The living room was dark and the only noise came from the thunder and rain that scattered against the windows. Five dark silhouettes were sitting in the couches. All of them were staring at the TV, that wasn't on. Scotts leg was shaking, but no one noticed. Regularly they could hear the footsteps of Brains in the office. He tried to find the cause of the explosion.
What do you think he meant with "a man"? Alan asked with a high voice.
I don't know. Jeff said.
Suddenly the footsteps of Brains came towards them.
M…m..mister T..tracy! He shouted.
What's wrong? Jeff asked while he jumped on his feet.
There's s..s..someone on the m…m…Brains started.
Monitor! Jeff shouted while he and his four sons ran to the office.
The monitor screen showed a bald man with dark eyes.
Good evening mister Tracy. He said.
Who are you? Jeff asked.
My name is The Hood. The man said.
How did you find us? Gordon asked.
The man laughed. That doesn't matter right now. The Hood said. I thought you would be interested in what I have to say.
Tell us what you want or scram! Alan said mad.
Calm down…Virgill whispered to him.
You are a bald young man. The Hood said with a smile on his face. Just like your mother.
I want everyone out of this office! Jeff immediately shouted.
O, did I say something wrong? The Hood asked acting surprised.
What did he mean? Alan asked.
Go now! Jeff shouted.
The four brothers saw there was no point of argue and went back to the living room with Brains following them.
What do you know about my wife? Jeff asked.
The Hood laughed. That doesn't matter right now. He said.
It does! Jeff said.
I would be more concerned about my sons if I were you. The Hood said.
What about my sons? Jeff asked. The madness turned into fear.
The Hood laughed again. One of your sons is infected by a very dangerous poison. It is up to you to find out which one.
It took some minutes until Jeff got that message in his head. Poisoned? He said.
Yes, I guess he will have three days until the effects will show. The Hood said. I'll be seeing you soon Jeff.
With one last laugh, The Hood disconnected the call.
Jeff stared at the black monitor. Brains slowly walked in the office.
S..s..sir? He asked. I..is everything…alright?
Uh…Jeff muttered. I have to see the boys.
He walked by Brains and went to the living room. There he found three of his sons watching the TV.
Hey dad, what did that creep want from us? Gordon asked.
Jeff didn't listen. Where's Scott? He asked.
He went to check on John. Alan said.
Jeff nodded and walked to Johns and Scotts room. There he found his eldest son on a chair.
Hey. Scott said when he saw his father in the door opening.
Jeff walked to the bed. John was sleeping. He looked so weird with that bandage around his head.
Did he woke up? Jeff asked.
Yeah, but only for a minute or so, he didn't say anything. Scott said. What's wrong? He asked by the sight of his fathers face.
Jeff hesitated. But he had no choice, he had to tell them, or at least Scott.
The Hood said that he has poisoned one of you. Jeff said.
Scott looked at his father. Poisoned one of us? He repeated.
Jeff nodded.
But how? Scott asked. No one's got near to us for the past few days.
Perhaps someone at Hawaii. Jeff said.
It must be someone at Hawaii. Scott said. But how are we going to find out who of us is poisoned?
I have to tell the others. Jeff said. Perhaps one of them remembers someone acting strange. You stay with John. Perhaps he wakes up and can tell what happened.
Jeff walked out of the room, leaving Scott with John. Scott looked at his brother. The bandage around his chest was showing some red spots. Scott sighed.
Why don't you just wake up? He whispered. Tell me what happened, like you always do when something's wrong…
He could hear Virgill raising his voice in the living room. Apparently dad told them about Hood's plan.
Who is that Hood anyway? He asked to John. Tears filled his eyes and he hit the table with his foot.
Scott, you're alright? He heard Virgill ask.
Uh, yeah I'm fine. Scott said while he rubbed the water out of his eyes.
Well, I'm pretty scared actually…Virgill said.
Scott turned around and saw he wasn't the only one with blistering eyes.
I don't want to lose anyone…He whispered.
You're not the only one. Scott said.
Come on boys, let's go to bed. They could hear Jeff say.
Scott, I'm afraid you'll have to sleep on the couch. He said while he passed Scotts and Johns room.
Scott grabbed his cushions and sheets and walked to one of the couches. There he saw Virgill, Alan and Gordon.
You didn't think we would let you alone would you? Alan asked.
The Tracy's all lay down on the couches and in a few minutes, they all were asleep.