Hello everybody. This chapter is a little short I'm afraid. However you do find out why Ben or Ned were sent there. Please tell me what you think about it. I'd also like to take the time the thank everybody whose reviewed this story. It really means a lot to me.

Disclaimer I do not own Ben or Ned. (According to my sister, people do not care about a funny disclaimer. Please tell her she is wrong.)

Chapter 7

Ben's heart was racing and his mouth was dry. He couldn't do it. He wasn't expecting this. None of it made sense. Something set in the back of his mind. Numb as he was, he forced himself to talk. "So what does this have to do with a gang?" he asked, remembering what they had said last night.

"I'm getting to that." she said. "Well this man Bjornsen."

Ben flinched at the name but Margaret didn't notice.

She continued. "Has a son, a bit older than you, also named Bjornsen. You know it's an old family name… anyway his son has been taking his anger out on the town. The son doesn't see what the big deal is if it happened twenty years ago. But the laws the law." she finished sternly, as if Ben had also thought it was alright to break the law.

"But what has he been doing?" asked Ben.

"Well the night his father was hauled off, he wandered the streets pretending to be a homeless person to gain entry to someone's house for the night so he wouldn't freeze. When the family was asleep, he trashed the house and left."

Ben was slightly confused now. "If we know this happen why isn't he locked up too?"

"No one knows where he is. He stays out of sight mostly, doing damage where he can. Stealing, vandalism, arson, the list go's on. He almost burned down half a street last week, too much damage to be done by one person. People only catch glances of him these days."

Ben sat silently for a moment thinking.

"I think we now know why we were sent here eh Ben." came Ned's thought in his mind.

"Yes but I wish we didn't." thought Ben

Margaret interrupted his train of thought saying "Ben, I think it would be safer if you and Ned stay with us another night or two. In till you find a proper place to stay… unless you already have a place to stay.

Ben was overwhelmed by the woman's kindness. He knew the trouble he and Ned were causing by staying in the household. "Thank you." was all he was able to get out.

Baby James had fallen asleep and Margaret stood up and left the room.

Ned started wagging his tail. "Excellent! Now that we have a place to stay, we can worry about other things."

Ben smiled at the way his dog put it. "Yes, other things." he stared at the brick wall, not really seeing it. "I think we both understand what the Angel said. Now we just have take care of the problem." Ben frowned. "The question is how do we solve the problem?"

The question hung therein the air. "Well let's go and find out!" came Ned's blunt answer.

"Right." said Ben. He and Ned both stood up at the same time, Ben using the back of the chair to left himself up. He gingerly put weight on his foot. It felt alright.

Margaret came back into the room then. She took in the scene before her at a glance and said. "Do you have somewhere to be Ben?" She saw Ben's intense gaze. His eye's had been almost liquid like while they had talked. Now they were like ice chips again.

"Ned and I have an errand to run. We'll be back before dark." Ben saw her bite her lip but she made no move to stop them.

All she said was "Be careful."

Ned snorted. "Huh. You'd think we went around with our eyes closed." he said.

Ben contradicted his friend. "She's just worried. Remember the streets aren't exactly safe any more. Not that they were to begin with." he added as an afterthought. Ben turned the door handle and they both stepped out.

Well thank God that the main dialog is over. Action soon I promise. Somewhere in the next chapter or two. Don't forget to review!