I started with the story idea as I said, and outlined it in five pages. From past experience, I expected about twelve thousand words, I wound up with ...hirty-seven thousand words, three times what I was aiming for. Marla was supposed emerge from her ordeals a stronger, more independent person than she started.You ever hear an author say the characters do things unexpected? I never really believed it until I started writing seriously. Marla is a prime example of this phenomenon. The story. Scarlett looked into the mans deep brown eyes and said with a shaky voice" I think so" Here, come on" said the man as he extended his hand for Scarlett to grasp. Scarlett reached up and the man lifted her to her feet. However, she was still in shock, so the man swooped her up, like a groom to his bride, and gently carried her to a shady area under a cliff's edge.Scarlett looked once again into the strangers endless eyes and asked " Whats your name?"The man replied "Jude, my names Jude"Scarlett. We drink a lot of wine from our neighbours down south,” said Jorge.The waiter returned with a large plate that he placed in the centre of the table. Then he placed two smaller ones in front of us. “That’s Ceviche. You have fish, shrimp, or octopus,” said Jorge and pointed at each little bowl on the plate with his fork. “How is it made?” “Basically it’s raw fish that is placed in lime and lemon juice with onion and a few other things, the acid cooks it. Try some.”I looked suspiciously at the. I shoved my key to the front door and was about to call out when I noticed how suspiciously dark the downstairs was. I was about to call out for Mom when I heard giggles upstairs. It seemed like my parents' room light was on.I didn’t like the twisting feeling in my gut - I knew something was wrong. A part of me wanted to drive off and forget about it, but then I remembered that I need my portfolio. If I really wanted to be honest, I was curious. There’s suspicions, and then there’s finding out.