I do not own CSI

"Get up." Jason threw a toothbrush at Carmen.

She blinked her eyes open and took the toothbrush, still sleepy.

"It's clean if you're wondering." He muttered while packing his backpack.

"Why do we have to get up at five?" Carmen glanced at her watch, yawning.

Jason pointed to his watch. "Because I said so."

Carmen said nothing as she took her time getting to the bathroom, and in the bathroom. She acted like she wasn't scared of Jason—like Jason was her friend. How could someone not be scared after meeting their kidnapper? He couldn't understand that.

While she was getting ready Jason set out a brown wig. For the next hour he waited impatiently for her. When she finally appeared out of the bathroom her red hair was combed and clean. Steam followed her part of the way out.

"What took you so long?"

"I was taking my time since we're up so early."

"Ok, whatever. Come over here."

Carmen sat down apprehensively in the chair with Jason behind her. He was too close for comfort.

"Tie your hair up," he said while giving her a hair tie.

After doing so, together they put on Carmen the wig. Unlike her real hair, it was straight with bangs. It was also shorter since it reached to the base of her neck. Nothing was said through the whole procedure. When it was finally done Carmen looked like a natural brown haired girl. Jason ushered her out of the room and walked to the lobby.

As they were on their way, Jason whispered in her ear, "Do not respond to your name. If you make any signal that you are who you are the watch will detonate and explode."

Carmen's stomach churned. She was scared of Jason again. Even though he seem nicer than he led her to believe, he was still dangerous—especially since he had the power to blow her up. As they made their way to the front desk, Carmen saw a TV was on. The news lady was talking as pictures of Carmen flashed across the screen. Carmen forced herself to not pay attention to it as she stood by Jason. Jason paid the fare with a credit card and without delay got it back before taking Carmen's hand and walking towards the door.

"Miss?"

They both stopped.

"Yeah?"

"You forgot your receipt. That's a nasty bruise on your head. How did you get it?"

Carmen stuttered. "Um. I was in a car accident and hit my head on the wheel."

She retrieved the receipt and walked out the door with her heart pounding like crazy. Jason dryly praised her as he led her to a blue minivan, taking the driver's seat. Carmen climbed into the passenger's seat. Without further interruption, he started it up and they got onto an interstate head west. Even in her position, Carmen was ironically enjoying the scenery. All through Kentucky and Tennessee were beautiful hills inhabited by woods—sometimes appearing untouched by man.

At an exit they got breakfast. Jason didn't even ask what Carmen wanted. Carmen didn't care as long as she wasn't deprived of food. If she could get away with one hour getting ready Jason's patience would wear thin if she pushed further. Soon they began the long travel.

Thirty minutes into the drive nothing was said. An hour went by, followed by two hours. The silence was getting to Carmen. Plus, the wig was getting itchy. Frequently, she'd be scratching her head, a sound that was subtle, but still very annoying. She could tell Jason was getting annoyed.

He started glancing over to her.

Finally he spoke up. "Would you quit that? I'm trying to drive."

His eyebrows were furrowed as he stared at the road.

"Can I take this wig off please?"

"Not unless you want to blow up."

Carmen paused, before starting up in a mocking voice, "Can I say something?" she added, "Without being blown up?"

Jason gave her a cross between a horrified and angry face, but remained silent.

"For a kid you sure don't look like a kidnapper. You're doing a terrible job at it too." Carmen plowed on.

"Hey! I'm sixteen. Don't call me kid." Jason couldn't help but respond to a direct insult. "How am I supposed to do it?"

"Haven't you seen the movies?"

"That's just the movies!"

He wore an infuriated look on his face as he watched ahead of him for the next few minutes. Carmen wasn't going to let him off the hook that easily.

"Y'know, this is going to be a long road trip. So you better start getting used to my voice." In a softer voice, she said, "I might as well get to know you since you're the last person I'll probably see, am I right? Once I finish the job they're gonna kill me."

Jason didn't say anything. He knew in his heart that he was sending her to her death, but he denied it to himself. That, he forced himself to believe, was just a hunch. It couldn't be true. Jason didn't know anything except that he was bringing her as a part of the Red Armageddon's plan.