"Not necessary, Peter," Davy squeaked. Peter had gotten uncomfortably close to him and Davy fear was heightening at the intensity of Peter's anger rising. "I believe you."

"There's no way you've changed your mind that quickly. You were just revealing all your misgivings and now all of a sudden those have disappeared much like the people you claim I have taken."

"Well when you put it that way…"

"Listen there are perfectly reasonable explanations for everything, but you're so caught up in your own paranoia that you can't think logically."

Davy opened his mouth to say something and Peter shoved the former blindfold into it.

"I'm not letting you continue on with your quips and allegations. It's my turn now so I need you to stop talking and just listen."

Without any other choice, Davy sat back and listened.

"My appearance when coming home the past few days is just like I told you clumsiness. I did fall into a mud puddle that night and the gash on my arm was from falling into and breaking a window. My trunk is filled with A) a map of places we had important gigs, B) a book that I find interesting, C) the rope from when I won a tug-of-war championship, and D) a jar of my own baby teeth, my mother saved them and I didn't know what to do with them. I have put this stuff in the basement because it has sentimental value. I had good times at that camp and wanted things to remember them by and I use them to save your ass. Do you really think we always get out of scrapes by luck and bumbling crooks? No sometimes it takes a little extra convincing. And I would do anything for my friends. Satisfied?"

Davy spit out the blindfold and stared at Peter. "Okay that was good very persuasion. You almost had me. Where you trying to convince me or you?"

"Convince? It was the truth!"

"You missed some parts though. Like you being gone."

"It's embarrassing, Davy."

"Is living with embarrassment worse than this?"

Peter stood contemplating before answering.

"Fine…I'm taking…singing lessons."

"Singing lessons?" Davy asked skeptically cocking his head to the side.

"Yes, I know I'm not as vocally appealing as the rest of you and I needed some guidance. So I have been taking vocal lessons and the only classes available are for children."

"Let me get this straight, you have been taking singing lessons with little kids?"

"Yes and the day I was gone all day was the recital. I also am playing the piano for the recitals in exchange for the lessons. Also, to pay for the window I broke."

"Peter, why would you think your voice isn't as appealing?"

"I don't sing many of the songs," Peter answered despondently. "I'm aware that I'm not up to par as everyone else. I was just trying to improve."

"I still don't buy it."

"What?"

"I find it hard to believe that with all your musical talent that you don't feel like you're contributing enough to the group."

"What else could you possibly need? I've explained everything."

"There's still one thing I don't have an answer for. Where are…"

Davy was interrupted by the basement door slamming open.


"What is going on here?" said a thick Southern accent as it came rushing down the stairs.

Mike and Micky stood staring at Peter and a restrained Davy. Davy stared back wide eyed.

"You're alive!" he exclaimed.

"What are you talking about?" Micky asked confused. "Why wouldn't we be alive?"

"And why do I get the feeling we've stumbled upon Peter's evil lair?" Mike added.

"I can explain, like I have been trying to for what seems like forever," Peter began. "Davy's paranoid and I'm saving him from himself."

"I'm not paranoid!" Davy protested. "Peter has been acting suspicious lately and I suspect that he is behind the missing person epidemic going on around here."

"Missing person epidemic?" Micky inquired.

"Yeah there have been several people that have gone missing recently. Peter fits the description of a person of interest in the case and has been gone for long periods of time. And also there's my captivity in his armory," Davy replied without taking a breath.

Mike stood for a moment thinking. "I heard about that." Mike walked over and switched on a radio nearby. "You mean this?"

"Special news bulletin," a radio DJ announced, "Police have solved the case of the missing persons. The man police were looking for came forward as a recruiter for the circus. All missing persons have been identified and have joined the circus of their own free will. We will have more information as…"

Mike turned down the volume. "We heard that announcement on the way home. We got here and noticed no one was home and this door was cracked."

"What a relief," Peter sighed.

"I'd feel a bit more relief if someone untied me," Davy said.

"Maybe I should leave you there! Serves you right for accusing me," Peter joked.

"I'm sorry, Peter. I guess my mind got the best of me. I guess you were telling the truth and everything was just a huge coincidence."

"Thank you," Peter said as he worked on releasing his friend.

"Again, remind me not to get on Peter's bad side," Micky teased.

"And remind me not to watch horror movies alone again," Davy said rubbing his wrists.

"Remind me to tell people what I'm doing," Peter added.

"And remind me not to leave any of you alone together again," Mike finished. "Now someone tell me when we got a basement."