Disclaimer: I do not own 9.
4's Abduction
The Search
9 and 7 heard the splashes by the lake and ran to see what had happened. To fall into the water would not be a pleasant experience for the little living dolls, for their fabric bodies would have to be washed, without damaging their metal wire innards. They saw 3 sitting by the bank, curled up into a tight ball, alone. 7 felt a serge of fear flow through her circuits at the sight. "Why is he alone?" she thought to herself as they neared their brother. She looked around for any sign of 4.
"3 are you alright?" 9 said kneeling down to the smaller Stitchpunk and placing a hand on his back, "Where's 4?"
3's frame trembled under the touch of his hand and lifted his head. His optics flickered upon the dark waters of the ominous, kidnapping lake.
9 glanced to the lake, "There? Is 4 out there?"
The little one nodded and pulled his hood low over his brow. The sight of where he saw his sister last was too painful for him to endure.
The leader narrowed his eyes to the water, "I'm going after her." He soon said to 7, and readied himself dive into the lake. He refused to loose another friend! Unexpectedly 3 jumped up from his paralyzed state and grabbed a hold of 9's arm, tugging him madly to keep him away from the water. His eyes flickered wildly.
9 glanced down to him, "3?"
The remaining twin's eyes pleaded him not to go in. He did not want to loose another one of his family to the unknown depths below.
7 neared the boys, "3 is right, there's no way we can find her in the water. But she's smart, she could be on the shore somewhere…" This bit of news brought some hope to 9. However, 3 did not feel such hope. He had seen his sister disappear into the water, dragged below by a mysterious monster…
9 took a hold of his hand, "Don't worry 3. We will find 4." He smiled confidently to the smaller Stitchpunk doll.
The leader's assurance lightened the little one's gloom and slowly relaxed. He held onto 9's hand while still holding the ball close.
"We'll patrol the lake. 7, can you check the eastern side while 3 and I take the west? We'll meet back here in an hour."
"Alright." 7 said and knocked her helmet further down over her face to shield her frown and ran off to patrol the lake. While she ran, a whirlwind of thoughts and worries swirled wildly in her mind over what to do. She did not know if she should inform 9 of what would happen if they didn't find 4 in time. He had placed so much blame and responsibility on himself for the fate of the others that keeping them safe was becoming an obsession. To tell him would almost certainly destroy his confidence. His strength and encouragement seemed to ease 3, even just a little bit. If they lost that, they would loose everything. 'We'll find her…' she thought to herself, 'I hope…'
She ventured along the wide blackened lake until she found a wall of broken brick and concrete that blocked her way and cut into the lake. 7 climbed the fallen bricks to the top of this wall and followed it to the other side over the water. Upon looking down she saw a large crack where the water flowed into. But on the other side of the wall was nothing but empty dry land. "The water must flow underground… if 4 has fallen down there... we night never find her. Oh 3….4…" She jumped down from the wall to solid ground just as 9 and 3 arrived at the same blockade. "Find anything?"
They shook their heads. "Nothing. Not even wet footprints..." 9 dared not voice his thought that she might still be under. While their forms had no lungs to breathe air with, the thought of being trapped underwater was horrifying.
7 frowned and gazed down to the large crack in the wall where the water flowed.
They made camp by the lake and selected the highest pile of debris they could find as their lookout post. 7 took the first watch until well after sundown. After instructing 3 to take her post she headed down to meet with 9. "Did he tell you anything about what happened?" she asked.
But the leader shook his head. "I tried asking but he didn't say anything. No footage, not even a gesture. He keeps gazing out to the lake and to that ball he carries… You?"
7 shook her own head as well, "He has been completely silent, more then usual..."
9 was lighting up some old cardboard for firewood, lighting it with two large pebbles that fit in his hands. "I don't think I have ever seen those two apart before, not even for a short time."
"I have..." 7 sighed as she starred into the fire. The printed marks on the cardboard made the flames flicker and flare. The bright orange flame was tainted with blue and purple colors until the letters were finally eaten away.
The eyes of the youngest Stitchpunk widened, "You have?"
At once the soul remaining female regretted her slipup. "Never mind."
"7…" 9 whispered, leaning ever closer to her, "What is it?" his hands of wood and copped reached to hers, holding her tightly, "What happens if we don't find 4?"
She released a heavy sigh of regret, "If they're separated for too long... I'm afraid they'll die."
dun dun DUN!