(A/N: Gah. Spaces again...if anyone has any idea how I can insert a paragraph break could you PM me? Thanks. Read and review!)

As soon as they were in the backyard, they could here it more clearly. A beeping sound seemed to be coming from behind the lone tree.

The brothers rounded the tree and came face-to-face with their holographic projector, a replica of the one they gave Baljeet to contact them. Irving's holographic image was coming out from it.

"Irving? "Phineas asked, clearly surprised.

"Phineas, Ferb, I really need your help. I need you to help me find Albert. I don't know where he is. He's been gone like since this morning! And it's already sundown!"

Phineas looked up. The sun was, indeed setting over Danville.

"Is he due to come back or anything? "Phineas asked.

"Yes, he was due to pick up his friend in front of my house this afternoon. I've tried contacting him, but it just says his number no longer exists!" Irving was clearly distraught, and Phineas didn't want to press him any more, because he looked so fragile.

"Don't worry Irving, we're on our way! "Phineas said. Ferb nodded in support of Phineas.

"Oh, please hurry!"

Ferb switched off the projector and stowed it in his pocket. The two got on their bikes and rocketed down Maple Drive.

The setting sun cast an orange glow over everything. The scene reminded Phineas of the time they jumped a road construction site to beat the sun. Man, what a story that was.

As they approached Irving's house, they could see that it looked deserted. Not a single person in sight.

They braked and dismounted their bikes. Phineas took care to lock his, remembering the day when it was stolen.

As was customary, they rang the bell. Ding-dong!

"Hello? Anyone home? "Phineas asked.

No answer.

"Irving?"

No answer. The sun fully vanished beyond the horizon, as if to mock them.

Ferb was tapping Phineas gently, and pointing at something, but that was unnecessary.

Because right then Phineas saw it for himself.

To the right of the house, a shattered window. There, on the floor near the window, Irving's holographic projector. And no Irving.

Maybe it was from the sudden cold after the sun had fully set, but Ferb was shivering.

"What do we do?" the Brit asked. It was the first time he had spoken.

"We should really be getting back, but judging by the circumstances..."He left the thought unfinished. "But that would be breaking and entering." he said uneasily.

"Do we have a choice?" Ferb asked his younger brother.

He has a point. Every minute they dallied, Irving and Albert could be in mortal peril.

"Give me a boost, Ferb." Ferb complied and Phineas found himself precariously balanced on the fence. He dragged Ferb in as well and the two fell into Irving's backyard.

The two of them ran across the spacious lawn to the shattered window. They peered in the house.

"Irving?" Phineas called again. The sound echoed off the walls.

Phineas stepped through the broken window, and made a right turn into the living room. Ferb followed behind him.

"Whoa. Looks like someone broke and entered before us." Phineas said.

You got that right, thought Ferb.

The living room looked like it had been demolished by stampeding bulls. Everything was in disarray. The sofas were toppled and the TV was shattered.

"Irving?" Phineas called a third time.

He got no reply.

"What do we do now?" Ferb asked again. This time the fear in his voice was evident.

"We search. And find out if Goldilocks is still anywhere." Phineas hid his fear well.

Carefully they searched, looking for either brother, or for anyone at all.

All the other rooms were just as wrecked, and with every step they took, they became more and more apprehensive. What if Goldilocks is here... and waiting? They were actually a bit relieved, but not at all surprised to find no-one.

Finally, there was only one place left.

"Irving's bedroom. Hey, is that a lock of your hair hanging on the door?" he asked Ferb.

Ferb just nodded affirmatively. "Ok, let's see what's inside. "Phineas said, opening the door. The room was completely dark. They groped around the wall for a light switch.

Then the door slammed shut with finality.

"Uh-oh."

As if on cue, they were forced to the floor from behind. Both brothers were forcibly tied up.

Then the light came on to reveal Irving.

"Irving? Phineas said in shock. "What's going on?"

"What's going on is that I successfully tricked the brothers of invention! Why do you think I was so obsessed on you?" Irving's tone was sharper then anyone remembered it to be.

Phineas was very upset. "Why did you tie us up? This isn't funny! "He looked at the four men who tied he and his brother up, hoping against hope this was some sort of sick, twisted joke. Fully clad in black, the men didn't look like they were joking.

"It's not meant to be. Rather, your reactions were funny. The look on Ferb's face...but I digress. Now, to answer you. Who do you think collects data obsessively?

Phineas could only think of one answer that fitted the circumstances. "A spy?"

"Well done! No wonder you are the inventor kings!" His tone was deeply sarcastic.

Phineas didn't know whether to feel outraged or hurt. Or both. "Irving, how could you-"

"How could I what? How could I trick the smartest, nicest kids in all of Danville?"

"Alright, you had your fun. Now, let's bring him to the Head." one of the men said.

"Wait, where are you taking-"

"Shut up. Now, move, pointy." another of the men said.

They herded the two brothers back outside and to a waiting car. Shoved in head-first by the burly men, Phineas only got a second's view of the inside of the car before he and Ferb were blindfolded.

Then they started driving. Phineas opened his mouth, but someone preempted him by saying," Be quiet if you know what's good for you."

For thirty minutes, they drove in silence. Then, abruptly they stopped. The two brothers were roughly bowled onto what seemed like grass.

"Get moving. And no questions." Someone prodded Phineas in the back.

Phineas and Ferb were quick to get back on their feet. Someone seized their hands and led them across a grassy plain. Ahead of them was a lake-but the brother's didn't know that.

"Can I at least take off my blindfold? "Phineas asked.

"I said no questions!"

Phineas was instantly silenced.