As I finished my cover of the hit Nickelodeon TV show, Caspian didn’t even bother replying to me. He focused on the road, telling the rest of the team to meet up at their apartment since we had new information.

When we got to the building, Caspian showed me exactly how he managed to make it up to the window of the apartment: he had a fucking grappling claw. I watched in awe as he zoomed up 15 stories in a matter of seconds. Seeing this event made me think about whether or not I could simply fly up the side of the building while in the ghost realm. Ghosts can fly, right? That’s how it worked in Danny Phantom.

I threw myself into the realm and tried... to no avail. I guess ghosts are just stuck to the ground in this version of reality, and I can’t exactly change my form through my ability, so I just walked all the way up to the 15th floor, walked through the wall, and randomly reappeared in the middle of the apartment, where everyone else already was.

“You too, Serenity? Does no one use doors anymore?” Brendan shouted, frightened by my random appearance.

“Why would I ever use another door when I can turn into a ghost?” I replied, throwing finger guns.

“We have names,” Caspian stated, disinterested in the current conversation and placing the vocal recordings on the table, “and more.”

We took some time showing everyone the tapes, and explaining what they could possibly mean. Eventually, we reached Mylo’s tape last, to which he was flabbergasted.

“Is... is he implying that I wasn’t supposed to be kidnapped?” Mylo asked, shocked.

“That’s our hypothesis,” Caspian started, “and there’s more. These kidnappings were pre-planned and written down on a list. That list came from a man named Dave. We find that list, we find the other names. Until then, we need to find Sandra, Joy, and Jim, we can split off into two teams. Mylo, you should go with the original three to try and find these other victims. They may have information we don’t. Serenity and I will figure out who Dave is and confront the man we believe is behind everything else: Matt Shapiro.”

“Jacob, Brendan, don’t we know someone named Dave? Someone evil?” Alphonso spoke, questioning the two.

“Why did you say Jacob first?” Brendan said, ignoring the question.

“Isn’t that the name of that one guy we fought last time? McCarthy, I think?” Jacob replied, providing a bit more information while ignoring Brendan.

“Right, yeah, Dave McCarthy. He runs the Sinister Gang. It’s the only gang in Seattle right now so there’s no way it’s not him.” Alphonso responded.

“So... to get the list, we have to search the villain's main headquarters. I like where this is going.” I laughed, enjoying the train of thought.

“Serenity, just because the Sinister Gang are idiots, doesn’t mean they’re incompetent. They’ve nearly killed us on multiple occasions.” Alphonso remarked.

“Yeah, like the time we destroyed the grocery store I used to work at because you turned one of them into a bobcat.” Brendan said.

“Yeah that sounds a bit tough to shake off.” I replied.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“In any case, they won’t be pushovers. We’ll focus on the names you found. Let’s meet back here when we’re ready.” Alphonso said, wanting to finish the conversation as quickly as he can.

“How about we do the thing they do in video games and wait until tomorrow before we start searching. Caspian, can you scout out the facility tonight? We can head in tomorrow.” I asked.

“Yeah, I can do that.” He replied, smirking.

“Brendan, do something useful and stalk the three names we found on social media. If they have month-long gaps in their profiles and live near Seattle, you’ve found them.” I relayed to Brendan.

“I know how social media works.” He replied.

“I’ll help him.” Jacob spoke up immediately, groaning.

“Mylo, just... sleep, I guess. I have no idea how your powers work or even if you’ve learned to control them yet.” I said to Mylo, who was still shook by his voice file.

“It might not be my sleepiness that controls the bean, but righty-o neighborino.” Mylo spoke awkwardly, moving to the guest room to rest up.

“I’ll help Jacob & Brendan as well. What are you going to do, Serenity?” Alphonso asked.

“Exercise.” I said, in the most serious voice I have ever said anything.

Thus, our team's montage began. Brendan, Jacob, and Alphonso all begrudgingly cyberstalked the others who were kidnapped, Caspian stood menacingly on a light post outside the sinister headquarters, mylo slept, and I ran on a treadmill for 3 hours before passing out on the couch.

Eventually, the next day came, and we all came back to the table around 10am-ish.

“Alright, three amigos, what’cha got?” I asked immediately.

“I couldn’t find anyone named Joy Nell who fits the description we heard. I did find Sandra Saunders... on onlyfans.” Brendan replied.

“She hasn’t posted on it in some time, though, even after she was rescued. Her other social media accounts were the same. She stopped posting on all of them two months ago.” Jacob continued.

“Must’ve been when she was kidnapped,” Caspian replied, “which means she must’ve been captured before anyone else and tortured for much longer.”

“I couldn't find anyone named Jim Jeremy on any account opened to the public, but I did find his Drag accounts. Gwen Spacey is fairly popular on instagram, with thousands of followers. Apparently she was supposed to be on Drag Race this season but ended up getting kidnapped when filming started. There’s a lot of news articles about her disappearance, apparently it caused a massive stir in the drag community. Lots of people freaked out. Rupaul even talked about it. He’s only made one post since the rescue, a few days ago, just a silhouette announcing their return and more information to come. It’s been viral since.” Alphonso said.

“She sounds like she’s planning something. Worth keeping an eye on. Do we have a lead on where Sandra works her day job?” I asked.

“... Yeah. Lang Corp. She was Jared’s secretary. Alphonso also works there.” Jacob replied before the room went silent for a few seconds.

“I can find her,” Alphonso spoke up in a super serious tone, “I know where she lives. I’ll go to her, Brendan, Jacob & Mylo should look for Joy and Jim.”

The moment Lang Corp was mentioned, Alphonso’s entire demeanor changed. He seemed a lot more angry about the company than anyone else in the room.

“Uhh... okay, sure. Casp, did you find a way into the hideout?” I said, changing the topic slightly.

“Yeah. Let’s go.” He replied.

I could hear the other three while exiting the room. Mylo was silent, and that worried me.

“Are you gonna be okay, dude?” I heard Brendan ask someone.

“Yeah. It’s... it’s been a month. I’m sure everything will be fine... but Sandra was there for the worst parts of it... the planning. The speeches. The firing. If she’s involved, then the implications of the kidnapping aren’t good.” He replied.

I couldn’t hear another word as Caspian and I entered the elevator.

We just looked at each other and nodded, knowing what we needed to do.