Chapter 3

Where's Chris?

Aviva paced back and forth at the top of the Tortuga's entrance ramp. The sun had set almost half an hour ago and the Kratt brothers still hadn't emerged from the woods or even checked in since then. That meant they were either hung up on something important, or they were in trouble. Aviva sincerely hoped the first possibility was the case.

"Any sign of them yet?"

Aviva paused as Jimmy and Koki came up behind her.

"No," she sighed.

Koki put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Well, they know what they're doing. They'll turn up before long…I hope."

"Hey!" Jimmy blurted, pointing out into the darkness. "What's that over there?"

Koki and Aviva turned to see what had caught his attention. In the distance, just inside the thick line of trees at the edge of the meadow where the Tortuga sat, a bright point of light bobbed up and down.

"It…it looks like a—" started Koki.

"Headlamp!" Aviva finished, a relieved smile spreading across her face. "It's them. It has to be!"

"Wait a sec," Jimmy squinted at the light which was coming closer and closer. "I only see one."

Koki and Aviva exchanged a worried glance.

"Oh no."

xxxx

Martin cleared the woods and headed for the Tortuga. He could see several silhouettes in the light coming from the entrance. Oh boy. It looked like the whole gang was waiting to chew him out for being late.

For a second, he considered stopping to tie his shoe or pretending to trip or something just to postpone the inevitable lecture he knew he was about to get. But that would probably make things worse. It would be better to get there quick and get it over with. Might as well speed things up a bit.

He broke into a jog and within about thirty seconds, he was at the bottom of the ramp. As he'd expected, Aviva was the first to rush down to him. She didn't look too happy.

"Where have you been?"

Martin launched into the speech he'd been rehearsing all the way down the mountain. "Ok, I'm reeeeeally sorry I'm late. I just got a little distracted…" he held up a thumb and finger to indicate the amount, "just a tiny bit. And then I lost track of time and before I knew it the sun had set and…" he trailed off as Jimmy and Koki came down the ramp as well. Somebody was missing from this picture. "Hey, where's Chris?"

"We were hoping you could tell us that," said Koki, folding her arms.

Martin blinked. "You…you mean he hasn't come back yet?"

The other three shook their heads.

Martin laughed nervously and looked over his shoulder. "You're joking right? He's probably waiting to jump out and ambush me when I least expect it, right?"

Aviva, Koki, and Jimmy all stared at him blankly.

"Right, guys?"

Koki lifted an eyebrow. "Why would he do that?"

"Um…because I kindasortamaybe did that to him this morning," Martin blurted quickly.

"What?"

"It was just a prank! He said he was going to get me back. I didn't know he would take it so personally."

"Martin," said Aviva in all seriousness, "we haven't heard from Chris since the last report over two hours ago."

xxxx

Dabio bounced up the steps of Donita's pink jet and through the door, a large brown knapsack slung over his shoulder.

"Donita!" he called, grinning from ear to ear. "Donita, I got one!"

The fashionista dropped the swatch of fabric she was about to pin on to a manikin and spun around, clapping her hands. "Ah! It looks like Christmas has come a little early this year after all."

Dabio stopped and swung the bag out in front of him for her to see, then let it drop to the ground with a thud. Whatever was inside wanted out. Badly. The bag gave a wriggle which was accompanied by a string of muffled protests.

Donita took a step back, eyeing the bag suspiciously. "Are you sure you brought me a Kratt and not some crazed monster from the forest?"

Dabio considered this inquiry for a moment, then nodded. "Uh-huh! Uh-huh! I did just what you said. You said 'catch a Kratt' and that's what I did. I caught a Kratt!"

"Hmm." Donita stepped up and nudged the sack with a foot, prompting a sharp yelp. "Well, it sounds human enough. I'd say it's time to let the Kratt out of the bag. Ah-ha-ha!"

"Ha…ha-ha!" Dabio laughed right along with her, even though he had no clue what was so funny.

"Let's see which brother will be joining us tonight."

The henchman loosened the top of the sack, then picked it up and flipped it over none too gently. With another yelp, Chris tumbled out onto the floor.

"Well, Chris-Angelo!" Donita sang. "How nice to see you. And how are we feeling this fine evening?"

Chris didn't answer immediately. The journey to the jet hadn't exactly been the most pleasant trip he'd ever been on. He was completely disoriented, his head was still spinning, and the last thing he wanted to do in front of these two was throw up. Might as well tell the truth…

"Kinda sick," he said finally. Then he sat up, rubbing the back of his head and scowling. "Ok, what's going on? You don't nab a guy off the side of a mountain for just anything."

Donita folded her arms. "Really, Chris. You should know by now that I don't do 'just anything'. It's not in my nature. All of my plans are fabulous."

"Then how come we keep managing to mess them up?"

She leaned in, narrowing her eyes. "That's not going to happen this time around. This plan is the most fabulous one I've ever had."

"And why is that?" Chris wasn't so sure he wanted to know.

"Because you're going to help us pull it off!"