Chapter Two - Doug Detective Academy

They arrived at the academy about 45 minutes later. This was it. The chance for Kimberly Lawrence to start her new life. Temporarily, at least. If anything went wrong, she’d have her mother bring her right back home. Kim and her mom step out of the car. Kim grabs her bags and belongings out of the trunk.

“Do you have all your stuff?” Her mother asks.

“Yeah. I think I’m all set.”

“I’ll miss you.” She hugs her mother goodbye.

“I’ll miss you too.” She waves to her mother as she steps foot towards the entrance. Her mother walks back, and soon drives away. Kim looks at the entrance. A sign that reads, “DOUG DETECTIVE ACADEMY” in big letters. Well, here goes nothing. She marches on through the gates. Kim had a sense of regret. Did she really want to do this?

“It’s something new. It’ll be fine…” She tells herself.

“Who are you talking to?” A tiny voice says behind her. Kim was startled by this. She really wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone new at the moment. She turns around slowly to see a small boy with curly brown-reddish hair, clutching a stuffed blue bunny. Kim didn’t know how to reply. So she turns back around like nothing happened and keeps walking forward. I really don’t want to socialize…

“Hey! You ignored me!!” The little boy whines. He starts to follow behind her. Tiny footsteps. Kim knew she was being followed.

“Did you not hear me? What’s your name?!” He shouts. His voice was really childish, so Kim assumed he was a little kid under the age of ten. She starts to walk faster, still ignoring the child. Now where’s the front office so I can check in? She thinks. She then finds a door with the words “OFFICE” printed on it. Well that was easy. The only problem now was the little boy following her.

“Are you new here?” The little boy asks. Kim looked at the little boy then looked back in the direction of the office door. Then again glanced at the small boy. She nods as a response to his question.

“Good! I’m new too! My name is Benny, what's your name?” Kim looked at the boy in silence.

“Kim.” She said queitly. Kim saw that the bunny in Benny’s hands was dirty and stitched up at some parts. Kim had the cut out paper from the newspaper article. She saw that it said 15+. Benny doesn't look like 15 or older. Kim didn’t want to ask about it, but she wanted to know why he was there.

“How old are you?” Kim said nervously. Benny looked confused when Kim was talking.

“You want to know how old I am?” Benny said. “I’m 9 years old!” Benny said. Kim looked at the newspaper article in her hand, then glanced at Benny. She got closer to him and Benny was staring at her. Kim showed Benny the cut out newspaper article.

“It says fifteen and up.” She said pointing to it. Benny was shocked, he didn’t know what to do.

“How did you sign up then?” Kim said.

“I-I found it in a dumpster. I read it and I joined. I didn’t know that!” He said nervously.

“Dumpster?” Kim thought.

“I really want to do this! Please hide me, or tell them that I’m a short fifteen year old! Please!” Benny whined.

“One day, they'll know, but if you really want to do this just follow my lead, behind me.” Kim said. Then, she heard a noise, like… something or someone was spying on them.

“Hurry Benny lets go inside.” Kim opened the office door. Benny followed behind her. They saw an office lady that they had to check in with.

“Hello! How are you! What may I help you with?” Said the office lady. She was very happy.

“Hello. I’m Kimberly Lawrence. I’m signed up for Doug’s Detective Team.”

“Oh yes! I saw you on my names chart! Everyone's here but Benny Brown.”

“W-ell he’s right here.” Kim moved to the side for the office lady to see Benny.

“Excuse me Benny, how old are you?” She asked.

“Oh! Yeah I’m small for my age. I’m fifteen. I look like a nine year old but I’m not.”

“Oh- okay. Benny and Kim, the Detective area is on your left. I will let Dax know all of you are here. Have a nice day!” Kim and Benny were about to open the door.

“Kim, you ready!” Benny burst with excitement.

“Not really, but let's do it.” Kim answered. Kim and Benny pushed open the door to see new faces glare at them.