After the first day's mishaps, Matthias and Sally continue the next day with a more conservative and respectful research plan, and it works well: slowly but surely, over the next few weeks, they begin to unlock the secrets contained within, and start to confirm the original report that the Crystals are potentially extremely dangerous. However, rumour has spread about the existence of the Crystals, and inevitably, word reaches unsavoury ears.

For three weeks, unknown to the two hedgehogs, they are being watched. The watchers collectively keep the two hedgehogs under constant surveillance around the clock, just waiting for the moment to strike.

Eventually, the opportunity presents itself.

After a particularly long day, Matthias arrives home alone, his daughter Sally having elected to remain in the city after work to hang out with friends. After a simple yet satisfying evening meal, he reclines on the sofa in the den to watch TV. Initially, his interest in the programme, a nature documentary, keeps him alert, but it's not long before fatigue gets the better of him, and he slips into a light snooze.

An hour later, a sudden noise wakes Matthias. "Sally? Is that you?"

There's no answer.

I'm imagining things. Matthias settles down to snooze some more, only to be disturbed by another sudden noise. "Sally, if that is you, just say so."

There's no answer.

Matthias slides off the sofa and begins to explore the modest bungalow he and his daughter call home. His search proves fruitless however, with the kitchen, bathroom, and all three bedrooms unoccupied. Dismissing the noises as either pets or wildlife being a nuisance, Matthias returns to the den from Sally's room.

"Good evening, Matthias Flynn," a sinister sibilant voice greets.

Matthias freezes in surprise, scared stiff by the cloaked figure standing in front of him, twin pistols pointed directly at his head. "Wh‑Who are you?"

"My client has expressed interest in you and your studies," the figure hisses. "Specifically, you have access to some items that belong to him. He'd like your help to get them back."

Matthias takes a moment to compose himself. "Fear and intimidation won't work on me," he states defiantly. "Leave this place now, and I won't phone the authorities."

"I'm afraid that isn't an option."

Before Matthias can react, two more cloaked figures leap from concealment, wrestle Matthias to the floor, then bind him, gag him, and tie a thick hemp sack over his head.

"Take him out to the car," the sibilant figure commands, holstering his pistols.

Matthias feels something being injected into his neck, and blacks out just a few moments later.

Shortly before midnight, Sally returns home. Expecting her father to be asleep, she keeps the noise to a minimum, but as she makes her way to her room, she cannot help but feel like something's wrong. Her suspicions aroused, she decides to investigate. "Dad?" she calls quietly.

There's no answer.

Starting to worry, Sally explores the bungalow, but cannot find her father anywhere. "Dad?" she calls loudly.

There's no answer.

OK, don't panic: there'll be a logical explanation for this. Sally heads to her bedroom to arm herself, just in case.

"You're late," a sinister sibilant voice greets.

Sally spins on her heels to find a cloaked figure blocking the doorway, twin pistols pointed at her head. "Who are you, and where is my father‽" she demands, fighting down her rising panic.

"He's safe," the sibilant figure assures. "If you want him to remain that way, you come quietly."

"No way!" Sally states defiantly. "No‑one breaks into our house and gets away with it!"

"Fine! We'll do this the hard way!" The sibilant figure charges Sally, aiming to slam her into the wall, but the hedgehog side‑steps smoothly, allowing her attacker to fly past her and into the wall himself. Before Sally can counter however, a hidden assailant grabs her ankles and pulls her to the ground. A third assailant pins her to the floor, then the two hidden assailants quickly and expertly bind her wrists and ankles, then gags and blindfolds her before adding more restraints. Sally struggles valiantly, but is inevitably overpowered.

"Disappointing," the sibilant attacker sighs. "I had hoped for more of a fight. Take her away."

Sally feels something being injected into her neck, and blacks out just a few moments later.