It was dark. That was the first thought that came into MIchelles mind when she finally came to. She smelled fish. Why did she smell fish?
She heard muffled voices speaking in what she thought was Spanish but she didnt know. Danny had tried so hard to teach her some of the words, but she stubbornly had refused. What she woldnt give to hear his soft voice soothing her with words of comfort in Spanish.
She realized that she was blindfolded. That was why it was dark. It felt warm so she thought it must be the daytime. The voices got a little louder. It almost sounded as if they were coming towards her. She feigned unconsciensness. Maybe she could hear something that could help her out of this mess.
Where was Danny? Had they left him alone? Did he know she was missing yet? What did he think had happened to her? Oh God, my poor Danny.
She felt queasy. Were they moving? She was swaying, that was it. Realization struck her then., they were on a boat. That was why it smelled like fish. She was being taken somewhere on a boat.
Where were they taking her and who were they? She had noone to depend on but herself now so she had to use all of her wits. Had they put her on a fishing boat? Which direction were they going?
Were they going somewhere where they spoke Spanish? That was going to be the hardest part, she imagined, because she didnt understand a thing anyone was saying. They could have been planning her death or ordering a pizza for all she knew.
Someone wanted her for some reason. The only reason she could think of was that they wanted her for a hostage for something. They would probably keep her alive so they could use her for their purpose. Otherwise they wouldnt have taken her alive. If she kept her head cool, maybe she could figure out who these people were and what they wanted.
They knew Danny that was for sure and they had known that the way to get to him was to get her. Someone in Danny's circle, either old or new, had taken her hostage and was moving her somewhere.
She prayed earnestly for the first time in what seemed like years. She prayed for Danny to have the stregnth to believe that she was alive. That some way or another, she was going to find her way back to him even if she had to take the long way home.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Rick and Abby had arrived the morning after. They probably hadn't said 10 words to each other since they got there, but Danny could see that Rick was blaming him for this. Danny had left out most of the details other than Michelle going out to retrieve something she had left on the beach earlier. Rick had told Danny that Michelle had not been a strong swimmer when they announced where they were going to spend their anniversary. Danny had smugly told him that he could take care of his own wife.
Damn. Michelle had drowned because of him. Not only was he going to have to find a way to continue living without her, but to live with the knowledge that it was his fault.
They had stood out on the beach all week. Not saying a word, just watching the waves. He wasnt sure what Rick and Abby were doing. Abby had been crying all week. Rick had looked half alive. Rick looked like he felt.
He had called Carmen also. She had offered to come down but he had said no, he wanted to be alone, other than Rick and Abby. Rick had called their father and he was coming home from Africa in the next week. Danny had never met Michelles dad. This wasnt the best circumstance to meet him either.
Carmen had asked how long was he going to stay down there, but Danny had said as long as it took.
Danny couldnt say goodbye yet. None of this had really sunk in yet. He knew she was gone but he couldnt resign himself to let go just yet.
Rick and Abby had ended up staying the whole week. No word had come down from anywhere about MIchelles body washing up and Danny knew that they would never find it.
He had seen them off this morning. He needed to say his goodbye privately. He had let RIck and Abby say theirs privately also.
Now he was standing at the edge of the beach, watching the waves bounce out in the distance. Somewhere this ocean held the body of his beloved Michelle and it probably wouldnt surrender it.
It was time. Time to say goodbye. He would live the rest of his existance without his heart. His heart was somewhere out there too.
Choking back tears, he spoke aloud "Michelle, you were the only good thing that ever graced my miserable life. God gave you to me and now he has asked to have you back and I have to give you. I dont know how I will go on , but I ask you to try and give me stregnth each day. I know that you are in heaven and I wonder if you could ask God to speed up my arrival up there. I just want to be where you are Michelle. Nothing matters anymore." he said through his tears.
He took some more time to gather his thoughts "Please dont forget me baby, your in my heart now and always. I look forward to the day that we can be together again"
He took off his wedding ring, kissed it and threw it into the ocean that had claimed MIchelles body the week before. "I give you my heart Michelle. Keep it safe and warm until we meet again. I love you" he said and walked away.