Robbie noticed that he was being followed long before he turned round to see who it was. He knew that it wasn't Robyn or any of the kids as the footsteps were much heavier than those of a child. He was being followed by an adult. He changed his course a little and a sinking feeling entered the pit of his stomach when the person continued following. Robbie thought it best to head to a quieter part of town before he turned and confronted his follower, he didn't want anyone to see what he thought might happen.
Robbie eventually came to a stop near the billboard which hid the entrance to his old lair from view, it took all his courage to turn and face the person who had been following him. When he did his blood ran cold in his veins. The figure stood closer to Robbie and drew its hand from behind its back; the metal item glinted in the sun.
He tried to turn and run but couldn't, he was petrified and his feet wouldn't cooperate with his brain. With a smile the figure moved even closer to Robbie and aimed the metal object. Robbie felt a sharp pain in his abdomen. He looked down and saw a knife in his stomach. His eyes followed the hand which the knife was connected to and he looked into the eyes of his attacker. The knife was drawn out and with a further smile from the figure it was thrust in again with much more force. Robbie couldn't scream, blood welled in his mouth and flooded out instead of a cry for help. The knife was pulled out again and was about to plunge in again but a hand stopped it. The figure turned to see who the restraining hand belonged to
"Brother," Lily hissed. "I think you're a little bit too late,"
Sportacus saw Robbie fall to the ground and instantly ran to his side. He knelt down and felt tears welling his eyes. He didn't know what to do. Robbie was bleeding heavily. Sportacus felt helpless, he'd never had to deal with anything like this before and it was certain Robbie would die. His tears flowed down his cheeks now, he looked up when he felt a hand hold his own.
"Look after Robyn for me. Don't let them take her away," Robbie whispered, his strength was ebbing fast.
Sportacus shook his head, "you can't die Robbie. Robyn needs you. I'm not her father, don't go Robbie please." Sportacus sobbed.
"I can't fight it."
After he'd finished what he'd said Robbie coughed twice and then fell still. His eyes no longer shone and his heart ground to a halt. Blood still trickled out of the corner of his mouth but eventually that stopped too.
"You know I shouldfind this upsetting, actually I think it's rather funny." Lily laughed from behind him.
Sportacus' anger rose immediately, she'd killed his friend and was now laughing about it. Lily would pay this time, she had gone too far. Sportacus stood up and whirled round. His face was red with rage and he was seething, every muscle readied for combat.
Lily smiled at her brother; it was the same mocking smile she used for everyone. This was the first time she had provoked Sportacus' rage to such a high level. Accepting Sportacus' invitation she too readied herself for an attack.
With almost blinding speed Sportacus ran at Lily and shoved her away with an almighty force. Lily was sent flying and hit a tree, the knife she was holding flying out of her hand. Sportacus came running after her but before he could grab her again Lily landed a devastating kick on his stomach and was horrified to see it had no affect, she'd pushed Sportacus too far. Not knowing what else to do and chastising herself for it Lily took off and ran with the speed she could. Sportacus was pursuing her with a growing pace and was closing the gap between them. When he sufficiently close Sportacus leapt on Lily like a lion does a gazelle and they fell tumbling to the ground. Sportacus had landed on top of Lily and wrapped his hands round her throat.
"Do it!" Lily choked, Sportacus' hold tightened but loosened when Lily cracked a rock she'd managed to grab into the side of Sportacus' head.
Sportacus fell to the ground and Lily fought to get big gulps of air through her damaged throat. Sportacus was still but would wake up soon and Lily took this as the ideal time to make her escape. She got up and began to run awkwardly, clutching her throat. Lily's sight began playing tricks on her and she didn't see the hole in the road ahead of her. She fell in to the hole and felt something sharp go through her back and chest. Looking down Lily saw a pipe sticking out of her. The sight of her blood pouring out of the pipe looked strange and she chuckled silently before everything went black.
It had been three days and the aftermath of what had happened was still being felt. Today was the day that Robbie was to be placed in the Crazytown cemetery. All the inhabitants of the town felt the blow in their own way but none took it harder than Sportacus. Robyn was too young to understand what had happened and was going to stay in Lazytown with Bessie who had offered to look after her.
Everyone arrived at the cemetery in good time. The minister and the coffin bearers were stood at the side of the grave waiting to begin. When he was satisfied that everyone who was coming was there he began the service.
The coffin was lowered into the ground with the words, "Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust."