worldofbraingirlau

[worldofbraingirlau]

🍅 The time is nigh. Ready yourself.

Steven: It's February. Tomatoes are in season mainly in the summer months. Tom A. Tommington: Yeah besides National Tomato Day isn't until July 25th. Steven: Exactly he's...HEY WHO THE HECK ARE YOU AND WHERE DID YOU COME FROM!

[worldofbraingirlau]

"I'm sorry that Maddrix put you through all that. It must have been difficult growing up with a mentor like that." Carrie apologized. She was surprised when instead of accepting, Steven gave a bitter laugh at her words. His face formed into a snarl and grimace, though not directed at her. “That monster wasn’t just my mentor Carrie.” Steven spoke with a bitter tone. He paused, his face now forming into one of regret and bitterness, but also one that was solemn. “Unfortunately by the law of DNA and genetics, Maddrix is also my biological father.” Steven admitted. Steven didn’t look at Carrie’s reaction to his reveal. He didn’t want nor need to. “I was there when Maddrix did his massacre. I was right smack dab there in all of it. I had no idea what he was about to do until it was too late. Though I should have. I should have paid attention to the signs. But I was a stupid and naive kid who was too trusting of the man I once called father. By the time I reached someone I knew whose parents were powerful and respected heroes to warn them, it was too late. I can still remember all the screams and cries from that day. All the mangled corpses and bodies of fallen heroes strewn about like crumpled leaves. I foolishly ran into the heart of it because I was trying to save some lives. I was trying to save the life of my best friend in the whole world.” Steven blinked back the tears forming in his eyes. “It was too late. I found her corpse. I held her close while I wailed and screamed in agony and anger to the sky. It was then I vowed to stop Maddrix. Put an end to his reign. I gathered all the villains who were willing and able to fight back. There were no heroes left who could. It was grueling but in the end we stopped him and he went away to a max security prison for a long time.” Steven finished explaining, still not looking at Carrie. His gaze somewhere else. He let out another bitter laugh. “Still what good did that do. The only person I did save, someone who I had a huge crush on, he left earth and is gone to who knows where?” This time Steven turned back to face Carrie, but he didn’t take notice of her expression. He didn’t notice how Carrie’s frightened expression was in reaction to his own growing manic expression. Or maybe Steven didn’t care anymore. He was letting this stranger see the true him. Why should he care how she reacted? But Carrie wasn’t looking just at his face with fear, but also at his hands. His hands which were now beginning to spark with white electrical energy.  “You want to know something else? Why do I truly dislike the other villains? It’s not just because of Squeaky. He is evil, yes, but in the end he is also a parasite that is only alive because I don’t want anything bad happening to my precious little girl. Why I dislike villains and villainy in general. I have seen what someone like Maddrix is capable of when doing villainy. I have done some pretty bad things in the name of villainy myself!” Carrie flinched again at the rising tone of Steven’s voice and the growing sparks of his hands. “Mr. Heaslip was wrong about you and my daughter. You were wrong about yourself Carrie! He was dead right about me though. Neither you nor Mouse are monsters. I should know. It takes one to know one. The reason I despise villainy now is because I know how villains work! It’s because I know most villains have the potential to be as bad as Maddrix or like me! So are you happy now Carrie?” You got your answers! All that hero gadgets and stuff over there! It’s all just for temporary pretending! IT’S ALL FAKE!” As Steven yelled that last part, a burst of ionized energy shot out of Steven’s sparking hands, nearly missed Carrie’s head, and aimed directly at the table with all the hero gadgets and tech. The energy shot blasted everything to smithereens, leaving a smoldering and scorched stain along with debris and rubble where a desk once stood. @experimentedcat

"I'm..sorry to hear that." Carrie says. Feeling a bit awkward now. Given how she couldn't relate to that. The feeling of loosing someone dear not once but three times nearly. She could only imagine how Steven felt.

The rest of the night was a blur to her. Mostly wrapped in her own thoughts. For once it seemed like sleep wasn't going to come easily. Perhaps it was this place. A feeling of deja vu left her on edge for reasons she could decipher.

Surprisingly, Steven never asked for the photos back. Perhaps he had forgotten to take them back. After looking through them for the umpteenth time in the row, Carrie figured to return them. Or at least put them somewhere where Steven would be able to find them.

That was her intention in the beginning anyways. Somehow she found herself looking at the photos hung on the wall, bookshelves and practically anywhere photos were normally placed. They all felt off however. Like something was missing. 'wait... didn't he mention his late wife?' Carrie thought. Why didn't he have any pictures of her? Carrie was genuinely curious now. Wanting to find them if any were still around. Part of her knew it was most likely painful for him to have those up. ' I'll just give a quick peep at them...it's not like I'd have to tell him I saw them...' she says to herself.

After a bit of quiet rummaging around. She found a box that was hidden among other items in the area. She carefully opened the dusty box. Holding back a small sneeze. Inside were old clothes jewelry...very shiny jewelry. She was almost tempted to nab one. But her promise of no more stealing stopped her.

and underneath...'jackpot!'

her eyes lit up seeing Steven, younger and less looking like a zombie. Geez he really needs more sleep Carrie thought. And beside Steven was...

Carries eyes widened.

staring at the photo a familiar face stared back.

Steven frowned when he heard shuffling coming from upstairs. He was working on a cure for his daughter like he did every night. He was surprised someone was still up at this late hour. "I wonder if Carrie might be awake." Steven pondered. The shuffling he heard with his super hearing wasn't too close. So it couldn't have been Mouse or Bob rummaging for food in the kitchen again. Steven exited the basement and up to the living room. The shuffling has ceased. Steven wasn't relaxed by that. It had sounded like the shuffling originated upstairs. Steven walked up the stairs and saw his daughter and Bob still asleep in their room. It warmed Steven to see the noise hadn't awoken them. Steven then checked on where Carrie was sleeping. He wasn't that all surprised to see her missing. It only further confirmed his theory that Carrie was behind the noise. Steven saw the trapdoor to the attic was opened and the lights were on. He climbed up the ladder. Once he was up there, Steven turned his head and gazed around the attic. He soon found Carrie leaning over an open box and frozen in place. Steven became confused. 'What on earth could have made her freeze in place like that.' Steven tried to peek over Carrie's shoulder and see what was the matter. Steven still couldn't see Carrie's expression but he could now see what her focus was on. Steven became a little upset that Carrie was looking through a box that belonged to his late wife. 'I guess what they say about cats and curiosity is kind of true.' Steven mused. He wasn't going to kill her over it of course. The worse he was going to do was scold her for looking through private and personal things without permission. "What are you doing Carrie?" Steven addressed, causing the woman to become startled by the sudden presence behind her. @experimentedcat

[worldofbraingirlau]

Carrie noticed Steven glancing at a watch on his wrist ever so often while he worked. Carrie was a bit confused by his action but then realized he was checking the time so he could be ready to pick up his daughter. Carrie remembered Steven telling Mouse he was going to take her to the library after he picked her up from school to help with her assignment. Carrie frowned, she recalled Steven’s pale and horrified reaction when Mouse had mentioned this Maddrix guy. She could also tell Steven was lying about his knowledge of Maddrix for Mouse’s sake. Carrie of course didn’t want the little girl to know any more about that villain if it was truly horrible, but Carrie wanted to know. She wanted to know if Steven’s family fought against Maddrix. If Steven and Mouse came from a family of heroes or people who aided them. They must have been since Steven is so familiar with how heroics and villainy work. Carrie was worried about how Steven would react to her questions, but her curiosity was strongly compelling her in wanting to know. Carrie decided to not ask invasive questions but just small general stuff. “So Steven, how long has your family been in the hero business?” Carrie started off asking. Steven raised an eyebrow. Perplexed by her question. “Well I have been taking the mantle for about 3 years now. Mouse only became Wordgirl for about a year and a half before the accident.” Steven tried to answer. This time Carrie looked puzzled by his response. “Okay but before that, what about your family, are any of them heroes too?” Carrie reiterated. She saw Steven flinch a bit, becoming unnerved by her question. “No, none of them are. They are just regular citizens.” Steven answered abruptly, causing Carrie to flinch a bit at his tone. He was starting to get irritated, so was she. “That doesn’t explain how you know so much about how villains and heroes work.” Carrie nearly shouted. Steven just glared “I know about heroes and villains from research and experience. So drop it.” Steven spoke in a warning tone. Carrie wasn’t going to. She could tell he was still lying to her, like before. She didn’t like that at all. “Then how do you explain your reaction to this Maddrix character? Why was his attack and defeat so personal to you? How was he stopped back then?” Carrie shouted. “BECAUSE I WAS THE ONLY ONE ABLE AND LEFT WHO COULD STOP HIM THAT’S WHY!” Steven screamed at Carrie as he banged the table, leaving a dent in it. A dark and anguish expression glared at her as he huffed with emotions. Carrie didn’t say anything. She just sat there frozen with a stunned and slightly fearful expression. Steven’s expression softened once he registered how Carrie was looking at him. Even though she provoked him, he knew she wasn’t doing it intentionally. He felt bad for making her react this way. Steven wondered if she was seeing his face or Steven’s right now. Steven gave a defeated sigh. His expression becoming solemn and painful. He honestly had nothing to lose with telling Carrie the truth. She was just a random person who he will probably never see again after he cured her. He only had to guarantee from her that she wouldn't ever tell Mouse the truth, which was easy for him to do. “Like I told you before, I only took the hero mantle because of what happened to Mouse. It is more out of obligation rather than heroic morals.” Steven began to speak in a solemn and bitter tone. “I was never meant to be a hero. I was just a regular civilian before the accident, but back then, I was never a hero. I was a villain. I was known as Professor Terror. In my youth I robbed banks, stole valuables, did every nasty and selfish thing a villain would do. That’s how Maddrix raised and taught me.” Steven explained. @experimentedcat

"I'm..sorry to hear that." Carrie says. Feeling a bit awkward now. Given how she couldn't relate to that. The feeling of loosing someone dear not once but three times nearly. She could only imagine how Steven felt.

The rest of the night was a blur to her. Mostly wrapped in her own thoughts. For once it seemed like sleep wasn't going to come easily. Perhaps it was this place. A feeling of deja vu left her on edge for reasons she could decipher.

Surprisingly, Steven never asked for the photos back. Perhaps he had forgotten to take them back. After looking through them for the umpteenth time in the row, Carrie figured to return them. Or at least put them somewhere where Steven would be able to find them.

That was her intention in the beginning anyways. Somehow she found herself looking at the photos hung on the wall, bookshelves and practically anywhere photos were normally placed. They all felt off however. Like something was missing. 'wait... didn't he mention his late wife?' Carrie thought. Why didn't he have any pictures of her? Carrie was genuinely curious now. Wanting to find them if any were still around. Part of her knew it was most likely painful for him to have those up. ' I'll just give a quick peep at them...it's not like I'd have to tell him I saw them...' she says to herself.

After a bit of quiet rummaging around. She found a box that was hidden among other items in the area. She carefully opened the dusty box. Holding back a small sneeze. Inside were old clothes jewelry...very shiny jewelry. She was almost tempted to nab one. But her promise of no more stealing stopped her.

and underneath...'jackpot!'

her eyes lit up seeing Steven, younger and less looking like a zombie. Geez he really needs more sleep Carrie thought. And beside Steven was...

Carries eyes widened.

staring at the photo a familiar face stared back.

Steven frowned when he heard shuffling coming from upstairs. He was working on a cure for his daughter like he did every night. He was surprised someone was still up at this late hour. "I wonder if Carrie might be awake." Steven pondered. The shuffling he heard with his super hearing wasn't too close. So it couldn't have been Mouse or Bob rummaging for food in the kitchen again. Steven exited the basement and up to the living room. The shuffling has ceased. Steven wasn't relaxed by that. It had sounded like the shuffling originated upstairs. Steven walked up the stairs and saw his daughter and Bob still asleep in their room. It warmed Steven to see the noise hadn't awoken them. Steven then checked on where Carrie was sleeping. He wasn't that all surprised to see her missing. It only further confirmed his theory that Carrie was behind the noise. Steven saw the trapdoor to the attic was opened and the lights were on. He climbed up the ladder. Once he was up there, Steven turned his head and gazed around the attic. He soon found Carrie leaning over an open box and frozen in place. Steven became confused. 'What on earth could have made her freeze in place like that.' Steven tried to peek over Carrie's shoulder and see what was the matter. Steven still couldn't see Carrie's expression but he could now see what her focus was on. Steven became a little upset that Carrie was looking through a box that belonged to his late wife. 'I guess what they say about cats and curiosity is kind of true.' Steven mused. He wasn't going to kill her over it of course. The worse he was going to do was scold her for looking through private and personal things without permission. "What are you doing Carrie?" Steven addressed, causing the woman to become startled by the sudden presence behind her. @experimentedcat

[worldofbraingirlau]

Steven silently nodded. He held the scanner near her body and pressed a button. A green flashed a few times as a beam of green light passed through Carrie’s body. The beam moved up and down a bit. Carrie had to restrain herself from chasing after the pretty light. Soon the beam vanished followed by a short beeping sound. Steven looked at the screen with a serious and stoic expression. Carrie noticed his eyes widening a bit and his lips moving as he mutters something. Steven let out a sigh and placed the machine down. He then pulled out a notebook and began writing something in it. Carrie frowned, getting impatient Steven wasn’t replying to what he saw. Steven held up a finger and told her to wait before he continued writing down in his notebook. After he finished he looked at Carrie with a grim expression. “Okay before I tell you what I found out, do you want me to be blunt with you or do you want the truth sugar coated?” Steven inquired. Carrie looked surprised and seemed hesitant to respond. Part of her was afraid of learning bad news, but she also wanted to know the truth. Carrie took a deep breath before giving Steven a determined look. “Be completely honest with me.” Carrie replied. “Okay then.” Steven began. “First of all you should be dead. I don’t know how you are alive. It has nothing to do with what you are spliced with. Rather it has to do with your internal injuries. You have many healed fractures, contusions, skull fractures, and scarred tissues. Not to mention what kind of damage I saw with your organs which are still functioning normally by some miracle. Either you have an incredible healing factor, immortality status, or the saying about cats having 9 lives is completely true and you are probably somewhere on your last one or two lives. I have no clue. So I have two theories about your condition. 1. The scientists that experimented on you injected you with the right mixtures and amounts to make you like this without killing you. 2. You have some metahuman genes that have kept you alive why they did all sorts of tests on you.” Steven spoke in an astounded tone. “Luckily for you I have experience observing and analyzing mutants and metahumans. I can still find a cure for you through your DNA. You don’t even have to give me a blood sample. Saliva or other liquids that contain your DNA will work just as well.” Steven explained to Carrie.  @experimentedcat

"I'm..sorry to hear that." Carrie says. Feeling a bit awkward now. Given how she couldn't relate to that. The feeling of loosing someone dear not once but three times nearly. She could only imagine how Steven felt.

The rest of the night was a blur to her. Mostly wrapped in her own thoughts. For once it seemed like sleep wasn't going to come easily. Perhaps it was this place. A feeling of deja vu left her on edge for reasons she could decipher.

Surprisingly, Steven never asked for the photos back. Perhaps he had forgotten to take them back. After looking through them for the umpteenth time in the row, Carrie figured to return them. Or at least put them somewhere where Steven would be able to find them.

That was her intention in the beginning anyways. Somehow she found herself looking at the photos hung on the wall, bookshelves and practically anywhere photos were normally placed. They all felt off however. Like something was missing. 'wait... didn't he mention his late wife?' Carrie thought. Why didn't he have any pictures of her? Carrie was genuinely curious now. Wanting to find them if any were still around. Part of her knew it was most likely painful for him to have those up. ' I'll just give a quick peep at them...it's not like I'd have to tell him I saw them...' she says to herself.

After a bit of quiet rummaging around. She found a box that was hidden among other items in the area. She carefully opened the dusty box. Holding back a small sneeze. Inside were old clothes jewelry...very shiny jewelry. She was almost tempted to nab one. But her promise of no more stealing stopped her.

and underneath...'jackpot!'

her eyes lit up seeing Steven, younger and less looking like a zombie. Geez he really needs more sleep Carrie thought. And beside Steven was...

Carries eyes widened.

staring at the photo a familiar face stared back.

Steven frowned when he heard shuffling coming from upstairs. He was working on a cure for his daughter like he did every night. He was surprised someone was still up at this late hour. "I wonder if Carrie might be awake." Steven pondered. The shuffling he heard with his super hearing wasn't too close. So it couldn't have been Mouse or Bob rummaging for food in the kitchen again. Steven exited the basement and up to the living room. The shuffling has ceased. Steven wasn't relaxed by that. It had sounded like the shuffling originated upstairs. Steven walked up the stairs and saw his daughter and Bob still asleep in their room. It warmed Steven to see the noise hadn't awoken them. Steven then checked on where Carrie was sleeping. He wasn't that all surprised to see her missing. It only further confirmed his theory that Carrie was behind the noise. Steven saw the trapdoor to the attic was opened and the lights were on. He climbed up the ladder. Once he was up there, Steven turned his head and gazed around the attic. He soon found Carrie leaning over an open box and frozen in place. Steven became confused. 'What on earth could have made her freeze in place like that.' Steven tried to peek over Carrie's shoulder and see what was the matter. Steven still couldn't see Carrie's expression but he could now see what her focus was on. Steven became a little upset that Carrie was looking through a box that belonged to his late wife. 'I guess what they say about cats and curiosity is kind of true.' Steven mused. He wasn't going to kill her over it of course. The worse he was going to do was scold her for looking through private and personal things without permission. "What are you doing Carrie?" Steven addressed, causing the woman to become startled by the sudden presence behind her. @experimentedcat

[worldofbraingirlau]

Carrie decided to change the subject a bit. “What’s that over there?” Carrie asked, referring to the table on the right. Steven looked to where she was pointing. He had an unbothered and nonchalant expression. Carrie internally sighed with relief as she sensed this question didn’t bother him. “It’s where I make gadgets to help me fight crime. Since I only have half of Mouse’s powers, I need an extra boost from time to time.” Steven casually explained with a shrug. Carrie just nodded. He then led her to a table at the end of the basement. It was clean and empty except for a bag near the table. “This is where we are going to work on a cure for you.” Steven explained to Carrie. Carrie just hummed. “Okay so where do you want to start?” She asked. Steven answered her by pulling something out of the bag. He showed Carrie the object. It was a metallic looking device with a handle and a single antennae. It was rectangular and in the center on one side was a circular, digital screen. On the other side were some coils covered with a hard plastic coating. Carrie stared at the machine with confusion and caution. It wasn’t threatening but she wasn’t sure what it would actually do. Sensing her concerns, Steven explained the machine to Carrie. “This device is like a miniature x-ray and microscope all in one. Instead of taking x-rays of you, this machine will scan your body and display the data on the screen.” Steven pointed as he explained. “I made this for Mouse after she developed a phobia of needles. No pricking or prodding involved and you won’t even feel a thing when it scans you.” Steven exclaimed. Carrie became more relaxed, but then something came to mind. “Mouse is afraid of needles too?” Carrie asked curiously. Steven’s expression slowly became dark and stormy. Even though it wasn’t directed at her, that expression chilled Carrie to the bone. “She is sadly.” Steven spoke in a grim tone. “Like you she was taken by a twisted scientist a long time ago. She was nearly experimented on, but luckily I stopped them and rescued my baby before they could try anything.” @experimentedcat

"I'm..sorry to hear that." Carrie says. Feeling a bit awkward now. Given how she couldn't relate to that. The feeling of loosing someone dear not once but three times nearly. She could only imagine how Steven felt.

The rest of the night was a blur to her. Mostly wrapped in her own thoughts. For once it seemed like sleep wasn't going to come easily. Perhaps it was this place. A feeling of deja vu left her on edge for reasons she could decipher.

Surprisingly, Steven never asked for the photos back. Perhaps he had forgotten to take them back. After looking through them for the umpteenth time in the row, Carrie figured to return them. Or at least put them somewhere where Steven would be able to find them.

That was her intention in the beginning anyways. Somehow she found herself looking at the photos hung on the wall, bookshelves and practically anywhere photos were normally placed. They all felt off however. Like something was missing. 'wait... didn't he mention his late wife?' Carrie thought. Why didn't he have any pictures of her? Carrie was genuinely curious now. Wanting to find them if any were still around. Part of her knew it was most likely painful for him to have those up. ' I'll just give a quick peep at them...it's not like I'd have to tell him I saw them...' she says to herself.

After a bit of quiet rummaging around. She found a box that was hidden among other items in the area. She carefully opened the dusty box. Holding back a small sneeze. Inside were old clothes jewelry...very shiny jewelry. She was almost tempted to nab one. But her promise of no more stealing stopped her.

and underneath...'jackpot!'

her eyes lit up seeing Steven, younger and less looking like a zombie. Geez he really needs more sleep Carrie thought. And beside Steven was...

Carries eyes widened.

staring at the photo a familiar face stared back.

Steven frowned when he heard shuffling coming from upstairs. He was working on a cure for his daughter like he did every night. He was surprised someone was still up at this late hour. "I wonder if Carrie might be awake." Steven pondered. The shuffling he heard with his super hearing wasn't too close. So it couldn't have been Mouse or Bob rummaging for food in the kitchen again. Steven exited the basement and up to the living room. The shuffling has ceased. Steven wasn't relaxed by that. It had sounded like the shuffling originated upstairs. Steven walked up the stairs and saw his daughter and Bob still asleep in their room. It warmed Steven to see the noise hadn't awoken them. Steven then checked on where Carrie was sleeping. He wasn't that all surprised to see her missing. It only further confirmed his theory that Carrie was behind the noise. Steven saw the trapdoor to the attic was opened and the lights were on. He climbed up the ladder. Once he was up there, Steven turned his head and gazed around the attic. He soon found Carrie leaning over an open box and frozen in place. Steven became confused. 'What on earth could have made her freeze in place like that.' Steven tried to peek over Carrie's shoulder and see what was the matter. Steven still couldn't see Carrie's expression but he could now see what her focus was on. Steven became a little upset that Carrie was looking through a box that belonged to his late wife. 'I guess what they say about cats and curiosity is kind of true.' Steven mused. He wasn't going to kill her over it of course. The worse he was going to do was scold her for looking through private and personal things without permission. "What are you doing Carrie?" Steven addressed, causing the woman to become startled by the sudden presence behind her. @experimentedcat

[worldofbraingirlau]

Steven’s eyebrows furrowed with confusion and concern once he got close to his front door. Steven looked back at Bob who also had a puzzled and concerned expression. Bob just nodded back at Steven and gave a slight shrug. ‘So Bob can hear it too.’ Steven reasoned. Even without his super hearing, Steven could tell that Carrie had turned up the television to a loud volume. The static from the television blaring loudly. He and Bob had no idea why Carrie had even done that. An apprehensive expression flashed across Steven’s face. Was Carrie having another panic episode like last night? “Bob, stick close to me.” Steven warned the monkey. Bob became surprised but nodded at Steven’s instruction. Bob quickly adopted an alert expression. Steven slowly opened the door and the duo cautiously walked in. Both of them flinched in pain a bit due to the piercing static sound. Steven saw Carrie sitting on the couch staring directly at the television set which was only showing static. “CARRIE!” Steven shouted, trying to get her attention. He didn’t want to startle her by approaching and touching her. That seemed to do the trick as Carrie snapped out of her trance state. She turned her head and saw Steven and Bob with whom the latter was covering his ears. Carrie’s face became red as she suddenly realized why both of them seemed to be wincing with pain. Quickly Carrie fumbled with the remote before she turned the volume back down real low. “Sorry about that.” Carrie sheepishly apologized. Bob let go of his ears and bapped one side to get rid of any lingering ringing noises. Steven sighed. “It’s fine. Though I might have to check on your hearing if you needed to turn the tv up so loud just to listen.” Steven quipped. Carrie huffed in annoyance. “I don’t need medical help. My hearing is fine.” She scowled. Carrie didn’t feel like telling Steven the real reason for her actions. Steven raised his hand in surrender. “Okay fine. Look, I'm back. So why don’t we go down to the basement and start working on how to find a cure for you. Just until I have to leave and pick up my daughter and take her to the library for her assignment.”  Carrie nodded and followed Steven to the basement door. She figured now was as good of a time as any to ask Steven about his behavior earlier and real knowledge on this Maddrix guy. Carrie was surprised when they got to the bottom floor of the basement. At first she thought she would be nervous being in a dark and grimy place that was closed off, but this place was cleaner and not as scary as she had expected. It appeared to Carrie that this area was like some type of makeshift lab that was split three ways. On the right there was a table with gadgets and gizmos. A few looked like they were being either built or repaired, Carrie wasn’t sure. To her left it was a huge mess. Notes and pieces of paper were taped to the wall. Notebooks and test tubes covered the table. Carrie had caught a glimpse of some of the writing. She couldn’t make out what the words and numbers meant, but she noticed some of them were angrily marked or torn out. A weird metallic looking helmet was leaning against the table. There were parts of it that were missing and some wires sticking out. “That’s where I am working on the cure for Mouse.” A grim and hollow voice spoke. Carrie jumped a bit in surprise and turned her head to see Steven looking back to her. Carrie didn’t realize that she had stopped walking when she was observing the area on the left. Carrie could see the anger and anguish in Steven’s expression. He probably told her that so she wouldn’t have to ask. “Oh. I understand.” Carrie replied solemnly. @experimentedcat

"I'm..sorry to hear that." Carrie says. Feeling a bit awkward now. Given how she couldn't relate to that. The feeling of loosing someone dear not once but three times nearly. She could only imagine how Steven felt.

The rest of the night was a blur to her. Mostly wrapped in her own thoughts. For once it seemed like sleep wasn't going to come easily. Perhaps it was this place. A feeling of deja vu left her on edge for reasons she could decipher.

Surprisingly, Steven never asked for the photos back. Perhaps he had forgotten to take them back. After looking through them for the umpteenth time in the row, Carrie figured to return them. Or at least put them somewhere where Steven would be able to find them.

That was her intention in the beginning anyways. Somehow she found herself looking at the photos hung on the wall, bookshelves and practically anywhere photos were normally placed. They all felt off however. Like something was missing. 'wait... didn't he mention his late wife?' Carrie thought. Why didn't he have any pictures of her? Carrie was genuinely curious now. Wanting to find them if any were still around. Part of her knew it was most likely painful for him to have those up. ' I'll just give a quick peep at them...it's not like I'd have to tell him I saw them...' she says to herself.

After a bit of quiet rummaging around. She found a box that was hidden among other items in the area. She carefully opened the dusty box. Holding back a small sneeze. Inside were old clothes jewelry...very shiny jewelry. She was almost tempted to nab one. But her promise of no more stealing stopped her.

and underneath...'jackpot!'

her eyes lit up seeing Steven, younger and less looking like a zombie. Geez he really needs more sleep Carrie thought. And beside Steven was...

Carries eyes widened.

staring at the photo a familiar face stared back.

Steven frowned when he heard shuffling coming from upstairs. He was working on a cure for his daughter like he did every night. He was surprised someone was still up at this late hour. "I wonder if Carrie might be awake." Steven pondered. The shuffling he heard with his super hearing wasn't too close. So it couldn't have been Mouse or Bob rummaging for food in the kitchen again. Steven exited the basement and up to the living room. The shuffling has ceased. Steven wasn't relaxed by that. It had sounded like the shuffling originated upstairs. Steven walked up the stairs and saw his daughter and Bob still asleep in their room. It warmed Steven to see the noise hadn't awoken them. Steven then checked on where Carrie was sleeping. He wasn't that all surprised to see her missing. It only further confirmed his theory that Carrie was behind the noise. Steven saw the trapdoor to the attic was opened and the lights were on. He climbed up the ladder. Once he was up there, Steven turned his head and gazed around the attic. He soon found Carrie leaning over an open box and frozen in place. Steven became confused. 'What on earth could have made her freeze in place like that.' Steven tried to peek over Carrie's shoulder and see what was the matter. Steven still couldn't see Carrie's expression but he could now see what her focus was on. Steven became a little upset that Carrie was looking through a box that belonged to his late wife. 'I guess what they say about cats and curiosity is kind of true.' Steven mused. He wasn't going to kill her over it of course. The worse he was going to do was scold her for looking through private and personal things without permission. "What are you doing Carrie?" Steven addressed, causing the woman to become startled by the sudden presence behind her. @experimentedcat

[worldofbraingirlau]

It was nearly 2:00 when Steven was finally driving back home. He could finally help Carrie with her condition before he had to pick up Mouse again at 3:30 and take her to the library. Steven took deep breaths as he drove. He was still feeling frustrated and anxious from the whole fiasco this morning. He didn’t want to take out his feelings on Carrie. Steven nearly bit Jenkins' head off when the young man was genuinely concerned and tried to ask what was wrong and if there was anything he could do to help. Steven apologized for snapping at him and said he just had a rough morning. He couldn’t tell him the full truth. Steven did have a talk with Mouse’s principal. Other than promising to make sure the teachers and staff wouldn’t talk in full detail about the massacre around small children, there was not much else she could do. The assignment did have an option for parents to opt out of their child doing the assignment if they had lost someone personal during the massacre. Then the child could do something else. Unfortunately this meant Steven would have to give an explanation to the principal and Mouse on why she couldn’t do the assignment. He wasn’t ready to reveal that emotional baggage. Especially to his daughter. He also didn’t feel like opening up about Rebecca anytime soon as well since that would lead to a whole other can of worms concerning his daughter and that parasitic mouse brain. Bob sat in the backseat behind Steven with an uncomfortable expression. He knew the man had been under a lot of stress and pressure and had gone through a lot of grievances in his life. This though, Bob had never seen Steven act this way before concerning this Maddrix character. Steven’s expression was a mixture of fear, rage, anger, and guilt. Bob knew Steven was lying about what he knew. He was acting similar to how Teresa acted when she was hiding the fact she had to leave in order to save their lives. Bob frowned with concern. He didn’t want anything bad happening to the only parent Mouse had left. He was going to keep his promise to Teresa and protect them. Even if he had no idea how. @experimentedcat

"I'm..sorry to hear that." Carrie says. Feeling a bit awkward now. Given how she couldn't relate to that. The feeling of loosing someone dear not once but three times nearly. She could only imagine how Steven felt.

The rest of the night was a blur to her. Mostly wrapped in her own thoughts. For once it seemed like sleep wasn't going to come easily. Perhaps it was this place. A feeling of deja vu left her on edge for reasons she could decipher.

Surprisingly, Steven never asked for the photos back. Perhaps he had forgotten to take them back. After looking through them for the umpteenth time in the row, Carrie figured to return them. Or at least put them somewhere where Steven would be able to find them.

That was her intention in the beginning anyways. Somehow she found herself looking at the photos hung on the wall, bookshelves and practically anywhere photos were normally placed. They all felt off however. Like something was missing. 'wait... didn't he mention his late wife?' Carrie thought. Why didn't he have any pictures of her? Carrie was genuinely curious now. Wanting to find them if any were still around. Part of her knew it was most likely painful for him to have those up. ' I'll just give a quick peep at them...it's not like I'd have to tell him I saw them...' she says to herself.

After a bit of quiet rummaging around. She found a box that was hidden among other items in the area. She carefully opened the dusty box. Holding back a small sneeze. Inside were old clothes jewelry...very shiny jewelry. She was almost tempted to nab one. But her promise of no more stealing stopped her.

and underneath...'jackpot!'

her eyes lit up seeing Steven, younger and less looking like a zombie. Geez he really needs more sleep Carrie thought. And beside Steven was...

Carries eyes widened.

staring at the photo a familiar face stared back.

Steven frowned when he heard shuffling coming from upstairs. He was working on a cure for his daughter like he did every night. He was surprised someone was still up at this late hour. "I wonder if Carrie might be awake." Steven pondered. The shuffling he heard with his super hearing wasn't too close. So it couldn't have been Mouse or Bob rummaging for food in the kitchen again. Steven exited the basement and up to the living room. The shuffling has ceased. Steven wasn't relaxed by that. It had sounded like the shuffling originated upstairs. Steven walked up the stairs and saw his daughter and Bob still asleep in their room. It warmed Steven to see the noise hadn't awoken them. Steven then checked on where Carrie was sleeping. He wasn't that all surprised to see her missing. It only further confirmed his theory that Carrie was behind the noise. Steven saw the trapdoor to the attic was opened and the lights were on. He climbed up the ladder. Once he was up there, Steven turned his head and gazed around the attic. He soon found Carrie leaning over an open box and frozen in place. Steven became confused. 'What on earth could have made her freeze in place like that.' Steven tried to peek over Carrie's shoulder and see what was the matter. Steven still couldn't see Carrie's expression but he could now see what her focus was on. Steven became a little upset that Carrie was looking through a box that belonged to his late wife. 'I guess what they say about cats and curiosity is kind of true.' Steven mused. He wasn't going to kill her over it of course. The worse he was going to do was scold her for looking through private and personal things without permission. "What are you doing Carrie?" Steven addressed, causing the woman to become startled by the sudden presence behind her. @experimentedcat

[worldofbraingirlau]

Steven read the instructions on Mouse’s homework. It seemed like any regular assignment a child would be assigned to do for a memorial service or a holiday. The instructions stated to write or create something in honor of those who passed on “The Day of Great Loss.” Steven’s brow furrowed a bit. He was appreciative that the school didn’t print “Maddrix’s Massacre” clear as day on the assignment. He was also glad they didn’t go into details about the event or else he would have heard outraged voices from other parents by now. Nope just a typical school assignment. Still he planned to talk to the principal about loose lips. He was pretty positive that Mouse overheard one of the teacher’s mentioning it. Even if it was in private conversation, even if Mouse happened to overhear it with her super powers, a school for young children was no place for adults to gossip about such a vile monster. Steven turned to his daughter and plastered on another attempt at a smile. “How about I pick you up after school and we can head to the library to help find some books about the event.” Steven suggested. At least he could control what his young child needed to see while there. Mouse nodded. “Okay dad. I’m sorry I made you upset.” Mouse apologized. Steven hugged his daughter tight. “Don’t worry kiddo. You didn’t know. It happened long before you were born. You don’t need to worry about Maddrix or what happened.” Steven reassured his daughter. Mouse missed the guilt in her dad’s voice as he spoke, but Carrie didn’t. Steven let go of his daughter and looked back towards the mess on the floor from the plate he dropped. “Let me clean that up really quick before we go.” Steven stated, his cheeks reddened from embarrassment as he now remembered the mess he made. “I can do it for you.” Carrie offered aloud. Steven, Bob, and Mouse turned to look at Carrie with surprise. “Really?” Steven asked with confusion. Carrie just shrugged. “It’ll give me something to do while you are gone. It’s really no trouble.” Carrie knew how to clean up after herself despite her lifestyle. She didn’t do so much cleaning, but she still knew how to sweep and mop. Steven relented. “Okay, the broom and dustpan is in the closet, you can use paper towels to wipe up the remaining spilled food. Just remember to wet them before wiping.” Steven instructed her. Carrie nodded and gave a mock salute. “Yes sir!” She quipped. Mouse covered her mouth to let out a snort. Bob openly snickered. Steven just rolled his eyes at Carrie’s antics but a genuine, faded smile appeared on his lips. Carrie felt pleased at that. Soon Steven took Mouse and Bob with him in the car leaving Carrie alone in the house. @experimentedcat

"I'm..sorry to hear that." Carrie says. Feeling a bit awkward now. Given how she couldn't relate to that. The feeling of loosing someone dear not once but three times nearly. She could only imagine how Steven felt.

The rest of the night was a blur to her. Mostly wrapped in her own thoughts. For once it seemed like sleep wasn't going to come easily. Perhaps it was this place. A feeling of deja vu left her on edge for reasons she could decipher.

Surprisingly, Steven never asked for the photos back. Perhaps he had forgotten to take them back. After looking through them for the umpteenth time in the row, Carrie figured to return them. Or at least put them somewhere where Steven would be able to find them.

That was her intention in the beginning anyways. Somehow she found herself looking at the photos hung on the wall, bookshelves and practically anywhere photos were normally placed. They all felt off however. Like something was missing. 'wait... didn't he mention his late wife?' Carrie thought. Why didn't he have any pictures of her? Carrie was genuinely curious now. Wanting to find them if any were still around. Part of her knew it was most likely painful for him to have those up. ' I'll just give a quick peep at them...it's not like I'd have to tell him I saw them...' she says to herself.

After a bit of quiet rummaging around. She found a box that was hidden among other items in the area. She carefully opened the dusty box. Holding back a small sneeze. Inside were old clothes jewelry...very shiny jewelry. She was almost tempted to nab one. But her promise of no more stealing stopped her.

and underneath...'jackpot!'

her eyes lit up seeing Steven, younger and less looking like a zombie. Geez he really needs more sleep Carrie thought. And beside Steven was...

Carries eyes widened.

staring at the photo a familiar face stared back.

Steven frowned when he heard shuffling coming from upstairs. He was working on a cure for his daughter like he did every night. He was surprised someone was still up at this late hour. "I wonder if Carrie might be awake." Steven pondered. The shuffling he heard with his super hearing wasn't too close. So it couldn't have been Mouse or Bob rummaging for food in the kitchen again. Steven exited the basement and up to the living room. The shuffling has ceased. Steven wasn't relaxed by that. It had sounded like the shuffling originated upstairs. Steven walked up the stairs and saw his daughter and Bob still asleep in their room. It warmed Steven to see the noise hadn't awoken them. Steven then checked on where Carrie was sleeping. He wasn't that all surprised to see her missing. It only further confirmed his theory that Carrie was behind the noise. Steven saw the trapdoor to the attic was opened and the lights were on. He climbed up the ladder. Once he was up there, Steven turned his head and gazed around the attic. He soon found Carrie leaning over an open box and frozen in place. Steven became confused. 'What on earth could have made her freeze in place like that.' Steven tried to peek over Carrie's shoulder and see what was the matter. Steven still couldn't see Carrie's expression but he could now see what her focus was on. Steven became a little upset that Carrie was looking through a box that belonged to his late wife. 'I guess what they say about cats and curiosity is kind of true.' Steven mused. He wasn't going to kill her over it of course. The worse he was going to do was scold her for looking through private and personal things without permission. "What are you doing Carrie?" Steven addressed, causing the woman to become startled by the sudden presence behind her. @experimentedcat

[worldofbraingirlau]

“Dad, are you okay?” Steven heard his daughter’s question. He could tell she was now looking at him with concern and confusion at his sudden actions and expression. A part of Steven wanted to just lie to her, tell her he was okay and reassure his child. His brain couldn’t come up with a fake excuse though. No. When she mentioned…his name…and that event, Steven’s mind was dragged back to that horrific day. All the screaming, all the bloodshed, Maddrix’s malevolent laughter as he slaughtered hero after hero who tried facing him, tried stopping him, only to wind up as a corpse. He recalled with vivid detail holding his best friend’s lifeless body in his grasp. Steven could feel tears starting to brim within his eyes. Quickly he composed himself and blinked back the tears. He didn’t want his daughter and Carrie to see him cry. He especially didn’t want them to know why he was so distraught. ‘She should have never even known that name.’ Steven thought bitterly. He looked back to his daughter. His face barely composed to look like an okay expression. “I’m sorry Mouse, what did you say?” Steven asked again, trying to pretend he didn’t hear her the first time, trying to sound like he wasn’t having an emotional breakdown right now. Mouse, Carrie, and Bob glanced at each other with concerned and confused expressions before looking back at Steven. “I just wanted to know what Maddrix’s Massacre was?” Mouse spoke but in a much quieter tone. She was now feeling guilty for causing her dad to become so upset. It made her scared and worried for him. “Do you know what it is about?” Mouse asked but her underline question was “Why did you become pale when I asked?” Steven sighed, his fake expression falling. He stepped over the mess and knelt down to his daughter, cupping her cheeks in a comforting gesture. Steven knew one day he had to tell her the truth. Mouse was always a bright child, you really couldn’t hide information from her. But Steven wasn’t ready to tell her the whole truth, not yet. She was still a child after all. “Yes sweetie, I do. A… monster, sadistic person, cruel beast,...a bad man called Maddrix the Malicious. He did something really bad long before you were born when I was just a teenager.” Steven began replying. And you couldn’t stop him! You were aware of his vicious bloodlust. How he had killed before! You should have seen this coming! You should have stopped him before he killed Alex’s parents, before he killed your best friend, before he killed all of those heroes! But you failed! “A lot of people died because of it. Maddrix was taken down and put away for good in a maximum security prison. On the anniversary of what is also known as “The Great Loss” A celebratory event is held in different cities to honor those who had fallen. That’s what it is about.” You can’t tell her the full truth Steven. Just like how you lie to her about being Wordman! She can’t know who you truly are! A monster just like your father! A former villain trying to play hero! Who else would you be? Aren’t you as bad as he was? Why only a monster would destroy their child’s life through their own arrogance and faults. Mr. Heaslip was wrong about Carrie and Mouse. Carrie was wrong about herself. He was dead right about you. You are the only monster here Steven. Mouse just nodded silently. She didn’t know how to respond to something horrific she heard. But she knew what her dad was saying was the truth. Why would her dad lie to her about it? Carrie frowned as she stared at Steven. She said nothing but she knew Steven’s stance, his expression, his words. She saw them before. When she made the comment about him stopping her as Wordman from this morning. Carrie knew Steven was lying about something. But what? @experimentedcat

"I'm..sorry to hear that." Carrie says. Feeling a bit awkward now. Given how she couldn't relate to that. The feeling of loosing someone dear not once but three times nearly. She could only imagine how Steven felt.

The rest of the night was a blur to her. Mostly wrapped in her own thoughts. For once it seemed like sleep wasn't going to come easily. Perhaps it was this place. A feeling of deja vu left her on edge for reasons she could decipher.

Surprisingly, Steven never asked for the photos back. Perhaps he had forgotten to take them back. After looking through them for the umpteenth time in the row, Carrie figured to return them. Or at least put them somewhere where Steven would be able to find them.

That was her intention in the beginning anyways. Somehow she found herself looking at the photos hung on the wall, bookshelves and practically anywhere photos were normally placed. They all felt off however. Like something was missing. 'wait... didn't he mention his late wife?' Carrie thought. Why didn't he have any pictures of her? Carrie was genuinely curious now. Wanting to find them if any were still around. Part of her knew it was most likely painful for him to have those up. ' I'll just give a quick peep at them...it's not like I'd have to tell him I saw them...' she says to herself.

After a bit of quiet rummaging around. She found a box that was hidden among other items in the area. She carefully opened the dusty box. Holding back a small sneeze. Inside were old clothes jewelry...very shiny jewelry. She was almost tempted to nab one. But her promise of no more stealing stopped her.

and underneath...'jackpot!'

her eyes lit up seeing Steven, younger and less looking like a zombie. Geez he really needs more sleep Carrie thought. And beside Steven was...

Carries eyes widened.

staring at the photo a familiar face stared back.

Steven frowned when he heard shuffling coming from upstairs. He was working on a cure for his daughter like he did every night. He was surprised someone was still up at this late hour. "I wonder if Carrie might be awake." Steven pondered. The shuffling he heard with his super hearing wasn't too close. So it couldn't have been Mouse or Bob rummaging for food in the kitchen again. Steven exited the basement and up to the living room. The shuffling has ceased. Steven wasn't relaxed by that. It had sounded like the shuffling originated upstairs. Steven walked up the stairs and saw his daughter and Bob still asleep in their room. It warmed Steven to see the noise hadn't awoken them. Steven then checked on where Carrie was sleeping. He wasn't that all surprised to see her missing. It only further confirmed his theory that Carrie was behind the noise. Steven saw the trapdoor to the attic was opened and the lights were on. He climbed up the ladder. Once he was up there, Steven turned his head and gazed around the attic. He soon found Carrie leaning over an open box and frozen in place. Steven became confused. 'What on earth could have made her freeze in place like that.' Steven tried to peek over Carrie's shoulder and see what was the matter. Steven still couldn't see Carrie's expression but he could now see what her focus was on. Steven became a little upset that Carrie was looking through a box that belonged to his late wife. 'I guess what they say about cats and curiosity is kind of true.' Steven mused. He wasn't going to kill her over it of course. The worse he was going to do was scold her for looking through private and personal things without permission. "What are you doing Carrie?" Steven addressed, causing the woman to become startled by the sudden presence behind her. @experimentedcat

[worldofbraingirlau]

Steven began working on the breakfast for the group. He was making a cheese omelet for Mouse along with some eggs, toast, and bacon. It looked very appetizing to Carrie. “Do you want me to make you something for breakfast Carrie?” Steven asked. Carrie shook her head. “No thanks. This is fine.” She replied. Her odd feelings began to act up again. This scene seemed familiar to Carrie, but at the same time, it was very different. She didn’t say anything though. Steven finished two portions up and set them on different plates before serving them to Mouse and Bob. He then went to work on his and Carrie’s plate. Bob began to happily munch on his food. Mouse was eating her cheese omelet too, but her expression bothered Carrie. Mouse seemed troubled about something and not at all focusing on her cheese. Carrie frowned with worry. ‘Did she hear what happened between me and Steven?’ Carrie thought sadly. Steven had just placed Carrie’s plate down when he noticed his daughter’s unusual expression. “Is something the matter kiddo?” Steven asked with concern. Mouse seemed to hesitate with her answer before she replied. “Sort of. I’m having trouble with a school project and I need some help.” Both Steven and Carrie let out an internal sigh. They were relieved it had nothing to do with what happened last night. “What’s your assignment about Mouse?” Steven asked as he went back to fixing his plate so the food wouldn't burn. “Well the whole school is supposed to make stuff for an upcoming event. You could make a work of art or write something about it like an essay or poem. I was going to write something but I really don’t know much about the event. I don’t know what books to get because a lot of the adults are calling the event by different names, not just teachers. I wanted to ask you yesterday but then Carrie came along and it kind of slipped.” Mouse admitted. She felt embarrassed about being forgetful over a school project but a lot of things happened yesterday that caused her request to slip from her mind. Not all of these interruptions were good. Steven smiled warmly at his child as he carried his plate to the table. “Don’t worry about it kiddo it happens. I’ll help you with your school project. What is the event about anyway?” Steven asked. “Like I said there were a lot of details and names for it. I didn't really know where to start.” Mouse reiterated. “Dad, what is Maddrix’s Massacre?” SHATTER, CRASH! Carrie, Mouse, and Bob jumped in their seats in alarm when Steven’s plate came crashing down to the floor, causing the food to be scattered. Carrie looked towards Steven’s face trying to understand the man’s sudden action. She was worried by his reaction. Steven’s face was pale. HIs eyes widened, his mouth was slightly agape and trembling. His expression was unreadable. It was like a mix of pain, anguish, anger, fury, and horror. “W.what d.did you just say?” Steven asked his daughter in an unrecognizable tone. @experimentedcat

"I'm..sorry to hear that." Carrie says. Feeling a bit awkward now. Given how she couldn't relate to that. The feeling of loosing someone dear not once but three times nearly. She could only imagine how Steven felt.

The rest of the night was a blur to her. Mostly wrapped in her own thoughts. For once it seemed like sleep wasn't going to come easily. Perhaps it was this place. A feeling of deja vu left her on edge for reasons she could decipher.

Surprisingly, Steven never asked for the photos back. Perhaps he had forgotten to take them back. After looking through them for the umpteenth time in the row, Carrie figured to return them. Or at least put them somewhere where Steven would be able to find them.

That was her intention in the beginning anyways. Somehow she found herself looking at the photos hung on the wall, bookshelves and practically anywhere photos were normally placed. They all felt off however. Like something was missing. 'wait... didn't he mention his late wife?' Carrie thought. Why didn't he have any pictures of her? Carrie was genuinely curious now. Wanting to find them if any were still around. Part of her knew it was most likely painful for him to have those up. ' I'll just give a quick peep at them...it's not like I'd have to tell him I saw them...' she says to herself.

After a bit of quiet rummaging around. She found a box that was hidden among other items in the area. She carefully opened the dusty box. Holding back a small sneeze. Inside were old clothes jewelry...very shiny jewelry. She was almost tempted to nab one. But her promise of no more stealing stopped her.

and underneath...'jackpot!'

her eyes lit up seeing Steven, younger and less looking like a zombie. Geez he really needs more sleep Carrie thought. And beside Steven was...

Carries eyes widened.

staring at the photo a familiar face stared back.

Steven frowned when he heard shuffling coming from upstairs. He was working on a cure for his daughter like he did every night. He was surprised someone was still up at this late hour. "I wonder if Carrie might be awake." Steven pondered. The shuffling he heard with his super hearing wasn't too close. So it couldn't have been Mouse or Bob rummaging for food in the kitchen again. Steven exited the basement and up to the living room. The shuffling has ceased. Steven wasn't relaxed by that. It had sounded like the shuffling originated upstairs. Steven walked up the stairs and saw his daughter and Bob still asleep in their room. It warmed Steven to see the noise hadn't awoken them. Steven then checked on where Carrie was sleeping. He wasn't that all surprised to see her missing. It only further confirmed his theory that Carrie was behind the noise. Steven saw the trapdoor to the attic was opened and the lights were on. He climbed up the ladder. Once he was up there, Steven turned his head and gazed around the attic. He soon found Carrie leaning over an open box and frozen in place. Steven became confused. 'What on earth could have made her freeze in place like that.' Steven tried to peek over Carrie's shoulder and see what was the matter. Steven still couldn't see Carrie's expression but he could now see what her focus was on. Steven became a little upset that Carrie was looking through a box that belonged to his late wife. 'I guess what they say about cats and curiosity is kind of true.' Steven mused. He wasn't going to kill her over it of course. The worse he was going to do was scold her for looking through private and personal things without permission. "What are you doing Carrie?" Steven addressed, causing the woman to become startled by the sudden presence behind her. @experimentedcat

[worldofbraingirlau]

Steven could tell Carrie was now upset over this. ‘And you just made things worse again. Great job Steven!’ Steven scolded himself. He took a deep breath and tried to make this situation calmer. “Look, let's just head down for breakfast. I have to take Mouse to school. I’ll come back after I drop her off and stop by my lab for some things. We can then work on helping you with a cure.” Steven suggested to Carrie. Carrie nodded but then had a confused look on her face. “So what should I do when you are gone?” Carrie asked. Steven blinked a bit. He wasn’t sure what Carrie should do either. “Um you could watch TV, take a nap, read a book. I don’t really know, just something to occupy yourself with.” Steven wanted to add “don’t mess with my private stuff.” but he felt that was best left unsaid right now and it was clear Carrie already got the message.

@experimentedcat

"I'm..sorry to hear that." Carrie says. Feeling a bit awkward now. Given how she couldn't relate to that. The feeling of loosing someone dear not once but three times nearly. She could only imagine how Steven felt.

The rest of the night was a blur to her. Mostly wrapped in her own thoughts. For once it seemed like sleep wasn't going to come easily. Perhaps it was this place. A feeling of deja vu left her on edge for reasons she could decipher.

Surprisingly, Steven never asked for the photos back. Perhaps he had forgotten to take them back. After looking through them for the umpteenth time in the row, Carrie figured to return them. Or at least put them somewhere where Steven would be able to find them.

That was her intention in the beginning anyways. Somehow she found herself looking at the photos hung on the wall, bookshelves and practically anywhere photos were normally placed. They all felt off however. Like something was missing. 'wait... didn't he mention his late wife?' Carrie thought. Why didn't he have any pictures of her? Carrie was genuinely curious now. Wanting to find them if any were still around. Part of her knew it was most likely painful for him to have those up. ' I'll just give a quick peep at them...it's not like I'd have to tell him I saw them...' she says to herself.

After a bit of quiet rummaging around. She found a box that was hidden among other items in the area. She carefully opened the dusty box. Holding back a small sneeze. Inside were old clothes jewelry...very shiny jewelry. She was almost tempted to nab one. But her promise of no more stealing stopped her.

and underneath...'jackpot!'

her eyes lit up seeing Steven, younger and less looking like a zombie. Geez he really needs more sleep Carrie thought. And beside Steven was...

Carries eyes widened.

staring at the photo a familiar face stared back.

Steven frowned when he heard shuffling coming from upstairs. He was working on a cure for his daughter like he did every night. He was surprised someone was still up at this late hour. "I wonder if Carrie might be awake." Steven pondered. The shuffling he heard with his super hearing wasn't too close. So it couldn't have been Mouse or Bob rummaging for food in the kitchen again. Steven exited the basement and up to the living room. The shuffling has ceased. Steven wasn't relaxed by that. It had sounded like the shuffling originated upstairs. Steven walked up the stairs and saw his daughter and Bob still asleep in their room. It warmed Steven to see the noise hadn't awoken them. Steven then checked on where Carrie was sleeping. He wasn't that all surprised to see her missing. It only further confirmed his theory that Carrie was behind the noise. Steven saw the trapdoor to the attic was opened and the lights were on. He climbed up the ladder. Once he was up there, Steven turned his head and gazed around the attic. He soon found Carrie leaning over an open box and frozen in place. Steven became confused. 'What on earth could have made her freeze in place like that.' Steven tried to peek over Carrie's shoulder and see what was the matter. Steven still couldn't see Carrie's expression but he could now see what her focus was on. Steven became a little upset that Carrie was looking through a box that belonged to his late wife. 'I guess what they say about cats and curiosity is kind of true.' Steven mused. He wasn't going to kill her over it of course. The worse he was going to do was scold her for looking through private and personal things without permission. "What are you doing Carrie?" Steven addressed, causing the woman to become startled by the sudden presence behind her. @experimentedcat

[worldofbraingirlau]

Steven followed Carrie. Steven was feeling a mix of confusion, frustration, and caution. Confusion because he had no clue what Carrie was trying to do right now. Frustration because she is going through his private stuff again, without his permission, right in front of thim! Mostly Steven was cautious as he was afraid of a repeat of last night. “Why does she have my face?” That question made Steven pause. ‘What is she talking about?’ He wondered. Slowly, Steven bent his head over  near Carrie to see what caused her to ask such a question. Luckily, Carrie didn’t react against him and let him be near her. Carrie was holding a pile of very familiar photos. Photos that Steven could recall as clear as day. Photos he never wanted to see again in his entire life. They were photos of Carrie, his Carrie, his wife who was no longer with him. Some of the photos featured him or Becky or some other people, but she was always there, standing with a calm and gentle smile. Steven held back the tears forming in his eyes. No he wasn’t going to cry over her now. Not while Mouse was still here. He didn’t want his daughter to see him upset. Carrie looked at Steven with a troubled and confused expression. “She has my face, Steven. Why does she and I share the same face?” Carrie asked in a pleading tone. ‘Oh!’ Steven realized. Now understanding what she was talking about. Steven looked back at his Carrie’s photos then at this Carrie's face. He had to admit they both have very similar facial expressions. But he wasn't going to jump to any conclusions or theories. “It’s probably a coincidence Carrie.” Steven answered. “It’s rare but people are known to have dopplegangers. People who have very similar features but there are no familial relations. You and Carrie could be dopplegangers of each other or something. That’s what I can think of to explain this.” Carrie didn’t like Steven’s response, some part of her felt that answer wasn’t right. Carrie frowned and glared angrily. “How could you be so sure of that?” Carrie snapped back. “How could you be so sure that is the only reason I look like her? There has to be another reason Steven!” “THERE ISN’T ANOTHER REASON BECAUSE MY WIFE IS DEAD! HER BODY WAS FOUND AND BURIED IN HER FAMILY’S CEMETERY WHERE HER CORPSE IS STILL LYING THERE TODAY!” Steven shouted back. His expression now becoming dangerous and stormy as he glared at the woman. This made Carrie shrink back in fear. Steven quickly registered Carrie’s reaction and his facial expression dropped, becoming more calmer but there was still anguish in his eyes. Steven honestly felt like a hypocrite right now. He never really saw his wife’s corpse, it wasn’t because he emotionally couldn’t do it, it was because of her parents. “We don’t think you should be allowed to see our daughter’s body since it was because of your negligence that she is gone.” Carrie’s father Felix told him when Steven tried to visit her body at the morgue but was forbidden from doing so because of her parents wishes. He wasn’t even allowed to come to her funeral since it was for “family” only according to Catherine’s words. His little starlight Becky and Bob were the only ones who kept Steven from falling in a pit of sorrow and despair during that time. The thought of his little girl kept Steven from punching Felix in the face because he was afraid of his child being alone if he went to jail. His little hero kept Steven happy and reminded him to live for every day even when Carrie was gone. What did Steven do, he selfishly destroyed his daughter. Steven knew deep down Mr. Heaslip was dead wrong about Carrie and Mouse. He was absolutely right about him though, based on how Carrie was reacting towards him right now. “I’m..I’m sorry Carrie. I didn’t mean to raise my voice like that.” Steven apologized. @experimentedcat

"I'm..sorry to hear that." Carrie says. Feeling a bit awkward now. Given how she couldn't relate to that. The feeling of loosing someone dear not once but three times nearly. She could only imagine how Steven felt.

The rest of the night was a blur to her. Mostly wrapped in her own thoughts. For once it seemed like sleep wasn't going to come easily. Perhaps it was this place. A feeling of deja vu left her on edge for reasons she could decipher.

Surprisingly, Steven never asked for the photos back. Perhaps he had forgotten to take them back. After looking through them for the umpteenth time in the row, Carrie figured to return them. Or at least put them somewhere where Steven would be able to find them.

That was her intention in the beginning anyways. Somehow she found herself looking at the photos hung on the wall, bookshelves and practically anywhere photos were normally placed. They all felt off however. Like something was missing. 'wait... didn't he mention his late wife?' Carrie thought. Why didn't he have any pictures of her? Carrie was genuinely curious now. Wanting to find them if any were still around. Part of her knew it was most likely painful for him to have those up. ' I'll just give a quick peep at them...it's not like I'd have to tell him I saw them...' she says to herself.

After a bit of quiet rummaging around. She found a box that was hidden among other items in the area. She carefully opened the dusty box. Holding back a small sneeze. Inside were old clothes jewelry...very shiny jewelry. She was almost tempted to nab one. But her promise of no more stealing stopped her.

and underneath...'jackpot!'

her eyes lit up seeing Steven, younger and less looking like a zombie. Geez he really needs more sleep Carrie thought. And beside Steven was...

Carries eyes widened.

staring at the photo a familiar face stared back.

Steven frowned when he heard shuffling coming from upstairs. He was working on a cure for his daughter like he did every night. He was surprised someone was still up at this late hour. "I wonder if Carrie might be awake." Steven pondered. The shuffling he heard with his super hearing wasn't too close. So it couldn't have been Mouse or Bob rummaging for food in the kitchen again. Steven exited the basement and up to the living room. The shuffling has ceased. Steven wasn't relaxed by that. It had sounded like the shuffling originated upstairs. Steven walked up the stairs and saw his daughter and Bob still asleep in their room. It warmed Steven to see the noise hadn't awoken them. Steven then checked on where Carrie was sleeping. He wasn't that all surprised to see her missing. It only further confirmed his theory that Carrie was behind the noise. Steven saw the trapdoor to the attic was opened and the lights were on. He climbed up the ladder. Once he was up there, Steven turned his head and gazed around the attic. He soon found Carrie leaning over an open box and frozen in place. Steven became confused. 'What on earth could have made her freeze in place like that.' Steven tried to peek over Carrie's shoulder and see what was the matter. Steven still couldn't see Carrie's expression but he could now see what her focus was on. Steven became a little upset that Carrie was looking through a box that belonged to his late wife. 'I guess what they say about cats and curiosity is kind of true.' Steven mused. He wasn't going to kill her over it of course. The worse he was going to do was scold her for looking through private and personal things without permission. "What are you doing Carrie?" Steven addressed, causing the woman to become startled by the sudden presence behind her. @experimentedcat

[worldofbraingirlau]

Steven grunted a bit from being tripped on, as well as the soreness he was feeling from sleeping on hard ground. Otherwise it was fine though. “It’s fine.” Steven reassured Carrie. His face became serious. “How are you feeling now?” Steven asked in a guarded tone. Carrie frowned a little at his tone. “I’m alright. My head is fuzzy though.” Carrie seemed hesitant as she was trying to think of how to bring up the photo. “So what happened last night exactly? I sort of forgot.” Carrie asked in a sheepish tone. Steven didn’t react much to it. “You had a panic attack last night and started attacking me blindly. I had to subdue you and knock you out. I brought you back here and kept an eye on you until morning.” Steven bluntly answered. Carrie blinked a bit in surprise. She felt bad attacking him out of nowhere, but she was puzzled as to why there weren’t any new cuts or scars on him if he had to fight her physically. “So you had to go Wordman on me last night?” Carrie asked. Steven’s eyes widened a bit at her question before his expression became uneasy and slightly dark. His eyes turned away from her face. This made Carrie confused, why was he dodging such a simple to answer question. Steven spoke again but didn’t look back at Carrie directly. “Do you remember what you saw last night that caused you to freak out?” Steven asked, changing the subject. @experimentedcat

"I'm..sorry to hear that." Carrie says. Feeling a bit awkward now. Given how she couldn't relate to that. The feeling of loosing someone dear not once but three times nearly. She could only imagine how Steven felt.

The rest of the night was a blur to her. Mostly wrapped in her own thoughts. For once it seemed like sleep wasn't going to come easily. Perhaps it was this place. A feeling of deja vu left her on edge for reasons she could decipher.

Surprisingly, Steven never asked for the photos back. Perhaps he had forgotten to take them back. After looking through them for the umpteenth time in the row, Carrie figured to return them. Or at least put them somewhere where Steven would be able to find them.

That was her intention in the beginning anyways. Somehow she found herself looking at the photos hung on the wall, bookshelves and practically anywhere photos were normally placed. They all felt off however. Like something was missing. 'wait... didn't he mention his late wife?' Carrie thought. Why didn't he have any pictures of her? Carrie was genuinely curious now. Wanting to find them if any were still around. Part of her knew it was most likely painful for him to have those up. ' I'll just give a quick peep at them...it's not like I'd have to tell him I saw them...' she says to herself.

After a bit of quiet rummaging around. She found a box that was hidden among other items in the area. She carefully opened the dusty box. Holding back a small sneeze. Inside were old clothes jewelry...very shiny jewelry. She was almost tempted to nab one. But her promise of no more stealing stopped her.

and underneath...'jackpot!'

her eyes lit up seeing Steven, younger and less looking like a zombie. Geez he really needs more sleep Carrie thought. And beside Steven was...

Carries eyes widened.

staring at the photo a familiar face stared back.

Steven frowned when he heard shuffling coming from upstairs. He was working on a cure for his daughter like he did every night. He was surprised someone was still up at this late hour. "I wonder if Carrie might be awake." Steven pondered. The shuffling he heard with his super hearing wasn't too close. So it couldn't have been Mouse or Bob rummaging for food in the kitchen again. Steven exited the basement and up to the living room. The shuffling has ceased. Steven wasn't relaxed by that. It had sounded like the shuffling originated upstairs. Steven walked up the stairs and saw his daughter and Bob still asleep in their room. It warmed Steven to see the noise hadn't awoken them. Steven then checked on where Carrie was sleeping. He wasn't that all surprised to see her missing. It only further confirmed his theory that Carrie was behind the noise. Steven saw the trapdoor to the attic was opened and the lights were on. He climbed up the ladder. Once he was up there, Steven turned his head and gazed around the attic. He soon found Carrie leaning over an open box and frozen in place. Steven became confused. 'What on earth could have made her freeze in place like that.' Steven tried to peek over Carrie's shoulder and see what was the matter. Steven still couldn't see Carrie's expression but he could now see what her focus was on. Steven became a little upset that Carrie was looking through a box that belonged to his late wife. 'I guess what they say about cats and curiosity is kind of true.' Steven mused. He wasn't going to kill her over it of course. The worse he was going to do was scold her for looking through private and personal things without permission. "What are you doing Carrie?" Steven addressed, causing the woman to become startled by the sudden presence behind her. @experimentedcat

[worldofbraingirlau]

"Ah sh*t!" Steven swore as he ducked out of the projectile's path. He didn't know what was happening. One minute Carrie was holding a photo and mentioning something about her face, Steven could tell something was upsetting her so he was trying to help her calm down. The next thing he knew she was throwing stuff at him like her life depended on it. "What the heck Carrie!" Steven yelled angrily. She didn't respond. She continued to throw random stuff. Her eyes gazed wildly around the room. Steven could see the look behind her panicked expression. She was trying to find a way out, to escape. He couldn't let her do so in the state she was in. Steven had to act fast. He couldn't risk Mouse waking up and checking to see what the noise was about. She could get hurt by one of Carrie's projectiles. Steven then laid on a familiar box. He quickly grabbed it and opened it while trying to prevent Carrie from getting pass him. Inside was a silver hawk handle. Steven pushed back the memories from seeing this old object. Sensing Steven was distracted, Carrie saw and exit and began to rush past him, trying to push him out of the way. Steven had to move now and stop her. "I'm sorry about this Carrie." Steven apologized. He pushed a button on the hawk and a staff came protruding out. Steven then whacked Carrie behind her knees, causing her to fall over. He then shot a bolo out of his staff, entrapping the now panicking woman. Steven then pressed one more button as he covered his nose and mouth with his free hand. A pink gas came out of the end of the staff and began engulfing the room. Carrie was still struggling but now she was becoming slower, more lethargic in her movements. Carrie's eye lids began to droop until they closed. Carrie's head fell down as she passed out, her body becoming limp in the straps that was tied around her. Steven waited a few minutes until the sleeping gas fully dispersed, the room becoming clean again. Steven removed his hand from his mouth and let out an exhausted and relieved sigh. "Never pictured myself using this bad boy again." Steven muttered to himself. He clicked one more button and the staff retreated back inside the silver handle. A dark look flashed across Steven's face as he gazed at the object before putting it back in the box. He then turned to Carrie, checked to make sure she was sleeping, then carried her back to his bedroom. He placed her on the bed, then undid her restraints. It wouldn't do any good for her mental health to wake up tied. Steven then grabbed a spare pillow and blanket from his closet and set it on the floor next to his bed. He decided to sleep on the floor to keep an eye on her until morning came. @experimentedcat

"I'm..sorry to hear that." Carrie says. Feeling a bit awkward now. Given how she couldn't relate to that. The feeling of loosing someone dear not once but three times nearly. She could only imagine how Steven felt.

The rest of the night was a blur to her. Mostly wrapped in her own thoughts. For once it seemed like sleep wasn't going to come easily. Perhaps it was this place. A feeling of deja vu left her on edge for reasons she could decipher.

Surprisingly, Steven never asked for the photos back. Perhaps he had forgotten to take them back. After looking through them for the umpteenth time in the row, Carrie figured to return them. Or at least put them somewhere where Steven would be able to find them.

That was her intention in the beginning anyways. Somehow she found herself looking at the photos hung on the wall, bookshelves and practically anywhere photos were normally placed. They all felt off however. Like something was missing. 'wait... didn't he mention his late wife?' Carrie thought. Why didn't he have any pictures of her? Carrie was genuinely curious now. Wanting to find them if any were still around. Part of her knew it was most likely painful for him to have those up. ' I'll just give a quick peep at them...it's not like I'd have to tell him I saw them...' she says to herself.

After a bit of quiet rummaging around. She found a box that was hidden among other items in the area. She carefully opened the dusty box. Holding back a small sneeze. Inside were old clothes jewelry...very shiny jewelry. She was almost tempted to nab one. But her promise of no more stealing stopped her.

and underneath...'jackpot!'

her eyes lit up seeing Steven, younger and less looking like a zombie. Geez he really needs more sleep Carrie thought. And beside Steven was...

Carries eyes widened.

staring at the photo a familiar face stared back.

Steven frowned when he heard shuffling coming from upstairs. He was working on a cure for his daughter like he did every night. He was surprised someone was still up at this late hour. "I wonder if Carrie might be awake." Steven pondered. The shuffling he heard with his super hearing wasn't too close. So it couldn't have been Mouse or Bob rummaging for food in the kitchen again. Steven exited the basement and up to the living room. The shuffling has ceased. Steven wasn't relaxed by that. It had sounded like the shuffling originated upstairs. Steven walked up the stairs and saw his daughter and Bob still asleep in their room. It warmed Steven to see the noise hadn't awoken them. Steven then checked on where Carrie was sleeping. He wasn't that all surprised to see her missing. It only further confirmed his theory that Carrie was behind the noise. Steven saw the trapdoor to the attic was opened and the lights were on. He climbed up the ladder. Once he was up there, Steven turned his head and gazed around the attic. He soon found Carrie leaning over an open box and frozen in place. Steven became confused. 'What on earth could have made her freeze in place like that.' Steven tried to peek over Carrie's shoulder and see what was the matter. Steven still couldn't see Carrie's expression but he could now see what her focus was on. Steven became a little upset that Carrie was looking through a box that belonged to his late wife. 'I guess what they say about cats and curiosity is kind of true.' Steven mused. He wasn't going to kill her over it of course. The worse he was going to do was scold her for looking through private and personal things without permission. "What are you doing Carrie?" Steven addressed, causing the woman to become startled by the sudden presence behind her. @experimentedcat

[worldofbraingirlau]

"I'm..sorry to hear that." Carrie says. Feeling a bit awkward now. Given how she couldn't relate to that. The feeling of loosing someone dear not once but three times nearly. She could only imagine how Steven felt.

The rest of the night was a blur to her. Mostly wrapped in her own thoughts. For once it seemed like sleep wasn't going to come easily. Perhaps it was this place. A feeling of deja vu left her on edge for reasons she could decipher.

Surprisingly, Steven never asked for the photos back. Perhaps he had forgotten to take them back. After looking through them for the umpteenth time in the row, Carrie figured to return them. Or at least put them somewhere where Steven would be able to find them.

That was her intention in the beginning anyways. Somehow she found herself looking at the photos hung on the wall, bookshelves and practically anywhere photos were normally placed. They all felt off however. Like something was missing. 'wait... didn't he mention his late wife?' Carrie thought. Why didn't he have any pictures of her? Carrie was genuinely curious now. Wanting to find them if any were still around. Part of her knew it was most likely painful for him to have those up. ' I'll just give a quick peep at them...it's not like I'd have to tell him I saw them...' she says to herself.

After a bit of quiet rummaging around. She found a box that was hidden among other items in the area. She carefully opened the dusty box. Holding back a small sneeze. Inside were old clothes jewelry...very shiny jewelry. She was almost tempted to nab one. But her promise of no more stealing stopped her.

and underneath...'jackpot!'

her eyes lit up seeing Steven, younger and less looking like a zombie. Geez he really needs more sleep Carrie thought. And beside Steven was...

Carries eyes widened.

staring at the photo a familiar face stared back.

Steven frowned when he heard shuffling coming from upstairs. He was working on a cure for his daughter like he did every night. He was surprised someone was still up at this late hour. "I wonder if Carrie might be awake." Steven pondered. The shuffling he heard with his super hearing wasn't too close. So it couldn't have been Mouse or Bob rummaging for food in the kitchen again. Steven exited the basement and up to the living room. The shuffling has ceased. Steven wasn't relaxed by that. It had sounded like the shuffling originated upstairs. Steven walked up the stairs and saw his daughter and Bob still asleep in their room. It warmed Steven to see the noise hadn't awoken them. Steven then checked on where Carrie was sleeping. He wasn't that all surprised to see her missing. It only further confirmed his theory that Carrie was behind the noise. Steven saw the trapdoor to the attic was opened and the lights were on. He climbed up the ladder. Once he was up there, Steven turned his head and gazed around the attic. He soon found Carrie leaning over an open box and frozen in place. Steven became confused. 'What on earth could have made her freeze in place like that.' Steven tried to peek over Carrie's shoulder and see what was the matter. Steven still couldn't see Carrie's expression but he could now see what her focus was on. Steven became a little upset that Carrie was looking through a box that belonged to his late wife. 'I guess what they say about cats and curiosity is kind of true.' Steven mused. He wasn't going to kill her over it of course. The worse he was going to do was scold her for looking through private and personal things without permission. "What are you doing Carrie?" Steven addressed, causing the woman to become startled by the sudden presence behind her. @experimentedcat

[worldofbraingirlau]

Steven caught Carrie once again looking at something with a strange expression. Like it had really caught her interest or made her think deeply about whatever. This time it was his dining table. “Do you want to ask about something Carrie?” Steven asked, startling the woman out of her thoughts. “Oh I noticed that there are four chairs at this table even though there are three of you.” Carrie immediately regretted her statement when she saw a pained look flash across his face. Steven quickly held back his emotions. “We don’t usually use the fourth chair much. Sometimes Jenkins eats with us when he is checking in on me. Sometimes Mouse has her friends over even though they sit on the couch or the floor mainly to talk and play or go up to her room. It was used by someone before…I really couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it.” Steven admitted. Carrie looked concerned at Steven. “Was it for your wife?” Carrie asked. Steven seemed stunned at Carrie’s response. Quickly Carrie reiterated her question. “I mean, was it for Mouse’s mom when she was with you?” Carrie asked again. Steven blinked a bit at Carrie’s question before shaking his head at something. “She did use it but Mouses’ mom, we weren’t officially married, we were basically living together with our child and monkey.” Steven frowned “I was about to ask her…but then she had to leave.” “I’m sorry. Can I ask what happened to her?” Carrie inquired with a sympathetic tone. Steven remained silent for a moment. He turned to look at Mouse who was busy playing now after she helped put up the groceries. “Teresa was her name. Her people, Lexiconians, really didn’t like any of their species having hybrid children. Teresa was engaged to someone else before she came to Earth. She didn’t love him though. It was an arranged marriage with a horrible person. Her family didn’t care how she felt. They just wanted her to marry for status and power. Teresa fled under the guise of an exploratory mission. At first she wanted to just get away from her family and home to clear her head and try to save herself.” Steven let out a small chuckle. “ She didn’t expect she would bump into a clumsy scientist who was about to get run over by a truck because he wasn’t paying attention. She didn’t expect to fall in love with him. Neither of them expected to create a wonderful little girl together out of that love.” Tears started to leak out of Steven’s eyes as he quickly tried to brush them away. “Teresa knew her time was running out. She knew her people would try to find her if she stayed too long here. She went back to her home planet in order to protect Mouse and myself. She sacrificed everything to save us from her people. I don’t know where she is now or if she is even still alive.” Steven let out a shaky breath as he now faced Carrie with a broken expression. “I did marry someone after what happened. She had the same name you have. I do know what happened to her. She died in a home invasion.” Steven spoke in a grim and serious tone.

@experimentedcat

{{{{{ Grumble! }}}}}}

Carrie tried to ignore her stomach grumbling. Knowing she didn't have food on hand at the moment nor money she knew she would have to find a way to eat.

Her stomach growled again. Hunger pains were setting in again. When was the last time she actually had something to eat ..?

So she did what anyone would do-

Rob the nearest store she could find.

Okay maybe not anyone. ..

She was hungry and being reasonable was the last thing on her mind as she stuffed some fish in her mouth. Ignoring the stares she got by the customers and store owner alike. She was used to being stared at, at this point.

@experimentedcat

Just as she was about to reach the exit a gust of wind knocked her over. Carrie laid splat on the ground as the fish she had "borrowed" was now scattered around her Carrie blinked in stunned surprise before she slowly got up from the floor. She rubbed her head as she tried to gain her barrings. "What hit me?" she muttered before turning around. Carrie for the first time since she escaped that awful place was shocked to see who knocked her over. "MWAHAHAHA!" The figured cackled. "It is I mousebraingirl! I am here to illegally acquire all of your precious freshly made yellow dairy concoctions." Mousebraingirl exclaimed with evil glee. Everyone in the store looked at her with confusion. "Your going to do what?" The Grocery Store Manager asked. Mousebraingirl frowned in annoyance. She hated that people still didn't know what certain words meant. Wasn't there a dictionary or a word themed superhero they could learn from? "I'm going to steal all your cheese now." Mousebraingirl restated in a less than enthusiastic tone of voice. The Grocery Store manager and crowd nodded as they now understood what she was saying. They then froze, their eyes wide open as they NOW understood what she was saying. The people in the store screamed and began running around in frantic motions as they panicked about being robbed. Mousebraingirl gave a huff as she crossed her arms. "Thats' better." she muttered before switching to a mischievous expression. "Now say goodbye to your precious cheese!" @experimentedcat

[worldofbraingirlau]

Steven blushed a bit as he saw what Carrie’s hand was doing. Carrie slowly pulled it away. “I’m sorry about that. I don’t know what came over me.” Carrie apologized. Steven looked sheepish a bit as well. “No trouble. I like this song as well. I guess we both got caught up in the lyrics.” Carrie gave a small smile as she shrugged. “Yeah you are probably right.” Carrie admitted. She decided to turn the radio again to a different station. Commercials were unfortunately playing right now so Carrie turned the radio off. It was silent for a moment again before Mouse spoke up. “You have a lovely voice Carrie.” Mouse quietly commented. Carrie looked surprised yet also a bit embarrassed at the compliment. “Uh, thank you. I think my voice is just okay. I’m sure you have a much better singing voice like your dad.” Carrie remarked. She didn’t see the flashes of fear on Bob and Steven’s faces when she talked about Mouse’s singing skills. Mouse looked happy at Carrie’s words, a better look than what she had earlier. “Really? I can sing for you if you like me…” “And we are back. Sorry kiddo you may have to do it some other time.” Steven quickly interrupted as they parked in the driveway. “Okay.” Mouse shrugged and got out of the car to get the groceries from the trunk. Steven then leaned towards Carrie with a look of urgency on his face. “For the record my daughter isn’t that great at singing. I love my little girl but she isn’t very…melodious. For future references, don’t ask her to sing. Please don’t.” Steven wanted Carrie. Mouse didn’t hear them as she was already at the door waiting for the grownups.

@experimentedcat

{{{{{ Grumble! }}}}}}

Carrie tried to ignore her stomach grumbling. Knowing she didn't have food on hand at the moment nor money she knew she would have to find a way to eat.

Her stomach growled again. Hunger pains were setting in again. When was the last time she actually had something to eat ..?

So she did what anyone would do-

Rob the nearest store she could find.

Okay maybe not anyone. ..

She was hungry and being reasonable was the last thing on her mind as she stuffed some fish in her mouth. Ignoring the stares she got by the customers and store owner alike. She was used to being stared at, at this point.

@experimentedcat

Just as she was about to reach the exit a gust of wind knocked her over. Carrie laid splat on the ground as the fish she had "borrowed" was now scattered around her Carrie blinked in stunned surprise before she slowly got up from the floor. She rubbed her head as she tried to gain her barrings. "What hit me?" she muttered before turning around. Carrie for the first time since she escaped that awful place was shocked to see who knocked her over. "MWAHAHAHA!" The figured cackled. "It is I mousebraingirl! I am here to illegally acquire all of your precious freshly made yellow dairy concoctions." Mousebraingirl exclaimed with evil glee. Everyone in the store looked at her with confusion. "Your going to do what?" The Grocery Store Manager asked. Mousebraingirl frowned in annoyance. She hated that people still didn't know what certain words meant. Wasn't there a dictionary or a word themed superhero they could learn from? "I'm going to steal all your cheese now." Mousebraingirl restated in a less than enthusiastic tone of voice. The Grocery Store manager and crowd nodded as they now understood what she was saying. They then froze, their eyes wide open as they NOW understood what she was saying. The people in the store screamed and began running around in frantic motions as they panicked about being robbed. Mousebraingirl gave a huff as she crossed her arms. "Thats' better." she muttered before switching to a mischievous expression. "Now say goodbye to your precious cheese!" @experimentedcat