Today, we decide to go it alone and split up. With only two Chaos Emeralds left to find, there are so many places that they could be. We need to cover all the ground that we can. The good thing about this is that Silver and I have a better chance at being the ones who find both Chaos Emeralds if we split up. We agree to just look wherever. Silver and I discuss our own game plan as we stand in a far end of the room.

"Okay," I decide in a hushed tone, "I'll check Station Square. I already covered Mystic Ruin with Knuckles yesterday, so maybe you should cover that area today. Looking in the same spots as yesterday won't make me of much use, but if you survey the area, you might pick up on some stuff that the knucklehead and I might've missed."

Silver doesn't chuckle at the knucklehead remark; he's as serious as a heart attack right now. "Sounds like a plan." We high five each other, eventually closing our hands into each other and interlocking our fingers. We stare each other in the eyes and smile. Silver's solemn attitude fades for a brief moment, but quickly returns after we blush and let go of the other's hand.

"So," I add awkwardly. "...Let's get moving." That last sentence was somewhat staggered as it came out of my mouth, and the way that I said it almost resembled how a question would sound.

Comó embarazoso.

-x-

Hm. Where to look first?

I suppose I could check the boardwalk again. Now that the carnival's gone, a Chaos Emerald easily could've gotten lost in the cleanup hysteria. Maybe it could be in a store. (Only problem is that I would have to steal the damn Emerald, since Amy's blackmailing had drained me of my funds.) I could check garbage, but that's disgusting. How about I leave that in the back of my mind as a desperate last resort option?

Where else could I—?

Wait a minute. What did I just bump into? There's nothing here...

All of a sudden, a purple chameleon shows himself in front of me. His back is turned to me, so he does a 180 to face me. "You blew my cover," he points out as irritation slowly builds up in both his voice and expression.

"Sorry, man. I didn't know that you were there. I mean—"

He puts his arm around my shoulder, brings me down a little, and cups his other hand over my mouth. "Shhhhh!" he warns me. "I can't be noticed. I'm supposed to be incognito, and you're not helping with that."

"Sorry," I apologize once more, though I don't think that he could hear me all too well, considering that his hand is muffling my speech.

All of a sudden, he drags me into the shadows of the nearest alley, with his reasoning being that I could "jeopardize his entire operation"—whatever that's supposed to mean.

-x-

We navigate the city through backroads that were hidden inside of the alleys. I have no idea where he's taking me, but I sure as hell don't want to stick around to find out.

"So, why did you kidnap me again?" I dare to ask.

The stealthy chameleon replies as he subconsciously goes through the concealed alley maze, "I told you—you're going to jeopardize my mission. I was just about to break into that museum to retrieve evidence for a client."

"So, wait, are you a mercenary or something?"

"I'm a spy for a detective agency. Chaotix. I assume you've heard of us." The agent makes a sharp right, followed by an even sharper left. "I'm a trained ninja."

"Coolness," I admire. Then, I admit, "I've never heard of your agency, though. I'm kinda new to Station Square. I've only been here for a little less than two weeks."

"Still shocked that you haven't heard of us by now, but whatever." He continues turning at specific corners. This maze is much longer than I had anticipated that it would be.

"When can I go back to civilization?"

"As soon as my boss gives you clearance to leave, Voca."

Shock consumes me. "H-how do you know my name?"

"A good agent always has a vast knowledge of the people he or she is fraternizing with. Besides, we've heard of you. Voca. Chinchilla. Female. Seventeen years of age. Place of origin: Pueblo Village. Native language: Spanish (though you're more fluent in English). Of tribal descent. Father reported dead about four years ago. Runaway. Last seen with Sonic and company."

"Please don't tell me you're stalking me."

"No. I have my sources. The Chaotix has its way of gaining intel. We hear things. We've heard a lot about you as of recently."

In other words, you're all stalking me...

Before I can say another word, the chameleon announces, "We're here."

There's nothing but a decrepit wooden door in front of us. "Here" doesn't look to impressive at the moment. "What is this place?" I sneer. "The back door of a restaurant?"

He doesn't answer. Instead, the ninja folds his arms and kicks the door open. He marches inside, and I warily follow behind him. Just what the hell is going on anyway?

"Espio!" a crocodile yells at the ninja. "That door's fallin' off the hinges as it is. Could'ja not kick it?" The crocodile was wearing a gold chain around his neck and headphones (that weren't plugged in to anything) on his head. He's standing behind an oak desk. A sole light dangles from the ceiling above his desk. It's the only light in the room, and it gives the room a very vintage mystery film ambiance.

"Hmph," is Espio's response. He seems so nonchalant about the situation.

"Who's the furball?" the crocodile inquires. My teeth begin to grind angrily. I hate being called "furball."

Espio produces a Polaroid photo out of thin air and approaches the crocodile. He puts the photo face-down on the croc's desk and slides it towards the reptile. "This is a photo the anonymous client sent me," Espio explains. "It should explain a lot, Vector."

Vector picks up the photograph. His eyes haven't made contact with the visual yet. "What's that supposed to—" The reptile glimpses at the photo, then looks up at me. "Oh."

Alright, I think I've been weirded out enough for one day. I slowly begin to creep towards the door, when all of a sudden Espio, without even turning around, pulls a shuriken from out of nowehere and tosses it at me. I duck, and the throwing star impales the door with enough force that it shuts it. My heart begins to beat rapidly. On second thought, maybe Silver and I should've teamed up. "The hell was that for?" I growl.

Espio answers, "You must not leave yet."

"The least you could do is tell me what's going on here. Or turn on some lights in here. Either's fine with me."

"Okay!" a jubilant voice agrees from afar. All of a sudden, the rest of the Chaotix headquarters is revealed to me.

Quite honestly, there isn't much to see. Just Vector's desk, a chair, a television, and a potted plant. Oh, and there's an oversized bee floating in the background. "Charmy!" Vector scolds the childish insect. "You just ruined the entire moment!"

"Sorry, boss," Charmy, the source of the jubilant voice, apologizes.

I raise an eyebrow. "So. Care to explain what's going on here?"

"It's a detective agency," Vector remarks. "What more d'ya expect?"

I slap my palm into my face. "That's not what I meant."

Espio questions Vector, "Should we tell her?"

The crocodile laughs heartily. "Eh, why not? We've completed our mission."

"Well, most of it. I ran into her right as I was about to gather some more evidence for the client."

Vector doesn't seem to care about that other stuff. "Whatever. We got the main piece of our mission anyhow."