Robyn's head swam as it attempted to come to terms with what Detective Miller had just said. It didn't make sense. It couldn't be true. If Lily was alive why hadn't she attacked yet? Where was she? What was happening?

Detective Miller didn't like the way Robyn was looking. The colour in her face was fading fast and he could see a distinct tremble in her hands. Something was wrong with the girl. He knew he'd told her too quickly about what had happened but it had to be done.

All of the light in the room faded as if someone had cupped a hand over the winter sun. A chill breeze blew through the room and disturbed the pages of an open book on the nightstand. The curtains in the window swayed in the breeze as if it was blowing in through the window but the window was firmly shut.

Sportacus wrapped his arms around himself when he felt the temperature in the room drop substantially and suddenly. Looking around the room he could see Kit and Robbie doing the same. It was with a certain apprehension that Sportacus noticed he could see his breath in the air. This hadn't gone unnoticed by the others and they too looked worried.

The floorboards began creaking above them as did the walls. They could hear the noise increase as if the top half of the house was separating itself from the bottom half. Something was terribly wrong.

Robbie knew what was happening. The icy hand of fear gripped his heart and squeezed it until he thought he would cry out. His breath came in gasps but the lack of oxygen coming into his system didn't stop him moving. With a burst of adrenaline he jumped out his chair and ran for the stairs. He made it to the top before an invisible barrier threw him back against the front door.

For the second time in twenty years Detective Miller was gripped by fear unlike any he'd felt before. He'd gone too far this time, far too far. Silhouettes began to slowly line the walls and within seconds had the room surrounded. There was no way out. Mindful of Robyn's whimpers he moved slowly towards her in a defensive gesture. Holding one of his hands out behind him he put it on her arm to offer her some small comfort, he could tell she was absolutely terrified by the way her arm trembled underneath his palm.

Minutes passed and yet the Guards made no movement. They took pleasure from the fear they had impressed upon the occupants of the house. There was much more tension radiating from those upstairs than there was from those downstairs. Those downstairs didn't know what was happening and were too busy dealing with their fallen comrade. It was only a matter of time before either one of the two upstairs would break.

Robyn was overwhelmed by sensations. She knew the silhouettes to be Guards from previous experience and their presence in the domain in the living wasn't good news. Were they here for her? Were they here about Lily? Were they here for her father?

The thought that the Judges had changed their minds and had sent the Guards for her father sent Robyn into a panic. She couldn't breathe and her eyes darted about wildly. If the Guards had had faces she was sure that they'd be smiling perversely at her discomfort. Detective Miller's attempt at comfort did nothing as her heart pounded until it was ready to burst.

Kit knelt beside Robbie and was glad when he regained consciousness. Something had thrown Robbie with tremendous force from the stairs. Something that didn't want whatever was happening upstairs to be disturbed. He was sure that it wasn't Detective Miller; he'd been told that he and Robbie were firm friends and it didn't seem like something that he'd do. Robyn couldn't have been responsible either, or could she? Had her powers grown to include telekinesis? Kit wasn't sure but reason took over and told him that Robyn would never do anything to harm her father or anyone for that matter. There was something much more sinister going on.

Sportacus slammed the receiver back down onto the cradle of the phone. It was dead. There wasn't even a dialling tone. Calling a doctor for Robbie would have to wait but it wasn't something he liked. Somebody was toying with them and in a much worse fashion than Lily ever could have. He had no idea what was going to happen next.

The Guards shifted making a gap in the wall as if letting someone pass. Robyn watched them with hazy eyes and knew what was coming. Watchers. The Guards were there to hinder their escape while the Watchers exacted the command of the Judges. They were going to be punished for interfering. They were going to die.

In silhouetted forms similar to those of the Guards, the Watchers entered. The moment the last Watcher had cleared the gap in the wall it was yet again closed in by the Guards. Spreading out, the Watchers began to advance on the pair by the bed. One group of four aimed themselves at the vessel while another group of four made their way to the detective.

Robyn began to back away in panic. Her hands and feet pressed into the mattress hindering her movements. Eventually she came close to the wall and screamed when several pairs of hands grabbed her and held her firmly against the wall. She was trapped by the Guards.

Detective Miller watched in horror as all eight of the Watchers changed their course and headed for Robyn. In an effort to stall them he shouted at them but their attention was fixed on their target. Again he shouted this time pleading with them and offering to make a deal with them. This got their attention.

"Name your terms." One of the Watchers hissed.

"Take me but leave the girl. The Judges quarrel is with me not her. I told her what she wasn't to know, the fault rests with me."

Another Watcher hissed, "She knows too much. She must die."

Again the Watchers started to advance on Robyn. The deal was off.

Robbie was almost frantic when he heard Robyn scream. He was about to make another attempt at the stairs when silhouettes began to line the walls of the living room. Seeing the Guards again brought back a lot of memories he would have rather forgotten forever. If the Guards had been summoned to the living world whatever was happening upstairs was serious. The Judges meant business.

Sportacus and Kit watched the silhouettes with wide eyed terror. They'd never seen anything like this before and a message was being sent out that it was something they'd never see again. Before they could move to escape the house invisible hands grabbed them and pulled them towards the walls. Robbie had been grabbed too and was trying to struggle but the hands were too strong. Not even Sportacus could break free.

Fighting down her panic as best she could Robyn spoke, "You don't have to do this. Make them forget. Make me forget. I know you can do that. You did it to Doctor Palley."

Robyn's statement made the Watchers halt their advance. They seemed to be consulting each other on what to do next. This development was unexpected.

"How do you know this?" Another of the Watchers hissed

"One of his colleagues mentioned that when he brought into the hospital after his accident he had no recollection of coming to town. Instead of doing the tests he remembered doing brain scans on me. You changed his memory."

Again the Watchers consulted each other.

"How far would you have us remove the memories?" The first Watcher hissed.

Robyn thought quickly, "As far as you wish. If they forget there is no quarrel. The Judges don't have to kill us. It works for all of us."

Within seconds of Robyn finishing her plea the room was engulfed in a blinding flash of white light.

Robyn sat bolt upright in bed. The room was dark and the house still. Looking at the clock she noticed that it read 8:00am on the 27th December.