I rub my temples. My head hurt, my back hurt. I needed to get out of the main showroom, where models were going to try on Medici gowns. My adopted mother forced me to come, seeing as it was a "way I could get interested in fashion". I walked quickly down the hall, trying to get to the bathrooms. I could see the entrance but before I could I felt a red blur bump into me, sending me tumbling to the floor. I blinked, but everything was too blurry to make out. I felt my eyelids getting heavier and suddenly everything was black.
I woke up in a van, not restrained and still wearing my fancy outfit:
Me, being the weird teen of 14 year old I am, opted for converse instead of nicer shoes. I loooove my converse. Anyway, I was just laying in the back of the van, curled in a protective position. I shivered, but found the strength to sit up. There was a driver at the front and two benches either side of the van. Two women were sitting; one on each bench.
The redhead looked at me. "Carm, she's awake." I heard her say. I shook my head and saw a woman in a red trench coat come towards me.
She knelt in front of me. "Are you ok? Does anything hurt?" I didn't respond. This didn't seem like a normal kidnapping. I wasn't tied up, they were asking how I was feeling, and they didn't look like thugs. "Please answer me. We're not trying to hurt you."
"My head hurts a little, but that's it. You know, other than the fact that I am sitting in the back of a strange van with strange people." I said, nervous.
"Ohh, Carm, this one has a sense of humor! I like her." The redhead said. I looked around while they discussed what to do with me. I turned around, and gasped.
"Why are the Medici gowns in your van?!" I asked, getting up to go over, but falling over again, still clutching my head.
"Listen. We can't explain that much to you if you're going to go home. Player, I'll send you a pic so you can identify where she lives." The woman in red pulled out a 'makeup palette' and snapped a pic of me. "Player?"
Everyone looked like they were listening to something, but I couldn't tell what. "Wait. I don't want to go home." They all stopped listening to whatever it was and looked at me.
"What?" The redhead asked.
"I'm adopted. Well, technically it's the 6th time. I always run away. My 'mother' this time isn't any better. I've been trying to find an opening to get away from her, but she's a rich fashion antiques collector and has super high level security. You provided me with the perfect chance. I'm coming." I said. The short story of my life.
"But you're what, 13?" The red head said, and laughed.
"14." I growled.
"Player is that age, too. I also am practically your boss." Red said.
"Fine." The redhead complied.
"So, what are your names anyway?" I said.
"I'm Carmen."
"Ivy."
"Zack!" Shouted the driver.
"Hey, Ivy, can I borrow your extra earpiece for a second so the girl can hear Player?"
"Sure, Carm." Ivy handed Carmen an earpiece.
"Here." She slid the earpiece in my ear.
"I'm in." Said a boy's voice. I blushed, my dirty mind going places. "I'm Player."
"I'm Annabelle." I say. "Can I call you Red?" I say, pointing to Carmen.
"Sure.
"Now, please explain why priceless gowns are in your van, and why I am."
"We are a group of thieves who steal from other thieves before they can. The group of thieves we steal from is called VILE." Red explained.
"Wow, great name for a stealing organization." I said.
"They try to steal anything with cultural or monetary value, so we steal it first, then drop it off at interpol. Interpol believes we are the real thieves, and they are always tracking us down, so we give it to them when they aren't looking." Player says.
"Player gives us intel about where VILE will strike next, and we go there to stop it. Tonight they were going to steal the Medici gowns. We're driving to an interpol office right now to drop them off." Said Ivy.
"Red accidentally knocked you out when she was running with the gowns. You started bleeding but Red is a first responder and now you're all patched up." Zack said. I felt my head, and winced.
"Ok, so what will I do in all of this?"
"Well, firstly, you need some new clothes. You can't do anything in that dress. And neither can I. Player, locate the nearest clothing store." Red commands. She is wearing:
"3 blocks down, Zack has the address. You'll be there in a sec."
"Wait, where do you get your money, since you obviously don't make money from what you do now?" I ask, confused.
"Well, I hacked into VILE's security system so we can spend their money." Player said.
"How many layers of inscription were there?"
"27."
"Impressive."
"Thanks. It's what I do."
"Come on, lovebirds, we're here," said Ivy. I blushed and got out of the van.
I came out of the store in my new outfit:
I got in the car, and Red handed me a pair of what seemed to be black onyx earrings. "They are more accessible earpieces. Player can talk through them."
I hand her back the earpiece she gave me before and slip on the earrings. "Hey Player."
"Hey Annabelle." Player paused. "Red, don't you think Annabelle should have a code name?"
"That would be...reasonable." Red says. She huffs, turning away from me.
"OK? Um, call me Rabbit." I say. Red looks at me strangely. I smirk.
A/N: Here comes Player's fact time!?ￂﾠ
"Cool. Rabbits are animals with impeccable senses of smell, sight, and hearing. They are good at camouflaging and can run up to 50 miles per hour. They can leap 4 feet in the air and 10 feet forward in a single jump. An animal with many talents. And, um, it means, well nevermind. Good choice."
I blush. "Thanks."
"Aww, Player, you made her blush. Adorable." Zack says.
"Shut up, Zack." We said simultaneously. I blush. Again. My face is probably the color of Red's coat. I hope Player doesn't figure out why I actually chose that name.
"Aren't you supposed to be driving?" I ask, annoyed, but still embarrassed.
"Yeah, yeah. We dropped off the Medici gowns while you two were picking out clothes. Player booked us a hotel not too far from here. Let's go for the night."
"I booked Rabbit her own room. It's connected by a door to yours, but still private." Player says through the earrings.
"Thanks, Player." I say.
"By the way, guys, the security system is pretty hardcore here. But-"
"Lemme guess," I start, "You hacked into it."
"Yep! I thought VILE would be checking everything for a sighting of you guys, so now I'm the only one who can see you." Player says.
"I'm not sure that's so reassuring. Where is the camera anyway?" Asks Zack.
"Over near the lamp," says Player. Zack pokes his face right into it.
"Can you see me?" Zack asks, making funny faces.
"Unfortunately." Player sighs. "Well, while you guys are sleeping, I'll figure out where VILE is headed next.
"Goodnight Player."
"Goodnight Rabbit."