Chapter 8
Stephanie stood by the mailbox waiting for Sportacus. After a few minutes, she got impatient and pulled a piece of paper and a pen from her purse. She quickly scrawled a note and rolled the paper up. It was then that she realized she didn't have the tube to send the note in. The nine year began to debate whether she should go back to her uncle's and retrieve it.
"What are you thinking about?" A familiar voice asked.
"Oh nothing." Stephanie replied as she tried to crinkle up the note without him noticing.
"What do you have there?" She pointed to the bag he was carrying.
"Something, I need to share with you. Come on, let's sit on that bench." Sportacus smiled.
"Sit? Are you sure?" Stephanie asked. All the above average hero did was nod. The two made their way to the bench and sat down. Sportacus reached into his bag and pulled out a large book with strange words on it. Stephanie was about to ask what they were when he flipped open the book.
"When I was twelve something bad happened that I never thought I would get over. My parents were killed and my aunt and uncle tried to explain. At first I didn't understand and I felt alone. I wasn't alone. My aunt and uncle stood by me through my anger, hurt, and eventually my tears. I want you to know that you aren't alone. I will always be here for you and so will your uncle and Bessie." Sportacus said. Stephanie didn't really know how to respond to what she had just been told. The above average hero moved the book closer to her so she could see. There were three people standing somewhere the nine year old didn't recognize.
"Is that your mom and dad?" Stephanie asked.
"Yes. This was taken when I was eleven. My Dad was here in LazyTown for most of the year and the Mayor would let him come home for a little while so we always spent that time together and Mom always took pictures." Sportacus explained.
"Where is home?" She asked again question.
"You remember when I said it was a little island to the north?" He wondered and Stephanie nodded.
"Well, to be more specific, Iceland. My aunt and uncle still live there. I chose to follow in my father's footsteps and that's why I came here. So now LazyTown in my home, just as it will now be your home." Sportacus knew those words would be difficult for her but the more someone said it, the better the chance of her beginning to accept it.
"Were your parents in a car accident too?" Stephanie inquired. The above average hero stopped. Only immediate family knew what had really happened that day and he had never thought of sharing it with anyone. At his hesitance, Stephanie knew she shouldn't have asked that question.
"I'm sorry." Suddenly aware of the heat in her cheeks, the nine year old got up and ran away. Sportacus quickly got up and followed her, stuffing the photo album back into the bag as he went. The last thing he wanted was to upset her more.
WWWWWWWWWWWWW
Robbie didn't see what had happened topside. He was too busy working on his dummy. The villain was trying to make it not so stiff. Modern prosthetics had come along way in making joint movement more human-like and that would be good for when he got that far.
Currently the torso was giving him a hard time. Robbie couldn't seem to douse the electrical whirring and ticking that came from the gears inside the mechanical body. He poked a button on the remote that would control his creation and shut it down. Now in silence, Robbie began to pace.
"Noise, noise, noise. That thing is almost as loud as those kids." He muttered as he poked his temple with his right finger. Suddenly, something felt funny and he looked at his hands. A black substance covered his fingertips. It was grease. Quickly, Robbie grabbed a can of WD-40 © and began to spray the heck out of the motors and gears. Once that was done, he pushed the button on the remote and at first nothing seemed to happen. Taking a closer look, the villain realized that the gears were moving steadily and not a sound was being emitted.
"Perfect!" Robbie crowed and he went to grab a part from a nearby table. Unfortunately, all the greasing he did had bent the nozzle on the aerosol can and caused it to leak. There was a pool on the floor of WD-40 ©, just off the edge of the table. Not seeing the puddle on the floor, Robbie slipped and fell, perfecting the face-plant.
"I meant to do that." He mumbled.
To Be Continued...