The Bubble Popper

Chapter 4

"A female bubble by the name of Bobba was reported to have popped in the park this morning. While bubbles pop all the time, this bubble was at the prime of her life. This comes just days after another bubble unexpectedly popped in the city's outskirts. Police are investigating if these poppings are related or just coincidental. If you have any information, please contact the local authorities."

Sud attentively listened to the local news. He gently caressed his treasure that was right beside him. He thought of the stuck-up lady he had popped and couldn't help but feel amazed.

He couldn't believe he had gotten away with another popping. There was a strange adrenaline running through him. Very different feeling from the first pop.

He could still perfectly remember the moment his "treasure" pierced the membrane of the female bubble. He could see the different colors appearing as the sun's rays passed through the bubble. As the bubble popped, the rain of liquid that fell like a shower of stars left Sud astonished. It lasted merely a second, but enough to leave him awestruck.

Sinfully beautiful.

Hard to believe something so beautiful came from such a detestable bubble. But now she is gone. She won't cause any more trouble.

Sud sighed. He regretted not looking when that Fizz bubble popped. He wondered if it looked the same or if each bubble popped differently.

For the time being, he had to lay low again. Two victims in so little time would surely raise unwanted attention.

"How troublesome. She keeps causing trouble even after popping," grumbled Sud.

Sud spent the following days going from his house to work and back. Only going out if necessary. He liked his quiet days. Unfortunately, they did not last long.

Sud worked not far from where he found his treasure. He was a delivery bubble. The day he found his treasure, he had a delivery to the building next to where he found his treasure. When he was about to leave, he happened to catch a glimpse of something shining in the alley between the buildings. Out of curiosity, he went to take a look, but he hadn't even gotten a close look at his "treasure" when that Spot guy came out of nowhere and caused everything that happened. It all happened so fast that he didn't even notice the moment the bubble popped. If he could go back, he would take a closer look at Spot's expression when he realized he was about to pop.

Sud was getting the list of his next deliveries when one of the other delivery bubbles walked in.

"Hey if it isn't short, Sud." He said as he "patted" Sud's back, causing him to stumble forward.

"I heard last time you delivered a package that was too big for you, and you almost popped yourself. Hehe."

Sud tried to keep himself calm, but it was hard when the other bubble kept on mocking him. He took his delivery list and went to the side to get his packages.

It may seem like a harmless joke to some, but it wasn't the first time he had done it. Ever since Sud started working in the company, that bubble, Blob, would find whatever opportunity he could to make Sud feel useless.

"Wait for me, Shorty." Called a voice behind him.

Sud ignored the calls and kept walking to check if the packages were all ready. He learned his lesson a long time ago: the more he fought back, the worse the name-calling would get.

"Let me help you place the items in the vehicle. They are heavy, and we wouldn't want you to hurt yourself." Blob said mockingly.

"It's not necessary. I can do it." Said Sud, sidestepping Blob.

Blob walked in front of Sud and snatched the package from Sud's hands. He walked toward the vehicle laughing, leaving an enraged Sud behind.

****
POV Police

"How's the investigation into the Bobba case going?" Asked Detective Fizz.

"The surveillance from outside the park shows her entering the park. But there were no cameras inside the park. We did talk to some eyewitnesses who were at the park at the same time. They saw her standing next to the fountain, presumably waiting for someone."

Detective Fizz wrote down the information, "Have you talked to her neighbors?"

"Yes. But she didn't seem to get along with them. They had a lot to say about her, and few said anything positive."

"Anything useful?" Asked the detective as he listened attentively.

"She worked as a secretary. She seemed to "feel superior" to everyone else, as per a neighbor's words. There were rumors she was in a relationship with someone, but no one seemed to have seen the bubble. We also contacted the family and are waiting to hear back from them."

"Ok. Send me the surveillance. I want to see it myself. And have we found the delivery bubble from the Spot's case?"

"Not yet."

"You can leave now."

As the detective watched the door to his office close, he thought of his latest cases. Everything seemed to point out that it was a natural pop, but he had a feeling there was something else.

There was something odd in Spot's crime scene. He just didn't know what it was. But he needed to wait for the forensics report to know more, and that could take a long time.

On the other hand, Bobba was an easily hateable bubble. At first glance, it seemed she just popped. Just like Spot. But looking at the images from the crime scene and judging from the bag on the floor, it appeared she had plans, and popping wasn't one of them.