Me, Thomas, and Brooke are in the hospital hallway and it's almost noon. We went tot the hospital in Southport after Emma called Brooke and told us what's going on.

That April has been in the hospital, since last night!

Fear and concern have been tugging at my heart and I can be sure that Emma was pretty worried about her as well.

But why was she in the hospital? What happened to her? That's what Emma didn't tell Brooke or me on the phone. And I wonder if Ben knows.

Well I'm about to find out.

We already asked the hospital receptionist what room April is in and we're on our way there now.

We saw the room number that April is in and we all went inside. When we entered the room, we saw Emma, and her parents in the hospital room with April, who is in her patient clothes and is now laying on her back on the bed.

April's awake and fine. Which that's a big relief. I let out a sigh.

Emma and her parents turned their gazes on me, Brooke, and Thomas as we entered the room. Emma's father Dean said to us, "Well I figured that you guys showed up. Emma said that she called you guys."

Brooke walked up to Dean and said, "Well, I'm as shocked as everyone else. April is a nice girl."

Thomas nodded and said, "We all decided to come and see her, see how she's doing."

I asked Emma, "Is she doing alright?"

Emma nodded, "Yeah, she's fine. April called me this morning and me and my parents came here soon afterward."

Brooke shrugged and asked Dean and Emma's mom, Dolores, "What happened to her?"

Dean only answered, "She said that her house was on fire and someone rescued her. That someone brought her here and dropped her off."

I frowned at Dean, "Who?"

Dean shook his head, "We don't know. April said she doesn't know at all." He looked at April who is watching us talking to each other and grinned, "We're glad you're alive and well. You must have some guardian angel watching over you."

April nodded as she still laid down in bed, "Yeah....I know."

I frowned at her. She looked like she was scared of some sort.

And I don't think it's just that her house was on fire. But it's...More than that.

It looked liked the same kind of fear as I had before.

I'm thinking that her guardian angel was Ben. He must have brought her to the hospital last night and took off.

But what happened to her really? What is it that we don't know?

I hope Ben's ok...He must have been devastated.

He...Really loves her, he really does.

But at least April's alive, that's a good thing. I don't think Ben could take another heartbreak in his life. He has lost mother, he wouldn't want to lose April too.

God I'm really glad she's ok, for Ben's sake.

I don't want Ben to feel alone again. Not even when he finally has the love of his life be taken away from him.

So what really happened to her? What caused her house to be on fire?

April said to what Thomas asked her, "I should be out of the hospital in a few hours. At least, I'm not staying here for a long time. The doctors said that I don't have any major injuries, just a few minor ones."

Brooke smiled and nodded, "That's good."

April then had a serious look and asked Dean, "Sheriff...Can you, Dolores, and Thomas leave me, Emma, Jonas, and Brooke alone with me?"

Dean frowned suspiciously at her, "Why?"

April only stared at him and I could see where this is going.

She REALLY wanted to talk to me, Emma, and Brooke alone. Something's up, I can see it.

Dean gazed at her for another moment and nodded, "Well...Alright, we'll leave you guys alone."

Thomas eyed Brooke curiously, "Brooke, what's this all about?"

Brooke only shrugged, "I don't know." She looked at me and I only stared at her.

Dean held Dolores hand and Dolores said to April, "We'll be right back honey, ok?" And with that she and Dean left the room.

Thomas left the room shortly afterward, so now me, Emma, and Brooke are alone with April.

I walked up beside April's bed and gave her a curious look, "What's going on, April?"

Brooke asked as well, "Yeah...Why did you want to talk to us alone?"

April looked at the doorway, making sure that no one is listening. Finally she looked at us and whispered, "Someone tried to kill me."

Emma put both hands to her mouth and let out a small gasp. She removed her hands off her mouth and whispered back, "What?"

I was in shock as well and asked, "Who? Who did this to you? Who tried to kill you?"

April started to shake a bit in fear and she shut her eyes tight, "I....I don't know. There were...Three people...Wearing ski masks." She let out a trembling breath and went on, "Someone knocked on the front door and I just answered. They...Broke through when I opened it."

April hands started to tremble in fear and Emma came to comfort her, by holding April's hands. April started to cry a bit and she said, "I was...Scared. They came through the door and one of them just placed a hand to my mouth the stop me from screaming." She let out a breath and opened her eyes, "They...One of them did ask me a question before...Everything happened."

I asked, "What question?"

April shook her head in disbelief, "I don't get it. They...Know him. Before they...Knocked me out and left me to burn in that house. I saw them pouring gasoline around the house before they...They...."

I pressed her, "April, what was their question?"

April took a deep trembling breath and let it out, until finally she answered, "They asked me...Where's the gryphon?"

My eyes went wide. They know Ben? They knew she has Ben living at her farm?

Who are they?

Then I let out a small gasp that no one heard me. Are they...The guys in suits? The ones that tried to kill me and Ben six years ago? Fear has clawed at my chest now, my heart pumping fast.

Were there more of them all along? Did...Did they find us?

*****

Ben lovingly nuzzled April's head and said, "I was afraid I would never see you again. I...I thought you wouldn't come back." He started to cry against her chest now and April comforted him, by petting the top of his head.

She hugged him tight and smiled, "I'm still alive big guy. I won't leave you."

I smiled at the scene, as I watched them embrace each other.

It has been a few hours after April told me and the others what happened to her before she blacked out. That she was attacked and left to die in her burning house.

After we all left the hospital, me, Brooke, April, and Emma alone went to find Ben.

We all knew that he wouldn't stay at April's house since it's not there anymore. So we all went to go to the cave where me and Ben stayed together before I started to live in town.

After we found Ben in the cave sleeping, he was overjoyed to see us and April. He was happy to see her indeed and so was April.

Not long after that, we all went to the burned remains of April's house, hoping we would find clues that those guys left behind.

I still can't believe it's happening again. But could it be those same people who tried to kill me and Ben years ago?

It's a possibility, but how did they find us? They haven't found us for years!

Well somehow they did find us and right now I think this is just the beginning. That they're just getting warmed up.

Warmed up to kill me and Ben.

They probably wanted to weaken us by taking our loved ones away. But how could they have found out about April knowing me and Ben?

I can't think of any answer. I don't know what to think anymore.

But I know what's on my mind now.

They hurt April, then me and Ben would hurt them!

If we find out who did this to her, WE'RE GONNA KILL THEM!

But where do we start? How can we find them?

There has to be some way to find them.

Emma walked up to me and grabbed my hand to hold it tight. I returned the gesture by tightening my grip on hers. I turned my gaze to her and smirked.

She frowned, "What?"

I shook my head, "Oh nothing. Its just...I'm just love the whole scene that we're seeing. Don't you ever see this kind of thing all the time?"

Emma followed what I was saying and looked at Ben and April still in their embrace. She smiled and said, "Not really. But it's rather cute to see those two reunite together. Seems...Romantic in a way."

My eyebrows went wide. I never told anyone about Ben and April's relationship. So I guess she's just assuming. But she assumed right.

The way they hold each other...It is romantic.

Ben finally removed his head off April's chest and said, "I'm still glad you're okay. I...I don't know what I would do without you."

April stroked his feathered face affectionately and said, "Well you really are Superman. You...You saved my life."

Ben grinned at her, "Well I wouldn't just leave you in that freakin house. I couldn't take the pain. But...After I got you out of the house and you didn't wake up...I thought you were dead. But you were just unconscious. So I knew for certain I had to fly you to the hospital and drop you off there." He sighed, "I know that it was a big risk of getting spotted, but I had to get you there. After I dropped you off, I flew all the way back to the cave before I started living with you and just stayed there."

April giggled, "Well Superman, I'm glad you did. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you." She gave his forehead a kiss.

Ben said after she gave him the kiss, "Well I'm glad you didn't leave me...Lois Lane." She started giggling again and Ben did as well.

Me and Emma walked up to them and I said, "Well other than April being alright, we're just glad you're doing okay as well. When April wounded up in the hospital, we all thought something bad happened to you."

Ben looked at me and said, "I'm tougher than that kiddo, you know that." Then he smugly smiled and shot up his head, "Ha, if anyone tries to pick a fight with me, I'll show them who's the boss."

I rolled my eyes and so did Emma. That's Ben for ya. Being a smug show off as usual.

Emma giggled and went to pet Ben as well, "Well still feather ass, you're our friend and we wouldn't want anything to happen to you."

Ben leaned into her touch and said, "I know Emma...I know."

We all heard Brooke hollering, "Hey guys!" We all followed her voice and saw that she was coming back form the black wooden remains of April's house. She was looking around there for clues.

I know we should have just helped her out, but hey she's a cop, so lets let her do her job.

Brooke came back with fast strides and Ben asked, "So did you find anything?"

Brooke held something in her hand and raised it, "It's a zippo lighter. I found it near April's front door to her house." She shrugged, "Well I think that's where her front door is now, but nevertheless, I found it."

I grabbed the zippo lighter out of her hand and examined it, "Well apparently it survived the fire...Barely. So I wonder who used it?"

Brooke said, "Well there probably wouldn't be fingerprints on it. The fire did some damage to it and not to mention if what April said is true. Then those guys wearing the ski masks probably became prepared. They must have worn gloves just in case."

I handed the lighter back, "Well we all touched it, so what good would that do now?"

Brooke sighed, "Yeah, I probably shouldn't have done that, but too late now."

Ben growled a bit and raised his head above our levels, "If I EVER find out who did this to April, I'm going to KILL THEM."

I looked up at him and nodded, "I agree. This is bullcrap. No one like April should go through that kind of thing."

Brooke held out her hands and said, "Now boys, just think about what you're doing. Killing is not the answer."

Me and Ben glared at her and I said, "What the hell, Brooke? I thought you didn't mind our vigilante techniques."

Brooke came closer to me. She pointed her finger and planted it on my chest, "I don't mind that you two are heroes, but what I do mind is killing people. It's still against the law."

Ben shook his head, "I don't care. I will kill those assholes."

Brooke removed her finger off me and looked up at Ben. She glared at him, "Ben NO. It's not a good thing to do."

Ben shot back, "So what? It's not like we haven't done that before."

Brooke protested, "I can arrest them, if the police find them. They can go away for life."

Ben lowered his head to her level and asked, "And what if they go free? Do you want to take that chance?"

Brooke got right into his face, "Ben, killing is not the answer."

"Like I care!"

She sneered, "Hey! You're rationale is not clear right now."

Ben said, "And what would happen if someone did that to your husband? Would YOU want to kill them?"

Brooke closed her eyes and sighed. She opened them and answered, "I don't know."

Ben raised his head and he softened his gaze, "Look...I'm sorry, but I can't let this go. If someone hurt Jason, or you, or anybody, I will make them pay for it." He narrowed his eyes at Brooke, "I will not let this go. Not ever, until they all die."

Brooke said, "Look, just let me look around some more. There could be other clues here." She started to go back to the burned down house and hollered as she walked, "I'll be right back!"

All of us watched as she went back to do her investigation. After we saw her walk away, April placed a comforting hand to his chest. Ben took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "Well...This was a bit intense for vain bird like me."

I nodded, "Very intense."

April looked at me and asked, "Hey Jason, can I stay with you at Brooke's? I know I would stay at Emma's, but I would feel more safe if I'm with you."

I smiled and nodded, "Sure, no problem."

Ben lowered his head to April and asked, "What about me? What am I suppose to do?"

April looked at Ben's face and said, "Don't worry, I'll come visit you at the cave when I get the chance, ok? I don't want to take the chance staying there now. I want to be Jason right now." She placed both hands to his face, "I'll come see you, ok? I promise."

Ben looked at her for five seconds and he sighed in resignation, "Alright. But please don't keep a gryphon alone for too long."

She planted a kiss to his cheek and put on a smile for him, "I won't."

*****

I flew on Ben's back all the way back to the cave, after all of us were done searching for clues at April's burned down house.

The only thing we've found was that lighter, but it probably wouldn't help us, since it's kinda damaged.

We didn't have any options right now, so we all just left.

Well Brooke, Emma, and April all walked back to town, while me and Ben were heading back to the cave.

So now, after Ben landed in the area near the cave, we're both walking back to it. Not very long after we landed we could see the cave now.

Me and him walked until we were at the mouth of the cave. Ben and I stopped and I said, "Well...I guess this is it for today."

Ben sighed, "Yep."

I walked to his body and gave it a pat, "You gonna be ok alone?"

Ben nodded, "Sorta, but it would feel weird to be alone. I want April to sleep close to me."

I nodded, "I know, but she's so shaken up she wants to stay with me for now." I gave him a comforting smile, "Don't worry, you'll see your girlfriend again."

Ben sighed once more, "I hope so kiddo. If something bad happens to her, I'll-"

I narrowed my eyes at him, 'Stop it. Nothing bad will happen. I'll keep her safe, I promise."

Ben looked down at me and smiled, "Thank you, Jason."

I gave his body another pat and started to back away from him, "Look I'm going back to town now. So maybe tomorrow in the afternoon me and April will come here, ok? Just hang in there."

He nodded, "Got it."

I nodded back, "Ok." I waved at him, "Later." And I whirled around on him, to start walking away from him.

Ben called out before I walked any further, "Jason, wait."

I stopped and whirled back around to face him, "What is it?" I walked back to him.

Ben lowered his head to my level and said, "I...I got a feeling I know who's behind it."

I frowned at him, "What? Who?"

Ben sighed and waved a paw at me, "Look kiddo, this might sound WAY off the wall, but you have to listen to me. I know that I'm not crazy and I know that for certain he's behind it." He took a deep breath and added, "I could feel it."

I pressed him, "Who big guy?"

Ben said, "Clifford."

My eyes went wide and then I frowned, "What?"

Ben groaned a bit, "Let Jason. I know it's a bit much, but ever since he came to see me the other day, I've been getting suspicious of him."

I only stared at him, still only registering what he just said. Finally I shrugged my arms and asked, "Why? What made you think he's...Up to something?"

Ben nodded and answered, "Well, when he was talking to me, he keeps giving me this look. Some weird look. I don't know what it is, but it's weird enough to make you feel not right about him. It...Its like he did something wrong and I can't figure out what."

I closed my eyes and sighed, "You know what, you're not the only one who thinks Clifford is weird. Emma thought that way about him as well."

Ben cocked his head and I went on, "But I didn't think that's the case, I think she was wrong about him. She just doesn't know him like we do. Look Ben..." I waved my hands and shook my head, "I don't think Clifford's behind THIS. I mean, why would he want to kill April?"

Ben narrowed his eyes, "To get to me and you."

I asked again, "But why?"

Ben asked, "Jason, don't you think it's a bit of a coincidence that Clifford just shows up in Southport and finds us? Don't you see anything wrong?"

I shook my head, "Not really."

Ben let out a frustrated growl, "Jason, I don't want to believe that Clifford's the bad guy here. But...Something's off with him. And not to mention, not long after we both meet him, April got attacked by three guys and they tried to burn down her house. I think THAT is a bit too much to be a coincidence."

I backed away from Ben a bit and he went on, "Think about it kid. None of that has ever happened before, until HE showed up. He must have told those guys where I lived and sent them there. You and April said, that they were looking for me. Don't you think, that's a red flag?"

I sighed and shook my head, "I don't know anymore. But I don't want to think that Clifford's bad. He's family." Then I put a hand to my chin and added, "Well I haven't seen him yet, now that I think about it. But that still doesn't mean that he's trying to kill us."

Ben sat down on his haunches and said, "Or just me. But who knows really."

I walked to Ben and said, "Look, we'll find out who's behind it and we'll make sure they pay for hurting April. They won't get away with this."

Ben sighed, "I hope so."

I reached out to give his leg a rub and said, "I'll be back with April tomorrow, ok? Just don't fret about it too much. I'll look after her."

Ben looked down at me and nodded, "Ok."

I started to back away and whirled around on him. I was about to walk away, when Ben said, "Jason."

I stopped and he went on, "Whatever you do, don't trust Clifford. Just stay away from him. If he's behind it, then he might kill you. Whatever you do, don't trust him a bit."

I registered all the words Ben said to me and said without turning around, "Alright." And with that, I walked away from him, on the dirt trail that'll lead me out of the woods. Leaving Ben alone to his cave.

Well I better get back to Brooke's house, Brooke and April are waiting for me by now.

As I walked, Clifford came to mind. Are Emma and Ben right about not trusting Clifford? Can he not be trusted?

Is he behind what happened to April? Are those guys working for him?

I don't want to think that he's bad. But now...I don't know anymore.

Maybe I should stay away from him, just in case.

At least Clifford, doesn't know where this cave is at, so at least Ben's safe.

But what about me living in town? What about Emma and April?

He already met them, and if he's behind this mess, what would he do?

I don't like this.

I don't like it at all.

*****

I walked back to my house and it's nighttime in town. Since I can't sleep right now, I feel like I want some exercise to get rid of all the extra energy.

I couldn't get what happened to April out of my head. That my best friend wounded up in the hospital.

I sighed as I took long fast strides on the sidewalk. I'm really glad she's fine. Me and her have been best friends for a long time. I don't want anything bad to happen to her.

Ben...That poor handsome bird. He's pretty close to her and he almost lost her last night. Well at least he saved her before she would die.

But I hope that...Whoever tried to kill April and are after Ben don't find him. I hope that Jason doesn't get hurt, would they know that Jason knows Ben? Come to think of it, I hope they don't know that I'm friends with Ben.

If they did, then what would they do? Try to burn my house down with me and my parents in it?

Would we escape in time?

God I hope that doesn't come to it.

As I continued to walk on the sidewalk on main street, everything around me is quiet and dark. Everyone in town has went to sleep by now.

Seems quiet around here.

I walked on, until suddenly someone put a hand to my mouth and started to drag me to an alley. I screamed into his mouth, but it didn't do me any good.

My eyes went wide with horror. No, not again!

Am I about to be raped like I was before?

I have to get out of here!

I thrashed in the guy's grasp, but he held me tight.

He dragged me further into the alley, until we both stopped. I mumbled in his mouth and then I could see someone walking from the entrance of the alley, walking toward us.

The figure's face came as he got closer and I let out a muffled gasp in the guy's mouth.

Clifford? Clifford Brewer?!

Jason's family friend?!

What's going on here?!

Clifford had a grim face as he looked at mine and he said in a threatening tone, "Hello Emma."

I only stared at him in fright. Too powerless now to escape.

What's he going to do to me?