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The group had began to settle into a subtle spot of hotel rooms on the town called Port Colbone.
A small town near Niagra falls. Which was near Player.
Carmen knew the crew had to personally deliver the hard drive to player, it was to precious to send in a parcel. Plus Vile probaly are looking for it.
The crew had just acquired the hard drive from shadow san and Carman was on leave because of her condition.
Shadow san had left without a word, like a ninja and left Carmen bubbling with questions.
It was hard to breath, and Carmen felt twitchy at not being on an operation.
Ivy and Zack had decided to take a tour of the falls leaving Carmen to deliver the hard drive on her own.
She called for a taxi and made her way comfortable on a seat.
“To Ontario please.”
~~
The only ever time she’d had free time was just before her first mission.
After leaving Vile island and having no where to go she decided to go to Player for help and she ended up staying with Player for a long time when he was hacking the hard drive.
She was 15 when she first left Vile island.
She was 18 when she left Players house and explored the world and she was almost 19 on her first mission were she stumbled and met the ginger twins.
After her escape from the isle of Vile she realised she had the task of getting to the mainland of Spain.
The boat was most likely tracked.
With no where to go she docked at the nearest port in The Canary Islands. Making her way to dock a ferry boat.
Abandoned the Vile boat at the port she shoved the cloak and Hat into a loose backpack from the boat, the backpack must have been the book keepers possession. Well it was carmens now.
She desperately needed some new clothes.
She stayed on that ferry until it docked back at Cadiz.
A couple hours passed so she got some sleep in.
And she could call player for help because there was very bad signal. The phone must have been interfered by the ferry signals.
It wasn’t the smartest price of tech and Carmen was inching further and further away from Player.
Once of the ferry she was in awe of the city.
Buildings that towered out.
Rows of white.
The streets were loud and there was lots of traffic.
It smelt like fresh sea air and lots of spices.
She stuck out like a sore thumb in this city. In her Vile clothing that no one else wore.
“Player?”
He wasn’t online.
Great she had to resort to a light stealing whilst he slept.
She only just realised they probaly have had a time difference for years and she hasn’t noticed.
Time didn’t really feel real when they called.
She came across a hotel.
Palm trees.
All the shebang.
Just a wallet and she’d be sorted with money.
She just needed enough to get to an airport and she knew player would do the rest.
She ducked into a water fountain area.
With benches and people selling ice cream.
And everything.
She felt strange.
How would she steal a wallet without being detected?
Her clothes would make her incredibly easy to stand out.
She was also starting to develop hunger pains and decided the best bet would be the ice cream van.
An ice cream man was in the van. He had a moustache and seemed very happy.
He was big though.
If he caught Carmen he could crush her wrist.
She had to be stealthy and steal from a customer, then put the wallet back in and hope they don’t notice.
Although most people use cards now adays so, they might not even notice the money gone.
She’d be trapped in jail forever if she was caught. Vile would capture her again.
She stole the hard drive so Vile didn’t have any information about criminal activity’s.
It was so vital it was delivered in person.
So Carmen diducted she should deliver it in person aswell.
How?
With no bank account, no passport. She didn’t exist to the world.
How could player get anything to her?
How could she get anything to him?
She knew she’d have to actually see him to get all these things sorted.
So.. yes.
Stealing an ice cream and some money didn’t seem that bad compared to the evil doing Vile would commit.
She was the worlds only hope.
No one else knew about Vile.
And If they did they either worked for them or were dead.
And Carmen could not get caught.
She wouldn’t be killed, but she’d be trapped and imprisoned on the island. Forever.
She was a bird.
She had been trapped on that island for so long without seeing or experiencing anything. She was now free of her cage. And never wanted to return.
Even the meals were plain.
Army surplus meals.
Carmen hadn’t even tried ice cream and her mouth watered at the idea.
Her nanny’s used to give her foods from there country’s and cultures but never anything sweet.
Her heart raced as she sneaked behind a customer, pick pocketing a man in a suit.
Silently she pulled a 100 euros and slipped the wallet back in almost immediately.
The ice cream man spoke Spanish.
His customer spoke English and mixed in Spanish words.
She knew a bit of Spanish luckily but she hoped she could pretend to be the dudes daughter or something.
“A tu hija le apetece un helado?”
The man turned to his side and saw a starry eyed kid.
“This is not my kid. so no ice cream for her.”, he had a snob look on his face. “JACE! JACOB. GET HERE.”
Carmen shrunk into the line and waited for her turn.
The van seemed bigger and slightly ominous this close up.
The heat blared down and she felt really light headed.
“Uh…”
She felt faint.
Really faint..
“Water?”
She needed water first.
Food later.
The man looked confused.
“A bottle? agua si?”
He handed her a bottle in a second.
Still confused.
“pagar.”, She put the money on the counter, she’s stole the 100 in sections so 10s and 5s and 20s. So it looked less suspicious.
The man shook his head.
She tried to pay but he shook her off.
She sat in the shade of a nearby tree and gulped the water down.
She hadn’t had a drink in days.
Why did he let her have a drink for free?
Once the water was drank she glanced up to see the man with half a sandwich.
“Si inglés?”
He nodded.
“A little. You?”
“A bit.”
The sandwich was soggy and tasted strange but it was something Carmen had never had before and she was welcome to all the new things the world had to offer.
“Parents?”
She shrugged.
“Never knew em.”
He nodded running his hands along his shirt collar, folding it back in slightly.
He had a safe energy about him.
It was strange.
In his left hand was a wedding ring.
He looked down at the small child infront of her.
Carmen was about 14-15.
Her age was an approximation.
The day she was found was her birthday but it wasn’t the actual day she’d been born.
It had been 15 years since then.
Carmen looked away.
“Oh.”
That ring looked expensive.
She could get enough for a plane ticket…
No.
She knew she couldn’t steal of this Man.
The sandwich and water suddenly tasted bitter.
But she desperately needed money for clothes. And travel to Niagra falls.
She didn’t know what to do and there was still hours until Player woke up.
The man smiled.
“My wife works in the hotel over there, she’s just about to finish. Tell her Pablo sent you. She’s blonde and pregnant should be easy to spot.”
Carmen felt all strange.
“Por qué me ayudas?” (Why are you helping me)
Pablo shrugged.
“I see myself in you. Homeless or run away. Doesn’t matter. A warm bed and meal for one night will be enough for you to go home or let us help you.
Would you like some Stew? It’s my wife’s speciality.”
Carmen nodded, feeling terrible.
This felt like stealing kindness.
Plus she also was wary incase this man was an operative of Vile or someone even worse.
She decided she’d steal something from someone else, have a sleep and some food from this Family and somehow make her way to America.
She’d travel first ofcourse.
Kill two birds with one stone sort of thing.
A small women with a belly exited the hotel. She was dressed in a suit. She was tanned with amazingly green eyes and a neat pony tail.
Pablo waved to her and she smiled crossing over.
“mi amor.”, Pablo smiled and kiss her cheek.
“Pablo. Why is there a small red haired child near you?”
“ella necesita un lugar para esta noche.” (She needs a place for tonight)
"si. And you want me to take a random kid of the street? she could steal from us."
"así que lo que? no tenemos nada que robar.”, he held her hands, staring at her.
His arms where the size of the womens legs.
“Ok. Harsh but true. Only tonight though okay?”
“Si.”
Pablos home was located a bus ride away. In the middle class side of the city.
Not rich but not that poor either.
The home was bare.
Looked like it had just been moved into.
“All of our stuff is in the moving van. So yeah. There’s nothing of value apart from maybe the gas cooker.”
The wife sighed and rested her feet on the sofa.
It was leather.
She massaged her belly.
“6 months pregnant. Es asombrosa pero no de nuevo.”
Carmen blinked.
“Huh?”
“Nothing you need to worry about. You say your Spanish. But you understand English perfectly fine. Where did you come from kid? My husband brings strays in. Cats. Dogs. He’s to kind for his own good. Always trouble.”
Carmen didn’t enjoy being called a stray. At all.
Black sheep did fit her well.
She was the odd one out where ever she went.
But she left that name die on that island that day.
“I just want some food and a place to sleep and I’ll be on my way. Is there anyway I can borrow your landline? Or hand phone.”
She raised an eye brow.
“I’ll watch you with it.”
She poured Carmen a warm bowl of stew and she ate it up like she’d never ate anything in her life.
“otra por favor.”, she held her bowl out and pouted.
The wife poured another bowl.
Her gaze softening a bit.
“I understand it though. My Pablo was a homeless kid. Orphan. Ran away from his abusive orphanage. Now he sells ice creams and makes kids happy. And now he’s having his own kid. A son.”
She held her tummy.
“My name is Gracie. It’s strange. But I understand why. I’m just a lot less trusting then this lot. I’ve come from England. Left my abusive husband and ran away to Spain. He’s never find me here. If he did ever try he’d have to face Pablo. We met when I first started work at the hotel as a secretary. I knew Spanish rather well doing it at university. I wanted to be a Spanish teacher.. But now I’m gonna marry an ice cream man and have our child.”
Her tummy kicked and she smiled.
She glanced at Carmen who was sniffling.
“I’m sorry that happened to you.”
Gracie shrugged.
“That’s the past now. Won’t ever happen again. No point worrying about it. I got a lovely partner and a kid on the way. Good job. Good home. Everything’s ok.”
Carmen scraped the bowl and Gracie passed her a phone.
“It’s my cell, call who you want use the wifi though, data is expensive.”
It had only just occurred to Carmen that the phone wasn’t working because she had no wifi.
She had wifi at VILE.
She typed in Players home number she had memorised.
And waited.
It wasn’t player who answered but a young girl.
Players sister who sometimes barged in on call.
“Hello?”
“Hi. I’m Carmen. I’m phoning to see if I could speak to your brother.”
“Mumma….It’s a kid wanting to phone player.”
Carmen heard foot steps and a fumble with the phone.
“Ok look. If this is another one of you bullys you can go away. Just leave him alone for gods sake.”
Carmen blinked and felt like she’d been punched.
She couldn’t imagine Player being upset.
Or bullied…
“Oh… sorry. Just tell him Carmen called.”
The mum did a double take and stumbled for words. The little girl began pulling on her mothers dress saying mommmmyyy in the background of the call.
“Carmen? Carmen Shepard. Oh your his Spanish friend.”
“Uhhh yeah.”, Carmen played along. “I was calling to see if I could talk to your son. My phones not working.”
“He’s just had a shower and his old man’s tackled him into coding in our room. Those two always on computers. I’ll let him know his friend called. He’s very excited your parents let you try out for that foreign exchange program. In 6 months we’ll know the answer.”
Huh?
“Program?”
“Yes yes. Hopefully you’ll get it and our house will be ready for you by then. Do you mostly speak Spanish or mostly speak English?”
“Both. Si. I can also speak other languages.”
“Must be some school wow.”
Carmen sighed in relief.
Player had already made up this whole fake story and probaly started on passports and details about her fake life.
And perhaps… A new life all together.
Maybe Carmen could just take a couple years away from Vile and leave the hard drive in a cupboard or something.
Go travelling and take down Vile when she was 19 or 20.
That sounded better than now.
She was only 15.
Plus she had literally no idea of how to get anywhere in the world or what to do.
Plus ehat info was even on the hardware.
For all she knew the bookkeeper could have done a bait and switch on a bait and switch and she could have a faulty hard drive.
“Carmen? I have to go now. Holly is fidgeting. Call me to let me know how it’s all going. Wish you luck. Byeee.”
Gracie made a face.
“Was she your auntie?”
“Not really. A friend of a friend. She’ll help me get away from this place. Really. If you’ll excuse me do you know where in town I can buy some clothes?”
Gracie shrugged.
“Charity shop. I’ve got a couple outfits that don’t fit me anymore if you want them.”
Carmen gave a shrug back.
“Sure. Better than this stupid thing.”
Gracie passed her a bin bag and Carmen began to go through finding some reds and pinks.
She began to take her clothes of her back turned to Gracie and heard the women gasp.
Carmen glanced down at all the scars all over her body from Vile injury’s over the years.
The training her body had been through.
The muscle.
She tugged a top over her head feeling embarrassed.
In vile it was normal to see kids with scars, it was celebrated as an achievement.
Carmen blinked.
Maybe that wasn’t the same here.
~~~
Carmen walked up to the familiar door she hadn’t returned to in about 2 years.
She was 20 now a month or two more and was disracted by thoughts of shadow San and her origins.
She had gone in her own to head to Ontario.
It seemed fair for her to deliver it and thank Player for all the work he does for her and the crew.
The ginger twins had a well deserved vacation and were exploring Niagra falls.
It had only been a day since she’d been given the hard drive and her ribs luckily weren’t broken just badly bruised.
Her shoulder had dislocated.
She felt banged up.
And she felt such pain at remembering it was Coach Brunt. Her only mother figure until players mum to care about Carmen.
She loved Carmen..
Loved being strongly past tense.
Carmen knocked on the door to the Smith residence.
A rustic brown oak door, cream walls, wooden beams.
It was cold up here so Carmen switched to her winter clothes, a red coat; red beanie. Hair tucked away.
She liked it long, all VILE agents were forced to have shoulder length hair, so she felt like she was rebelling.
When she’d first met Player she was fascinated at finding out for most of his childhood until recently he’d had long hair.
“Annoying for coding. Gets greasy.”
A light breeze had picked up and the door opened.
Carmen smiled down at the young girl in the doorway.
“Cammy!”, she snuggled against Carmen.
“How big you’ve grown.”
It was true, last time she’d seen Holly she came to her hips, now it was her waist.
She had Blonde hair just like Players mother.
A prominent lack of eye bags compared to Player though.
She was wearing pink and black football gear, well they call it soccer here. Same thing though.
She had a splash of freckles and a cute button nose.
A sense of adorable yet cheeky side to her.
“Yeah. You’ve grown big aswell. Want to come to my soccer game?”
“Let me just talk to your mother and brother first. I’m on sick leave pumpkin so I’ll see what your mother thinks.”
Holly pouted, “Mums making cookies and a flask. She’s in there.”, she pointed into the kitchen and Carmen did a double take at how it all looked the same.
She realised she was tall now.
Not as tall as player must be, maybe.
She knocked on the kitchen door and it took Pepper, Players mother a couple seconds to figure who was standing in her kitchen.
“Carmen. Oh wow it’s been too long. 2 years.. almost 3. You did graduate long ago. Got to explore the world as a journalist wow.”
Carmen had forgot her cover story, about the time she decided she was ready to take down Vile she decided to create a cover story and throw herself into her school work. So she could become a “journalist.” The perfect cover of course for explaining her travelling and her contact with Player.
Who was her editor hence how he could stay in his room all day and get paid by Viles money.
About the adverage editors wage as to not raise suspicions.
The mission funds was a completely separate bank account under Carmen Shepherd and Caitlin Smiths two separate bank accounts.
As well as Zack and Ivy having alter accounts and most of the money being put into gadgets and his physical tech.
It was unnoticeable by banks.
She hoped anyway.
“Si. I enjoy it. Got into an accident near here, out for a couple days. Thoughts I’d come and stay for a day or two. Before I’m whisked of somewhere else.”
Pepper handed her some cookies in a bowl.
“Ofcourse. Your basically family. Peters in his cave upstairs. Be quiet when passing David’s room, hes busy coding. I have to dash. Hollys got a game,”, she said all this whilst somehow managing to stuff a lot of food items into a bag, “Um Holly wants you to come to the game. But just play some soccer with her tomorrow. It’s a Sunday tomorrow so. Yeah. She’ll be okay with it.”, she gave Carmen a light hug.
The hug lasted a few seconds and they separated smiling.
“You really have been through a lot.”, she held the womens face, staring into Carmens eyes.
“Your tired.”
“I know.”
~~~~
Gracie and Pablo became an occurrence in Carmens life.
It seemed she couldn’t shake them off.
It had been about 3 months with regular calls to Player as he was sorting out all the details of her fake school, fake guardian named Diego and legal documents and all that stuff that took time.
Gracie needed the extra help anyway. Her son was born shortly after Carmens arrival.
Pablo was always off at work and so it was mostly Gracie and Carmen at home.
Her son was named Jacob.
He had a mop of little black hair and tiny hands.
Gracie fed her son and Carmen would do the normal house chores.
She had got some new clothes, shorts, some leggings.
Second hand converse trainers.
Carmen was preparing to leave. Put all her items in her back pack along with some sandwiches.
Player had emailed her plane tickets to her Vile phone.
Her passport he had mailed over, that’s why Carmen was still here. Plus she’d grown attached, a bit.
She tucked her passport into her backpack, wondering how she’d explain her sudden leave to these two kind people.
She knew she’d repay them some day.
When she’d taken down Vile and had some more money.
Not that money repaid anything but…
It was all a 15 year old could think.
It was the day she was set to leave.
Pablo had work and Gracie was set on her morning shopping trip.
She gave Carmen a kiss on the temple.
“See you in a bit kid.”, Jacob was in some scarf wrapped around her chest and neck.
He was asleep.
“Yep. See you in a bit..”
The note was all set up.
It seemed…. viscous.
But she was destined to take down Vile and this was a helpful step.
She was grateful to these kind people.
The note read simply, “Thank you for your hospitality. I am on my own path now. I will always remember your generosity. I hope one day I can repay your tremendous help. Gracias. Carmen Sandiago.”
She gave it a kiss and left it on the kitchen side.
She didn’t take or steal anything from the house.
At all.
She only took what she’d been given.
2 sandwiches.
Her change of clothes and pyjamas, 1 quid tooth brush.
Passport and the money she previously stole from that horrible business man.
She held onto a card which promoted Pablos business, just for memories though.
The plane journey wasn’t the worst.
It was scary though. Especially on her own and without a way to contact player this high up.
A lot less scary than a helicopter and also she got a free meal.
She’d assumed quietness would raise suspicion, so she spoke as much as possible about America and school and stuff. Cover story was she had been visiting her grand parents and now was visiting her parents again.
She was sat next to a big women who shared her sweets sometimes.
She slept a lot of the trip.
So did Carmen.
Carmen just hoped player had faked her life enough.
Enough to get by but not so much to remember.
She’s an orphan. Diego is her caretaker for the past couple years.
She wants to study in America.
She meets player and now she’s staying.
She was about to meet him and his parents once she arrived.
That was scary.
That was scary.
Player was smaller then she’d thought he’d be.
His voice slightly squeaky.
Carmen wasn’t really used to seeing people younger than her. Only older. Normally she was the youngest one.
She was a lot more mature than she reckoned.
Player had light brown hair back then.
His mother was waving a card with her name on around and smiled hugely as the girl came by her side.
“Carmen! It’s so nice to see you. Peters told me so much about you, so so much. I’m so excited to have you stay with us as an exchange student!”
I nodded and she held out a hand.
“I’m Pepper smith. I’ve messaged and called your guardian a bit, he seems nice.”
I raise a look at player who’s looking nervous and bashful.
“Your guardian, Papa Diego.”
He must have made someone up.
His mother welcomed me in without much question.
Player told me a lot how his mother had foreign exchange students all the time. Since his father worked a lot.
He was a coder and taught player all he knows apparently.
Carmen made her way past all the stalls and picked out some more American clothes. A red shirt and jean shorts.
“Ms Pepper Ma’am can I get changed in the bathroom?”
“Uh… When we get to our home alright dear.”
Pepper didn’t seem from around here. Not Canadian or American.
She had a slight British accent. Dark black hair which explains the name.
She looked the spitting image of player but player himself.
He didn’t really look like how She imagined the boy to look like.
He was lean and small.
Blue eyes and hair tied back in a bun.
He gave Carmen a smile and a small hug.
“It’s really good to see you Red. Are you okay?”
He was talking about her escape.
It had been about 3 months to make up Carmens fake life. Using photos and Pablo as the made up man Diego.
She nodded and he smiled back. A small watery smile that was gentle and kind.
He was kind and vulnerable.
His eyes hid a lot of pain.
Carmen could tell back then.
~~~
She knocked lightly on the door.
It had a massive “keep out nerd shit happening” sign on the front and she snickered at it.
“Player?”
She opened the door and he was asleep on his desk.
He looked all disheveled, lop sides hair, and when Carmen saw him like this she felt butterflies.
It was like the first time she saw his face.
Sometimes on call she gets whiplash, she forgets a lot of the time how handsome he actually is.
He had tiny freckles just like his mother.
“Carmen?”
She smiled and pulled a blanket on top of him.
“It’s me.”
She sat down next to him on his bed.
“Thank god.. I was worried. I hadnt heard anything for hours. Thought Vile had got you..”
She looked away blushing, practically pushing the bowl into his chest.
“A-and the hard drive.”, he chuckled.
The two stood in awkward silence.
The last time they were in the same room together it…
Well…
Carmen hadn’t really forgotten that night.
Not really.
For the sake of the team she pushed it away.
But in his room.
Seeing him.
Wanting to come close..
She resisted it.
In her time away, maybe Player had a lady friend now.
Bee maybe…
She was one of player’s friends he talked about sometimes. He did have a life outside of helping her with vile.
He knew she only saw Grey as a brother and she couldn’t fancy either of the Boston twins, Zack and Ivy in that way they were family.
Player just ate some cookies grinning.
“Got the hard drive?”
“Ofcourse.”
She passed it over and he wiped crumbs of his desk, plugging the hard drive in the place that the old one was in.
“It’ll take a couple days to hack into, it’s been a couple years since I’ve hacked one and this one probaly had different defences and stuff.”, he ate another cookie.
He looked tired. More tired then normal.
Stress and lack of sun light did not do wonders for your health.
“Peter.”, she held his shoulder, he looked straight into her eyes gulping. Carmen rarely used his real name anymore.
“You need rest.”
The two sat for a couple seconds as he finished the bowl, sighing.
“When was the last time you slept in the last few days?”
“I..”, he grew defensive, flushing, “A couple hours each night. It’s fineee I sleep when your in planes and stuff. I just… I always want to be awake. I can’t sleep knowing you and the crew are taking vile down. It’s fine. Most of the time I sleep when you guys do.”
“Still…”, she helped him up, noticing they both stood at the same hieght.
Player leaned in so they were almost touching.
“I’ll be taller than you one day Red.”, he chuckled, noticing the confident Carmen grow red and flustered under his teasing.
She always has done.
“I’m gonna shower. You just make yourself at home, do not touch my computer though. Games and DVDs all the same.”
She smiled and slumped in his bed, hanging her coat up and changing into some Pyjamas she brought an hour ago.
Fluffy socks.
The whole shebang.
She didn’t get to relax often.
But well this felt good.
She turned on the telly and let the background noise fill the room.
From the room she could hear the shower run.
Carmen let her mind wonder back to that night.
What even led to it?
Why did Player…
Do that?
Why did he try and convince her to stay when he knew taking down Vile was all she wanted to do.
How did player of all the poeple she’s met on her travels be the only one to make her feel like this?
They had known each other for a whole 1 year and a couple months until the cleaner took the phone she used to talk to him away.
That was a lonely year.
Player had vented to her and when she couldn’t talk to him he was so worried she’d been killed, it didn’t help strange people answered the phone. He was getting bullied a lot aswell.
It was a long trip to actually getting to his house and in the garage turned room was where Carmen stayed for a while.
She’d watched Holly grow up.
She glanced over to the photo frames next to his bed.
Young Carmen and Player pulling goofy faces, his arm around her shoulder.
Next to it was one recent one of his family, his father resting his hand on Players shoulder.
Holly jumping around with a cute onesie on and Pepper laughing.
“You have a nice family Pete..”
She couldn’t help feel a bit jealous.
She didn’t know who she was and Player had all this lovely family.
She hoped he spent time with them and not just in his room looking out for Carmen and her crew.
The last thing was a photo album and she opened it up.
Photos from her first adventure in Morocco with crackle and that lot, to now in order were in it.
Carmen looked at how she’d grown up.
Hair growing out and carmens face maturing.
Her red look in almost every photos.
Ivy and Zack made some appearances aswell.
The two always had both arms around Carmen.
Most of the time it was photos she’d taken of herself.
Printed almost perfectly.
She was taken aback by how pretty she looked in some of them. In others she was tired, dirty, or a mixture of the two. But in some of them she was very pretty.
The door creaked open and she saw Player ruffling his hair with a towel, he was wearing pyjamas bottoms and no shirt.
“Oh do you like it? It was Hollys idea. So we could both see everywhere you’ve gone. Ivy and Zack are your collegues, a sports journalist and engineering journalist. Your a crime journalist. I’m your editor..Anyway..”
He looked embarrassed and hid behind a towel.
Carmen couldn’t help but look at his wet hair.
About 18 and somehow still…
She’d known this kid since he first discovered what a period was.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder and she’s found herself, feeling strange.
This boy had been her only contact with the world wt one point.
She could have completely given up the Vile search. But she knew it would bug her for her whole life if she didn’t take them down.
Until recently she thought her crew was all that stood against Vile and the world.
But now she knew about Acme and the thought of..
Having a normal life.
Being with Player…
Danced around her mind like fire.
She held onto the book and player sat next to her, holding her shoulder.
“I won’t let anything bad happen to you Red. Those photos make me sure of it. I always will do my hardest and best. I’m not a fighter but I hope my coding and expertise helps.”
She leaned against him.
Sighing.
Taking in that sweet smell of vanilla and banana shampoo.
She’d missed how he smelled.
She let her head fall and his arm wrapped around her.
“You comfy? I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I’m good.”
The two sat in more silence.
Players room was still the same, he had more screens and tech but he still had the same toys and desk.
The thought of him with another women made her stomach hurt.
How would she know?
She couldn’t just bring it up..
The silence was broken by a swearing shout from his father, cursing about stupid codes and stupid computers.
They snickered.
“Ice cream and movie marathon? Just like old times?”, he helped her up and smiled.
“You bet.”
The two went downstairs and Carmen watched him once again.
She was also scared, because they had such a good team dynamic, a good friendship.
Why did she even feel this way for him?
Why couldn’t it go?
She’d thought it would after her years away.
But it’s just been locked away.
And this house was the key.
He’d pulled in a loose black long sleeve and pulled out a tub of chocolate ice cream.
“Your favourite thing right. First thing you ever tried after your escape from Vile.”
She nodded.
Ice cream held a special place in her heart. It reminded her of Pablo and his wife.
~~~
Carmen did return to them though.
On one of her missions she made a stop there.
It was a late autumn day and she made her way back to the same hotel.
There was no ice cream truck though; just an alcoholic drinks bar. Gross.
This made Carmen anxious.
She made her way to the middle class state in the city.
Luckily they still lived in the same house.
Carmen peaked into the window and noticed how everything was around 4 years old by now.
There baby had grown up a lot by then.
Gracie was older and had another on the way.
Pablo looked sick.
He was coughing and heaving blood sometimes.
It made Carmen want to run away.
But she knew the family needed her more than ever.
Carmen knocked on the door.
Gracie opened up and blinked.
“Carmen? Your… your alive?”
The women gave her a long bear hug. Crying.
“You just disappeared. We’d been so worried you’d been kidnapped or killed. You left a note sure but you were only a kid…”
Pablo had finished coughing and was also crying.
“I’m sorry it took me so long to return. I found my way. I’m here on business actually. But. That’s over now.”
She let herself in, as Gracie heaved over the stove.
“We make do. Pablo became very sick. We tried to law suit the van company. Faulty gas pipes to do with the freezers. Nothing came back from it. He’s surviving.”
Pablo have her a hug.
“Little Cam. Your so big now.”, he smiled, Illness had aged him a lot.
Carmen knew she had to help.
“I didn’t just come back to say hello. I’ve become rich recently because of my job. And I donate a lot of my work to charity’s. But seeing as this mission of mine was so close to home I..”
She took out a check.
The mission was a hard one. But it was over in due time.
La Chèvre and Tigress were out tampering with food sources of Spain this time. The fishing around here, so Vile isle had all the rights to the ocean around the Canary Islands.
Carmen put a stop to it.
Ending up with a hefty fishing boat to sell.
It was scary being this close to the isle of Vile again. But she knew she had to see these people again.
She had half of the profits sent to a charity and the other half was in her hand as a check.
“I have this to give to you. Without your kindness I’d be dead or worse caught by the people I escaped from.”
To Gracie and Pablo she was an escapee from an abusive militarian household.
To these two she was in the army now.
Gracie shook her head.
“Nonsense. We are ok.”
“Please.”, she held the womens hand.
“And get away from this place. Move somewhere close to a hospital for Pablos health. There should be enough for you to start fresh.”
Gracie looked at the check and gasped.
“My gracias it’s silly money. No Carmen we can’t have this. You only stayed with us for 6 months. Give this to someone else.”
She shook her head.
“I already gave more than half to the charity’s I run. You guys deserve the left overs. I earn a lot more money then this and give it away anyway.”
Gracie showed Pablo who sat up wide eyed.
“Carmen.. how…”
A little boy ran and gave Carmen a hug.
“You must be Jacob.”
The boy had his mothers green eyes and his fathers smile.
Jacob smiled.
“Mumma and Papa told me all about you.”
~~~
The two cuddled up on Players bed.
He wrapped them both up in a blanket.
The movie blared some teenage Drabble Carmen used to enjoy but she felt an un easy knot in her stomach.
Maybe due to her Illness caused by Coach brunt.
Maybe not.
Player seemed not to notice her quietness. Maybe he thought she was asleep.
The bed was comfy. A double bed. Strange for someone who she presumed was single.
Player could have had a whole new life away from her.
She was scared.
He might even be a bloody father for all Carmen knew.
“Please… don’t be in love with someone else.”
She dropped the spoon in the ice cream bowl feeling horrible.
“Carmen?”
Why has shadow san left her in the dark?
What was the rest of the story?
Did he find her with a family?
Did her family die?
Had she always been an orphan?
Ivy and Zack had become siblings to her in there stay in her adventures.
Bumbling but she loved them all the same.
She loved Player aswell.
But she didn’t feel this way about those two.
Ivy played for both sides. Zack seemed fine with having food to keep him company.
Carmen knew she was thinking about Player so she didn’t have to think about Shadow san saving her life.
Both still hurt.
“Carm?”
She felt an warm embrace.
“Your crying.”
Carmen sniffled, she never cried.
It felt to much.
Her lungs screamed in pain as she wheezes in.
His hand rested on her lung.
“You have been to hospital right?”
“Yes. Bruises, hard to breath and sprained shoulders. I’m ok.. luckily. With advances in medicine I’ve recovered much quickly then without it. I have to swabbed an ointment on my lungs and wrap them with bandage.”
Not to tight much.
It made Carmen feel a bit self conscious aswell.
Reminded her of her times back in Vile when she had wrapped herself in tight sports bras. Cut her hair short.
Anything so she could look and appear stronger then the rest.
It didn’t last long because she was hurting her lungs so she stopped.
Still it made her uncomfortable remembering the feel of bandage.
She woke up the first night in agony and had dreams of Vile finding her. Coach holding her so tightly she broke.
“Why did she do that… it was so scary not being able to contact you.”
His hands rubbed her back soothingly.
“I was scared to Red. I was scared you’d been killed… shadow san saved you but can we really trust him?”
Carmen shrugged head tucked in played neck.
It was warm and smelled amazing. Her head span with how close they were.
The feeling of his hands on her back, reminded her of that night so long ago.
Her stomach tingled with butterflies.
She slept in his bed the night before she left on her first vile mission.
He saw the real Carmen sandiago. A nervous teenager. One who didn’t know what she was doing but happy to do it with him.
She didn’t quite understand that night for a long time.
Regretting her decision and convincing herself she only did it because she was scared to go.
One of the reasons but she was denying the main reason.
Her hands lay flat on Players back.
She breathed shakily and felt him shiver slightly.
He was just 18 in a few days.
Not that Carmen was keeping track but..
It made her want to be careful with what she was thinking about.
It was different when you were younger.
She was just turning 19 when she left. He was just turning 16.
Now she’s 20 and been on viles case for a year now.
Tears fell onto his blue shirt. It made her smile remembering how cute he used to be. But now he’d grown. A lot.
“It’s complicated. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him.”
That made Player hold her even tighter.
“Don’t… say that..”
She sniffled into him, calming herself down.
It was her past.
Maybe shadow san had no idea..
maybe he just found her on the side of the road..
She pulled herself even close, thighs touching each other.
Moving her hands to touch his upper shoulders.
“I’m sorry I… That I’m crying…”
“It’s ok.”, his voice was husky, full of emotion.
It made Carmen feel all nervous.
She didn’t do emotions very well. Been raised that way.
But her heart beated a lot faster now she was close to him.
Her breath catching as she moved an inch away looking up at him.
“It all hurts.”
He stroked a stray hair behind her ear.
“Yeah i know. You got me. You got the Brooklyn twins. You got my family. You aren’t alone anymore Red.”
Her lips trembled as she remembered her year in Vile completely cut off from Player.
That was the most sad and lonely they both had been.
She was jealous of how Player was so lucky to have a family.
To have a loving relationship with all of his family.
She’d told him this before and he shrugged, “They love you aswell Red.”
She’d remembered that a lot.
When ever something was making her down she’d think about player or his family and smile.
She smiled and hugged him tight.
“Thank you Player.”
She remembered how his lips felt.
Her tummy twisted and her face felt hot.
Why was she remembering this….
His hands fell on her hips.
She blinked at him.
“You…. Your blushing.”, she chuckled, poking at him.
“I’m sorry. I moved without thinking… just… The elusive Carmen sandiago is in my bed.”
“Oh?”
He grinned.
“You made all the boys in my year mad before you left. I showed them the photo you sent me of you guys in Africa. A couple months ago.”
Carmen went through her brain, “Oh the pic from Africa. The elephant covered all of us in water, I was laughing. Zack and Ivy was annoyed.”
“I got a bit possessive about it. I didn’t realise it was so… You looked so… You weren’t covered in bruises or tired or dirt like normal..”
He rubbed his neck, as Carmen looked at him.
“What?”
“Some of them asked if you were my girlfriend. I mean.. they knew who you were.. Just hadn’t seen you since you’d grown up. They assumed something was up between us since that day around Brads house. I mean… something kinda was up.”
Carmen blushed and looked around the room staring as the movie was still playing.
Carmen turned to see him.
“I mean… I..”, he sighed into his hands, “I didn’t know what to say… Your so much older now and… Grey is back and he’s.. intimidating. I’m a skinny geek in a cave. You come across so many different bloody places and people and… It didn’t seem fair to hold you back. Or call you my girlfriend. Not like I tried to before. I don’t have anyone in my life. I don’t want anyone other than you.”
Carmen fiddled with the blanket, trying not to look at him.
“I thought you’d forgotten that night. We never really talk about it…”
He looked up at her, holding her hand.
“Red. I dream about that night whenever I can.. When ever I miss you I think about it… but also how selfish I am.. I don’t want to hold you back.. You deserve to explore and experience sex and love from anyone and… I’m just me. I’m sorry I.. did that Carmen.”
She held his hand instead of pushing him away.
“Your not selfish Player.. I understand why nothing came of that night. Until Vile is defeated we can’t get distracted by marriage or kids or love. Not whilst that evil exists in this world.”
Player looked a bit sad.
“Oh.. so.. You have found someone.”
“I think so.”
He tried to let go but she held on.
His hands were calloused from the key board and yet soft.
She wanted those hands on her face and back once again.
“I don’t want to commit to anything until Vile are destroyed. You understand right?”
“I do… but..”
He pulled her close.
His back on the bed.
“I want… just for tonight… I almost lost you Red. If I don’t tell you I might never will.”
He held her face.
She blinked and flushed down at him.
Lips parting.
“I love you… so much.. more than a best friend. I can’t live without you. I’m so glad to be your secret weapon.. I understand not wanting anything until Vile are gone.. But just for tonight.. can we forget about everything and just..”
She didn’t let him finish.
Pressing a kiss on his lips.
“Sorry. Is that ok.”
His hands slipped up her back.
“God Red..”
He pulled her so close, kissing her until she was breathless.
“I love you..”
Her hands began to take his top off and he left kissed on her neck.
“We can’t go back from this… we didn’t go all the way last time Red.. Are you sure it’s ok.. with your injury’s..”
She panted, “I think so. I want to.”
He nodded.
He kissed her once again.
Full of passion.
Clothes becoming an addition to the floor beside it.
Tears were shed and Player felt his mind going mad with the noises Carmen could make. Noise and sounds… looks only he has ever seen.
He explored every inch of Carmen. Every scar and soft place.
He had the elusive Carmen sandiago and he’d never let her go now.
When the mood had settled the two snuggled in bed, Carm resting in his chest. Blanket pulled on top of them.
“I’m your only one right Carm.. grey..”
“No. He’s a brother to me… and I haven’t had anyone else. Just you..”
She pressed against his bear chest.
Her bandages were uncomfortable and she felt self conscious of them a little.
He kissed her temple.
“Good night red.”
“Good night Player.”
As Player fell asleep she looked up at him and felt a warm sigh.
“I love you Peter.”
She said it to the silence between them.
She swear she saw him smile.