Player stood outside the school looking at the smoke just ten kilometers away. He was worried that it would spread far, as he hadn't done a fire safety course with his parents. He checked his phone for messages from Carmen. There was one. "I heard there was a fire in Ontario, is it near you?' Player smiled at her protectiveness and sent a message back. "'No, about ten kilometers south from me, it's near my house though, that's what I'm worried about now.' "Player felt tears rolling down his face. The students were called back in, and Player started back towards the large building. The next class was health and safety, ironically. Player had a desk by the window and saw the smoke billowing up. A loud crackle from the loudspeaker made him jump, and he was called up to the front office. As he stood, all eyes on him, Player walked to the door and started to the office. He had been there once, for detention after Carmen called him during a class. He pushed open the office door quietly. The principal invited him in. "Young mister, hand in your phone please, you seem to like to text during class and we had forgotten about it today. We will let you off as it's the second last day of school for the year, but we don't want you texting during class." Player quietly handed his phone over his mind elsewhere. The principal raised his eyebrow but nodded and sent Player back. When he walked in, the class was doing a pop quiz on safety and CPR. The bell rang just as he got to the last question. The class ran out and the teacher told him he could stay and finish. By the time he did, the bus was long gone and he had to walk. As he approached the road he saw someone in her late teens sitting on a bench on the other side wearing a red hoodie and a fedora. Carmen. He smiled and walked over. The road was always quiet at this time of day. He had thought Carmen was in Argentina, looking for her family, or what was left of it. "Carmen!" Player raced the rest of the way and hugged her, surprising both of them. She hesitated but then wrapped her arms around him too, laughing. Player looked up still shocked and troubled about the fire, but glad to have such great friends. Carmen invited him to their usual burger joint, Burger Ban Houv. He accepted and sent his parents a message, not knowing that they would never get it. As they walked there Carmen talked, noting how quiet her friend was. They ordered their usual, smiling at the overeager server. Once they sat down Carmen got straight to the point. "There has been a bunch of robberies in museums in the last twelve hours, some right near the most famous, The Louvre museum in Paris, France, have you heard anything? Player?" Player blinked and frowned. "No, I haven't, I'll look into it when I get home I promise." Carmen smiled and ruffled his hair making him laugh. "We should probably get you home soon, your parents will worry." Player nodded. "I can walk, when I get home I'll be looking into the caper. Then see where you need to go." Carmen nodded and drove off. Player walking in the opposite direction. Player stopped to swap his bag to the other shoulder and continued. It was only two kilometers away and he got there in minutes, only to find his house burnt to cinders, charred wood, and melted down metal. Tears rolled down his face Player threw down his bag and ran into the remains of the house. "MUM! DAD!" He kept going for hours until he finally wore out and curled up just beyond the entrance. He caught his breath and as calmly as he could walked back in to see if there was anything he could salvage. Suddenly he stumbled over something and fell. He looked back and saw what he feared, his parents' body's entwined together in fear. Fresh tears rolled down his face. He ran out picked up his bag and turned on his phone. Or tried to. It was dead flat, and one of the only ways to contact Carmen. He checked his pocket for his lunch money and walked down to the train station. He checked the timetable and routes and found the closest station to Carmen's home. The train left in five minutes, so he quickly sorted it out. It was one thing to hack the system for someone else another for yourself, so he had to use all his money for the train. His only hope of getting help. Luckily the train was equipped with phone charging stations and he had a charger with him. It was a relief, otherwise, Carmen would worry a lot, not that she wouldn't anyway, but more than necessary. His phone finally turned on and he texted straight away. "'Sorry I couldn't start looking straight away, there was some news I can't quite get over. I have to see you soon. I'm on a train to San Diego now.' "Player sighed. He couldn't say too much yet, not online. He had to do it face-to-face. There was a buzz and he looked at the message. "'Which station? I can meet you there.' Player sighed again. He looked around. He was getting many stares. He realized his face was filthy with soot. He turned red with embarrassment and tried to wipe it off the best he could. He looked at his ticket again and typed in the reply. Carmen was so going to worry soon. He suddenly realized he had started to cry again. He knew he was in shock after what he saw, but thought that it was a bit much. At least it helped wash off the soot. The stare's got less and less and the train car air was thick with discomfort. He saw another message from Carmen. "I'm wondering now are you okay? You seemed quiet at Burger ban Houv.' Player smiled as he realized she always knew when something was up. 'I will tell you everything soon, I promise. It's too important to share online.' There was a beeping noise as the stop came up. "We are approaching the next station, thank you for your wait." Player stood and walked to the door, holding on to the bar as the train screeched to a stop. He located Carmen almost straight away. Her tendency to wear red where ever she goes helped. He stepped off into the crowd with caution of the larger-then-normal gap. He pushed his way through the crowd and stood next to Carmen, her familiar face calming him slightly. She was still looking around but Player was too relieved to notice he hadn't been seen by her. He was suddenly pushed into her and she turned around in surprise. "There you are! Come on let's get out of the cro-" Carmen was interrupted suddenly by some guy pushing his way through the crowd "Le Femme Rouge!" Carmen rolled her eyes exasperated. "Chase Devineaux inspector. What a surprise." The Inspector smiled victoriously. "Aha, and what crime are you pulling off this time? Taking money from banks? Stealing paintings from museums? How about-." Carmen took Player's hand and dragged him away. "He does that a lot. He never catches me, at least not for long." She laughed and they walked to the car. "Thanks for coming and picking me up, Carmen. It means a lot." Player's voice caught in his throat and he broke off, upset and anxious to tell Carmen everything. She seemed to know that something big was up but didn't ask anything yet. She just unlocked the car and they got in and drove off. "Now what was important enough for you to come all this way for a face-to-face? You're very quiet too. Player?" Now they were alone again he started to cry, as quietly as he could. Carmen stopped the car outside her home and turned to him, softening as she saw his face. "Okay, this is worse than I thought, what happened." Player nodded. "While I was at school, during the break, I was watching the smoke from the fire. After our little meeting, when I got home, there wasn't one, it was burnt down everything was gone. After a while, I looked for anything salvageable, but there wasn't anything, and on the way back through the entrance, I tripped over something, my parents' bodies. They're gone. Everything's gone-" He broke off again reliving seeing his parents' bodies. Carmen looked surprised and upset. "Player, you can stay with us, unless you have anyone else you want to stay with." She was calmer than he thought she would be, though a bit teary as well. "Thank you I-I don't have any other family, at all. My grandparents died when I was two, my parents were only children." He couldn't say anything else, so he just buried his head into his hands. Carmen touched his shoulder. "Let's get inside, it's cold out here. Everyone else is away for a few days still, as you know." Player nodded and they started inside. It was bigger than he thought, but he didn't notice much. He still felt shocked and upset and all-around overwhelmed. Carmen saw that and let him be, content sitting next to him, holding his hand. She suddenly got up and went away for a few minutes. She came back with two cups of hot chocolate, the natural remedy for sadness. She gave one to him and he smiled gratefully, not ready to talk yet, but happy to have his hands occupied. The warmth seeped in and did calm him slightly. He suddenly felt tired and tried to stifle a yawn. He put down the cup and the next thing he knew he was fast asleep. Carmen gently lifted her young friend and took him upstairs to bed. He seemed exhausted and probably was with all he just went through. She sat next to the bed for a few minutes watching his calm face, then went back downstairs to clean up. She knew she should go to bed soon too, but she had a lot to think about, now that Player was here. She shook her head as she realized that she would have to stay hidden for a few months before going back, in incase the "inspector" shows up and figured out where she stayed. And to protect the Player. At all costs protect him, Carmen didn't want anything to harm him, not even emotionally, even though it will be easy to harm him like that. There was a beeping noise and she peeked out the window. There was a black car outside. She pressed herself against the door and looked through the keyhole there was something there. She peeked out the eyehole and saw the inspector there she rolled her eyes and went about her business. There was a loud knock and she winced and looked up the stairs. She walked swiftly towards the door and opened it. "Would you keep it down! Please I have a guest and he needs to sleep." The inspector eyed her down and dragged her out. "Carmen Sandiego, you are under arrest. I don't know what your game is but it is most definitely over." He put the cuffs on her and walked away to start the car. Carmen picked the lock and went inside leaving a note on the door saying that if she left, a life may be at stake. The inspector read the note his eyes wide and knocked quietly. Carmen opened the door again her eyebrows raised. "Carmen Sandiego, are you saying you have someone who is ill?" Carmen shook her head. "No, someone who is quite young, and who needs a home. So I gave them one. I'm not saying anything more, as the rest is personal to them and we don't need anyone knowing too much. Now please leave me be to look after them." She started to close the door but Devineaux put his foot in the way. "I need to know more. Maybe I can help." Carmen snorted and he moved his foot, knowing he was beaten for now. "One thing, why are you in San Diego, Sandiego? Wait a minute! Are you kidding me? That is just silly I-" He was broken off by a door shut in his face. "Ooh, you Carmen Sandiego! You are a menace!" He walked away to his car and drove off. Carmen took a deep breath, hoping Player didn't wake up. There was a buzzing noise and Carmen reached for her phone. She checked the messages, but there weren't any. She frowned and panned her gaze around, finally resting on Player's phone. She smiled and went upstairs to bed. Player had rolled around quite a lot, and had a disturbed look on his face, Carmen frowned and looked carefully at him, noticing the tears rolling down his face once again. She looked sadly at him and went to bed herself. Player woke up confused. It was quite late, but he couldn't hear anything. He opened his eyes and looked around, finally remembering what happened. He curled up trying not to cry. His entire world was crumbling, all he had left was his friends. He sat up and saw Carmen sleeping peacefully in the next bed. She must have snuck in earlier. Player didn't even remember going to bed. He decided to wait till Carmen woke then follow her out. He didn't have to wait long, she woke up a few minutes later. She glanced over, smiling as she saw him. "Good morning, Player." Her voice was soft and soothing to hear. Player smiled and they went downstairs. There was a sudden buzzing noise and he looked for his phone. He saw it on the table, right where he left it. He checked it quickly for new messages as always, doubtful that there would be any. There were two. One from a plan company which he ignored, the other from an unknown number, he frowned as he read it. 'Haha you don't have very good firewalls, I got in easy!' 'Who are you? What do you want?' The reply was almost instant 'I'm a hacker, they call me a white hat hacker. Using hacking skills for good.' Player brightened immediately. "'YOU TOO! Oh wow, I never thought about hearing from another one!' The person may have been unknown but whoever it was, knew their thing. Suddenly there was another reply. 'Aha, I caught you out. Where are you staying?' Player's heartbeat doubled for a second while he read the text. 'Who's asking?' the answer came quickly. 'My name is Inspector Chase Devineaux! My mission is to capture the elusive Carmen Sandiego!' Player rolled his eyes and replied. 'Oh, you. You can call me Peter Niagara then. Not my real name but you don't need to know my real name.' 'As in the falls? Are you kidding me? Let me guess you are working with Carmen Sandiego. If you are then I know where to find you.' Player stopped and thought. 'No, I'm not. I live near Niagara Falls, near a house that burnt down recently. VERY near.' Let me guess, you lived in that house. If so, you would know the two people killed in the fire.' Player reached to turn the phone off but thought against it. 'Goodbye. You are way out of your league.' Player sat and waited, finally, the text came back. 'We are tracking down your location, it shouldn't take long, seeing as you seem to be just a kid.' Player checked his location services. They were off. 'Heh, good luck with that. I'm the smartest person in my family.'Player smiled, then frowned. It could be easier than he thought to track people. Even he tracked Carmen easily, after she left the island she grew up on. Now what? Carmen came back in and sat next to him. He looked up at her, glad to have such great friends. Carmen looked so happy and peaceful, he didn't want to bother her with his conversation with the inspector. He doubted it would matter anyway. But he should upgrade his firewalls anyway. He had too much private information on his devices. Player was so deep in thought that he didn't hear Carmen asking a question. "Player? Did you hear me?" He blushed and Carmen smiled. "Sorry, I was thinking. Someone broke through a few firewalls on my phone, and tried to trick me into thinking they were a hacker too." Carmen raised her eyebrow making Player blush even more making her crack up. "Did they say who they were?" Player nodded. "I told them to call me Peter Niagara, a boy who lived near Niagara Falls near a house that caught fire." Carmen softened and nodded. "Who were they?" Player started to laugh. "Inspector Chase Devineaux! He doesn't seem much of a hacker though!" Carmen's eyes widened. "He was here last night! He must be suspicious of something." Player sat up straight. "THAT was the loud knocking! I was wondering about that." Carmen sighed. "I was hoping it didn't wake you up. But he now knows where I stay, annoyingly." Player sat forward, deep in thought. "I should probably find out what the museum robberies are for." He went for the computer and straight away got a strange feeling. Something was wrong. He turned and saw Carmen felt it too. "What is that?" He shuddered and shuffled closer to Carmen. She put an arm around him for comfort. "I don't know, I'll go look outside." She got up and looked through a window. She gasped and stepped back. "ACME." Player shuddered again. "At least it isn't…." Carmen had a strange look on her face. Player had never seen her frightened. Ever! He got up and stood next to her, holding her hand. He saw why she was scared. Guns. They were pointing strange guns at them. Suddenly a greenish-yellow fog seeped out of them. It encircled the building, coming in under doors, through any gap, crack, and crevice it could find. There was a peaceful feeling coming with it., along with a bleach-like smell. "Carmen?" She didn't answer, she collapsed coughing on the ground. Then Player realized that the fog was taking all oxygen out of the room, leaving them both out of breath and sleepy. "Player stay with me. You're not breathing." Player shook himself awake again and stood. "Now what? Carmen?" He looked over and she was there, fighting to stay awake. Suddenly her eyes glazed and she stopped breathing. The fog had started to disperse and Player no longer felt tired or out of breath. He ran over to Carmen and checked her heartbeat. Nothing. He couldn't do any except start the CPR progress. She slowly came round, leaving Player relieved and in tears. "Player? What happened?" Player swallowed hard. "You almost died. I'm glad I know CPR now." Carmen stared wide-eyed at him, softened and cuddled him. "I'll be fine Player. It's okay." They sat like that for a while until there was a buzzing noise from Player's phone. 'Haha, I told you I would find you. You ARE working for Carmen Sandiego!' Player got angry. 'It was YOU! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO ALMOST KILLED HER!' The response was not smart. 'Almost? How did she escape death?' Player gasped. "Carmen. The fog was meant to kill you. I don't think Inspector Devineaux is an inspector anymore. I think he works for ACME!" Carmen nodded. "I suspected that. But why try to kill me? What would he gain from that?" Player shuddered. "I could ask him if you want. He seems to like to text and gloat." Carmen stared wide-eyed again. "No, not a good idea. He knows where you are now, he may try to hurt you next. I don't want that. "Carmen asked Player to alert the others that ACME and Inspector Devineaux knew where they were. She knew he would be glad to have a distraction, what with all that happened. Player probably knew that was Carmen's idea, and agreed, so went along. /"Hey guys, ACME and Inspector Devineaux know where we live- "The reply was almost instant. "WE?" \Player shook his head and answered. "Slip of the tongue, I meant you. Any way he figured it out and attacked." Player logged off soon, too tired to think of anything pressing. Carmen came up next to him with a plate of food, placing it in front of him. "I thought you may be hungry, so I got some food for you. How did telling them go?" Player sighed. "Okay I guess, but I can't think much, and they may guess I'm staying before they get back now. Slip of the tongue." He shook as he thought again of the fire and its events. Carmen must have noticed and sat next to him, her arm around his shoulders, in an almost motherly way. Player shook the thought off. Not yet. He couldn't accept it yet, not when it had been less than twenty-four hours since he found out… He sighed sad and confused, knowing he would accept it one day anyway. Carmen looked at his face and knew what he was thinking. "Player, you know I would do anything for you, right?" Player nodded and glanced up suspiciously. "Player, I think you should get adopted, at some point anyway." Player shuddered. "Not yet. Maybe not ever. Only you Carmen. You've always been like a second mother anyway." Carmen's arm slipped off in surprise. "Player? I-I didn't know you felt like that! I see you as a little brother. One that I would never let anyone or anything hurt." Player relaxed for the first time since he first saw the smoke. "Well, I do Carmen. You are so caring, to almost anyone. It's hard not to be friends with you." Player looked up at Carmen, surprised to see her eyes shining with tears. Player's phone started ringing, making them both jump at the loud noise. Carmen's started not long after. They both picked up at the same time. "Hello?" They started laughing because they said hello at the same time. "Why are you laughing? Really? Wait a minute, what do you mean he started laughing for no reason? Carmen just did the same! Ok Carm, something is definitely up now." Carmen rolled her eyes at Ivy. "I'll tell you later, now what's up?" The answer came quickly, out loud as the loudspeaker was on. Zack replied before anyone else could. "Why am I hearing an echo?" Player answered. "Oh, I-I'm on a call with Carmen, you must be picking up both?" Player mouthed to Carmen.
"I can't tell them yet, sorry." Carmen nodded and asked again. "What's up?" The others started to make noises all at once. "We're at the San Diego international airport, we need picking up." Carmen nodded. "Okay, I'll get on that where did Zack leave the car?" Player interrupted. "I can help with that! I put a tracker on most of the equipment. Looks like it's in… Los Angeles? Oops wrong one, that's the missing hang glider, the car is at… oh Brownfields Municipal Airport. Shouldn't take too long to get to." Player smiled wonkily at Carmen, having mixed feelings about her going. She just got better recently, just that morning! Carmen seemed to see and cast him a comforting smile, it worked, sort of. He nodded. Ivy broke in. "There seems to be a lot of silent talking going on, what's happening?" Player facepalmed. He let Carmen know she should keep going. "Oh, I was thinking. I'll be there soon!" Carmen hung up frowning at Player. "Player, do you want to come?" Player shook his head. "If anything happens, just get one of the others to call me." Carmen smiled gently. "Player, nothing's going to happen, I promise. I'll be careful anyway." With a hug she left, leaving him to track her movements. He realized he still hadn't eaten, in all the confusion. Churros! The most famous Argentinian breakfast, eaten all over the world, for any meal. Player took a bite, then noticed a weird smell, coming from the kitchen. And the entrance. And almost everywhere. Player raced to the door and peeked through the window. A.C.M.E again. Pointing the strange guns all around the building. There was no escaping this. Unless…. There was a bashing sound, a squeal of tires, a few yells, then…. "Le Femme Rouge!" Carmen was back, just in time. Player went and hid behind the sofa. The front door opened. Zack and Ivy, darn where was Carmen? "Player? What are you doing here?" Player couldn't speak, he was terrified. There was a shadow at the door. "How about I answer that if Player doesn't mind." Player nodded for her to start. "Player has to stay here for a few days, something happened in Ontario." Player started to cry and ran upstairs. Zack and Ivy looked on confused. "Agh I should've asked if he wanted to leave the room first. It traumatized him when he learned what happened, in a savage way too." Carmen continued to tell the story, not in great detail, and not all of it. She left a bit out as she wasn't sure of the facts. When she was done Zack and Ivy shook their heads. "No wonder he was so upset. That would be traumatizing especially for one so young." Carmen nodded. "I should probably go check on him. He seemed scared when you came in, probably related to the fact that A.C.M.E found where we were staying, and that Inspector Devineaux works with them too. I'll be right back, I just need to get something first." The others looked confusedly at her. "We can get it for you if you want." Carmen shook her head. "You may not know how to make it, I have quite the knack for it." And she waltzed away, leaving the others even more confused than before. She poked her head through the door. "Oh and if Shadowsan comes back early, don't say anything, Player wants it hidden, for now. He didn't want you two knowing either."There was a flash of thunder, as Player walked through the foggy suburban area of Ontario, looking once again for answers to his ongoing problem. Him staying with Carmen or being adopted by someone else. The rumble of thunder made him look up. There was a strange blue light in the shape of a human up ahead. "Who's there?" He waited for a response before shrugging and continuing. There was a cold shivering feeling, as if a dozen spiders were crawling up his spine. There were two voices, both of whom Player recognized. "You know who we are, son. We will be back for you!" Player backed around when suddenly a face like stone was ground into it came forward. The face sent shivers racing up and down his back all over again. "Who are you?" The figure cackled. "Your worst nightmare!" Player tried to steady his breathing. He backed away before tripping on a stone and falling, screaming into a deep, dark ditch. Player woke up screaming. He quickly stopped, but the damage was done. Carmen woke up. "Player! Are you okay?" Player nodded his hand over his mouth. He moved it away to answer. "S-sorry, bad dream." He took a few shaky breaths, trying to calm down. Carmen smiled comfortingly. "Player, it's okay. It happens all the time, to everyone. Do you want to talk about it?" Player shook his head. "I'll be fine, I'll calm down soon." Carmen came over anyway. "Player, I can only help if you let me. Please just let me help you." Player shook his head stubbornly. "I'll be fine, Carmen! Really!" Carmen stepped back in surprise at the outburst. "O-okay Player. If you insist." She walked back to bed, confused, bewildered, and slightly hurt by the outburst. Player hung his head in shame for hurting her feelings. He knew she would understand, she of all people would, but he didn't want her next morning Player waited till Zack and Ivy went for a drive, and went and sat next to Carmen. "C-Carmen, I'm sorry about last night." Carmen barely looked up. "You did hurt my feelings Player, but I think I understand. I don't talk about my nightmares with anyone either." Player looked up in surprise. "You have nightmares too? Maybe we can help each other?" Carme looked at him and smiled. "I don't want to burden you, Player. But I could help you, maybe, just maybe, I'll share some things with you." Player braced himself, then told her about his dream. Carmen looked surprised and quite unsure of herself. "Player, I-I have to say, my dreams are quite similar. Maybe we could help each other." Player nodded. "I guess, maybe we can spend more time together, now has Shadowsan said when he will be back?" Before Carmen could respond someone spoke up. "He already has, what are you doing here, young Player?" Player jumped in surprise. "I-I-I can't say right now. I'll let someone else do the talking." Player ran off giving Carmen a pleading look. He didn't like using Carmen like this, but he was still processing what happened himself. Carmen turned to Shadowsan and started the story. Player had told Carmen more so it was easier for the events side of things. He went upstairs, only to find Tigress in the bedroom. Player stumbled back in surprise, and ran downstairs, where Carmen was almost finished. He stopped and waited, catching his breath. He suddenly felt a sharp pain in both his neck and his back. He turned around, finding Tigress about to strike again. Player gave a yell as she struck his shoulder with a slicing blow. His eyes fluttered and he fell back, his head hitting the tiles, causing Carmen to start running over. Her eyes narrowed and she attacked. /Carmen took one look at Player's condition, and turned on Tigress immediately, fighting for all she was worth. Tigress finally fell, where Carmen pinned her. "Never come here again. Anyone from V.I.L.E to come will get a personal beating. From me." Tigress just nodded and sped away to tell the faculty the bad news. Carmen bent over Player, noting the severity of his wounds. "Player, stay with me. We have to get you to the hospital." Carmen called Zack and Ivy over, they had come back during the fight. "Guys, Player needs serious medical help, Tigress attacked him! We have to move, now!" Zack looked once at Player and ran to the car to get it started. Ivy stayed. "Carmen, I'll help get him to the car. How bad is it?" Carmen barely listened, her eyes were clouded with worry. "Ivy, I don't know, I just know he needs help." Player stirred slightly as Carmen carried him to the car, her face wet with tears. Player woke in a world of white. White walls, floors, sheets, everything white. Except next to him. Red. Player tried to speak, but he couldn't, due to the tube giving him oxygen. Instead, he rolled his head to the side to see what was there. Carmen was fast asleep with her face wet with tears and worry. Player smiled slightly, and put his hand on hers, before falling back into a haze. They stayed like that till morning. Carmen woke up and checked next to her. Player had moved! His hand was resting on hers. He must've seen her sitting there. Carmen smiled and rang the reception, calling to say that he had moved. Player sat up in bed as Carmen came in, bearing a plate of food. He was still in the hospital, waiting for the okay to leave. "Morning Player! How are you feeling today?" Player smiled tiredly. He still couldn't speak properly, he still had the tube in his throat. Carmen saw his smile and grinned. "I'm going to talk to the doctor today, to see when you're coming home." Player smiled happily. Carmen left and Player slumped back hard onto the pillow. Sitting for too long used up his energy. He realized that his IV tube had jolted out slightly. Now that he did a searing pain took hold of his body. Player tried to reach the help button but it was just out of reach, he was able to touch it but not push. He tried something else. He took hold of a side of the bed and shook it. He wasn't meant to do that, so it usually got him some attention. Not this time. The pain somehow was getting worse, and he realized that another person was in the room. Player felt his heart beat quicker, and the machine beside him started beeping loudly. A nurse came rushing in and noticed the IV out. She gently put it back and checked the levels. The nurse did another checkup and went on her way. Player's heart slowed slightly, the IV must have a sleeping tablet in it, to calm him down. He closed his eyes and slept. Carmen was in the doctor's waiting room when a nurse swept in and knocked on his door. There was a familiar voice, one Carmen couldn't quite pinpoint, and the nurse went in. They talked for a while, and the nurse came back out. Her face looked familiar too. How strange. Carmen's senses were tingling, she knew something was wrong. Very wrong. She was called into the office, by her very cleverly thought-of code name. Anastasia Bouchard is a young girl from Las Heras, Argentina. Carmen walked in her hat covering her face. She decided to wear green, just in case something, or someone, was there to hurt her. She suddenly saw who the nurse was. Julia Argent! Here? Carmen panicked, she could've just walked into a trap. "Ah Miss Bouchard, I believe? You must be here for Dr. Devinaux. Follow me, he has been quite busy, looking for an old, acquaintance. Or so he says." Carmen caught Julia's arm. The young woman looked up in surprise. "Wha-what are you doing?" Carmen lifted her face slightly. "You know me, Jules." Julia frowned. "Carmen Sandiego where's Miss Bouchard?" Carmen put a finger to her lips. "It's a code name, Jules. My friend's last name is Bouchard, and he's in hospital." Julia smiled softly. "Why are you here, then?" Carmen sighed. "I'm wondering when he'll be allowed home." Carmen stopped tears running down his face. Julia had no idea what to say. She had never seen the elusive Carmen Sandiego cry! "I-I don't know. What's he down as?" Carmen smiled. "Peter Bouchard, he used a code name once. I don't even know his first name." Julia laughed. "I better let you through, I won't tell Devinaux. I promise." Carmen smiled nervously. "O-okay. I just hope he doesn't try to kill me like before." Julia looked up in surprise. "H-he what… why would he do that?" Carmen sighed. "I don't know, but it very almost worked. My friend only just saved me. I guess he didn't want to see anyone else die." Julia looked searchingly at Carmen. But Carmen had a closed look, she put on her hat and continued through, Julia trotting after her. "Ah, Ms. Bouchard, and how are you this fine day?" Carmen put on a thick accent. "Ah, yes, I'm going well, and how is Peter doing today? I hope he will be able to come out soon?" Devinaux looked confusedly at her. "L-let me check my records for a Peter, I've been very busy lately." Carmen rolled her eyes. "Well! I thought you would keep better track of your patients! Hmph!" She turned on her heels and walked off, her head held high in defiance. Julia noticed and suppressed a smile. Devinaux stopped Carmen in her tracks. "Ah, here we go! He has been changed over to a new doctor. Doctor Brunt, is a new doctor in this district. Sent from the Canary Islands, born in Texas." Carmen felt a cold sweat forming. "Ms. Bouchard, would you like to see her?" Carmen's hands started to shake. "N-no! I-I mean. No thank you, I-I'm quite busy lately. I just needed information on if Peter would come back or not. I'm sorry, I must go now." Carmen ran off as quickly as she could, Julia right behind. "Ms. Bouchard, are you alright?" Carmen stopped and turned. "I'm fine, but that Brunt, like Devinaux, is not a doctor. She's also known as Coach Brunt and was a teacher of mine. She'll kill me if she finds out I'm here." Julia froze, seeing the doctor right there, behind Carmen. "W-well you might want to go, you seem very busy." Carmen looked confusedly at Julia. "W-what?" There was a quiet crunch of metal being squeezed. "Is that my Lambkins I hear? Oh sporting a new color too! I have to say, red suits you better." Brunt came running over and took Carmen by the front. "Now, Lambkins, remember what I said I'd do if I ever see you again? No? Let me refresh your memory, shall I?" With that, the older woman punched Carmen's side, hard. There was a cracking sound as Carmen hit the floor. She struggled but was held down by Brunt's foot. "Now, you remember how much it hurt last time? Well, hehe, it's gonna feel much worse this time." /span/p
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p style="-tw-border-spacing-x: 0; -tw-border-spacing-y: 0; -tw-translate-x: 0; -tw-translate-y: 0; -tw-rotate: 0; -tw-skew-x: 0; -tw-skew-y: 0; -tw-scale-x: 1; -tw-scale-y: 1; -tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; -tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; -tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; -tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); -tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; -tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; -tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; -tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; color: #000000;"span style="-tw-border-spacing-x: 0; -tw-border-spacing-y: 0; -tw-translate-x: 0; -tw-translate-y: 0; -tw-rotate: 0; -tw-skew-x: 0; -tw-skew-y: 0; -tw-scale-x: 1; -tw-scale-y: 1; -tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; -tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; -tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; -tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); -tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; -tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; -tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; -tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"Player woke up slowly, a friendly face looking down at him. But it wasn't Carmen or anyone he knew. "Hello there, Peter. I'm Nurse Julia, how are you today?" Player tried to speak and found that the tube had been taken out. "O-okay, I guess. When will I be home? I miss my aunt." The nurse looked confused. "I'm sorry, I'm not sure yet. I'll ask Doctor Devinaux." Player realized, wasn't Devinaux the one who almost killed Carmen! "Y-you wouldn't be, Julia Argent, would you?" Julia looked up guiltily. "Yes I am, but I'm friends with Carmen. Yes, I know you're staying with her. But she's also been landed in the hospital, with severe wounds from one of the other doctors. The doctor has been fired, and her papers checked. Turns out, she was never a doctor, to begin with!" Player gulped back his tears. "Wh-what was her name?" Julia seemed hesitant. "Her name was Brunt. None of us knew her first name." That was it. Player had had enough. He just nodded and lay back. "How bad is severe?" Again Julia hesitated. "Broken rib that almost stabbed her lung. And one on the other side that protruded out the side. And a cracked skull. All were reparable, but we also found other wounds. Ones that can't be fixed." Player buried his face into his hands. "How long will she be in for?" There was a sigh. "At least a month. You probably will be out before her, maybe in the next week or so." With that, Julia hurried out. Carmen stared out the window at the scenery. It had been ages since she had been out of the hospital. She was still shocked at the news she had gotten about her tests. Carmen had cancer, and it was slowing her down immensely. She knew she would never take down V.I.L.E. now. But Carmen also knew that others may just do it. One day, V.I.L.E. may be no more. But she could only hope that no more people will be harmed. She would ask Player if he could contact some of the people that Carmen had made friends with, who would protect the world from the reaches of evil. Ivy watched as Carmen sat in silence, most likely deep in thought. Suddenly Carmen lifted her head. Her eyes were shining. She stiffly stood up and walked upstairs, probably to talk to Player. Carmen came back almost straight away, now with her phone. Ivy watched as Carmen typed furiously. There was a boinging sound from upstairs. Player's phone, for sure. There was silence, then a cry of surprise. Ivy was wondering what Carmen had just sent when her phone was whooped. Ivy checked it, confused. It was from Carmen. "I've told Player just now, it's your turn. I had some… disturbing news from the hospital when my tests came through. I've got cancer, they don't think it's too serious, but I can't do work anymore." Ivy looked up at Carmen, more in surprise and sadness than confusion now. There was a plop from the kitchen as Zack's phone received the message. He too gave a yell. Finally, there was a beep from upstairs. There was just a soft "Oh Carmen." Shadowsan had the final text. Carmen put her phone down and closed her eyes. Ivy walked over and sat next to her, noticing that Zack and Player were coming too. There was silence, then they all realized Shadowsan was there too, coming silently as always. They all knew Carmen needed comfort. Player stood outside his old house, ready to look one more time around the house. He stepped carefully around his parent's bodies, confused about why they weren't taken away. Player continued through, not knowing what it was he was looking for, but keeping an eye out anyway. He saw a strange shining object in amongst the soot. He picked it up and noticed it was the only thing that survived that he could see so far. It was a bottle of flammable gas, with a hole on the bottom. The fire was done on purpose. Player stepped back, tears streaming down his face, not in sadness, but in anger. He was pretty sure he knew who did it. A.C.M.E. must've done it, who else would've done something so terrible? Well, there was V.I.L.E, but do they even know who his family was? So many questions, not any answers. There was a beeping noise from outside the house. It was Carmen, she was located where he was. He left without anyone knowing, but it seems Carmen knew anyway. "Player! I didn't think I would find you here. What are you doing." Player didn't answer but ran up to her instead. Carmen looked spurious. "Player? Are you okay?" Player nodded. "S-sorry for running out like that, I-I needed to figure something out. Carmen, the fire wasn't accidental. I found a flammable gas bottle on the ground." Carmen was surprised, someone was after his family too! "Player, I'll help you figure it out, this isn't something for only one person to do." Player smiled up at Carmen, his face shining with tears. "Thank you, Carmen. I probably wouldn't be here without you." Carmen wrapped her arms around him. "I'll always be here for you, I promise!" The sky was grey when Player walked to his old school. It had been three years since he had been there, three since his parents died. He was reminiscing about old times when suddenly someone called out. "Help! Please, they're trying to hurt me!" Player snapped into action. He ran to where the noise was coming from. A young girl lay on the road, cheek torn and a graze on her elbow. A much older girl stood over her, strange bolas in her hand. "Hey! Leave her alone!" Player ran forward, only to find himself kicked back by a second figure. "Oh, what do we have here? An intruder." Player suddenly recognized them, Spin-kick and Flytrap, two V.I.L.E operatives that had been chasing Carmen around! Player breathed in sharply. "Leave that girl alone, I know who you are." The older two chuckled. "And who would we be, huh?" Player frowned at their sarcasm. "Spin-kick and Flytrap, two V.I.L.E operatives who chased my friend around for ages." The others stepped back. "H-how did you-?" They faltered and stepped forward with hostile looks on their faces. "We'll soon fix what you know!" Player stepped back nervously. Then he remembered the pen Carmen gave him when she left to stay with her mother. He took it out, pressed the top, and threw it behind the advancing people. A blue hologram came out. "Well, this is a pen I haven't heard from for a while. Welcome back Ca- your not-." Player saw the person stand up straighter. "I'm a friend of hers, and these two are V.I.L.E operatives." There was a beep and the hologram went away. There was a screeching noise and a car came racing around the corner. "Yo Playster! Haven't seen you for ages. Now let's tie these two up before they can make any more trouble." Zack and Ivy saved the day, Player had forgotten they had joined ACME. He sent them a tired wave. He then ran over to the injured girl he saved. "Let's get you to a hospital." The young girl nodded and Player scooped her up and walked off. "What's your name?" The girl seemed to be looking for something. "Melanie, who are you?" Player sighed. "You can call me Player. What were you doing out here anyway?" Melanie stared at a burnt-down house. "My house burnt down, I lost my parents in the fire." Player looks down sadly. "The same thing happened to me, three years ago. I was only 16, but I had a friend on the other side of the country, she looked after me, but now she moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, her birthplace." There was a hospital right up ahead. "I'll sign you in, and be on my way, do you have someone to look after you?" Melanie shook her head. "Then I'll find a place that will look after you when you come out." Melanie smiled. Carmen looked around at her new home. She was overcome with joy, she found her mother. The orphans all ran around her, happy to have what they thought was just a visitor. "Ooh ooh, how long are you staying?" Carmen laughed, surprised at the sudden question. "I'll be here quite awhile, longer than you'll think!" The kids immediately started to try to guess. "Three hours! No no no, six hours! Yeah, that is the longest you could stay!" Carmen shook her head. "Longer than that!" The kids stared wide-eyed at her. "How long then?" Carmen smiled. "At least, I hope, five months! Hopefully longer!" The kids started to laugh. "No one has ever visited that long, why would you?" Carmen didn't answer, they would just laugh even harder. So she walked away, to talk with her mother. A person was walking around outside the prison compound. All the guards had turned in for the night. Mime Bomb crept around the roof, glad for his pitch-black costume all prisoners wore. Without a sound he jumped down, landing next to Neal the Eel, who also was escaping that night. Finally, there was a quiet thud as Tigress joined the party. "Let's do this..."