Chapter One:

An Unexpected Friend & Ally

2/13/19

"Carmen Sandiego, get back into that bed. Right this minute!" Ivy snapped at me, as she walked into my room.

"Ivy!" I admit it, I whined. I'd been bed ridden for the past month. Ever since my fight with Coach Grunt. Apparently, the human body doesn't like being crushed. Who knew?

"Ivy, I'm restless. I can stand for a few minutes. It won't kill me." I sigh and try not to wince, when my ribs twinge.

"Oh yeah?" Ivy stomps over and pokes me in the ribs, low blow.

"Ow! Really, seriously?" I bat her hand away and snort. "That hurt more then standing dork!"

"Sorry, just when we found you at the rendezvous. You looked like you were dying, sounded like it to. Scared me to death!" Ivy hands me a coffee.

"I'm sorry Ivy, really, I am. But, you can't keep me in bed for the rest of my life. I stuck the coffee on the dresser. I didn't know why she kept giving it to me. I hated coffee, she knew this.

"I know, I know. I'm sorry. Just don't want to lose you is all." Ivy sighed and sat on the bed.

"I love you too Ivy." I smiled and nudged her.

"Look, Zack and I were barely making ends meat before you. We tried jobs and pays, and we got evicted and had to stay in a homeless shelter. It was terrible, Zack got really sick. I thought he was going to die. So, I stole medicine to make him better. And food to keep his strength up. Clothes and blankets to keep him warm. It just became a thing, and I got so good at it. But, even then I was only stealing what we needed to survive. We decided to rob that donut shop of it's money. Then go somewhere warm and live. That's when we met you. Just, if something happens to you. Then we might have to go back to that?" Ivy sighs and sniffs.

"No." I said, as a matter of fact.

"No? No, what?" Ivy frowns, confused.

"No, you won't be poor and alone. Player has made you each an account. With a lot of money in it for you each. Every job he puts more and more in. If anything happens to me. Or you don't want to do this anymore. It's all yours. Kind of like a trust fund?" I smile, at the look of dumbfound on her face.

"What? You don't I was paying you for all this?" It was my turn to frown now.

"Well, we got money from the jobs, and stuff. So no, I guess not." Ivy shrugs and beams. "I still don't want you to die though."

"Of course not. No one's dying, I promise. I'm way to young to die. I haven't even had a boyfriend yet." I chuckle and do a few stretches. Being in bed for that long, has made me stiff as a board.

"I'm going to need some serious training, before I can go out there again. I'm stiff and rusty." I continue to stretch. Ignoring the tweaks and burns.

"I'd say." She throws an apple at my back. I spin and catch it, before taking a bite.

"Not that rusty!" I smile, as Zack walks in.

"Hey, that's my apple. I'm hungry and we don't have any groceries." Zack whines.

"How about I go and get us some?" I smile and grabs my hoodie and shoes.

"No! You are not going outside. ACME has been hunting you ever since Chase was captured. Thankfully he's fine." Ivy sighs and tries to take my hoodie and shoes from me.

"Yes, thankfully. I'll be fine. Relax Ivy." I take back my things and walk out.

"Yes please, thank you." I smile and place the items in my bag.

"One apple please." Comes a voice from behind me.

I freeze, I know that voice. It's Inspector Chase Devineaux. I try to act normal and put my things away. But, my fingers slip on my apple and it hits the floor. I bend down to pick it up, when someone's hand covers mine. I look up into Inspector Devineauxs eyes, he just smiles and hands me the apple.

We sit like that for what seemed like hours, even though it was only a few seconds. When he finally winks at me and stands up.

I get up and frown at him, he nods towards the door. I take a glance and see three ACME agents. Before I can move, Devineauxs hand grabs mine and he shakes his head slightly.

He nods to the agents to move on. "No one here. Try the next store." He squeezes my hand while they walk out. He sighs and looks at me.

"Long time no see my dear. Did you miss me?" He grins and winks at me.

"Um…" I stutter and jump when Julia appears by his side.

"Good, you found her. We need to leave now. I have the back door clear and a car waiting." Julia nods to me and walks to the back.

"Let's go." He tugs on my hand, but I break free and step back.

"I'm not going anywhere with you, are you crazy!" I say, a little to loudly.

"Shh! You will bring the agents back. You can trust us. We're trying to help you." He holds out his hand once again.

I look at his hand, then his face. Something in his eyes, made me trust him. I grab my bags and take his hand. He smiles and pulls me towards the back and out the door.

"We must hurry. Don't worry, all your things and your friends are already at the safe house." Julia smiles and climbs into the car.

"Why?" Is all I can get out, before Devineaux shoves me into the car.

"Later." He says as he shuts the door.