The Wrong Man by Fear359 (f/m, qs, grim) 'Just another day in the life of a high school student,' is what Mary Ann thought. 'Boy, is life a drag! I wish something exciting would happen to break up this hum-drum life I lead. Well, at least this is my last year of high school. And then I'm out of here and on to bigger and better things and-' Boom! "Ally, is that you? Missy, is that you? Hey! Who is slamming the front door like that, anyway? Somebody better answer me, and I mean now! ... Ally! What in the world is wrong with you? And ... Ally, why are you crying?" "It's nothing Mary Ann, really." "Yeah right, and I am the mother Mary. Now tell me what's the problem sis." "Oh, I hate that Steve Moore, that's what!" "Who is Steve Moore?" "He's this guy in my class, and he won't leave me alone. And he said that if I didn't go out with him, he was gonna do something bad to me." "Whoa, like what, kid?" "Well he didn't say, but I can only imagine. That guy is really sick!" "Well did you tell your teachers about it?" "Like they would really do something about it, Mary Ann. And besides it my words against his, and ..." "Hey, you two! What's the haps?" "Missy, do you know some guy by the name of Steve Moore?" "Not that I know of. Why do you want to know, Mary Ann?" "Cuz this guy is picking on Ally, and making threats that if she doesn't go out with him, then he's gonna get her." "Oh really? Well, I think it's time that we teach this kid a lesson. What do you think, Mary Ann?" "I say we kick his butt in front of the whole school. Nobody, and I mean nobody, messes with my little sister unless it's me!" "No! I don't want you two to do anything that will make it worse. You have to promise me that you won't do anything to him. Let me try and work this out, alright?" "I don't know kid. You always seem to let people push you around way too much. It's time to stand up and kick some serious butt!" "I know, I know. But it's just that I'm not like you two, ready to punch someone out if they look at me funny. But I will try talking to him tomorrow, and if that doesn't work, then I guess it's up to you two to do your dirty work." "Alright. You have until tomorrow afternoon to tell this guy to back off or he gets hurt." "And that goes double for me Ally. And you know I have a bad temper!" "Alright. You two win. I'll tell him tomorrow to leave me alone." "Alright then. Now go get cleaned up. You don't want mom and dad to know that you were crying. Because then that Steve guy would have to deal with dad, and you know ..." "Yes! I know dad has a temper worse than the two of you put together." "Missy, what do you think? Think she'll tell him to leave her alone?" "Mary Ann, I don't know. Ally's heart is sometimes too big for her own good, and that gets her in alot of trouble!" "Well I'll tell you what: If this guy doesn't leave her alone, I swear I will beat the hell out of him, from now until the end of time." Next Day Mary Ann and Missy wait for Ally, to get out of her last class history, but she never comes out. "Hey, excuse me! Have you seen Ally Thompson?" "Yeah, we have gym together, but she didn't show up for history, and we just had a pop quiz. I wish I wouldn't have shown up." "Well thanks a lot." "Well, where do you suppose she could be Missy?" "I don't know. Let's try the locker room. Maybe she's still in there." "Ally! Ally, are you in here?" "Mary Ann! Over here! I found her, and you aren't gonna believe this! She's got a black eye!" "A what?" "You heard me! A black eye. And I'll bet you anything that creep did it!" "Ally, who did this to you?" "Missy, I don't want to talk about it. I just want to go home." "Ally, what happened to you? Did that creep Steve do this to you?" "Mary Ann! I don't want to talk about it. I just want to go home!" "That's it. His ass is mine! Tomorrow afternoon he gets what he deserves!" "Mary Ann, no! You promised that you-" "I told you, that you have until today to tell him, and from the looks of your eye you did tell him. And like I told you yesterday: No one picks on my sister. No one!" "Mary Ann, maybe Ally's right." "What?" "No, we can't fight all her battles for her. So maybe we should let her start now?" "Missy, I think you've lost your mind! No boy is gonna hit my little sister and get away with it! Not now, not ever!" "Look, Mary Ann! Let's get Ally home and we can talk about this later alright?" "Oh, you can better believe we're gonna talk about this later!" "Thanks for being on my side Missy!" "Don't mention it kid. Now let's get you home and cleaned up. But how are you going to explain that black eye to mom and dad?" "I'll just tell them that the door knob hit me when I bent over to pick up my pencil." "I don't know kid, sounds kind of weak to me. But who knows. Mom and dad might buy it." * An hour after they get home * "Missy, what in the heck is your problem? Our little sister gets a black eye from some kid, and you act like it's no big deal? What's up with that?" "Look, hot head! I had to make it look like I was on her side, because I came up with a plan last night to teach this kid a lesson once and for all!" "Alright, you got my attention. What's the plan?" "First we need to find out what locker is Steve's, then put a note in it from Ally, saying that she wants him to meet her on the other side of town, near the forest. We jump him, tie him up and tell him, if he dares look at her again we'll kill him! What do you think?" "I think, for a middle sister you're not as dumb as you look." "Well, thank you. Hey, wait a minute! That was not in the least bit funny!" "I know, but it is a good plan. When do you think we should do it?" "How about this Saturday night? Mom, and Dad are going out of town, and we will have the run off the house until late Sunday night." "Sounds good to me, but we only have 3 days to get this together. Do you think that we can pull it off in that amount of time?" "Missy, when someone is messing with my little sister, I would only need 30 seconds to make this plan work!" "Alright. Right thing first we have to write Steve a note and somehow get him to believe it. And then we'll drop it in his locker on Thursday night. And then let him get his hopes up if you know what I mean, about the big date. And then, when he gets there, we'll bust him up!" "Mary Ann that sounds great. You better start working on that note." Knock, knock! "Ally! What's up? How do you feel?" "Oh, I'm alright. And the eye doesn't hurt anymore thank goodness. What were you two talking about, anyway?" "Oh well, we were just talking about the way that we stick up for you, and that you are gonna have to start standing up on you own, because we are not always gonna be there. So it's time that you stand on your own two feet, that's all." "Mary Ann, are you feeling alright?" "Yeah kid, I am. I know that I flew off the handle in the locker room, but Missy has shown me that the more we stick up for you the worse it will be for you when we leave, and you have to fend for yourself." "You mean that you're both gonna let me handle this one on my own?" "That's right kid. You are on your own, but if you need help, we will always be here." "Thanks you two, you are the best sisters anyone could have. I was gonna go get a ice cream cone, you guys wanna come?" "No you go ahead. I have a ton of homework to do." "Missy, what about you?" "Well Ally, I would like to but, I was thinking that I might go and start dinner for mom tonight so you go on without me." "Alright, you two. I'll see you later." "Ok, then let's get this show on the road, Mary Ann. First of all lets starts working on that note, and then tomorrow after school, we'll take a little drive to the other side of town, and start setting up our little trap." "Sounds good to me." "Hey, I just got this crazy idea! Mary Ann, how do we ditch the kid on Saturday night?" "We'll drop her off at the movies, and tell her we that take care of a few things for mom and dad!" "Sounds good to me." "Yeah. I just hope this works, and nothing goes wrong." "Mary Ann, what could go wrong?" "I don't know, but we had better plan this out good, cuz I wanna scare the crap out of that little punk to where he won't ever look at Ally again." * The next day * "Missy, come on! Let's get a move on! We have to get over to the other side of town and check things out and get home before Ally does. And that is in two hours. Now, come on!" "Alright, alright! Alright already! Geez, Mary Ann, get grip, will ya?" "Look, you know how important this is, and we have to make sure that everything is right!" "I know. Let's go. I'm ready to see, if this little boy can get as good as he gives." "Mary Ann, you know you can give the car a little more gas than that. Remember we have to beat Ally home." "I know. I was just thinking that we could really scare that punk if we not only beat him up, but tied him up and left him out there for the night." "Alright, M.A.! That sounds so way cool! Let's do it!" After a 45 minute drive they reach the forest. "Here we are Missy. Let's go find out where we are gonna set this little boy up." "Hey I know where we could do it! There's a spot about 10 minutes down the trail that has a few picnic tables, and it overlooks a dried out riverbed." "Hey, you're right! That would be a great spot. Let's go! That is where we set up our little trap." "Hey, Mary Ann! How about if we tied him to this tree?" "I don't think anyone will see him if someone did come up here Saturday night." "Yeah, that's good. Ok, here's what we do: Early Friday morning we put the note in his locker, with no one's name on it. That way he won't be any wiser." "Mary Ann, I thought that we were gonna sign Ally's name to it?" "Well, I've been thinking, sis. And if we put Ally's name on it he might get wise, that we want a serious piece of his butt. And this way he will think it's some other girl that likes him, and he won't be afraid to come out here alone." "Good point, Mary Ann. I never thought about it like that, and ... Hey! Take a look at that!" "Take a look at what, Missy?" "The riverbed. It looks funny, like it's full of water, but there's no water in it." "The ground looks all wet. Hey, let's go down and check it out." "Not now Missy. But hell, no! I'm in a dress, and we would play hell trying to get back up this hill." "Ahh, Mary Ann! You never want to check anything out. But I guess you are right. We would have a hard time getting back up this hill." "Missy, our plan is all set. All we have to do is get him to come down this trail, jump him, kick the crap out of him, tie him to this tree and come back on Sunday morning, let him go and lay down the law." "Let's rock 'n' roll, Mary Ann. God, I wish today was Saturday night. I'm ready as I'll ever be!" "Well, that's good, Missy. Take a look at your watch! We gotta go! It's getting late, and-" "YEAH, we gotta beat the kid home!" "Right! Let's jet!" They ride back with the radio cranked! "Hey, look! It's Ally! She either got a ride home from school, or she skipped her last class!" "Hey kid! What's up?" "Oh nothing. I just didn't feel like going to my last class so I've just been walking around thinking." "Thinking about what, Ally?" "Oh nothing much. Just what I'm gonna do about Steve. I try to be nice to him, but all he wants to do is be mean to me and threaten me. God, I don't think I'll ever understand boys." "That's Ok kid. I'm a Senior, and I still don't have a clue on what makes them tick." * Early Friday morning about 03:00am * "Missy, are you awake?" "Oh, I am now! What's up, Mary Ann?" "I'm gonna drop the note off now. I just need for you to make sure no one gets up while I'm gone." "Got it M.A., but how are you gonna get to the school and then back? It's at least two miles, and that's a long walk." "Hey! Did you forget I parked the car on the road and not in the driveway? All I have to do is push it down the road about a block, set it up and take off. Then when I come back turn it off and just coast it in. Hey, no problem!" "I'll take your word for it, cuz that sounds hard." "Well, just make sure no one get up while I'm gone, alright?" "Yeah, go! I'll make sure no one gets up. And if they do, I'll give them some B.S. story about you remembering about a big test, and you forgot your book." "Yeah, that'll fly like a lead balloon, but its worth a shot, and I'm gone!" Mary Ann Climbs out her window, and makes it to her car, take it out of gear and pushes it down the road, starts, and she's gone. "Oh, Mr. Steve Moore! Are you in for the surprise of your life! I hope you get your rocks off on this note, cuz come tomorrow night, you Mr. are through!" As Mary Ann pulls into the school's parking lot, she checks to make sure that she has his locker number. "Locker 428. Good. Alright, let's get going then. Ok: locker 400, 410, 419, 427, ahh there you are! Well, this oughta get you going. At least until me and Missy get through with you!" The drive back was a breeze, and Mary Ann put the car back in almost the same spot. And she climbed back through her window and knocked on Missy's door. "Missy, you up?" "Yeah. I haven't been back to sleep since you left. How'd it go, anyway?" "Well the trap is ready to be sprung, and we are the hunters, waiting for the big dumb man to come walking right into our trap." "God, finally! I didn't think that this day would ever get here!" "Well, dummy! It's not here yet. We still have until tomorrow. That's when we can get crazy on him!" "I know. It's just that I'm ready, and I want his butt!" "Missy I know. I'm ready too, but it's gonna have to wait, and - yawn - I'm going back to bed. I'll see you in the morning!" "OK sis. Good night." "Don't you mean good moring?" "Whatever. I'll see you in a few hours." * 06:00 am * "God, it can't be time to get up! It feels like I just went to bed? Maybe because I did just go to bed. Anyway, got to get up and get going. Tomorrow's the big day, and it's time to put up or shut-up." - "Missy, wake up!" "What? What time is it, Mary Ann?" "It's 06:10 now." "What? God! Why does night go so quick and the days drag on, anyway?" "That's because we sleep the night away, and we are awake during the day." "Well, good morning to you to Ally. Aren't you up a little early this morning?" "Yeah. Well, I have to make up that quiz we had the other day, so I got up a little earlier than normal, so I could do some studying. I want to make sure that I pass this test." "Well kid, I'm sure that you'll do great. Isn't that right, Missy?" "Yeah kid! Go, knock that test in the dirt, and get an A." "Girls come on! Get a move on! You know your father and I have to leave in about 30 minutes, and he wants to talk to you before we go!" "Oh God, here it comes! The 'I don't want any parties here, no boys here, and no drinking and driving' speech!" "Well ladies, let's go, so we get this over!" "Hey Mom, morning Dad!" "Morning girls! I was gonna give you the same old speech, but I think that all 3 of you are old enough to know right from wrong. And I'm sure that you know what I will not have in my house, so all I am gonna say is: have fun!" "What? Your kidding me! That's it, dad?" "Missy, what do you mean, that's it?" "Well, it's not like you to just say, 'have fun', and leave it at that. That's all." "Missy. You and your sister are old enough to know right from wrong, and your mother, and I trust you three. It's just the boys that I don't trust. That's why in the past I have been hard on you three, but as I look at the three of you know I can see that you are getting too old for me to hide anymore. So it's time I gave you three some room. So please don't let me down, alright?" "You got it dad. We won't do anything wrong. We'll make you proud of us!" "Girls, you don't understand. I'm already proud of you!" Mary Ann drives the three of them to school. "Alright kid, here you go. Do you want us to pick you up after school, or do you wanna walk home again?" "I'll walk home sis, but thanks anyway. Missy, I'll see you later." "Alright, Ally. Have a good day, and knock that test in the dirt!" "Don't worry, I will." "Hey M.A. Do you think that we're doing the right thing?" "What do you mean, Missy?" "I mean that speech, Dad gave us just before he and Mom left. Do you think that we're doing the right thing with Steve, I mean?" "What? Am I hearing this from 'I can't want for Saturday night so I can kick the crap out of this little kid'? Are you getting soft on me or what?" "No, I'm not getting soft. I just don't want to let Dad down, that's all." "Well, Missy, I'll tell you what: If we don't do something and dad finds out that this boy has been beating up Ally, he is gonna be really pissed off. And it will be at us, for not doing anything." "Mary Ann, don't get me wrong. I still wanna do this. I was just thinking, that's all!" "Well, cut it out! We are gonna kick his butt, and that's that!" "Ok, I'll see you after school, alright?" "Yeah. Hey, Missy! I'm sorry I snapped at you. I just want this over with, that's all." "I know, Mary Ann. I want it over too, and I'll see you after school." "Ok, Missy. Later!" * "Hey, Steve! What's going on this weekend?" "I don't know. I was thinking about either going to the movies or staying home. I don't know yet." "You stay home! Yeah, right!" "Look, bone head: Just because I don't feel like going out every weekend, is that a crime?" "Well, I guess not." "Good. Let me grab my books and we'll go and get this math test over, and ... Hey! What's this?" "What is it, big guy?" "A note, but who ... ?" "Hey, man! Come on! Don't keep your best bud in the dark. Who's it from?" "There's no name at the bottom of the note." "Dude, I bet you anything, that it's that Melissa chick. She's been eyeing you for a couple of weeks now." "Harry, I don’t know who it is, but I guees that I'll find out tomorrow night." "Hey man, can I read the note?" "No, you can't read the note!" "Ah, come on, Steve! What's the harm?" "I just don't want you reading it, that's all." "Man! What's the big mystery?" "No mystery here. I just don't want you reading it, that's all. If it was your name on this note would you let me read it?" "No, but hell, no, Steve!" "So you see, Harry. You aren't that different from me." "I guess your right, Steve. Hey we better get to class so we can get this test over and done with." "You got that part right man. Let's go knock this thing in the dirt." The rest of the day goes as usual, and the school breaks for the weekend. "Hey Steve! So what are you gonna do this weekend? Are you gonna meet the person that left you that note?" "You know, I really don't know. I have had my eyes on this one certain girl, but she won't give me the time of day, and all I want to do is to take her out, to show her, that I'm not such a bad guy." "Hey dude, who is it? Do I know her? Is she pretty?" "Would you slow down for a minute Harry? 1. No, you don't know her. 2. Yes she is pretty, and even if she wasn't it wouldn't make a bit of a difference to me. 3. I wouldn't tell you even if I wanted to, because I don't want you running up to her and tell her that I like her." "What? Man, you don't trust me?" "No I don't! Nothing personal. It's just business, that's all." "Man, I thought that you were my friend! If I liked a girl I would tell you." "Yeah, right. And I'm supposed to believe you, right?" "Alright, so I'm a liar. So sue me!" "You don't have enough money to sue you. I'll call you tomorrow and let you know what I'm gonna do, alright?" "Alright Steve. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Later, dude." "Later, Harry." * At the Thompson house * "Ally, are you home yet? Ally! Come on, answer me, will you?" "What is it, Missy?" "I just wanted to know if you were home or not, that's all. So how did your test go?" "I got a 94. I should have gotten a 98. but I missed a question that I knew because I was day dreaming like a dummy." "Hey! A 94! Don't even sweat that. I know that Mom and Dad are gonna be very proud." "Hey Missy, where's Mary Ann at, anyway?" "Oh she's outside washing her car because we might be going out tomorrow night." "Really? Where are we going anyway?" "Oh we might be going to the movies and checking out that new movie, 'The Curse of Jungle'." "No way! You have got to be kidding me! We are gonna go watch some stupid females lost in the jungle looking for God only knows what, and get bumpped off one by one?" "That's right. Mary Ann has been wanting to see it, and I think it oughta be funny to watch. So what to you think kid. You wanna hang with us or not?" "I don't know. Let me see what's going on tomorrow night." "Fair enough. Maybe-" "Hey Missy! Is the kid home yet?" "Yes, Mary Ann! The kid is home, and I really wish that the two of you would stop calling me that. I'm 15 now, so give me some respect, will ya?" "Oh Ally! You know that we don't mean anything by it, but if it makes you uncomfortable then we won't call you kid anymore, alright?" "Hey, about time you gave me some credit. So what are you two doing tonight?" "I'm gonna stay home and get my home work done early so I'm not doing it on Sunday night." "What about you, Missy?" "Well Kid - I mean Ally - I was thinking about going and getting a couple of movies and watching them." "You mean to tell me that with Mom and Dad gone until late Sunday night you two are just gonna stay home? Are you both feeling alright?" "Yeah, Ally we both feel fine. We just had a hard week at school, that's all." "Well, I think that I'm gonna go get some ice cream, and go to the mall and do some shopping. And before you ask, I'll be home around 9:00 pm." "Well, Ally, have fun. And we'll see you when you get home." "Mary Ann, Missy, I'll see you both later on tonight." "M.A., is everything ready for tomorrow night?" "Oh, you better believe it! Steve will never know what hit him and his sorry behind!" "So what are you gonna wear anyway, Missy?" "I was gonna wear some black jeans, a dark shirt and my black pair of keds. The darker the better!" What about you, Mary Ann?" "Pretty much the same. The darker the better, as them say." "So here's the plan: We will go to the movies, and then we'll tell Ally that we forgot something. And then we'll go teach Mr. Moore a lesson, get back to the theather, pick up Ally, and she'll never know the difference." "Mary Ann, that is the best plan I have ever heard." "Yeah. Well, let's hope that nothing goes wrong." "Come M.A.! Everything will work out, and Steve will never bother Ally again." * Saturday morning 10:30 am * Ring, ring, ring. "Hello?" "Harry, what's up! It's Steve." "Steve, my main man! What's going on? So are you gonna meet this mystery woman tonight?" "Yeah, I guess so. I just have this bad feeling about this." "What? Come on! What's the worse thing that could happen?" "You try and get some, and she slaps your face. Well, maybe you're right. Maybe I'm just only reacting on this." "Of course you are come on this girl is crazy about you, so go out and have some fun. Now if you don't mind, I am gonna go back to bed Steve. I got in late last night, you missed a great party. I had a little too much to drink, so needless to say I'm still a little trashed and need my sleep." "Alright Harry. I'll talk to you on Sunday to let you know how it went. Later." "Later, Steve, and have fun!" "God! All Harry thinks about anymore is getting laid, no matter what. Man, sometimes I wish he would grow up." Well, I guess I should go upstairs and find out what I'm gonna wear tonight. But what do you wear in the woods besides jeans? Oh,well, I'll find something." * Around 7:30 that night * "Hey Ally! Come on! Are you ready yet or what?" "Hold your horses guys! I'll be down there in a minute, alright?" "Man, oh man! What could be taking her so long, anyway?" "I don't know Missy. I guess that she gets this from you." "Hey! What are you talking about, Miss '2 hours in the bathroom'?" "Well, for your information: When I go out I have to make sure that I look good." "Well, then I guess Ally takes after both of us." "Well, maybe she will grow up to be alright then." "Alright, I'm ready! What's the fuss all about, anyway?" "Well, Ally, we want to get there a little early, so we can get a seat, that's all." "Do you two really think that there is gonna be a crowd tonight? I just can't see it. This movie looks really bad, if you ask me, and I don't even know why I going." "Because you want to. Now, lets go!" They get to the theater about 7:45 pm. "Man, just made it! We have 10 minutes to spare, and God! Look at that line! I don't know if we have time to park the car and get the tickets." "I got a great idea! Ally, here's the movie. You go get the tickets, and we'll park the car, alright?" "Well, I guess so. You guys won't be too long I hope?" "No, we should be able to find a spot in back. Now go, before the line gets any longer." "Ok, I'll see you two in a few minutes." "You got Ally." As Ally gets in line Mary Ann and Missy drive behind the building. "Missy, you ready? We have 20 minutes to get to the forest, and we can't be late!" "Then let's go sis. We have a date with a knuckle head, and this is a date I don't want to miss." * At the Moore house * "Dad, can I use the car tonight? I have a date." "Well, since you got your drivers licence, I don't see why not. Just try not to wreck it, alright?" "Come Dad! You know I'm a good driver." "Steve, take it easy! I was just joking with you. This girl most be pretty hot to make you this jumpy." "Well. I don't know yet. I think I know who it is, but I'm not sure." "Well son, have a good time. And try to be home early, alright?" "How does midnight sound, Dad?" "That sounds good to me." "Night Dad." As Steve jumps in the car he can't shake this bad feeling he has. "Man, Steve! Would you get a grip? This is gonna be cool, so would you stop worrying about this date and get over on the other side of town?" "Missy! Are you ready yet?" "Oh yeah, you beat my butt, I'm ready!" "Alright. He should be here in about 10 or 20 minutes, so all we have to do is wait for the little creep." * Meanwhile * "Where are those two? I know the lot is full. Maybe they had to go park over in the parking garage. But even if they did they shouldn't be taking this long! Well, I'll just tell the manager that they will be showing up, and that I have their tickets, and where I will be sitting. And he can come and get me so they can get in." * Elsewhere * "Man, I hope that I'm not late! That would really suck. My first date with whoever and I'm late! Man, that would go over well. I have only 5 minutes left and I still have ... Ah, great! I'm here, and I better get the lead out if I want to meet this mystery girl." "Missy, I hear something! This should be him." "Ok, I know what to do. Leave it to me! "Hello! Hello, is anyone here? It's me, Steve! Steve Moore!" "Hi, handsome! How ya doing?" "Well, I'm fine, I guess. Do I know you?" "You sure do. Why don't you come a little closer, so you can see who I am?" "Alright, but are you sure I know you? I haven't seen you around school before." "That's because I don't go to your school." "I don't understand. Who are you?" "Mary Ann! Now!" "Hey, Steve! How ya doing?" "Ahh, alright I guess. I just wish you could tell me what's going on." "Oh, we will! But first we have something to give you! And it's this!" Mary Ann and Missy both jump Steve and beat him, until he can't stand. "What the hell is going on! What did I do to you two to make you want to beat me up?" "You did the one thing that gets anyone beaten up, and that was beat up our Ally!" "Ally?" "Yeah, Ally Thompson! Don't play dumb with us! She told us everything. How you threatened her, and you even gave her a black eye!" "You two have got it all wrong! I never touched Ally! In fact, I don't even talk to her!" "Yeah, right! And we're supposed to believe you, right? Ally made this whole thing up, right?" "Come on, Steve! We're not stupid!" "I'm telling you two the God's honest truth! I don't even talk to Ally. We have one class together, and she sits up front, and I sit in the back on the other side of the room." "Why don't I believe you Steve? Maybe because I don't like you for the things that you have done to my sister, and why would she lie to us in the first place?" "I don't know! Why don't you ask her, and-" *slap* "Shut up, punk!" "Mary Ann, what do you think we should do with him now?" "Well, I guess that I'll go get the rope, and we'll tie him up and leave him here. I'll be right back. Watch him, and don't let him get away!" "Are you kidding? If he moves, we won't need that rope, we'll need to bury him!" Mary Ann starts walking back to get the rope. "You two are crazy! I haven't touched your sister. God, I don't even talk to her!" "Look Steve. If I have to tell you to shut up again, I swear to God you will be spitting out you front teeth!" Steve knows that he has to do something. Getting beat up by two crazy girls is bad, but getting tied up and left in the forest, there's no way in hell that's gonna happen. "Can I ask you a very good question, Miss?" "The name is Missy. And what is your question?" "I just want to know what kind of guy do you think I am. I would never hit a girl, and the only time I would do that is ..." *pow* Steve caught her off guard, and hit her just hard enough to knock her down. "... when they hit me first!" - 'Now I got to get out of here, but how?' "Mary Ann! Help! He hit me, and he's trying to get away!" "Now you die you little bug!" "Your gonna have to catch me first!" Steve takes off running, when he comes to the hill that leads to the dried out river bed, and he starts running down the hill. "Mary Ann, hurry up! He's headed down the hill, and I'm gonna follow him! "Alright I'm almost there! Don't let him get away!" As Steve gets the the bottom of the hill he sees the dried out riverbed, and he starts to cross it. But his feet sink in, and not wanting to get stuck out there with two crazy girls on his trail he hides behind some bushes by the bank. "Damn! He couldn't have gotten across this riverbed that quick. Mary Ann! Hurry up! I think that I lost him!" "What? He couldn't have gotten across that river bed that quick! Hang on, I'll be there in a minute!" "Alright, but hurry up! I'm gonna go across and see if I can pick up his trail!" Steve waits until Missy is right in front of him. And then he makes his move. He jumps out from behind the bushes and kicks Missy as hard as he can in the back of her left leg, and then he pushes her forward. "AHH!" "Missy! What is it? Missy, answer me! What's going on?" "That little crap kicked me in the back of the leg and gave me a charlie horse and pushed me towards the dried up riverbed. But it ain't so dry! My feet are stuck in the mud, and the more I try to move them the more I seem to be sinking!" "Did you say sinking? Missy don't move! You're in quicksand!" "Yeah right! And my name Jane right? I'll get out and when I do that boy is through!" Huh? Oh, God! This really is quicksand!" The more Missy struggles the deeper she sinks. The quicksand has her up to her waist. "M.A.! Come on! Get down here! This stuff is trying to suck me up, and I need you help!" "Hang on sis, I'm almost there! Well, aren't you a sight! Here grab the end of this rope, and I'll pull you out." "Where did that creep go? You know we have to find him, before he gets away!" "Yeah, yeah, yeah. First thing first. Get me out of here!" "Alright, sis, hang on, and I'll pull you out of there." It took Mary Ann almost 10 minutes to pull her sister out of her quicksand trap. "God, that stuff felt so weird! Like it was ..." "Like it was what, Missy?" "I don't know. I can't put it into words. Anyway, we gotta go find that creep!" "I know, but lets stay as close to the bottom of the hill as we can. Don't know how much of that stuff is down here, and if we both get trapped, we're done for." They both walk on for about five minutes when they hear something. "Help, please someone! Help me!" "Mary Ann, that sounded like Steve!" "Yeah, and it sounded like it was up around the next bend!" As they round the bend they find Steve up to his chest in quicksand. "Well, well, well, what do we have here, Missy?" "Well, I could be wrong, but it looks like a little creep sinking in quicksand!" "Please, help me! This stuff is pulling me down, and I can't get out!" "Why should we help you when you pushed me in that quicksand back there?" "I knew your sister was coming, and I needed a few minutes to get away. You were never in any danger. Now, please for the love of God, help me!" "Well, Mary Ann, what do you think? Should we, or should we leave him to die in the quicksand?" "I say, leave him, and let him die. Let's get back. Ally is gonna be mad!" "Please, God! You can't leave me here to die! Not like this! This is murder, plain and simple!" "Call it what you want little boy. We didn't kill, the quicksand will, and we just didn't want to help you!" "Please, God, please! Help me!" As Steve struggles the deeper he sinks. The quicksand in slowly pulling him in up to his chest. He knows that he has to stop struggling, but it's hard when you know that you might die in a bottomless pit of quicksand. "Mary Ann, we aren't gonna really leave him in the quicksand to die are we?" "What? Are you crazy? I just wanted to scare him, not kill him. We'll just wait here for another couple of minutes, and then we'll go back and pull him out. I think that he has learned his lesson." "Help me, somebody! Please! The quicksand is up to my neck! Somebody, please!" "Mary Ann, he's been quiet for about a minute. Do you think we should go get him out now?" "Yeah, I think that he's learned not to mess with the Thompson family anymore." "Oh shit, Mary Ann! Do you see what I don't see?" "Oh christ, Missy! We waited too long! He's gone under!" "Mary Ann! What do we do? Oh God, what are we gonna do?" "Here, hold the end of this rope. I'm going in there and see if I can grab his hand or something. Maybe we can save him." "Mary Ann, I'll do it. I'm already muddy, and you are alot stronger than me!" "Missy, be careful!" As Missy walks in the quicksand it grabs hold of her, and she can't describe the feeling that she has. But there was no time to worry about that now. She had to find Steve Moore and try and pull him out of the sinking death trap. But the more she sinks the less she feels. The bottom has become too soft, too souppy to feel anything. "God, Mary Ann, he's gone! I mean, really gone! My feet don't feel anything. Oh God, we killed him, and-" "Missy, shut up, and I'll pull you out. Hang on!" So the war begins again, Mary Ann against the quicksand. And it's gonna take every single ounce of strength that Mary Ann has to pull her sister out. "Mary Ann! How ya holding up?" "Missy, this is hard work. Either that stuff is thick or I'm getting weaker!" "No, you aren't getting weak. This is like glue. Just don't let go of that rope!" "Don't worry, I won't. I would rather die than let go of this rope! Just a little more ... There!" *Pop* "God, what a horrible way to die! What are we gonna do, sis?" "First of all we have to get you cleaned up. And then we have to get back into town and we have to keep quiet about this." "I don't even want to think about it, so you won't have to worry about me telling anyone." They head back to the car so they can get Missy cleaned up. "Mary Ann, what are we gonna tell Ally?" "I don't know. We'll think of something, I guess. Damn! I knew this wasn't gonna work, and now we have commited murder!" "Mary Ann, would you shut up! I was there I know what we did. Let's just get back and pick up Ally and get home.This is a night that I want to forget!" They find a hose in the parking lot, and they clean Missy off, and they head back into town. "What are we gonna tell Ally? She's gonna know that it didn't take that long to park the car. She's gonna ask a lot of questions!" "Don't you think I know that Missy? Just shut up and let me think for a minute! I got it! We won't say anything to her until we get home. And then we'll just tell her the truth." "Mary Ann, are you crazy? She'll go nuts! I don't think that this is sure a good idea." "Look, we'll tell her that all we wanted to do was scare him, and he got away from us. And when we did find him, we were too late." "Mary Ann, God, I don't know, but we'll give it a shot." "Ok, when we get home, we tell her." As they pull up to the theater Ally is waiting for them, and she doesn't look happy. "Hey Ally, what's up?" "Don't 'what's up' me! You two ditched me, and I want to know, why! Missy, why are you all wet?" "In due time Ally. So tell us, how was the movie?" "It was better than I thought it would be, but the best part was the ending. The last three women were fighting over the last piece of the treasure map when this strong wind came up and blew it into this open field. And when they all went to go grab it they all three fell into this huge pit of quicksand and sank. And the curse could go back to sleep until it was needed again." "So you really liked it huh?" "Yeah, it was pretty cool. I really loved that quicksand part at the end. I think it might be pretty cool to sink into some quicksand. What do you two think?" "Ally, don't even mention that word right now!" "What word is that, Missy?" "Quicksand! Don't ever say that word around me again!" "God, Mary Ann, what's wrong with her?" "Ally, we have something to tell you and it ain't good. In fact, it's pretty bad!" "Well, tell me what it is." "We are gonna tell you when we get home." "No, Mary Ann. You tell me now!" "Missy, what do you think?" "Well, now is as good a time as any." "Ally, we set up Steve tonight, and had him meet us on the other side of town. And we beat him up, and we were gonna tie him up and leave him there for a few hours and then let him go. But he got away, and while we were chasing him, he fell into some quicksand and he went under." "Come on guys, that's not even funny!" "Ally, we're telling you the truth! Steve Moore sank in some quicksand. And thats why I'm all wet, because I had to go in there and try to reach him, but I couldn't. He was to far away!" "You mean to tell me that you two went to the other side of town, beat up Steve, and he sank in quicksand? Ok, you two. That was a good joke. Now where were you two really?" "Damn you Ally! We did this for you! We wanted to teach him a lesson, but we didn't count on him getting away and falling into some quicksand!" "You two are telling me the truth, aren't you?" "That's what we've been trying to tell you." "NO! No, no, no!" "Ally it was an accident really!" "No! You two don't understand! I had this major crush on Steve, but he didn't even know I was alive!" "What about the things you told us, and your black eye?" "I thought that, if I told you two that, you would help me make him mine! And the black eye I got ... I got in gym, playing volleyball! Debbie spiked one and it hit me in the eye. And with Steve watching I was so embaressed, I just wanted to die! You two just beat up and murdered the wrong man!" "Ahh, shit! Mary Ann, what are we gonna do?" "We say nothing to no one. And that goes for you too, Ally! We will just let this blow over, and everything will be alright. Agreed?" "Like I said earlier, I ain't saying nothing!" "Ally? Ally? Ally! We say nothing, right?" "Ok, ok. We say nothing."