Stayed gone

[Laverna]

“It has been only six months since Laverna Sandiego and Devlin Crooks went missing during a heist in Las Vegas, Nevada. Now, as whispers of their reappearance begin to spread, a new chapter unfolds—one where these elusive legends take center stage as the charismatic, controversial hosts of a reality show that dares to recreate history’s greatest heists.











Chapter One:


Laverna Sandiego and Devlin Crooks had been missing for six months. The iconic duo vanished in the gangster museum during a family outing, leaving no trace of their whereabouts. Carmen Sandiego never gave up the search to recover them, though resources for the search party were growing scarce. As a former detective, Carmen knew the trail had officially gone cold months ago.


“I taught her too well,” Carmen muttered under her breath.


Her slender fingers curled around the remote control as she switched on the television, trying to control the storm of tumultuous thoughts about what had become of her only child. She had never been one to let her emotions control her life, yet she knew how dangerous the situation could be for the two rascals.


Laverna was young, talented, and hot-headed, with a weakness in her egotistical nature. Carmen had concluded months ago that if Laverna was in the wrong hands, she wouldn’t be alive anymore. Still, she held on to the hope that something, somewhere, would prove her theories wrong.


“I am the best ACME detective, and unfortunately, my conclusions are never wrong. I might as well start planning their funerals without their bodies,” Carmen whined softly under her breath.


“Aren’t you curious about how the world’s greatest thieves pull off their legendary acts?” Laverna’s cheeky voice rang out from the television. Carmen raised an eyebrow, assuming she was hallucinating in her grief.


It wasn’t long before Laverna appeared on the screen. Her hair, now cut to her chin and highlighted with blues and purples, resembled an oil spill, making Carmen do a double take. Laverna had once had long, dark brown waves—so dark they were often mistaken for black—and she used to look so much like her mother. But now, the young woman on the screen was a stark contrast to the Laverna Carmen remembered. The Laverna who had vanished six months ago had been wearing a cranberry red romper with black sandals, pearls around her neck, and a black lace cardigan—a far cry from the image the producers had created for her.”


“It wasn’t long before Laverna appeared on the screen. Her hair, now cut to her chin and highlighted with blues and purples, resembled an oil spill, making Carmen do a double take. Laverna had once had long, dark brown waves—so dark they were often mistaken for black—and she used to look so much like her mother. But now, the young woman on the screen was a stark contrast to the Laverna Carmen remembered. The Laverna who had vanished six months ago had been wearing a cranberry red romper with black sandals, pearls around her neck, and a black lace cardigan—a far cry from the image the producers had created for her.


On the television, she wore a red leather jacket over a black crop top, paired with black ripped jeans and Doc Martens. Red lipstick, black eyeliner, and gold eyeshadow popped against Laverna’s vampiric skin. A golden necklace with a dagger pendant hung around her neck, adding an extra layer of boldness to her new, audacious look..


Carmen bit her lip as Devlin came on screen, pulling Laverna by the waist into a tight, provocative hug. He had changed too. Ripped skinny blue jeans and a white tank top clung to his frame, and a burgundy cargo jacket completed his look. His long coppery hair, once worn in a ponytail, was now tied up in a man bun. The transformation was complete—and not at all what Carmen expected.


Her mind immediately shifted gears. The smart watch on his wrist—she could hack into it, trace their location, and find them in a matter of hours. No time to waste, she thought, already mentally strategizing how to bypass the security measures.


She called upon her most trusted hackers, “We have a lead and I want them found yesterday.” Carmen commanded.

 

[Laverna]

Meanwhile, Laverna and Devlin were lounging backstage, waiting for the live audience to fill their high-priced seats. Laverna nibbled on some Samoas that she had her personal assistant buy from a local Girl Scout troop. She knew the makeup artist and fashion stylist would be furious to know she had covered herself in shredded coconut and chocolate sauce just ten minutes before showtime.


The crumbs tumbled onto her tight, plum-colored dress with a long slit on the leg. Black strappy stilettos adorned her feet, and her nails were painted a glittery black. The dress was sleeveless, and she wore a black cropped blazer on top. Her hair was slicked back with mousse, and she wore a thin black choker around her neck and dangling black tassel earrings. Laverna actually hated her outfit.


Devlin, equally uncomfortable in his suit, was dressed in a daring navy blue with aquamarine touches. The tight-fitting vest and unbuttoned cream-colored silk blouse annoyed him. He would have rather worn a bow tie or a regular tie. His hair was in a ponytail, held together with a leather tie. The smartwatch on his wrist allowed the producers to stay in touch.


He didn’t realize men wore makeup on television, yet here he was with brown eyeliner and mascara.


“Call David Bowie, I need to return his look,” he chuckled, making Laverna roll her eyes as she placed a broken-off piece of cookie in his mouth.


“Sush!!” Laverna chucked as she reapplied her lipstick without a mirror, she didn’t need one and she was using a stolen tube of lipstick from her mother’s collection. She didn’t like the rose colored one they forced on her. It was now her mom’s signature carmine color.


Devlin licked his lips after the cookie, It was five minutes till they were on the air.


“We must take our places on the stage,” Devlin grumbled as he offered his hand to Laverna.


She nodded graciously, she took it and they headed onto the stage.

 

[Laverna]

She had a wicked plan brewing in her head as she sat down next to the hosts, Mr. Michael Ripley and Samantha Seaver.
She smirked at Devlin. “It’s showtime,” she chuckled as the lights came on.
“Well, aren’t we a bunch of archaeologists of different strokes? So, Miss Sandiego, where did you learn all about the art of the heist?” Mr. Ripley announced with a calm air.
“Mr. Ripley, come on, take a guess! I promise we professional treasure hunters won’t bite,” Laverna wickedly chuckled.
“Umm, is your mother perhaps, umm… Car— day o!” Michael Ripley said, stuttering.
Laverna wickedly laughed. “What did you mean by day o?”
“I meant to say day-o, it’s a day-o!” He sang.
“Daylight come and me wanna go home,” Samantha joined in. It wasn’t long before everyone was singing the song. The lights turned off, and Laverna and Devlin escaped through the darkness.
When the lights came back on, they were gone.
“Well, believe it or not…” Michael Ripley chuckled.