When it comes to tech stuff, the one person who can give us guidance is Newt, so that's exactly where we go.

"I know I'm kind of smart for these things and all, but there's not a lot I can do about it without accessing the school servers."

"And you can't do that?" Abby asks, looking around Newt's room, because it's still the cluttered awesome collection of pieces and boards and stuff. It's impossible not to snoop.

"Not remotely, unless I have the server's IP address. Also, I don't think I'll get access to the servers if I don't have an administrator account, and even having all of that, there's not a lot to be done."

"Not a lot being...?" I ask, checking Newt's computer screen, where he's keeping track of the forums. There were no new messages after those he sent me via text.

"Every account in the system is linked to a name and email address," Newt explains. "This information should be stored in some sort of database. If the whole thing is done well enough, which I doubt, I might be able to also get IP addresses, but honestly? Don't hold your breath for that."

"So an administrator account, huh?"

"That's what we need."

"Do you think Mr. Sunderland has this information?"

"I don't know," Newt replies, making a face. "He's definitely a strong authority at school, but he's not the principal. There's no harm in asking, though. He seemed helpful enough when he came here."

"Indeed. I'll get to it," I say, already turning to leave. "You stay here and keep me posted if anything else happens, okay?"

"Will do."

"Are you coming with me, Scar?"

"I rather fall down a hole and straight into a lava pit but, unlike you, I don't trust that old fart-bag," she replies, readjusting her ponytail. "Someone needs to have your back, and whoever is doing this, is impersonating me, as well."

"Thank you."

It takes us fifteen minutes to get to Utopia Ranch, but when we get there, Eugene isn't around.

"You look like you're in a rush," Ralph says, curiously ogling Abby. "I'll give you his phone and call him, maybe?"

"Wait, I do have his phone number!" I say, remembering I have freaking Zeus' phone number! I hold Scar's hand, and walk back, already dialing Eugene.

"Good to see you too!" Ralph shouts behind us, and I turn around to give him a smile.

"Why are you so happy?" Abby asks, letting go of my hand.

"I don't know. Maybe because this is kind of exciting?"

"Is it?"

"We're trying to get into a server to search for clues on whoever is trying to impersonate us on that forum," I explain to her. "It's like in the movies, right?"

"Huh," she says, but not sharing my enthusiasm. "You do realize we could get in trouble if Amanda realizes, don't you?"

"I don't see how that's going to be a problem," I reply. "If any, we'll just explain her what's going on and that's that."

Abby takes a deep breath and sighs. "You sure are an optimistic fool, John."

"Hopeless optimistic, Abby. Hopeless."

Eugene picks up and I rush to explain the situation to him, and he tells me he can tackle the situation immediately, also granting us access to the school's server if we go there now. I hang with him and call Newt, telling him to meet us there.

"School server is down right now."

"Yeah, that might have been Mr. Sunderland's doing."

"Good call," Newt says. "I'll meet you at the school gates in ten."

Abby and I get there first. Eugene is waiting outside. I nod at him, and he nods back.

"Sorry to bother you with this, Eugene."

"No, no. I'm glad you did," he says, pushing his hair backwards with his hand. "This is identity fraud, and it's not to be glanced over."

"Huh." I didn't really see it that way, but he has a point. "Newt is on his way."

"We have our own technicians to take care of these things, John."

"But they won't be telling you who did it," Abby says through gritted teeth. "And we want to take care of whoever did this dung."

"I'm sure you do, Abigail."

"Did I say you could talk back to me? I don't think I did!" Abby snaps, pointing her index at him. I know she's angry at The Fist for what happened to her mother; I would be, too, but it's still surprising how outspoken she can be about her own anger, even to Mr. Sunderland. I just wonder how much more will Eugene take from her before her 'special circumstances' expire.

Eugene takes a deep breath and turns to me. "I guess there's no harm in letting Mr. Newton look around."

"He told me the servers went down after I called you."

"I'm not as tech-savvy as you kids are," he explains with a smile. "But even I know internet doesn't work if you unplug the router. And the less time those messages remain online, the better. There's no telling who read them and who didn't, or what consequences this could bring."

"We'll have to deal with this one step at a time," I offer. I can't be more reassuring than this. "From what I heard, the school forum isn't the most popular social media in the world anyway."

"Well, we teachers just drop homework there, so..."

"But that also means everyone has to log in, at least to pick their homework."

"That's also true."

We wait in silence after that, and not long after, Newt arrives with his backpack.

"Sorry it took so long. Had to find my old laptop."

"It's okay," Eugene says, leading the way inside. "Let's get this done."

"Leave it to me."

Eugene explains that he unplugged the internet to Newt as we walk to the teacher's lounge, where the server is. Newt takes his laptop, connects a few cables, and starts typing stuff. I'm not sure what he's doing, but before I know it, he's at some sort of login page. "Mr. Sunderland, if you may."

Eugene types his credentials and Newt is inside the system. And then Ms. Higgins' car parks outside. We're busted!

"This is bad!" I say, feeling adrenaline rushing through my body.

"Don't worry. I'll take care of her," Eugene says, unlocking a door that leads to the small entrance foyer. "I'll try to buy you some time, but you need to rush it. Exit through this door when you're done."

"I just need a couple minutes," Newt says, his fingers nimble on the keyboard, even while inching to hide behind the server rack.

Abby and I hide behind a desk, but Abby peeks over it, following Eugene's steps. We can hear him talking to Ms. Higgins outside.

"I was trying to upload something to the server for eleventh but it wasn't working, so I came to see if I could do something about it."

"Don't worry about it, Margaret. I already called tech service."

I risk a glance over the desk like Abby, and out the window I can see their figures. Then I see Ms. Higgins reaching up and kissing Eugene.

"Ew," Abby whispers. "Truth be told, they deserve each other."

"I've copied the user database to my computer," Newt announces. "I'll delete the messages, and then we can get out of here."

"Hurry it up!" I whisper back. I go back to Eugene and Ms. Higgins, and the two of them go inside the school building, but instead of coming here, they keep walking towards the cafeteria. It's now or never.

"Done!" Newt says, unplugging his computer and joining us behind the desk.

"Let's get the hell outta here, then!"

We follow Abigail's lead, and we scurry outside, where we finally allow ourselves to take a deep breath.

"Mission accomplished?"

"That was clutch!" Newt protests, shoving his laptop on his backpack as we walk.

"Now what?" Abby asks. I text Eugene to let him know we're done.

"Now we pray there's something in these files that points us to whoever created the fake accounts."

"Wait, so this could have all been for nothing?" Abby protests.

Newt flinches a little. "There's a fat chance of that happening, yes."

"At least he deleted the messages, Abby," I say to soothe her a bit.

"I suppose that's something to count, sure."

A few minutes later, we're back at Newt's house, and that's when we take our first deep breath and relax.

Mrs. Newton glances our way from the kitchen, wearing an amused smile. "Are you kids all right?"

"Mom!" Newt says, suddenly springing to life. "Can we get some ice-cream?"

"Ice-cream?"

"Yes! The one you make."

"Oh, my god!" Scar intervenes. "Does she still make that ice-cream?"

"Duh. Of course she does."

Scar turns to Mrs. Newton. Her eyes sparkle with hope. "Can we? Please?"

"Of course you can," Mrs. Newton replies with a pleased smile. "Shall I take it to your room, Charlie?"

"That would be great. Thank you, Mom," Newt says, and we all go upstairs to Newt's room. It's time to find out who's trying to get us in trouble.