin where they could rest and hide.

'Carly?'

'Yes, darling?'

'When this is over, will you marry Daddy?'

Carly longingly thought of Bo and the very idea. Will they be able to make it this time? Could she trust him? And what will Frankie, Melanie say considering how they felt about Bo now? And his family?

Sighing, she replied, 'it's something your Dad and I will have to discuss when we get back to Salem, okay? Now hold on to me... let's see where we can hide out for a while.'

Carly had no idea where she was heading but she hoped she would be able to get out of the woods and find a path leading to a cabin.

:::::::::::::::::::

To her delight, after a long while she stumbled across one. Ciara was overjoyed as well, she was hungry and tired and had dreaded the idea of sleeping in the woods.

The place was locked as expected but Carly solved the problem by smashing one of the front windows with a rock and gaining an undignified entrance. Fumbling about, she managed to find a box of matches; striking it, she lit an oil lamp on the table in the middle of the room. It was just one room but quite wide; with a double bed, a stove , two chairs beside the table and a trunk at the foot of the bed, containing, Carly discovered on opening it, blankets.

'Well... at least we have shelter now. Go sit on the bed, I'll see if there's something for us to eat.' She said after using some yellowed old newspapers to start a fire in the fireplace.

Ciara gratefully sank on the bed, while Carly rummaged the cupboards. Inside were mostly tinned food, including sardines and one loaf of long stale bread. Carly opened a tin of Heinz crème of potato soup which she heated over the stove and poured into bowls and then opened a tin of peaches. Ciara hungrily and eagerly cleared her plate, drinking half of the lone bottled water Carly had found.

'I don't feel so scared anymore.' She said as Carly put the used dishes away.

'We were lucky to find this place.' Carly agreed, opening the trunk and pulled out a blanket. 'Let's try and get some sleep meanwhile.'

'Will Daddy find us tonight or in the morning?' Ciara asked as Carly settled beside her in bed, covering them with the blanket.

'He would've found us sooner if Vivian hadn't tried to kill us with her car. But at least he'll know we were in that area and come looking for us in the woods.'

'But what about Vivian? Won't she come looking for us too?'

'I don't think Vivian would wear out her Manolo Blahniks across the woods... my guess is she and her goon's turned back and booking the next plane out of Salem. Don't be afraid, I'm right here.'

Ciara nestled close to Carly, closing her eyes. 'I love you, Carly.' she murmured.

Carly blinked back tears. 'I love you too.' She kissed the child's soft cheek.

:::::::::::::

'Wakey, wakey...' a malicious voice accompanied by the barrel of a gun poked hard on Carly's back rudely woke them up. Ciara whimpered at the sight of a very angry Vivian, accompanied by Gus who also had a gun pointed at them, a flash light in his other hand.

'You certainly led us in a merry chase Carly dear,' she smirked at Carly got out of bed, clutching Ciara against her. 'Did you honestly think I would give up my purpose once I vow to achieve it?'

Note to self: never underestimate this woman... Carly thought bitterly. 'How did you find us?'

' Very luckily for me Gus is a trained tracker and unfortunately for you, you left your lamp on. Not at all clever are you, Katarina? You thought you were clever when you killed my nephew and used the opportunity to travel back to Salem to be reunited with your lover? You actually thought...' her voice rose higher, 'that he could protect you from me! This is the moment when you're both going to pay and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it.'

'Let her go.' Carly said. 'Kill me if you want to but let Ciara go; she's an innocent child.'

'Not before I make it look you killed her; revenge for Brady's desertion and his family's treatment towards you.' Vivian said smoothly. Ciara held on to Carly's waist with both arms. 'You see Carly; there are so much worse things than death.'

'You're a lunatic!' Carly spat. 'Absolutely psychotic... ready to murder a child to prove a point! For God sake, let her go; she's got nothing to do with this- your beef is with me!'

'I'm so sorry my dear; I beg to differ.' Gus kept the gun aimed at the pair. 'Step away from her.'

'You'll kill her over my dead body, Vivian!'

Gus moved forward and struck Carly twice on the face, pushing her away from Ciara who began crying loudly.

'We're wasting time; do it now!' Vivian shouted, covering Carly with her own gun.

'Don't do this, she's a child, a child!' Carly shouted at Gus whose face was wearing an impassive look. He glanced at her then at Ciara, seeming to waver at Carly's words.

'If you can't kill her, I will!' Vivian shouted, pushing him aside and aiming at Ciara.

'Carly!' Ciara shrieked, utterly terrified.

Whatever be will be...

In one split second Carly used the remaining of her strength to dive at Ciara, shielding her with her body as Vivian fired.

Suddenly the distant sound of sirens broke the eerie silence.

'Damn it the police... let's get out of here now!' They fled just as the police cars pulled up.

'Freeze Vivian!' Rafe Hernandez shouted as he, Roman and several uniformed officers darted after them while Bo, Hope and Steve ran towards the cabin.

'Carly?' Ciara wriggled out from under her. 'Are you alright?'

No answer. Trembling, Ciara ran her hands over Carly's face. 'Carly? Please say something... Carly!' She begged as her parents and Steve ran in, along with two paramedics.

'DARLING!' Hope swiftly gathered her in her arms, crying. ' Oh thank God! Are you alright, are you hurt?'

But Ciara wriggled away. 'Vivian... she was going to kill me! Is Carly hurt?'

Carly had been shot twice with an automatic gun and was bleeding profusely. Ciara sobbed, trying to go to her but Hope held her fast as Bo bent over Carly.

'Daddy, is she dead? Please, don't let her be dead!' she cried, tears pouring down her cheeks.

Bo hardly heard his daughter's sobs; he was busy running his trembling hands over Carly's bruised face.

'Princess, can you hear me?' his voice shook as he placed her head on the crook of his arm. 'Carly, open your eyes come on now...' he pleaded as one of the paramedics checked for a heartbeat and pulse, the other covering her nose with an oxygen mask.

'I can't feel a pulse sir...'

'Check properly!' he snapped fiercely, tears filling his eyes. 'She has to make it, you hear me?'

The young woman checked again then lowered the stethoscope, shaking her head soberly. 'I'm so sorry.' she whispered.

'No! No...' Ciara shrieked, wrestling herself from Hope's grip and ran to Carly's side.

Bo held Carly in his arms, weeping heartbrokenly. Ciara cried too, pressing her face against Carly's neck. Hope realised she too had tears falling down her cheeks and Steve pressed the back of his hand against his mouth to stifle his own tears at the tragic sight. She wasn't breathing, no heart beat, no pulse.

Carly was dead.