I know a lot of you were hoping that I'd get this chapter up sooner. I'm sorry for the long wait after that cliffhanger. I have been relatively busy lately, so that takes its toll on my ability to do a lot of writing. Anyway, here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

38. Misplaced Anger

I was conscious before I opened my eyes. As soon as I remembered what happened to me, I slowly opened my eyes and tried to take in my surroundings. At first, I thought something might be covering my eyes because opening them made no difference to the darkness. My next thought was that I might be blind. I tried to move my hand close to my face to see if it was at all discernible, but my hands were bound behind my back.

I moved my head from side to side and could see nothing. I let my eyes adjust to the darkness and after a few minutes, subtle shapes were visible. This was reassuring. It meant that I wasn't blind. I was just somewhere very dark. I tried to adjust my position to get more comfortable. My movement must have been heard by my captor because I heard a person moving towards me.

I closed my eyes and pretended to still be passed out. My subterfuge didn't work. My captor leaned close and said, "I know that you're awake, Stephanie. There's no point pretending."

I felt something land on my bed but I didn't move. The man giggled and then said, "I've just left you a flashlight. You can use it to try and find your way out of here. I'll give you a 10 minute head start and then I'm coming for you. When I catch up with you, you won't make it out of here. At least not alive, that is."

I shivered at the hostility in his voice. I didn't recognise it at all and I had no idea why this man drugged or kidnapped me.

"What do you want? Why are you doing this?"

He giggled again. It was the creepiest thing I'd ever experienced and I inched away from his voice as best as I could in the darkness. My movement caused the man to cackle and it made me even more scared. The darkness and the unknowns were having the desired effect on me. I was terrified and unable to think clearly.

I tried to calm down. Thinking about Carlos helped. I remembered the self defence lessons he'd given me and hoped I'd have the strength and ability to use them if an opportunity arose. I guess my silence wasn't what the man wanted because he covered my mouth with a smelly cloth and I passed out again.

The next time I woke up, it was still pitch dark. I had no idea how much time had passed or where my captor was. I reached around me and found the flashlight. I thought about trying to turn it on but decided against it. I was pretty sure that the batteries would only last a few minutes and it would ruin my vision, as poor as it was in the total darkness.

I tried to stand and found that my legs were a little wobbly. I stretched and tried to get the blood flowing. I knew that my life might depend on my ability to move quickly so I made sure I had the best chance possible. I also felt the rope binding my hands and found that it was a little loose. I worked the rope back and forth and managed to get one hand free. I then picked up the flashlight and decided right then and there that I was going to fight. I wasn't going to let me fear of this man cripple me. I was going to get out of here and I was going to live my life with Carlos, just like we planned.

I felt along the wall and started moving in a direction that felt right. I had a sense that Carlos was that way and I wasn't going to forget that he was out there looking for me. I walked and turned a corner. I could hear the man taunting me and trying to scare me. I ignored him and kept going. I had no idea how far I'd gone when I heard, "Ready or not, here I come."

I started to move as quickly as I could in the total darkness. I could hear someone behind me moving very quickly. I could also see daylight in front of me. Part of me wanted to sprint for the daylight but I was sure that there was some sort of trap set up so I couldn't escape. Instead, I found a little alcove and pushed myself as far inside as I could.

I held up the flashlight and marvelled at the weight of it in my hands. It would make a formidable weapon. I wonder if my captor realised that when he left it for me. He probably expected me to use it and discard it when the light faded. He wanted me to be disorientated by the bright light and lose my way. Luckily I didn't do what he wanted. My eyesight was just fine for the time being.

I could hear him approaching so I stood as still as possible. I held my breath when he walked past. He looked ahead and gasped. He was visible and he was wearing night-vision goggles. The visible beam of light must have hurt so he took off the goggles and walked forward. He disengaged the spike that would have impaled me if I tried to open the door and looked around.

He didn't see me because I was in a dark corner, so he walked back towards the direction from where he had come. He probably thought that he had missed me so he was going back. He got close to me and he must have sensed me because he suddenly turned. He had a knife and reached out to slash me. I blocked him with my left arm and reached back and struck him on the head with the flashlight in my right hand.

My captor collapsed to the ground. He was out cold. I quickly picked up the knife and jumped over him, heading for the door. He had disengaged one trap but I was very cautious opening the door just in case there was something else. There as a grate of some sort behind the door so I wasn't able to get out. There was a padlock locking the gate.

I figured the guy I just clocked with the flashlight would have a key so I returned to where he was lying on the floor. I felt his pockets and came out with a key ring with about 30 keys on it. I moved back to the light and looked at the lock and keys. There were only a few that looked like they'd fit so I tried each of them. The third key fit but before I could turn the key and get away, my captor grabbed me.

I didn't even think, I just leaned forward and then swung my head back as hard as I could. I head butted him in the face and he let go. I then whacked him again with the flashlight. He was stunned again and fell to the ground. He was moaning but I was able to turn the key and emerge into the bright sunlight.

My eyes hurt at first because of the bright light. I could sense that Carlos was near and turned in that direction. Before I was able to move to find Carlos, somebody grabbed me from behind. I was afraid that it was my captor so I struggled.

"Cupcake, it's me."

I relaxed a little and squealed, "What are you doing here Joe? I need to find Carlos."

"I am working with the FBI. They guy who kidnapped you is from Trenton. He's the brother of that girl that died taking drugs with Ryan."

I groaned and tried to get out of his arms. He was holding me too tight. "Joe, if you don't go in there, that guy will get away."

Joe reluctantly let me go and it was then that I knew Carlos was near. I turned and saw Carlos running towards me. I didn't have much energy left but I moved towards him. I heard Joe say, "Don't go anywhere Cupcake. I need to take your statement. I'll be right back."

I didn't bother to acknowledge Joe and kept on heading to Carlos. Within moments, Carlos' arms were around me and I was beginning to calm down. "Are you OK Babe?"

I nodded and said, "I just wanted to get back to you. I have no idea how, but my desire to get out of there and back to you gave me the courage to listen to my instincts. It pushed me in the right direction and it enabled me to fight off my attacker."

"I'm just so glad that we found you. I was really worried. We all were."

I nodded and then said, "How long was I gone?"

"Almost 24 hours. It's about lunch time on Monday. You were taken about now yesterday."

I thought for a moment. I had no sense of time when I was in the dark. I assumed that my captor had drugged me or something. I frowned and then asked, "What is Joe doing here?"

"Well, that's a bit of a long story."

Carlos wasn't able to finish the story because Joe came out from the door I had escaped through less than 10 minutes earlier. He was half pushing and half dragging a man that I didn't recognise. Joe looked very smug and walked over to me and said, "I've got him Cupcake. I managed to track down the man who kidnapped you right under his nose."

Joe pointed at Carlos, implying that my abduction was his fault. I rolled my eyes at Joe and then leaned back against Carlos. My stomach growled and Carlos spoke with a very controlled voice to Joe. "Steph has been through a lot in the last 24 hours. There is a restaurant just around the bend there. I am taking Steph there so she can get something to eat and drink. You can meet us there afterwards to take her statement."

Joe looked a little annoyed by this but reluctantly agreed when my stomach growled a second time. He glared at Carlos and then said, "I have to offload this piece of garbage on the local police. The FBI will want to talk to you because it was a kidnapping. I will get my contact to meet us at the restaurant."

Joe then looked at me with a softer expression and said, "Steph, you need a witness present because you're still under 18."

I looked up at Carlos and Joe gave a smug smirk. "You need a witness who is over 21. I could arrange for a lawyer to meet you if you want."

I shook my head and said, "No, I'll ask Ricardo Manoso." I looked at Carlos and asked, "He's in town still right?"

Carlos nodded and pulled out his phone. He had a quick conversation in Spanish and said, "Papa and Mama will be here as soon as possible. They'll leave the girls with Abuela."

I nodded and took Carlos' outstretched hand and walked away from Joe without another word. We sat down at a larger table and both ordered food and drinks. I was starving and thirsty. I ordered a club sandwich, a side of onion rings, a slice of cake and an ice cream sundae. Carlos ordered a turkey sandwich and a side salad.

Looking at the way Carlos attacked his food, I assumed that he hadn't eaten the whole time I was missing either. I guzzled three glasses of ice water and was rewarded with a full pitcher of ice water after asking for a fourth refill. The waitress could tell that I had gone through something unpleasant so she did her best to make sure I was well taken care of.

I was scraping the bottom of the ice cream sundae bowl when Joe and a man in a suit walked in. They hadn't even taken their seats before Ricardo and Maria rushed in. I was hugged and kissed by both Ricardo and Maria until the unknown man in a suit cleared his throat. We all sat down and waited for him to speak.

The FBI agent introduced himself as Agent Monty Donovan. He explained that the FBI was involved because of the different states and the kidnapping. He mentioned that he knew Director Steward and that he had been urged to do everything in his power to ensure my safety. Joe looked puzzled when Director Steward was mentioned, but none of the rest of us filled him in. It wasn't relevant to this case and therefore none of his business.

Agent Donovan then went on to ask a lot of questions. I answered them as best as I could but it became clear very quickly that I was under the influence of some drug or another most of the time I was missing. As a result, Agent Donovan made a phone call asking for an ambulance. He wanted a blood sample taken before any drug was metabolised out of my system.

"I won't have to go to the hospital will I?" I asked the agent.

He shook his head and said, "No, I don't think that will be necessary. The paramedics will give you a quick check-up and then take some blood. You won't have to go to the hospital unless they find something that necessitates a doctor's intervention."

I nodded and had to go over everything I remembered about the day again. They asked me loads of questions about what I did before I was abducted. Did I feel like anyone was watching me? Was I uncomfortable at all? Were there any strangers around who paid a lot of attention to me? I answered all of these questions still having no idea who abducted me or why.

When I mentioned that I did have a feeling that I was being watched, Carlos and Ricardo both frowned. I was sure that they were disappointed that I didn't mention this earlier. I explained that I thought I was losing my mind and dismissed it. I had no idea why anyone would want to follow or target me so I chose to ignore the feelings. Clearly I was unwise to do so, but there was nothing I could do about that now.

The ambulance arrived and I was given a full work up. The female paramedic insisted on doing a pelvic exam because I was unconscious for so long. She seemed relieved to be able to tell me that there were no signs of recent sexual activity. They took several vials of blood and gave me a cookie and some orange juice as a reward. Eventually, I was given a clean bill of health and allowed to return home with the Manosos.

Agent Donovan thanked me and told us that we were booked on a flight the following morning. Our tickets would be waiting for us at the check-in desk. After Agent Donovan left, Joe started to ask me a bunch of personal questions. It sounded like he had been talking to my mother. Luckily, Carlos put a stop to it. He interrupted and said, "I think that Steph needs a good night's sleep. If it's OK with you Officer, my family and I would like to take of home for the night."

Joe has no reason to keep me so he had no choice but to let me go. He nodded and watched as we walked out. Ricardo paid the bill as we passed the cashier and I looked back and waved goodbye to Joe.

Once we were in Ricardo's car, I turned to Carlos and said, "Can you explain what happened after I went missing? How did Joe become involved? Who was the guy that took me?"

Carlos nodded and said, "I told you before that it was a long story. Unfortunately, we were interrupted before I was able to explain what happened."

I motioned for him to continue and he started to speak. "When I came back to where I had left you on the beach, your towel was all askew. You were not there but it was clear to me that there had been some sort of struggle. You didn't go quietly."

I remembered struggling against the man who held something over my mouth for a few moments. I was silent so Carlos continued. "I looked around and saw nobody around. Something shiny caught my eye and I saw your phone a few feet away from where you were lying.

"I looked at the phone and saw that you had about 12 missed calls from Detective Carter. I knew he wouldn't be contacting you unless there was a problem so I called him. He sounded relieved when he answered the phone, but that relief quickly turned into concern when I explained who I was and why I was calling."

Carlos paused and then looked at me. "Why didn't you tell me you had been receiving those phone calls?"

I blanched and said, "I completely forgot about them. I had planned on telling you when we were in Point Pleasant. I guess the excitement and the change in plans made me forget."

Carlos nodded and said, "You also forgot to turn the volume back up on your phone after our flight on Friday. Detective Carter tried to call you to inform you that they knew who was making the calls. It was Tyler, the brother of the girl that died with Ryan. For some reason that makes no sense to anyone but him, he blames you for his sister's death."

I stared at Carlos with confusion and awe. How could a person hate me for that when it had nothing whatsoever to do with me? I didn't push her to do drugs. I didn't push Ryan to do drugs.

"I know Babe, it makes no sense. His blame is unfounded. Anyway, once they figured out who it was, they tried to locate him. They put out an APB and found out that he had flown to Miami. Carter was relieved at first until he triangulated your cell phone and found out that you were also in Miami. He'd been trying to get in touch with you all weekend.

"When I called, he got Morelli involved. He was sent down here to look for Tyler and to work with the FBI in their search for you. Morelli wouldn't let me help at first but Detective Carter got involved. When the FBI was able to locate Tyler, they passed the information on to me after Morelli failed to notify me. That's the only reason he arrived before I did."

I leaned against Carlos and said, "If only I had turned my phone back up, this whole thing could have been avoided."

"You're OK and that's what matters. We can get over this. You used your self-defence skills and managed to get away. You should be immensely proud of that Babe."

I smiled shyly and then had a thought. I looked around for my bag and when I couldn't find it I asked, "Do you have my phone Carlos?"

He reached into his pocket and handed me my phone. I called Detective Carter and assured him that I was safe and well. I thanked him for helping Carlos and said goodbye with a smile on my face. He seemed relieved to hear my voice and to know that I was unharmed.

When we got to Abuela Rosa's, Maria hugged me so tightly that I was having a difficult time breathing. "You had me so worried dear. I am so happy that you are back and out of danger."

Both Evelyn and Isabel hugged me in turn, followed by Abuela Rosa. She shooed everyone else out of the room so that she could speak to me alone. As soon as they were all gone, she turned to me and whispered, "Thank goodness you are OK. Carlos was frantic with worry. I don't think he's had a wink of sleep since you went missing. Why don't you take him upstairs and have a nap. We will call you for dinner in a couple of hours."

I nodded and went looking for Carlos. Now that I was safe and calm, I could see the exhaustion on Carlos' face. I took his hand and said, "Your Abuela has ordered us to take a nap before dinner."

Carlos didn't object. He simply led me to the bedroom. Moments later, we were both sound asleep.

Well, now that the wait is over, was it worth it? Steph is OK in the end, and she didn't need Morelli or Carlos to save her in the end. More will follow.