Just When You Thought It Was Safe

"HiiMom! Hi Dad!" yelled Coro and Lizzie in unison as they dashed into the apartment.

����������� Whoa!cried Sora very nearly dropping her basket of laundry.

����������� "Hey! Slow down!"Tai called half disapprovingly and half amused.

�����������"Sorry Mom! Sorry Dad!"yelled the twins as they disappeared into their bedroom.

�����������"Were we ever that young and hyper?"asked Sora throwing the laundry into the washer, "Computer. Start wash cycle"

����������� The clothes immediately began tumbling amongst the water and suds.

����������� "Hmmm. we?re not that old dear,"smirked Tai putting his arm around his wife?s waist and drawing her close to him playfully.

����������� "Not hardly," giggled Sora kissing her husband on the cheek and wiggling out of his grasp.

*� *� *�

����� "Computer. Lights on,"called Lizzie situating herself in front of the computer next to her brother.

����� "So. Wanna check out that new site Don put up?"asked Coro cracking his knuckles and leaning back in his chair.

����� "Sure. Why not,"agreed Lizzie tossing her wild dark brown hair out of her eyes.

����� "Computer. Sight 13283429-230, Don?s Domain,"commanded Coro.

����� "Beep. Processing request,"announced the computer, ?Request confirmed. Now enabelllllliiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggg..."The computer screen went blank.

����� "Huh? What's wrong with this thing?"asked Coro drawing up one light brown eyebrow.

����� "I dunno. Computer enable...whoa," Lizzie broke off looking at the dazzling pattern of lights flickering on her computer screen.

����� Suddenly two small metal objects dropped in the twin's laps.

����� "What the."Coro began.

*� *� *

�����"Kids! Dinner's ready!"called Sora.

�����"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!"came a scream from the twin?s room.

����� "Oh. Come on. My cooking's not that bad!" exclaimed Sora slightly indignantly," ......kids?"

����"Aaaaaaaaaaaa" the twin's voices began to fade.

����� "KIDS!"shouted Sora, panic gripping at her throat,"Computer. Open door,"The door to the children?s bedroom remained closed.

����� "Tai! Tai! Something's wrong with the kids!" screamed Sora pounding futily on the sealed door.

����� "What? What is it?"called Tai running instantly into the room at the note of urgency in her husband's voice.

����� "I don't know! The door won't open, and they were screaming and..."

����� Suddenly the lights flickered and went out.

�����"Coro! Lizzie! If this is some kind of a joke it is NOT funny!" yelled Tai pounding on the door.

����� All at once the lights flashed back on, and the door slid open with a gentle wosh.

����� "Kids?"called Sora cautiously stepping into the room. Lizzie and Coro were gone. The only presence in the bedroom was a computer screen repededly flashing a message.

����� "WARNING! VIRUS DETECTED! WARNING! VIRUS DETECTED!"

����� "Oh God,"whispered Tai grabbing his wife's hand for support. A single tear rolled down Sora's face and splashed to the floor. Far, far away another tear rolled down another very different cheek.