Buried Alive! (Read 1,540 times)

[Kpatch]

Chapter 1

Philip [on his car phone]: Hi Melanie.
Melanie: Hi handsome. Whatcha doin’?
Philip: I’m on my way to the church.
Melanie: You’re driving while you’re on your phone? You know, I hate when you do that.
Philip: I know you do.
Melanie: Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel, hot shot. And don’t get lost on the way to the church.
Philip: Hey, I’m not the one with the bad sense of direction. You are. Where are you anyway?
Melanie: I’m at the salon with Vivian’s stylist, getting my hair and makeup done. Then I have to get out of this smock and into my wedding dress.
Philip: Didn’t I tell you I’d marry you in the nude?
Melanie: Yeah, I know. But I’d hate to see the dress go to waste.
Philip: I can’t wait to see you. By the time this day is over, you’ll be Mrs. Philip Kiriakis.
Melanie: I can hardly believe this is really happening.
Philip: Believe it.
Melanie: Oh my gosh.
Philip: What’s the matter?
Melanie: My hair looks gorgeous. It almost doesn’t look like me in the mirror. You’re a genius, Gus!
Philip: Of course you look gorgeous. You always do.
Melanie: Aw, thank you Philip. Hey, I gotta go.
Philip: OK. I love you.
Melanie: I love you too, Philip. See ya soon.
[They hang up.]


ST. LUKE’S CATHEDRAL, a few hours later

~Groom’s Quarters~
Lucas: Stop fidgeting, Philip. You’re making me nervous.
Philip: Melanie’s late.
Lucas: Brides are always late.
[Maggie comes in.]
Maggie: Have you seen Melanie?
Philip: I thought you were picking her up from the salon.
Maggie: I was supposed to, but when I got there, she was gone. I figured she left without me.
Philip [taking his iPhone out and dialing]: Melanie wouldn’t leave without telling you.
Maggie: I know. I’m worried.
Philip: I’m getting her voicemail. [Speaking into the phone.] Mel, it’s Philip. Where are you? Call me.
Lucas: I’ll go ask if anyone else has heard from her.


~Church Nave~

Carly: I feel so blessed that Melanie asked me to attend the wedding.
Bo: I’m happy for you, Princess. You’ll get to see your daughter walk down the aisle.
Carly: I wish I were walking her down that aisle.
Bo: I know, but at least she likes you now.


Lucas: Mom, have you seen Melanie?
Kate: Oh no. Don’t tell me your brother has been stood up!


Victor: Something seems off.
Vivian: What ever do you mean?
Victor: Just a gut feeling. What are you doing?
Vivian: Me? Nothing.
Victor: Then why do you keep checking your Blackberry every 10 seconds.
Vivian: Oh, um. I placed a sell order with my stock broker and I’m anxious to see if it went through in time.
Victor [looking askance at her]: I’m going to see what’s delaying the ceremony.
[As Victor leaves, Vivian gets a text message from Gus.]
Text: Madam, we have success!
Vivian holds the phone to her chest gleefully. She slowly turns around and looks for Carly who is seated a few pews behind hers. She waits until she catches Carly’s eye, then smirks and nods.


Carly: Uh oh. I have a bad feeling, Bo.
Bo: See, I knew that would happen the way you were scarfing down that pork fried rice last night.
Carly: No, I mean about Melanie. Something is wrong. I just know it. I have to go see.
Bo follows her to the Groom’s Quarters.


~Groom’s Quarters~
Bo: Philip, what’s the delay? Where’s Melanie?
Philip: I don’t know. And I’m more than a little worried.


Meanwhile, at an unknown location, six feet under, Melanie is lying in a coffin motionless, looking quite dead.

To be continued ...

______________________________________
Copyright © 2010 kpatch. All rights reserved.

[Kpatch]

ST. LUKE’S CATHEDRAL

Victor [to the assembled guests]: It seems there will not be a wedding today. You can all go home.
Vivian: Oh dear. Why not? What happened?
Carly comes bounding toward Vivian and grabs her by the throat. She is screaming like a madwoman.
Carly: What did you do??? What did you do to Melanie???
Vivian: Get off of me, you lunatic. Someone, get her off of me.
Bo pulls Carly away from Vivian.
Vivian: Commissioner, I demand a restraining order against this maniac.


~Groom’s Quarters~
Lucas: Sorry, man. I know you had plans for today. Getting stood up sucks.
Philip [takes his boutonniere off and throws it to the ground]: I wasn’t stood up.
Lucas: It’s nothing to be ashamed of, man. It happens to the best of us.
Philip: I wasn’t stood up! Something bad has happened. Bo, can you help me?
Bo: I’m already on it. I’ve got the PD out looking for her.
Philip: Thank you. I feel like I’m losing my mind here.
Bo: Try to stay calm.


Later, in the middle of the night ...

KIRIAKIS MANSION LIVING ROOM

Vivian [on her cell phone speaking with Gus]: Everything seems to be going according to plan.
Gus: Yes Madam. I’ve equipped the coffin with a light bulb, enough oxygen for four days, and one-way speakers so you can record her screams and play them for your enemy.
Vivian: Hush Gus. It sounds so vulgar when you say that. Are you sure no one saw you burying Melanie alive?
Gus: Positive. She was out cold when I put her in the coffin. And the location is so remote that no one would find her. Especially not in the winter.
Philip enters the living room and Vivian quickly puts her cell phone away.
Vivian: Oh my poor Philip. Can’t you sleep, darling?
Philip: Not until I hear from Melanie.
Vivian: I guess you just have to come to terms with the fact she left you.
Philip: She didn’t leave me! You should have heard her on the phone this morning. She couldn’t have been happier.
Vivian: I can see you’re in denial. Time heals all wounds, darling. You’ll meet another girl.
Philip: Are you on crack?
Vivian: No need to be rude, darling.


SIX FEET UNDER

Melanie has regained consciousness and is trying to figure out where she is. She feels her surroundings and it begins to dawn on her that she is in a coffin. She starts pounding on the coffin walls and screaming bloody murder.
Melanie: Help! Someone help me. Please! Help me. Help!!!

To be continued ...

[Kpatch]

The next day

KIRIAKIS MANSION

Vivian [on her cell phone speaking with Gus]: I need you to meet me tomorrow to discuss next steps. At our usual bench on the pier near Salem Place. Let’s say about 10 o’clock.
Victor enters.
Victor: Who are you meeting with tomorrow morning?
Vivian: Oh, Victor. I didn’t hear you waft in. How’s my darling Philip?
Victor: I asked you a question. Who were you on the phone with? Who are you meeting?
Vivian: Well aren’t you a nosy Nelly. If you must know, I have a meeting with my stock broker. He has some news for me. I hope he sold my shares of Dimera Enterprises before the market took a nose dive.
Victor: Vivian, I don’t believe a word that comes out of your crooked mouth. You’re a card-carrying phony.
Vivian: Victor! You cut me to the quick. I wouldn’t lie, not to you of all people.
Victor: Vivian, I don’t think you’d know the truth if it fell off a coconut tree and bit you on the derriere.
Vivian: You’re mixing your metaphors again.
Victor: You’re up to something. If I find out you had anything to do with Melanie’s disappearance, your life won’t be worth a Monopoly Game dollar. I’ll make you wish you had never been born.


SIX FEET UNDER

Melanie is talking to herself.
Melanie: Okay Melanie, stay calm. You’ve been in worse predicaments before. [She starts to wimper.] No you haven’t. Oh gad. I’m never going to get out of here. I’m going to die in here.


Later that day

BO’S HOUSE

Carly’s cell phone rings and she answers it. On the other end she hears screams for help.
Melanie’s Recorded Voice: Help! Someone help me. Please! Help me. Help!!! I’ve been buried alive.
Carly: Melanie? Melanie! Is that you? Where are you?
Melanie [crying]: Please don’t let me die. I don’t want to die.
Carly [realizing she’s listening to a recording]: No. Oh no. This can’t be happening.
Vivian’s altered voice: How does it feel, Carly? How does it feel to have the person you love most in the world dying before your very ears?


To be continued ...

[Kpatch]

The next morning

THE BENCH AT THE PIER

Man: Hello Gus.
Gus: Sir! What are YOU doing here?
Man: I’m here to make sure Auntie Vivian’s plot goes off without a hitch.
Gus: Your aunt will be so happy to learn you're alive, Mr. Alamaine.
Lawrence: See, that's the thing. She can't find that out.
Gus: No?
Lawrence: No. She would be far less motivated to kill Carly's daughter if she knew that Carly didn't really kill me. There would be nothing to avenge. And it would ruin MY revenge against Carly. See my point, Gus?
Gus: Yes sir. You are using your aunt. And if you don't mind my saying so, that's a brilliant plan, sir.
Lawrence: Question for you, Gus. You’re the only person in the world who knows where Melanie Layton is buried. Isn’t that correct?
Gus: Yes sir.
Lawrence: That’s good.
Lawrence turns his back to Gus, takes out a gun with a silencer, turns back around and shoots Gus. Gus falls to the ground.
Lawrence: Now, Auntie Viv’s scheme is sure to be a success. Because now, NO ONE knows where Melanie is. Not even me. Unfortunately, I can’t stay in Salem to see Auntie Viv's plan succeed. It's time for me to leave the country and return home before anyone realizes I'm alive. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.


SIX FEET UNDER

Melanie is talking to herself and crying.
Melanie: The light bulb is getting dimmer. And the air. I have to stop talking to myself or I’ll use it all up. Maybe it’s already used up. Maybe I’m already dead and I just don’t know it. Or maybe I’m losing my mind. Can dead people lose their mind? Where are you, Philip? Why isn’t someone coming to rescue me?


~1.5 days of oxygen left~

THE BRADY PUB

Nathan: Hey Steph. Ready to leave for our ski trip? Hey, what’s wrong?
Stephanie: Nothing.
Nathan: What’s the matter then? You look upset. Was it harder than you thought to see your ex marry someone else?
Stephanie: I thought you knew.
Nathan: Knew what?
Stephanie: Melanie stood Philip up.
Nathan: Really?
Stephanie: You don’t have to look so happy.
Nathan: Sorry, I didn’t realize I was smiling.
Stephanie: No one has seen Melanie since the morning of the wedding.
Nathan: I’ll bet I know where she is.
Stephanie: Where?
Nathan: I gotta go. I’ll call you later.


To be continued ...

[Kpatch]

THE BRADY PUB

Stephanie: No one has seen Melanie since the morning of the wedding.
Nathan: I’ll bet I know where she is.
Stephanie: Where?
Nathan: I gotta go. I’ll call you later.
Stephanie: Wait! What about our trip?
Nathan: I’ll call you.
He rushes out of the Pub.
Stephanie: Damn it! I was right. Nathan is still hung up on Melanie.


SIX FEET UNDER

Melanie is drowsy. She hears what sounds like distant ringing and realizes it’s her cell phone, which is in the pocket of the smock she was given to wear at the salon. She reaches for the phone, but it’s too late. It has stopped ringing. She feels it in her pocket and tries to pull it out, but the confined space of the coffin makes it hard for her to move the cell phone to where she can see it. She starts pressing the keypad on the phone and hears it ringing. She has activated one of her speed dial buttons and placed a call!


THE BRADY PUB

Stephanie’s phone is ringing and she answers it.
Stephanie: Hello?
Melanie: Hello. This is Melanie Layton. Can anyone hear me?
Stephanie: Hello? Who’s this? I can barely hear you.
Melanie: Help me. Someone help me. I’m buried alive.
Stephanie looks at the readout on her phone and sees that the call is from Melanie.
Stephanie: Melanie? Can you speak up? Where are you?
Melanie: Help me. If there’s someone out there and you can hear me, please help me. I’m buried alive.


~28 hours of oxygen remaining~

THAT NIGHT

Stephanie and Nathan are driving to Alpine Valley Ski Lodge.
Stephanie: So where did you go when you said you knew where Melanie was?
Nathan: I thought Melanie might be at the Horton Cabin.
Stephanie: Why?
Nathan: Last year when we were cleaning the cabin, she commented that it seemed like an ideal hideaway.
Stephanie: But she wasn’t there?
Nathan: Nope. Maggie is really worried about her. Apparently the police are considering this a missing persons case.
Stephanie: She’s probably just laying low.


To be continued...

[Kpatch]

NATHAN'S CAR

Stephanie and Nathan are driving to Alpine Valley Ski Lodge.
Nathan: Apparently the police are considering this a missing persons case.
Stephanie: I think she’s probably just laying low.
Nathan: Laying low?
Stephanie: Um... I mean, if you leave your fiance at the altar, you sort of want to drop out of sight for a while. Like that crazy-eyed runaway bride. Melanie is probably in Las Vegas or Monte Carlo. I’ll bet she’s cheating the pants off some high roller.
Nathan: You’re probably right.
Stephanie: Can we talk about something else? Anything else besides Melanie?
Nathan: Sure. What do you want to talk about?
Stephanie: How about us?


~24 hours of oxygen remaining~

SIX FEET UNDER

Melanie [singing to herself]: “The worms go in. The worms go out.” Hmmm. I wonder what time it is. I wonder how long I’ve been in here. Dang, I wish I didn’t have that second cup of coffee at the salon. I have to go to the bathroom really bad.


ALPINE VALLEY SKI LODGE

Nathan and Stephanie have checked into their room and are unpacking.
Nathan: Ready to go skiing?
Stephanie: Now??? But it’s dark out.
Nathan: Haven’t you ever gone night-skiing? It’s really cool.
Stephanie: I can think of something I’d much rather do.
She kisses him.
Nathan: Look Steph. I don’t want you thinking I suggested this ski trip just to ... um ...
Stephanie: I didn’t think you did.
Nathan: Whew. That’s a relief.
Stephanie: I figured that part was just a bonus.


~Less than 20 hours of oxygen remaining~

KIRIAKIS MANSION

Vivian is frantically trying to reach Gus on his cell phone and pacing the living room floor.
Vivian [speaking into her cell phone]: Gus, where are you? Why didn’t you show up for our meeting yesterday? I need you to call me. It’s important!


To be continued ...

[Kpatch]

KIRIAKIS MANSION

Vivian is frantically trying to reach Gus on his cell phone and pacing the living room floor.
Vivian [speaking into her cell phone]: Gus, where are you? Why didn’t you show up for our meeting yesterday? I need you to call me. It’s important!
Philip wanders into the room looking dazed, disheveled, and mindlessly stroking his iPhone. Vivian quickly puts her cell phone away.
Vivian: Philip darling, is there any news?
Philip [staring at his phone as if looking at it would make it ring]: No.
Vivian: My poor darling.
Victor enters.
Victor: What’s going on?
Vivian: I was just consoling my son.
Philip: Stop calling me that. And how come you don’t seem more concerned about Melanie? You said she was like the daughter you never had after you two did all that bonding and shopping and hair styling. ... Hair styling. Hmmm.
Philip dials Bo's phone number using his cell phone.
Philip: Bo, listen. Did you talk to the people at that salon? The last people who saw Melanie?
Bo: Yea, the woman who did her hair didn’t seem to know anything.
Philip: Woman? It was a man who did her hair. Someone named Gus.
Vivian’s eyes grow wide as she throws a glance at Victor to see his reaction to hearing the name Gus. Victor raises an eyebrow.
Bo: Philip, I’m on my way over to the station. Why don’t you meet me there. I may have some news for you.
Philip: I’m on my way.


~15 hours of oxygen remaining~

SIX FEET UNDER

Melanie [singing to herself]: “Tis the season to be jolly. Fa la la la la la la la laaahh.” <cough> La la la. <pant> I can’t breathe. <gasp> No air. <rasp> Help me. <wheeze>


ALPINE VALLEY SKI LODGE

After making love, Stephanie and Nathan are sound asleep. She has a nightmare ...
***Stephanie is locked inside a morgue drawer being tormented by Owen. She can’t breathe and she’s crying. She hears Melanie’s voice saying “I’ll save you, Stephanie!” Suddenly, it’s Melanie who’s locked in the morgue drawer, gasping for air and crying.***

Stephanie wakes up in a cold sweat.
Stephanie: Nathan! Nathan, wake up.
Nathan: What’s the matter?
Stephanie: We have to go back to Salem.
Nathan: What? Now?
Stephanie: Right now. I’ll explain on the way.


To be continued ...

[Kpatch]

SALEM PD

Bo: You look like hell, little brother.
Philip: Thanks a lot.
Bo: When was the last time you got any sleep or had anything to eat?
Philip: The day before the wedding.
Bo: Sit down Philip.
Philip: I can’t sit. Did you find Melanie? Is she dead? Is that why you wanted me to come down here?
Bo: We don’t know. I wanted to tell you that Carly has been getting these calls on her cell phone. Recordings of someone who sounds like Melanie. She was screaming for help, saying she was buried alive.
Philip: What??? Buried alive?
Bo: Burying someone alive ... that’s Vivian’s M.O.
Philip: Vivian likes Melanie. She wouldn’t hurt her. Wait a second. Why would Carly be the one to get the calls?
Bo: Carly is Melanie’s biological mother.
Philip: What??? Since when?
Bo: Since Guiding Light got cancelled and the powers-that-be at Days signed Crystal Chappell to play Carly again.
Philip: This is crazy.
Bo: I know, but it gives Carly a storyline. And it would explain why Vivian would bury Melanie alive.
Philip: To get revenge on Carly ...
Bo: That’s right.
Philip: ... for Lawrence’s murder.
Bo: Bingo.
Philip: Melanie has been buried alive? I think I’m gonna be sick. So why aren’t you questioning Vivian??? Why aren’t you making her tell us where Melanie is?
Bo: Actually, we are questioning her.


INTERROGATION ROOM AT THE POLICE STATION

Roman: So tell me Viv, who’s Gus Marceau?
Vivian: Gus? I don’t know anyone named Gus.
Roman: Really? Then why are there eight messages from you on his cell phone?
Vivian: Oh that Gus. Yes, of course. He’s my boy toy.
Roman: Your boy toy, huh? Is dat why you killed him?
Vivian: Dear heavens. He’s ... dead?
Roman: As a doornail.
Vivian: That’s terribly unfortunate.
Roman: Why?
Vivian: Because Melanie wasn’t supposed to ... You see, Gus is the only one who ... I should call my lawyer.


THE SQUAD ROOM, a short time later

Vivian is brought into the squad room, along with Victor. Roman is holding Vivian by the arm. Philip lunges at Vivian.
Philip: You witch! What did you do to my fiance? Where is she?
Bo holds him back.
Philip: Dad, did you know about this?
Roman: Victor was the one who called us and tipped us off to Vivian’s involvement.
Bo: I’m impressed that you took the legal route, Victor.
Victor: I’m glad I’ve made you proud, son. With the economy the way it is, I mostly wanted to see my tax dollars at work.
Bo: We appreciate your business.
Victor: Truthfully, I had hoped Vivian might be able to enlighten us as to Melanie’s whereabouts.
Roman: She says she doesn’t know. [To a uniformed officer]: Take her down to central booking and get her da hell outta my sight.
Vivian: Before you take me away, there are two things you should know.
Victor: Here comes the melodrama. She’s going to milk this for all it’s worth.
Vivian: First of all, I look hideous in orange. Makes me look like death warmed over. Second, I love Melanie. Damn it, I wish I didn’t.
Roman: Get to the point, Vivian.
Vivian: Melanie was just collateral damage, a way to torture Carly. I was planning to tell Gus to exhume the child before the four days were over.
Bo: Four days?
Vivian: There were four days worth of oxygen in the coffin when Gus put Melanie inside it.
Philip: Only four days???
Vivian: Well ... more or less. You need to find her. Quickly.
As Vivian is escorted away, Victor gives her something to think about.
Victor: Vivian, you’d better learn to sleep with one eye open.
Philip: Four days. [He looks at his hand and raises his thumb, then forefinger, then ring finger.] That means she has less than a day’s worth of oxygen left.
Bo [to Roman]: Who’s this Gus that Vivian mentioned?
Roman: Her henchman, Gus Marceau. He’s the only one who knew where Melanie is buried.
Philip: What do you mean "knew"?
Bo: Gus Marceau ... where have I heard that name before?
Roman: You read it in a homicide report. We found his body in Salem Place yesterday afternoon.
Philip: That means no one knows where Melanie is. She could be anywhere. And she’s running out of air!
Bo: I’m not going to kid you, little brother. It doesn’t look good.


To be continued.

[Kpatch]

SALEM PD

Roman: Gus Marceau was the only one who knew where Melanie is buried.
Philip: What do you mean knew?
Bo: Gus Marceau ... where have I heard that name before?
Roman: You read it in a homicide report. We found his body in Salem Place yesterday afternoon.
Philip: That means no one knows where Melanie is. She could be anywhere. And she’s running out of air!
Bo: I’m not going to kid you, little brother. It doesn’t look good.


Stephanie and Nathan arrive.

Philip: Steph, what are you doing here?
Nathan: We have some information for the police.
Bo: What have you got?
Stephanie: I got a call from Melanie.
Philip: What? When? What did she say? Where is she? Is she alright?
Bo: Hey, I’m asking the questions. What? When? What did she say? Where is she? Is she alright?
Stephanie: She said she’d been buried alive and she was begging for help. She couldn’t hear me though.
Bo: When did she call you?
Stephanie: Yesterday afternoon.
Philip: Yesterday???
Bo: Why didn’t you tell us before?
Stephanie: I thought it was a prank. I thought maybe someone stole her cell phone.
Bo: Her cell phone. Are you sure the call came from her cell phone?
Stephanie: Yes, surely. The display showed that it was her.
Bo: Let me see your phone. And stop calling me Shirley.
Stephanie gives Bo her phone.
Bo [presses a few keys]: A call came from Melanie’s phone at 4:47 p.m. yesterday. That means she has her cell phone with her.
Stephanie: I’m sorry Philip.
Philip: For what?
Stephanie: I should have told someone.
Philip: You said you thought it was a prank.
Stephanie: No. I didn’t. That was a lie. I thought if Melanie was out of the way, I wouldn’t have to compete with her anymore. I didn’t realize how serious this was.
Philip: Wait a second. Bo! I just remembered something.
Bo: What have you got, man?
Philip: The cell phone. I bought Melanie her cell phone.
Bo: No kidding? How much did you pay? What kind of calling plan did it come with?
Philip: I don’t remember. Is that important?
Bo: Could be. I’m looking to upgrade. My plan’s a piece of sh...
Philip: That’s not the point. Melanie’s always getting lost, so I bought her a phone that’s equipped with Global Positioning -- GPS.
Bo: This could be the break we’ve been hoping for! Roman, call TEK. We need someone who knows about reverse tracking. Now!

To be continued ...

[Kpatch]

IN THE POLICE VAN

Bo is driving a police van while Thomas Edward Kramer (also known as TEK), Technical Operations Director of the Salem Police Force, is in the passenger seat operating a highly sophisticated control panel. Daniel, Philip, and Nathan are standing in the open compartment at the rear of the van, holding onto handrails as the vehicle careens through the streets of Salem.

~In the front of the van~
Bo: What have you got?
TEK: I’m dialed into Melanie’s cell phone, but the signal is really weak, man.
Bo: Tell me which way to go.
TEK: I can’t tell yet. Melanie’s cell phone has probably been on for a few days and the battery is low.
Bo: You’d think Philip could have sprung for the cell phone with self-charging batteries.
TEK: Not only are the batteries low, the oxygen in that coffin is low too, if there’s even any left.
Bo: That’s why we brought the doctors with us. I just hope it’s not too late.
TEK: I’m getting something, Bo. Here, take this righthand turn. We need to go over the Thomas Horton Memorial Causeway bridge.
Bo: She’s buried on Smith Island?


~In the rear of the van~
Nathan: Where’s Dr. Manning? I thought for sure she’d be coming with us.
Daniel: I had to give her a sedative. She was completely hysterical.


~60 minutes of oxygen remaining~

~In the front of the van~
TEK: The signal’s getting stronger. We’re getting closer. Stop the van! Here! Stop the van!

Bo hits the brakes and they all get out of the vehicle.
Bo: Damn. This island is all sand. That makes it harder to find where a grave’s been dug.
The men wander the island, searching for a patch of sand that looks like it was recently dug up.


~30 minutes of oxygen remaining~

TEK: Here! The signal is strongest right here! Come on, let’s start digging.

The men use the shovels they brought with them and begin to dig furiously as time is running out.


~15 minutes of oxygen remaining~

Nathan’s shovel hits something hard.
Nathan: Did you hear that?
Philip: The coffin!
At this point they can see the coffin. They start digging with their hands to uncover it even more. Finally, they are able to raise the lid, and it takes all five of them to do it.

Philip: Melanie!

Melanie is unconscious inside the coffin. Bo and TEK lift Melanie out of the coffin and carefully hand her off to the three men waiting above ground. Daniel feels for her pulse.

Daniel: She has no pulse!
Philip: Noooo!
Nathan: She can't be dead!

They place her lifeless body on the ground.

Daniel: Ready Nathan? One, two, three ...

Nathan administers mouth-to-mouth as Daniel performs chest compressions. Minutes go by. Finally, Melanie starts to cough and then gasps for air.

Daniel: Philip, get the oxygen tank out of the van. Hurry!


To be continued. Tune in for the finale ...

[Kpatch]

SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, Room 1112

Nathan is sitting in a chair next to Melanie’s hospital bed, waiting for her to wake up. She opens her eyes and sees him, then looks around the room anxiously.
Nathan: It’s about time you woke up, sleepyhead.
Melanie: Where’s ...?
Nathan: He stepped out for a second.
Melanie: How long have I been here?
Nathan: About 8 hours, give or take. Do you remember being brought here?
Melanie: Vaguely. Thank you for helping to save my life.
Nathan: It’s all in a days’ work, ma’am.
Melanie: I wasn’t expecting you to be the first person I saw when I opened my eyes.
Nathan: I’m glad I was. But something tells me that mine wasn’t the face you really wanted to see. Was it?

Philip walks in. Melanie sees him and starts to cry. Philip sits on the bed and takes her in his arms as Nathan leaves.
Philip: It’s okay. You’re safe now. You’re home.
Melanie: I don’t think I’ll ever feel safe again.
Philip: You will. I’ll make sure of it. I promise that nothing bad will happen to you ever again.
Melanie: There’s something I don’t understand.
Philip: What is it?
Melanie: Why, Philip? Why did Vivian want to hurt me this way?

Carly enters the room.
Philip: I’ll wait outside.
Melanie: No, Philip, don’t leave me. Dr. Manning, is it okay if Philip stays while you examine me?
Carly: Actually, I’m not here as your doctor.
Melanie: Then why are you here?
Carly: I have something I need to tell you.


The End

[fluffysmom]

Great story...keeps you on the edge of your seat. Kpatch always captures the characters perfectly!

[ghoulgirl]

This is the first time I have seen this story! I really enjoyed it! Thanks jkjpatch!