The Secret Diamond of Source - Updated up to CH 13 - written in 8th grade - lost the end of it

CHAPTER ONE

"The diamond possesses a hidden treasure - a powerful source of health and plentiful. That is my theory." A memory echoed throughout Catrina's head as she walked through the large pyramid filled with wonders.
"Ah, here we are," Kristen stopped and put her small hands up to her chin to think. "what do you think Catrina?" She turned around to see that Catrina was looking down towards the sandy floor and had a dizzy look on her face. "Not again! Cat, Cat, wake up!" Kristen gave a soft slap to her face and Catrina immediately woke up.
"What?"
"You were dreaming again."
"I'm sorry, Kris. I keep thinking about the same thing."
"Honestly. That diamond is just a family emblem."
".and the only memory I have of my father," Catrina interrupted.
"And maybe the only memory that you have of your mother as well, if we don't crack this case."
"I miss her." Catrina sat down and gave s sigh, her large brown eyes staring at the floor.
"Well find her, don't worry."
"There is something about this diamond."
"You are wearing part of it on that ring of yours. Isn't that enough to be stored as a memory in your head?"
""My head? My head tells me that something is going to happen. This diamond does have a power to it. I just..don't know what. It seems..."
"Seems what?"
"This diamond is meaning something. I'm not going to let that fact go."
"A dreamer may dream, but what happens when the dreams are ruined?"
"It's not a dream!"
"Then what is it?"
"A message - a message of hope!" Catrina then stood up and walked toward the wall.
"Now, what is it that we are searching for?"
"Your expertise."
"Stop being so talkative and let's be on our way."
"Fine." Catrina took out her compass and flashlight and began to look around. "OK - lets take a look at these hieroglyphics." She put her things down and began to translate. "Very interesting."
"What?"
"There seems to be some type of worshipping picture here. There are a couple of slaves bowing down to a large pyramid. At the top of the pyramid it seems to shine, and then it transfers to the next picture of - well, many trees, and above them a large light. The next picture transfer to dead trees and no light."
"Strange."
"Yes, very strange."
"Oh well, I'm sure it means nothing. Let's move on."
"Don't' be so impatient. Wait.." she paused, then wiped off some dirt from the pictures. "There seems to be hidden lines here. Perhaps each picture represents different things."
"According to this history book, there is an ancient legend," Kristen began. "A legend of a stone that shone so bright, not even the greatest of all people could look upon it, but it kept them alive, and brought life to the deserts of Egypt."
"In 2050 BC..." Catrina interrupted, "all was lost forever. The time was filled with happiness, until the loss of the stone." Catrina began her long story of ancient time while Kristen listened, but so did another not so far away.
"The time was 3000 BC" she began. "There once was a land filled with a desert and nothing grew there - nothing at all. Few lived there, but of all those few, a carpenter, young of age, drew out a diamond, and for his people, poured his age in to it. 'Must you do this, son?' his mother asked him, for he was her one and only treasure. 'I must mother, for this land, for our people.' 'Then let me be poured into it, too, that I might not have to suffer the loss of you.' 'You are too old, but I shall leave you with the gift of eternal life, and to all the people, too!' 'You have a good heart, son.' 'As you, too, mother.' And it was then that he took the diamond and created the Diamond of Source. It shined bright and brought beauty, life and greenery to the land of Egypt as it lifted into the air. When all was done, it was brought down and a mother's tear fell upon it as she enclosed it at the top of a pyramid, and there its light shone. The son's promise came true - everlasting life came to all of Egyptian blood. Years later, in 2050 BC a man from India came, seeking its wealth, but the moment he entered the pyramid and touched the diamond, the pyramid burst apart, the diamond shone its light throughout the land, and all that was once alive was now dead. The gift had disappeared, and the diamond also." Catrina ended her story, the listeners in awe.
"Wow, you told it all!"
"I'm an expert at this. What do you expect?"
"A much more talkative story."
"You silly!" They laughed and continued on, not knowing that they were being followed.
CHAPTER TWO
Not far behind them were three men that had been listening.
"Hey Brock, do you think that stone in the story is the same one that we're trying to steal?" John asked.
"Of course, dummy" Brock answered.
"Hey you two, stop fooling around and get started. We were hired to come and get this temporary stone by Hernandez while Rodrigo takes his time in getting the real diamond."
"Wait, I'm confused!"
"That's because you're not smart!"
"Shut up, you two!" Press the button." Brock took out a remote controller and pressed a button.
"Get down!" Drake yelled. The place then began to shake rapidly.
"What's that sound?" asked Kristen.
"Well, by the sound of it, and calculations of waves and balances, I'd say it is an EARTHQUAKE!"
"Get down Catrina!" Kristen already was down, her blue eyes filled with fear. Catrina ran towards her and fell over. Her golden ring with the small blue diamond on it fell off and tumbled upon the ground.
"My ring!"
"Leave it! We'd better continue and try to find a safer place!"
"But."
"Leave it! You'll have a reason to keep the bigger one."
"No!" Catrina began to cry and try to go back for the ring, but Kristen grabbed hold of her and kept her going. Within ten minutes the rumbling had stopped.
"I've never been in an earthquake that has lasted that long before," Kristen said.
"I don't think we should go back."
"Why?"
"there might be an after shock. We'd best leave."
"All right," Kristen replied.
Meanwhile, Brock, John and Drake were searching for the ring.
"Where is it?"
"We'll never find out if you don't keep searching."
"I found it!" yelled Brock.
"That's a piece of stone, stupid."
"Oh, sorry."
"Ah, here it is."
"Hey guys." A new voice came out.
"Derrick, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be guarding for others," said Drake.
"I am! See, I found these three playing around and trying to get in. They were talking about burying the entrance with sand." Derrick pulled two sixteen year olds out from behind him. One had black, short hair, green eyes, and an oriental face. The next was a boy with brown hair, brown eyes, and a round, American face.
"Well, we shall teach them to want to bury us alive." Drake took out a gun and rose it up.
"Don't shoot me!" cried out Tina, the young girl.
"Oh, don't worry. He won't shoot til I get out of the way," said Drake.
"Well, I quite disagree. What do you think boys? We could bury him out back with the other two."
"You traitor!" yelled Derrick. I'll get us all out of here. Follow my lead," he whispered to the other two. Then, at the slice of the moment, a gunshot sounded. Derrick pushed then other two to the side.
"Are you all right?" asked Nate, the other teen.
"Fine." Tina answered.
"Get 'em!" Drake yelled. Another gunshot sounded. It headed straight for Tina.
"Watch out!" screamed Derrick. He pushed her aside, spun around and grabbed a gun that had fallen.
"Here." He tossed the gun to Nate.
"What do I do?" Nate asked.
"Push the lever button!"
"What?" Nate yelled back.
"Hah!" Brock took hold of the gun from Nate's hand. "Brock, forget them. This place is collapsing."
"Let's get out of here!" Brock, Drake and John ran out, screaming like babies.
"The place is falling down" Kristen said.
"After shock! Run!" They dodged back k and forth over obstacles of stones and dust on the ground and falling on their heads, and just as they reached the entrance the stones and pieces of the pyramid collapsed on them. They toppled and fell, rushed by what was left of the ruins, ready to die.
CHAPTER THREE
Gasping for breath, half of their body was covered. Then, a picture of life shown - light in the distance. It was Derrick, Nate and Tina, working hard to pull off the parts of the pyramid that had fallen on Kristen and Catrina. As they were lifted out of the pit of sand, they choked and breathed hard.
"Are you all right?" asked Nate.
"Fine, I guess," replied the two.
"My ring!" called out Catrina. "Where is it?"
"They've taken it."
"Who?"
"The men that started this whole thing."
"Why?"
"They wouldn't tell me."
"Did you have part?"
"Originally, but they betrayed me. I'm not in to help any more."
"Then you will help us?"
"Yes."
"Who are all these people?" asked Kristen.
"I'm Derrick Melvil Rutton. Who these brave others are I do not know."
"I'm Trina Alauna Valdez."
"And I'm Nate DeMoneque."
"Nice to meet you all" said Kristen.
"Shall we head to our house" suggested Catrina.
"We are headed to India" Derrick said.
"Why?"
"They are after your diamond and already have your ring. By the time you arrive, they will have it already."
"Wait a minute - what about Catrina's mother? That's the reason why we came here - to try and figure out why her mother has disappeared" Kristen said in one large breath.
"Perhaps if we were lead here to this new mystery, the two cases connect" replied Catrina.
"What does a diamond have to do with your missing mother, Catrina?"
"What does my mother have to do with a pyramid? What does a diamond have to do with a great value when it is dirtied up so badly? I don't know why, but I do know that this is something that matters. We have to do this."
"Hey, you girls aren't wearing dresses. Why?"
"Oh, I wear dresses all the time" replied Kristen to Nate. "I just don't wear them on expeditions. Its too messy, you know, and I just couldn't stand to get them ruined. The real time to wear them is at the mall. One time, I ran into this one person.." "You know, I'm sure that we would all just love to hear your story, but dresses really aren't my thing really, and I'm sure that we all are not amused so, shall we move on and stop being so talkative?"
"Catrina is right. We had better get a move on and get this crystal back" said Derrick.
"What is the plan?" asked Tina.
"I'm taking you to their hideout in India."
"Where is this hideout?"
"India."
"Where in India?"
"I'm not sure."
"You're not sure, but you plan to lead us there without any trouble?"
"Oh, I'd expect trouble all right. Rodrigo is tough. He'll try and stop us even if it isn't part of his job. He just wants to be evil and do wrong. It is who he is."
"So, who is this Rodrigo guy, anyway?" asked Kristen.
"Well, he is always wearing black and leather, is about 5'9", has green eyes, black hair, and can be quite smart and outwitting."
"Sounds like trouble waiting to happen."
"He is - very much."
"So, are we to stand here or leave?"
"Leave, of course." And so they set off toward India, where they hoped to find the end of this case, but on the way they faced many obstacles.
"Behold! There they are!" cried out Rodrigo as he cut off a branch of a poisonous plant with a knife. "None of you shall pass and survive!"

CHAPTER FOUR
"What's that up ahead?" cried out Tina.
"Can we stop. I'm hungry."
"You're always hungry, Nate" Tina said.
"We'll be stopping, but not for food" Derrick said.
"What is it Derrick?" asked Catrina.
"That's Rodrigo, all right. Be careful everyone. We have to figure a way to get past him. It's the only way if we want to reach the border by sunrise."
"What's the plan?" asked Kristen.
"Run!"
"Run? What?"
"Run! Fast!" They turned around to see a giant herd of elephants coming at them.
"Where did they come from?"
"India. I suppose they got out!"
They ran until they got to Rodrigo.
"Stop!" Rodrigo reached out his hand and the moment he said this, the elephants stopped. "These are my elephants" he said. "I live right outside the border, and haul supplies to the cities every week."
"Are you Rodrigo?" asked Nate.
"Yes, how did you know?"
"Well, I'm.." Nate almost told who they were but he was stopped by Tina's hand covering his mouth just in time.
"I'm Frinda, that is Linda, Josh, Don, Ronda, and Laura. We are here just visiting."
"It is a long way to the city gate. Why not come with me to my home and stay the night?"
"I could use some rest" Nate replied. They all agreed and went off to his home. On the way Rodrigo offered some drinks to them. He had put some sleeping pills in them so they would fall asleep.."to rest" Rodrigo announced. At that moment they all fell down asleep. Rodrigo took them to a small house about five hours away and left them there, tied up, lying on the ground. It was not too much longer before they had begun to wake up.
"Rodrigo had known it was us all along" groaned Kristen.
"Well, so much for reaching India by sunset. It's three hours from now" Catrina said.
"Where are we? I'm hungry" Nate complained.
"You'll just have to wait. I think that Rodrigo recognized me. He has seen me once before" Derrick said.
"Hey, I'd love to sit around and talk, for that is my personality, but has anyone here noticed that we're tied up?" said Kristen.
"It's true" answered Tina. "How do you supposed we'll get out of this mess?"
"Easy." Derrick took out a knife from his pocket, for he had a sly hand and could move easily. He took the small knife and slit through the rope tied around his hands.
"Me next" Nate yelled.
"You last, Nate" replied Derrick. He first untied Catrina, then Kristen, then Tina, and when he finally got to Nate, two men walked in.
"What's this? Five servants trying to escape. Rodrigo said they were tough ones."
"Jean, should we take their throats for trying to get away?"

"Of course not Jose. We paid for these people and will not let that money go to waste. Retie them and take them to our camp outside."
"Where are you taking us?" Nate asked.
"To Egypt. It will be a long trip, at least two days. I would suggest you rest well tonight."
"But we need to get to India."
"Nate!" Derrick yelled.
"And why do you need to get to India?"
"To find the stolen Diamond of Source" Kristen announced quickly.
"That is just a myth" replied Jean.
"Not really. You see, it has been passed down in Catrina's family, and just recently has been stolen from us. That is why we are here, but we ran into Rodrigo, who left us here."
"So Rodrigo is a liar, huh? So much for this ring he gave us in payment. It is probably worth nothing." He stuck his hand in his pocket and seemed to reach for something inside of it. As he slowly pulled the small figure out of his square shaped pocket, he stared at it with disgust.
"Worthless trash." As he threw it on the ground, a small, familiar, shiny figure shown out from it. It was in the shape of a diamond and shone blue - a light burst out from it straight into the eyes of those around it. They all stared in awe, and then the light disappeared and the ring fell to its side.
"This is truly a great diamond you search for. Catrina, come here." He took the ring from the ground and put it on her finger and untied her. "May your search be blessed. Come Jose, untie the others. You shall all dine with me tonight, beside the fire."
"But it is almost breakfast" said Nate.
"Then we shall have breakfast together. Come my guests, tell me of how this all came to be." And so they were let loose and ate until they were filled and could eat no more.
"Do you suppose it could be true?" asked Kristen.
"I supposed" replied Catrina.
"The diamond must possess some type of power. Why else would Rodrigo want it?"
"It's so nice to be in front of a fire, but its too hot" said Nate.
"Don't complain Nate" Catrina said firmly.
"It is at least five hours to India. You had better rest" Jean said, bringing in food.
"I have not eaten for days" said Nate.
"More like one day" Kristen replied.
"Oh well, same dif."
"We'd better be on our way" said Derrick.
"Please rest first."
"We must leave as soon as possible."
"You will be unseen at night."
"No, now."
"Derrick, he's right. Let's stay. We'll leave tonight" said Catrina, touching the ring. She had received that feeling from the ring, or shall I say, the diamond, and it had good reason. For that night, really day, she had a dream that would be of special importance to her future and to their mission. Without it, the case might fail, or would it?

CHAPTER FIVE
And a dream she did have that night - one that seemed very unlikely and very strange. She was running in her normal, black jeans and blue shirt, and her straight, brown hair flew back behind her. Then suddenly she stopped. In front of her was a large museum in the shape of a pyramid. She walked inside.
"May I talk to Professor Shean please," she asked an attendant at the front desk.
"His office is down the hall, take a left, go up the elevator to floor six, down that hall, take a right, up the stairs, and to your left. Then at the end of the hall you'll find his office." "All right," she replied, but then seemed to turn around and go in circles slowly, then faster. Within one minute she was at the door which said "Professor Shean."
"Professor Shean?" she said as she ventured in. She then, once again, turned around, but this time to a new scene. She saw her father and herself.
"This diamond belonged to my father, and his father, and his father, and so on. It has been in the family for years."
"But it's so big, father," she heard her younger self say.
"Then I shall brake a part off." He took a chisel and broke a small piece from it. Catrina and her younger self watched as he put the small partial piece into a ring. "Even this small piece has some power in it. The large piece works temporary without it, but only in the large pyramid from which it came. Together they bring life. May this bring visions of peace to you." He then took the ring and put it on her small finger. But suddenly the younger girl disappeared and it was just Catrina and her father. He took the ring and put it on her finger.
"What visions, father? What piece?"
"The young carpenter was poured into the diamond and so are the rest of his family. As long as the diamond remains apart from it's true place."

Then a vision of her mother came.
"Do not fail." The echo of her voice went through Catrina's head.
"May I help you?" The vision disappeared and she turned around to see an old man standing in front of her.
"Are you Professor Shean?"
"Yes."
"Do you know anything about the Diamond of Source?"
"You have it? Return it - return it.." These words repeated over and over again, even after the scene disappeared. Catrina now stood in complete darkness. But then, in a sudden moment, a bright light shown on her. She looked around to discover that she had stage lights shining around her. She was still in her normal clothes, but now she had guns. She saw a set of a fake pyramid and another person came behind her. She turned around quickly and shot him.
"Great job! You're a great actress!" Catrina now saw what seemed to be the producer or director of whatever was going on.
"Nice working with you Fake," a voice sounded. All disappeared again and she was once again in complete darkness. Around her echoed faces and voices of all she had just seen, all circling around her. She seemed to be crying and fall on her knees, but all of a sudden she seemed to change clothes. She was wearing ancient Egyptian clothes, including a dress. She bowed down and looked up. In front of her was a gigantic pyramid. She looked like she was worshipping it. A great light shown from the top of the pyramid. A running man, in Indian dress, was headed toward the pyramid and passed Catrina. Catrina got up and reached for guns, but they were not longer there, so she ran after the man. Up the stairs and steps of the pyramid she went, still following the man. She had finally reached the top of the pyramid when she saw the diamond sitting on top of a container made of stone, which seemed to fit the stone perfectly, as if it was made for it. Catrina looked down to see that she didn't have her ring on, and then, at the last moment, she cried out "No!" and then the man that she had been chasing touched the diamond, and the second that he did, the pyramid split apart and all around it fell dead. Catrina was now confused, but saw one last thing - a vision of the hieroglyphics she had seen before - the worshippers pyramid, many trees, and dead trees. She then woke up screaming.
CHAPTER SIX
"What is it?"
"I've had a vision. This ring, the diamond.."
"What is it Catrina?" asked Derrick. "Is everything all right?"
"We cannot fail."
"Fail? Fail what?"
"The diamond..it's all true. I know this, but I do not understand."
"Hey, what's all the commotion! I was sleeping" Nate said as he woke up the others.
"We must leave - now!" shouted Catrina.
"Why Catrina?"
"Because something will happen if we don't."
"What will happen?"
"The ring's power does not last forever. They will soon forget and take us away."
"What? Speak English!"
"This ring..it is the diamond of Source. If we hadn't found it, we would be off to Egypt now. However, the power is only temporary. It will soon wear off and we will be off to Egypt again."
"Are you sure?" asked Tina.
"Yes - we must leave now" replied Catrina.
"How do you know this?"
"Just what, exactly, happened in your dream?" Nate asked.
"I'll explain it to you on the way. We must leave now." She asked Date and Derrick to get their things together and put them in bags over the camels, and she had Tina help her and Kristen gather food and water for their journey.
"Leaving so soon?" They all stopped in their tracks, only to see Jean behind them, staring and staring. "Are our servants trying to get away again, Jose?"
"What do we do now? You were right Catrina" yelled Kristen. It was then that Catrina looked down at her ring and saw a vision - a vision of Kristen, Derrick, Tina and Nate, leaving with four camels, but then she also saw herself being dragged away by the two merchants.
"Stop! Don't!" she yelled. She was much surprised for she might have been brave, but she was far from daring.
"Why should we stop? You are our servants. We own you. You have no right to command us" implied Jose.
"I say Jose, I didn't know you had it in you" Jean said.
"Take me alone" sounded out Catrina. "I do have the ring that pays for us, and I do tell you, it is not worth all of us. Rodrigo has pulled you off. You have paid him for us much more than needed and this ring does not cover the extra price that you paid. It is not worth much. Not to you, at least, as long as it stays on my finger, and I do tell you once again, you will never be paid back unless you let us go.."
"I object!" Jose interrupted.
"Be quiet" answered Jean. "Go on."
"As I was saying - we are on a quest to stop Rodrigo and perhaps get your money back. If you wish for a guarantee, I will stay with you until they return."
"You are a very witty and smart young lady. Perhaps we could come to an arrangement." Jean snapped his fingers. "Jose, take the ring." Jose reached over towards Catrina's small hand to take the ring off of her skinny fingers.
"Don't be afraid - don't be afraid" she repeated these words in her mind over and over, and with a small, short moment of bravery, she stretched out her arm to the tall man in front of her. She closed her brown eyes, eyelids and all, and pulled her soft, brown hair back, did not smile of anything but fear, and willingly let the cold, gruesome hands of Jose touch her warm, kind, brave hand. And when that moment came where he touched the ring, a shock, and the ring would not come off.
"It won't come off" he yelled.
"Oh, let me try it" commented Jean. He reached over and pushed hard on the ring, but it would not come off. He tried so hard that he fell.
"Why won't it come off!" he yelled.
"Only I can take it off. Now will you, or will you not take my offer?"
"Not!" he replied.
"Are you a fool? Have I not convinced you of the ring's power?"
"Yes, yes" he said quickly.
"Good."
"I'm still taking you" Jean said.
"Fine. Just let the others go."
"Fine."
"Fine."
"Fine."
"Fine."
"Fine."
"Shoot him!" shouted Derrick.
"No violence shall go on here. Trust me. I'll be fine."
"Let's go" said Jose. He tied Catrina up and they headed off to Egypt as the others headed to India.
"Goodbye" Kristen whispered.
"Goodbye" Catrina replied. And with that the two groups separated and went their own direction. Tina, Derrick, Nate and Kristen were worried for Catrina, but they did not know the protection she actually had from the small piece of the Diamond of Source sitting on her ring.

CHAPTER SEVEN
Catrina traveled for days. Jean and Jose seemed reluctant though, but she survived.
"The journey is long" wrote Catrina. "I wonder of the progress that the others might have. As for my journey, it has no progress. This ring is my only hope. I know it has some power, but I'm not sure what. I know that somehow I have to learn to control it. How much longer can I lie. It hypnotized Jean and Jose for a little while. If only I could get that to happen again. AS I write this we are sitting near a small pool of water. It is said to be where miracles can happen. At least it is not a mirage. Yesterday we were thirsty, for we ran out of food and water early that morning, and they claimed to see a shop filled with wonders and a pool of water to swim in. They ran towards it and began to dive in. I tried to stop them, but it was too late. Just goes to show how smart I am, though I do not long to be. I hate the violence and action, but it is my job. Oh, how I miss the wonders of America. It is a tree place. There are normal, small adventures people think are big, but they are small compared to this. I suppose you are wondering why I do not write of discoveries today, such as when I found those hieroglyphics of the pyramid and trees, and the great light, and my adventure of almost near death, all of which I wrote of by the fireside. Now I am lucky to even be able to write. However, to my advantage, Jean and Jose are allowing me to write. Other than the pool in front of me, all is desert and death. I suppose it is of the fate after the man from India. Perhaps I am related to the carpenter, for I was running after him in my dream. Also, seeing my father again, his sweet voice, I do remember that scene. It was right before, I stutter, he went off to war and died. And in the dream I was wearing a dress! As for the rest of the dream, it does not fit. I don't understand it." Catrina shut her journal and leaned back on her hands, and as she did this, the beginning of learning to use the ring and its powers happened.
As Catrina leaned back, the ring on her finger touched the desert ground. "I wish this place was more beautiful," she thought to herself, almost as a wish - actually, in fact, a wish, in which the ring started to work up its mighty powers. Catrina then felt a spirit from underneath her hand. She lifted it to find a small flower of beauty growing taller and taller, and when it stopped, it sprouted out.
"Wow" Catrina said in awe. "This ring has a power that it seems that only I can control." She then put the ring to the ground and said "Give me water so that I might never go thirsty again." And a small pool of water appeared in front of her, right next to the flower.
"This ring has the power to keep me alive. How strange - the diamond..is it? Could I? How is it that only I have the power to use this ring?"
"So what are you doing?" Jean asked.
"Thinking."
"About what."
"How you'll never get your money back."
"What?"
"Nothing."
"We are ready to leave" said Jose.
"May we be on our way then? Catrina, come!"
"I'm not a dog" replied Catrina.
"I wonder how the others are doing?" she thought to herself. And at that very moment, those others were about the meet outwitting Rodrigo again.
CHAPTER EIGHT
That night, while the others were sleeping, Rodrigo made a visit.
"I'm hungry" Nate said softly to Tina as he turned around towards her.
"Yes, and I'm tired. Get a midnight snack and be quiet!" she replied.
"Nate got up and walked over to the bags containing their food and got out a snack. He took out an orange and a pineapple. On the way he accidentally stepped on Derrick. He turned around to see if he had woken him up and then continued on. Derrick woke up a few minutes after Nate had gone back to bed, for Nate had once again stepped on him. Derrick got up and decided to get a drink of water.
"You will reach the border tomorrow" Derrick turned around to see Rodrigo in his dark, normal leather clothes.
"Hello Rodrigo. What brings you here?" said Derrick.
"Why do you lead them on to India?"
"You know our assignment."
Yes, to restore the Diamond of Source to its rightful place and lead Catrina to Egypt so she can return the stone."
"And this all is an act."
"Just do your job and.."
"All right. Stop the chit chat." They then saw Kristen pointing two guns at them.
"All an act, huh?" she said, questioning.
"You'll tell me where she is headed and give me that horse of yours and make no fuss."
"Kristen, you don't understand. This was all meant to be - the trio mystery cases work together."
"All lies. Am I to believe? Such lies cannot be forgiven."
"We could not tell. We were ordered."
"Ordered to what? Do what you know is wrong!"
"But we knew that you wouldn't believe the truth. You saw how it worked on those two merchants" Derrick said.
"But it wore off" replied Kristen. "Exactly. It can't work on its own, but for a few moments of short time it then wears off only to try to regain its strength, but the large one is different. As long as the two are separate, life dies. Our job was to get the two in order to lure your friend Catrina to the place where the diamonds are really meant to be. Although Rodrigo was not supposed to interfere in such a deadly way" he finished.
"I believe you, but where is Rodrigo now?" Kristen asked.
"Well, he was right behind me, but now.." Derrick stopped and turned around to see that Rodrigo had disappeared. "I guess he snuck off."
"And I'm surprised that you didn't try to go after him. What? Are Tina and Nate in on this, too?"
"I will lead you, but to tell the truth I do not think the journey is fit for those two. There is an airport in India near the border. They can go there and catch a plant to meet us there in Egypt."
"Seems logical. Perhaps they would get there before Catrina and the two merchants. They will catch some speed and distance on air."
"Then we shall leave now. I can gather up the supplies. We will take a car this time to cover more ground, and you will go tell Tina and Nate the plan."
"All right" answered Kristen. "Tina, Nate, wake up" Kristen said while shaking them.
"Why did you wake me up. Now I will be hungry" Nate said as he gave a big yawn and sigh.
"We are leaving, but you must journey on and take a plan to Egypt. Perhaps then you can make it there before Catrina and the two merchants. We will meet you there."
"We are going to save Catrina!" shouted out Tina.
"Well, yes, and no, and more - we will tell you the details later. As for saving Catrina, don't bother. Just follow them until they get to a large pyramid, or gigantic house, or mansion. Then come and meet to search for us and show us where she was taken. All right. Do you understand?"
"But what about the case?" inquired Tina?
"This is the case. The diamond doesn't work without its whole."
"I don't understand" said Nate.
"Shut up and listen" cried out Tina.
"You may not understand now, but you will soon enough" said Kristen.
"I wonder why he ran away? I know him. He's like a brother to me. He must have some plan to ruin our plans" Derrick thought. "Kristen!" he yelled. "We need to leave now. I just know Rodrigo is up to something!" And so he was up to something - something horrible. He was planning to use the diamond for his own use and advantage, and he was just about ready to stir up a murder, but was unaware of the warning brought to a familiar girl, Catrina, and by the power of the diamond, but time was running out, and the desert was dying.
CHAPTER NINE
Meanwhile, while they headed off on their journey to Egypt, Catrina was still thinking about what might be happening to the others. She imagined Nate complaining of his hunger, as usual, and Tina trying to cheer him up.
"We're almost there" said Tina.
"But I'm hungry, and tired. Can't we stop?"
"One or the other. If we stop to rest, we can't eat. If we go on so we cannot eat, we can't rest. It's your choice" Derrick joined in. Let's go on. After all, its not much work." Catrina laughed to herself as she thought of Nate's stubbornness. "I even miss that" she thought to herself. "There must be some way to escape." She laid down on the soft, fluffy carpet underneath her. She looked up at the clouds with her wide, brown eyes, and drew out a picture of Kristen - first her small, blue eyes, then the fresh straight red hair, and finally the rest of her figure. "I miss you. You're like a sister to me. I can't go on without you" she said to herself.
Catrina tried to relax but couldn't. The only comfort she could find was to think of what they might be accomplishing and doing all that time.
"We're here. Turn over that diamond Rodrigo." She imagined them yelling out and arresting him.
"Now, let's go get our friend back."
"Will they come back for me?" she wondered.
"When this is all over, everyone will be happy, and I'll use the diamond to bring more life to Egypt..if only I could use it now to get away..I can just imagine." she closed her eyes and saw a pool of water, next to it a palm tree. She saw two camels in the distance and a jeep between , and the tree. Beneath the tree was a blanket laid out straight and perfectly. On the blanket was Derrick, Tina, Kristen, Catrina, and Nate, and in the middle of the blanket was a picnic basket. Catrina saw Kristen and Derrick setting out plates and food and they all began to eat.
"Mmmmm boy, does that look good" she said to herself as she imagined the paradise. As she opened her eyes she remembered the small flower that had grown. She began to think of how that might have happened. then it dawned on her that at the time she had been thinking about her wish of peace and beauty, she made it happen by wanting it. But she knew she had to be careful. She could not under estimate it's power. I t could turn on her at the last moment.
"I am hungry" she thought.
"Who are you - Nate?" a voice sounded in her head. Catrina hadn't been given much to feed upon. She was hungry. Catrina pressed the ring to the ground and thought hard. She loosened her mind, and concentrated on bread and food only. Another spirit came, and she lifted her hand to find a satisfying piece of bread for her delight. She picked the bread up to see if it was real and then took a bite into it.
"It needs butter" she said as she pressed the ring, once again, to the ground. "But I am thankful." And she took another bite, only to look down to see butter. Catrina picked the butter up and carefully spread it on, using the cover it was within, for her hands were dirty. She was happy. She now had some help from the diamond, and a hope of survival. After she finished eating she laid down and fell asleep, not knowing the true power that existed in her own life. Meanwhile, Rodrigo was planning his plot of deceit and murder.
"And you are prepared to do this?" Rodrigo flipped his dark, black hair back, his green eyes shown bright in the dark, a staring look on his face, glowing like the true villain he was. He walked slowly around the room which was lighted by a very dim light. It was a small room with only one medium-sized table and around it sat three men, the three that had originally found the ring for Rodrigo.
"You are the best villains in the country. You cannot fail. The high Egyptian priest plans to interfere. The ring and diamond should be, and will be mind. Kill him." He took a whistle, blew it, and yelled. "Go!" They ran outside and left to begin and finish their quest.
"It can be done" said Rodrigo as he sat down and began to nap. He drew back a hasty sigh and leaned back on his chair. "This will be too easy" he remarked as he gave a last yawn, unaware of how hard it would actually be. He did realize this when he had a short dream that night. He saw himself standing in darkness, laughing an evil laugh. "Easy, easy" he echoed. He then saw the High Priest of Egypt, standing tall, shining a bright light which came from within. The light reached Rodrigo and he shrieked back, grabbed a knife and threw it at the priest. The priest did not move, but continued to chant: "The diamond protects and takes all of its descendants."
"What?" questioned Rodrigo. Catrina then entered and grabbed the knife and turned it around towards him. Then let it go.
"Ahhhhh" screamed Rodrigo as he woke up. "That girl! She will ruin all of my plans. It is bad enough that her father killed my father. Now this. I will get revenge!" The truth and his reason now revealing. He took out his cell phone and pressed redial. "Drake!" Send one of your men to get rid of Catrina. Now! She is going to ruin my plans" he yelled, and then turned it off. Trying to relax, he slowly fell asleep, feeling better about himself. And as his dream had warned him, the diamond also had warned Catrina of his evil plan.

CHAPTER TEN
Catrina and the two merchants were still near the pool of miracles and planned to leave in the morning. As she laid dreaming of a perfect life, her mind was set on when her father left her to go to war. "I miss him. This wouldn't have happened if he was still here. All I can remember is his look, not his voice." She sat back and imagined the last scene of when she saw her father. "Do you have to go?" her younger self said, dropping down to a low 47 inches instead of a high five foot seven inches. "You shall see me again" her father said, bending down to her and lifting her chin. Catrina looked up at his large, brown eyes and short, gray hair. "Your father will be home before you know it" her mother said. "Don't you forget that diamond" he said. "It will protect you." He looked down at her. "You're so beautiful." "It's right here" Catrina lifted her hand to show the ring that held the small piece of stone within it. The little girl looked up and gave a short smile with her bright, red lips. It then returned to a frown. "I love you" he said to her, once again lifting her head up. He stroked his fingers through her light, brown hair that went down to her shoulders. He looked at her small, brown eyes. "Don't die daddy" she said with a frown. "Catrina, you silly. Your father won't die. He's brave and an explorer. He can survive anything" her mother laughed. "I want to be just like you - an explorer!" Catrina ran around the room and spread her hand out like wings. "fly over the mountains, know everything, discover ancient artifacts!" she yelled. "Yes, you shall" said her father, "but not until you're older." "I want to go with you." "Some day Catrina. Until then you have your mother and best friend, Kristen." "She's my sister, too, daddy." "Of course, but adopted." "Those poor people" began her mother. "Died in a plane accident - the poor girl." "Don't make this moment any worse, darling." "Daddy!" Kristen came running in crying. "Don't leave!" "I must Kristen, but not without saying goodbye to my sweet little red head." "We will miss you" Catrina said as Kristen and her mother gave him a hug. Then they all yelled "Family hug!" and they came together. Then the picture flashed to the front door. Catrina saw herself and Kristen holding their mother's hands and waving goodbye as their father climbed into an army truck and waved goodbye. Catrina shivered. "I don't want to think about what happened next." Catrina closed her eyes and thought of that horrible moment. It was three years later when the news arrived. Catrina was now 8 years old and going to school with Kristen. There was a knock at the door. "Would you get that Catrina. I'm busy doing Kristen's hair." "Yes mother." Catrina walked towards the door and then opened it. "May I help you?" she opened the door to see a tall man standing in uniform. "I was instructed to give you this." The man handed her a small envelope with no address on it. "Thank you" she said and then shut the door. She began to open the letter as she walked towards her mother. "Who was it?" her mother asked. "A letter." "What does it say?" asked Kristen. "It says the war is over." "Read it word for word" her mother said. "Dear Warrior's Wife: I am pleased to inform you that the war is over. However, I am sorry that your husband was killed saving another soldier. You will receive his purple heart for this act of bravery at his funeral on the 20th. Signed Colonel Clark." "Daddy!" yelled out Kristen, and she ran to her room. Catrina began to cry. "Don't cry Catrina. Your father was a good man." Catrina looked at her ring. "This is all I have of his. I must keep it on always, and keep both diamonds safe, in his honor." She ran to her room to lie down and cry, and her mother sat down and put her hand to her forehead. "It has been 18 years. I remember when mother first disappeared" she said to herself. "The only reason I never went on this quest is because she disappeared." She wrote "I found her ring on her bed next to my ring. The two seemed to connect. Then her ring disappeared, leaving my ring by itself. I put it on, and began to look for her. Kristen took care of me, for she is two years older than me. This ring is my only hope." She stopped writing. "The diamond possesses a hidden treasure, a powerful source of health and plentiful. That is my theory." Her father's words echoed once again throughout her head. "I miss you father and mother, and I know I mustn't fail, or else you shall never be released from the power of the diamond." With this thought on her mind she fell asleep, hoping for another dream.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
That night Catrina had another dream. This one warned her of Rodrigo's plan. She first saw herself in her normal clothes running. It lasted for quite some time. A few minutes, in fact, or so it seemed. Then, all of a sudden, she stopped. Catrina saw herself tied up and traveling with the two merchants. She looked down at the ring and it began to grow larger and larger! She saw herself running once again, now with the two merchants after her. Catrina stopped in front of a large, Egyptian temple, and from within entered the priest, standing tall. Then all of a sudden, just like in Rodrigo's dream, Rodrigo showed and threw a knife at the priest, but Catrina jumped forward and stopped it. "Fate is fate" the priest said. "You cannot change it, but you can think to change and do certain actions in which lead to fate. Do not fail - do not fail - make fate happen, not frozen in time." The knife then was grabbed by Rodrigo and thrown at the priest. "No!" Catrina yelled. Rodrigo began to laugh and then turned in to Catrina. A great likeness of herself, even the voice and laugh. She watched the priest fall to the ground slowly, the blood fell upon the ground. "Cut!" Catrina was now once again in a Hollywood movie set. "Great acting" said Rodrigo as he took a mask off and became his normal self again. "Hey, what is going on? What does all this mean? What was the priest speaking of? Is the priest dead?" Catrina's mind was filled with questions. "I am not dead spiritually" the priest said, as Catrina turned around to see a spirit rising from his body. "I am going to heaven to the afterlife. The gods shall take good care of me." "But I don't believe in any gods." "Choose. You shall see. All religions are equal, but there is one that stands higher than any other." "Which one?" she cried out. "Find it for yourself. Find your true self. Stop being an actress." "Egyptian?" she questioned. "The imaging may be all in your mind - a dream." "You mean, a dream within a dream?" "A dream always has a meaning. Fall, and you shall never wake up." "Am I in a trance? Please tell me! Am I dreaming about a picture of my future? Am I dreaming of myself dreaming? I'm confused." "Let me tell you of your real reality life." And so some new truths revealed, perhaps this was all a dream, the entire case.

CHAPTER TWELVE
"Let me show you what is really happening right now" said the priest as he floated away. A vision now came to Catrina. She saw a modern bedroom. "This place if familiar." "Ah, wake up Catrina - Catrina!" A woman entered , shaking the body that lay on the bed to the left o the room. "Oh, that girl! She'll never wake up. I'm not writing an excuse for you. You'll have to take the consequences." "Is that me?" Catrina asked. "Let me tell you of your past. It is true that your father died in war, but you are a normal teenage girl, not a tall 27 year old. "Tell me more, priest. What does all this mean?" "You will try to stop Rodrigo, but in the end will fail to your first conquest, but take victory in your second conquest." "What is my second conquest?" "Fine your true self." "But, am I relay dreaming? Please pinch me if I am." "What is your one desire." "My father, I guess." "Then I shall show you how your father died." "May I interfere?" "You may speak to him through prayer afterwards." The priest then disappeared. The scene also. Guns fired around her. Next to her a bomb landed and blew up the gravel beneath it. "How did he die?" "Saving the lives of many." "I'm confused. He fought, right?" "Your father was a spy. He heard news that concerned the lives of everyone in America. He tried hardest, yet failed when threat of death to his family came." "Me, mom, and Kristen?" "Yes." A new scene shown. Her father was speaking to someone on the enemy line. "I am a spy for the US, not their enemy." "You shall be our spy, or die." "At least for my country." "But what if your family was involved?" "All right, I'll do it." "Good, now take this gun and.." Catrina's father slipped his leg behind the man, tripped him, and shot him with the gun. "He ran, but was caught and killed" said the priest. "I remember going into hiding out in the country" Catrina implied. "He risked his life. He died for you and America." Catrina sat down and began to cry. "I miss him" she said. Then the priest disappeared and all was dark. "Cat." "Dad." Catrina turned around to see her father standing there. "Listen to me Cat. You can't change my fate. "I know that, but isn't there some way I can see you in my dreams more often?" "This is the only time, Cat. You need to finish your quest before it is too late." "Too late? But the priest just informed me that I would lose my original quest, but have formed a new quest by the end." "Yes, but you still must return the ring to its rightful place with the larger diamond. I was arrogant to let you take the small piece in the first place. I never should have chipped it off. Do you realize that you are its next victim to keep it going?" "But why? I don't' understand." "Remember what I told you when you were a child?" "You mean, the legend? I've know it by heart since. I don't even have to go into history books to remember it." "Give me the details." "The young carpenter boy poured his life into the diamond - his youth - so that Egypt and its people would prosper and live forever." "Go on." "Well, the mother became the keeper of it. She was the only one that could touch or see it, but then an Indian man destroyed it all, and the diamond disappeared." "And so your - our - diamond is the source. When it is not in its proper place it thrives on those that are its descendants so that its power may continue." "So my mother is inside of this diamond?" Catrina gulped, and pulled back her fear. "Yes. I lied to you and your mother all along." "How? Why?" "For so many reasons, Cat. I never went off to war for country reasons. In truth, I went to Egypt to fight for the rights of the diamond, and I died for you and your mother. All that you wouldn't be doomed to the insides of the diamond. I gave it to you in hope that it would be safe. Now see what it has led to?" "What were you fighting against?" "India. They wanted it for themselves. It was there that I killed Rodrigo's father, and Rodrigo killed me. Now he seeks to get even, and I fear for your safety." "So Rodrigo hates all Egyptians?" "Yes, especially you. He pretended to be on the good side at first, but now has switched." "Good side?" "Yes. This was all planned out, just to get the diamond back to its rightful place. IT is the only way to get your mother back. We are its blood relatives." "So America was just a hiding place." "Yes, and now I must encourage you to change your quest. Kristen, Tina, and Nate have already discovered the truth, but not the true quest." "What about Derrick?" "He's known since the beginning. Be careful. They all have more knowledge of the plan, and your fate, than you do." "This is only a dream. Is it possible to not believe this as true? Perhaps all of this is a dream." "Trust me. Try to save the priest. There you will find your answer." Her father's picture and voice faded off. "Wait! Come back!"

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Catrina suddenly woke up, in turning herself back and forth, crying out for her father. "What a strange dream" she said to herself as she sat up to think. Catrina pressed the ring to the ground, thinking "I need a coat of camouflage to make my journey and complete the task that I might discover my father's words' truth." And a coat of disguise appeared in front of her. She slowly put the cloak on, doing her best not to make a sound, and journeyed off. "Guide my spirit, Father, crystal diamond" she whispered to herself as she got up on the horse the two merchants had been traveling with. She rode next to where the two merchants were sleeping. A feeling then came upon her. "Oh, Diamond of Source, bless these two, for they have made my true fate come true. Don't curse them. Instead let them prosper, but never again hurt another" she softly spoke these words while pointing the ring at the two men. Catrina then road off to enter the city and begin her new quest. "Excuse me, do you know where I may find the priest?" she asked. "The priest is busy. I doubt you'll be able to get a hold of him." "This remark did seem rude, but no matter, she thought. She knew she had to reach the priest. "I'm not sure" some answered, trying to be kind. But others did not have the patience to listen to a young woman of whom they did not know the cause of. "No room for talks. In a hurry. I know of no priest" an old merchant said as he pushed her aside. "I do not understand" she wrote. "I sit here to think of where the priest might be. Perhaps he is staying under a certain name. I shall just have to make do, or look for the clothes of a priest. I do point out, however, that the year is 2002 and dress of priests may be different than what is thought of." Catrina got up and began to walk again. The streets were filled with busy cars and people, many of whom reminded her of the people in America. Then, suddenly, a young girl showed up. She was in ancient Egyptian dress and seemed familiar to Catrina. "Excuse me, Miss, but would you mind sharing some money with me, for I owe my master payment. He is not kind to those who do not pay." "Of what money do you wish for?" "Egyptian, please." "Well, I'll tell you what. If you tell me where I might find the priest, then I shall pay you for the deed." "I know not the exact location, but he may be in the ancient ruins area" the young girl replied. "Thank you. Your money." she handed the money in her hand to the young girl, but she would not take it. "Do you see that old woman? Give it to her." "What old woman?" "There" and it was then that an old woman appeared. The woman had long, gray-brown, tangled and curly hair. Her face was wrinkled. She carried nothing and wore a dark, black cloak. Catrina shifted her hand to the woman with the wrinkled face hidden beneath the cloaks' hood. The woman took the money and slowly walked away, seemingly crippled up walking. Another young girl in ancient dress then appeared next to the first girl that had arrived, just as Catrina turned around. "Wait, before you leave, you two look familiar." "I wonder why" the second girl said. "Excuse me" Catrina turned around to see two men and one woman inquiring upon her. "Whom were you speaking to?" one of them said. "Well, those two.." Catrina's words were cut short when she turned around to a mystery, for the two girls had disappeared. "Never mind. I must be on my way to see the priest." "We have no priests here. They are all in the ancient ruins area" the woman said, and with that all three of them turned and went their way. "Those girls seemed so familiar." Catrina wrote of the experience. "Its only as if they are imagines of....me?"