Zack glanced to Ivy, doubt written across his face. "I dunno Carm... It seems a bit extreme, even for VILE."

Ivy only blinked in agreement.

Carmen stopped her pacing and stared at her friends, eyes wide with surprise and hurt. "You guys seem less and less willing to put your faith and trust in me these days." She muttered.

Ivy instantly stood. "Carmen you know that's not what this is." She reached a hand out, but Carmen backed away before it could touch her shoulder.

"I'm not weak." She insisted, voice cracking on the last word.

"They never said that, Red." Player soothed from the computer, hoping to calm her down.

Carmen ignored him. "There's nothing wrong with me, Ivy. But, with last night as evidence, you don't seem to think I even know how to fight VILE anymore." She threw her hands in the air. "I guess I'll just give us all a break, then, if no one here wants to take me seriously."

The thief stormed off, her breathing heavy.

Her friends gaped after her.

Ivy sat back down on the couch, blowing out a long breath. She ran a hand down her face and looked to Zack. "That went well."

He nodded. "You can say that again, Sis."

"Think we should follow her...?"

"No." Player shook his head, speaking slowly as if thinking over his words. "Red needs some space for a bit."

Ivy sighed. "What do you think got her so riled up? It was really sudden."

"Carmen's been having a kind of a hard time lately. The whole camera thing threw herself and her sense of security off, so it must have felt like you both completely against her just now."

"But that's not-"

"I know. I'm just saying what I think Carmen is feeling at the moment."

"Fine." Ivy slumped against the cushion. "I'll go check on her later."

Carmen sat on the roof and dangled her legs over the edge, staring at the ocean. She had only been there for a few minutes when Player called her on the link earrings.

"Hey," She greeted quietly.

"Feeling better, now?" He asked, laughter hidden in his voice.

"Don't mock me!" Carmen yelped, continuing his joke. But then the humor faded. "I feel awful, Player. I completely snapped at Ivy and Zack, and I don't even know what to do anymore-"

"Whoa whoa, hey. It's OK." Player said calmingly. "Everything's OK. You're just tired, Red. Zack and Ivy know that you didn't really mean what you were saying."

"But that's just the thing!" She stuffed her face in her hands. "I did mean it, Player. Ever since Stockholm and then Botswana, all of you seem reluctant to let me do anything on my own anymore. I'm not a child, I can take care of myself!"

He sighed. "Red... we're just worried. You almost died. It was really close. You should've seen Ivy. She was scared out of mind, more so even than the rest of us."

"So you weren't worried?" Carmen attempted at a joke.

"You know what I mean."

"...Yeah. I do." She glanced down at her hands, which still wore her workout gloves. She hadn't had time to change.

"What I'm trying to say, is that you've gotta cut them a break. They just care about you, is all."

Carmen huffed, her nails digging painfully into her palms. "I just wish that they would start trusting my judgement again. I know I'm a little stubborn sometimes-"

"Understatement."

"Hey!" She gave a laugh to hide the pain in her voice. "Ok, I know I'm stubborn a lot. But the ravine was a freak accident, and in any normal situation, I'm fine."

Player muttered something in agreement.

Carmen stretched and rubbed her eyes, the sun flashing off of the waves and leaving a bright, choppy after-image on the inside of her eyelids. "If I promise not to do anything stupid or dangerous, will you tell me more about the camera? I have an idea that I think could be really effective."

There was a pause from his end.

"Player, c'mon!"

"Alright alright! Fine. But I'll have to be quick. Ivy's coming to check on you soon."