14
Hope was seeking the 3Ms. Frank was usually good about answering her when she howled and the silence was unnerving as she tiptoed along the cave system following their scent. She felt something in the bond something she didn't recognise.
Then she heard Bella whimper and she put on speed, something was there and she was afraid.
What she was feeling in the bond was fear.
Hope turned a corner and saw why.
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Ianto was in the Family Place arguing good-naturedly with Kev about some pipe cleaners he wanted, the children watching eagerly as Ianto begged for them to have the damn things, making them twitch. Of course it was all for show. What the hell did Kev want with pipe cleaners but it was breaking the monotony of a long day and those pipe cleaners would be coveted like spun gold once won.
Ianto stopped mid rant and canted his head, the room falling silent as he seemed to take the air from the room.
"Fuck"
Ianto ran, transforming as he did and by the time he was out the door he was in Wolfling mode, slamming along the cave system like a torrent of water. He could hear it in the bond, the fear as Hope called for him to hurry.
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Jack looked up from the wheel he was trying to change and then rose to turn and face the other wall, "Did you hear that?"
"hear what?" Rhys asked. "Nothing out there."
"Hope. She was calling …. Shit. NO!" Jack started to run.
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The twins were in nursery with Rosie, the three little ones all playing quietly, then Tum started to scream, a high pitched wail as she waved her hands about her face like bees were attacking her while Burn looked to the doorway like he was expecting something.
Rosie simply crawled behind her siblings to hide.
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Marley was doing Fay's hair, singing along with her to the radio, the old cassette almost worn out as they crooned to the beach boys, and then Marley was gone. The scissors clattered to the floor as Fay yelped with shock, the swarm shooting past Paige who slammed herself against the wall to watch the clickers pass her by.
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Pip sat up in the bed, his eyes wide as he started to wail, his hands flapping as he tried to wake Anna, the danger had come and he was too little. Too small to make it work, too small to save, protect.
He could only howl with rage.
He knew what was coming too.
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Hope was standing between the 3Ms and the danger, her lips peeled back as she growled. It was a low rattle in the back of her throat similar to that of the Z and as she defiantly raised her head to expose her throat in a taunt she saw the gun sliding around the wall, followed by its owner and Nainny stood aiming at the creature with open malice.
"Get away from my babies" she snarled, Pip sliding from her other arm to the floor where Frank rushed to snatch him up and retreat behind Hope once more. Nainny aimed for the head like she had been taught and let her breath out as she pulled the trigger, the thing's head exploding on the wall as the children all screamed with fear.
Too late she realised they were not looking at her but past her and she swung as the other Z advanced.
Ianto entered and roared as he saw his Nainny raising the gun again, her face one of calm defiance as she aimed and he knew even as she pulled the trigger she had miscalculated and it was too close, seizing her outstretched arm to yank her in.
Ianto had long feared this moment and he knew he had to be brave as he ran to Pip, scooping him up and shielding him and the little ones from the sight of his beloved Anna as she screamed with fear, her arm savagely bitten. The bark of the Webley was loud as Jack ran, never flinching as he emptied it into the Z and then Ianto released Pip who reached or Anna with open fear.
Ianto walked over and sat beside her as she sat clutching her arm and staring at her lovely boys, her handsome man and the Pip she didn't want to leave.
"I am so sorry Ifan … Afon … I am so sorry" she whispered as the baby examined the arm and fell back against Ianto with grief, Ianto's face stony as he gripped her arm above the bite.
Jack knelt and went to lift her but Ianto shook his head, "It's too late Cariad. She's done. Even if not bitten, her face is falling on the left hand side. She is gonna stroke out before the bite kills her."
Jack froze, staring at Ianto then over at the huddle of babies as Ianto whispered, "Then … take the kids and go."
Ianto looked deep into his eyes, the light usually there in Ianto's fading as he lifted Pip from his lap and held him over Anna, her kiss one too tender to be mistaken for anything but a goodbye, then he passed him to Jack.
Jack nodded and rose, sobbing as he motioned the children away and Hope hovered, glancing back as she knew what had to be done.
"Taddy, I love you" she whispered, "Goodbye my lovely Nainny."