Carmen Sandiego - The Final Caper

Chapter 6 - The Search

Players POV)

I'm sitting in my room, typing furiously. I'm trying to find anything in the police databases that has a name or face match, showing where she may have been transported to. I doubt ACME would keep her for long, as they would just need information. I let out a groan as my search comes back empty again. Ivy and Zack are going over ways to get Carmen back if she's still stuck at ACME.

"What if one of us dresses up like an ACME agent and tries to make a trade? Like I'll pretend to kidnap you, an ACME agent, and then arrange a meetup where we can get Carmen!"
I can hear Ivy's groan.

"And what happens when they realise I'm not an ACME agent? They probably wouldn't even bring Carmen, just show up to arrest us!"

I turn off the coms as they start bickering again. I go back to looking for security footage to show where they might have gone, and look for a way in. It's just passed midnight here, while it's still only 9pm for the twins. I let out a yawn and drink some more coffee. I've brought a kettle up to my room so I can stay awake while searching. Just as I put my mug down I hear a noise from outside my room. I'm instantly on high alert, and switch my monitors off. The mumbled whispers from outside stop and I hear a knock on the door. I relax a little. No thief or VILE operative would knock. I climb back in bed to give off the appearance of sleep until my mum calls out.

"We know you're awake honey, please open the door."

I get out of bed and open the door. Both of my parents are standing there, looking nervous.

"What are you guys doing? It's the middle of the night and I was trying to sleep."

I keep trying to maintain innocence, knowing that I can't tell my parents what I'm really up to.

"Son we know you've been on that computer of yours all night. We're worried about you. Can we come and sit down please?"
I open the door wider and they come in to sit on my bed. I go to sit in my chair, trying to block the VILE hard drive.

"We've been worried honey, you haven't been eating or sleeping, you never come out of your room other than to use the bathroom, and we can hear you've been crying through the walls. Please, tell us what's going on."

I can't tell them the truth; it would only put them in danger. Not the whole truth at least. I sum up all my courage and come up with something to tell them.

"My friend has gone missing and I'm trying to help find her. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but I've been so stressed out that I can't think properly. I'm sorry."

It's only part of the truth but it's better than nothing. My mum walks over and gives me a big hug.

"Honey I get you're worried but please, leave it to the police. It shouldn't be the job of a teenager to solve the worlds problems. Now please, come to bed. We can talk more in the morning, ok?"

My dad comes and joins her but doesn't say anything.

I agree with her, but at that point my mind is made up. Both of my parents leave, muttering in low voices as they go back to their room. I shut and lock my door and turn my computer back on. I think for a moment and start typing I go through the motions of a caper. Book a hotel and flights, organise transportation, and finally, send Team Red a message.

"I'm coming."

Hey so I wrote pretty much all of this at 10pm because I couldn't sleep. The next chapter will be huge so I don't know when it will be, probably tomorrow sometime. As always hope you enjoyed, any advice is welcome!