�
"Damn you Danny Santos!" I screamed, and pounded furiously on the door. Michelle sat up in the bed, her eyes full of terror.
�
"Michelle get up!" I cried. "Danny has locked us in this room, and we have to find a way out!"
�
Michelle jumped up and hurriedly pulled on her clothes. I looked out the window, and saw there would be no escape that way. The bedroom was near the top of the lighthouse; there was a fifty-foot drop to the ground. Suddenly, the door opened, and Danny entered, locking it behind him.
�
"What seems to be the problem up here?" he asked, as if genuinely concerned.
�
"We both know the problem Danny!" I shouted. "Let us out of this room, so we can go home!"
�
"Oh Maria!" he laughed. "Even if I let you go, you would not get far. The snow has piled up in huge drifts, and unless you have a pair of skis handy, you won't get past the driveway. Besides, Michelle and I have some business to discuss. Come downstairs Michelle, Maria will be just fine up here."
�
"I am not afraid of you!" Michelle cried. "Let us go!" Michelle lunged toward the door, and Danny roughly grabbed her arm. She squealed in protest, as he shoved her from the room. Giving me a warning glance, he followed behind her, securing the lock again. I resumed pounding on the door, but gave up after a few minutes. I knew Danny would not let me out, and I decided it was best to save my strength for a fight I could win.
�
After a few hours, Mick came into the room. He was carrying a plate of food. He tried not to look at me as he put the plate down, but I grabbed his chin forcing him to meet my eyes.
�
"You have to get us out of here Mick!" I begged. "Please help us!"
�
Mick attempted to break away from my grasp, but I held fast to his chin. "I I can't help you. I'm sorry," he stammered. "I sneaked and brought you some food, but that is all I can do. I will try to come back later." I finally let go of him, and he turned toward the door.
�
"Mick wait!" I called. "At least tell me what your uncle is doing with Michelle. He took her out of here, saying they had business to discuss."
�
"I don't really know what is going on," he replied. "Uncle Danny had some papers faxed over from his lawyer, and he made Michelle and Lewis sign them. If I find out more I will let you know."
�
After he left, I went to the window and stared out the glass; but instead of snow, I saw an image of Danny holding baby Mick in his arms the day after Pilar died. "Poor Mick," I thought. "You never had a chance. Danny has stolen your life from you, just as Carmen stole his. I hope the wind does not twist you as it has twisted him."
�
I assume Danny discovered Mick's deception, because he did not return. Dietz brought my meals, and he refused to tell me anything. I spent my time watching the snow melt, and dreaming of the past. Finally, on the fifth day, Danny came, and told me I could leave. I found Michelle downstairs sitting alone; her eyes were swollen with tears. She jumped up when she saw me, and threw her arms around my neck. I gave her a fierce hug, as she sobbed into my chest.
�
On the drive home we sat in silence, both of us in shock. I intended to call the police when we returned to the house, but when I went to the phone, I saw the message light blinking on the answering machine. I pushed the button, and heard Dr. Spaulding's voice.
�
"I need you to come to the hospital," Lizzie said. "There has been a change in Bill's condition." There were several more messages from her, each increasingly urgent. My heart sunk. I knew what this meant, but I tried to stay calm for Michelle's sake. She was still so shaken from her ordeal at the lighthouse, that I was afraid to give her more bad news.
�
I put her to bed, and told her nothing of the messages. When she fell asleep, I drove to the hospital. I ran to the nurse's desk, and had Dr. Spaulding paged. When Lizzie came around the corner and saw me her eyes welled up with tears.
�
"I'm sorry Maria," she said softly. "We tried to save him, but there was nothing we could do. I tried to call .."
�
The room around me started spinning, and blackness clouded the edges of my vision. I reached out to Lizzie, but she was unable to catch me before I fell. I awoke in a hospital bed, and Michelle was by my side. I foolishly thought for a moment that it was all just a dream, but one look in her eyes confirmed my worst fears.
�
"Daddy's dead," she whispered, "and I was afraid I was going to loose you too. We need to talk about what happened at the lighthouse."
�
�