Disclaimer: I do not own the people, things, or places in this story. To God Be The Glory.
Chapter Ten: Unknown Danger
Dan nodded silently and let Luke push him forward through the woods. Dan stumbled over a root, wincing as Luke shoved him in the back to get him moving again. Suddenly they reached the outskirts of the woods, and Luke griped Dan's arm, keeping him back when they saw a frozen lake, and a girl skating on it. Luke pulled Dan down, watching the girl for a moment, before pulling out a knife. Dan tensed, staring at the knife,
"What are you planing to do with that?"
Luke looked at him scornfully. "I'm going to make you wish you didn't blab to the cops." He fingered the closed knife then moved his finger to the opening button. His finger froze over it, suddenly, staring at Dan speculatively. "You could do something that will be less...painful."
Dan swallowed looking at Luke, "What?"
Luke looked around, then pulled Dan to his feet, pushing him back through the woods, towards his camp sight.
When they reached the camp spot, Luke settled on the ground, and watched as Dan began building up the fire. Luke fiddled with his knife as he talked, "You know of anything around here worth taking?"
Dan shrugged, not looking at Luke as he warmed his hands by the fire, "There's a mansion right near here. And another one further down the road." He sank to the ground, "I'd bet they have good pickings."
Luke smiled and moved towards the fire, "Good, that might be enough for you to regain my trust." He shifted his knife into his other hand, and reached into his pocket, bringing out another knife, handing it to Dan. "I'll take the mansion near here. You do the other one. If you do it right, you'll be alive."
Dan stared at the knife, then reached out taking it, before he stepped back, his heart in his throat, "I- I can't." He looked up at Luke, "You know I've never robed a house. I've only picked pockets."
Luke smirked "Well, it's time for you to learn. Wouldn't you agree?" Luke opened his knife, pointing it at Dan. The younger boy let out a sigh, nodding in agreement. Luke reached into his pack, and pulled out some food, handing some to Dan.
Dan was just finishing his food, when he remembered Maypenny. He looked at Luke in trepidation, "Luke. Uh... I can't do it."
Luke who had just gotten up to stir the fire, whirled on him, "You what!?" Luke's voice was growling, and Dan flinched when Luke's hand reached for his pocket. But Luke just grabbed his things, shoving them into the pack. "You do it, or they'll be consequences. You know that."
Dan shook his head "I can't. A guy can change his mind about things, can't he?"
Luke snorted, "You're scared more of getting caught then of the consequences?" He glared at Dan "You said there were good pickings."
Dan jumped to his feet, "That's not why I'm backing out. I'm not scared. I'm backing out because even if practically no one want's me around, Maypenny, who's only known me for a few day's offered to change his world completely just to keep me. I will not do anything to back out of that." He saw the anger on Luke's face, and he backed away, keeping a safe distance between him and Luke.
"I'll give you one last chance. Are you coming or are you going to except the consequences?" Luke's voice was dangerusly low, and Dan pushed down a wave of fear.
"I'm not robing anyone."
Luke smirked "You go ahead. If I get caught I'll know who to blame the whole thing on. Then once everything is calmed down, I'll come at you."
Dan tenced, watching Luke move away from the fire, and he stepped forward to stop him. He spun around suddenly, though, when there was a crashing noise, and a girl's voice broke threw the night, "Dan! you've got to help me! Bobby's caught in a hole and I can't pull him out!" Dan watched in confusion as Trixie stumbled and fell to her knees, sobbing. He rushed to her and helped her up, fear for her safety over ruling his feallings.
"Trixie! what's wrong? Who's Bobby?" Dan tensed when he felt Luke moving towards them. "So this is Trixie. You're the one who's been helping me. You know, I never would have thought about framing Dan for all those things I did, until you blamed him for the watch."
Dan spun on Luke "Be quiet." He turned back to Trixie, "What's going on? Who's Bobby?"