Conversation had resumed in the kitchen and it was somewhat happier than it had been previously when Robyn re-entered the room. She sat next to Kit and rested her head on his shoulder. She found it amazing how quickly Kit could raise his own spirits and everyone else's as well. 'Being a clown definitely has its advantages,' Robyn thought to herself.
"Kit, we left the candles burning in the airship." Robyn piped up suddenly.
Kit knocked his head against the table, "you did didn't you?" he asked wryly with a wicked smile on his face, "we better go deal with it then. While we're at it everyone should be safe to go home."
Ché stood up to protest but hit his head on the ceiling and sat down again rubbing his head. The chairs had been too small for him to fit his large frame on so he'd sat on the floor which was easier for everyone. Sitting on the floor now and rubbing his slightly sore head Ché tried to protest further but heard Kit laughing at him.
Kit noticed that Ché was looking at him and stopping his laughter said, "I know its juvenile but when you hit your head you made the light shake and I found it funny."
Ché smiled at Kit and then picking the younger man up thrust him upwards making him hit his head on the ceiling, "now I can laugh," Ché smiled.
Kit glared at Ché and rubbed his head. He was a little disconcerted that Ché had picked him up as if he were a rag doll that had no weight. Making a note to himself Kit decided it would be best to watch out for Ché if he ever decided to laugh at him again. As revenge for his head and disregarding his own advice Kit landed a gentle kick on Ché's leg and ducked under the table and crawled out the other side before Ché could kick back.
"Can we get back to the candles?" Robyn intoned rolling her eyes at the juvenile antics of the two men.
Ché held up a finger remembering what he was going to say before he was interrupted by Kit, "I'll go. It's safer that way. A Doberman whatever it is will have a hard job attacking me."
Kit shook his head and sobered somewhat, "That thing is vicious and has a friend somewhere. The two of them are trained to rip anyone of any size to shreds with just one word. They'd start by attacking what they can reach and if you hit the ground they'd go for your jugular and you wouldn't get up again."
"Is there some way to distract them?" Stephanie joined, "Uncle, do you have any steaks anywhere that aren't frozen or cooked?"
The Mayor thought for a moment and then went to look in the refrigerator, "No I don't. I must have had the last one yesterday evening."
Howling and barking could be heard from outside and everyone went to the window to see what was going on. A cold dread inched its way up Robyn's spine when she noticed someone was missing, "Where's Sportacus?"
Everyone looked round in shock but Sportacus was nowhere to be seen. Ché stayed in the kitchen whilst everyone else searched the house but to no avail. Sportacus had disappeared.
"Why does he always have to play the hero?" Robyn half growled fed up to distraction with Sportacus' ways.
Kit hit a door frame in frustration, "what the hell is in that guy's head? Don't the words 'rip to pieces' mean anything to him!"
Before anyone could stop her Robyn ran out the door into the night to find Sportacus. The chill of the evening assaulted her and using all of her senses tried to locate her errant uncle. She knew that calling out for him would attract attention to herself so she moved stealthily and hoped she'd spot him soon. Voices could be heard not very far away and Robyn crept towards them keeping her hearing tuned to maximum. She was listening so attentively to the voices that she didn't notice someone coming up behind her.
Robyn tried to scream when a pair of rough hands grabbed her and tried to pull her to the ground but she couldn't. "Aren't we a pretty little thing then? Come let me play with you and show you what a man like me can do to a girl like you!" A harsh grating voice exclaimed.
The man attacking Robyn forced her onto her back and leered at her prone form as he held her wrists tightly in his hands. He was quite old but was extremely strong for someone of his years and knew exactly what he was doing. Licking his lips the man positioned himself better over the helpless girl to make what he wanted to do a lot easier but he was thrown off of her before he could do more than that.
Sportacus picked Robyn hurriedly off the ground and placed her behind him in a defensive posture. He didn't want to think of what would have happened if he hadn't have gotten there in time.
The man picked himself up off the ground and laughed at Sportacus before pulling a knife from a sheath by his side. "You'll regret that pup. I'll give you to the count of three to stand aside and hand me the girl or I'll slit your gizzards."
Without looking behind him Sportacus whispered rapidly, "Robyn, run. When he counts to two run back to the Mayor's house as fast as you can and don't stop."
"One," The old man started to count slowly.
When the man said two Robyn hesitated a little but after a push from Sportacus ran as fast as her legs would carry her. More than anything in the world she wanted Sportacus to be ok and to catch up with her.
Everyone jumped when Robyn burst through the door and shut it firmly behind her. They knew something terrible had happened as soon as they saw how distressed the girl was. Kit went over to her and practically carried her to a chair to sit her down on, Robyn's breath came in rapid gasps and she was evidently struggling to get it back to normal.
"What happened Princess?" Kit asked despite Robyn's difficulty in breathing.
Before Robyn could even attempt to answer a scream was heard and it sounded like that of a man's. Hearing the scream and fearing to the very depth of her heart that it had come from Sportacus, Robyn surged forwards but was stopped by Ché grabbing her. Robyn resisted Ché's grasp with all the strength she could muster but his grip was like iron and he wouldn't let go.
Whatever residual strength she had depleted Robyn sank to the ground and all of her emotions spilled out at once. Another person she loved lost to a knife attack and this time it was her fault. Utter devastation seared through her very soul and not even the words of comfort spoken to her by Ché or Kit could rekindle the fire of her once vibrant spirit.
Everyone's concern for Sportacus was overridden by that for Robyn. No one had ever seen her like this and it scared them. A lingering hope resided in all of them that Sportacus was unharmed but there was nothing of that sought in Robyn and everyone tried to console her.
All attempts to help Robyn proved fruitless and Kit picked her up and carried her to his room. There was only one person that could help her now and he hoped her father would come through for her. Sleep would also help Robyn a small amount. She was exhausted in every sense of the word and would be able to see things clearer with a clear head.
Kit laid Robyn gently on the bed and gathered the blankets about her. He kissed both of her eye lids and before leaving the room whispered, "Robbie. If you can hear me Robyn needs your help. Please, if you can hear me come here and help her." Without expecting an answer Kit shut the door behind him and went back out into the kitchen.
An unseen form entered the room and looked over the grief-stricken girl in the bed. Closing his eyes against the tears that threatened he walked over to the bed and sat on the edge.
"Daddy's here honey," The form whispered gently.