Robin's Song

Pick Another Bedtime Story

Fox

I woke to Eden gently shaking my shoulder next to me. A hard grumble comes from me, but she doesn't stop.

"Fox," Eden whispers, "We have to get up. Remember? Robin has something to tell us."

Eden is right. I get up from my warm bed and swing my legs to the side of the bed. My hands rub my eyes while I try to forget the peaceful sleep I was just getting. Eden rummages through some drawers and starts scribbling on a piece of paper. I ignore her and find a sweater to slip on over my pajamas. Eden then tells me to slip the paper under Robin's door while she goes and slips another piece under Arlo's door.

My footsteps are light but the floorboards still creak under me. I wonder how long Eden has been awake and watching the time for. She's always punctual, even for things like this.

No movement comes from behind Robin's door, but Arlo's immediately opens. His eyes struggle to open as he neatly folds the paper into his pajama pockets. Arlo wavers from sleepiness but then rests his body against his door frame. We all wait for Robin to open his door.

A minute of nothing goes by.

"Should we wake him up?" Arlo's deep voice quietly suggests. We all give him another minute. My legs start to go wobbly within seconds. If he doesn't come out soon then I'll collapse and sleep on the hallway carpet.

My hand goes to Robin's door knob. "He's had enough beauty sleep," I announce before letting myself in. My bare footsteps on the unseen piece of paper under his door. Arlo reaches down to collect it.

It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the dark bedroom, but soon I see where Robin is located in his bed. He must be a heavy sleeper because he didn't even stir when we entered his room. Eden follows behind me as we approach his bed. Under all the thick blankets, Robin's wild hair is noticeable. Cautiously, I peel a blanket back to reveal his whole face.

"He looks so peaceful when he sleeps." Eden's breath goes down my neck.

I shake Robin's shoulder to wake him. His body is warm, so at least he's not dead. Eventually, his eyes flutter and a slow hand reaches out to touch mine. Continuing to be asleep, he holds my hand. My head swivels around the room to look at Eden and Arlo.

"What do I do? Should I keep trying to wake him?"

Before they can answer, my hand is released and Robin finally shifts from under his covers. A frustrated groan is heard. He's the one who woke us up, I would like to argue that he isn't allowed to complain.

"Hello...everyone," Robin's, almost inaudible, voice welcomes us from where we stand around his bed. Robin's eyes start to close once again. That's when I quickly tug at the nearest lamp cord. A bright light illuminates the room. Robin's groans of protest rise again, but at least he's awake.

"Morning, sunshine." Arlo takes a seat in a chair. "What news did you have for us?"

It takes Robin a moment to take a sip of water from his nightstand before talking. A troubled look has replaced whatever tiredness he previously felt. Still feeling weak from exhaustion, I pick a far corner of Robin's bed to sit on.

"Right," Robin breathes. "The poison."

Poison? What about poison? Suddenly I feel sick at the possibility of being poisoned. Surely I hadn't been, Robin would have told us earlier and not in the middle of the night.

Robin's finger points to a jar sitting on his dresser. Eden picks it up and reads the label. Listing all the different toxic elements within it.

"What about it?" Arlo asks. He also looks pale from potential sickness.

Robin finally tells us the information he needs us to know. "As a part of my father's plan, I have been instructed to put poison in your drinks during tomorrow's dinner. You will then go unconscious and be taken to a new area where you will be held and captured."

A horrid gasp crawls out of my throat. That sounds terrible. I couldn't image how traumatic it would be to go through all that. My thoughts start to spiral until Robin starts to talk again.

"But, I am telling you all the plan so we can avoid it. I will pretend to poison you all, and you will pretend to be under the influence. There is no going around the transferring part, but I will make sure everyone is safe."

Carefully, I take in this new part of our plan. I look at the others to see they are doing the same. Arlo's feet rock side to side while staring at the ground. Eden's shocked hand never leaves her mouth.

"What's going to happen at the second location?" You know, the place where we will be imprisoned?" These questions arise from me.

Robin moves the covers off his legs to shift closer to where I sit. His body shifts towards mine, a reassuring hand is placed on mine. His eyes don't dare to look at me, however.

"I don't know everything. I do know we are moving to this place so this current location isn't revealed. The plan, according to my father, is gruesome. Your parents will be there, and if they refuse to pay the price to get you guys back, then you will be..."

Arlo cuts him off, "We're not going to let that happen, right?"

Eden nods, "Our parents won't be harmed either?"

Robin lets out a sad breath. "I can't promise anything. That's the hardest part. Through all of our best efforts, ideally, we won't let any of that happen. Our main goal is to stop my father... for good."

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