The next morning, Sophie was too excited to sit still, she woke at 5am and couldn't fall back to sleep. sitting up and stretching she doned a pair of shorts, strap top and her sneakers, she tied her hair into a messy bun, slipped her headphones round her shoulders and quietly tiptoed out the front door. Just because she couldn't sleep didn't mean Steohanie and her Uncle had to suffer. She set off at a slow jog, speeding uponce she rounded the corner. Running qas a release for her, back in college she would run every single day just to keep her spirits up until she could return. She passed the row of shops, passed the town hall, pool, theatre and soccer field and started up the hill. As the lake came into view she faltered, each step getting heavier and heavier until she felt she was stuck to the ground. The water glistened mockingly, inviting her to venture forwards, everything faded as long suppressed memories flooded her mind.
Darkness, the icy water gripping her and dragging her to the depths. Garbled versions of her name slowly filtering to her, she was going to die she was sure of it. SPLASH! Something big and purple was coming for her she tried to reach out but..
A hand landed on her shoulder and she jumped. Spinning round, her heart racing, Robbie was behind her. looking unsure but understanding, opening his arms she flew at him, warm, inviting, safety. wrapping her arms round his middle she softly cried into his neck trembling until the memories were successfully shoved into a little box and out into the furthers part of her mind.
Robbie stood with Sparkle in his arms, he had heared her jogging and decided to check on her, he should have known she was still terrified of that lake. His own memories resurfacing he did the only thing he could think of, He held her. This wasn't an annoying chit who abandoned him, this was his annoying chit who was still traumatised from the events 16 years ago.
'Come on, let's go for a sit in the park, no way am I go flippity flip or, eugh, running like sportacook.' gently turning Sophie away from the glistening water and back down the hill.
50 metres above Sportacus was watching the pair through his telescope. His computer had woken him an hour early telling him somebody was already awake in Lazy Town, Figuring nobody was in trouble because his crystal hadn't glowed, he decided to keep an eye in whoever it was anyway. sitting on his platform and calling for his scope he sat down and scanned the area below. Everything seemed quiet, being late spring the sun was already peeking over the hills, no lights were on and things seemed still. Finding Sophie, it didn't take a minute to see what she was doing, he was pleased. somebody else who may be happy to help me get this place active. he watched as she ran, slowly admiring the way her long legs moved at a good pace, bloody he'll sportacus stop it feeling embarrassed for spying he called for an apple once it soared into his hand he turned back to find Sophie had stopped, watching the lake, at first, he thought she was just enjoying the view, but even through his telescope he could see her trembling, when she started to claw at her throat, as if she couldn't breathe he jumped up, was about to flip down to her when he noticed Robbie Rotten appear behind her. Stopping he watched the interaction, a moments recognition in Sophies face before it crumpled and she flew into his arms. Sportacus was confused again, he had never seen Robbie act like this to anybody, is this really from just when they were kids? He was frustrated, he felt a clench in his stomach and couldn't understand why . Maybe the apple was rotten? it can't be jealousy, can it?
His crystal glowed,
'Somebody's in trouble!'With a last look at the pair he flipped off in the other direction of town. putting the incident to the back of his mind, He would find out eventually.
The day wore on, Sophie was glad she an Robbie had made up. Currently she was walking to the estate agents to get her keys. She couldnt wait to start renovating it, she knew she wouldn't do much, there was already a room for Stephanie, but she wanted to build a porch and maybe a swinging seat. As she knocked the door of the shabby Purple shop, she realised the man inside had never given her his name. walking out he smiled at her and dangled the keys. Grinning she took them.
'thanks so much Mr...'
' oh call me Rick, I think we could be very good friends' She shivered, she couldn't quite work out what that look was but it made her uncinfortable. just opening her mouth to reply, she heard the tell tale whooshing of a body and sure enough Blue had appeared,
'Are you ready Sophie? I thought i'd give you a hand moving, seeing as the kids are all at school and it's all quiet round Lazy Town.'
'Great! thanks Blue, thanks again Rick, see you later!'Turning she didn't see his mouth twist.
Setting off for her new property Sportacus asked a string of questions in the hope to get to know her better. What's her favourite food, What does she hate to eat, what's her favourite drink, favourite sport and so on.
strawberries, pineapple, white hot chocolate, horseriding..he was enjoying himself, it was rare to have a young adult to talk to despite the new stores opening, most of the keepers were the Mayor's age and although they were lovely, they didn't hold for very interesting conversation.
Too soon they arrived at the house and set to work, Sportacus insisting he carry the furniture and Sophie arguing that she could do it. They laughed and bantered, and just for a minute, Sportacus forgot he was the town Superhero.
Just as they were finishing his crystal glowed, dropping the last chair in place he jumped outside and stood on the garden wall, searching for trouble. spotting Ziggy flying in the air towards him he twisted flipped and jumped, catching the small boy in his arms and placing him on the floor.
'ZIGGY!' Stephanie and the others weren't far behind.
'Are you okay!?' hugging her best friend she noticed where they were, noticed her Sissi standing in the doorway with a slightly guilty face.
'What's going on? Sissi? what are you doing here? our house is over there..'
Sophie froze, damn, she hadn't prepared Stephanie she would be moving out. Uncle Milfords place was great, but if she wanted to set down roots she needed to have her own place.
'It's my new house Pickle, would you like to see?'
'Were moving? that's great! Can I help? I'm sure Uncle Milford will be sad but after all were only down the road! oo can I have my room pink? ' Steph was excited and prattled off at the rate of knots.
'erm, Steph, we need to talk, could everybody excuse us for a while please?' Sportacus, seeing how uncomfortable Sophie looked, steered the children away and to the park where he stood against a wall watching them, his eyes flickering to where Sophie had a set put a picnic blanket on the grass and gracefully sat, stroking Stephanie's hair where she had laid with her head in her lap.
'Steph, Pickle, do you remember what Uncle Milford said when it was decided you would come and live here? No? The reason you did was because he felt I needed to go to college and get a degree, I couldn't look after you with nothing behind me, I wouldn't have got a good job and you would have missed out on so much. and I've done that, I've gotten my degree in childcare and moved but I need to set things up before you can live with me, I want to open a nursery here in Lazy Toen, have a job, I meed to know you are completely safe so I can concentrate on doing this. '
' but why? I.. you just came back, don't you want me now?'Stephanie sniffled.
' of course I do, but this way I can garentee I can look after you properly, I need to do this, your happy living with Uncle right?' She felting nodding in her lap so carried on.
' I know it's hard, I'm hoping that by summer next year you'll be living with me like your supposed to.' Stephanie nodded, curling up tighter and slowly fell asleep to her Sissi patting her head. I've missed this. was her last thought as she drifted off.
