Part 3

									Written by:
									Laurie LeBlanc &
									Scott LeBlanc

(A little note here:  This part does deal with kidnapping and murder so I do caution younger
readers of the violence of this section.)	

(Also, I do hope you can follow this section ok.  Carmen is basically speaking so it is mostly in
the first person.)

	"Back when I was sixteen,"  Carmen began, "Suhara and I were on Marco's trail right here
in San Francisco.  We seemed to be at a dead end so we went back to Suhara's apartment for 
awhile.  Some time goes by and then suddenly the phone rang and I remember exactly how 
Suhara reacted when he picked it up.  

	'Hello?' he asked.  Then his face filled with panic and he was listening in silence.
About two minutes go by and Suhara put the phone down nervously- his face was extremely pale.
There was a look of complete terror in his eyes that I'll never forget!

	I asked him, 'Suhara, what is it?'  

	He squeaked out, 'Marco has gone too far!'

	And then my face sent back a frantic expression.  I quickly began to ask, 'What did he
do?  How has he gone too far?'  I remember running up to him when he didn't answer me and
took hold of both of his arms and lightly shook him.  'What can you do?'  I frantically asked.

	'We have to save them!'  Suhara exclaimed shaking me with a bit of force, 'We have to!'
He continues to look into my eyes with his frantic expression.  

	'Suhara!  Calm down!  Please, tell me what's the matter!'  

	He then began to explain, 'I had told you how my sister Asuka, her husband Masahiro and 
their daughter Hotaru were visiting, right?'

	'Yeah, they're staying down the street and-'

	'Well, Marco found them and has captured them!  He wants me to go to this old warehouse
tonight to try to get them back- he said something about how somebody would have to pass a test
to get them back and he wants you to accompany me!'

	'We have to free them Suhara!'

	'No, I'll go- I don't want you mixed up in all this!'  Suhara exclaimed.

	'Suhara, if I don't, he may do something to your family!  He said for both you and me to
be there.  If I'm not, it may anger him enough to kill them or something!'

	'I suppose Carmen...' Suhara sadly replied.  He then decides that I have to wear a
special device that will allow me to alert police.  The police would be close by- but not too
close so Marco wouldn't be able to notice he's being followed."

	Carmen shook her head and confessed to the detectives, "It all seemed so foolproof- but I
should have known better than to think that.

	We entered the warehouse and began our way down a long hallway.  It was dark, but the
flashlight Suhara had lit things up enough for the two of us.  Things seemed a bit too quiet then
suddenly I saw caught a glimpse of someone sneaking up from behind Suhara.  'Su-' I began to
cry out when somebody grabbed me from behind covering my mouth.  Then someone strikes Suhara
from behind with a baseball bat and he fell to the floor.  As he did so, he dropped his flashlight
and the room went almost totally dark.  The only light was from something about the size of a 
pen.  I found out a moment later it was one of the guards flashlights.  I tried to free myself, 
but my attempts to do so were in vain.  The men that got us were in fact Marco's guards and both 
of us were carried off by them.  We didn't know where then.  We suddenly stopped it what I
remember to be nothing but surrounding darkness.  Not even the guard's flashlight showed us what
was ahead of us.

	I do remember the room was extremely quiet and my fear of the unknown terror that awaited
us was causing my heart to race.  The silence of the room was broken a moment later by an evil
chuckle.  The room was illuminated by a quick burst of the warehouse's lights turning on.  When
they did, I could see that the laughter belonged to who I feared it belonged to- Marco!
Behind him I could see Masahiro and Asuka -- Suhara's middle aged relatives.  Then next to Asuka
I could see a young girl of five or six years.  That was Hotaru.  They were all tied to a post
and although they were silent, their expressions cried for help.

	'Good evening detectives,' Marco greet us with a menacing grin, 'I'm so glad the old
man invited your Carmen because I have a little game I want you to play.  The first rule is,
if you have any way to contact the police, I wouldn't try to do so.'  As he spoke, the guard
tied Suhara to the post next to his sister, Asuka.

	'And why not?'  I questioned angrily.

	'Because if you do,' Marco began as he reached into his cloak and pulled out a pistol,
'I'll shoot your partner,' he continued as he placed the gun on Suhara's forehead, 'right
between the eyes!'		

	At that moment I thought of the device Suhara gave me.  It was in my right pocket and I 
knew if I made any attempt to use it while he was watching, he would follow through on his 
threat.  'All right!'  I exclaimed, 'You win, I'll accept that rule.'

	'Good,' Marco slyly replied as he removed the gun from Suhara and pointed in my 
direction.  'Now for rule two.  We're going to play a little game where if I don't like the
answer, someone might get hurt.'

	'What do you mean?  How?'  I frantically asked.

	Marco then took the pistol and opened the chamber.  He turned the gun around to show me
the inside.  There were four bullets in the six slots of the chamber.  'You've heard of Russian
Roulette, right?  Well, here's a variation on it- where the odds are in my favor!'  He then
laughed wickedly and continued, 'See, I'm gonna ask you a series of questions and I want you to
respond.  Give me the answer I'm looking for an I don't fire the gun.  If you do give such an
answer that I don't like, I'll fire it.  But, at least they do have two chances if you don't
answer right.  So, obviously, I'd be wise about your answers Ms. Sandiego!'

	'Marco, may I ask something?'  I begged.

	'Go ahead.'

	'Will you fire if I give a correct answer that you just don't want to accept?'

	'Like what?'

	'Say you ask, 'What's three plus three?'  I answer six, and you wouldn't say something
like, 'Yeah, but I like fun addition where the answer is thirty-three!' and then fire?'  I 
asked trembling.

	'No, no my dear.  That wouldn't be fair.  These questions are totally subjective.'

	'Then you'll be the only judge of my answer?'

	'Exactly.'

	'How can I be assured that you just won't fire when you simply don't like my answer?'

	He laughed and then added, 'You don't.  But, if you don't play, everyone's lives will
be immediately ended.  And hey, they do have a chance to live even if you are wrong.  I'd say
you'd have no choice but to play.  Now enough questions, Carmen!  It's my turn to be asking from
now on!'

	Just then, Suhara awoke and exclaimed, 'No Carmen!  Don't do it!'

	'Shut up old man!'  Marco barked at Suhara.  He whirled around to glare at him, 'You want
to forfeit your life right now?'

	'If it means that you'll let everyone else go, yes!'  Suhara cried out.

	'Su-'  I began.

	'Quiet!'  Marco screamed at me.  He then turned back to Suhara.  'Oh no, that would be
too simple.  I want to have a little fun!'  Marco replied with the most evil expression I have
ever seen.  He then turned towards me and asked, 'So, ready to play?'

	'Marco, please let Suhara's family go.  They are innocent- it's us you want!'  I pleaded.

	'Being noble, I see.'  Marco replied with a smirk.  'Well, you can stop it right now
because your nobility won't have any effect on my game.  Now, let me ask you again; are you
ready to play?'

	'I don't have any choice.  If I say know, everyone dies!'

	'Oh cut it out drama queen!  Answer the question, will ya?'

	'You leave me no choice.'  I then sighed and hesitantly squeaked out, 'I'll play.'

	'Good choice,'  Marco replied with a smirk.  'Ok Miss Smarty-pants try to answer this.
You learn that you can bring world peace for all time.  All you have to do is drop an A-bomb
on one little country, killing everyone there instantly.  So, what would you do?'

	'I suppose,' I answered with a gulp, 'I would have to nuke that country.'

	'Muy bien senorita Sandiego!  Of course, I doubt there could ever be total world peace,
but hey, I'd uses any excuse to nuke someone.'  Marco replied with a huge grin on his face.

	I shook my head in disgust.  'Ok, question two.'  Marco began nonchalantly.  'You are the
conductor of a trolley and the brakes have failed.  Up ahead are two tracks and you have to take
the trolley down one of them.  Down the left track is a class of children and they won't be able
to get out of the way in time.  Down the right track are two of your best friends drunk out of 
their minds so there's no way they can get out of the trolley's way.  Which track do you choose?'

	'Well, the needs of the many always outweigh those of the few, so I would have to choose
the right track,'  I replied.

	'That is the most noble answer you can give,'  Marco mockingly replied.  'But you'd kill
your friends?  What kind of twisted creature are you?'

	He then pointed the gun at Suhara and I remember I could only gasp in the time between
him doing this and pulling the trigger.  Thankfully, a click sounded.

	'Marco!  I thought-'  I screamed.

	'Relax, your partner lived, right?'

	I was so scared, but I found myself able to nod in reply.

	'Well, good then.  Let's move on to question three.  You are the president of a country
that is dying of starvation.  You have two years to wait for supplies to come in.  If you kill
off half your country's population, you will have enough to hold out for the two years.  
Otherwise, if you don't, the whole country will die of starvation.  So, would you butcher half
your people?'

	'Marco, these questions are horrific!'  I exclaimed.

	'I didn't ask for your opinion, I asked for the answer to the question.'

	'And, these are ethical questions!  Coming from you that is just so twisted!'  I
screamed.

	'Oh Carmen?'  Marco cautioned.  'Remember, if I don't like what you say, I can fire, so
I would think about giving me an answer right about now.'

	'Ok, ok!'  I cried.  'If I did kill half of the people, I am going to be thought of as
a butcher, but it would be the only way.'

	'Good choice.  Now for question four.  You are the captain of a ship that is sinking.
Everyone is in lifeboats except for you and three passengers.  You're about to get in when you
notice a stowaway on board.  Now, the lifeboats can only hold four people, but if you don't
go, the people on the raft run the risk of dying because the don't have the sailing experience
you have.  So, do you leave the stowaway, knowing full well he took a risk coming on board, or
would you go down with the ship?'

	'I guess I couldn't leave anyone behind, so I would have to go down with the ship,' I
replied.

	'You would let the shmuck who snuck on board live?  Gimme a break'  Marco retorted as
he raised his gun.

	'Don't!'  I cried out.

	But it was in vain.  Marco fired and poor Masahiro was shot right in the head.  I closed
my eyes- I just couldn't bare to see this.

	'Open your eyes, Carmen.'  Marco commanded.

	I did, and could see the blood begin to drip from the wound.  I fell to my knees and
covered my eyes as tears began to stream down them.

	'I guess that must have hurt,'  Marco said sarcastically.  He then said to me, 'Turn off
the water works, will you?'

	I was still too upset to reply, but I had taken my hands away from my eyes.

	'Well, it looks like Carmen's answer killed this poor fellow.'  Marco said shaking his
head.

	'That was my husband you son of a-'  Asuka began.

	'Uh-uh-uh!'  Marco childishly cautioned.  'We're playing my game by my rules.  Carmen
gave the wrong answer.'

	'There aren't any true wrong answers to your questions!'  I muttered.

	'What was that?  I didn't hear you Carmen.'  Marco asked putting his hand to his ear.

	'I had to play this game!  You left me no choice.  If I didn't, everyone would die!'  I
cried.  I found myself staring at the floor at that moment.

	'That's right.'  Marco replied as he removed his hand form his ear.  'So, are you ready 
for question five then?'  he asked.  

	I glanced upward and could see Marco's evil grin.  It seemed to pierce my body with even
more terror.

	Then Asuka cried out again.  'When will this end?  You won't stop until we're all dead
anyway!  Carmen!  You might as well end this madness now!'

	'Hey!  You have no control over this.  Mashiro's death is Carmen's fault- she chose
the wrong answer!'  Marco exclaimed.

	'The girl said it herself!  There aren't any true wrong answers!  Carmen didn't pull the
trigger!  It was you!'

	'Asuka,'  I cautioned, 'Don't get Marco angry.'

	'Please dear sister, listen to her!'  Suhara pleaded.

	'You'd better listen to them Asuka!'  Marco barked, 'Because if you don't shut up, I'll
shut you up!'

	'Go ahead!  You already murdered my husband; you might as well take my life now!  You're
going to anyway!'  Asuka yelled.

	'Asuka, please listen to us!'  I begged.

	'I don't care!'  Asuka cried.

	'My dear sister,'  Suhara began, 'Please, I beg you to think before you cry out again!
Marco's a madman and he'll-'

	'I know what he'll do!  He's appointed himself some kind of god that-'  Asuka began.

	'Asuka, you have to-'  Suhara cautioned.

	'I don't care anymore!  I'm going to say this and none of you can stop me!  Marco you
twisted-'

	'Oh, shut up!'  Marco growled.

	'No!  I won't!'  Asuka screamed.  She then began to curse at him.

	'I warned you more than once- scream at me again and I'll-'

	'Go ahead!  I dare you to!'  Asuka screamed.

	'Fine,'  Marco replied nonchalantly.  He then raised his gun and fired.

	A shot rang out as Suhara and I screamed.  Suhara then cried out, 'Asuka, no!'  His voice
then became very soft.  'No, no, no.  Not you too.  Oh, why didn't you listen?'  His eyes then
watered up and tears slowly fell down his face.

	'Well, hey, her loss,'  Marco replied with a shrug.  'She asked for it.'

	More tears streamed down my face and through my blurred, teary vision, I could see
Suhara's cheeks very wet now form all his tears.

	'I think you'll like question five.  It ties in nicely with what's going on right now,'
Marco said to me.

	'Asuka's right.  You're just going to continue until we're all dead,'  I replied
quivering.

	'Nah, just one more question after this.  That means at least one of you gets to live,'
Marco replied in a twisted comforting voice.

	I sniffled, 'So what's question five?'

	'So, still playing!'  Marco exclaimed in a cheerful voice.  This twisted game did seem
to please him, so I suppose in his own twisted way he was happy.  He continued.  'Would you be
willing to die now entering into what exists in the afterlife- that is, if there is one- or
would you accept immortality and live forever not knowing either way?  Now, you will have
eternal youth as well, so no throwing Tithonus's plight at me.  Also, you can never be killed
in any way either.  So, what's your decision?'

	I sobbed out a reply, 'I would die right now.  If there is an afterlife, I would be
reunited with everyone on earth I knew.  Otherwise, we'd never see each other again.  And, I
would have to live through the deaths of all of them plus, the deaths of all my family for
eternity!'

	Marco nodded and said, 'Well, you have some good points there.  Of course, I guess I
would have to choose immortality cuz if there is a hell, I know I'm going there.'

	'As you deserve to,'  I heard Suhara mutter.

	Luckily Marco did not hear him.  'Is my answer ok, then?'  I frantically asked.

	'Yes, it's fine.  Now onto the final question.  This one will truly test how noble you
are.'

	I gulped as many possible questions sprang into my head.

	'Of the three people left, which one would you have me shoot?  And you can't choose me
at all!  I'm not one of the choices.  You can choose the little girl- she's been so quiet, you
won't miss her!  Or perhaps you'd let me shoot Suhara.  Come now, I'm sure there's something
you want to get back at him for.  Or,'  Marco then began as he laughed, 'You can choose yourself
and be REALLY noble and save them both.'

	'Carmen!'  Suhara cried out, 'Save yourself and Hotaru!  I'm old and have live my
life!'

	'Shut up, old man!'  Marco barked, 'It's her decision!'

	I sighed and my voice was trembling.  'I couldn't have you murder either of them so,'
I bit my lip and took a deep breath and choked out, 'You can take my life in exchange for
Suhara's and Hotaru's.'

	Marco's eyes flashed wildly, 'Wonderful choice oh extremely noble one!'

	'Carmen!  Think about what you just-'  Suhara began.

	'No!  I've made my choice, Suhara!'  I exclaimed.

	Marco grinned as he pointed the gun right at my heart.  'You made this too easy.  You
know, it's so fitting that I'm going to blast you right in that weak soft heart of yours!'  He
then pulled the trigger and thankfully I heard- a click!

	'Damnit!  That is so unfair!  I had you!  I had you right there!'  Marco growled.  
Suddenly he then broke out in an evil grin, 'I suppose this is for the better.  You'll have to
live with all this torment.'  He then paused as if he was thinking of something.  'I just thought
of something that sums up the situation beautifully!  The contemporary American poet, Theodore
Roethke once wrote, 'What is madness but at a nobility of soul/ At odds with circumstance/  Oh
so fitting, I must say!  So now Carmen, are you going to free them, or attempt to catch me?'

	I ran towards Suhara and Hotaru.  'As I figured,'  Marco sneered.  He then ran out of
the room.  I then freed them and pleased the device Suhara had given he.  I so wished I could
have done so sooner, but I knew if I did, Marco would have seen me.

	I heard later that night that the police had caught him and I had such mixed feelings.
I was wishing he had been caught sooner so that those innocent people would still be alive today,
but at least, I thought, he'd never be able to do this to anyone else again."

	Carmen sighed.  "I was foolish for thinking so, detectives.  Now that he's back...I
fear..."  She then trailed off, bowing her head.

		To be continued...