STN-J Building: 1:47AM. Keys clicked away under the hacker's quick fingers as he entered code after code into his computer. His eyes were fixed on the screen, watching firewalls spring out and fall to his skills. Light glinted off his glasses, reflecting the monitor in their depths.

She can't be dead, he thought feverishly. She just can't be!

Michael had been quiet the whole afternoon after Amon had announced Robin's death. No one approached him, though - they all had thoughts of their own to concentrate on. So his whole day had been spent wondering if Amon had been telling the truth. However, being the STN-J's captive restricted him from doing research on the matter. There was never a time during the work day when he could escape Amon's watchful eye.

Sometimes being restrained to the building night and day had its advantages.

The clock struck two as the last firewall disappeared from the screen. The hacker sighed in relief and satisfaction. He was now safely inside Amon's files. Stretching his hands over his head, he cracked his knuckles and set to work.

Information scuttled across the monitor, revealing case after case of witch hunting files. Every witch that Amon had hunted was displayed in alphabetical order, stating their basic information and the level of their powers. Michael scanned through the information as fast as he could. There was only one thing he was interested in.

At last he came to the picture he was looking for. Robin's warm blue eyes smiled at him from the screen. The photo had been taken the first day she had arrived at the STN-J, and she was young and beautiful as ever. Without even knowing it his fingers reached out and caressed the picture.

"…killed February 26th 2035," he read in a strained whisper. His hand dropped from the plasma screen. Amon never entered false data into his personal database.

So it was true. Amon had killed Robin. Michael sank back into his chair, letting his head drop into his hands. "I can't take this…"

"Amon? Amon, are you there?"

The hacker jumped, looking wildly around the room. "Robin?!"

"Amon? Please, I need to speak with you!"

"Robin, can you hear me?" Michael stood up slowly. Her voice was coming from Amon's desk. Cautiously, he walked over to it.

"Amon, please! You told me I could get in touch with you like this!"

Michael reached the old oak desk, surveying it with his eyes. Then, with a slight hesitation, he reached out and yanked open a drawer.

Inside lay a small transmitter that was no bigger than the ones they used on the job. Michael picked it up and cradled it in his hands. "Robin…?"

Her voice was near hysterics now. "Amon! Amon! Answer me, please!!"

"Robin, it's Michael! Can you hear me? Where are you?!"

The transmitter crackled. "Shit," Michael murmured. "She's dropping out. Not to mention the fact that someone tinkered with this thing's programming, so she can't hear me." He threw the device down in frustration. "Dammit! I gotta find her!"

His hand ripped away the tags around his neck and dropped them into Amon's open desk drawer. The chain had been worn so long that it left a green line on his skin, and he was glad to be rid of it. Slamming the drawer shut, he grabbed his long-forgotten leather jacket out of the cabinet by his desk. It was going to be a long cold night.

~*~

Robin let the transmitter slide to the bedspread. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks and landed on her folded hands. Her shoulders shook slightly as helpless sobs wracked her body.

Why wouldn't he answer me? Dear God, I've never been this scared in my life! She reached a trembling hand out to the bible that lay beside her, drawing it to her chest for comfort.

After a few minutes her sobs subsided. She wiped away a tear from her nose and looked at it with a forced laugh. I've never cried this hard before…

A door slam down the hall brought her to attention. Footsteps came closer to her room. She curled up against the headboard, clutching at the small book in her hands. "Please God, don't make me have to use my powers…"

Then the lock on the hotel door clicked open.

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Heheh cliffy!! ^_____________^ Oh I just love torture…