His body ached in tense anticipation of morning. Darkness still held sway over the world, keeping the sun subdued beneath its impenetrable blanket. Stars were still spread thinly across the sky but as sure as the earth would turn and turn again they would return in their uncountable numbers. This night had brought him comfort he hadn't felt in days but it was a comfort that was short lived. He wanted the sun to rise so that he might see where he was walking in his search of her; he couldn't make himself walk in darkness as bitter as the hours he passed in endless steps. Some days it felt as if he'd walked around the earth three times while others it felt as if he'd not moved at all.

Closing his eyes briefly he looked deeply into his heart as his lips moved in silent prayer that he might find her, that she might still be safe somewhere. He prayed for a sign that she was alive, something that would rekindle his dwindling hope; something that would keep him going just that little bit longer. It seemed ironic that he was prostrating himself in front of forces he had never believed in, that he still held no belief in, but he was running rapidly out of options.

Opening his eyes once more he looked skyward, the sun was beginning to unfold its golden fingers bringing light to the world once more. With the light came warmth, warmth that banished the chill of the night from his body. Now it was time for him to turn his mind again to searching for her, something deep within his heart told him that his search would end today. With that knowledge came an ardent fear that today they would find her wrapped in the weeds that carpeted the bottom of the lake. That her body was to be placed in the cemetery that she had escaped so many times. If today was indeed the day that she was proved dead it would be the last day he ever walked the earth.

Already speed boats were zipping over the glassy waters of her watery grave. Divers were dropped into the water in a carefully constructed sequence designed so that nothing would be missed. Turning away from that lonely sight he walked aimlessly across fields filled with dew laden blades of grass of sapphire green. A breeze from the east warmed him with its gentle caress; it seemed to soothe away his troubles as it breathed fresh breath into his lungs infusing him with a new burst of hope. Turning back to look at the lake he defied the divers to find anything, they were wasting their time.

Eyes watched him as he drifted through hordes of gyrating bodies upon a dance floor almost full to capacity. He was all too aware of smiles gracing women's faces as they admired him, a young man in his physical prime. All of them wanted to taste his youth, to be seduced by one as predatory as he. Even those dancing with lovers of their own wanted him. Their arousal was so strong he could almost smell it and it began to strike his but there was only one woman he had an interest in. None of the others even came close to her. Only she knew what lay beneath the surface of his flawless looks, only she could see the ugliness that lay within him. Only she could affect him like no other. She had the power to tame him, to cool his anger.

Sitting on a raised stool by the bar he let his eyes wander over a tantalising rendition of a woman standing bare breasted with a Raven upon her slender fingers. A smile touched his lips as he could almost imagine her standing there instead with her long flowing hair of chestnut brown, her eyes bluer than a summer sky and her humble breasts rising and falling with every breath she took. That would be an image he could savour for a lifetime if not longer. It would be a prize he would pay anything to claim, she didn't have to be alive, even in death she would still have the same affect on him.

"Can I help you?" A strongly accented voice asked.

Looking up his eyes fell on a man standing on the other side of the bar, "Yes, I'm new in town and wondered if you'd be able to help me obtain some information."

"What kind of information?" The man replied suspiciously.

"Nothing of great importance, nothing I think you'd object to. I just want to know who owns this place and whether a woman was brought in earlier."

"You were wrong, the answers to both of those questions I will object to answering. I think it would be best if you leave."

A slow smile spread across his lips, "Don't play around with me, Miklos, if you tell me what I want to know I won't have to come back. It's as easy as that."

"I can't help you!" Miklos hissed before walking away.

Nobody turned their back on him, no one defied him. Those that dared died. It was as simple as that, it was what he had been taught by his mother and it was a lesson he had learnt well. Ready to teach the impudent whelp a lesson he stood up but two men wearing suits came into his line of sight. Knowing that he'd outstayed his welcome he decided it would be best for him to leave. There would be another time for him to once more attempt getting at Robyn, right now he couldn't risk being incapacitated or arrested. If that happened his chances of doing that which he wished to do would fall from under him. It would make his task all the harder, something he couldn't afford to have happen to him. Exhaling sharply he threw a black look in Miklos' direction before storming past both of the men in suits. Throwing open the polished silver doors of the club he stepped out into the arms of his lover, darkness. Slamming the doors shut behind him he looked up at the sign above them.

'The Raven,' he thought to himself with a smile, 'It won't protect you forever Robyn. When I'm through with you, you'll wish to live never more.'

Still nothing had been found of her, still nothing had been seen. Not even the glassy waters of the lake had seen her. Day was closing its eyes in readiness for night, in readiness for sleep until it would awaken again. His body cried out for rest but he would not rest this night, he would not seek sleep nor would he succumb to its sweet song. Even if it took the last breath in his lungs he would evade it. With sleep came dreams. Dreams of her, dreams of death, dreams of dreams lost in a dream that would leave him more desolate in his search for hope. Tonight the moon and stars would watch over him, keeping him company in his watch for something that would never come.

In an infusion of reds, oranges, yellows and pinks the sun painted its setting colours across the sky. Just as it had brought light and warmth to the earth it took it away as it enfolded its life giving hand once more drawing in its golden fingers into the palm of darkness. In its descent it drew its star filled blanket over itself and darkness descended upon the earth once more. With darkness came a chill wind which forced him to draw his jacket tightly around him. A sound like the rustling of leaves reached his ears as his arms encircled his jacket.

With burgeoning curiosity he loosened his grip on his jacket. With trembling fingers he reached into a pocket sewn on the inside. Fear tinted his curiosity as his nervous fingers brushed against something in the pocket he sought and with reluctance beyond anything he'd felt before he drew it out. It was an envelope, a plain white envelope with nothing written on it. Something told him that it was for him, that there was something inside it that would bring his tireless searching for his missing love to an end. Slowly he opened it with baited breath lest he should breathe onto it and make it crumble to dust just as she had done hundreds of times underneath his fingers. Now vulnerable to his searching eyes the contents of the envelope fell victim to his probing fingers, he pulled out two plane tickets and a small note handwritten in a hand that was unknown to him. His eyes read those words, words that brought tears to his eyes as their meaning sunk in.

'Kit,

Robyn is alive. These tickets will take you to Toronto which is where you will find her. One is for you; the other is for her to bring her back home.

Good luck and best wishes,

A Friend,'