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            Gertie was in a bed in a seemingly empty bedroom.  She had the covers over her head, when she heard a man yelling at the top of his lungs.

            “Where dat brat Gertie at?!”  Gertie got out of bed and looked for a place to hide, but there was none besides under the bed.  The closet was closed and locked so she couldn’t go in there.  So, under the bed was the only option.  The door to the bedroom flung open and a large, burly man came in.  He saw her feet under the bed.  He immediately dragged her out, grabbing her ankle.  Gertie shook in fear.

            “Uncle, please don’t hurt me!” she pleaded.

            “SHUT UP!!!  That Brody guy can’t hurt you, but I can!”  And, before she knew it, the man was taking a swing at her!

            “AAAAAAAHHH!!!!”

            Gertie rose up from her bed, panting uncontrollably.  It was the 50^th nightmare she had since Brody’s capture and the death of the Scorpion in Australia.  She knew Brody was locked away awaiting trial.  The Scorpion’s other henchmen had all made deals for their cooperation in the investigation.  Butch, Brody’s partner, would be going into witness protection for his cooperation.  But this time the dream wasn’t about Brody.  It was about her uncle.  She had hinted at not wanting to stay there because he wasn’t very nice, but no one knew how far it went, not even her friends.

            Hendrix ran into Gertie’s room, wondering what was going on.

            “Gertie, are you okay?” she asked, concerned.

            “I’s had anotha nightmare, Hendrix,” she wept.  “Dis can’t go on!”

            “I agree, Gertie.  That’s why tomorrow, after school, I’m getting you some counseling for your issues.  Maybe with therapy you can get past these nightmares you’ve been having.”

            “Y’ knows what’s sad?  I’s knows that Brody can’t hurt me, nor can the rest of th’ Scorpion’s thugs, but I can’t stops havin’ these dreams!”

            “Gertie, you have nothing to worry about.”  Hendrix hugged her foster daughter.  “You and I will get through this together.  You don’t have to worry about anyone coming to grab you.  I may be gone from the FBI, but I am still in law enforcement.  Not to mention I hadn’t severed ties with Percy, who’s still with the Bureau.  He’s assured me that Brody is under heavy guard, as we speak.”

            “Yous sure?”

            “I am.  Now, try to get some sleep.  It is a school night, after all.”  Hendrix kissed Gertie on her forehead.  “Good night.”

            “Good night, Hendrix.”

            The next day, a tired Gertie walked the halls of the high school.  Komodo Dragon noticed her weaving around a bit.  Shermy walked up on his way to meet up with Violet at study hall.

            “What’s up with your friend, Komodo?” he asked.

            “She’s still having nightmares, Slim,” said Komodo.  “To be honest, I’m worried about her.  Ever since being kidnapped by the Scorpion and seeing how he killed himself up close, I think she’s suffering from PTSD.”

            “Maybe Lucy can talk to her.  She still offers psychiatric help, you know.”

            “Oh, I know about Mamba’s side hustle.  Gert’s going to an actual shrink that Hendrix set up for her.  Plus, I’m sure Mamba and the other Serpent Sisters are dealing with what we all saw in Australia.  We were all there when the Scorpion offed himself, too.  It was disturbing, to say the least.”

            “I can’t even imagine what you girls are going through.”

            “I’m more or less okay.  I’m sure the Serpents and the Spiders are doing good, as well.  Python, in particular, witness her own mother get killed, not to mention when we confronted both the Serpents and Spiders when the Lizards were still around.  The rest of us are used to violence.  But because Gertie was kidnapped, she’s the most traumatized by what has happened.”

            “I guess it makes sense.  Anyway, I need to get to study hall.  Violet and I have it together.”

            “Okay, I won’t hold you up, Slim.  I’ll talk to you later.”

            “Same here.  And I hope Gertie gets the help she needs.”

            “Thanks.”  And Shermy made his way to study hall, and Komodo Dragon went to her next class, as well.

NEXT CHAPTER: LATE SUMMER PICNIC PLANNING

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            “I don’t know, babe.  Charlie Brown and Frieda told me once they had a picnic at Sparkyville Park, only for Snoopy and Woodstock to eat everything in sight.”  Those were the words from Franklin when Marcie talked about having a late-summer picnic at the park.  They were on their way to Marcie’s house for a study date.

            “I already talked to Charles and he assured me that Snoopy wouldn’t be bothering us, as he’s going with Charles and Linus to the lake with his father for some fishing the day we have our picnic,” assured Marcie.  “We’ll be safe from a greedy beagle.”

            “Man, I hope so, because it is a good idea.  I just hope it doesn’t get destroyed.”

            “If nothing else, we can have it in my backyard.”

            “Okay, you’ve convinced me, Marcie.  We’ll have a picnic.”

            “That’s my baby.”  And Marcie kissed Franklin.  They continued to walk to Marcie’s house for some studying.

            Elsewhere, Peppermint Patty was walking alone.  She knew Marcie and Franklin were having a study date, so she didn’t want to disturb them.  She had come a long way from how she was as a kid, when that was exactly what she would have done.  But, at the same time, she felt a little empty.  It had been a year since she and Franco had split up, and while she was feeling better, she still felt alone.  She then heard her phone ring.  She went to answer it.

            “Hello?”

            “Hey, Patty, it’s Roy.”

            “Roy!  To what do I owe this call?”

            “I was wondering what were you up to today?”

            “Well, Marcie and Franklin have a study date, and I was just going to study by myself.  I don’t want to mess with Marcie and Franklin’s time.”

            “Well, if you want to, you can come to my house and we can study together, that is if you want to.”

            Patty thought for a moment.  Finally, she said, “You know what, Roy?  I’ll take you up on that offer.”

            “Great!  I just ordered some pizza and it should be arriving soon.”

            “Well, now it just got better, Roy.  I’ll be there shortly!”  And Patty ran to Roy’s house to study with him.

            At that moment somewhere else, Lucy and Joslyn, along with the Serpent Sisters, were discussing Gertie’s situation at Rattler’s house.  Andy was with them sitting next to Rattler.

            “Komodo Dragon told me that Gertie was still having nightmares about Brody coming to kill her and Hendrix,” said Cobra.

            “I can’t blame her,” added Python.  “When he killed my mother, I had nightmares about him, as well, for a while.”

            “How did you get through that, Margaux?” asked Joslyn.

            “I just didn’t think about them much, Jos,” Python replied.

            “Well, I heard that Gertie is getting some psychiatric help,” said Lucy.  “And before you ask, no it’s not with me!  It’s with an actual psychiatrist.”

            “Touché, Mamba,” quipped Rattler.

            “Oh, Rattler, how’s your mother been doing since she divorced your father?” asked Cobra.

            “She’s been doing great, actually,” Rattler replied.  “They’ve both moved on and I get to visit my father anytime I want to.  His girlfriend has been really sweet, as well.”

            “Is your mother back in the dating game, as well?” asked Python.

            “In her case, she’s not ready yet,” said Rattler.  “She been taking time to herself.  At least she’s no longer crying every night like she was when they first split.  Plus, she and my father has made peace with each other.  While they won’t be hanging out together anytime soon, they agreed not to bring me into any drama they are having between each other.”

            “Well, that’s all we can hope for,” said Lucy.

            “Getting back to Gertie, when is Brody’s trial?” asked Rattler.

            “I heard in a few months,” said Python.  “Even though Hendrix isn’t with the FBI anymore, she still is part of the case and will testify in court, as will I.  At least the Scorpion’s goons have all made deals to turn on Brody, because, the Scorpion aside, he was the worst of all of them.”

            “I think Gertie would agree with that, Py,” said Lucy.  And the girls continued to hang out.  Gertie’s situation was not far from their minds, even when they discussed other things and events of the day.

NEXT CHAPTER: COMFORT

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            Gertie had come out of the psychiatrist’s office.  She had discussed with him everything she had been through, from going into witness protection, only for one of the FBI agents to turn on them and give the Scorpion their whereabouts and have Sam, her father, killed.  Then Brody terrorized her while in the Scorpion’s captivity, that even the Scorpion had to intervene himself.  Even though he was working for the Scorpion himself, Gertie did hold a soft spot for Butch, the other main henchman, because he actually treated her with kindness and respect, though still had to be strict when it was time to be.  But, Butch did hang out with her and even talked to her, making her comfortable even though she was being held hostage.  Brody was much more menacing.  He’d threaten to do worse to her than what was done to her father if she didn’t cooperate, something even the Scorpion never threatened her with.  While she was still scared of him, she knew he couldn’t do anymore harm to her, in spite of the nightmares.

            Gertie had made it home when she saw Charlie Brown sweeping the front of his father’s barber shop outside.  He looked up and saw Gertie there.

            “Oh, hey Gertie,” he greeted.

            “Hey, Charlie Brown,” Gertie greeted back.

            “So, where are you coming from?”

            “Talkin’ to th’ psychiatrist.”

            “You didn’t see Lucy, did you?”

            “Oh, God no!  I knows what kinda psychiatry she does!”

            “Good thing.  I must’ve spent thousands of dollars there alone, she probably has enough for her college tuition.”

            “Yeh.  Was talkin’ to him ‘bout my issues since, y’ know?”

            “Oh yeah.  How are you holding up?”

            “I don’t knows.  I should be relieved that I’m safe an’ sound.  But, there’s still some issues I’m dealin’ with that doesn’t involve what happened t’ me.”

            “Like what?”

            “My uncle.  He wasn’t th’ nicest t’ me.  Even though I’m livin’ with Hendrix now, my memory of stayin’ with my uncle aftah what happened with th’ Lizard Ladies haunts me.”

            “Why is that, Gertie?”

            “My uncle would slap me!”

            “WHAT?!”

            “Yeh.  The lousy bastard slapped me multiple times!  He even punched me!”

            “Good grief!  Have you told Hendrix about that?”

            “Not yet.  I haven’t even told th’ Spiders or Serpents!  You’s th’ first person I’s told.”

            “Gertie, you have to talk to Hendrix about that.  Let her know your uncle was abusive to you.”

            “I’s scared, Charlie Brown!”

            “There’s no need to be scared, Gertie.  She’s a police officer now.  She can get the police in your uncle’s town involved.”  At that moment, Frieda was walking by.

            “Hey, baby,” she greeted Charlie Brown, kissing him.  Looking over at Gertie, she said, “What’s wrong, Gertie?”

            “Gertie was telling me why she’s avoiding going to her uncle’s place after her father was killed by the Scorpion, Frieda,” Charlie Brown replied.  “Apparently, he’s been abusive towards her.”

            “Oh dear!” shuddered Frieda.  “You need to tell Hendrix.”

            “That’s what I just told her,” said Charlie Brown.

            “Tell me what?”  Hendrix had just gotten home.  Gertie was in tears at that moment.

            “We’ll leave you two alone, Hendrix,” said Charlie Brown.  “Frieda, you want to go in and meet up with my father?”

            “Sure, sweetie.”  And Charlie Brown and Frieda went inside the barber shop, leaving Hendrix and Gertie.  They went up to their apartment.  Once inside, Gertie explained to Hendrix why she avoided her uncle after dealing with the Scorpion.  Hendrix was shocked but caring.

            “Why didn’t you tell me this before, Gertie?” asked a concerned Hendrix.

            “I’s was scared, Hendrix,” cried Gertie.  “I’s was afraid if I told anyone about what that son of a bitch did t’ me, he’d come aftah me!”

            “You know your foster parent is in law enforcement now, right?”

            “Charlie Brown jus’ told me that.”

            “As long as you’re with me, Gertie, you will have nothing to worry about.  I’ll always be by your side, no matter what.”

            And Gertie, who was inconsolable at that point, hugged Hendrix.  She held the teen as she wept.  Knowing Hendrix wouldn’t let anymore harm come to her, she started feeling better.

Oh, why you look so sad?

Tears are in your eyes

Come on and come to me now

Don't be ashamed to cry

Let me see you through

'Cause I've seen the dark side too

When the night falls on you

You don't know what to do

Nothing you confess

Could make me love you less

I'll stand by you

I'll stand by you

Won't let nobody hurt you

I'll stand by you

So, if you're mad, get mad

Don't hold it all inside

Come on and talk to me now

Hey, what you got to hide?

I get angry too

Well I'm a lot like you

When you're standing at the crossroads

And don't know which path to choose

Let me come along

'Cause even if you're wrong

I'll stand by you

I'll stand by you

Won't let nobody hurt you

I'll stand by you

Take me in, into your darkest hour

And I'll never desert you

I'll stand by you

And when

When the night falls on you, baby

You're feeling all alone

You won't be on your own

I'll stand by you

I'll stand by you

Won't let nobody hurt you

I'll stand by you

Take me in, into your darkest hour

And I'll never desert you

I'll stand by you

I'll stand by you

Won't let nobody hurt you

I'll stand by you

Won't let nobody hurt you

I'll stand by you

I'll stand by you

Won't let nobody hurt you

I'll stand by you

Take me in, into your darkest hour

And I'll never desert you

I'll stand by you

NEXT CHAPTER: TIME TO HEAL, AND LONG OVERDUE COMEUPPANCE

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            A few days later, Gertie was walking the hallways of the high school.  She was starting to feel better.  Even though she would continue to see the psychiatrist for a while, she knew now she would be okay with a huge support system she had.  She went to her locker to get some text books out, when Komodo Dragon came up.

            “Hey, Gert,” she greeted.

            “Hey, Komodo,” Gertie greeted back.

            “How are you feeling?”

            “Bettah.”

            “That’s good.  I was worried about you for a while.”

            “I’s knows.  In addition to what has happened with th’ Scorpion, I wuz also dealin’ with what my uncle did t’ me when I lived there aftah what we did t’ Sparkyville.  Hendrix said she’d be there for me, though.”

            “That’s good.  I suspected something happened while you were there.  I didn’t want to press you unless you brought it up first.”

            In another part of the school, Peppermint Patty was talking to Franklin and Marcie about their picnic over the weekend.  They looked a little spent.

            “So, Snoopy somehow managed to find you two?” asked a bewildered Peppermint Patty.

            “He did, sir,” said Marcie.  “Franklin and I did everything we had to do to keep him and his bird friends away from our food.”

            “Wait a minute!  I thought Snoop went with Chuck and Linus fishing!”

            “Well Snoopy played like he was sick!”  Charlie Brown and Frieda walked up to the group.

            “I swear, Chuck, that dog of yours is too greedy for his own good!” said Patty.

            “Patty, you’re preaching to the choir here,” Frieda retorted.

            “Franklin here called me and told me what had happened,” Charlie Brown continued.  “To say I was angry was an understatement.”

            “Let’s just say Snoopy’s in the doghouse,” added Frieda.  “No pun intended.”

            “Good grief!” said Patty, not knowing what to think of that.  “You know, Chuck, sometimes I agree with you.  Why CAN’T you have a normal dog like everyone else?!”

            “Been trying to figure that out for years, Patty!” Charlie Brown replied.

            Back over where Gertie and Komodo Dragon were, they were walking to History class, which they had together.  They were finishing their conversation before class would start.

            “So, what will happen to your uncle, Gert?” asked Komodo.

            “Hendrix said she’d reach out to an old friend of hers,” Gertie responded.

Somewhere 50 miles outside of Sparkyville

            At a small house, which was finely manicured, Agent Boyd, Hendrix’s former FBI partner, along with local police, walked up to the door.  Boyd rang the doorbell.  A burly man with a crew cut hairdo and paunch with muscular arms, answered it.

            “Who th’ holy hell are yous?” he answered.  Boyd noticed the smell of bourbon on his breath when he spoke.

            “Vito Mancini?” Boyd began.

            “Who wants t’ knows?”

            “I just so happen to be a good friend of your niece Gertie.  Agent Percy Boyd, FBI.  I assisted in rescuing your niece from the Scorpion when she was kidnapped by him over the summer after the death of your brother Sam.”

            “Oh, that wuz yous?”  Boyd nodded.  “When do I get my niece back?!”

            “Well, that’s the thing, Vito.  Gertie also told us how you smacked her around when in your care before.  And the police here were kind enough to show some incident reports involving you.  Now, I’m only going to say this one time and one time only.  If you even THINK your niece’s name, let alone try to contact her, you will be arrested and charged with stalking.  Here’s a restraining order banning you from contacting her.”  And he handed Vito the order.

            “What kind of B.S. is this?!”

            “Hey, just be glad we’re not busting your ass right here and now!  You stay away from her!  Understood?”  Vito reluctantly agreed.  “Now then, have a nice day, Mr. Mancini.”  And Boyd and the police left.  Vito looked at the restraining order which read that he was not to be within 100 feet of Gertie from that day forth.  He sighed and went back inside his house and slammed the door.

THE END