Chapter 15 - New Beginnings

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(Carmen POV)

Jules and I raced downstairs, following Ivy. Thinking of my old instructor, my heart raced faster. Sure, I wasn't dead, but he still left. If the rest of the crew figured out I had been captured, he must have too. If he left because of my note, why would he be back? I added it to the list of things I didn't know, one that was ever increasing. When I got downstairs, there was no sign of the ninja, other than an envelope Player was holding, and the shocked expressions on everyone's faces. I tore outside, looking for any sign of his presence, and upon not finding any, returned inside. Wordlessly, Player handed me the paper. I grabbed it, tearing open the seal.

Dear Carmen.

I hope this finds you in good health, both physically and mentally. I see you have gotten out of ACME. I will enclose a drop point for everything that I have acquired from VILE over this last month and a half. We can continue working separately, I will use intel that isn't on the drive to plan my capers.

-Shadowsan

I stood in place, overwhelmed and confused. So, he had continued stealing while I was... away. I wasn't surprised, what was he supposed to do? He couldn't just return to his old life at VILE, especially not after making it his life mission to steal from them. But him taking the time to write and deliver this note? That wasn't what I expected. I realised that everyone was staring at me, so I thrust the note at the closest person to me. I was too shocked to speak, diving deeper into my thoughts. My head snapped up when I heard who was reading it. I heard the soft voice of Jules, reading the letter to everyone. I started to calm a little, I had gotten used to her voice whenever I had a nightmare, helping me get back to the present. When she had finished, I had to pose a question.

"So, are we going to go?"
Everyone started talking at once, but Ivy was the loudest.

"No way! He left us, he's part of the reason we're in this mess! I don't trust him, so much could have happened in these last few months, what if he got brain wiped by VILE?"

Oreo, previously napping on the couch, woke up and ran over to Ivy, putting his paws up on her. She pat his fur and tried to calm down.

"I'm sorry, I just think it's a really bad idea."
We all took our turns to speak. Player wanted to try and convince Shadowsan to re-join the team, Zack agreeing with Ivy and not wanting to go. Jules was hesitant to speak, but after everyone looked at her for an opinion, she said her piece.

"I may not know all the history you have, but if he does have these artefacts like he claims, we need to recover them. Besides, if VILE show up, we will have the full force of ACME to help us. I say we go."
Her speech was much more commanding than usual, drawing our attention and making us all sit up a little straighter. We were split two to two on the matter. As everyone turned their attentions on me, I wanted to shrink a little.

"I'm not sure what we should do. On one hand, I do want to recover everything. On the other, it is one of my biggest fears that one of you gets captured by VILE. I don't know what I would do if any of you were turned against me."

I sigh, sinking onto the couch.

"Look, the drop isn't happening for another week, I need to think about it first."
Everyone nodded, and Zack tried to lighten the mood.

"So, Jules, wearing Carm's jacket I see. Anything you guys want to tell us?"

This caused both Jules and I to flush with embarrassment, only heightened by the others cracking up in the background.


That night, I fell asleep with Oreo curled up next to me. Jules and Player were on opposite sides of me, with Ivy and Zacks rooms being across the hall. It felt weird to be back in my own room again. The bed itself wasn't much different, after being raised on the island for most of my life, I had gotten pretty used to hard beds. Sure, the occasional luxury was nice, but this bed helped me sleep the fastest. Tonight however, I was stuck in my own head, memories swarming me. Should I trust him? Should I send in backup, or go alone? Why would he even try to arrange a drop point, if he was just going to show up at red base anyway? When I finally fell asleep, it didn't last long. I woke up, and went downstairs. I didn't really know what I was doing, just moving slowly along. Like something else had taken control of my body, I opened a kitchen cabinet. I pulled out a small bottle and opened the lid. Before I even knew what was happening, I had poured all the pills into my mouth. I fell to the floor, feeling peaceful, until I felt something shaking me.

"Carmen, wake up!"

I opened my eyes, and saw Jules there. She had a worried look in her eyes, tears shimmering. I didn't know what was happening, why wasn't I in bed? As I sat up, I took in the scene around me. Chairs and tables astray, a broken cup on the ground, and an open cabinet. As I went to get up, Jules pushed me back down.

"Careful, there's broken glass nearby."

She carefully got up, sweeping away the wreckage of the cup with a broom. I tried to figure out what happened, but it must have been obvious, because Jules answered for me.

"You were sleepwalking. You weren't saying anything, but you did try to get something out of the cupboard, resulting in you knocking off the glass."

I tried to remember what I has dreaming about, but I could only remember fragments. One thought stuck out in my mind.

"Wasn't this a medicine cabinet before?"

Jules got interrupted by Ivy coming downstairs, followed by Zack and Player.

"Is everyone ok? I heard a crash coming from here."

I could hear the worry in her voice, and I wished I had an answer.

"It's ok, Carmen was just sleepwalking."

Not satisfied with this Ivy started to ask another question, but Zack stopped her.

"It looks like they've got this covered. Let's just go back to bed, we can talk about it in the morning."
They all trudged back upstairs, Ivy throwing nervous glances back at me. Jules got up and walked over the freezer, pulling out an ice pack and handing it to me. She directed me over to the couch and I sat down.

"You have a nasty bump on your head, you must have hit it while walking."

I gratefully placed the pack on my head, suddenly aware of the painful throb. As soon as I did, I got hit with the memory of the dream. I tried to hide it, but Jules spotted the brief look of terror on my face.

"What is it? What was the dream?"

I tried deflecting, but she was relentless. I eventually gave up and told her, horror dawning on her face.

"It was just a dream, don't worry. I'm fine, see?"
This failed to convince her, and she got more and more worried and worked up.

"What if they hadn't rearranged? What if you had cut yourself when you fell? What if... what if it wasn't just a dream?"

I let out a small sob at the same time her. I hadn't realised how much my mental health had affected her. Jules was openly crying now, and I snuggled closer to try and calm her.

"Hey, it's ok, it was just a dream. I'm here now, I'm safe. It's ok."

She turned to me, tear marks streaming down her face. I hugged her tightly, trying to give her the same comfort she gave me so many times.

"Pathetic huh? I'm meant to be comforting you and yet I'm the one in tears."

I shushed her.

"Everyone has feelings, you shouldn't be afraid to let them out."
She gave me a pained smile.

"Maybe you should take your own advice."
I chuckled softly.

"Maybe."
We snuggled closer, and fell asleep, and for once I slept soundly.


Raise your hand if you write mediocre fanfics and have a fucked up sleep schedule!

Raises hand

Anyway hope you enjoyed, sorry if anything seems ooc, I just wanted to have some more bonding and stuff.

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