The Bubble Popper

Chapter 5

Sud took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He'd always tried to avoid conflict. He tried to be a good bubble, but it seemed like life didn't want to let him be happy.

Blob, for example, was always giving Sud a hard time. Sud tried to avoid and ignore him, but Blob kept pestering him.

He was just like the bubbles in the orphanage where he grew up. The other bubbles didn't want to play with him, and it was fine. He didn't care, but it wasn't enough for them. They would take his food and push him around, then laugh at him. Thinking back, it's hard to believe small bubbles are capable of hurting someone so much.

Bubbles, who were looking to adopt, didn't even consider him. He tried to be nice, but it was never enough. He dreamed of one day someone seeing the good in him and adopting him. He would have been happy if the other bubbles would have at least stopped bullying him. None of the two options happened.

It doesn't matter how nice someone is; even the nicest bubbles fight back when they've had enough. And that's what Sud is doing, fighting back.

Sud looked around and didn't see anyone wandering around. He followed behind Blob and entered the back of the delivery van.

"Aren't you going to thank me, Shorty?"

Sud scanned his surroundings. There was no one around. From where Sud stood, he could see there were other bubbles outside, but they were busy filling up their vehicles. The other employees were inside the building sorting out the packages. The security cameras could capture the entrance of the van but not the inside.

"No." Calmly answered Sud as he continued to scan his surroundings.

"No. Why? I helped you, and you're so ungrateful." Blob asked angrily. His eyes were full of rage.

If it had been in the past, Sud would have been trembling with fear, but now he had his treasure to protect him.

"I didn't ask for your help. I remember telling you I didn't need it, but you wouldn't listen. Why won't you just disappear?" Emotionless, answered Sud as he took off his backpack and reached in to grab his "treasure."

"So now it's my fault?! You sure are brave today, aren't you? I think you need a reminder of what respect is." Threatened Blob as he approached Sud and shoved him. Sud stumbled back and fell on the packages.

Sud looked at Blob, who was approaching him again. The fury inside Sud that had been contained for a long time finally found an outlet. Sud stretched out his treasure and with a light pushed...

POP!

Sud watched attentively the falling rain of what used to be Blob fall slowly to the floor. Sud was in a strange, peaceful trance. The scene was strangely beautiful. The beautiful moment ended when the rain completely fell.

Sud then realized where he was. It was his riskiest pop yet. He needed to come up with an excuse fast before someone walked by. He couldn't just run away this time.

They're going to catch you this time, the voice in his head said. No. He couldn't be caught. They're going to take your treasure away. No. He wouldn't allow that to happen.

He was stuck inside the van, and it was easy to find out they had walked inside together. He needed to come up with an escape fast, but how? He could never peacefully enjoy a pop, sighted Sud. Then he looked around, looking for an idea, for something to help him out of the situation.

Then he came up with a risky idea, but it was the only way out for now.

"Ahhh! HELP!" Screamed Sud suddenly.

Yes, if he couldn't avoid it, he had to report it. A self-report. Sud smirked as he once again called out for "help!"

Not long after, two fellow delivery bubbles appeared.

"What happened?"
"What's going on?" They asked at the same time.

****
POV Police

"Detective Fizz, we talked to the bubble that Bobba met at the park," said Officer Bead.

"And, is there anything?" asked Detective Fizz as he scanned the reports with the details on the bubble statements.

"Nothing new. They were on a blind date. He was late, and she got mad and left almost immediately. It was confirmed by Bobba's parents that they set the meeting between the two." Detective Fizz nodded as he confirmed what the officer said.

"Anything else?"

"The forensics report on Spot's case is finished. It should be in your office by the afternoon."

"Finally, the chief wants a quick closure on that case." But he just had a hunch that something was missing, something wrong with the crime scene.

Maybe the report would be a breakthrough to know what was wrong, thought Detective Fizz.