Sink or Swim

Chapter 13 - Out of The Fire

Paul had quietly made his way into the trailer and from the door could see exactly what Wesley was about to do. He crept into the bedroom area and made his way behind the psychopath on top of Jess. 

"Don't think so bastard!" Paul shouted, pulling Wesley up by the hair and away from Jessica's body.

Wesley reached for the knife on the bed and slashed at Paul ripping his shirt. Paul kicked out as he avoided another swipe. Wesley charged forward his shoulder smacking Paul in the stomach. They were both on the kitchenette floor wrestling on the ground. The gun, still tucked into Paul's jeans, worked lose beneath him so he tried to reach around for it but was punched before he could find the grip. He kicked out and Wesley was pushed against the gas cooker loosening it from the rubber gas feed hose. As the pair exchanged blows the gun was kicked further down the trailer toward the lounge area.

Paul charged at Wesley and tackled him to the ground he was on top and the pair exchanged more blows. As he was caught in the face his head turned and he could see Jessica stricken on the bed. With renewed strength and anger he smashed his fists into Wesley rendering him virtually unconscious.

Paul jumped up and ran to free Jessica. He untied her ankles and then her wrists. She threw her arms around him and held him close. "Thank god Paul, I love you so much!"

The Mercedes SUV drove into the trailer park at speed followed closely by two cars from the local Sheriff department, sirens blazing and lights flashing. The vehicles stopped in a haze of dust from the sandy car park ground.

Wesley had started to come around. "It's not over yet bastard!" he muttered as he picked up the gun from the floor. He stood looking toward the bedroom. A smell of gas had started to fill the trailer from the loose rubber pipe. As Wesley levelled the barrel of the gun Paul continued to hold Jessica caressing her cheeks when out of the corner of his eye he spotted what Wesley was doing.

The girls started to get out of the Mercedes and were met by 'The Reapers', "Paul has gone to get Jessica" said Drew.

Without thinking Paul had pulled Jessica and himself toward the metal cupboard knocking it over the top of them in the process as Wesley's finger pulled the trigger. The spark from the gun immediately caused the gas to ignite. BOOM! The trailer van exploded.

"Jessica - Paul - No-ooooooo!" Leanne screamed and tried to run toward the burring trailer. Drew grabbed her and held her back. Tears streamed from her eyes. "No Leanne, No!" Drew held her close as she broke down in his arms. Abi, Jo and Juliette looked on in horror as flames leapt into the desert air.

'The Reapers' and park manager tried to put out the flames with small fire extinguishers as The Sheriff called for fire and ambulance assistance. The fire appliance arrived on the scene within minutes and the burring trailer was extinguished. As the crew continued to douse the flames they heard knocking from beneath the debris.

"Hey boss give me a hand with this." said one of the firefighters. "I think there is someone under here!"

Two firemen lifted what appeared to be a charred metal box and to their surprise Paul and Jessica were revealed battered but both alive. Two paramedics raced across and wrapped the pair in blankets and helped them towards the ambulance as the fire crew discovered the burnt remains of Wesley in the twisted metal.

Juliette and the girls wiped the tears from their eyes and rushed over to them.

Leanne practically dived on top of them both and held them tightly - "I thought I lost you both. I am so happy your both alive!" Tears rolled down her cheeks.

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"It's August 24th, and tonight we have some very special guests on Fortune Night, lets hear it for Leanne, Jessica, Abi and Joanne" Caroline Fortune introduced the girls to her chat show.

"Welcome to the show girls, after the success of your interview with that Piers Morgan guy from the UK I thought you'd welcome a girly chat with me." she said with a beaming smile.

The audience laughed and Caroline questioned the girls on what they had been doing whilst in the United States. They discussed the earthquake, the party and the events at the trailer park as well as some general questions on relationships and thoughts on some current world events.

"Well, I guess that this could all make a great book or movie!" Caroline gave a laugh. "Before we let you go there is just one more thing we have to do. This is a bit of a surprise for you - I have four envelopes here - they are your A level exam results. For our US viewers, these are the exams that allow you to progress to University, college, back in the UK."

Caroline handed the envelopes to each of the girls:

Joanne opened hers first - Business Studies A* - Economics A* - ICT A* - Music and Drama B

Abi next - Media Studies A - English Literature B - Music and Drama A*

Jessica followed - Business Studies A - English Literature A - Physical Education A

Leanne opened her envelope last - Physical Education B - Media Studies B - Business Studies C

The girls all hugged on stage congratulating each other on their results.

"I hope those results aren't too disappointing for you - in any case I am sure you will be a great success in whatever the future holds." Caroline said, "To bring the show to a conclusion tonight we are actually going to ask Abi to leave the girls for a moment as she has to join tonight's band on stage. You know she is going to sing for us!"

Abi smiled and left the interview stage to a round of applause. Caroline continued to fill to camera and then continued, "So closing the show for us, give a big hand to 'Abi and The Reapers' with a fantastic cover of the Shania Twain classic 'You're Still The One'!" The audience erupted into cheers.

The band played and Abi sung with all her heart. From the front row of the audience, Juliette, Paul, Anthony and Martin joined the girls on the interview stage closely followed by Aaron.

Paul held Jessica closely and they began to dance. Their eyes met and they kissed each other gently. Through the chorus Drew's eyes crept across from his guitar to Leanne and he gave her a wink.

The song reached its last verse and the gentle kiss between Jessica and Paul evolved. Their lips parted and their tongues played.

"I'm so glad we made it,

Look how far we've come, my baby..."