Chasing the Past--A Carmen Sandiego Story

6---The Dragon Dance Caper

The Dragon dance Caper pt.1

Feb 12

18:09, C.S.T.

Beijing, China

Her room in the Shangri-La Hotel was on the first floor, leaving her stranded nearby the packs people that she desperately wanted to run away from. Every hotel in the city seemed to be booked solid with visitors and family arriving for the holidays. The highest floors had been swiped away first, as they were optimal seats for the fireworks show.

And so, she was stuck with the bottom.

The proximity of the ground outside of Carmen's window only served to remind her that she had responsibilities. Things that needed taking care of, because, if she didn't, who would?

Carmen had a phobia of being caught within large crowds. The problem had only developed recently, ever since her mental health deteriorated, turning her into the sloppy, emotional mess she was today. 

Ever since she had discovered the truth about her family, she didn't---she couldn't trust anyone anymore.

 Armed guards, high tech-security systems, and being one of the most wanted people in the world. None of it scared her. In fact, it exhilarated her. 

What Carmen Sandiego feared the most was people. People were most terrifying obstacle she ever had to face. They were unpredictable. Greedy. They lied. They stole. And worst of all? They were fueled by emotions. 

They couldn't be trusted. They'd stab you in the back. If not immediately, then eventually. You had to stay vigilant.

You have to see it coming.

In Singapore, she had been more than twenty stories high, suspended in the sky like a god with the entire city's population reduced to ants. Tiny, insignificant specks of dust mulled the streets, and she was too detached, too far away from them to pay any attention.

Now, the ants were no longer ants. No longer minuscule pests she could escape among the stars. 

Carmen watched as the people of Beijing arranged the finishing touches for the beginning of the New Years celebration. The streets were dripping with red and gold, bloated sphere lanterns painted with scripted characters lining each and every street. Civilians trickled in, any visible public area compact with writhing bodies, all with bright, easy smiles. The high-pitched screams of children rang clearer and louder, full of festivity. Adults greeted strangers like close friends  when they normally wouldn't have spared a glance in their direction. 

The sun slinked out of view, disappearing behind a throng of brilliantly lit skyscrapers. The sky turned a blue-violet, and sparklers began to emerge among the crowds. The lanterns began to burn to life, blazing fiery red with the characters on them glowing gold.

She felt out of place amid the euphoria of the festivities. Joy radiated from every face she could make out in waves, crashing towards her and souring her mood. A small pang of annoyance swelled to resentment. How could everyone be so. . .so. . .happy? So carefree? 

It was probably just a facade, a mask created to blend in with the others around them.

What secrets lay behind those seemingly innocent beams?

Or could it be that they were. . . genuine? 

A little boy clutching a sparkler broke from the pack, running by whilst trilling with laughter. He noticed Carmen staring and threw her a toothy grin.

 A woman ran after the boy, her fitted Qipao dress restricting her movements. The silky white fabric hugged the woman's curvy figure, red cherry blossom branches wrapping around her body. The boy noticed her following and turned to run, only to have the woman catch him by the collar of his finely-pressed maroon shirt. Inaudible noises escaped her mouth as she raised a finger and scolded the boy.