Help!! my trunk is overheating?!

[arcticathlon]

So i took a stroll to town to day (45 away) and on the way back i noticed 3 things.
First was that it seemed a bit sluggish. i was driving 75-80 mph with cruise on, and when i got back into town, it just seemed like i was pulling a trailer. Very slow response and seemed like no horsepower at all.

Second i am hearing a quiet Ding Ding Ding when at idle, and it speeds up to a Ding Ding Ding when i accelerate. what could that be?

and 3rd i was taking my target merchandise out of the trunk when i saw that the bag was melted to another bag. I had them sitting on the left side, right above where the muffler is located.

Could all 3 of these be related in any way? Any help is much appreciated.

Dan