BOB RETURNS

"Let go of me! Bob!! PLEASE!" Dot cried.

"We told you, your Guardian is not here..!"

"Where are you taking me?!" She demanded.

"Level 31," he replied coldly.

Level 31! The seediest part of Mainframe! "NO!" Dot shouted as she tried to break free from his grasp. It was a useless struggle. He was too strong… and was moving too fast! Dot realized his new found speed and agility had to be a result of the merging.

Within a few milliseconds, Dot found herself in the warehouse district of Level 31. The creature ripped the door from one of the condemned buildings, and threw her in a corner. She glared at him, "Take me back to Kits!" she demanded.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he opened up a vid window and looked at her, "You will tell the principle office to give us access to the information vaults!"

"Says who?" Dot replied.

The creature came up to her, and put a hand around her throat, "Says USSSSS!" he hissed as he squeezed.

Dot’s eyes began to water as she gasped for breath, "Bob…*gasp* Sssstop..." The creature quickly let go of her, changing his demeanor once again. Dot put her hand up to her sore throat and gasped in the air she had been denied moments ago. Finally, she could breath again, "Bob...?" she began quietly.

"Do it, Dot… please…" Bob had returned.

"But.."

"I can’t fight the web creature for long… just do as it says!"

"Bob...I can’t..!"

"Trust me!" he said.

"What are you going to do?" she asked.

"The Guardian will do NOTHING!" It was the web creature. He had successfully regained control of Bob’s body once more. But Dot knew Bob… and she knew he had a plan!

Dot cleared her throat, "Fine…" she started, "I’ll do it! I’ll tell the principle office to give you access..!"

She went up to the Vid Window, and contacted the principle office. After a few microseconds, Phong’s face filled the window, "Yes, Dot… what is it..?"

She took a deep breath, and spoke, "Bob is back.."

Suddenly a purple face pushed Phong’s out of the way, "BOB’S BACK?!"

Dot sighed, "Yes, Mouse.. But…" she stopped. How was she going to break the news?

"But WHAT, honey?! Where IS he?!!" Mouse demanded.

"Something happened to him, Mouse… it’s bad.. VERY bad..!" Dot started.

"What do you mean ‘something happened’?? Dot, honey.. what in the ‘net is going on?!"

Dot took another deep breath, "A web creature merged with him… he’s not the same!"

"WHAT?!" A chorus of voices said. Obviously the conversation had gathered an audience in the principal office.

Dot shook her head, "I need access to the files on Web portals,"

"Dot, my child.. if Bob has merged with a web creature.." Phong began.

"I KNOW, Phong… but.." She looked behind her. The Creature was leaning against a wall.. waiting. Dot brought her face closer to the screen, and her voice became a whisper, "Bob is in there somewhere… I think he has a plan.."

"Dot.. if the Web creature .." Phong began. Dot interrupted him.

"Please, Phong.. .trust me! Trust BOB! It might be his – and OUR – only chance!"

Phong sighed, "Very well, child… bring him here. We will give him access.." he finished, "May the Net forgive me…" Phong muttered under his breath, and shut the Vid Window.

Dot looked at the creature, "It’s done," she said flatly.

"We will go now!" the creature said, and grabbed her as he headed towards the principle office.