Kara's Online Journal

Hey everyone,

We're in Newark, OH now, hanging out at my dad's parent's home. For more detailed updates go to Facebook.com and look up Eliyah.com. My dad posts very detailed updates on what's going on--more than I do :)

Anyway, here's the latest part to, The Lady and Her Story! Enjoy!

Part 12:

     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.
    "Old papers!" Ben exclaimed.
    "Letters?" Caitlen questioned.
    Mrs. Willis nodded. "Ian wrote a letter and a map for me which led to his most treasured treasure he had inherited from his grandfather. He had it saved especially for me."
    Caitlen, Nicki, and Mom smiled.
    "That's sweet," Mom noted.
    Mrs. Willis smiled now. "He was a good man."
    "So how did Rosy and Jack find out about it?" Sam asked.
    "They saw him give me the papers when he died." Mrs. Willis replied. "They guessed it was nothing, but after I hid the papers and came back to say goodbye they heard him say 'letters' and 'treasure' and decided to bide their time after the big treasure."
    Caitlen sighed. "Greedy little--"
    "Caitlen," Dad interuppted.
    "Sorry." She mumbled. Then she got up and left the room.
    Mrs. Willis looked from Mom to Dad.
    "She needs some time alone," Mom told her. "She is very sensitive and really feels for you, Quinn."
    "Aw, I didn't mean--" Mrs. Willis began.
    "It's okay," Dad smiled.
    "So what should we do now?" Sam asked.
    "I think we should get plane tickets to Mexico." Dad said.
    "All of us?" Nicki inquired.
    "Yes. We should experience everything as a family."
    "What about the dangerous times?" Ben queried.
    Dad smiled, "Cross that bridge when we get to it, Ben. I doubt there will be alot of danger. They want Penella taken off their hands, obviously, So anyway, everyone needs to pack and get ready! So, let's go! Mom, I think you and I should pay a visit to Caitlen."
    "May I come along?" Mrs. Willis asked.
    Dad smiled, "Of course."

    Knock, Knock.
    "Who is it?" Caitlen sniffed, quickly wiping the trace of tears from her face.
    "Me, Mom, and Mrs. Willis. Can we come in?"
    "Sure." Caitlen sat up.
    The door opened and the three adults came in. Mom and Dad sat on either side of Caitlen while Mrs. Willis took a chair in front of her.
    "I know that what they did to Mrs. Willis was wrong," Mom began, "But that doesn't mean you should hate them, Caitlen. Remember what the Messiah said: Love your enemies."
    "But look what they did to Mrs. Willis. It's just not fair. They are her children!!"
    Mrs. Willis put a hand up. "Caitlen, dear, I don't want you worrying about my problems. It's sweet of you to sympathize with me, and to help, but it's okay. I forgive them. We shouldn't be angry because they really don't know what they are doing. They just think about their own greed."
    Caitlen nodded. Mrs. Willis opened her arms, "Come here, sweetie,"
    Caitlen got up and hugged her friend. Mom and Dad got up and patted Caitlen's back, then left the room.
    Yes, Caitlen and Quinn would be just fine.

    The next day, the whole family was packed for Mexico. They went back to Mrs. Willis' home to gather some things she might still have use for on the trip. They booked the tickets for the following morning and finished up things at home, called neighbors to care for the animals, and cleaned the house.
    The next morning came quickly. Having loaded most everything in the car the night before, they grabbed last minute things, carried sleepy Jamie and Justin to the car, and took off for the airport.

    That evening, they arrived in Mexico City and took a bigger plane to the big Chichen Itza airport. They booked a couple hotel rooms and after a mexican dinner, crashed for the night.

    They all got up around 9am, got ready for the day, and ate a quick breakfast.
    "So what are we doing today?" Ben asked, going through his spy backpack for the ninth time.
    "We're going to ask around about Jack and Rosy first of all." Dad replied, turning and looking at Mrs. Willis, "You think you'll be safe here?"
    She nodded, "Who's gonna stay here?"
    "I think Sara and the children, Hope, Jamie, and Justin."
    "Awwww," Hope moaned, "Why does Ben get to go and I don't??"
    "Because I need you to help Mom guard Mrs. Willis," Dad told her, "It's a big job, you know. Jamie and Justin can't do it."
    Hope thought a moment, "Yeah, okay. I understand. Can I go next time??"
    Dad chuckled, "Yes, you may go next time."
    "Yay!" Hope jumped up in excitement.
    "Can I stay too, Dad?" Caitlen asked.
    Dad and Mom exchanged a glance.
    "Alright." He nodded. "That's fine."
    Caitlen flopped back on the bed.
    "We'll see you guys later," Dad waved, kissing Mom. "Yah bless and be safe,"
    "You too!" Mom replied.
    "Bye!" The children called to each other.
    And the little troup was off.

    Once they reached the marketplace, Nicki turned to her father,
    "Sooo...what exactly are we doing again?"
    "Gonna ask around if anyone knows a Jack or Rosy Willis." Dad replied.
    "So we just walk up to random strangers and say, 'Hey! Know Rosy or Jack Willis? We're looking for them!'"
    Dad chuckled, "Not quite, Nicki,"
    "We should probably go check out the market stands and ask the shoppers randomly." Sam suggested.
    "That's an idea, Sam." Dad agreed. "You start with that butcher over there. Ben, I want you to ask the cloth lady across the road. I'll go with you to show you how. Nicki, go to the man selling cigars."
    Nicki swallowed. Yeah, he looks friendly. She began walking towards him, noting every aspect of his appearance.
    He was almost all covered in hair except for his mustache, with a nice set of rotten yellow and black teeth, of which most were gone. His hair was black, matted, and somewhat grey and long. He had it laying over his shoulders. An old black cracked leather vest was all he wore for a short, showing his very very hairy chest. His muscles bulged and he wore a constant frown on his face. His beady black eyes went to Nicki.
    Nicki shivered.
    Okay, you can do this, girl. Just walk over there and ask him about--
    Her eyes widened as she saw a middle-aged man walk over to the cigar stand, averting the scary guy's attention. She recognized the way he walked and carried himself but couldn't place it.
    "Nicki, that's him!" A small whisper behind her jerked her attention.
    "What?" She asked Ben.
    "That's Jack!" He whispered urgently.
    "Then you better go hide with Dad!" She warned.
    He took off and she pretended to look around distractedly. She checked out the jewelry stand she was standing next too, and as soon as Jack left she drifted to the cigar stand, a little more brave now.
    "Ola' Senorita, are you American?"
    Nicki looked up at the man in surprise. His voice sounds so gentle compared to his appearance! "Yes, I am," She smiled. "How'd you know?"
    "You look like a stranger here," He grinned. From up close, his teeth didn't look as bad. "And it also seems you thought I was scary, no?"
    Nicki chuckled, "From a distance, yes, a little."
    He grinned again, "I understand. You kinda got to look a little scary around here. Rough crowds."
    "Yeah?" Nicki asked, seeing her chance.
    "Yeh. That ruffian that was just here is one of 'em. His name is Jack. Jack....Willis! Yeah! He's American too. Got a lil girl and another woman with him."
    "Really?" Nicki questioned, "Why is he here?"
    "I dunno. He don't chat much. Just buys his cigars and leaves. He knows I don't like him much."
    "Hmm." Nicki thought a moment. "Well, thank you sir, for your help," She smiled, "Have a good day. I hope you sell all your cigars!"
    He grinned, "Glad to help! Have a good day too, Senorita!"
    She turned away and hadn't gone a step before her dad and brothers had taken her arms and pulled her next to a tree.
    "What'd you find out??" They asked at the same time.
    She laughed, "Let me go. Dad, Ben, Sam?" She looked, spotting each one. "Yeah, all here. Good! Ok, that was Jack! Ben was right!"
    "Really?" All three cried.
    "Shh, yes!" She whispered, "And it most definitely is, because Mr. Cigar Man said he has a young girl and an older girl with him. That's Penella and Rosy!"
    "So now we know what Jack looks like. That's good." Dad nodded, "we need to find out what--"
    "Wait," Nicki held up her hand and pointed to the fruit stand 50 yards away. "There's Jack, and who's that woman beside him?"
    "They are talking back and forth," Ben noted.
    "Must be her!"
    "Nicki, go over and get some fruit," Dad handed Nicki enough pesos for an orange.
    She walked around the stands and pretended to look around before approaching the fruit stand.
    "Hola, Senora," She greeted the woman.
    She didn't respond, so Nicki picked up an orange and began looking it over.
    "Jack, we need to just wait! You know Mom won't leave Penella. She'll come for her. Alone, or not."
    "What if she comes with cops?"
    "She's too old. No one will believe her."
    "Rosy, you're being too open!"
    "Shh, you're the one shouting."
    Nicki paid more attention to the orange as the two walked off. She picked up a different one and looked it over. Then she handed the money to the lady and walked off with the orange.
    She appeared back under the tree.
    "It's her." She whispered.
    "Ok, now that we have that down, let's go ask around any information anyone knows about their character."
    "The Cigar Man said that Jack was a ruffian."
    "Not good." Dad made a face. "I didn't want much danger in this, but oh well. Yahweh will protect us. Sam, why don't you go talk to Mr. Cigar Man and Nicki, you try to talk to the fruit lady and anyone else you think you should. Ben, stay close to me. In a couple hours we'll go home for lunch."

    A few hours later, the family sat down to discuss what they had found out. When Mrs. Willis heard they had actually seen her two oldest children, she gasped and tears came to her eyes.
    "It's been so long..." she whispered.
    "So what else did you guys find out?" Hope asked eagerly.
    "Well," Sam began, "No one knows where they live,"
    "But there are some who think they live on the ruins." Nicki interjected.
    "No one has seen Penella," Dad announced. "They have heard them mention a girl in their conversations when they aren't being careful though."
    "Ohh," Mom and Hope nodded.
    "Then what?" Justin asked.
    Everyone laughed. Even 4-year-old Justin was excited!
    "Well, we also found out," Dad said, "That Rosy is kinder than Jack, and can get him to change sometimes. He's rather violent, though, and has....shot people before."
    "Any die?" Mom asked, her face frightened.
    "Fortunately, no. He's always been to scared to go that far."
    The whole family sighed together. "It means we're safer," Hope noted.
    "Yes." Dad nodded. "That's all the info we got. I suggest we get our stuff together and prepare for a hike to the ruins tomorrow for the rest of today. What do you all say?"
    "Alright," Mom nodded, "But I want to stay back with Jamie and Justin!"
    Dad nodded agreement. "That's fine."

    That night, a very tired family went to bed with Mrs. Willis. Everything was packed, and they had plenty of supplies for the hike the next day.
    It was sure to be exciting.

    Knock, knock,
    Nicki's eyes flew open.
    Knock, knock.
    She glanced at the clock. 4:23am.
    "Sam," She whispered, heart beating fast.
    Knock, knock.
    "What?"
    "You hear that?"
    Knock, knock,
    "Yes."
    "Think we should see who it is?"
    "Yeah, lets go. Try not to wake up anyone else."
    "Right," Nicki gently threw back the blankets and got up. She saw Sam walk to the door and quickly followed, tiptoeing around the things on the floor so as not to make any noise. He looked out the peephole and gasped.
    "What is it??" Nicki questioned quickly.
    "Someone's out there! Get Dad, quick!"
   
To be continued...
 

Shalom!

~Kara