Panic in The Pandemic

Violin Gang

   It occurred to Steph that going with this Synkite character was a very bad idea.

   "To war, we go!" Synkite screams, ripping the sleeves off of his rented suit to tie around his head like a bandanna. "Raise your bows and let out a war cry!"

   Kasie and Steph watch as Synkite dances around, putting war paint on his face in the shape of two 'P's. "What does that mean?" Kasie asks.

   "It means Ping Ping! And if you don't worship him, we'll kill you!" Synkite shrieks.

   "Who is we?" Steph queries. Synkite chuckles darkly as he heads along the mountain he dragged them to.

   "You will see soon, young ones."The two of them follow Synkite and try to act casual as he leads them into a dark cave. "Here, we need a blood sacrifice on the rock," Synkite says gravely. "You, sacrilegious kid, give me your bow." He snatches Steph's bow and breaks it over his knee before aggressively wiping the splinters on the rock.

   "Hey!" Steph yells but falls silent when the rock suddenly groans and rolls to the side. "Welcome," says Synkite, "To the Violin Gang."