Chapter 28

Two weeks passed quickly and soon it was the day before Arabelle's birthday. The twins had planned to wait until sunset to begin the heist. Instead, shortly after breakfast, the Stabbingtons could be heard thrashing through the woods just beyond the farm they lived.

Flynn and Eugene glanced at each other. It didn't take long for the two to begin their silent, twin communication.

Oh no, Flynn. What are we gonna do? It sounds like they are coming here. I thought they didn't know where we lived.

Relax, Eugene. They don't know. I think they are just looking for us where they saw us, or rather me, last. In the woods near here.

You mean when we had Arabelle and Amber here? That's not good. We can't let them find the house. What should we do?

I have an idea. It's kind of crazy, but it should work.

Uh, Flynn. I'm not sure I like the sound of that.

Don't worry about it. Go hide. We don't want them to find you. I'm sure they won't hesitate to hurt you to get their way.

With that, Flynn turned and headed towards the Stabbingtons, who were no longer even remotely trying to be quiet and were now calling out for Flynn and Eugene. Flynn snuck around and came at them from the opposite direction than the farm.

"Hey, guys. What are you doing out here?" Flynn called a greeting. "I had just come out to do some hunting and heard you calling out."

"Well," one of the Stabbingtons began. "You see, we need to do the job now. We can't wait until tonight like we originally planned."

"Why?"

"There's a fire spreading in town. We figure the guards are too busy with getting people out safely and trying to put it out to bother protecting it."

From his hiding spot, Eugene glanced at his brother, hoping to convey his intent.

What do you think, Flynn? I think we should help, but both of us can't help if these guys expect us to help with stealing the crown. Maybe I could go help.

I would rather not have to worry about you getting hurt or killed in the fire, Eugene.

I know, Flynn. But I can't just sit back and watch people die if I could help save someone else. Especially if there are kids involved.

Ok, I understand. I will keep these two idiots occupied while you go see about helping fight the fire. Be careful, please.

Of course, I'll be careful.

Sounds good.

"So, we're going to get the crown now while the guards are busy with the fire. Guess we should get going now then, so we have time to get it and get away." Flynn said. "Follow me," Flynn ordered, turning around and heading towards the palace.

The Stabbingtons followed behind. Once the trio had disappeared from sight, Eugene left his hiding spot and headed towards the fire. After 10 minutes of walking, Eugene finally came up on the fire. Right away, he noticed it wasn't just any house on fire. It appeared to be a palace guard's home if the murmurs spreading through the crowd was anything to go by. There was pandemonium. Guards were yelling back and forth asking people to help with carrying water buckets to put the fire out.

Eugene was still looking around trying to figure out where best he could help, when he heard a small voice calling out for somebody to help in between coughing fits. Without hesitation, he ran in while the crowd gasped behind him. After a few minutes of searching, he found a little girl struggling to breathe. He quickly picked her up and held a wet cloth over her nose and mouth to block the smoke a bit.

"Are you the only one here, little one?" Eugene asked.

"Y-yes. My daddy is at work – I am supposed to be at my aunt's house but I came back because I forgot my dolly."

"What about your mom?" asked Eugene.

"I don't have a mommy. My daddy said she went to live with the angels," replied the little girl solemnly.

"So, no one else is in the house?"

"N-no. I need my dolly. My daddy told me it looks just like my mommy used to."

"Well in that case, we need to get it for you, don't we? Stay here with the cloth over your face. I will see if I can get to it."

With that Eugene left the little girl for a moment to go back the way he came. Looking carefully, he found the little girl's doll. Grabbing it quickly, he raced back to where he had left the girl.

"Is this the doll you were looking for, little one?" Eugene asked her again.

"Yes. That's her. Thank you for getting her for me."

"We better get you out of here before something else happens." Eugene replied.

Grabbing the little girl, he carefully tucked her into his side and raced back out of the house to the relative safety across the cobblestone street.

It didn't take long before the crowd realized that Eugene was holding a small child. Murmurs began and grew in volume quickly. People were surprised that not only did he race inside in the middle of a fire but helped save the life of a small child. After a few minutes of holding the girl to calm her, Eugene tried to extricate himself so he could leave. Unfortunately, the girl had other ideas. Every time he tried to remove her arms from around his neck, she would start crying and hang on tighter.