{"id":110,"date":"2014-12-29T20:53:44","date_gmt":"2014-12-29T20:53:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/?page_id=110"},"modified":"2021-10-16T00:58:53","modified_gmt":"2021-10-16T05:58:53","slug":"part1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/episodes\/episode1\/part1\/","title":{"rendered":"Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Episode 1: \u00a0Carter… Nick Carter<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Part 1<\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCarter… Nick Carter,\u201d Nick mused as he strolled down the hall.<\/p>\n

His light blond hair, usually spiked, was down that day, hanging over his clear, blue eyes. Time to cut it, but now was not the time. As a trained agent of Himitsu Takana, an elite agency out to save the world, he had more important things to do.<\/p>\n

After the original base in Japan was destroyed, the agency\u2019s headquarters relocated to the United States. It was not a location he would choose, but the agency was home to him. It had been for four years now.<\/p>\n

He blinked. Had it been that long already?<\/p>\n

Not that he had been on active duty for all four of those years, much to his dismay. Still, it was life as he\u2019d known it since he was only twenty-two.<\/p>\n

Himitsu Takana was an agency known for having no ties to the governments of the world. It was like a mother, watching over the entire planet, with highly trained specialists to help protect the world from peril on a daily basis. People across the globe went about their business, oblivious to the chaos the agents at Himitsu Takana took on every day. With skills beyond those of civilians, all of them had been plucked out specifically, chosen for this extraordinary task. Their lives knew death by its face, and instead of quailing in its presence, they stared it down. Most of the agents had, at least.<\/p>\n

Nick decided not to let his thoughts ramble on any longer.<\/p>\n

He knew what he was on the hunt for, what he had to do. He made a turn, entering the room cautiously as he idly began to hum to himself. “Dum dum, da da, dum dum, da da, dum dum, da da, dum dum… do do do… do do do\u2026 do do do… do do! Dum dum, da da, dum dum dum, da da\u2026”<\/em><\/p>\n

He kept humming the Mission: Impossible<\/em> theme as he crept to the next location. His eyes took in his surroundings as he remained in the darkness, just waiting to capture that precious object. An object so many would desire, so many would take for their own. When the coast was clear, he broke for its chest, opening it ever so carefully\u2026 and gasped.<\/p>\n

The precious was gone.<\/p>\n

Nick had kept it there under close guard, so he could use the item properly when the right moment came. Now it had been stolen before he had the chance!<\/p>\n

His jaw clenched in determination. He would do what he had to, a mission he would give himself based on necessity. It was time to discover who took the lost and valuable item, which was irreplaceable and worth more than Nick could imagine.<\/p>\n

He turned from the room and stealthily crept away. There were plenty of subjects known to sneak in at Himitsu Takana. Before he could go and question outsiders, there was something he knew he had to do first. He had to take on the task of questioning his own.<\/p>\n

His first stop would be the most obvious suspect: his secretary, Mr. James Lancybassy.<\/p>\n

Nick stormed down the hallway, determined to find out more information about his missing treasure. He spotted his first victim — no, suspect — obliviously plucking his eyebrows at his desk outside of Nick\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

Lancybassy\u2019s short hair was a lighter shade of blond than Nick\u2019s, but only at the ends. He was always well-groomed, and while he got along very well with the girls, he never seemed to have any romantic interests. Although Nick could never pinpoint a reason for Lancybassy\u2019s strange behavior around him, he normally just ignored it and went on with his work. Today, though, his behavior only made him seem more suspicious to Nick.<\/p>\n

\u201cLancybassy!\u201d Nick called from a few feet down the hall, causing Lancybassy to jump in excitement and almost pull out half his eyebrow hairs. \u201cCome with me,\u201d he ordered, not pausing as he passed the desk.<\/p>\n

Lancybassy grinned widely as he eagerly jumped up from his chair and hurried to catch up with the man he secretly desired. Maybe he finally realized how I feel about him!<\/em> he thought to himself as he stood on the other side of the closed door. He waited impatiently, straightening his pink tie and fidgeting with his white shirt and gray pinstriped suit. Then he saw the doorknob turn.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s it going, Nick?\u201d Lancybassy said, trying to control his nerves as he stood in the doorway of the dimly lit room to which Nick had opened the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust sit down.\u201d Nick motioned to the only chair in the room: a black, metal folding chair, placed at a metal card table with a bare light bulb dangling just a few feet above it. Nothing in the room was pleasant at all; there was no window, and the room itself was rather cramped and small. There were tall, black shelves lining the walls, and a closer look revealed boxes upon boxes sitting scattered all over them.<\/p>\n

Lancybassy sat down and eyed Nick closely — as he always did — in an attempt to determine why they were where they were. \u201cI hope you don\u2019t think I\u2019m an idiot, Lancybassy,\u201d Nick said after about a minute in a calm yet unsettling tone. He was pacing back and forth, although there wasn\u2019t much room for that in the small space.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I don\u2019t think you\u2019re an idiot–\u201d Lancybassy began before Nick abruptly cut in.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I KNOW<\/em> what you\u2019re up to!\u201d Nick interrupted, his voice getting a bit louder. \u201cI know there\u2019s something you\u2019re hiding from me,\u201d he added after he\u2019d calmed down for a moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cHiding something?\u201d Lancybassy repeated incredulously, surprised to learn that the forward advances he\u2019d been making weren\u2019t as forward as he thought. \u201cNick, I\u2019m not hiding anything from you. Never have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA likely story!\u201d Nick exclaimed, slamming his hand down on the table and startling Lancybassy. \u201cNow tell me where it is!\u201d<\/p>\n

Swing and a miss. Maybe it\u2019ll hit him tomorrow.<\/em> Lancybassy frowned, sighing to himself before realizing Nick was getting angry as he waited for his answer. \u201cWhere what is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what \u2018what,\u2019\u201d Nick answered, raising his eyebrows.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, really, what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe<\/em> \u2018what\u2019!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat<\/em> \u2018what\u2019??\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe \u2018what\u2019 I know you know about!!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo<\/em>, I don\u2019t!<\/em> What are you talking about?\u201d Lancybassy was thoroughly confused now, although his proximity with Nick — who now had both hands on the table and was leaning in at almost eye-level with him — was only giving him the urge to reach forward and–<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know<\/em> what I\u2019m looking for!\u201d Nick\u2019s frustrated shout derailed Lancybassy\u2019s train of thought — as well as his chance to finally make his biggest move yet. After pushing himself away from the table, he continued pacing. \u201cJust tell me where I can find it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFind what??<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStop playing coy with me!\u201d Nick was extremely annoyed with Lancybassy now. He knew<\/em> there was something Lancybassy was keeping from him, and he was in no mood to play games to find out!<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not!\u201d Lancybassy argued. Not right now, at least.<\/em> \u201cJust tell me what you\u2019re looking for! I\u2019ll help you find it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick sighed as he realized his secretary truly did not know the whereabouts of the precious. Too bad,<\/em> he thought. That would\u2019ve really helped explain why Lancybassy is so damn weird around me all the time.<\/em><\/p>\n

He stood quietly for a moment, looking Lancybassy over to check one last time and see if he was lying, before walking over to the door. \u201cNo, Lancybassy,\u201d he said solemnly as he opened it, walking out instead of holding it open like Lancybassy thought he was doing. \u201cYou\u2019re probably safer not knowing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you know where to find me,\u201d Lancybassy replied after he\u2019d stopped the door from hitting his face. When he stepped into the hallway, he cupped Nick\u2019s shoulder and grinned widely again.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure, James,\u201d Nick answered with defeat and brushed Lancybassy\u2019s hand off of his shoulder. Both men stood in silence. With his hopes dashed once again, Lancybassy felt unsure about what to do now. Meanwhile, Nick scouted for his next suspect as the search for his missing valuable continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, you finally came out of the closet?\u201d a familiar voice said from behind them, taking the two men by surprise. \u201cYou were in that supply closet so long I thought you\u2019d both suffocated.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick turned, smirking. \u201cHello, Red. Just the woman I wanted to see.\u201d<\/p>\n

Red Jewel, the agency\u2019s medical doctor, cocked her head, a lock of her short, red hair falling over her face. She tucked it behind her ear, the corners of her lips curving upwards, and said, \u201cReally. And why did you want to see me?\u201d<\/p>\n

The sound of breathing diverted Nick\u2019s attention from her; he glanced over his shoulder to find Lancybassy still standing there. From a few feet away, he watched the two of them with a chill in his pale blue eyes. Nick frowned, turning back to Red Jewel. \u201cLet\u2019s step into your office, dear, and I\u2019ll tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He put his hand on the small of her back as they walked down the hall to the medical ward, where she spent most of her time. She had her own little complex there with an examining room, a small infirmary for sick or injured staff members, a lab, and, of course, her office, the only room that was not all sterile white and stainless steel. He was glad to get into the office and away from the infirmary; it gave him the chills. Not just because it always felt cold there, but because it harbored bad memories of the days following his last mission\u2026<\/p>\n

Nick shivered, but instantly felt warmer when he entered the office. Gone was the stark whiteness, contrasted sharply by the dark, bold colors that decorated Red\u2019s private domain. Staying true to her name, she\u2019d had the walls painted a deep shade of red, and her desk and leather furniture were all sleek black. Exotic flowers and accent pieces in rich purple hues added color and character to her d\u00e9cor.<\/p>\n

The first time he\u2019d seen this office, he didn\u2019t think it fit Red Jewel at all. He had just met her, and she\u2019d seemed too sweet and innocent for the dark, edgy colors. Beautiful, yet mousy and meek, he\u2019d pictured her in a room with floral prints, pastels, and pictures of wide-eyed kittens. But in time, he\u2019d learned that Red\u2019s medical quarters described her perfectly. Pure white and clean on the outside, but with a darkness, a playfulness, a fire hidden within. That was Red Jewel.<\/p>\n

Today, though, he didn\u2019t feel like playing. He was on a mission, and despite her sweetness, he had a suspicion that Red was the culprit he was looking for. \u201cIt\u2019s always the quiet ones\u2026\u201d he murmured, eyeing her suspiciously.<\/p>\n

Red Jewel turned. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind. Sit down.\u201d He beckoned, waiting until she had taken a seat at her desk. Then he sank into the leather chair across from her and glared across the desktop, trying to look intimidating.<\/p>\n

She blinked. \u201cWhat? Why are you staring at me like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick decided to try some psychology. \u201cOh, I think you know,\u201d he replied, arching an eyebrow. When she didn\u2019t respond right away, he steepled his fingers on the desktop and slowly tapped his index fingers together, waiting.<\/p>\n

Finally, Red shook her head. \u201cI\u2019m lost, Nick. What\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ah, so she\u2019s playing dumb,<\/em> he thought. Well, he wasn\u2019t going to fall for that. Red was too smart to be dumb; she was a doctor, after all. \u201cSomething precious to me has been taken. And I think you know just<\/em> where it went!\u201d he accused. \u201cWhere were you at 1400 hours??\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo o\u2019clock? I was here, in my office, reading my medical journal,\u201d she replied easily, holding up a thick periodical. \u201cThis month\u2019s issue just came in the mail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me see that,\u201d growled Nick, snatching it roughly from her hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t understand it,\u201d she teased with a wink.<\/p>\n

Nick glanced up over the top of the journal, narrowing his eyes across the desk at her. \u201cI\u2019m not stupid. You don\u2019t get to the rank of 008 by being stupid, you know. I know exactly what a–\u201d He glanced down quickly at the journal, reading the first big word that jumped out at him, \u201c–Etchy-mosis is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEcchymosis?\u201d Red asked, raising her brows; she said it like “ek-uh-mosis.” <\/em>\u201cOkay, Dr. Carter, what is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s, uh\u2026 uh\u2026\u201d Damn, why didn\u2019t these medical journals have big words highlighted in yellow and listed in a glossary off to the side, like his textbooks in school had?<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a red-purple discoloration of the skin, due to the passage of blood from ruptured blood vessels into subcutaneous tissues,\u201d she defined in a brisk voice, as if she\u2019d been reading it out of a dictionary. \u201cIn layman\u2019s terms\u2026 a bruise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d huffed Nick. His ego was now bruised\u2026 or etchy-motized<\/em>, whatever that word was. Eager to change the subject, he lowered his eyes to the medical journal again and suddenly gasped, \u201cAh-ha!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Ah-ha\u2019 what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh-ha!<\/em>\u201d Nick repeated, smiling triumphantly over the top of the journal, which he practically flung into her face. \u201cWhat\u2019s this?!\u201d he demanded, shaking the journal under her nose.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s what?<\/em> I can\u2019t see when it\u2019s right in my face.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick pulled the journal back. \u201cThis! Right here!\u201d He pointed to a small stain on the margin of the page, a little circle of discoloration that was slightly darker than the paper around it. \u201cThat\u2019s a fingerprint! You had something on your fingers when you read this page! Something you got from meddling around where you weren\u2019t supposed to be, perhaps?\u201d He waved the journal around tauntingly, triumphantly. He had caught Red Jewel red-handed!!<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me see that.\u201d Red snatched the journal back and raised it cautiously to her nose. She sniffed once, then gave him an exasperated look. \u201cIt\u2019s lotion,\u201d she said. \u201cI had just put lotion on my hands before I read this. Smell for yourself. It\u2019s raspberry vanilla, the kind I always use.\u201d<\/p>\n

Suspiciously, Nick took a small whiff. Indeed, it carried the sweet scent of Red Jewel, which he now realized was the lotion she used. He was disappointed but not about to quit his investigation now. The mysterious fingerprint may have just been lotion, but that didn\u2019t mean it wasn\u2019t a clue. \u201cAlright then, tell me this \u2013 why did you put on lotion right then? Didn\u2019t you realize it would get all over your magazine?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy hands were dry. I had just washed them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh-ha! Ah-ha!<\/em>\u201d Nick cackled again. \u201cAnd why did you wash your hands? Something on them, maybe? Something you got while you were taking things that weren\u2019t yours?!\u201d<\/p>\n

Red blinked. \u201cNick, I\u2019m a doctor. I work around bacteria all the time. I try to keep my ward as clean and sterile as I can, and that means washing my hands. Often.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d Nick slumped in his chair. Interrogating Red Jewel was impossible; she was just too logical. Even if she had taken the precious, he could see he wasn\u2019t going to get anything out of her. At least not now.<\/p>\n

He sighed. \u201cAlright, you got me. You\u2019re off the hook\u2026 for now. But I may be back, so don\u2019t think you\u2019ve outsmarted me.\u201d<\/p>\n

The corners of her mouth twitched. \u201cI won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick narrowed his eyes at her one last time, then got up from his seat and swept dramatically out the door. He turned once to see if she would call him back and confess at the very last minute. However, she had already returned to her medical journal and was reading contentedly.<\/p>\n

Frustrated, Nick stalked out of the medical ward.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Part 2<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Episode 1: \u00a0Carter… Nick Carter Part 1   \u201cCarter… Nick Carter,\u201d Nick mused as he strolled down the hall. His light blond hair, usually spiked, was down that day, hanging over his clear, blue eyes. Time to cut it, but now was not the time. As a trained agent of\u2026<\/p>\n

Read more<\/span><\/i><\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":112,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/template-onecolumn.php","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-110","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":false,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P5xaHX-1M","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/110","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=110"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/110\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":703,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/110\/revisions\/703"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/112"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=110"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}