Let it be stated that Bryn did not get any sleep that night. Not one bit in the least. Now, instead, the child stayed up all night reading. Well, not only reading but also thinking about her parent's file. Mainly what was going on and why they missed a check-in.

There has to be a reason. It's not like them. They've been more careful since I was born; what's going on now?

I don't know. It was supposed to be so easy; information gathering. They've done way worse; so what's up?

I need to get my hands on their file. The exact information on what's going on, and possibly why they didn't check in. The only one I can think is isn't one that I like the idea of; they were kidnapped.

Also, who could the old friend be? It had to be someone from mother's years, and there aren't that many of those people left alive. The ones that are are in jail.

So, who could it be. Also, it didn't just say old, it said old, old. So if they're really old then they're what; a villain when LB was an agent? Surely there can't be many of those still alive; another thing to look into tomorrow.

Wait, I can't have them figure out I'm investigating; they'll get mad and tell me to stop.

Library then; I can stop there after pageant practice tomorrow that LB will undoubtedly make me go to. I can claim that I need more books and it'll keep me quiet and out of her hair; she'd like that.

When she finally fell asleep, she was plagued with nightmares. Dreams of her mother, father, and godfather more like grandfather, being tortured by a mysterious black figure. She awoke panting, wanting to scream, but knowing that she can't. When she sees that it's far too early to be up, she decides to pretend that she never fell asleep. After all, that's what she did at her house and her parents never knew. They were concerned about sleeping habits, sure, but they didn't know.

Was it healthy, no, and Bryn knew this. She did what anyone would do in this situation; she read books. Granted, some books about what happened to spies on mission probably did more harm than good, but when her parents wouldn't tell her what was going on, what else could she do?

The other, well, they told her what was wrong but not how to fix it. A lot like her teachers and most others in her life; they tell you there's a problem but not how to fix it. Then, they get mad at you when you give the wrong answer. Typical.

"Bryn, get up. I'm about to have to leave for work," LB says as she knocks on Bryn's door, and Bryn starts to get ready.

"So, pageant practice today?" LB asks as Bryn emerges into the kitchen.

"Unless I can suddenly catch the flu, and be sick for several days. That or because my parents had to leave for work I had to go and stay with a relative who lives far away, yes," Bryn replies very enthusiastically. Almost as if she would prefer practically anything to this fate, which is pretty much true.

"We'll see. For now, it looks like you'll be going to pageant practice," LB says, and Bryn groans. Just because she didn't expect anything less doesn't mean that she can't hope for it.

"Oh, I need to stop by the library after practice," Bryn adds, and LB narrows her eyes.

"Why do you need to go to the library? You have plenty of books to read here, and we can stop by your home if you need to grab some more," LB says, and Bryn shakes her head.

"I just do. There's a specific topic that I want to research and need to see if the library has any books. It'll probably take a while, so don't bother picking me up until two hours after the practice is supposed to end at the library," Bryn says, and LB now raises an eyebrow.

"And just how are you going to get from the school to the library?" LB asks, and Bryn gives her a confused look.

"I'm going to walk. Like I always do. Come on LB, don't give me that look. This is Twinford, in broad daylight, nothing is going to happen to me. If it makes you any better, there's usually a group of us that goes over; Heather, Dylan, Scarlette, oh, and Erica usually joins us along the way. We're perfectly safe; no one will attack a group of girls walking to library together in the boring town of Twinford in broad daylight. We've done it thousands of times," Bryn urges, and LB sighs.

"The other three I sadly know, or at least know about. Who is this Erica though?" LB asks in a weary tone.

"She was our camp councillor last year at the stupid summer camp mom send me to. She's pretty cool; she goes to college and is constantly going to the library. When we need to go we'll usually stop by and see if she needs to go, well that and see if she has any cookies. She's pretty good at making cookies, that and listening as we rant about stupid things," Bryn explains, and alarm bells are going off all in LB's head.

"Have your parents met this, Erica?" She asks.

"Yeah, she's come over for dinner a couple of times. And to babysit, which for some reason my parents still insist I need. I like her as a babysitter though; she treats me like an equal; when we first met she didn't even think to ask why someone so young was in junior high classes, much less how my friends were, she just if I could help her out with keeping the peace in the cabin, since I seemed like the most sensible one there," Bryn explains, and LB just hums. She still can't figure out where she's heard that name Erica before, but she doesn't think it was from Bryn. They never did really talk, at least not anything really meaningful.

"I'll think about it. Cra- crud. We're about to be late. Hurry up and get in the car," LB orders, and Bryn, reluctantly, obeys.

"Don't go into the gadget room, don't distract Blacker or Froghorn from their work, don't distract SJ from her work, don't mix random chemicals in the lab, don't change codes. Just go, read your books, and stay out of everyone's hair. Please," LB pleads before going into her office.

"Hey, Brandon, is Erica in?" Bryn asks, and he shakes his head.

"Kid, you know I'm not only here to keep track of if your friends are in or not? I do actually have a job; answering all phone calls and managing LB's appointments is a full time job without you asking if your friends are in all the time," He grips, and Bryn smiles, having heard this lecture many times before.

"So that means she is in?"

"Yes, she's in. She should be in the lab helping SJ with something. If you two get in trouble you didn't hear it from me though,"

"I never do," Bryn replies chershirely, before making her way to the lab.

"Hey, Erica, do you need to go to the library later today? LB won't let me go without someone else besides the usual group; paranoid that someone will kidnap me probably," Bryn says upon entering the lab, and Erica glares at her.

"You do know I could have been doing something important requiring my full concentration and you just broke it, I hope," She says calmly, and Bryn just smiles.

"Yeah, but it's highly unlikely you were. SJ's also in and she handles all the fun stuff. So, do you need to go. Actually, it doesn't matter if you need to or not because I already told her you would and I need to go to get some books to keep my sanity," Bryn says, and Erica shakes her head.

"Loveday, I hope you know you'll be the death of me some day," Erica playfully scolds.

"Don't worry, I know. Also, in case she asks, you're a college student who lives right by the library. You were my camp councilor at that stupid geek summer camp my parent's send me to, and you have been over my house for dinner and to babysit me," Bryn says, and Erica gives her a glare.

"You always have to tell the most complicated lies possible, don't you?"

"Well, that's the only way to lie good, so kind of. And don't pretend that you can't remember it; if you've memorized the periodic table surely you can memorize this," Bryn argues, and Erica sighs.

"Fine, and you're lucky. I was needing to go to the lbirary anyway; I'll walk your group over like normal?" Erica asks, and Bryn nods.

"Wait, scratch that. We'll be at the stupid pageant practice; can you pick us up there?" Bryn asks, and Erica nods.

"Thanks, Erica. You're a life saver," Bryn says, before running out the door to the coding room.

"Blacker, do you want to go get donuts?" She asks before she's fully in the room.

"I'd love to kid, but I have work to do for now. Maybe later?" He asks, and Bryn just nods.

"I figured. I was just hoping you could take me to pageant practice afterwards; LB's still insisting that I go to the stupid thing," Bryn says, looking really down.

"Well, kiddo, you've convinced me. Let's go get some donuts," Blacker says smiling, causing LB to grin from ear to ear.

"Blacker, you know LB told us we're not allowed to leave until we've figured out this code," Froghorn hisses, and Blacker shakes his head.

"Come on, Miles. Sometimes a break can do some more good than harm. Besides, with what we do have decoded do you really want her running around loose without any adult supervision?" Blacker asks, and Froghorn sighs in defeat.

"Come on kiddo, by the time we get donuts and eat it'll be time for your practice," Blacker says, not noticing the look on Bryn's face when they talk about the code.

"Sure, let's go," She responds, while making a note to get her hands on that code sometimes today, preferably with the key and after they've solved it.

Bryn trails behind Blacker to his car, and hops in the front seat. "So, you looking forward to the practice?" Blacker asks, and Bryn makes a face.

"It'll be a miracle if I survive it. Well, survive it and y'all aren't having to bail me out of prison for murder," Bryn comments, and he shakes his head.

"It can't be that bad," Blacker says, and LB shakes her head.

"Oh yeah of little faith. The male lead is the most annoying guy in the school, son of my parents' enemies, and has a major crush on me since forever. The teacher is the teacher from Hades that we all know why I hate her. Everyone else is boring, but bearable," Bryn replies, and Blacker shakes his head.

"Well, you can tell me if it really is so bad afterwards; I bet it won't be," He says.

"Do you want to make a bet?" Bryn offers and Blacker gives the quickest response ever.

"Absolutely not."

"Sad," Bryn comments, but she's not really surprised.

"Now, here's your normal glazed donut, hurry up and eat while I drive you to practice, we're about to be late."

"I hope we are," Bryn mutters as Blacker speeds off.