Chapter 2

Þórir was just about to go out for his morning run when Sportacus caught up to him. Number Nine asked him what was so important Sportacus answered in one word, "Stephanie." He saw the look on his son's face and pulled him over to the nearest park bench.

"What's wrong with Stephanie?" Þórir asked.

"She's having nightmares about that incident with Hăkon. Last night's was the worst one yet." Sportacus told his father. Then he told him the whole story.

"Your mother had the same problem before you were born. The very first time that she was captured by someone, they tried to kill her but I was able to stop them. Now in Stephanie case, was that the first time something that violent happened?" Number Nine asked.

"Yes, Robbie never posed that kind of threat to her. But what did you and mom do?" His son asked.

"Your mother, Odin rest her soul, pretended for a long time that what happened, didn't. One day I came home to find her sobbing in a ball on the floor. After she had a good cry and got her feelings out in the open that helped but it didn't make her memories go away. Until Stephanie confronts what happened and comes to terms with it, she will continue to have nightmares. This is something she is going to have to do herself. I know that sounds horrible but only Stephanie can save herself." Þórir explained. Sportacus absorbed what his father said. He didn't like the idea of not being able to help his wife. Turning to his father, he said,

"Thanks, Dad. You've been a big help."

"You're welcome. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm late for my morning run." Number Nine replied. With that he was off like a shot, leaving Sportacus alone.

Robbie woke up as the guards yelled for roll call. Today would be his last day in prison and he would have to set up part one of their plan. His new ally in the fight against Sportacus was quite clever. Hăkon had thought of some things that Robbie never even dreamed about.

While discussing what they were going to do, the sly devil had explained his line of thinking. In fact, Robbie was surprised by the whole thing. Hăkon had not intended to kill Stephanie. He knew from the start that Sportacus would come and find them. The only thing he hadn't planned on was Number Nine showing up.

Either way he had inflicted some psychological damage and managed to meet Robbie. That had been his entire plan. Now that there were two of them they could really change things in LazyTown forever.

Stephanie climbed down the ladder and walked toward her Uncle's house. She was feeling better today and hoped that things were starting to turn around. It was then that she saw Sportacus, deep in thought, on a nearby bench.

"Hey baby. How's it going?" She asked.

"Hey there sunshine! You must be feeling better. Look at that smile." He beamed to cover up his concern.

"How come you were gone when I woke up?" Stephanie asked.

"Oh there was a kitten up in a tree." Her husband lied. Then he quickly changed the subject. "Have you had breakfast yet?"

"No, what do you have in mind?" A big smile crossed his wife's face.

"Oh I don't know, maybe some waffles and then maybe…" Sportacus told her as he got up and wrapped his arms around her.

"In the middle of the morning, my aren't we hungry." Stephanie answered. They kissed and made their way to Fast Freddie's House of Waffles.

To Be Continued…