Note : This story was written in order to help fans whom can't find the story in their language. If you like the story, please buy the book.
On stage doing the opening night of a popular play . The opera house is full. Miriam and Douglas are backstage talking.
“Strange. Danel didn’t disrupt today even though I was watching very carefully.” Said Douglas\
“Maybe they gave up. They are busy looking for the fake money instead.” Said Miriam
“He might not be part of the fake money laundry” said Douglas
“But...the possibility is there. If that Mr. Old Numskull is Jefrry Dan, from what Sheriff Huey said...” Said Miriam pointed out to Douglas
“The place that I had passed out when I fell down the hill and lost my memory, is the same area and time that Jefrry Dan and the fake money maker convict had disappeared. And from what Mr. Old Numskull [Jefrry Dan] had said to me at that deserted house, I was supposed to have known his secret. So, that secret and the fake money have to be related. It is because of knowing this that I had ran away and fell down the hill. No matter if he has any secret or not. Why he is hiding in this town. And is he working for Danel again? Most likely Danel is the leader.” Said Miriam
Douglas and Miriam talk on how to get evidence from Danel Duke’s residence. Miriam said she got this idea at this morning and was about to discuss it with him when she saw him acting strangely to one of the actresses.
(“I am so frighten Douglas. Can I sit with you?” said the blond hair actress leaning closely to Douglas who was sitting on the sofa. Then she sat down very close to him.)
“Acting strangely? She only came because she was frighten of Danel.” Said Douglas
(“Couldn’t be just that. Doesn’t he noticed how strange her body language was?” Thought Miriam. “And how come I feel so hurt when I saw them together?”)
“...........that kind of seduction doesn’t mean anything to me. If you need me just come to me.” Said Douglas
Douglas and Miriam looked at one another.
(“I am thinking that before I lost my memory, I probably already love him.” Thought Miriam)
*Slam! The door opened*. The owner of the opera house told them that Danel and his gang are in the theater watching the show. And that Danel also gave a lot of flowers to the actors. He is wondering what Danel is up to though. After the show was over, Danel and his gang went back stage to tell the owner that he gave up on buying the opera house. And that he is inviting the theater group to a party 3 days from now in honor of a friend who came to visit named Rod Simpson, an owner of a newspaper. And that another friend of his would come as well named Ralph Turner. Danel also specifically asked the red hair girl to be there as well. When Douglas and Miriam heard the last phrase, Douglas put his arm around Miriam and put some pressure on her arm to comfort her.That night, Anthony was about to sneak out to leave the theater group. But Douglas and Miriam knowing that he would stopped him.
“You wanted to go to Danel for a vacation?” Said Douglas
“You guys....” Said Anthony
All three went into the spare room that is in-between Douglas’ and Miriam’s rooms.
“I had found that Danel’s purpose today was to get you to come out by using Rod Simpson as the bait. If you go to them they will do you harm.” Said Douglas
“It isn’t any of your concern. It would be better if you go back to the theater group since they would have trouble too.” Said Anthony
“Inviting the them to the party isn’t just because of you. Danel has no intention of giving up the opera house and will do harm to the theater group.” Said Douglas
“And he want to harm me too.” Said Miriam
“Miriam....” Said Anthony
“Mr. Old Numskull and Danel are in this together. And I am supposed to have known their secrets. So we need to find out what is the secret. Therefore, Ralph, if you wanted to go, we all go together.” Said Miriam
“You must be kidding!” Said Ralph (Anthony)
“No. You can’t follow me. Leave me alone.” Said Ralph
“Why? We all go together to save Rod. You aren’t a bad guy, I can’t just see you get hurt.” Said Miriam holding onto Ralph’s arm.
“No, I am a bad guy. So leave me be. Look at her (Ralph showing them a picture of a girl from his watch) I KILLED HER!” Said an emotional Ralph.
“Rod’s granddaughter....” Said Ralph sitting down.
“I used to be a drifter. It wasn’t easy for me to settle down at the newspaper agency. At that time I was 20 yrs old. The newspaper agency was very small. It only consists of me and him and his granddaughter Airin. She was 13 or 14 at that time. Was a very innocent cute child. But she finally grew up. I noticed that she considered me as a real guy.
“...........” Douglas looked wide eye when he realized what Ralph was saying
“At that time she was 21. However, I was 10 yrs older. And since I knew her since childhood, I didn’t realized she grew up. And I couldn’t get that she was an adult.” Said Ralph.****Ralph's FLASHBACK ****
(“Then Danel came into town. Doing money laundry. Doing gaming. He used brute force to get the town to cooperate with him. The towns people were too frighten to do otherwise. I thought I was the only one who was different. I use the newspaper as my tool to get to him. Printing out all the bad things he was doing. Asking the towns people to get rid of him. Airin had told me to be careful. Nice kind Airin. Rod had told me to stop. That Danel would had me kill...then what would become of Airin? Then one day, a shot burst out toward me, but Airin went in front of the firing line and got hit in the back instead of me. She save me by sacrificing herself. Rod told me to leave town then because it was all my fault that Airin died.”)
****END OF FLASHBACK****“I don’t want to do anything anymore. Don’t tie yourself to me. Don’t touch me. I can’t stand seeing someone die.” Said an emotionally torn Ralph.
“Talking about all those voo doo stuff wanting us to die!” Said Douglas
Miriam looked at Douglas.
“Listen up, Ralph. The person who killed Airin wasn’t you. It was Danel. Why would you listen to them? Listen up. You don’t care about your life now. But Airin gave up her life to protect you. So your life isn’t yours anymore. It is Airin’s. Instead of trying to kill yourself, think of a way to get back.” Said Douglas
(“Ralph, since her death, you have changed to a different person. Don’t want to do anything. Just passing life through. Her death left you so much suffering. His eyes has no tears.” Thought Miriam)
“What should we do?” Said Ralph
“First we don’t do anything about Danel. We need to get to Rod and Larry Widmark, the counterfeiter.” Said Douglas
“I wanted to search Danel’s home. But it is almost day now so we have to wait till tomorrow night.” Said MiriamNext morning, the theater group are out passing flyers again. Danel went by but nothing came of it. Except that he specifically asked Douglas to bring Miriam to the party.
“Look. Douglas and them are back from town.” Said the actresses
“Hey! The stuff we were talking about before....” Said the Blond actress, “Why did I lose my qualification of chasing Douglas?”
“Look at your result yesterday. Even with your longest lashes it was no use.” The other two commented.
“It is my turn.” Said the brown hair actress
“If you fail, then it is my turn.” Said Helen
“I am telling you. His personality isn’t romantic. His point blank personality is hard to handle.” Said the blond hair actress.
The guys are telling Douglas to go with Miriam. That Danel is probably a nice guy after all. Douglas thought those theater people are too nice and friendly if they think that. And they seem to have misunderstood the relationship between Miriam and him.
“Douglas, do you have a girl friend? It is best to bring one to the party.” Said one of the guys
“I do not have one.” Douglas said
Miriam came through the door just then hearing this.
“Oh. And I thought you would be very popular. You are still single?” Said another guy
“I always have to protect Miriam and take her to parties. She isn’t sexy so a lot of times she became a wall flower. I go with her to make up the numbers. That kind of girl you just can’t let her loose by herself at a party.” Said Douglas
“WAIT A MINUTE!” Said Miriam angrily
“UGH!” Said Douglas when Miriam grab him on the arm
“You are implying that it was MY FAULT that you don’t have a girl friend!” Said Miriam frowning.
“You guys help me here. His rough personality to women, I think, is the main reason that he doesn’t have a girl friend. Don’t you think? It must be MY SERVICE to go with him to parties because I can still stand his personality a little.” Said Miriam going around all the theater guys
“Wait a minute! *sweatdrop* I didn’t ask for your "service".” Said an embarrassed Douglas
“With your age, without a girl friend, it is because I feel sorry for you!” Said Miriam
“We...we still have work to do” said the theater people who don’t want to get into the middle of the discussion. Meanwhile wondering if they are friends or foe.
“Let me tell you, I have a lot of woman who want to be with me” implied Douglas
“RAPIST! PLAYBOY! WEIRDO!” Said Miriam
Douglas remembering her saying the same things at a party long ago, hold onto her shoulder and said, “You remembered?”
“Huh? You really are a rapist?” Said Miriam
“...........” Sigh Douglas, “You had said similar things in the past.”
(“Similar?” Thought Miriam, “Before I lost my memory, I used to must know him well. What kind of situation was that when I said those things? This guy.....doesn’t have any lovers and easily get angry.”)“Done. The layout of Danel’ house and ground I had drawn up.” Said the owner of the opera house to Douglas and Ralph.
“Humph. And here I thought the person who beaten up my gang was so very powerful. Looking at him carefully he is just a young kid.” Said Danel
“Boss, you know about Ralph. Why did you invite them to a party?”
“If due to some accident that a few members of the theater group got hurt, then the show can’t go on.” Said Danel
“What happens if they don’t come?”
“Then we have an excuse to hurt them.” Said Danel
“I didn’t want the opera owner to be part of this. But it couldn’t be helped. He isn’t as naive as the theater gang.” Said Ralph
Miriam looking out the window commented,”If Mr. Old Numskull [Jefrry Dan] and Danel has a relationship. It is very possible that we are being surveillance to see if we try to escape.”
“True. Going out in the middle of the night would stand out.” said Ralph
“I believe they are gang up together. These couple of days they seem to target you [Miriam]” said Douglas
“Oh. Wasn’t that because I am so cute?” Said Miriam
“................” Douglas looking at Miriam seriously
“Just kidding! Don’t need to look at me so. You will hurt my pride.” Said Miriam
“If we escape by being with a group of people it might work.” Said Ralph
“A group of people?” Said Miriam
“If we need to go out, it is easier to hide.” Said Ralph“Look. Anthony came out. That is their resting room.” All three actresses are spying at them behind the corner wall.
“I am going to help out the stage.” Said Anthony [Ralph]
“Do you hear that?” Said Helen
“That room only have them now. ONLY THEM!”
“When did he became their friends?” Said the Blond
“Forget about that!” Said Helen
“Looking at them arguing, I realized that even if they aren’t lovers now, they will be.” Said the Brown hair actress
“That can’t be true. If that happens what would happen to our plans to bully her.” Said Helen
“Humph. Don’t you feel worry? What are they doing in that room together right now?” Said the Blond
All three actresses looked at one another *sweatdrop*
“Lightly, Lightly, Quiet” the three sneak toward the door
“Lets get ready quickly! I got to go and change!” Said a happy Miriam
Douglas give her a look and then looked away, “Don’t need to.”
“But can’t move with a dress.” Commented Miriam
“No problem. You are staying.” Said Douglas
“WHY?” Yelled Miriam
“Why leave me behind? Your purpose was to help me remember. Maybe I can remember what was the secret.” Said Miram pulling on Douglas
“Too dangerous.” Said Douglas
“You guys would be in danger too. The opera owner can look after the house.” Said Miriam
“You will hinder us” said Douglas
“I won’t!” Said Miriam, “ I am the 8 yr old Miriam Todd who had captured Boer!”SHOCKED went through the three actresses who heard this outside their door.
“What did that Miriam do? She went and stumble into a strange situation. And fell down the hill.” Pointed out Douglas
“I think it was the dress.” Said Miriam
“You are too confident and act before you think!” Said Douglas
“This is my problem! It has nothing to do with you so you need not to go!” Said Miriam
“Of course it has to do with me. Your business is my business.” Said Douglas
“I AM GOING! NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO I AM GOING!” Said Miriam
“I WANT YOU TO BE NEAR ME!” Said Miriam grabbing hold of Douglas
They looked at each other.....strange....those words seem to have hidden meanings.
“All right! No matter what I say you will do whatever you want anyway. Same when it was 9 yrs ago.” Said Douglas
“Really?” Said Miriam
“You aren’t going to listen to me anyway.” Said Douglas sitting down
“Where are you going?” Said Douglas when he saw Miriam getting out of the room
“I am going to the female actresses to borrow pants.” Said Miriam
The door closed and Douglas got a “thinking” expression on.“I remember now. She is that powerful girl from before. We got ourselves involved with a dangerous person”
“Not to worry, she haven’t realized it yet!” Said Helen
“True”
“If we were to be found out then we would be in a bad situation.” Said Helen
“I won’t harm you guys. Sorry. The door wasn’t closed so I heard everything. I knew from the beginning that you were trying to bully me.” Said Miriam
----------SHOCKED AND FRIGHTEN look on the three actresses -------------------
“SORRY!” “WE ARE WRONG” “DON’T HIT US” “PLEASE” “FORGIVE US”
“I just wanted to borrow a pant and shirt.” Said a Miriam *sweatdrop*
“I’ll LEND YOU MINE!”
“I’ll give you whatever you want. I’ll do whatever you say, just forgive us!” said Helen.
“......Really?” Said Miriam to Helen. Helen nod.
“OK! I got a request!” Said MiriamNightfall, the opera house was full of people watching the play. When it ended, Douglas and Ralph blended in with the leaving crowd.
“Douglas, what happened to Miriam?”
“Oh, she isn’t coming.” Said Douglas
“Oh?” Said Ralph
Back at the opera house, you see that Miriam was all tied up and gag to a chair.“YOU TIED HER UP?” Said Ralph *SWEATDROP*
“You shouldn’t have been so rough!” Said Ralph next to Douglas both on horse back now.
“If I don’t do that she will follow us!” Said Douglas
“I think it is better if she haven’t come.” Said Ralph
“You guys are good partners. Only you can stop her. And only she can stand your roughness. Very matching.” Said Ralph
“Huh?” Said Douglas
“Before she lost her memory, did she love you?” Said Ralph
Douglas look at him...., “You....” He said, “You are thinking I am like you?”
“I only realized when she died, but it was too late by then.” Said Ralph
“HEY! Don’t say such unlucky talks. I have the same reasons are you, I think of her as a sister.....” Said Douglas
“And now?” Said Ralph
“I don’t know! I don’t know.” Said an embarrassed Douglas
(“I don’t want be like before trying to find her.....my ulcer was hurting like crazy.” Thought Douglas)
‘FINALLY, FREEDOM!” said Miriam
“Here is the gun and holster you requested” said the actress
“OH. I seem to know how to use a gun.” Said Miriam trying spinning the gun around her fingers.
“Hey. It is dangerous” said the actresses
Miriam dropped her gun!
“No problem. No problem. Sorry. I must had been tied too long, my fingers are numb.” Said an embarrassed Miriam
“What is this about? You asked us to come after our performance.” The girls were looking at the ropes that was used to tied Miriam
“Douglas! I was afraid something like this would happen that is why I asked you gals to come. Damn! All the audience left already.” Said Miriam looking out the window.“Hey, a woman came out!” Said two men who were surveillance the building. It was the brown hair girl who went to get some grocery.
“I am back” said the brown hair girl after buying the food.
“What? It wasn’t the right girl?” The men were saying
Meanwhile a girl dress in menswear were behind a tree. It was Miriam and she got out of the house without those men noticing.
“Sorry Jessi.” Said Miriam riding on another horse
“You are too old and can’t run fast enough so I can’t bring you along. He didn’t even want to look at me. I understand how you are feeling. Douglas left me too.” Said Miriam to herself.
(“Be good and stay here.” Douglas had said to her. “Really! He should have realized who he was talking to. My personality won’t let me just be good and listen to others. That time when I said I wanted to be with him. I don’t want to be by myself. Don’t give your back to me! Don’t just disappear after the door closes, I feel so sad. I feel so frighten.” Thought Miriam)
At Danel’ house. Douglas and Ralph was surveillance the surroundings. Ralph beginning to think it was too dangerous to go on. Douglas was trying to get Ralph’s energy back stating that he isn’t the only one in danger. That Rod, Miriam, the theater gang and the opera house owner are all in danger too. Douglas went and slap Ralph on the face with both hands calling him “Uncle” to snap him out of his trance.
“Don't called me Uncle, I am only 30 something *though in reality it is over 35*” said Ralph
“You are already in middle age.” Said Douglas
“A 20 something calling me Uncle will damage my ego!” Said Ralph, “OK. I am ok now. Let’s go.”** Beating noises heard **** Danel’ men were beating up Rod. They then put him into the same shed as Larry Widmark. Larry was being held because he didn’t want to do fake money anymore. He told them that he did a bad lot of fake money and what can Danel do eh? A man was outside doing the look out while the other two inside were beating up Larry. Douglas and Ralph capture the outside guy and got into the room. But one of the guy escape while Ralph was being in his trance. Just then.......a ROCK came flying out of the sky and hit the escape guy on the head knocking him unconscious.
“Who threw the rock?” Said Douglas
Douglas looked up and saw a shadow on top of the shed. A girl jump down doing a beautiful somersault. *A Perfect 10* ^^. A SHOCKED Douglas looking at her SPEECHLESS!!!
“Wait a minute, Miriam” said Douglas *sweatdrop*
“How did you get untied?” Said Douglas holding onto Miriam’s arm when she wanted to go into the shed.
Miriam pointed outside.
“Are you going to leave the unconscious man outside like that? What happens if someone saw him?” Comment Miriam
Douglas still wanting to talk to Miriam...looked outside...looked at Miriam...while she is STILL pointing outside. “Damn.” Said Douglas, going outside to fix the unconscious guy.
“Miriam?” Said Ralph surprised
“Hey! Miss...you were the one from before.....” Said Larry Widmark trying to go to her. But his back gave way because he was hurt from all the beatings.
Meanwhile back near the opera house horse shed......The bad sighted horse was out of the shed and roaming around looking for Miriam. Jeffry Dan then realized that Miriam, Douglas and Ralph escaped without them knowing.
Near Danel’ house, in the shed where Miriam, Douglas, Rod, Larry and Ralph are....A guard was passing by the shed...he noticed that the guy who was supposed to be guarding was sitting up on a barrel with his hat hung low. But didn’t noticed anything else so left.
“The guard left” said Miriam
“Oh, you lost your memory...so sad, you heard the conversation between me and Jefrry Dan. When I heard you escaped I was so glad. At that time you were trying to get the wedding bouquet that had fallen.” said Larry
“Let go since the guard left. We got to carry them” said Douglas to Ralph
“OK. I’ll carry Rod.” said Ralph
Meanwhile, Miriam was showing the 2 drawings to Larry to see which one he thinks looks more like Jefrry Dan. ^_^’
“Ugh! We are busy and you are showing him the drawings?” exclaimed an embarrassed Douglas
“You both draw well! I know art since I do so well in counterfeiting.” said Larry.
“I used to do bad stuff but I had since changed. Now I just do a printing job. I was wrongly capture and I got proof that it wasn’t me. But I found out that Jefrry Dan had capture me for the purpose of doing counterfeiting for Danel. The one they hired died unexpectedly. Their plan was to say that I had escaped and then Jeffry Dan ,the sheriff , go back to the town stating that I had escaped from bounty. But Miriam came and heard it all. I didn’t listen to what they wanted me to do. I made the counterfeit non-usable. Danel just found that out, so he is probably very angry now.” said Larry.
“Go and contact the White Valley! If we want cooperation from Larry we can only ask them to give me that hostage..” said DanelMiriam jumped over the fence. Douglas carrying Larry drop Larry over the fence and asked if Ralph needed any help. While Douglas was trying to help out Ralph to carry over Rod, he saw Larry falling over on top of Miriam *squashing her* .
“So Heavy!” said Miriam *sweatdrop*
Douglas used one hand to grab Larry off of Miriam and the other hand holding Miriam
“Hey, What are you doing?” said Douglas
“Only my hands were empty.” said Miriam
“Your hands...just because of that you wanted to carry someone? Don’t you think of your own strength?” said Douglas
“And YOU, you actually listened to her?” said Douglas to Larry
“Ah! I think being carried by a woman is better than a man.” said Larry
“DUMMY! At your age, you still..........” said Douglas not too happily
“Shhhhhh! Bend down!” said Ralph
Two guys came out of the house. One of the carrying a large bag.
“What should we do with this bag?”
“He asked us to dispose of it but it is already the middle of the night!”
“Let just put it in the shed first..oh...but there are 2 guys there!”
“Stupid! Don’t need to put it there. Just put it in this closet”“Larry, is that the bag full of fake money?” asked Miriam
“Probably. I only did a little.” said Larry
Miriam prepare to make a dash.
“Miriam.” said Douglas
“I am going to go and get it.” said Miriam
Then she jumped over the fence and boldly went to get it.
“You didn’t have to follow me.” said Miriam
“Dummy! It is dangerous to go by yourself.” said Douglas
“And who was it that help you by throwing that rock?” said Miriam (Aren’t I great?)
“Who was it who fell down the hill and lost her memory?” said Douglas
“I hate it when you kept bringing up the past.” said Miriam
“That bag....it is full of fake money.”
“Let me carry. Me!” said Miriam
“Fine. Since you kept complaining about being empty handed.” said Douglas
Then Douglas went and got some dynamite. Just then the guy who was sitting to guard the shed fell off the barrel. The guard came back and saw him. He said to the guy that he can’t fall asleep on the job. But realized that he wasn’t asleep but knocked unconscious. So he went and alarmed Danel and his men. Douglas and his gang realized that Danel knew. And since there is one horse to 2 people they can not out run Danel’ men. Douglas put Larry onto Miriam’s horse. He said that he know Danel’ men would know to go to the opera house to look for them. So they need the opera house owner’s map to go thru the local road and hide in one of the places that was marked. Then go to get the sheriff.
“Where are you going?” said Miriam
“Back to Danel. Give them a distraction until you guys are at the save place.” said Douglas
“I am going too!” said Miriam holding onto Douglas shirt
“I knew you would said that! If we are on the same horse it would only hinder us. If I am by myself it would be faster!” said Douglas
“You don’t need to do a distration. We can go together!” said Miriam
“Before we can get to the local roads we will be caught up!” yelled Douglas
“You go with Larry and them! I can distract them” said Miriam
“Dummy! *sweatdrop* I should be saying that! If you go who knows what would happen? “ said Douglas
Larry and Ralph look at one another thinking what to do with those two kept arguing.
“Yeah. I like to be with the girl!” said Larry
“You heard that dirty poor old man!” said Douglas
Miriam grab hold of Douglas’ hat.
“Miriam! My hat!” said Douglas
“But, this is the same as the time you left the opera house. You just go by yourself. How long do you want me to wait? Just want me to worry about you? I don’t want to. It wasn’t easy to catch up with you to here. And you want me to worry again. Want me to wait again?” said Miriam
“You don’t need to worry. If something happened to me, you can come and rescue me. I won’t have any mishap ...but if I do...you will come and rescue me!” said Douglas
“OK!” said Miriam giving back the hat to Douglas smiling. She then grab the bag and jump onto the horse where Larry was sitting. Then they went their way.(“Time to use the dynamite.” thought Douglas)
“He so boldly asked you to go and rescue him and you so strangely seem so at peace with that.” said Larry
“They are good partners. Good partners” said Ralph“Get ready, they couldn’t have gone far. We still be able to catch up with them!” yelled Danel to his men.
“BAM!” explosion sound.....
“What is that sound?”
“Explosive!”
“In the back.”
“Is it them?”
“Here they come!” said Douglas lighting another one and throwing it at the incoming people. Then he threw the lantern he was holding to a shed making a fire.Douglas saw another group of men coming thru another direction. One of the men was the bully whom he met when he first came into town. The guy remembered Douglas as the man who had beaten the information of the opera house out of him. Douglas threw another explosive into the shed where the fake money and explosive were held. The explosive made a lot of the men fell off their horses. The men who bully the townsman,named Emmet, wanted Douglas so that he could repay Douglas for what he did to him before so he chased after Douglas.
Meanwhile Danel found out that Douglas and Miriam were the people 9 yrs ago captured the most terrifying outlaw Mr. Boer.
“I still have a hostage! Did you hear me Douglas? We told you where the opera house was, do you remember? Do you know why we were in that town? It was to get Larry Widmark’s grandchild.” said the blond man named Emmet.
Danel know that they will come back before he got Larry Widmark’s grandchild. And that the White Valley is behind him.Meanwhile, Miriam and them got lost because it was too dark to see well. Miriam was wondering what is happening to Douglas.
Douglas was getting hold of a large wine barrel. The men are taunting Douglas to get out of his hiding place. They are in the “ghost town”. Douglas used the wine to ignite a hay wagon. He and Emmet’s men were having a shoot match. All were down except Emmet. Douglas shoot Emmet’s gun away and went up to him to get information. But one of the guy down tried to shoot at Douglas. But Douglas reacted fast and shoot that person’s gun away. But in doing so, Emmet attacked Douglas and wrestled Douglas gun away from him. Emmet feeling so good that he got the upper hand and that he thought Douglas was so stupid not to have killed them when he got the chance. (Douglas only injury them). Douglas said he doesn’t like to kill people.
“Really? I like to. I can’t wait to kill you. So, how does it feel to be killed by your own gun?” said Emmet
Douglas just look at him determinedly.