Chapter 3

"But, Mother,..."

"Please, Amon, Run!" cried out the woman.

"Why?"

"I'm afraid,.." she held back tears. "I'm afraid they'll make me hurt you, please, son,.. Run."

"Robin," he called, running after the 15 year old craft user who had already crossed the street. "Stop!"

She did. Robin slowly turned to face him, her eyes blank, emotionless. Her lips moved, no sound coming out, fire flickering at Amon as a dangerous warning. He stopped walking to avoid the flames.

"Snap out of it, Robin." he ordered in his harshest voice. She was strong, she could do it. Right? Amon twitched.

Run Away, Amon. Run..! Called out Robin's voice, in her head. She didn't want to hurt him.. Please. Not him.

Was there any choice? Thought Amon. She was dangerous. Robin turned, and continued down the street. Sakaki and Karasuma caught up with Amon.

"What are you doing, Amon? Come on! Let's go after!" shouted Sakaki, several steps ahead of everyone.

"Sakaki, get your orbo-gun out." he replied, following Robin in a slow pace. No. There wasn't any other choice.

"Wha--what?!"

"You aren't going to actually shoot her, are you?" asked Karasuma.

"What other alternative is there?" he shot back at her.

"..." Karasuma bit down on her lower lip, looking down. It hit her. "Wait! If that guy is controlling Robin, he has to be around here, right? I'll take Sakaki, and we'll go find him! You try and stop Robin from causing harm to anyone-- or to herself."

Amon looked back at the STN-J member. Karasuma had never given him stern orders like that. But, he didn't complain, or go against it. He didn't want to shoot the girl more than anyone else. Amon let out air, and followed Robin down the sidewalk as Sakaki passed him towards Karasuma.

"Hurry up, Karasuma! We have to find this creep!"

"I know, I know, hold on," she replied, following him in a casual stride. "I have to read all these walls you know."

"For what?"

"To see if I can read something that will lead us to Matsumoto, genius."

"Hi, guys!" called out a cheery voice. The two turned, face to face with Doujima still in her pajamas.

"Doujima, what the hell are you wearing?"

"I was too tired to change. Where's Robin and Amon?" Karasuma sighed, and told her.

"Robin! Where are you going? There's no one here." called out Amon, as they entered once again, the abandoned factory. His voice echoed out in the vacant room. He felt like he was talking to himself.

"J...jus..just.. ru..n." she murmured. Amon's eyes widened. She was fighting it.

"I'm not going to run," he replied, coming closer to her turned body.

Robin's arms lifted. Fire erupted. Everywhere, the ceiling, the floor, the walls, the small fragmented abandoned furniture on the floors. Even Robin herself. Amon's orbo cross flickered brightly as he realized something.

It was a trap. Just to take him and Robin out at once. Though, Amon wouldn't be taken care of so easily.

He picked her up, making a break for the window, and jumped through. Glass shards flew everywhere as they landed hard on the parking lot outside the burning factory.

His mind blurred as he struggled to keep himself consious, feeling something warm trickle down the side of his face. Where was she? Was she okay? Amon grit his teeth as he struggled to sit up.

"Am..on." murmured the helpless body beside him.

"Are you alright?" he asked, running a hand over the side of his face, feeling something slimey inbetween his gloves, his own blood.

"He's.. calling me." she replied, her body still laying lifelessly on the ground. Her face stared up at the darkness above her. "I.. can't.. ignore him."

"You have to fight this Robin--"

"But I can't." her face pained. "It's taking everything I am-- just to speak.. to you."

"Where is he," demanded Amon. Robin's head slowly turned, and her eyes drifted up to the building behind them.

"There." her lips whispered. "Please.. stop him, or," her hand reached over and clutched the end of Amon's coat. "Or shoot me. I can't-- I don't want to hurt any innocent people." Amon couldn't take anymore. He slowly pushed away her hand, as she blacked out, then stood to his feet, and made a break for the building.

"I don't like the looks of that smoke," said Karasuma, getting to her feet. "And I can't read anything here. Let's go report back and check on Robin." "Right!" The three STN-J members jogged down the sidewalk, only to find an unconsious Robin in the middle of the parking lot floor.
"Tell me, Amon," muttered a deep, unfamiliar voice in his mind. Amon stopped walking up the stairs. The voice continued. "Why is it you pursue me with such.. passion?" Amon narrowed.

You won't trick me. He continued walking up the stairs, his pace increasing at every step.

"I am curious, though,"

That's your own fault, he threw back at the voice, his hand pulling out his orbo-gun as he reached the last flight of stairs.

"Is it.. because,. of your Mother?" Amon stopped walking. "Yes, yes, I see now. You see too much of your own Mother in Robin, isn't that it?"

Amon clutched the gun in his right hand.

"Fear. Surpise. Such uncommon things to feel coming from you."

Who are you. He demanded.

"The Puppeteer." The dark voice replied in a whisper. Amon put his hand on the doorknob. Yes. Robin, .. Robin was so much like his own Mother. But there was one thing that made them different. Amon could protect Robin. No one, nothing could stop him now.

Side note: Whew! Im sorry it took so long to get this one in, I've been very sick this past week. -self pity XP-

I know I've been straying from Karasuma/Doujima & Sakaki. The next chapter will have more of them, but, my goal for this chapter was to make the assured understanding of why Amon's so determined to get this witch. I like giving off small bits and pieces, though. XD Keeps you guessing.

And, yes, I put this POV into Amon's mind. It was very vague, I know, and I didn't give off too much of his feelings or thoughts. The next chapter will have more of that, and more action. Hehe. Until then!