The Big Guy woke up early the next morning to a calm and orderly Sanctuary. It was a quiet, peaceful morning, the kind that makes most people wake up and be happy that they're alive. The Big Guy, however, was a different story.

Panic threatened to choke him when he glanced at the clock. It was seven! How could he have slept so long? Usually the little ones were already up and getting into troubles hours before this! What had happened that it was so silent?

He raced to Ashley's room first. If she was still asleep, then everything would be fine. Henry was too smart a boy to get into mischief- except when he thought he should try to keep Ashley out of mischief.

It was empty. The little nightlight was on, and the blankets were perfectly smooth, except for one corner that was thrown back.

Trying to control his fear, the Big Guy ran to Henry's room. Bits of mechanics were scattered all around, and an old computer hard drive was half shoved under the pillow. No Henry.

"Have you seen the little ones?" the Big Guy asked every resident he came across.

"No." Was every answer.

"Big Guy!" Wallace, that annoying little man with the wheeze, exclaimed. "What's with the long face?"

The Big Guy did not like Wallace, but he kept civil. He only roared and picked him up by his lapels and shook him for two minutes. Had he been rude, he would have shaken him for ten minutes an thrown him against the wall.

"The children are missing!" he shouted in the little man's face. "Look for them!"

There was no arguing that it was a good idea to do as the Big Guy said.

* * *

Meanwhile, Ashley and Henry were walking along a narrow ledge on the side of a sewer. Ashley had her hand clamped firmly over her nose, looking down at the sludge in the upmost contempt and disgust.

Henry was having a hard time keeping his panic under control. He didn't care about the sewage. He didn't care that the sewer was dark, dank, dripping and stinky. What he was worried about was that they were completely, hopelessly, utterly lost!

"I'm tired." Ashley moaned. "Can't we go back yet?"

"It was your idea to go running away. I'm just glad I found you." Henry replied archly. He noticed that there were some tearstains on the little girl's face. "You're not afraid, are you?"

"Of course not!" Ashley replied a little too quickly. She hesitated for a moment. "I'm just thinking that the Big Guy is going to tell Mom about us going outside to play. She always worries."

There was a slight clicking noise somewhere in the darkness. Henry stopped walking to listen to it, and swallowed hard. It didn't sound friendly.

"Are we lost?" Ashley asked, her voice trembling.

"No." Henry lied instantly. "I'm just trying to find a fun way to get home."

They started going again, Henry taking Ashley's hand and pulling her along so fast that the five-year-old cried out in protest.

Suddenly a giant figure loomed in the darkness...