The Beginning of Trouble

This was put right in the middle of something so you would be very confused and slightly wondering what the hell is going on, deal with it and read on…

Cody tugged in a nervous and disgruntled fashion at his collar, his long fingernail dulled at the very edges and trims filled with black dirt clawed at the fabric tightening around his neck to the very skin of his body as he squatted down in his position behind a large wooden crate with a red large stamp "Warning: Dangerous material" telling him enough information about what was probably in it while sweat poured down his forehead as his blue eyes almost seemed to shine in the dark of the warehouse, his mouth twitched at the corners as his fair brown hair was combed right down and was cut the other day by the local barber which made it fashionable and handsome for his tastes. His right arm tensed up the muscles giving off their burning sensation once more as his thin raked fingers clenched in on its intended target taking the small metal hair strand-like material in his vice grip ready to do his job, his hand pulling back the top shelf of the entire contraption hearing the distinct clack and the bullet sliding into place as he took a small peek at the middle of the warehouse where his target stood just under the entirety of the storage area of crates and such in the midst of a swinging light above him its metal pole attached eagerly to the ceiling as it oversaw the deed being done as though it was the only witness who would not speak, the target was standing undefended and alone at the edges of a crate with the same red stamp when the young man took a quick close glance at the crate surrounded by the various white foam that was spread out over the floor like snow while he snuck to another crate closer to his current position making sure the man had not picked up his trail and turned behind or fled immediately his dark polished shoes tapped and pressed itself onto the ground softly and stealthy trying not to make any sudden squeak to give away its owner to the enemy. Cody sighed half-relieved when the man seemed to continue his business without guessing that someone like a detective was watching him closely like a hawk and taking down every move that he made, clearly hearing the distant humming and the creak of the cover of the crate as the man's back shuddered his arms were gripping onto the handle of a crowbar trying to open up the crate completely singing a tune under the light, the young detective watched and took every single detail: it had been quite a long time since the World Tour which resulted in him not just getting the boot but also being rejected by a girl on national television which really made him infamous and the most bullied back at high school but all that changed when he tried to make a name for himself not in the humiliating form of showbiz but instead he had put his name right in the books of the local police department who trained him into a real full-time detective at the age of nineteen to the surprise and utter shock of his superiors who said the normal training time was close to five years, not bad in his standards like winning the award back in his school except that he knew he could now do something in people's lives and such though the words spoken and exchanged between the officers about him and their kids watching the show not long after he joined the force shook him with some officers thinking maybe the girl should have given him a chance while others just stuck with differing reasons as to why his crush told him off like "He's just too creepy for the goth's liking, he should be catching them instead of us" but not tonight, no sir Cody the Codemeister is not to be undermined as he tries and catch the most dangerous criminal in the top ten list now unarmed with a mere bar of steel to protect himself against his pistol cocked and loaded to fire. He couldn't be bothered with her tonight, the very mention or anything associated with her brought him back to that very same moment when she just blurted out right at him and his hands were thrown out in defense against what her venomous words pouring truth and hurt at him until he ran out of the building…his thoughts were interrupted as his foot thunked the back of the crate slightly moving it to his dumb luck, the sounds stopped right in its tracks as Cody silently cursed to whoever caused his cover to be blown as the crowbar clattered to the floor.

"Detective Cody, I was expecting you." The mere shrewd taunting voice told the cop enough information he needed as he put the pistol in front of him and appeared around the corner of the crate to see that the man stood there in front of the crate he now abandoned, his eyes sharp as ice cutting down any sympathy for the would be soon convict who was staring at him with his black orbs leaning on the crate arms folded wearing a dark grey hoodie jacket as well as the black pants slid down his legs to his shoes while he wore a black fabric shirt smiling at his counterpart.

"I am arresting you, Amos…don't try to resist me or I will fire." The man called Amos put his hands out in the air still holding a smile to his face, as though he had not really cared about the outcome of this brief encounter as he turned around facing the contents of the box with interested eyes feeling the steps of the detective behind him and soon the jingling of cuffs rang as his wrists were brought to his back restraining him as a hand grabbed his collar forcing him into a walk towards the entrance where the distinct sirens could be heard. Cody let out a sigh of relief as he managed to handcuff him and led him across to the exit when Amos suddenly spoke up in a very bored hum, his tongue clicked at the sounds of his jail-time coming for him.

"You're making a really big mistake, Detective. You should turn back now." His words seemed to really throw him off, Cody stopped him in mid-stride and stared right at him stepping in front of him looking deeply into the black eyes for any sort of joking gesture but what he found was the severe look that kind of reminded him of his father when he always disapproved of something which made him really suspicious as he folded his arms and glared.

"Yeah, why should I?"

"Because what you're about to do will start a real riot somewhere, have you ever read the reports or should I say stories of my exploits? You seem to not really learn that well like the rest of the cops I would say frankly, they aren't really bright."

"Amos Casteon, known as the 'Psychopath Bomber' raided dozens of banks and created heists around the county in Canada with his trademark bombs and other assortments of arsenal carried…wouldn't go into police custody willingly and always seeked a way out of his messes but does not use partners in crime or a gang. It seems that your body has had enough for me, time to put you in your rightful place as a guy in the jail cell or an asylum if the judges decreed it and finally end your violent career." The detective spoke in recital, the criminal made a low whistle in return as they passed by various crates and the sirens got louder his grin getting bigger under the moonlight.

"I see, you are a reader aren't you but I also know many things about you too. Cody, known for the Total Drama series starring him and a bunch of teens running about doing challenges and then you trying to let the one girl you liked to understand where you were going with your friendship…a sad thing really, I enjoyed the series while it lasted. But tell me: how much do you care about her?"

"What is it to you, Bomber? You never had any remorse for your victims, so why should I listen to someone who hasn't had love or maybe murdered it with his cold hands?"

"True…but it was such a shame." Amos spoke under his muttered breath watching intently on the changes to Cody's own face at the mention of the girl who had just rejected him enough to make a whole montage of, and that brought his eyes to narrow and all signs of going by the books just nearly got thrown out of the window as he tried to suppress those memories from happening at all in his head as the words spun in his head as the criminal continued on his ramble without any known interruption while they continued their stroll to the police car.

"I actually thought that you could have had her for yourself…oh well, I guess that some things never change. That must have scarred you badly but maybe you were very heartbroken…I can see it really clearly now, you and her on the house of your dreams but pity so sad that you were rejected." Cody now felt a bit of tension and irritance rise in his lump of his throat at the taunting smirks and indications back to the subject, his eyes now not holding any cold intention of hitting him back as he glared at him with icy stares. "That was a long time ago, now leave me alone and go get your punishment." The growl of his tone didn't seem to affect the criminal who just gave a really tired yawn as though the words had passed through his ear, then again Cody thought the man had escaped the grip of the police who probably said things similar to that fashion and he always found a way to talk back at them taunting them until now.

"I don't think that would be necessary since I decided to be escorted to the police station as per standard customs…you do remember that this is the night and now the judges can pass my sentence while I just laze quietly in the back without a sound right?" The criminal gestured to the police cars gathered outside with their guns pointed right at his direction making sure for any sudden moves that may result in his escape, the men's faces were both shocked yet relieved as the silent victory passed with Amos being led into the car his face holding that same smirk he played over his face before he let out a yell towards Cody who had turned back to the direction of his unmarked vehicle with a laugh.

"Hey detective, you better keep an eye on her…you may not believe what you will miss." His voice somehow seemed to resonate with the detective turning around to stare at the smiling face of the criminal who had a little twitch in a smirk before his head was pushed down and led into the car, the squad car then roaring to life as the car reversed back with two others as its backup and escort the motors roaring off into the night down the road as the detective took a little moment to scratch his chin before a few officers in their dark blue uniforms approached him with crisp smiles that crackled under the moonlight and the nearby flaming oil drum still burning its night oil into the air polluting it. One of them took the opportunity to shake Cody's almost trembling hand as he gave a tip of his hat and sighed in great relief as they took a glance at the disappearing escort cars that would take him to the local mental institution, but the detective could not help but think that it wasn't the last he would see of him though he shrugged off the entire sickening feeling with the victorious moment they were having with the bomber right behind bars where he belonged and that was the only time that he enjoyed.

"Great job, Codes…guess you got our number four man off the list of dangerous international criminals without a sweat. I heard reports about that guy, he was always using his arsenal of bombs to wreck the places he targeted and even once I heard he stuffed a hostage full of it waited for the police to take the poor fellow back with them and then he detonated them sky-high from another friend in the force." Another officer just shook his head with a mutter of 'blimey' while the man went on in an excited frenzy talking quickly about the lists of stories that he heard of the man known as a psychopath to his victims or hostages alike, Cody just felt an ache in his arms and legs from the whole ordeal his eyes squinted momentarily before he walked towards his car while the other officers were wrapping the scene out his finger slipping into the loop playing with it as he reached the side door to the driver's seat. Before he could ease himself in, however the sound of crunching shoes behind him forced him to turn around and look at the direction of the cop running towards him with a breathless face cheeks red with exhaustion while Cody watched with arched eyebrow at the very sight before him as he replied in a very confused tone.

"Yes? What is it?" The cop lost his ability to speak for a short moment as he was hunched over in his dark blue uniform sticky with sweat attaching it to his chest, and his hat was missing from his scalp which gave the detective a clear idea he was sent in a real hurry with the thudding of his shoes on the concrete just to find him meant some serious notion in the bust he wasn't aware of…the crate, what was in the crate? Cody's eyes widened at the one thing left behind that he forgot about, his hands instantly left the iron handle of his ride and found its new target shooting out like vines at the sounds of the man's words back at the car, and the very smirk that was haunting him now which had a mixture of anger and anxiety shaking the man uncontrollable by the shoulders forcing him into a jerk as he shot his eyes right up to his superior full of wonder and surprise at the jumpy attitude before he started.

"In the crate, we found something there that might interest-"

"Just tell me!" Cody spoke with a particular brash tone which made the officer recline his body away from the detective and scratched the back of his scalp over his cropped short black hair, the eyes were crestfallen as he replied with a sorrowful tone making the detective's nerves start to pop from impatience until he got his answer sending him to step back from the officer's report.

"We found a woman…she was about your age and if I am not mistaken she kinda looks like cropped hair and wearing some black and red, hey wait up sir!" He yelled after the pursuing detective who had just ignored the rest of the information he had not wanted to guess who would be there in the crate but his pounding heart which was uncontrollably beating in his chest walls refused him to even stop or rest for one second, his feet fighting the strain in his legs as he bit his lower lip trying to brace himself for the inevitable if need be as he shoved and pushed past policemen and back into the warehouse eyes staring straight ahead at his goal rushing to the middle of the building where men were standing over the contents their mutters were grim which brought bad news to Cody who was left to see for himself though a small voice was almost pleadingly saying in his head repeatedly the same words.

"Please, may it not be her…please." He said as he impolitely shoved and pushed away the crowd of blue uniformed Canadian police under his breath followed by the words of the officer trailing after him concerned and worried, his eyes taking a good look inside the crate with his breath stopping as he gasped for one gulpful of air in his lungs bracing for the possible outcome of his discovery a hand stretching out reluctantly into the depths of the box reaching out towards the black hair which made his heart stop as he flipped it over to reveal another woman, but she was different with skin of a slightly dark tone and her lips were purely red with no teal which made Cody nearly sigh in relief from any sign of fear that it could have been his crush his hand reaching for his chest involuntarily as the officers looked down in shame and pity at the dead victim the newest ploy by the mad bomber for his next heist most likely. One of the officers showed the general feeling of the cops by his hand making a cross on his chest whereas the mummers continued without a hint of ever forgetting this notion of the job that they are trying to prevent people from facing such a dark fate as an officer immediately walked off towards the car, his face grim as the rest of the group speaking in hushed whispers of the girl's parents as Cody wasted no time in going back to his own car and slip into the open door despite the fact he knew such a thing could get him killed but he checked for any tampering and so far there was none he could pin on so he just drove off on the concrete cracked road both sidewalks were filled with the various beer bottles smashed or were plain abandoned on purpose with some scenes of men and women both hanging around smiling sheepishly and laughing waving and tossing occasionally at the road where he drove almost making the young police force worker want to actually drive right about towards them and go into a whole speech about the law but a voice told him that right now he was to rest instead and wait for the bomber's trial…the whole ordeal wasn't over yet, but the words of the bomber himself seemed to rhyme continuously in a pattern unknown to him.

You better keep an eye on her…may not know what you're missing…

Five days after capture…

"The psychopath Casteon has finally after three years in his bombing rampage been apprehended in a secluded warehouse in an abandoned district where the man was supposed to have stayed and from there planned out all his various strategic attacks on the city nearby, judges have already had him on trial for three days and so far had enough proof that the man was clearly not pleading insanity for his cases where he was found to be in the sphere of knowledge fully knowing what he has done and is sentenced to twenty years in the local mental institution where he will face rehabilitation or an alternate sentence would replace it to ensure such a monstrosity never appears again. On other news…"

"You hear that Codes? That madman's gonna go to the nuthouse, must be unlucky for him! Serves him right for trying to go and terrorize Canada!" The voice of the officer made the detective's head turn in the direction of the television where an image of the judicial court was shown and on the steps led out from a tight security motocade of men in black suits willing to take action as two bodyguards with their notable earpieces hanging like a telephone cord to their chest pockets brought out the slim handsome man with his jet black raven hair slandering down his shoulders as a few long tree tall bangs shrouded his face from the crowd and peeking cameras with reporters yelling out all sorts of questions that their bosses had asked them to publish in their news reports on the topic of conversation, the bomber just ignored them completely like they never existed walking up the large marble steps towards his punishment in the grasps of the arms of his captors and another cut to the main hall where a panel of judges were speaking to the jury and the courtroom was filled to the last seat with various witnesses whose faces were geared and not surprised at the real punishment when it was brought out by an elder of the jury who had a real stern face as his cheeks flapped along as he talked.

"Amos Casteon is to be found guilty by the jury."

"Agreed. You will be locked away for 35 years in an asylum for your despicable madness and the first-degree murders of five hostages as well as having the money from your stash returned to the banks and jewelry exhibitions, your bank account has been taken of any cash and closed while you never received parole for your sentence…either that or face death. Court has been adjourned." The men stood up at the end of the judge's statement, clapping their hands in certain glee at the bomber's fate with approval and ruthless justice Cody watched and looked on as the bomber just gave a straight face to the sentence his mouth in a deep frown before he stared blankly at the camera facing him but as the lens zoomed forward to catch his face the detective noticed that for a microsecond of the camera length time, the man had sent a chilling smile with his eyes narrowed closely in a mixture of hate yet a twisted sense of joy written over his features told Cody enough that the man was clearly insane and diabolical the feed switching back to the reporter who had her face in a clear slightly disturbed facial expression obviously catching the gesture before she brought the mike back and spoke once more, the TV screen suddenly shut off to the moaning of everyone in the police department by anticipation for further news while Cody smirked at the ones who were more concentrated on the reporter more than anything else important as the source of the interruption holding the remote in his grimy fingers was the police chief who had a thin lanky figure frowning deeply at the group clustered around the appliance before he let out a gruff order forcing the men and women to scatter into groups towards their office boxes.

"Hey you! Now's not the time to start talking and chatting, we have cases to look at! Carl! Are you eating again? How many damn times do I have to tell you, no eating during your duty until you're off it or at the lunch break dammit! Ike, you better not be doing what I think you're doing with that bathroom and I expect you to come out of there thirty minutes faster than the last few times recently wife or no wife! And Cody! Nice job on the entire bomber case, we managed to bag ourselves a big one this month and with that we are considered by my superiors the most improvised police force since you came along great job kid. Keep on doing that and I'll give you a medal or even better, a promotion!" The police chief talked in a softened tone of congrats and patted the uniformed back of the young detective, Cody took the comment happily and walked right back to his own personal office: yes the guy has a real nice office with a bookcase filled with his favorite books and other genres including some romance novels he had picked off from the book store to read and enjoy alongside the desk he personally ordered for the space in the middle as well as the carpet that was strewn over the floor, his smile in satisfaction of the workplace as he slowly strolled to the very chair he owned in the department his nameplate was completely polished and shined in the sunlight the bronze mantle was proudly present as the detective settled himself nicely in the black cushioned chair his smile all but disappeared when his eyes stooped down towards the desk to note a few picture frames decorating his view of from the seat, his fingers reached out involuntarily towards the cluster a pained expression crossed his youthful face scarring it in creases and a frown as his lips were pursed and sealed tightly tracing the slim thin fingers over the same pale face he saw everyday he stepped into the office along with the other recognizable people he knew during that period which he was sucked into a warp of contracts and various challenges he never thought a hotel would have, okay he was tricked like the others to a summer camp where they would be harassed by cameras watching them like hawks as well as were happy to take down the teenagers' secrets from the confessionals they made almost unaware it went live until they watched the episodes and laughed or really made comments about that, but Cody felt quite left out after the first season…more out of place with his crush who whacked his nuts in the first series and went off to really start some real nasty relationship twists and voila she found the social juvenile hall guy to get mushy with while he watched disappointed in his home, his mother and father noted some strange behaviors such as he walking home alone without any friends since the show who mocked him in the face about his messed up love-life whereas the bullies pretty much saw the show to find out more things of the school's local nerd and shed light on his secrets live on national television followed by the complete library of growing games that he bought occasionally and having no one else to play a co-op round with him got really boring, but all that has changed when he graduated and is now working for the police part-time in the weekends though on some weekdays it was an exception with criminals now stalking their neighbourhood.

"I wonder what you're doing now…" he sighed as he took the photograph in his nimble fingers and brought it to his face, scanning the details of it. It was a picture of the first day of their soon to be three seasons of torture, the camp name 'Wawanaka' hanging innocently in the background along the clustered group of teenagers taking their photograph on the dock which soon after collapsed under intense weight but Chris the sadistic host managed to take a few shots before and after the incident keeping the ones of the incident of course to himself but he could still see his younger self four years ago smiling and putting his two V for victory signs up in the air situating himself close to Gwen as close as he could. He had his eyes on her for days since that first time and so he became so devoted and determined to be with her, but he screwed that part completely up with the first season and figured if he couldn't be there for her as a boyfriend at least he could get someone else who had similar feelings for her to do that for him and make her happy that way…explains Trent but for Duncan he could never pin an answer on him without the good old fashioned 'nerd-bashing threat' from him. The first time he heard that Gwen had dumped Trent he was very mad at him for not taking good care of her nor making her happy anymore, but with Duncan he felt more disgusted at her choice and so that resulted in him turning his back completely on her when during a crisis point in her life he had tried to reassure her to comfort her to no avail and instead was shot down by a whole volley of screaming anguish coming right for him causing him to run away in tears unable to even confound the possibility she said that out of frustration or purely to get him to leave, but either way it solidified his view of what she became to him: a selfish, obnoxious person he never wanted to know nor talk to especially during the reunion…

After the show four months later…

Cody tapped the buttons of his controller the surface slippery with the amount of sweat that has drenched the metal to the point a pail could be used to just recycle the excess water wasted his eyes were not the usual blue orbs and whites but were replaced with the breakage of blood red arteries that resulted from the countless spent after a few hours of study to refresh what he learnt at school before he would do the changed routine of activities he normally did way before the trip to the camp that changed his life like the other 21campers who had joined him in challenges including their talks and laughter, but now ever since the elimination that saw him completely obliterated by the others he became sort of cold and hard to the other people who laughed at him on the street calling him various street names like 'Goth lover' and much worse for years hurting him. He went to the extent of even locking himself in his house unable to answer the door bell, and the scar of Total Drama never went away for him like Youtube and it certainly didn't solve his problems as he watched each camper go through their own troubles and came back smiling and managed to say 'It's cool' or 'It's alright now', however for him he was so doubtful of himself right now that it really started to bug him continuously especially the time he had seen an invitation to the reunion started by Chris and Chef who were planning to do something trippy there no doubt, but he turned it down immediately and tried to ignore the piling emails that plagued him about the oncoming reunion tonight and he would always answer Chris angrily back. He heard a knock on the door, but he couldn't bring the care to even go and get it plugging his ears by grabbing the remote and clicked the volume level up to drown it out as his mother opened the door behind him her face was stricken in deep concern as she spoke to the unknown guest, Cody gave a huff maybe it was one of Chris' interns to drag him over to the reunion kicking and screaming…he gave a slight chuckle, that sounded just like Chris alright as his mother's voice spoke over the volume of the television set.

"He's just not himself lately, I don't think he is well." Cody rolled his exhausted eyes in sarcasm at his mother's aloofness to his melancholy lately when it appeared right after he came home. No duh, mum what were you thinking I was doing all that time? The guest spoke next in a very familiar tone, which made Cody turn his head towards the door, his mind flicking from the game as he brought out the main menu to pause the screen.

"Aw, no sweat Cody's ma, I always love games…hey, do you know where the bathroom is? I got to go let some out if you know what I mean." That obnoxious energized tone and that sounds of cheering made Cody's mind race through the identity before he finally came over it and replied in a surprised voice.

"Owen?"

"Hey Codester! How've you been, man? We were given your address from Chris, apparently he wants to invite you to the reunion tonight and he asks if you're even coming and to persuade you to join us…oops, wasn't supposed to say that." Cody's smile brightened, that was the same old Owen who was completely truthful and very careless with words which made him give a small chuckle but his face soon hardened into a frown as he replied to the invitation with his usual answer. "No, just go and enjoy yourself." Owen even had his face in great surprise his eyes going to his clueless parent, his mother just shook her head feeling really helpless with the poor boy who continued to play like it wasn't his business anymore hands now on her hips as she replied back in an advising tone to the young boy her face softening. "C'mon dear, you have to come out sooner or later to meet those friends you have on that television show…you know that as parents we love and care for you but we'll be gone soon and we don't want to leave you alone with no social connection."

"Mum, as much as I appreciate the concern and your care but I am not in the mood to care about parties with friends anymore…leave me alone Owen and tell Chris to stop sending me those emails, and that he can show the confessional tapes and show it to everyone in the whole darn camp for all I care. Mum, show Owen to the door immediately." Cody spoke without any regret or anger, just a neutral tone of spite which threw the two off their rails his mother reclining back like this wasn't the son that she tenderly cared for the last 16 years while Owen was left with his face confused and shocked at the expression Cody wore on his face of apathy as he resumed his video game treating them like they were non-existant, he knew that the boy was always this happy and energetic boy who knew his smarts and also his witty words but now looking at him it was all gone out of the window with his calm and uncaring tone, and that seemed to make Owen nervous as he spoke in a soft tone towards Cody who just pressed a combo on his buttons.

"It's about her, isn't it?" Cody now stopped his activity, his hands squeezed tight around the controller almost ready to break it into a million pieces as he let out a silenced growl in reply his face stricken with grief.

"Don't. Say. Her. Name. Ever. Again." He repeated the words like a venomous arrow, his eyes blazed like an inferno at the mention or the slightest notion of it sending Owen flailing back with his hands outstretched in defense as Cody walked right up to him and with all his might pushed the chubby obese kid towards the door as he yelled right in his face holding nothing back.

"You will never set your damn foot in my house again, you hear me OWEN! If you really think that using her name will get me to go anywhere, YOU ARE WRONG! I don't want to see you or Chris or anybody, including HER so just leave and go enjoy your freaking stupid PARTY!" He spoke really loudly into a yell as he shoved the teenager out of the door and onto the front porch, sending Owen tumbling down the steps as he slammed the door right in the teenager's face who was left shocked at the display of anger towards him as he gave a near whimper at the door loud enough for Cody to hear past the wooden barrier as he stormed back to the staircase.

"Okay…I'll just tell Chris that you couldn't make it, alright?"

"SHUT THE HELL OUT AND LEAVE!" Cody yelled back, his head was flushed red with complete combustion of anger while his parents stood by watching the scene their faces saddened as their own son walked by them without any acknowledgement as his father turned to his back going into the dark room again feeling the uncontrollable shaking grip of his wife while she sank down to her knees grieving with her sleeve over her nose.

"What do we do?"

"I don't know dear, I just don't know…"

Cody felt joyful that he didn't accept the invitation, they were probably laughing and watching his mushy confessional tapes and afterwards he went as far as to send angered fits of rage to the other competitors including Chris in the form of email except Trent, Gwen and Duncan who he just couldn't be bothered with as he tore down the TDI poster from the wall and burned it outside on his garden to the extent of burning his clothing he wore and the underwear he wore there anything that was related to the gameshow in anyway was destroyed except the picture of Gwen he kept and put it in a frame in his office where he would stare at it blankly and curse her silently to himself as he thumped his fist angrily on the table, ashamed and confused of what he was doing to hurt himself and others like Owen when the door opened with an exasperated officer in his uniform which was strangely ripped by shards and blood ran from small cuts on his arm and chest as he lifted his blood covered head as Cody leapt up to his feet slamming the picture down.

"It's the bomber, sir…he escaped from the motorcade."

End