By SaL
Chapter Eight: Sad Eyes
A/N: I hope everyone had a merry Christmas! I sort of did, now I'm hoping to find a New Years Eve party to go to. Oh well, here's the next chapter hope you like it.
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"How ya doing Hero?" Wolfgang inquired as David emerged breathlessly into the lodging house. "………" All David found he could do was grasp his right hand to his heart, eyes wide while panting. "What did you'se do? Run all da way here?" Jack joked.
The laughter in the room grew louder as they watched the boy nod his head. Only Wolfgang's smile disappeared as he watched David lean his head back against the wall, close his eyes, and sigh a deep genuine sigh.
"So Hero how was your night?" The boy grinned wildly at the evening's events that were still fresh in his mind. "It was… well, It was rather interesting. You'll never guess who I ran into…" That was as far as he got before Racetrack interrupted, "I get da feelin' we's is bein' left out. It appears we's had a hero in our mist an' we's didn't even know it. Or is I just imagenin' things David?"
Race received a devious grin from Wolfgang followed by a death glare from David. From the looks of things the cunning Italian knew he'd hit the jackpot as he leaned back in his chair arms folded behind his head. "Well…" Started Wolfgang as David groaned and slumped to the floor. "When I first saw David he was four years old. He was a tiny kid his hair was lighter then but just as curly. Anyway, when I saw him he was standing next to this wealthy lady, who I assumed was his mother, in front of a toy store looking like he was going to cry. The lady had people carrying a great deal of boxes for her so, naturally I thought he was another one of those snobby rich kids whining that he didn't get the toy he wanted. I figured I'd scare the kid some. Grabbing a switchblade from my back pocket I approached the kid…"
*Flashback*
"Hey kid!" Wolf yelled at the boy who suddenly looked up at him with those wide innocent blue eyes. "What's the matter kid ya didn't get the toy you wanted?" The boy continued to stare blinking back his tears. "I've got a game we can play. Would you like to play a game kid?" The boy looked bewildered as he slowly nodded. "Well come on then, we can't play it on the streets. Follow me." Wolf proceeded to lead the boy into an alley, 'this is too easy' he thought. Drawing the blade from behind his back he motioned for the boy to come closer. Wolfgang had set the blade on the ground between them. "Now, take off your shoes and socks."
The boy obliged and Wolfgang followed suit. "Ok, the name of the game is chicken. Have you ever played it before?" The boy shook his head no so Wolfgang continued. "What you do is spread your toes out like this, then you take the blade and drop it in one of the spaces between you toes. If you make it then the next person goes and if they make it then the first person goes again. Only each time you go again you have to drop the knife higher and higher from the ground. Watch, I'll go first." He grabbed the blade and dropped it in the space next to his big toe. "Now it's your turn." And he handed the blade to the four year-old boy. "Are you afraid?" The boy held the blade at his waist and positioned it, then he let go, looking up to answer the question. "No" he said as the blade narrowly missed his big toe.
Surprised Wolfgang began to put his socks and shoes back on and helped the boy with his. "Maybe we ought to get you home."
"But, you said we could play a game!" he whined. "You promised!"
"Sure NOW you decide to talk." Wolfgang mumbled. "Listen kid I bet you have tons of toys and games to play at home."
"No, you're more fun."
"How about we grab a bite to eat in there and I'll teach you how to play rummy. Then will you go home?" The boy smiled and nodded. In the little restaurant Wolfgang was true to his word, though the boy didn't learn much and was easily distracted. Suddenly a waitress screamed as a small kitchen fire broke out. The four year-old took a glass of water from the counter and splashed it over the flames. "Fire's bad." The child explained to the waitress. She smiled down on him and kissed his cheek, "My hero." The boy grinned up at Wolfgang, "I'm a hero." He bragged. "Well come on Hero you have to go home."
When they left the restaurant Wolf led them to the toy store where he had found the boy. He expected to see his 'mother' in tears worried about her little baby, but there was no one. "Hey kid, where's your mom?"
"America." Wolf was shocked, "what about your Dad?"
"Papa's with Mama."
"Then who are you here with?"
"My grandparents."
"And where are they?" At this the boy shrugged then suddenly cowered in fear as a tall, dark man approached them. "What's the matter Hero? Who's that?"
"Uncle Liam." The boy whimpered, "he's mad."
"Don't worry kid I'm sure he'll be proud when he finds out that you're a hero now."
The boy looked up at him with sad eyes and shook his head. Wolfgang followed close behind as Liam dragged Hero home.
*End Flashback*
"And that's how I first met Hero. What can I say? The name just kind of stuck."
"Ooooooooo you're my heeeroooo!" Mush cooed in a high-pitched girlish voice that sent the lodging house in an uproar. "Awww come on guys! I was four!" Dave cried out in defense. Then he turned on Wolfgang with those big blue puppy dog eyes.
"Wolf!" He whined, "You said you wouldn't tell! You promised!"
"Stop it!"
"Stop what?"
"Stop staring at me like that!"
"Why? How am I staring at you?" Wolfgang sighed although he enjoyed torturing his 'little brother' he couldn't stand being stared at like that. "Ok, ok everyone! That's enough, that's enough it really wasn't all that funny anyway. So, David, who was it you ran into?"
"Huh?"
"I asked you how your night was and you had said that I'd never guess who you ran into tonight."
"Ummm, oh yeah! So I was over visiting Sandy and then I was talking to Hotshot for a while and on my way back I ran into this kid you'll never guess who it was!"
"Wilhelm?"
"Well… yeah. How'd you know Jack?"
"Well considerin' he's tryin' ta kill you'se it ani't dat hard. What's so suprisin' about it anyway?"
"It isn't his style to let his prey know that he's in town or to even show his face unless he's going in for the kill. He's up to something, something big."
~*~
A dark figure approached the mansion of the wealthy Lorant family. He was welcomed inside and seated in the sunroom as he awaited the man of the house to join him. When Liam entered the room he found his good friend's son Wilhelm. Now this was just the kind of structured boy he wished he could leave his fortunes to.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your company my dear Wilhelm?"
"There is a small matter concerning your nephew David that I should like to discuss. Is he in?"
"I am sorry to inform you that I have not seen David for a couple of days now. Is there something that I could help you with?"
"Well as you know, for you have arranged it, David is to wed the lovely Mina of Neuschwanstein a direct descendent of the royal family. And though this union would be prosperous to both your families, you being a Duke and all, I would much desire to make her my bride. However your nephew is in the way as you well know."
"Yes that is a problem isn't it? You know all anyone would get from a marriage to her is a title for, as you know we no longer have a monarchy. I would cancel the wedding for you my dear lad you deserve the best. But one cannot do that to a member of the royal family. It would be an insult of high proportions. I do wish I had known this in advance Wilhelm, there simply is nothing we can do about it now."
"Ahh but Herr Lorant that is where you are wrong. The only way to cancel this wedding is with an unexpected funeral for your nephew David. He's been causing all sorts of dilemmas for us since the moment he was born just think with him out of the way I could wed Mina and your Brigit would receive the inheritance you could arrange a marriage between her and Mina's older brother. Everybody wins especially you Herr Lorant."
"We can't just get away with killing him though even with our high statures. I'm not sure I want him killed I'd enjoy seeing him suffer."
"Well it'd be nice to see him dead but there is another way. All we have to do is sacrifice a servant that resembles your nephew kill him but mess him up real bad so he can't be identified and leave something of David's with him. Then you can have David as a personal slave."
"Yes that is appealing but that alone won't break him. I want his spirit crushed, I want him to wish he was dead."
"I was hoping you would say that. I found him earlier tonight talking to that girl Brooke Lynn at her home. Apparently the Lynn's have a new maid a girl named Sandra. It just so happens that David has a girlfriend he calls Sandy. The mansion is guarded by some kids called Spot Conlon and Andre Lynn we get past them we get Sandy, we get Sandy and David is all yours."
"And if you can't get past them?"
"Then there's always his Sarah and Les his younger siblings. David would do anything for them."
"Perfect, I like it. Why don't you stay the night so we can work out the details and make any necessary preparations."
"I would be honored Herr Lorant."
~*~
A/N: That's chapter eight, sorry if it's crappy I was a bit rushed in my writing today and I was kinda in a bad mood. Let me know what you think! Oh and Herr is German for mister. So there's only like four more chapters, I think. All I can tell you is the next chapter will be climatic. Well I'll try to write that tomorrow no promises though. Enjoy vacation!
~SaL