It was evening. The sun had begun to sink beneath the horizon. Framed in the light of its orangey hazed path dark clouds drifted along, slowly, unhindered in a journey without end. Many a time he had watched similar clouds making a similar journey against a similar backdrop. Turning away from the window, now, and returning to the present he headed back into the bathroom where he was running the bath.

Robyn was sat on the toilet lid, wrapped in a towel. The bath was for her. Checking the bath, Kit knelt down beside her and kissed her on the cheek. Standing up again he turned both taps off and checked the temperature of the water. After making sure it wasn't too hot, or too cold, he picked Robyn up and lowered her gently into the rippling water. Once she was settled he knelt down beside the bath and ran the back of his hand down her other cheek.

As he looked at her naked body he could still see the scratch marks inflicted on her tender, pale flesh by Cain's sharp fingernails. They stood out angrily against her complexion and there were too many for him to count accurately. She was still bruised in places where he had either struck her or held her too tightly. No matter how he tried he couldn't conceive why anyone would have wanted to hurt her in that way, she had never done anything to anyone. Looking down at her wrist he could see the scar that was left from the cruel beast's first attack on her, like the scar on her cheek it was a scar that would never heal, much like the scars she carried within.

"Look at this hair," He said light heartedly trying to take his thoughts from such things, "If we don't wash it soon it'll crawl right off of your head."

Robyn nodded in response but said nothing.

"While you're here we'll get it washed, ok? It'll make you feel a little better."

Again Robyn nodded.

Getting up, Kit went over to the sink and reached into the cupboard underneath it. It took some rummaging but he soon found a jug to use to help him wet Robyn's hair. Rejoining her by the bath he scooped some water into it before tilting her head back and poured the water over the back of it. Doing this a couple more times until her hair was completely wet he told her to close her eyes and began massaging some shampoo into it. After rinsing it out with clean water from the taps he added some conditioner before rinsing that out as well with more clean water.

He handed Robyn a flannel to wipe her face with while he dried his hands on a towel. Putting the jug back he turned to face her when he heard her say his name.

"Yeah?" He asked closing the cupboard door.

"I don't want to be on my own in here."

Knowing what Robyn meant he walked over to her. Coming to a silent decision he stripped off his shirt, socks and trousers. He kept his underwear on as he stepped into the space she had left for him and sat down. Once he was in safely he pulled her towards him and let her rest with her back against his chest.

"Why have you still got your boxers on?" Robyn asked, puzzled.

"Because I want you to feel safe. I don't want you feeling uncomfortable with me being in here with you. You know I'd never do anything to you but I just want to make sure you know that."

"I do feel safe you, only with you. You and-"

"I know," Kit replied planting a kiss on Robyn's temple, "I know."

Wrapping his arms tighter around her Kit held onto Robyn as he buried his face in her wet hair. They stayed like that until the water became too cold for them to stay in the bath any longer.

Robbie sat in his chair ineffectually trying to rid his mind of the plague that afflicted it. In a flurry of activity thoughts would come and go and then there would be nothing. In these moments of peace he would try to sort through these thoughts hoping to find some resolution to questions that sprung up without an answer. So caught up in the affairs of his mind was he that he was deaf and blind to all around him. He didn't hear Kit coming down the stairs with Robyn held firmly in his arms. It was only when he felt an outside awareness brush his own that he looked up. He noticed Robyn sat on the sofa and Kit standing behind it.

"What are you two up to?" He asked trying to not seem as far away as he felt.

Kit smiled a little, "I'm going out for a walk, and Robyn's staying here. I won't be long, not more than half an hour anyway."

"Ok, while you're out see if the shop is still open. We need a few things but if it's closed we can wait until tomorrow."

Kit nodded and bent over the back of the sofa to kiss Robyn. He turned to leave but temptation caught up with him and he blew a kiss to Robbie who accepted it with a chuckle.

Once the door had closed behind Kit, Robbie looked over at Robyn. Getting up from his chair his sat down beside her. Much to his surprise she didn't attempt to move away from him, she shuffled closer to him and snuggled up to him. It didn't escape him that they were sitting in the same places as they had been when he had confessed his dreaded secret to her. Instead of running away from him now she was doing the exact opposite, it was something he offered no resistance to.

As the sun sunk lower in the sky the light in the room began to recede. Shocked from her evident calm, Robyn looked panicked as darkness began to creep in through the windows. Robbie noticed this and his brow creased in concern until he understood why she was reacting this way. Wrapping an arm around her he leant over and turned on the small lamp standing on an end table at the end of the sofa. As soon as it was turned on and light filled the room once more Robyn settled considerably. It was some time before she was completely calm. She kept looking at the light as if it would turn off by itself plunging her again into the darkness. Into the darkness filled with memories of him, of what he had done.

In order to give Robyn all the possible peace of mind he could give her, Robbie pulled her onto his lap. She didn't resist but seemed puzzled by his actions.

"You're scared of the dark aren't you?" Robbie asked, fixing his eyes on Robyn's.

Robyn nodded, "I am. Every time it gets dark I see him, standing there. Every time I close my eyes he's there. I feel him all around me. It feels like I can't get away from him. That he's around every corner. I'm just so afraid."

"I know what you're going through, believe me I do."

"You do?"

"Yes, because I used to be afraid of the dark too."

It didn't take long for Robyn to realise what Robbie meant. Shifting herself slightly she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face against his shoulder. Neither of them noticed Kit standing in the doorway, a tear running down his cheek.