Kara's Online Journal

Here is yet another part to the continued story :) Enjoy! ~Kara

     The next morning arrived, and the Hunts sang and had a bible study together as a family, then met with Mom and Dad's decision.
    "Caitlen," Dad said
    "Yes?"
    "I want you, Sam, Captain, and Nicki to go on the four wheeler today to Mrs. Willis' home. Ben, you go along too. I am going to follow close behind."
    They all nodded.

    A few hours later, the little group was on their way to Mrs. Willis' home. Sam was driving the four-wheeler with Nicki, Caitlen, and Ben in the back, and Dad was walking a distance behind, Captain at his side. They soon arrived and Caitlen ran to Mrs. Willis home, and opened the door.
    Caitlen's face turned white. "Dad!!" She screamed.
    Sam was beside her in an instant. Everyone else gathered around her, looking inside.
    The whole cabin was a mess. Everything was everywhere, dishes broken, papers and clothing scattered, the couch ripped open with stuffing everywhere...
    "What happened?" Nicki asked softly.
    Dad appeared around the corner, running with Captain at his side.
    "What is it?" He asked.
    Sam and everyone stepped back, "Look," Sam said, pointing to the cabin.
    Dad's eyes widened, "Oh, wow..." He stepped inside.
    "I bet it was Rosy and Jack!" Caitlen cried. "Where's Mrs. Willis??" She raced inside, but Dad held her back.
    "We don't know if they may be still in there, Caitlen."
    "But what if she's hurt!!" Caitlen's eyes began to fill with tears, "We need to find her!!"
    "Okay, honey, calm down." Dad said gently, hugging her. "We'll go in there together. Everyone stay close."
    Captain had already went inside and was sniffing around. He vanished in Mrs. Willis' bedroom.
    Caitlen watched him closely.
    "Dad," She whispered.
    "What?" He asked, turning from where he was looking in the living room to her.
    She pointed to the bedroom, "Captain went--"
    BARK! BARK!
    Captain began barking fiercely.
    Everyone jumped.
    "In there!" Dad declared, and the family followed into the bedroom.
    Captain was barking at..the wall?
    Caitlen walked right up to him.
    "Mrs. Willis?" She called.
    The wall opened and Caitlen jumped back.
    The older lady peeked out. "Are they gone?" She whispered.
    Caitlen sighed with relief, "Quinn! Are you okay?"
    Mrs. Willis stepped out of the hiding place, breathing heavily.
    "Yes, I managed to hide in time," Her eyes were sad as she looked at Caitlen. "It was them."
    "I know," Caitlen's tears spilled over, and she hugged Mrs. Willis. Mrs. Willis hugged the younger girl and when they stepped back, Caitlen introduced her father, and they all met in the living room.
    "So what exactly were they looking for?" Dad wondered aloud, looking around.
    Mrs. Willis turned to Caitlen, "How much does he know?" She whispered.
    "Everything. We have some things we found in your woods at our house." Caitlen replied quietly, "Would you like to come back with us so we can discuss things?"
    Mrs. Willis thought a moment. "Alright," She said aloud, "I'll come back with you guys. Just please step out a moment while I get some things."
    The Hunt family stepped out and loaded into the trailer, leaving a spot for Mrs. Willis.
    She came out after a few minutes with a large paper bag, which she set in the trailer, then crawled in.

    About 20 minutes later, they arrived at the Hunt family's home. Everyone got out of the trailer and Mrs. Willis kept a tight grip on the paper bag as they entered the house.
    Mrs. Willis and the family gathered in the living room after Mom introduced herself, the children giving Mrs. Willis a seat in the middle of the couch.
    Caitlen brought both packages they found in the woods and gave them to Mrs. Willis with the decoded message.
    She read them quietly, then tears began to stream down her face.
    "Oh, Penella..." she whispered. Caitlen put an arm around her shoulders.
    She looked up at Caitlen, "Where is she?"
    "Well, from the coin," Nicki began, "It seems she is in Mexico, near the Mayan ruins. The coin says, ' 'The Jaguar guards the precious garment, known from a past taken, one that you know not of.'"
    "What does that mean?" Mrs. Willis asked, confusion on her face.
    "I think it means," Sam interjected, "That there is something under the statue of the Jaguar inside El Castillo, the big towering structure from the Mayans in Chichen Itza. Something from Penella's past with Jack and Rosy. It also says the next clue is there."
    Mrs. Willis thought a moment.
    "I want to help her," Mrs. Willis expressed, "But how can I do that?? I'm in my 70s, and can't get around like I used to..."
    Mom leaned forward and took Mrs. Willis' hands in her own. "Quinn, Matt and I are willing to help you find your daughter. We have been discussing it and we have the money and energy to do so,"
    Mrs. Willis' face was indescribable. "You would do that... for me??"
    Mom smiled, "Of course, why wouldn't we?"
    "Because you barely know me," She responded.
    Mom waved her hand, "You need help, it doesn't matter if we barely know you. Besides, the kids have been getting to know you over the past month and a half, so," She smiled again.
    "Well, thank you, thank you so much!" Mrs. Willis hugged Mom.
   
    A few moments later, Mrs. Willis was relaying what had happened in her cabin earlier that day.
    "I was making the bed when I heard a banging on the door. I heard Jack's voice and quickly grabbed some things I knew he wanted and hid in the wall. I heard him banging around everywhere, destroying everything, and when I heard your four-wheeler pulling up, I heard glass shatter and he left."   
    "What was he after?" Dad asked.
    "This," Mrs. Willis said, pulling something from her bag...

To be continued...