A deep bond






Mariana opened her eyes as she listened to the annoying sound of her alarm
clock. It was 6:30 am, she had to get up, but she didn't want to. Classes were to begin that day. Another new year in high school. But sometimes she felt so depressed, if it weren't because of her father, brother and best friend, she probably wouldn't get up in the morning. She had a lot of problems in the past, but she had the courage to go on.

After getting dressed with her blue jeans and white blouse, she walked down the stairs to the kitchen. Her father and brother were already there.  

"Good morning Mariana" said her father.

"Morning dad" she gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Mariana, eat something quickly, we can't be late today" asked her brother Daniel.

"I know, I know, just give me a break OK? I'm very tired, I couldn't sleep last night."

"What happened to you?" her father asked.

"I don't know, my guess I was nervous."

"You, nervous?" said Daniel.

"Don't make fun of me. By the way Daniel, you only want to go to school to see Bernice right?". Daniel blushed a little bit.

"I knew it!" Mariana laughed.

"Shut up Mariana! Come on, we have to go" Daniel ordered.

"Wait for me! Good bye dad."

"Good bye precious" her father answered.

Mariana and Daniel got inside the car, but when Daniel tried to switch it on an incredible sound exploded in the engine.   "Oh no! Not again!" Daniel said angrily.

"Well, it looks like we're gonna be late" Mariana predicted.

"No way! Lets run to the bus stop."

*This is going to be a long day* Mariana thought.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Bernice walked through the school's corridors.  *Mariana is going to be late again* she thought as she walked inside the classroom.

Mariana arrived running to the school, it was late now, but she had to enter to the class. She opened the door slowly and quietly hoping the teacher couldn't see her, but her classmates looked at her betraying her silence.

"Well, Mariana, at least you come" the professor told her.

"I'm sorry but..." Mariana started.

"No more excuses young lady. I have heard enough. I'm sorry but you will remain up the rest of the class."

After hearing his words Mariana walked to her usual spot: the corner. This was not the first time.

"What took you so long?" Bernice whispered to her.

"It's the car again. Something's wrong with the engine, Daniel and I took the bus, and then came running here."

"How is he?".

"Don't worry Bernice, you'll see your boyfriend soon."

"He is not my boyfriend!".

"But soon he will."

"Have you met the new guys?" asked Bernice trying to change the subject.

"I've just arrived, how I am supposed to know them?".

"Well, I already talked to them. The dark one is Raymond, the curly haired is Fred and the other one is Stephen" Bernice smiled.

"Girl, don't cheat on my brother."

"I'm not a cheater, I just want to know my classmates."

"Bernice and Mariana quiet please!" the teacher ordered them. Mariana looked around the classroom and found that Stephen was trying to stare at her.  *Now what?* she thought.

The rest of the classes passed really quickly to her surprise. She soon found herself talking with Bernice in the corridor.

"So, have that Pete bothered you again?" Bernice asked.

"Not yet, I hope he forget about me. I don't know what is wrong with him, he knows that I don't even like him" Mariana answered.

"Well, for your bad luck he has a crush on you. What are you going to do?".

"I'll just keep refusing him, what else?".

"Hi girls!" Daniel joined them.

"Hi Daniel!" Bernice answered blushing a bit.

"So, why you don't go for a walk, I need to stay here a while longer" Mariana suggested.

"Are you sure sister?".

"Yes, don't worry, go ahead."

"Ok, bye Mariana I'll see you tomorrow." Bernice said as she walked away with Daniel.

*Those two are so funny* Mariana thought.

But when she was going to walk away a blond and tall man dressed in black stepped in front of her. Another three guys behind him.  
"Well, hello Mariana...each day you become more pretty" the guy said.

"What do you want Pete?" she asked annoyed.

"Hey, what's the matter? You know what I want" Pete said as he tried to reach her hand.

"Leave me alone!" she shouted.

"Take it easy girl, I just want to have some fun" Pete said as he forced Mariana to his arms.

"You are not going to have that kind of fun with me" Mariana answered as she kicked him in the shin. He cried in pain.

"Now you will learn to respect me girl..." Pete raised his hand to hit Mariana, but then another strong arm stopped him.

"I think she told you to leave" a voice said.

"Who you think you are? this is not your problem!"

"Yes, it is my problem. Now leave, or I'll teach you a lesson"

"Oh really boy, you and who else?" Pete asked, he looked around to see his friends only to find them being caught by some other three guys. One of them was really strong.

"All right, we'll leave for now... I'll see you later" Pete pointed to Mariana as he blew her a kiss. Pete's friends walked behind him.

"Are you okay?" the boy with blue eyes asked.

"I didn't need you help...but thank you" Mariana answered feeling embarrassed and upset.

"Anytime, what is you name?".

"Mariana."

"I'm Stephen, he is Fred, Raymond and this is my brother David" Stephen pointed to his friends.

"Do you need any help lass?" the big guy asked.

"No thank you David, I'm fine. I have to go" Mariana said as she walked away.

"Bye!" the boys answered.

When Mariana was out of sight Fred exclaimed: "That girl is a little strange".

"Yeah, but she did need help" Stephen assured.

"Well, you'll find that tomorrow. Come on little brother, I'm starving."

"I'll bet on that" Fred joked.

The four friends walked away, everyone thinking about the girl they've just met.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Mariana walked up to her room. Daniel and her father weren't in home yet.  She entered to her room and opened a small drawer and took out a glove. She put it on her hand. She walked to a perch and raised her arm.

"Come here Dermott" she ordered kindly. A little hawk walked to her and perched on her arm.

"How do you feel today?".

The hawk chirped.

"Don't worry, soon you will fly again my friend."

Mariana walked to the window with Dermott on her arm. Thoughts flooded her mind. She remembered when she saw the hawk for the first time: She was having a picnic with her father and brother in the forest. Suddenly, she heard a noise coming from the branch of a tree. She decided to look for it. She climbed the tree not even caring the fact that her father was ordering her to come down.

And then she saw it. The hawk was chirping in a painful way, his wing and leg were broken. Carefully, she took him to his arms and climbed down.  She decided to keep him until he felt fine. At first her father was reluctant to let her keep the hawk, but Mariana was so in love with the bird that he couldn't deny anymore.

She named him Dermott, and for a strange reason, she felt as if this have happened before. Every time she looked at Dermott, she thought about her brother, but she couldn't guess why.  Mariana sat down on her bed and took the phone, she marked Bernice's number.

"Hello?" a voice asked.

"Hi Bernice! Its Mariana."

"Oh hi! How are you?"

"Well,..."

"What's wrong?".

"Something happened to me, when you and Daniel left."

"What happened?".

"Pete and his friends caught me."

"Did he do something to you?" Bernice asked worried.

"He tried to but, do you remember Stephen and his friends?  They helped me."

"Really, that is great!".

"Yeah, Stephen's brother was also there, his name is David, he is a giant, but very nice."

"You didn't treat them bad after they saved you right?".

"Well, I..."

"You did?  Come on Mariana!  You can't be saved all days by a cute guy."

"Stop it Bernice!" Mariana answered laughing.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"What is wrong Stephen? Don't you like your dinner?" and old man asked to his nephew.

"It's not that uncle Dim, its just that..." the young man said.

"I know, you are thinking about the beautiful redhead we saved today right?" David asked.

"What girl?" Dim asked.

"Well, when I came to school to pick up him and his friends, Stephen just stared to a girl. Some guys were bothering her, so we decided to help her."

"I see" Dim said. Then the telephone rang.

"I'll get it" David said as he left.

"So, you are thinking about the girl?" asked Dim.

"Well, yes, I mean, when I saw her, it was like I have met her before. I don't know, it was strange."

"You know that this can happen. Maybe you met her in another life."

"I don't think so" Stephen tried to not to laugh.

"Its true my boy, the destiny is very wise."

The old man stood up from his chair and walked away leaving his nephew lost in thoughts.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


"I will break his nose!" Pete yelled.

"Take it easy, if it weren't because of his friends..." another boy told him.

"I can't believe this Greg, how Mariana dared to hit me?".

"Pete, you know that girl, she is impossible."

"Yeah, I think that that is what I like about her the most."

"So, what are you planing to do with this guys?".

"I don't know yet, but they will pay this humiliation. Look for Tom and John, we have work to do..."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The next morning Mariana woke up as usual, but this time she had another feeling, a feeling she decided to like.  She walked to Dermott with a piece of meat in her hand.  

"Good morning Dermott" she said as she gave him the meat.

Mariana was thinking about the boy that have saved her, he was so handsome, *Bernice is right, I can be so fool sometimes* she thought. She walked to her closet and reached for a white and brown short dress, and after getting dressed she said good bye to Dermott and walked down the stairs.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


"Little brother...little brother...STEPHEN, GET UP NOW!" David shouted to his sleepy brother.

"Hey, what is going on?" he asked still asleep.

"You have to get up, come on!" David answered as he pulled his brother out of the bed.

"You know something? I hate when you wake me up like this."

"Well, If you want to be wake up kindly, get yourself a girl, I don't have time for this" he answered almost coldly.

"What's wrong with you? why are you so angry?".

"I'm just mad because I had a problem with my boss yesterday."

"Sorry to hear that" he assured.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


THAT AFTERNOON


Mariana walked to Dermott again and stretched her arm.  "Come here friend, do you want to go for a walk?".  Dermott chirped and jumped to the arm of his mistress. She walked outside the house. People in the street were looking at her, not just because she was pretty, but for the hawk that rested proudly on her arm.

Stephen opened the door and walked outside of the shop, he was walking to home when suddenly a couple of arms grabbed him and pushed him to the wall.  

"Well, Stephen, do you want to go for a walk with us?" Stephen recognized Pete's voice behind him.

"Sorry guys, I have homework to do" he answered with sarcasm.

"Sorry about that, you have to come with us."

"Yes, we'll teach you a lesson that you will never forget" assured Greg.

"No, I have other plans" After Stephen said those words he punched with his fists Pete and Greg's stomachs and ran away. Not caring about the pain they followed him. Stephen kept running until he arrived to an alley, no one was there. Soon, Pete and Greg found him and started to fight.

Mariana was walking through the streets with Dermott, but suddenly she heard
screams coming from an alley. She walked there and saw Pete and Greg
fighting against Stephen.  Stephen looked pretty hurt, but he still gave a
good fight. Mariana left Dermott on an old branch.
"Stay here, I'll be back soon" she assured to the bird. She walked quietly
to where the boys where.

Stephen laid on the floor, he looked tired and hurt. Greg stepped aside and
Pete took out a knife and said:  "This will be your end..." when he was
about to strike Stephen he looked back to his friend and suddenly Mariana
jumped over to Greg and pushed him hardly to the wall, leaving him
unconscious.

"What the..." Pete started to walk to Mariana in anger when a couple of strong arms pushed him to the floor and kicked him.

"Come on, lets go!" Mariana offered her arm to Stephen.

"What are you doing here?" He asked shocked.

"I'll explain you later, come on!" she pulled Stephen to her. Mariana walked to the branch and Dermott jumped to her.

"A hawk?" Stephen asked more shocked.

"Yes, a hawk, his name is Dermott, I found him in the forest some months ago, he was hurt."

"Looks like you like to help hurt people eh?" Stephen joked.

"You are the second one" she said smiling.

"Where did you learn to kick in that way?".

"I hate to be a vulnerable girl."

"Believe me, you're not."

Mariana smiled again, but her smile faded when she saw Stephen fall to the floor.

"Are you all right?" she asked.

"Yes, just a little hurt."

"Can I do something for you?"

"Yes, can you...walk me home? I don't think I could do it by myself."

"Sure, lets go." Mariana answered while helping him to get up.

Meanwhile, Pete and Greg were waking up, their heads hurting like hell.

"What happened to me?" asked Greg.

"Mariana came from nowhere and kicked you" Pete answered.

"A girl! I can't believe it."

"Relax, she helped Stephen, I couldn't hurt him with the knife."


"What are we going to do? We can't forget this."

"We will not forget this, but we do need help."

"Next time we'll bring Tom and John as well."

"Yes, but, do you remember Rachel Turmain?".

"Bernice's cousin? your last girlfriend?".

"Yes, she is a girl with a lot of influence, maybe she can help us...."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


"What happened to you?" Dim asked worried when he saw his nephew.

"Just a little problem with some guys uncle Dim."

"Come on you both, sit down please." The old man said before walking to the kitchen.

"Uncle Dim?" Mariana whispered.

"His name is Damian, but we call him Dim" Stephen explained. Mariana sat down at the opposite side of the easy chair.

"Ok, let me see what happened to you" Dim said as he returned with a plate full of water and a towel.

"Stephen, are you going to introduce me you lady friend here?" Dim asked.

"Oh sorry, uncle Dim, this is Mariana, she helped me today," the boy answered.

"How are you mister...?" Mariana started.

"Call me Dim, nice to meet you." The old man and the girl shook hands.

"Is he your pet?" Dim asked pointing to Dermott.

"Not exactly, I just take care of him, his name is Dermott."

"Dim, where is David?" Stephen asked.

"Iīm here little...oh boy! What happened to you?" David asked.

"Well, I have to go" said Mariana.

"Iīll walk you home" Stephen said as he tried to get up.

"No, Stephen, you need to rest" Mariana protested.

"I don't want you to go alone, Pete might be waiting for you."

"Stephan, I don't need a bodyguard..."

"Stop it! Mariana, I'll go with you, Stephen is right" David interrupted.

"Okay, thank you, good bye Dim!" Mariana said as she walked outside with David and Dermott.

"Bye child!" the old man answered. He kept watching the door for a few more seconds and then turned to his nephew.

"What's wrong?" Stephen asked.

"That girl...is very special...I think that I have seen her before too"

"Yeah, she is different."

"Keep her always by you side."

"Why is that?".

"I don't know yet, but you need to help each other, you are going to have problems and you must face them together."

"If you say so..." the young man answered.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


A beautiful girl with black hair and dressed with a red short skirt walked through the corridors of the shopping center.  Another pretty brunette walked along with her, wearing a short yellow dress.  "What do you think about this one?" the girl in red asked.

"It's pretty but..." the other girl answered.

"But...?".

"It's very revealing."

"Bernice, come on! You also wear short dresses."

"Yes, Rachel, but not that kind."

"Sometimes you are so boring, I don't know why I brought you with me."

"I didn't want to come with you either, it's your father's fault."

"Yes, I always forget that you prefer to be with your peasant friend instead of being with your cousin."

"At least Mariana is nice, but you..."

"Shut up girl, just move."

Rachel started to walk annoyed when a couple of arms encircled her waist.

"Hi pretty" Rachel recognized Pete's voice.

"Pete! How are you?" Rachel answered excited.

"What happened to you? a bus hit you or what?" Bernice asked pointing to his purple eye.

"I just had a problem with Stephen and Mariana."

"What did you do to them?" Bernice asked angrily.

"Who is Stephen?" Rachel asked.

"Just a new boy in school who is trying to steal Mariana from me."

"You're still crazy about that peasant right?".

"Jealous?"

"From you?  Never" Rachel answered with a wicked smile.

"Bernice, why you don't go for a walk? I need to talk privately with your cousin" Pete suggested, almost ordering her.

"Don't worry, I have better things to do than to watch you two fooling around" Bernice answered before going away.

"So, what do you need dear?" Rachel asked.

"I need some of your father's influences, and yours of course. That Stephen is getting too much on my way."

"Why don't you introduce him to me?".

"I don't think I could, we hate each other, but maybe Bernice or Mariana could, why do you want to meet him?".

"I'm intrigued about him. I mean, if this guy actually could hit you, he should be very special."

"All right, but are you going to help me?".

"We'll see dear" she answered smiling.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


"Hello?" Mariana answered her phone.

"Mariana?  It's me, Stephen."

"Oh hi! How did you get my number?"

"Bernice gave it to me, I think that she gave your phone to everyone at school the first day."

"Yeah, I believe you. How do you feel?"

"Better thank you, and you?"

"Great, your brother is very funny."

"Yes, he is... Mariana I was wondering if I could see you in the weekend, I don't know, do something?"

Mariana remained in silence for a few seconds, she was shocked, a cute guy asking her for a date? She should be dreaming.

"Yeah sure" she answered.

"All right, I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Sure, bye!". Mariana hang up the phone.

"I heard you little brother, well done!" David laughed.

"Shut up!" Stephen threw a pillow to his face.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


"This is a crazy idea Raymond" Fred exclaimed.

"No, its not. David just called me a few minutes ago telling me that Pete attacked Stephen" Raymond answered.

"Yes, but, Mariana helped him remember?".

"Yes, but Pete is not the kind of guy who stays with crossed arms when someone defeat him. I know he will attack again, and maybe we're the next ones"

"Then why to look for him? He will find us anyway."

"But we should learn his plans, its the only wan to protect ourselves."

"But why exactly we're looking for him in a shopping center?".

"Of what I've heard, he likes to steal purses from ladies in this place."

"I see."

Raymond and Fred kept walking through the corridors until Fred finally found Pete, he was talking with a girl in a lonely spot.

"Who is that girl?" Raymond asked.

"She looks very familiar to me, but at this distance I can't recognize her" Fred explained.

Finally, and in silence, they came closer to the couple.

"I think that..." Fred started.

"Hi guys! what are you doing here?" a familiar voice asked.

"AAHH!" the boys almost shouted.

"Bernice, you almost kill us from a heart attack!" Raymond exclaimed angrily.

"Sorry. Why are you spying Pete and my cousin?" she asked.

"Is she your cousin?" Fred asked surprised.

"Yes, her name is Rachel."

"Why is she talking to Pete?".

"They are old friends."

"Oh really?".

"Yes,...I hate her sometimes."

"Why is that?" Raymond asked.

"Well, she is a very popular girl, and not a nice one. Her father is very rich. Some people think that he is a criminal" she said.

"Nice family you have" Fred said.

"Only that side of the family."

"Did you say a criminal?" Raymond asked.

"Well, yes, at least my family thinks that. They believe that my uncle made his fortune by stealing banks, and that he has his own personal men to do the dirty job" Bernice explained.

"That's awful!" Fred answered.

"Bernice, are you sure?" Raymond said.

"Yes, completely sure" she answered.
"
Pete knows your uncle?"

"Yes, actually Rachel told me that once Pete helped his father in a dirty work or something."

"Raymond, are you thinking what I am thinking?" Fred asked.

"Yes...I think we are in danger."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


"David, you didn't explain me what really happened with your boss" Dim asked to his older nephew while walking to the kitchen.

"Well, is just that I have some suspicious" David answered.

"What kind of suspicious?".

"I think that Mr. Turmain works with illegal documents."

"That is really serious David, are you sure?".

"Not completely, I have to investigate more."

"But, what exactly did you see?".

"There are some accounts with a lot of money, and I know that the company can't produce that much money in so little time, the company is not that great..." In that moment the sound of the doorbell interrupted David.

"I'll get it" David said as he walked to the door, he opened it without even asking who it was, and he regretted it.

"Hi David! Is Stephen in home?" a familiar voice asked.

"Hello Tania, well, I'm sorry but he..." David started trying to protect his brother from an annoying visit, but Stephen's voice betrayed him.

"Who is?...Oh Tania..." Stephen said *Oh great, I shouldn't have showed up* he added in his mind.

"Hi sweetheart!" Tania pushed David aside and entered to the living room. Soon Stephen found himself between Tania's arms.

"So, what are you doing tomorrow?" Tania asked.

"I'm sorry, but I have plans" Stephen answered.

"Come on! cancel them, let's have some fun"

"No, not this time."

"Oh but..."

"Tania, it's time for you to go."

"Why? I've just arrived."

"We're busy" Stephen said while pushing her gently to the door.

"You're so boring."

"Yeah whatever, bye!" Stephen said while closing the door behind her. Dim started to laugh.

"Poor Tania, you're so cruel with her" Dim said.

"No, she was cruel with me before, I'm just returning her favor" Stephen answered with a grin on his face.

"This is the fifth time she comes here to beg you."

"I don't care if she comes here fifty times, I'm not going to forgive her, she hurt me a lot."

"Yes, you're right..."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The next day at school looked just like any other normal day, but this time, in a hidden spot, two boys and a girl were conspiring.

"So Rachel, did you talk with your father?" asked Pete.

"Yes, I did, he will help you, but first you guys most help him in a job" she explained.

"What kind of work?" Greg asked.

"You know what kind."

Pete and Greg glanced at each other knowingly. Rachel then took out form her
bag a small card.

"You should go to this address tonight at 10 o'clock, he will explain you his plans, but don't be late." Rachel suggested as she walked away. After looking at the card, Greg threw it to the trash can. They didn't notice that Daniel have heard everything. Rachel kept walking through the corridors until unfortunately, she found
Mariana.

"Oh great, the peasant girl." Rachel said.

"What do you want witch?" Mariana answered angrily.

"I don't want anything from you. I'm just here to find my cousin."

"Well, I hope you don't find her." Mariana was about to walk away when Stephen appeared behind her.

"Hi Mariana" he said smiling.

"Hi" she answered.

*What a cute boy! he is even much more handsome that Pete* Rachel thought.

"Aren't you going to introduce me you friend Mariana?" Rachel asked hypocritically.

"No, I'm not" Mariana answered coldly.

"Sorry, I forgot that you are a peasant, and like a peasant, you don't have any manners. Hello, my name is Rachel" she raised her hand to reach Stephen's.

"I'm Stephen" he shook her hand."

"Stephen? everyone is talking about you"

"Who's everyone?" he asked a little surprised.

"Why don't we discuss about 'everyone' later? and alone?" Rachel suggested as she put her arm around Stephen's waist. He moved uncomfortable.

"Sorry, but we have to go" Mariana said while pushing Stephen along with her. Rachel glanced at her and then walked away.

"What's wrong with that girl?" Stephen asked.

"Everything, she is one of those popular girls, she is so hateful" Mariana answered.

"Stephen, Mariana, I need to talk to you" Daniel ran to them breathing heavily.

"Are you okay?" She asked worried.

"Not exactly, I have important things to tell you, but let's find the others first."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Meanwhile, in David's office...

*Where did I put those files? Turmain is going to kill me for this* David thought as he searched on a pile full of papers.

"David I...what the hell are you doing?" asked a secretary while looking to the mess on David's desk.

"I'm looking for a file, I don't remember where I put it."

"Okay, take this, Mr. Turmain wants you to lock them."

"Okay, thanks." David took the document on his hands and opened it.

*I knew it! more money entered to Turmain's account, and not form the company, I'll better keep a copy of this* David thought as he walked away with the papers.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~



"...so that is what I heard" Daniel explained.

"Do you know the address?" Fred asked.

"No, Greg threw the card to the trash can."

"We have to find it" Mariana said.

"Wait, I have to tell you something too. Bernice told Fred and me about Pete, she says that he helps her uncle with dirty business, maybe this is one of them" explained Raymond.

"Well, that explains why is Pete talking with Rachel, everything match" Stephen said.

"I'll go find the card" Daniel said as he stands up.

"Okay, let's meet in my house tonight at 9:30, we have to look for Pete" Stephen said. Everyone nodded and then Daniel walked away.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Later that night

"Mariana, forget it, you're not coming" Daniel ordered to his sister.

"I'm going with you" she answered annoyed.

"No way, this is going to be dangerous."

"I don't care, I would not be left behind."

"Mariana, please."

"Forget it, I'm going too."

"This is not you business."

"Yes, it is!".

Daniel walked in circles around her room, thinking. He didn't want his sister to come along, but when Mariana had an idea, nothing could make her change her mind.

"Okay, you're coming too, but you must be very careful, do you hear me?" Daniel ordered.

"Sure, everything will be fine" she assured.

Daniel leaned down to get his bag, he had put a rope and a lamp inside of it, he thought they might need it.  Mariana walked to Dermott and petted his feathers with sweetness.  

"I'll see you later Dermott, wish us luck."  Dermott had a bad feeling about Mariana leaving home so late. The girl started to walk away, with her back to the hawk. Dermott stretched his wings and started to flutter and chirp to get her attention, but it was too late, Mariana already have closed the door and didn't notice that her hawk was healed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Stephen walked in circles around the living room. He had been thinking about not going there, to not endanger his friends, but it was late now. He had explained their plans to David, who insisted to come along with them. David walked to Stephen.

"I explained everything to Dim."

"What did he say?" Stephen asked.

"He is worried, but he thinks that we are right."

"Good!".

Then the doorbell rang and David answered the door. It were Fred and Raymond.

"Hi, are we late?" Fred asked.

"No, Mariana and Daniel are still missing, come in" Stephen said.

"So, what are we exactly going to do?" Raymond asked.

"We're not sure about that, It's up to the circumstances" Then, the doorbell rang again, Stephen opened the door and saw Daniel.

"Time for you to show up, do you have the address?".

"Yes, it's here" Daniel handed the card to Stephen "I'm sorry, I had a discussion with Mariana" Daniel apologized.

"And who won?".

"I did" Mariana said before walking in to the house.

"Do we leave now?" Fred asked.

"Yes, Daniel, what's in the bag?" David asked.

"It's just a rope and a lamp, I thought we might need them" Daniel explained while putting the bag on his back. They walked outside the house and David got into his small car and opened the rest of the doors.

"I'll drive, Daniel, Fred and Raymond, you go in the back seat, you Stephen sit next to me" David said.

"And where do I sit?  There is no more space" Mariana noticed.

"On Stephen's legs."

"What!" Stephen and Mariana exclaimed in unison.

"There's no time for arguments lass, just get in the car" David ordered trying his best to not to laugh. Mariana got into the car and sat on Stephen's legs. Both of them felt very happy and embarrassed due their closeness, but what was more annoying was the sound of giggles behind them. After 20 minutes of searching between the streets, they finally arrived to the correct address. It was in a bad neighborhood.

"What is the number?" David asked.

"It's the 302" Stephen answered while looking to the card.

"Is that building the old gas station?" Mariana asked.

"Yes, it was closed down some months ago due the constant fire."

"Nice place to have a reunion" Fred commented.

"All right, its 10 o'clock, let's go" Raymond suggested. The six friends got out of the car and walked quietly to the building. They noticed that the lights were on. Stephen had an idea, he took the rope of Daniel's bag and said.

"I'll climb to the window, David, help me" Stephen climbed on David's shoulders and then to the window of the top floor. He tied up the rope to the window and threw the other side to his friends. Mariana and Daniel climbed after him. Fred and Raymond decided to make a little exploring, they walked to the other side of the building and saw a little door, they slowly opened it and walked in. A pile of boxes was in front of them and they hid themselves behind it. Stephen, Mariana and Daniel were now on the top floor, hiding behind the rail. Then they heard the sound of voices. The main door opened, letting pass Pete, Greg, Mr. Turmain and his bodyguard. Turmain was carrying a case.

"So, what is the deal Mr. Turmain?" Pete asked.

"Well, boys, you know that last week I received a special package, this case with 100,000 dollars" Turmain said while showing the case.

"Yes, but, what do we must to?" Greg asked.

"It's a simple job this time, take this case and give it to Mr. Bilson, he'll know what to do with it."

"Yes, I remember him, I worked with him some months ago" Pete said.Turmain raised his eyes and looked that some of the boxes were moving.

"Someone is here, get him!" Turmain ordered. Pete and Greg walked to the pile of boxes and started to move them, one by one, until they finally found Raymond and Fred. Stephen and Daniel reacted to the dangerous situation of their friends and jumped form the rail, landing on Pete and Greg's shoulders, crashing them to the ground.

Turmain left the case on the floor and ordered to his bodyguard to go upstairs to get the girl. Mariana was feeling confused, but when she saw the man trying to reach her she jumped out the window, she fell right in David's arms.

"Are you okay? what happened?" David asked.

"They discovered us, we have to go" Mariana said.

Both of them started to run to the car. Stephen opened the main door and ordered his friends to go out. Raymond reached the case and took it in his hand, then he ran away as well. Turmain was screaming and Greg and Pete were on the floor.
"Don't stay there idiots! Go after them!" Turmain ordered.
They obeyed him, but when they were outside, they didn't find anyone, they were gone, along with the money case.

"Who are they?" Turmain asked trying to stay in calm.

"They are the boys that we wanted to kill, we talked to you about them" Pete started. Turmain grabbed Pete by his neck and said:

"I don't care how you do it, I don't care how long it takes, but you must recover the money, DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"

"Yes, sir" Pete said while gasping for air.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Mariana walked down the stairs with Dermott on her arm, and met her brother in the kitchen, her father was also there, having a cup of coffee. Mariana and Daniel were glancing at each other knowingly.

"Something's wrong?" her father asked.

"No, nothing" Daniel said.

"Are you sure, you two look very nervous."

"NO, everything is fine."

"Mariana, where are you going?".

"I'm just going to meet Stephen, I told you remember?" the girl asked.

"Right, Just return home early ok?" her father replied.

"Don't worry."

"Are you taking Dermott along?" Daniel asked.

"Yes, he needs fresh air. Bye!!" Mariana said as she closed the door.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


"Are you going out?" David asked to his brother.

"Yes, I'm going to see Mariana, why?" Stephen answered.

"It's just that I am very worried after what happened last night."

"Me too, but we can't hide ourselves forever."

"I know. Just be careful, and take care of the lass too."

"Don't worry, she won't be out of my sight."

"I'll bet" David said smiling. Stephen was about to open the door when he saw Tania through the window.

*Great! Just what I needed* Stephen thought.

He walked outside home and Tania ran to him.

"Stephen, how are you?" she asked excited. Stephen took a long breathe and then answered: "Fine. I'm leaving."

"Where, can I go with you?".

"No, I'm going to meet someone."

"Who?"

"Someone you don't know."

"All right, all right, I understand."

"You do?" Stephen asked surprised.

"Of course I don't you fool! Now get out of my way." She said while pushing him aside. *I will never understand what I saw on her before* he thought.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


At the old gas station Pete and Greg were having a meeting. Pete was walking in circles, and sometimes he clenched his fists and punched to the wall.

"So..." Greg started feeling very nervous, his friend has never been like that.

"So? SO! that is all you can say? It is your fault that we are in this mess. You have brains don't you? Then use them!" Pete answered in anger.

"It's not my fault, You were also there!".

"Look, if we don't get back the money Turmain will not be reluctant to kill us" Pete said breathing heavily.
"I know that" Greg answered quietly.

Pete stood in front of the window, staring at the streets, an idea came into his mind.

"Do you still have you black van?" he asked.

"Yes, why?" Greg asked.

"WE might need it, Oh, and get me some ropes too"

"Yes, but why do you want them?"

"I'll explain you later, now go!" Pete ordered. Greg turned around and walked away, wondering what was planning his friend.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Meanwhile Stephen, Mariana and Dermott were walking in the streets. They seemed happy.

"Last night was so strange" Mariana started.

"Yes, David is very worried about this mess" Stephen answered.

"He is not the only one, Daniel is also worried to death. Where is the case?"

"David has it... So, tell me something about your family" Stephen asked eager to change the subject.

"There is no much to tell."

"Where is your mother?".

"She died one year ago" she said sadly.

"I'm sorry" Stephen answered.

"It's okay now...When I was seven my parents broke up. I went to live with my mother and Daniel stayed with my father. She got married again, but my stepfather was not nice with me, and my mother was so in love with him that she didn't notice that. They died in a car accident."

"I'm sorry Mariana, I didn't want you to remember that, I know it is painful."

"You do?".

"Yes, my parents died too when I was younger. David and I went to live with uncle Dim since that, but he is very nice, he always was."

"I noticed."

"Yes, he is the kind of man who believes in destiny. He thinks that the dreams have a meaning, he also believes in soulmates and stuff like that."

"That's sweet."

Stephen turned his face to the other side of the street, he was staring at someone.

"Do you know her?" Mariana asked when she saw a girl with short hair running to Stephen.

"Hi honey! Who is this girl?" Tania asked.

"What are you doing here?".

"I thought you wanted to see me as much as I wanted to."

"No, I didn't."

"She is you girlfriend?" Mariana asked slightly disappointed.

"NO, just ex girlfriend."

"Not ex girlfriend, were just on rebounds" Tania explained.

"No, we're no longer together, so could you move?" Stephen asked. Tania just stood in front of them and stared at him, defying him with her eyes. Mariana was about to say something when suddenly Stephen hold her hand and pulled her along with him, leaving Tania behind.

"I'm sorry about her" Stephen said.

"It's okay, you don't need to explain me anything, we're just friends right?" Mariana answered.

"Yes...just friends" he answered a little disappointed.

Tania, feeling really angry, picked up a small rock and was about to throw it to Mariana's head when suddenly Dermott (who had seen what she was planning to do) flew to her and with his claws started to scratch Tania's face.

"Get off me stupid bird!" she shouted.

Mariana turned around and immediately called for Dermott. The bird returned to his mistress, and Tania threw the rock to the floor and ran away with her hands covering her face.

"That's what I call a bodyguard" Stephen said while he petted Dermott, the hawk chirped. Mariana seemed lost in thoughts.

"He...flew" she said quietly.

"Yes, he did! " Stephen answered.

"So, he is okay now."

"Yes, that is great! You are a good nurse Mariana" he said smiling

"something is wrong?" his smile faded.

"No, I mean, I am happy that he is healed, but this means that I must return him to the forest, he can't be in the city anymore."

"I see."

Mariana looked down at her watch and then said: "I'm sorry Stephen, I have to go, I must visit Bernice".

"All right, I'll see you later then."

"Okay, good bye!" she said as she walked away. Stephen watched her until she disappeared between the crowd of people. Little did she know that a black van was following her.

She kept walking through the streets, but Dermott looked very nervous

"What's wrong?" she asked softly. He just chirped. Mariana stopped worrying about Dermott and continued walking. Soon she arrived to Bernice's house, she was already waiting for her outside.

"Hi Mariana! Hi Dermott!" Bernice greeted.

"Hi! Why do you wanted to see me?"

"I just want you to come with me to the shopping center."

"What do you want to buy?"

"Oh, just a dress, I'll show you it, it's lovely."

"Okay, let's go!".

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Meanwhile, inside of the van...


"When do you want to do it?" Tom asked looking outside the window.

"Wait a few more minutes, or we would have a lot of witnesses" John answered.

"We only have to catch the red head, Mariana right?".

"Yes, but, there is a girl with her."

"If she doesn't get away soon we'll have to bring her along."

"Yes, now keep driving! We have to follow them, if something goes wrong..."

"I know, Pete would kill us, don't worry, everything is under control."

"Yeah right! Like the last time."

"Shut up!".

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Mariana and Bernice were crossing a lonely street when suddenly a black van parked in front of them, and a couple of guys with covered faces grabbed the two girls. Tom grabbed Bernice and swung her over his shoulder. She was screaming but soon found herself being trapped inside of the car.

Dermott flew away from Mariana's arm, he knew he couldn't help her this time. John tried to kick Mariana, but he missed her. She tried to help Bernice but suddenly John grabbed her head and banged her against the car's window, she collapsed to the floor, unconscious. John picked her up and put her in the car.

Dermott kept looking until the van disappeared, then he flew away, looking for Stephen.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Daniel, David and Stephen were chatting in the park. David have bought a sandwich and a beer. He was enjoying his food, but he was chewing with his mouth open.

"Brother, if you keep eating like that we'll have to roll you all the way home, it would be easier" Stephen joked.

"Come on! let me enjoy myself" David answered.

"Do you always eat like this, with your mouth open?" Daniel asked.

"No, only when I'm starving."

"You are always starving!".

"Ok guys, quit it!" ordered Stephen. He raised his head to the sky when suddenly something flew to him and landed on the bench where they were sitting.

"Dermott?" Stephen asked.

"Hey, what is he doing here?" Daniel answered reaching for him.

"Who is it?" David asked.

"Dermott, my sister's hawk, I thought he was hurt." Daniel explained.

"He is not anymore, Mariana and I discovered that today" Stephen said.

"Well, maybe Mariana is somewhere around here" David said.

"But she told me she was going to visit Bernice, why is Dermott here?" Stephen wondered.

"We should go look for her, I have a bad feeling" David said as he stood up. Stephen stretched his arm and Dermott perched on it. He felt a moment of pain, Dermott's claws were very sharp. Then they walked away.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Mariana felt a piercing pain in her head, she slowly opened her eyes only to found herself being tied up. She was laying on the floor, and Bernice next to her, tied up as well.

"Are you all right?" Bernice asked concerned.

"I think so. What happened to me?" Mariana asked.

"A guy hit you against his car, we were kidnapped."

"Just what we need."

"Do you know why?"

"Well, Bernice, I...we did something."
"You and who else?".

"Daniel, Stephen, David, Fred and Raymond."

"What did you do?"

"We stole something from Pete...and from your uncle"

"My uncle?"

"Yes, a case with money."

"WHAT! Are you crazy?"

"It was illegal money! I'm sorry we involved you." In that moment Pete and Greg entered to the room.

"So my dear, do you know why are you here?" Pete asked.

"Yes," Mariana answered.

Pete turned around and looked at Bernice, then he yelled: "TOM, JOHN, come here quickly!" The boys arrived in less than a second. "I told you only to bring the redhead, why is Bernice here?"

"Well, the brunette was with her" John answered.

"Do you know who is she?".

"No" Tom answered.

"She is Turmain's niece you idiot! he will cut our heads for this!" Pete yelled.

"Do we let her go?" Tom asked.

"No, she is involved now" Pete answered. Mariana and Bernice just stared at each other.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


"Certainly she is not in this park" Daniel said.

"We must go to Bernice's house, she told me she was going there" Stephen suggested.

"Yes, but wait a minute" David said as he walked to a telephone box.

"What are you doing?" Stephen asked.

"I'm going to call Fred and Raymond. I have a very bad feeling" David answered.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Mariana and Bernice were alone now. Bernice was feeling really scared. She knew that her uncle was a criminal, but she never guessed how dangerous he was until now. Mariana was trying to release herself of the rope. She almost made it.

"Say something please" Bernice pleaded.

"That, you are going out of here very soon" she answered. Mariana finally loose the rope and let go of her hand. Her wrists were covered with small marks of blood.

"Now your turn" she turned to Bernice and released her. They started to get up, but they felt their legs became ice when the knob started to move. Tom entered the room and saw the girls trying to run away. Mariana ordered Bernice to run to the front door, but unfortunately it was locked with a padlock. She turned around and found on the floor an old hammer, she picked it up and started to hit it against the padlock.

Meanwhile, Mariana and Tom were struggling. She had covered his mouth with her hand to avoid calling the attention of his friends, but she was beginning to get tired. Finally, Bernice was able to break the padlock, she threw it and the hammer to the floor, she opened the door and saw that there was no one outside, she could escape freely, but not without her friend, she turned around and found Mariana on the floor. Tom shouted and Greg and Pete came running to the room.

"Go away!" Mariana shouted.

"But you..." Bernice protested.

"I'll be okay just go!". Reluctantly, Bernice ran away. Pete ordered to Greg to go after her, but he was late, she already had taken a taxi and asked him to take her home. Greg returned to the building and closed the door. Tom grabbed Mariana and pulled her. He raised his hand to hit her, but Pete caught him.

"Don't you dare to touch her!" he ordered.

"But Bernice escaped because of her" Tom protested.

"It is your fault. You shouldn't have brought Bernice here in first place."

"But..."

"But nothing! Don't touch her again, she is mine! Now leave this place and call for Stephen, we have an arrangement to do"

"Oh, Pete..." Tom started feeling fool and nervous.

"What?".

"I only got Fred's number."

"Idiot!" then he took a breathe and said: "okay, call Fred then, he is involved as well, now leave us!". Greg and Tom walked away.

Pete looked back at Mariana. He stared at her for a second and caressed her face, she turned away in disgust. "I'm sorry about this Mariana" he said.

"Yeah right!"

"You shouldn't have came last night"

"Well, I don't regret it at all."

"But soon you will" saying so he turned around, grabbed her hands and pulled her to the wall. He tied her hands tightly.

"Don't worry, everything will be over as soon as your friends come here with the money."

"Stephen will not surrender to you"

"He will, I have you. A man cannot live knowing that he lost his love by his own stupidity" he said while walking away. Mariana looked at him dazed for a second and then closed her eyes.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


"Excuse me sir? Have you seen Bernice?" Stephen asked to the doorman outside of Bernice's house.

"She left about an hour ago, she was with a beautiful redhead, and with a hawk" he answered.

"Thank you" Stephen answered.

"That should have been Mariana" Daniel said.

"Yes, this is not good" Stephen replied softly.

"Where are Fred and Raymond anyway?" David wondered.

"Here!" Raymond answered as he and Fred walked to their friends.

"I have very bad news" Fred started.

"What happened?" Stephen asked.

"Pete...he kidnapped Mariana." Everyone gasped.

"How do you know?" Daniel asked.

"He called me a little after David did, he says that we can recover Mariana if we return him the money."

"Poor lass, this is my fault" David blamed.

"But where is Bernice then?" Daniel asked. Suddenly, they heard the sound of a car coming to them. It was a taxi, it stopped in front of them, letting Bernice out. She was weeping. She threw herself to Daniel's arms and he comforted her.

"What is it? what happened?" he asked.

"Some guys kidnapped us...they hit her...they...." she couldn't speak.

"They hit Mariana?" Stephen asked angrily.

"Yes...they took us to an old gas station. Mariana explained me something about a case with money, then we tried to escape, but they caught her" Bernice explained recovering her breathe.

"I'm going to get the case" David said.

"We'd better call the police" Fred suggested.

"Okay, lets go" Stephen said. Dermott flew off his arm and perched on Bernice's.

"You better keep him for a while" Stephen said as he walked away. Fred grabbed Bernice and entered with her to her house.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


It was night now. The room where Mariana was remained in silence. There was only a little light on, but she could barely see something, only shadows. She tried to free herself again of the ropes, but her wrists were pretty hurt, and Pete had adjusted the ropes tightly this time.

*Why is this happening to me?* she wondered. Her only hopes now were Stephen and Daniel. She knew that her brother would never abandon her. Stephen...she felt a special connection with him, it was strange but she liked it...she liked him.

She heard the sound of voices behind of the door. She knew that they were Pete and his friends, but then she heard two new voices, she didn't recognize one of them.

"Where is the case?" a man asked.

"We don't have it yet Mr. Turmain" Pete answered.

*He is here?* Mariana thought.

"I told you father that this boys were useless sometimes" Rachel said.

*What is she doing here?* Mariana wondered.

"Why are you here Rachel?" Pete asked her. Her father stood in front of her and said.

"That is not of your business. The case is you business, where is it?"

"I don't have it yet sir, but we do have the girl who came last night"

"Who is the girl?" Rachel said as she opened the door.

"Don't..." Pete started too late. She entered to the room.

"Mariana!" she gasped.

"How nice of you to come" Mariana said with sarcasm.

"Do you know her?" Turmain asked.

"She is Bernice's best friend."

"Too bad for her, soon she will not have a friend anymore."

"Why?"

"We must destroy all the proves of the money, and that includes the living proves" Turmain said as he looked at Mariana. Pete just stared at her shocked. He knew perfectly what Turmain meant, and he didn't like it.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


"Ok, here we go again!" Raymond exclaimed.

"I hope Fred called the police" Daniel said.

"I know he will" said David.

"Ok, lets go" Said Stephen while knocking the front door.

"Take the girl to the roof" Turmain ordered to Pete.

"Why?"

"Just take her! Rachel, you go with them."

"Okay, come on peasant!" Rachel said proudly.

"Yeah right witch!" Mariana answered while struggling. Pete got tired, took out his knife and said: "Please love, don't make me hurt you"

"All right, all right" Mariana answered annoyed.

"Seriously, why do you hate each other? Something happened to you, or itīs just natural bad chemistry?" asked Pete. The two girls looked at him angrily. Then they kept walking up the stairs. When they were out of sight Turmain ordered to Greg:

"Open the door." Stephen and his friend walked in.

"So boys, did you bring the money?"

"Where is the girl?" Stephen asked.

"First the money, then the girl." Raymond put the case on the floor. Turmain opened it and counted the money, it was complete. Then he ordered. "Kill them." Soon, the 4 friends found themselves trapped between Greg, John, Tom and Mr. Trumain's bodyguard, each one with a knife. They were about to strike when the sound of patrol cars distracted them. They started to fight. Stephen grabbed Tom's neck and asked him: "Where is Mariana?"

"On the roof, with Pete" he said while gasping for air. Stephen released Tom and walked to the stairs. In that moment, lots of cops opened the door, guns handed. They reached for Turmain and the others, They didn't put resistance. Stephen climbed up the stairs to the roof and found Pete and Rachel holding Mariana.

"So you came after all" Pete said while taking his knife. Stephen walked to him and then they started to fight. Rachel caught Mariana's rope and pulled her along with her to the stairs, but Mariana surprised her by pushing her to the ground. She slapped Rachel's face. Then she ran away screaming. Mariana just laughed. She turned her head to see Stephen, They were fighting very near of the roof's border.

Pete kicked Stephen in the stomach and pulled him to the border. They rolled out of the roof, their hands still grasping the border. Mariana ran to them and tried to help Stephen. Pete tried to hit Stephen, but he slipped and fell into the abyss. The cops surrounded his body immediately.

Mariana helped Stephen to climb up. When they were safe Stephen pulled Mariana into his arms and without thinking kissed her with passion. She was stunned, but responded with equal passion, like if she needed him and vice versa. When they broke the kiss they were out of breathe. Stephen talked first.

"Are you okay?".

"Yes, but, could you untie me?" she asked softly. Stephen reached her hands and untied her, he caressed her hurt wrists and said. "I'm sorry Mariana, this is my fault."

"Don't, this isn't your fault" she said. They stood up and walked down the stairs where their friends were waiting for them.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Three days later...


Mariana walked in the streets with Dermott, this would be their last walk. She was going to return him to the forest. Stephen was driving his car when he suddenly recognized Mariana. He parked in front of her and asked her.

"Wanna a drive?"

"I'm going outside of the city, I must take him to the forest" she answered.

"That's too far, I'll take you" he opened the car's door. She got in.

"So, how is David?" Mariana asked.

"He is fine, he is very proud, Turmain is now in jail. How is Bernice?"

"She is fine, a little shocked, but Daniel is always with her" she smiled.

"Do you know something about Rachel?".

"I saw her yesterday, She is living with Bernice now. She is shocked, and I cannot blame her, I mean, her father is in jail now, and Pete's death hurt her a lot. She loved him, she just didn't admit it."

"Yeah...and you?"

"Fine" she simply answered.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


A couple of hours later they arrived to the woods, It was a beautiful forest, Dermott would be happy there. Dermott perched on her arm one more time.

"I'm going to miss you" Mariana said while she kissed softly his head. Dermott chirped happily. She stretched her arm and Dermott flew away, loosing himself between the trees.

Mariana couldn't take it anymore and let out a single tear. Stephen looked at her and put his hand on her shoulder. "You really loved him don't you?" he asked softly.

"Yeah, he came to me in a time of need, I told him all my sorrows and he always listened to me, keeping those secrets, he became into my confident" she said.

"Well, you will need a new confident now" he said smiling.

"Yes, do you know where I can find him?" she asked returning her smile.

"Come here" he pulled her into his arms. She gladly accepted his embrace.

"Oh, about the kiss..." he started.

"It's okay, we were very excited...I guess" she said.

"I think that there was more in that kiss" he told her looking at her eyes.

"Probably" she said. Mariana brought her lips and brushed them against Stephenīs lips softly. He gladly responded, and tightened his embrace, caressing her back.

All the time stopped for them, they thought about everything that happened the last few days. All their friends and enemies. There was a bond between them, it was more than love, friendship or hate, it was a deep bond that will remain in their hearts forever.

The end



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