Three Months Before the Chipmunks' Disappearance

South America

"He is here, Madam," the Brazilian informed his mistress.

The woman's eyes narrowed. "Bring him in," she said, tenderly stroking the Yorkshire Terrier that snored in her lap.

"Yes, Madam." The servant bowed respectfully and left the room. A few moments later Klaus Vorstein was wrestled into the office by two burly henchmen.

"Was this really necessary, Claudia?" Klaus hissed.

"My, my, my," Claudia sneered as she watched her brother struggle against her minions. "I thought that after so long in prison you would be able to dispatch Fernando and Miguel with minimal effort."

"What do you want from me?" Klaus finally managed to wrench his arms free.

Claudia clicked her tongue. "Oh, Klaus, Klaus…what makes you think I want something from you? Has it occurred to you that I might have rescued you simply because you're my brother?"

"You always want something from me! Since the first day I could walk you demanded things from me."

"Not demanded, dear brother, simply requested." Claudia waved her hand indifferently, dismissing Fernando and Miguel.

The men nodded and silently exited the room.

"Now," Claudia puffed on a cigarillo, "if we are to rebuild our empire, we must first dispose of all witnesses to our previous…doings."

"What has this to do with me?" Klaus curled his lip in derision.

"We have purged most of the witnesses, but the individuals who pose the largest threat to our organization have yet to be exterminated. I thought you might enjoy taking care of them for us."

For a moment, Klaus stared at his sister in confusion-then grinned.

"The chipmunks…"

9:47 PM, August 21, 1992

The Chipmunks' Prison

"Klaus!" Claudia hissed over the phone. "You're taking too long, you idiot! With each minute you waste our organization is in more danger of being discovered. You-"

"Relax, dear sister," Klaus interrupted. "Everything's under control."

"If everything was under control, Inspector Jamal's head would already be mounted on my wall! I want those witnesses dead, Klaus. Stop playing around and complete your mission-do I make myself clear?"

"Come now, sister-I've been waiting years to take my revenge!Give me time…" Klaus inhaled deeply, "…to savor it."

"No!" Claudia growled through gritted teeth. "In our business, we can't indulge grudges. Just do as I say!"

There was a pause.

"Yes, sister. It will be done."

"Good. Also, stop calling me 'sister!' We both know you despise me. Don't patronize me, Klaus…it's a poor idea to insult your employer."

"Yes, Claudia."

The room was far too quiet; the only sound was Brittany's faint, eerie humming. Alvin didn't like quiet-for him, it represented the thing he feared most: being alone. He couldn't take it one second longer.

"Isn't anyone going to say anything to me?" Alvin almost shouted. "I was going to sacrifice myself for you and you're all going to just sit there?"

Simon shot his brother a scathing glance.

"What does in matter? We're all going to die anyway."

"Simon!" Eleanor hissed. "What's wrong with you? Alvin's right, he deserves our support."

"Damn it, Eleanor! He's the one who got us into this mess! Yelling at Dave, yelling at me, yelling at Brittany…" Simon's face turned red. "…Alvin just never stops yelling! Who knows? Maybe he led us here to get rid of us, and once we're all dead he'll go on his merry way, smuggling diamonds with our genial host!"

The others stared at the blue-clad chipmunk in horror.

"Fuck you, Simon." Alvin said simply. "Just go to hell."