Help Write a Romance Novel Chapters

As the elevator doors opened, Melanie looked up and directly into West's eyes. She didn't know how long she had been sitting there. When she ran from the condo into the elevator she suddenly felt safe. The four walls surrounded her closely and no one could get to her. Leaning up against the wall she had slowly slid down to the floor and just cried. Now she just felt drained, emotionally exhausted but safe. There was no blood, no smell of death, no fear, just the quiet.

Seeing West brought it all back again. William was dead. He had been hung upside down in her pantry like a slab of meat. His throat had been cut. There was so much blood. Melanie began to cry again just as West helped her to her feet. He held her close and he felt her relaxing up against him. He rubbed her back gently and whispered that everything was going to be alright and she believed him. Now she really felt safe.

Melanie breathed in his scent. He smelled good, he felt good but he was...still West. The man that didn't believe someone had been coming in and out of her condo. She snatched herself away from him as if he were on fire.

"I told you William was sneaking into my home!" she said shoving him hard in the chest with both hands. She had used such force that she expected him to take a step back, but he didn't budge. She, on the other hand, bounce off his chest and lost her footing.

"Whoa, steady," he said grabbing her at the waist to stop her from falling. She pulled herself out of his grasp for the second time.

"You didn't believe me!" she said pushing past him into the lobby where there was a flurry of activity. Melanie had never seen so many police officials.

"I never said I didn't believe you...Miss ... uh, Ms..."

"Melanie, just call me Melanie. This is not the time to play silly games," she said dejectedly.

" I know that." West beckoned to a uniformed officer. "I need you to take her to this address." He wrote something on a card and gave it to the officer and then turned his attention back to her.

"Melanie, I need you to go with Officer Todd. He's going to stay with you until I get there. In the meantime, don't talk to anybody."

"Come with me, Ma'am," Officer Todd said as her reached for her arm.

"No!" Melanie took a step back. "I'm not going anywhere without Mama Aida."

"Mama Aida?" West asked puzzled.

"You see, that's what I mean! If you had taken me seriously, you would know that Mama Aida is the women that raised me! This is your fault! If you had put surveillance on William to catch him in the act you would have seen who followed him into my condo! You would have been able to stop his murderer!"

Melanie was shouting between sobs but no one looked twice. The lobby had already been sectioned off for a crime scene and no one was allowed in or out of the building. The only people around were the police and they were all used to seeing emotions run high at crime scenes. Even still, West took her by the arm and walked her to the front of the lobby and out of earshot of everyone.

Leaning towards her and speaking quietly he asked, "And just how do you know they followed him, huh? How do you know they weren't there when he got there?"
West looked at Melanie and held her gaze. "How can you be so sure, they were after him?"

Melanie's eyes widened and her face went ashen. He was just trying to scare her. Well it wasn't going to work. It was his shoddy police work that allowed this tragedy to happen in her home. It was his fault William was dead. Melanie looked past him and her eyes brightened.

"Mama Aida!" she said, relief overcoming her anger.

West turned to see an older woman animatedly speaking with an officer who was blocking off the area.

"Wait here," he said rushing out the door.

West spoke with the officer and then escorted Mama Aida into the building. Melanie rushed over and hugged her tightly.

"What is going on?" Mama Aida asked looking around frantically.

"I'll explain everything to you later," Melanie said gently patting her hand. She felt sick to her stomach knowing she had kept Mama Aida in the dark about William. She didn't know something so horrible could ever happen.

"This place is going to be a mad house soon. You two need to get out of here." West called for Officer Todd who was standing nearby. "Take them out ..." His voice trailed off as he looked through the glass doors. West swore under his breath. He didn't need this right now.

Outside he saw the first of what would be many news vans setting up for the best camera angle. The Channel 4 news reporter was none other than award winning Marcie Blade. Her last name was surely a warning as well as a joke to her colleagues who all called her Marcie"Cutthroat" behind her back. She knew about the nickname, but rather than be hurt she felt proud. Everybody knew to stay out of her way.

West looked at the crowd that was forming and then at Marcie and the cameraman who had the lens pointed directly at the doors. He couldn't let Melanie and Aida be seen all over the news.

"Is there a back way out?" he asked looking around.

"It just leads you to the front," Melanie answered.

"I want to go now," Mama Aida said nervously.

Melanie looked at Mama Aida. She still had mostly black hair, leathery olive tone skin and brown eyes full of concern. She looked so fragile that Melanie felt a surge of guilt. She had to be strong and take care of Mama Aida. It was her bad taste in men that got them into this mess in the first place. She needed this to be over. Melanie grabbed Mama Aida's hand and walked towards the door.

"Wait!" West said. He took his jacket off and handed it to Todd. "Here, cover their faces."

Melanie had a flash of criminals being led to the police car with jackets over their heads and got angry again. West refused to treat her like the true victim that she was when William was alive, but now that he's dead, she's the criminal?

"I'm not putting anything over my head. You're not going to 'news at eleven' me." Melanie said with a scowl.

West breathed loudly. This woman was driving him crazy. "Fine, just walk quickly," he said walking out ahead of them and straight to Marcie.

"Who's that? She looks familiar?" Marcie purred when West reached her.

"Who?"

"The one getting into the police car. You know, the reason why you're distracting me."

"Oh, well I don't know Marcie, who do you think it is?"

"I think she's my story."

"What makes you think that?"

"Because you're answering all of my questions with a question." Marcie eyed the police car pulling off with Melanie and Mama Aida. "It's not going to work, West. No matter what happened there," she pointed to the building behind them, "I think the bigger story just left."

West smiled slyly and leaned in close to Marcie. "Can you hold the footage of them leaving the building?"

"Until when?"

"Until forever."

"Oh, well nothing last forever. Isn't that what you tell the girls, West?" Marcie said giving him her sexiest smile. "Besides, what's in it for me?"

"What do you want?"

Marcie stood back and looked West up and down. "Hmmm..., let me see..."

"How about if I give you a jump on the story?"

Marcie looked around. Several other news vans had pulled up and were reporting on the scene. The only thing they knew was that there was a horrible murder but no one had details. Marcie was known for doing whatever necessary to get the story first, so what's the big deal if she held the footage? She would be the lead tonight with every other channel trying to catch up if West gave her some insider information. The other reporters would hate her for it and Marcie felt tingly just thinking about it.She had to bring in this story.

"Ok, I'll hold it. If your info is good enough. Whatcha got, West?"

"You know the drill, Marcie. Keep my name out of it." She nodded eagerly. "The "vic" is none other than Senator William Ashton Calhoun II and he died a particularly vicious death."

Marcie stood wide eyed and just stared at West.

"What? That's not good enough?"

"You kiddin' me! I think I peed a little. We're going to break into programming right now!"

Marcie called the camera man and readied herself to go live. "Don't worry," she said over her shoulder, "I'll hold the footage." For now, she thought winking at West. Then suddenly she whirled around completely to face West.

"Now I remember her!"

"Well, yeah. She was the Senator's fiancée."

"No, not her. The older one."

West gave her a puzzled look.

"Don't give me that look. You know who she is too. I was right! The bigger story drove away!"

"Hold the footage, Marcie. Don't screw me on this." West said and walked away.

Marcie smiled and watched him for a moment before busing herself with her appearance as she waited to interrupt programming and go live. She wasn't finished with Lt West, not by a long shot, but he'd have to wait. The whole world was waiting to hear this shocking news and they would hear it from her first. Marcie grinned in anticipation.

West walked back into the building and took the elevator to the third floor. He had a lot of work to do and hated Marcie knowing so much. More than that, he hated that Melanie was right. If he had been doing his job, the senator wouldn't have been killed. There was a reason he personally took on Melanie's case.

West had done his research and he knew about Mama Aida. He also knew that the senator was a control freak who was spying on his ex-fiancée. Not to mention breaking and entering. However, West didn't keep that information under wraps to protect the senator. It would serve the little pervert right to have the press call him out for his dirty little secrets. West kept this a non-case to protect Melanie.

His mind was racing on what to do next. West knew he would never forgive himself if anything happened to Melanie...and neither would her father

Clearly, the father is not dead, so who is he?

a) Someone who was on the wrong side of the law. Maybe in witness protection?
b) Ex-undercover cop pretending to be dead after the accident
c) Biological father not known to Melanie but is well known and powerfu

Marcie Blade: This character will most likely be a problem for Melanie, but who is she to West?

a) Ex-lover but still hot for West
b) Not an ex-lover but hot for West
c) Just a flirt but is prepared to use sex to get what she wants (including a story)

Who is Mama Aida? She is mature now, but when she was younger was she a:

a) Bad girl who turned good but the past has caught up with her
b) Good girl who ran from trouble a long time ago but her past is resurfacing.
c) Bad girl but still has ongoing connects that she is keeping Melanie.

What does Lt West look like?

a) Fair haired Brad Pitt in Troy
b) Dark haired; George Clooney-ish
c) Latino
d) African American
e) Multiracial Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson

Melanie and Mama Aida walked into the coolness of the house. The curtains on the big picture window in the living room were open bringing the grayness of the fall evening into the room. Melanie looked around the neat but nearly empty room.

"Now, that we're here, are you going to finally tell me where 'here' is?" she asked Officer Todd who had remained tight lipped for the entire ride.

"This is Lt West's place," he said locking the door.

Melanie looked around the dim room with new interest. The room, with its stark white walls, had all the warmth of a hospital room. There was an overstuffed couch and armchair, a set of end tables and one lamp. There were no personal touches - no pictures, knick knacks, or even a throw pillow. The room's one saving grace was its hard wood floors. Melanie was more curious than ever about Lt Thomas West. Turning she saw Mama Aida and rushed to her side.

"You're shivering!" Melanie said alarmed. Officer Todd helped Mama Aida to the couch.

"Can we can get some tea?" Melanie asked him hopefully. He nodded and hurried off to the kitchen.

Melanie rushed down the hall in search of a blanket. She opened the door to what she thought was a closet but it was actually a small bedroom. She went back to get Mama Aida, stopping in the kitchen to let Officer Todd know they were going to the guestroom.

Melanie gently guided Mama Aida to the bed and made her comfortable. She grabbed the blanket, which lay folded across the foot of the bed and covered Mama Aida with it. Then she pulled the curtains tightly across the window over her bed to guard against drafts. As she fussed with the blanket and the pillows, Mama Aida grabbed her hands and spoke softly.

"Sit child"

Melanie slowly sat down on the bed next to Mama Aida who smiled at her. It was a sad smile and Melanie felt a twinge of guilt again. It was her fault that they were here instead of at home, comfortable and safe.

Singing softly, Mama Aida swept her fingers across Melanie's face gently pushing her jet black hair off her forehead. Melanie recognized the song from when she was a little girl. She smiled at Mama Aida and taking both of her hands, she kissed them and then tucked them under the blanket.

"Get some rest," she said. Melanie left the room, softly closing the door behind her.

She intended to go to the kitchen but for some reason her eyes rested on the door at the end of the hallway. It must be West's bedroom. Looking towards the kitchen she saw no signs of Officer Todd, so she quickly walked to the door and opened it. She didn't know what to expect, but his bedroom gave away no more secrets than the other rooms in the house. It was as if no one even lived here.

Melanie walked to the king sized bed and ran her fingers across the heavy brown comforter. The pillows looked as if they were hastily thrown on the unmade bed and Melanie imagined West sleeping there. She could practically see his muscular chest rising and falling softly as he slept. Melanie shook her head to erase the image. She couldn't help but think of how many girls may have lay there beside him.

Looking on the nightstand, she saw the only picture on display in the entire house. She picked it up and saw a pretty lady with smooth pecan skin holding a little boy who looked remarkably like her. Sitting next to them was a man with sandy colored hair that hung in his eyes. Melanie turned the homemade frame over and inscribed in a child's handwriting was "To Mom and Dad". She didn't have to look twice to know the child in the picture was West. She would know those brown eyes anywhere. Melanie wondered about his family and suddenly realized she didn't know very much about Lt West. She felt foolish for having feelings for a man who was basically a stranger.

She wandered into the bathroom and even as she chastened herself for snooping she opened the medicine cabinet. Picking up each item, she was careful to put it back exactly as she had found it. Pushing aside the ibuprofen, she saw a bottle of prescription medicine. Slowly Melanie reached for the bottle, nervously looking behind her for Officer Todd. As she turned the bottle over to read the label, she was startled by a door slamming.

"Melanie!" It was West!

Panicking Melanie threw the bottle back in the cabinet and slammed the door with such force it bounced back open spilling nearly half the contents from the cabinet. Hurriedly she pushed everything back into the medicine cabinet, closed the door and ran down the hallway grabbing the doorknob of the guest bedroom just as West turned the corner.

"Sshh," she said pretending to close the door, "Mama Aida is sleeping."

"Are you ok?" West asked noticing she was flushed and seemed out of breath. "You look a little..."

"I'm ok," she answered awkwardly.

"Are sure?" West asked walking up to her and putting his hand on her shoulder. He gently caressed it and Melanie nearly melted against his touch.

West put his hand under her chin and lifted her face to his. On the way over he had decided to tell her everything. Now as he looked into her eyes, he wasn't sure what to do. Her brown eyes conveyed a trust in him that he didn't deserve. How would she look at him when she found out all of the secrets?

How would she look at him when she discovered he knew she picked up dry cleaning every other Thursday, took kickboxing lessons on Tuesdays and that she only bought organic vegetables? He was no better than the Senator. Watching out for her was supposed to be just a job but over the last several months she had become so much more to him.

West softly rubbed his thumb across he chin looking at her pensively. He wanted to kiss her now before those innocent eyes filled with contempt for him.

"I'm going to take a shower," he said, abruptly taking a step back. "There's some Chinese takeout in the kitchen." Before she could respond he was down the hall and closing the bedroom door.

Melanie walked into the kitchen and felt an overwhelming rush of anguish. The logo on the menu sticking out the bag was a familiar one. That's because the restaurant was one of William's favorites. Melanie sat in the chair in front of the bag and just stared at it for a long time. Then she began to cry.

Suddenly she felt strong arms lift her up and cradle her. West carried her into the living room, sat her gently on the couch and wrapped his arms around her. Soon her sobs subsided and Melanie lay quietly up against his bare chest. His long 6'4 frame made her feel tiny in contrast but safe. Absent mindedly, she caressed his upper body feeling his arms go taunt around her as her hand moved across his well defined stomach muscles. She wanted to fight it but from the moment they met, what she felt for him was undeniable. Closing her eyes, she listened to his breathing. West looked down at Melanie and in the darkness of the room, scarcely illuminated by the glow of the florescent kitchen lights, he could see that her eyes were closed. Even though he thought she needed rest, he knew they should leave as soon as possible. He couldn't stall telling her any longer.

"Melanie, we need to talk."

West got up, turned on the lamp and began pacing. He was avoiding looking at Melanie but she couldn't take her eyes off of him. He was standing barefoot, wearing jeans and an unbuttoned shirt. In his hast to get dressed and come to her aid, he had left the top button of his jeans undone as well. The sun kissed hue of his multiethnic skin looked bronze against his pure white shirt. He had turned his head in profile and Melanie could see the water glistening off of his closely cut hair. She remembered from the picture how thick and curly it was when he was a little boy. As if on cue, he raised his hand and smoothed down his hair. Melanie noticed how his muscular arm strained against the material of his shirt sleeve. He looked like he had been chiseled out of granite, with his strong chin and perfect nose and Melanie was mesmerized.

"Just ask me whatever you need to about William," she said, forcing herself to look away.

"William? No," West shook his head, "his murder was incidental."

Melanie sat up. "Incidental? A murder happened in my home, to my ex, who happened to be a US Senator, and you don't even want to ask me one question? You can't just brush this under a rug! Unless," Melanie stood up, "unless you don't want what I have to say on the record. Are you trying to cover up your mistakes?"

"You think this is all about me?" West said frowning

"Well, that's the only thing that makes sense! You have me sequestered away in your private home when I'm a witness in this investigation! If you don't want to do your job this time, West, I'm going to find a cop who will!"

"The only thing you'll find is yourself in my car on your way to Virginia!"

"Virginia! Why?"

Because your father is there! West wanted to scream but instead he just looked and held his temper.

"I'm not going to Virginia and any plans you have for me are incidental!"

Melanie had feelings for West but he confused her. How could he make her feel both safe and afraid? She instinctively wanted to trust him but after William, she couldn't rely on her instincts.

"I'm going to tell my side of this. If the police won't listen, I'm sure the reporters will!"

"No you're - "

"You're not listening West! I'm- "

"No, you're not listening Melanie! Because you are going to Virginia, even if I have to tie you up and throw you in the trunk of my car!"

Melanie was seething but she struggled to regain her composure.

"I'm leaving," she said as calmly as she could. Turning she marched down the hallway to the guest bedroom where Mama Aida was resting. West was at her heels.

Throwing open the door, they both stood stunned as they looked at the curtains blowing in the breeze of the open window. Mama Aida was gone.

Small preview of Chapter 4!
In the upcoming chapter West is going to get his gun and run outside the house to check things out. In his preliminary investigation/observation, he's going to find out Mama Aida was not alone. In the next chapter you'll also learn more about Mama Aida's past which is now resurfacing. (You've already voted on the outline of her background.) That leads to the next poll question:
Mama Aida did not leave the house alone. So,

A) Was she taken against her will or

B) Did she leave voluntarily?

Poll Question #2

Have you ever snooped in someone else's medicine cabinet?

Yes
83.3%

No
16.7%

West pushed Melanie out of the way and motioned for her to stay quiet. Cautiously he stepped inside the room, his eyes expertly surveying it. Glass from the broken window was lying on the floor alongside the mangled window screen. West searched the small bedroom for an intruder and finding none, retrieved his gun and quickly ran outside. Melanie followed him and found him kneeling outside of the guest bedroom window.

"Footprints," he said standing up and looking at Melanie. "Two sets. Both too big to be Mama Aida's."

"What's going on here?" Melanie whispered, shaking more from the day's events than from the cool night air.

"Come inside," he said warily looking around, aware of how vulnerable they were out in the open. He suddenly had a feeling that they were being watched and grabbing her protectively, he led her back into the house.

After searching the house, West turned his attention back to Melanie. Just minutes before he had been arguing with her and as strange as it was, he preferred it. The fire in her eyes both excited and exasperated him. Now she just looked confused and it was clear the fear she had for Mama Aida was unbearable. It was easier to be angry and ignore her questions than tell her the truth. However, now he had no choice.

He kneeled in front of the couch where she sat on the edge of her seat and reassured her that he was going to find Mama Aida. Suddenly he realized that this was his third time consoling her that day, but only the first time he would be so honest with her.

"There are some things you need to know, Melanie...about Mama Aida." He waited for a reaction but she just stared at him. "The first thing you need to know is that her name...is not Aida.

Anna's eyes shone with excitement as she rubbed her stomach. She had just announced to Gabriela, her best friend that she was pregnant again.

"It's girl, I can feel it!" She said grinning. "I think I'm going to name her Aida, you know, after the nun who helped me so much after..." Anna voice trailed off. Gabriela patted her hand sympathetically. It was still hard for her to talk about what she had endured at the hands of her ex-husband.

"Hey, does that little one know she's about to get a little sister?" Gabriela said nodding towards the three year old sitting on the couch, loving rocking her favorite doll.

Anna smiled, grateful for the change of subject. "Not yet. I want to tell Marco first."

Gabriela couldn't help but envy Anna. She had a beautiful little girl and a new husband that loved her. Gabriela knew some people in the neighborhood judged Anna for divorcing one man and marrying a new one so quickly. Divorce was frowned upon in their family, but Gabriela stood by Anna. When Marco came along he seemed too perfect and Gabriela was wary of him. However she soon realized that Anna was in good hands. She wished she could have been that vigilante on her own behalf. Scowling, she sat there thinking of her own love life.

"What's wrong," Anna asked concerned.

"Oh, nothing," Gabriela sighed. "Just thinking of "lizard shoes." I haven't heard from him in awhile."

Anna pursed her lips so as not to speak. "Lizard shoes" was the nickname she had given Gabriela's boyfriend because of the scaly green leather shoes he always wore. In spite of his odd behavior and dressing habits, Gabriela had fallen head over heels in love with him. They both had suspected he was into really bad things but recently Anna got confirmation when the FBI discreetly contacted her. She had immediately told Gabriela who wanted to confront her boyfriend but was surprised to discover he had suddenly disappeared. It had been weeks now, but Anna was glad he was gone. Gabriela may not have known it, but it was for the best.

"Hey," Anna said brightening. "Let's go for a walk!"

"Oh, no," Gabriela groaned.

"What?" Anna laughed. "It's a beautiful day and I want to get out!" she said scooping up her daughter.

Chatting happily the two of them walked outside and was surprised to see Marco on the walkway.

"What are you doing here?" Anna asked, greeting him enthusiastically. "Don't you have to work?'

"Yeah, but the boss wants me to do a special delivery so I need the car."

"Why didn't he tell you this morning?" Anna said scowling.

"It just came up. Don't forget it's not our car," Marco reminder her.

"I know, I know," Anna said knowing what was coming next.

"The only reason I have it is to make deliveries to special clients on special shipments. That's what? Once a month? The rest of the time the boss gives us full use, so don't complain." Marco kissed her on the forehead and tickled the little one as she squealed happily. "How about I take my girls to lunch?"

"Ok, it's family time. I better go," Gabriela said.

"Hey, don't say that," Anna scolded. "You're family. Remember that," she said kissing Gabriela on the check.

"That's right," Marco said leading them to the car and getting into the driver's seat. "Now let's go."

Gabriela wasn't sure exactly how the toddler had managed to wiggle out of her mother's arms or why she ran into the street. She just instinctively chased her and had just grabbed her little hand when the explosion occurred. They were both thrown to the other side of the street and hit the ground with a thud. She couldn't move and as she laid there in excruciating pain she saw, just before slipping into unconsciousness, green leather shoes.

"That's not what happened," Melanie said in a shaky voice. "I remember...it was at night...and...Mama Aida woke me up to tell me."

West wanted to tell her that was six months after the car bomb. She had woke up crying asking for her parents as she had every night for at least a month, only this time she seemed to recognize the lady now known as Mama Aida, sitting by her bedside. The nuns who had secretly taken such good care of the two patients would also do their part to help get them out of the country. However, he couldn't tell her such intimate details without revealing how he had learned of them. So he just continued the basic story.

"The next day the newspaper reported four deaths in a tragic accident. 3 adults and one little girl."

"Me," she said looking at West who nodded his head. "So Mama Aida or whoever she is, lied to me."

"She kept you safe."

"From who?"

West just shook his head, "We gotta get out of here."

"What about Mama Aida?"

"I told you, I'll find her. I just have to take you-"

"I'm going with you." Melanie looked at him with determination. West didn't want to waste energy on another argument when the clock was ticking. He walked into the entryway and picked up an overnight bag.

"Here. You need to change"

Melanie instantly recognized her bag and once she opened it, she recognized her personal items inside.

"You went through my things?"

"You're welcome," he said before walking down the hall to seek the privacy of his bedroom. He'd let her be pissed off thinking it was him rather than a female officer who packed her bag. At least then she wouldn't look at him with the kind of trust he didn't deserve. It didn't matter who Melanie thought he was, he still had a job to do. After packing his own bag, he took out his cell phone and made a call.

Melanie changed in the bedroom where Mama Aida had rested and began to pace. She was afraid to let herself think that the intruder in her condo was really after Mama Aida. Is that what West meant when he said William's murder was incidental? Melanie looked at Mama Aida's overturned purse and the contents which still lay scattered on the floor. It didn't matter who she really was, Melanie just wanted her back safe and sound. West knew more than he was saying and she had a right to know everything, Marching down the hallway and ignoring the impulse to knock, she opened his bedroom door.

"She doesn't suspect anything," West said in the phone before turning to see Melanie staring at him. West hung up the phone and walked towards her just as she turned and ran. He grabbed her as she was opening the front door and slammed it shut.

"Let go of me!"

"Just listen!" he said pinning her up against the wall.

"I've heard enough," she screamed struggling against him. "Who are you!"

"You know me!"

"I know I can't trust you!"

"Maybe not, but know this!" he leaned down to whisper in her ear. "I would never, ever hurt you."

Suddenly Melanie grew calm and she wasn't sure if her breathing was labored because of her struggling or his nearness. Feeling the warmth of his breath and the firmness of his body up against her made her momentarily dizzy. All she could think of was that she wanted him. Before she could clear her head, his lips were on hers. He kissed her with an urgency and passion which made her want him even more. Melanie kissed him eagerly, wanting to give herself to him completely but she had too many conflicting emotions about him.

"No," she whispered. He immediately released her and took a step back, scolding himself for losing focus. He couldn't let it happen again. Without saying another word, they both retrieved their bags and left the house. West started the car while looking in his rear view mirror. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.

Of course, West couldn't see the eyes from the shadows of the car as the driver watched his taillights turn the corner. A copy of an archived newspaper story sat on the passenger seat. The tragedy of a bomb blast killing four, including a toddler was sympathetically told with pictures of the victims for added emphasis.The picture of a young Mama Aida was circled and a question mark was next to the picture of the toddler.

"So the dead walks," the driver said, starting the car. There was no need to hurry to catch up with West and take the chance of being spotted. The tracking device on his car was working just fine.

1) The flashback introduced a few new characters but only one can be written into the upcoming twist. Which one should it be?

Anna
Marco
Lizard Shoes
Marco's boss

I can't reveal the winner because, after all, it isn't called a twist for nothing!

2) Melanie and West just shared their first kiss. Do you want to speed up the romance parts or keep the tension high and the pace steady?

More romance
50%

I like the tension
50%

It's a tie! Well, we'll have to see how the romance develops!

Mama Aida opened her eyes to darkness. She felt groggy and disoriented, but why? Struggling to clear her head she tried to figure out exactly what happened. The last thing she remembered was talking to Melanie before drifting off to sleep. She had began to feel ill when she left the church and all she could think about was getting to bed, but then she saw the commotion. It didn't seem real, a murder in her kitchen.

Mama Aida sat up on the bed and allowed her eyes to adjust to the darkened room. There was a light coming from under the door. Mama Aida could feel the panic rise in her chest when she realized she wasn't in the same room where she fell asleep. After the events from earlier, this could only mean real trouble. Slowly she got up from the bed, steadying herself as she felt along on the mattress to the end of the bed. She walked silently to the door and gathering her nerve, she turned the doorknob and slowly opened the door. The light from the adjacent room temporarily blinded her. Squinting, she walked into the next room.

"Hello, Sleeping Beauty."

Mama Aida recognized the voice. "Elena?"

"Yep, it's me."

Focusing her eyes, Mama Aida saw the Elena Santiago, one of the church's administrators. She and Elena had often worked side by side organizing fundraising or community outreach. As one of St Matthews's most active volunteers, Mama Aida spoke with Elena nearly everyday. They had become good friend over the last few months and seeing her now did nothing but confuse Mama Aida.

"I hope I didn't over do it with the drugs", Elena said shrugging. "That was some ice tea cocktail I made for you today. I wasn't sure you would make it home before blacking out. Not to worry, though, 'cause I was right behind you all the way."

"Ah, good, she's up."

Mama Aida turned to see a face she hadn't seen in over twenty years. Then she looked around the room while memories came to her like a long ago forgotten dream. Time had passed but he looked much the same. There was a little gray around his temples, just like hers. Suddenly, she felt as if time had stood still since the last time she saw him, except that she had packed away her toughness of those days so long ago. She had almost forgotten her past. Almost, but not quite.

Not much had changed in the little cabin off the interstate where they had often met, but things between them were very different. He looked at Elena who got up quickly and left the room.

"Sit down, Gina. Or is it Mama ... um Aida? Or Mama Gina?" he said chuckling. "The name makes you sound so old, Gina. You probably think it makes you more ..., let's say, maternal." He took off his jacket and Gina's eyes were immediately drawn to his gun.

"We've been watching you for awhile. That's why we had Elena work so closely with you. But with everything that happened today, we had to make a move. Otherwise, you might have pulled another vanishing act."

"What do you want?" Gina asked wearily. He couldn't help but notice how frail she seemed. The heavy burdens of fear and guilt had taken it's toll.

"I want what we started over twenty years ago, before you disappeared."

"You mean when I escaped death?"

"Don't give me that! You knew about the danger from the beginning! You just ran away!"

"I wasn't supposed to be out there by myself!" Gina's shaky voice betrayed her façade of calm.

"You weren't alone but you did make the decision to steal a child and run all by yourself! You knew she was the one sure way we had at getting to her father. You were a coward and abandoned everything for your own reasons!"

"So what now?" Gina lifted her head is steely resolve.

"We finish what we started."

"Getting me killed?" He shot her a look. "I wasn't going to wait around with a target on my back. Not after the bomb...and the day...I just couldn't..." Gina's voice trailed off.

"Look, we think Marco had -"

"Marco wasn't dirty."

"But his boss was and he was using Marco as a "mule" carrying the high dollars stuff he imported all over the state. Are you trying to tell me he didn't know?"

"He didn't know," Gina said dejectedly, thinking back to the day of his murder. "He was a good guy. Everybody got a little anxious after the FBI agent contacted Anna. She probably told people she shouldn't have. Like me." Gina looked up at the man standing over her chair, suddenly feeling angry. "Don't you think that was playing it a little too fast and loose, having an agent contact her?"

"Are you kidding me? That was their test. They knew there was snitch out there and they found out Anna was willing to turn your boyfriend in. If you had talked to me then and trusted me I would have warned you. Instead, you started thinking you really were Gabriela. You liked your friends and that low life boyfriend of yours. You chose them over us. To tell you the truth, I can't trust you."

"Then why am I here?"

"Because I need you."

"To do what?" Gina asked alarmed. "I'm not going to hurt Melanie and I'm not going to let you use her! I raised her!"

"You kidnapped her!"

Gina nervously looked away. "You want to send me to jail, now?"

"Listen, we know for a fact that her father's been keeping tabs on her. Nobody else would be bold enough to murder a well connected US Senator. He was sending a message."

"No," Gina shook her head. "He would have never done it in her home. He would have never traumatized her like that. It had to be somebody else."

"Maybe," he shrugged. "We actually traced him through the Senator's dealings and since he knew the Senator's connections weren't all above board, he wouldn't have like him having a relationship with his daughter. I think he has someone looking out for her." He paused, momentarily lost in his own thoughts.

"But of course," he continued, "killing the Senator brings a big spot light and this guy likes the shadows. He's everywhere and he's nowhere. The only thing we know is that he's been watching over his daughter since she was born. He would go through great lengths, even...let's say...getting her out of the country with a new identity, if it meant keeping her away from his enemies. I think I can be counted as one of his enemies, don't you?"

Gina stiffened in her chair.

"Where is he?"

"I don't know." Gina looked up in his eyes. "I swear to you, I haven't known anything about his whereabouts for over twenty years."

They stared at each other for what seemed like a lifetime and then he reached in his holster and took out a gun.

"What are you going to do, shoot me?" Gina asked frowning.

"I should. It's not like you don't deserve it."

Instead he slid it across the table where it stopped in from of her. "You're reinstated. Unofficially, of course. Only me, Elena and Johnson, who's walking the grounds outside, know about you. Gina and Gabriella have to stay dead. "Mama Aida" is now our inside person. She's going to escape and find herself near the hotel where Melanie and Lt West are right now. She's going to tell them how she was drugged and can't really remember anything. Then, she's going to stay close to Melanie who's going to lead us directly to her father."

Gina looked at Jonathan Fields, the man she had worked with closely and had come to know as her friend, even though he was her superior. She put her hand on the gun and closed her eyes. She had been so idealistic, ready to clean up the world and that's why they recruited her. She started as an outsider with the people they wanted to put behind bars and it took a couple of years to make her way closer to the inside circles. Her relationship with "lizard shoes" was her crowning achievement but she wasn't supposed to really fall in love with him. She thought she knew what she was doing but she was too young to understand that she was in way over her head.

Gina grimaced as she thought back to the day of the bomb blast. It was her information that aroused the suspicion of a snitch and her best friend paid for it with her life and the life of her unborn child. Well, that was enough blood on her hands. She took Melanie because she knew that like Fields, there were others who wanted to use Melanie in order to get to her father. She wasn't going to let Melanie be used or put in danger. She owed that to Anna.

Gina opened her eyes with a sudden thought. "Is Lt West one of yours?"

"One of ours, you mean? No, he's not."

Fields then took something out of his pocket and dropped it in the middle of the table. It was her old badge.

"You kept it," Gina whispered.

"For a long time I thought you were dead and I thought it was my fault," Fields said quietly looking down at the badge. "It reminded me that I needed to find you and ask you why you didn't trust me."

He forcefully pushed the badge towards her and it slid across the table and landed with a thud in her lap.

"Now, I just want it to remind you of whose side you're supposed to be on, Mama Aida."

Gina looked at Fields. She was sorry for hurting him but the Gina he knew had died that day. She was Mama Aida, at least to the only person that counted. She had loved and protected Melanie since she was toddler and that was still her first priority. Gina picked up the gun. It felt heavy and foreign in her hands. She wasn't even sure she could still use it properly. Standing up slowly, she nodded to Fields. She was a little relieved to have one of the ghosts that had been chasing her put to rest. She still had so many others, but she wouldn't run out of fear this time. She wasn't going to let Melanie be used as a decoy to lure "the big bad wolf" into the open. She wasn't going to let that happen, even if she had to switch sides to do it.