#WritcoStoryPrompt40
The noise was too loud, almost as if someone was using a drill machine in his head. He craned his head to relieve the cramp in his neck. When he couldn't move he realised where he was; in a coffin deep in the confines of an airplane... with what felt like the worst hangover. Not remembering much, but he knew he wasn't drinking. Repeatedly swallowing wasn't helping. He turned his head hard to the right, so not to choke. Argh. Disgusting taste. Horrible smell filled his death trap. Repulsively, it pooled around his neck. At least he didn't drown in it.
Don't panic. I'll just suck up oxygen, he thought. Focus on breathing. He was slightly relieved that some air, along with a sliver of light, slipped through the thin crack under the poorly, fitted lid of a crudely made coffin. He tried pushing but barely had room from elbow up. Two hinges separated him from escape. Think Dan, think. His coat with his cell phone were both gone. He felt his front, left pants pocket. His keys were also gone.

He remembered leaving the office early feeling strange, like the onset of a migraine. The kind he regularly experienced back in college. Last he remembered, he was walking through the parking garage. He saw his car; clicked the unlock button. Everything went black after that.
He could feel his wallet under him, still in his pocket. What, they only wanted my BMW? Right, then why am I in here? Who could I have have pissed off so badly? Ok, focus. I got to get out. My penknife! He felt his right front pocket. It was gone. Now he was pissed. His wife gave that to him.
Anger turned to panic at the thought of some one harming his family. He pushed again, barely letting in more light. What if they see or hear me? Obviously, I'm supposed to die here. Listening; nothing but the hum of the plane & occasional turbulence. Where could they be taking me?
Able to lift enough to pull his wallet from under him, he placed it in lap, pulling out a card. Driver license? Credit? Didn't matter. He slid it through the crack trying to separate the hinge. He swiped & pushed but the flimsy card couldn't seperate it. He tried pushing through a little farther & dropped it. Great. They'll know for sure I'm still alive when they find my 'calling card'. He grabbed another, repeating the same failed attempt.
Dan dug in his wallet. Why didn't I already think of it? It hadn't left its spot since placing it there two years earlier; the darkest time in his life, until now.



The yard worker walked him out back, warning, "It's not pretty. Just go in the office when you're done. Sheila will help ya."
Shocked, Dan couldn't believe this was his beautiful, Brazilian wife's car. She was on a ventilator, & in a coma. How did she survive at all? Thank God, their four year old son wasn't in there with her.
In the blood splattered interior, driver side floor, there lay her Crucifix among scattered Rosery beads that used to hang from her rearview mirror. His son's car seat was still intact, but jammed under the crushed rooftop with his favorite dinoscour laying in it. It didn't take Eli long to notice he'd forgotten it in mommy's car. Aline was on her way back to Dan's mother's house to drop it off, before leaving for a weekend in the Poconos to celebrate their fifth Anniversary.
Just before Eli was born, Dan's senior partner drew up a Will & Trust for them. Through deep conversations they both wanted the same thing. Neither wanted to be kept on life support should something happen...like this. He prayed that wasn't a decision he'd have to be making. Sadly, a month later; he respected her wishes, & said goodbye.

He retrieved the two items but didn't see her purse. Maybe it was in their office? One last glance before turning away.
Cigarette smoke, Subway sandwiches, gas, oil, body odor, & wet dog permeated the filthy waiting area. An 'out of order' sign taped over the coin entry of a beat up Coke machine set next to a couch that would swollow you alive if you dared, or was gross enough to sit on it.
A woman, who reminded him of Mimi from The Drew Carey Show, slid open a window with a blast of cheap perfume, equally offensive as the other odors. "Can I help you?" "Yes, that's my wife's Alfa Romeo out back. I was..." "Name?" she interrupted. "Aline Cogan. I was wondering if you might..." Slapping some papers down in front of him, "Here's the tow bill with current storage fees. They'll accumulate daily until paid & you pick up the vehicle. We'll be happy to tow it out for you, for additional fees, according to where you want it taken. If you wish to relinquish the vehicle to us, you'll only pay the tow fee. All storage fees will be waived," she said in a repetitively, robotic tone.
"No, I don't want the vehicle, but do you know if..." "Has your insurance company determined damages, sir?" "Yes, they said they already sent an agent out, but I..." "Oh, yes. Here's the release," she fumbled, retrieving it from the manila folder with short, sausage fingers & long, purple claws. "Ma'am, my wife's purse wasn't in the car. I was wondering if..." "Sir we don't do inventory of vehicles until after investigations are complete." "But you have the release, so appearantly, they've compl..." "Sir, we have fencing, camaras, & a 24 hour security guard. We don't normally gather items from these kind of accidents." "Do you know if the insurance agent found..." "Sir, please sign here since you're chosing to relinquish the vehicle. We do not accept personal checks, so cash or credit?"
As she processed his payment, he saw her foot nudge something brown & white under her desk. The center red stripe was a dead gave away. He was sure that was the $1800. Gucci Ophida bag he gave his wife on her 30th birthday. He waited until his credit card was back in hand before confronting her. "What did you just kick under your desk?" "I'm sorry, sir. We're done here." "That looks like my wife's..." "Sir, I'm sorry about your wife. Have a good day." She started to slide the window closed, but Dan jammed it. "Sir, you need to leave before I call security." "Show me that bag first!" She hit a buzzer under the window & before he could blink, was escorted off the property by two large, dirty men. "I'm calling the police!" he yelled, then paced outside their gate until some slow, sloppy deputy showed up. "Hi Charlie! Hey, this guy's just upset. As he likely told you, his wife was in a terrible accident. I feel bad for him, but we can't have folks thinking it's ok to come in here being destructive or throwing accusations around. We're trying to run a respectable business here, & won't tolerate that." "I know Sheila, but he seems to think you..." "I know! He thinks I'd jeoprodize our business by steeling from our customers! Come on Charlie, how long have you known me?" "Ya, I know, Sheila. Just humor me though, & pull your purse out from under the desk to ease his mind." "Ok, Charlie, for you, but I want a no tresspass issued to him. We don't want his kind 'round here causing trouble." She pulled out a tattered, generic brown vinyl bag with a long strap. "That's not it! She switched them! That's not the bag I saw!" "Ok, sir, calm down. Let's step outside to talk." "Thanks Sheila, & sorry for the trouble. Tell Stan to call me. I heard walleye are hitting down by the old brick factory." "Will do. Good seein' ya, Charlie!"
Dan left there with $400. less, elevated blood pressure, a no tresspass warning, & no purse.
Small consolation came a month later when their sloppy shop cost them their lives. Place blew up from a gas leak while welding. Three people; owners Stan & Sheila, their 24 hour, so-called security gaurd, (really just a drunk derelict) & a dog all died in the explosion that leveled the crap hole. Dan felt a little bad. The poor dog didn't deserve to die.



He pulled the Crucifix out of his wallet & kissed it. Slid it through the crack, then worked the hinge, until he saw more light & heard voices. He pulled back, waiting for some one to open his tomb.
They were speaking Portuguese, that much he knew. Aline spoke it, usually when she was angry but he was clueless what was said. Bottles clangged together & voices faded as they left.
Dan went back to work until it finally popped. Now, what about the lower one? He couldn't reach but managed to draw his knees up, pushing with everything. It popped making a loud, noise hitting the floor. Surely they heard that. Dan jumped out, put the lid down, picked up his cards & hinge before darting behind some pallets of freight. No one came. He pulled back some shrink wrap from a pallet, exposing 50# bags of beans, placing three bags inside the coffin then returned the busted hinge. The plane was decending so Dan climbed into a tool storage area through a trap door, waiting nearly two hours before emerging. The freight was gone. So was the casket. He slipped upstairs into the cabin but had to piss before even thinking about his next move. Opening the bathroom door, he ran right into a cleaning lady. She started to scream, so he covered her mouth. "Shhh! I've been kidnapped" wondering why he said anything. She wasn't about to understand. He made a phone to ear gesture, she shook her head no. "How did you get in here?" Yes! She speaks English! "In a coffin. Please, I need help. Where are we?" "You're in Fernando Santo's airplane. We're at a private airstrip just outside of Baixada Fluminese. He will have you shot if he finds you here, & me, for talking to you. I must go. I never saw you." "Please, will you call the police for me?" Dan pleaded. " "No, don't be ridiculous. They're his goons; many are bad men too. My family was killed for their land. I've been kept here five years. I often think about sneaking on board one of his drug runs to US, but I'm afraid what will happen if I'm caught. Besides, where would I go?" Dan blurted it before he heard himself, "Let's go. Come with me. I'll help you." "No. It's too risky." "Please, my son already lost his mother. He can't lose me too."

Dan listened to his new comaraude, Marcia as he scarfed down the feijoada & barbeque beef. He couldn't remember the last time he had food much less water. She brought him a change of clothes & a much needed toothbrush. He even showered in his captor's private bathroom! She lifted the bed, exposing generous storage space. She placed water, trail mix, a blanket, & empty jug inside. "Get in. I need to clean. We will be leaving in 45 minutes. He rarely comes back here but because I volunteered to go, he will bring me here; to have his way. Yes, this is humiliating, but it will pass. I too, would rather die than live captive all my life. No matter what, you must not be discovered. No matter what you hear. Swear to me." "But, what if..." "Swear!" "Ok, I swear."

Daja vu, thought Dan as he sunk into his new dark space. He heard muffled voices out front. Some one entered. He heard clothes hangers hit the bed & the unzipping of a clothes bag. "Marcia. Marcia!" " Yes, sir?" I brought you some clothes. Put this dress on, hang the others. Oh, & Marcia? Quit refering to me as anything other than Fernando." "Yes, Fernando." "Marcia, I'm proud of how well you've learned English. I will be having other roles for you soon." Dan heard the bathroom door shut, then open shortly later. "Marcia! You are beautiful! You like your dress?" "Yes, Fernando! It's lovely!" " Shall we have a cocktail before we dine?" "Yes, sir." " Ah, what did I tell you?" I'm sorry, Fernando." " Don't ever be sorry, Marcia. It shows weakness. I know I have many years on you, but if you do as I say, you may one day recieve your freedom, & be a very wealthy woman. You understand?" Marcia nodded. "Now, let us go celebrate!"
Dan was disgusted by the old creep, & himself because he couldn't stop what was happening to his sweet, new friend.
Exhausted, Dan drifted off to sleep for awhile but awoke when they entered. Fernando's speach was slightly slurred as he made chopping sounds on a mirror, " You know, Marcia, other women would kill to be where you are."
(Snort.) "Here, this will make you feel better." " No, please Fernando. I don't want... "I said, here!" Dan heard Marcia snort. Santo's phone rang. "My dear, I need to take this. Please go. I'll call for you shortly." He answered, "Yes?" The other end was unheard, but a long pause with several ah-has & an occasional no followed. Suddenly, everything came into perspective just from Fernando's side of the conversation. "I said no. It's too soon. I just planted his father." ......
"No, his car & house turned up nothing. But, we did get their Will & Trust."...... "No, I said it's too soon. I don't even want to check the old woman's house. It would be too suspicious."..... "Sure, just like the tow company. The diamonds weren't even in her purse." ..... " No, Antonio, I don't think your sister suspected a thing."......"Your rival had to of intercepted them before your sister even recieved her beautiful vase. We checked. They're gone." ....."Antonio, I don't like what you're insinuating."
....."No, Antonio, we wait at least 6 months before we take the kid. You'll collect insurance, he'll have a monthly check, & you'll have years to train him." ..... "I know, it's plan B, but at least there is a back up plan."..... "Antonio, forget the diamonds." ...... "No, you didn't kill her for nothing. They were wealthy & you will be too, when you're the last surviving family member he has."..... "Yes, I'll be back in a few days.".... "Because, I have a new playmate. I want to show her off after I make this drop." ..... "Yes, we will both have some one new to groom. Ha, ha, ha!" ..... "Ok, ok, I'll check, but I don't think the old lady has them either." ..... "I got to go, my sweet desert is coming! Ha, ha, ha!"

Chopping noises, then a long snort. "Ah, Marcia, here, enjoy" "No, Fernando, I don't..." "I said do it," he insisted, handing her a straw. "I'm going to fix us more drinks. Put this on before I come back." "Fernando, no. It's too soon." "You heard me."
She picked up the bra, fish nets, & crotchless underwear, then went to the bathroom to change.

Fernando turned romantic music on from out front then walked back in the room with their drinks.
Dan's face became beet red with seething hatred. His knuckles, white from his belt. He squeezed for several more minutes after Fernando's body went limp. Marcia opened the door crying until she saw what happened.
Get his cell. Let's put him in bed, like he's drunk. You need to lay there too if some one comes. I'll be in the bathroom." She was clearly frightened. With both hands, Dan embraced Marcia's face, forcing her to look at him. "It's going to be ok. Marcia, no one will ever hurt you again. I promise, & I'll never break another promise to you." He kissed her forehead, then called his partner at his law firm to arrange tracking & for authorities to meet them after touching down.


Six months later:

Mom, Eli, I want you to meet my special friend, Marcia. Eli got right to the point. "Is she your new girlfriend?" "No, buddy, why? Do you want her to be?" Eli, said, "Only if you want. I miss mom but I don't think she wants us sad or lonely. That's what Grandma said." "What do you think Marcia? Do you want to be our girlfriend?" Marcia smiled, then dove in for a group hug!


Another six months later:

Eli was in a foul mood one weekend. It was cold & rainy. He said he was bored one too many times. His dad told him to go clean his room. "Get rid of all the junk you don't play with anymore." Eli slammed his door & started throwing stuff around. He cried with guilt when he found his old dinasour. If only he wouldn't have had his Grandma call his mom to bring it back, she'd still be alive. He grabbed a piece of an old erector set & began stabbing it. He shredded it open, yelling "I hate you! You stupid dinosaur! I hate you!"
Minutes later, Eli yelled, " Dad! Dad! Marcia!" Dan & Marcia ran into Eli's room to find him sitting in a pile of diamonds.


"Antonio Azavedo?" "Who's calling, please?" "My name is Robert Sanders. I'm a representative of Newburgh, Cohen, & Roberson Law Firm. First, I'd like to give my condolences for the loss of your brother in law, as well as the loss of your sister a couple years ago.
I'm sorry your family has experienced such tragedies." Antonio cautiously asks, " Have they found my brother in law?" "No, I'm sorry, sir. We haven't found his body. But, evidently, this was more than his mother's heart could take. She passed two weeks ago." "Sorry to hear that," Antonio replied. Robert continued, "Dan was one of our respected partners. Now, normally, a death certificate wouldn't be issued so soon without a body. However, due to the suicide note he'd left, & now, the resent death of his mother; your nephew has been placed in foster care. We wrote Dan & Aline's Will & Trust. Their wishes were for Dan's mother to raise Eli in the event of such tragedy, but since she's no longer with us, I'm contacting you, as the next of kin. In light of this, I've made arrangements with the county to close the case, & issue Dan's death certificate. You're the last of kin Eli has so, I hope you'll consider raising this young man. The family he's staying with are willing to keep him indefinitely; as they are being handsomely compensated. But, I'll understand if you decide against..."
"No, no! No, he's all I have left of my sister. Of course, I want him."
"Good, I'm sure everyone here at the Firm will be relieved to know Eli will be in the loving care of his uncle. We will need you to come in, sign some forms, & I'll make arrangements to have the boy here, so you won't have to experience any awkward situation with the foster family." ....... "Yes sir, out of respect to Dan & Aline, & our gratitude to you, I will send our company limo to pick you up at the airport. I'll make arrangements for your flight in, along with return flights for both of you. Also, through our corporate account at the Hyatt, your both welcome to stay as long as necessary. After you've gone through their property, & decide what you want, we'll be glad to handle the liquidation of their estates for you. This is the least we can do for our beloved, long-time friend & partner."......"Good, two weeks then. We look forward to meeting you. Thank you; you're an honorable man Mr. Azavedo."


Two weeks later:

Marcia was sitting on Dan's lap. He just felt the baby kick for the first time. She called Eli over to feel. "Can I name the baby, please!"
The phone rang. Marcia & Eli went to the kitchen so Dan could take his call. " Hey, Dan." "Hi, Robert, what can I do for ya?" "It's done. We got him!" "What!?" Dan heard, he just needed to hear it again. He waited a long time to get justice for Aline & Eli. "You heard right. He's in US custody. We're persuing the death penalty." "Oh, wow, Robert thank you, so much. Hey I'm sorry but I got to go share this news with my son & my bride. I'll see you tomorrow at the the office. I want to hear all about it!"
"Sure thing, Dan. I'll give you back your penknife then too." "He had it?" "Yep. That penknife is going to help seal his own coffin. See you tomorrow, Dan."
Dan ran into the kitchen to tell them but Eli was just as excited with his own news. I told Marcia the names I like & she likes them too. She said I can name the baby! It's going to be Eliot if it's a boy & Dad, Marcia said its ok to name her Aline if it's a girl!"
"What's your good news, Dad?"
"Umm, I thought you might like to go out to your favorite steak house tonight!" "That's it?" "Ya, isn't that enough?" "Ya, sure. Dad, I can't wait! I don't even care if it's a boy or girl! I'm going to be the best big brother, ever!"
Dan smiled, "I know you will."





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