We rushed over to the store where Rock and the girls were shopping since it was not far from us, and I wanted to make sure Sky was safe. We got there just as Rock was pulling up to the main doors of the store to pick up the girls. We stopped behind him and got out of the van. Just then another car pulled up beside us, with Carole Ann calling to us. 

Sky had already run over to me and when she saw Carole Ann she began to shake. Rock got out of his car and came over too, while two “animals” got out of Carole Ann’s car. That is what I call her protectors. I went a bit closer to talk with Carole Ann, Mac and Jennifer coming with me. The other girls put Sky in the van and stood guard. Aasta was behind us with her new cat. 

“I want Sky!” demanded Carole Ann, “I still own her for another two years, this contract states that. It also states she signed it willingly knowing what it said!” ”You are a liar,” I told her, “you lied to Sky about what was in that contract and she was too young to understand and read through 40 pages on nonsense, so she relied on you to tell her the truth, and you lied!” 

“I will take you to court then!” she yelled, then she spotted Aasta, “Hey, how much do you want for that one, she is younger than Sky, I can see that, she would be perfect. I will forget about Sky if you give me that one.” I called Aasta over to me. ”This girl here?” I asked. ”Yeah, she is the one,” said Carole Ann, “I will take her in place of Sky, she would quickly be in top spot, she looks about 15 which is perfect.” 

“She is older than that,” I said, “and she is not for trade or for sale. Try to take her or Sky and you will have to kill me first to do it.” ”You would put your life on the line for some young trash?” she asked, then with a smirk on her face added, “I know why you want her around, an extra little girlfriend.” Then Jennifer went up to the car. 

“You are wrong,” she said, “he has me instead. And if you want to kill Steve, you will have to kill me first, and that is not possible because I am already dead.” ”Those eyes!” exclaimed Carole Ann. She then pulled her gun and tried to shoot, but it would not work. ”You cannot kill a ghost,” said Jennifer smiling and she grabbed the gun. 

“She is cold as ice!” exclaimed Carole Ann again, “I will be back Steve, I will win this time!” Then off they sped. The two “animals” got in their car and left also. ”She is scary Steve,” said Aasta, “why would she want me?” ”Because young beautiful women like you make her a lot of money,” I said, “in the wrong kind of photo studio.” 

“Oh, I understand now,” she said, “I know you would protect Sky, but, um, would you really protect me like that too?” ”Yes, I would,” I said, “and so would Jennifer.” We then headed back home and met Aari and his team along the way and they escorted us the rest of the way home. ”We need to protect you and Sky,” said Baldwin, “so you must go into hiding until we stop this insane woman!” 

“I heartily agree with Mr. B.” said Mandar, “and I have the perfect place for you to hide out for a time.” ”It must be a place where we can have some bodyguards too,” I said, “and Aasta needs to come with us too since Carole Ann now wants her as well.” ”Yes, yes, I very much agree,” said Mandar, “and the place I have in mind will accommodate all whom you wish to bring along. 

But I will tell no one where it is, secrecy is paramount.” ”I do not like the idea of running away to hide,” said Sky, “even though I am scared of her.” ”Sometimes, my dear Sky, the prudent thing is to hide until the storm is over,” said Mandar, “then you are able to come back and fight again. Plus, if you stay here, it will require more resources, in the way of team members, to protect you, Steve and Aasta. 

This way they can deal with this wretched woman unhindered.” Sky agreed it was probably the best way. Now, how do we get to this hideaway so that Carole Ann is not able to follow us? Mandar said to leave everything to him, it was up to me to pick a small team to go with us. 

I chose Jennifer, Marlena, Aasta, Dawn, Kera and Beryan, plus Sky and myself. And for cats we have Muffin, Ginger (belonging to Dawn), Rascal (Aasta’s new cat, the Ocelot), and Jewel (Jennifer’s new cat). Mandar had selected a very elaborate route to take us to our destination, I am sure no one could follow us… 

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.