I leaned my head against the driver-side window and stared out at the dirty, empty street.  I looked at the ragged crumpled directions by the faint glow of my over-head light.

I recently left my job, so I’d jumped at the chance, when I read the letter from my cousin in Mexico, about the doctor needing a nurse and office assistant.

I’d always wanted to see the ocean and she’d informed me the office was right on the pacific coast, a place called Cabo San Lucus.

Yet, here I was completely lost with a car that was over heating. I didn’t speak the language, and there wasn’t anyone around to ask for help anyhow.

I tried to start my car again, but it didn’t even grunt, and with the steam coming from under the hood, I wasn’t surprised.

I knew I should stay in the car but it was so hot and my legs were cramping. I got out and walked around the car stretching my legs and I tried my cell phone again, but got only static.

A loud noise gave me a start, and I was so relieved to see a big yellow cat foraging in near by trashcans.

I was looking towards what I thought might be a store light when I heard another loud noise; I looked back expecting the cat.

Bile rose up in my throat and my knees got weak, as I saw three unsavory-looking men moving slowly towards me. They were rough looking, tattooed, and none to clean.

Just then, a car pulled up, “Jump in!” a woman called from the passenger seat. I was so surprised to hear an American accent, I jumped in without thinking.

My rescuers were an elderly couple that had white hair and kindly eyes. The lady patted my shaking arm, “There, there, dear, it’s fortunate we happened to be returning from a prayer meeting.”

I told them about being lost and that my car was over heating.

The woman said, There’s a garage, but it’s way across town, and not likely to be open on Sunday night.”

“Can you drop me off at a hotel?” I ask hopefully.

“Why don’t you just come home with us?” the woman suggested, “We don’t have much room but your welcome to use the sofa.”

The man said, “We can notify the police about your car and they can keep an eye on it until you can get it towed.”

I protested but not much, I was tired, usually I wouldn’t be so trusting, but I saw this as part of the adventure, so I relaxed and agreed.

The woman kept up a constant stream of chatter and it was some time before I noticed the route had become increasingly deserted. The stretch we were traveling had become wooded with dense vegetation.

The car lurched to a stop and the man turned towards me holding out his hand, 'Now, dear give me that lovely strand of pearls you’ve been handling with such anxiety.”

I turned towards the lady who was still smiling pleasantly, but now she was holding a small wicked looking gun.

Shaking I tried to work the clasp on my necklace, the woman helped unhooked it.  The man took my purse and went through it. He held up my travelers checks, “Maggie, she has about five thousand dollars here.” He smiled at me, “Never leave home without them.”

They took rings, bracelet, credit cards, cell phone and even my Bible. “Get out.” The woman said, motioning with her gun.

I sighed, now it would be over, but they got out too.

The woman looked towards the trunk, “Jim, did you remember the tarp?” The man was still smiling friendly, “Of course, dear.”

That’s when I realized they weren’t letting me go. As the man got the tarp out of the trunk, the woman said, in a voice best used to offer cookies. “ We have found rolling the bodies in a tarp keeps them from becoming unpleasant so we have time to leave before the authorities find them.”

“Please,” I begged, “You have all my stuff, and I won’t tell anyone. Can’t you just let me go?”

The woman shook her head, “Dear, they all say that, but we can’t take the chance. Sorry it isn’t personal.”

In my heart I begin to pray, “Father, you have been there for me through all walks of my life and I know you’re here for me now. I know you are here with me. Please bring comfort and thy will be done. Amen.”

I raised my head now calm, filled with the Lord’s presents, I said. “ I forgive you.”

The words had no more then left my mouth, as headlights played over us. A loud voice said, “Drop your weapon, this is the police.”

As Maggie dropped her gun, three figures came into the light. To my surprise, they were the unsavory-looking men from the town.

The one with the tattoos said, “Hello, Miss, I am officer Creed Avory. Sorry if we frightened you back there.”

The other two men were putting handcuffs on Maggie and Jim. “We have been working undercover trying to catch these two.”

The one cuffing Maggie said, 'They’ve murdered at least twelve other people, that we know about.”

I shuddered, “And I was almost number thirteen.” Looking at officer Creed, “How can I thank you?”  

He just smile, “Testify for us, so it won’t happen to others.”

As I rode back towards the small town, I bowed my head, “Father, I thank you for always being there for me. You’re the one who never fails me, never lets me down and forgive me for not learning the lesson you’ve tried so hard to teach. Not to judge people by appearances.” A lesson I would not forget soon.