Runner-up 3

Hans Lunndergard hated his luck. He was driving a stolen car with a painful stab would in his neck -- and a possible broken ankle -- while his drug-dealer boss was ready and willing to kill him if he failed at his job.

He had to find Carmen.

He guessed she would eventually go home. He ruled out Jumbos after he called and found out she wasn’t scheduled to work tonight.

Reseda was his only option.

He ditched the stolen car on Kester Avenue in Sherman Oaks outside his friend’s house. He borrowed his friend’s car and refused to answer any of the guy’s questions.

In front of Carmen’s building, his luck improved when he pulled up next to a light blue Honda Civic that had seen better days. Carmen’s car was wedged between a Toyota truck and an Altima, so Hans double-parked right next to it, blocking it in.

The logistics of nabbing Carmen were risky. He figured he had no choice but to confront her outside. Going up to her apartment was physically too much strain for Hans, his ankle alone would guarantee Carmen won Round Two, and that was not going to happen this time.

He waited 30 minutes.

Dressed like a stripper having a night on the town, Carmen emerged from her building and headed for her car.

Hans got out. While gingerly stepping on his bad ankle, he checked the street for witnesses. As he was approaching Carmen, he made a mental note of the package she held.

He expected Carmen to recognize him; what he didn’t expect was the knife.

“You stay away from me,” she said as she revealed the large butcher knife.

“Palmieri wants to see you.”

“That’s where I’m headed.”

“Great, I’ll give you a ride.”

“No way. Stay back.” She didn’t retreat, though, the knife and the Round One victory made her appear very formidable.

“Honey, you’re coming with me. Palmieri wants you alive. Nothing’s gonna happen.” Hans was feet away from her now, his adrenaline pumping. Perhaps he might take her out, he thought. It was against orders, but he was a bit spiteful regarding the disaster she had made of his day.

Without warning, Carmen lunged the knife at him.

Being injured, Hans should have been at a disadvantage, but his instincts kicked in. He side-stepped her attack. Once he was clear of the knife, he chopped his right arm into Carmen’s arm, the one that held the knife, dislodging it. The weapon clanged to the ground and Carmen stumbled, yet still managed to cling to that envelope in her left hand.

The knife fell close to Hans. Carmen’s loss of balance was the opening he needed as he reached down and picked up the knife. Carmen, who quickly regained some balance, tried to kick him. That’s when Hans slashed her leg, deeply penetrating the muscle.

Carmen screamed and collapsed in agony, blood spurting on the sidewalk.

Hans knew he had to move quickly. He scanned again for witnesses and saw no one.

Ignoring his pain, he pried the envelope from her hand, picked her up, carried her to his car and slung her into the back seat.

He got in, placing the envelope on the passenger seat.

He decided to deliver her to Dodger Stadium instead of killing her. Palmieri would have to figure out a way to get them in without drawing attention, but that was Palmieri’s problem. His spirits rose as he realized he might make it before the first pitch.

Kimberly Kaplan is a stay-at-home mom and writer whose “goal is to someday be paid to write!”