Nuisance: Short Stories

Nuisance - Part 9

"Have you seen Haylee, Princey, or Brianna?"
Gema glanced up from her book to see Fern leaning in the doorway. Their hair was a mess and they were still in pajamas.
"Uh Fern? It's like five in the afternoon. Why are you still in your pj's?" she questioned.
Fern shrugged and walked lazily towards the edge of Gema's bed.
"Just lazy. But have you by chance seen any of them?"
"No-" Gema shook her head "-I haven't. Sorry."
"That's alright. Any idea where they might be?"
"You could try Purgatory or the gym. That's where they would usually hang out together. Individually, try their rooms or realms."
Fern nodded. "Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Gema returned to reading the book Clarissa had lent her as Fern left for the gym. It seemed likely that at least one of them would be in the gym, if not two.
"I should probably change already," they sighed. With one thought, they were instantly in their forest green bedroom. They grabbed a white blouse and black pants, hurriedly putting them on as they brushed out their hair.
They took a quick look in the mirror, smiled, and ran off for the gym. When they entered though, the only person they found was Clarissa. Their friend sat on the floor faced away from them.
"Hey Clar," they said with a small wave. "Have you seen Haylee, Princey, or Brianna?"
Clarissa turned around and tilted her head.
"Huh?"
"What?"
Clarissa yanked out a pair of earbuds from her ears and frowned.
"What did you say?"
Fern shook their head and replied, "I was asking if you'd seen Haylee, Princey, or Brianna."
The doe eyed alien shook her head. "Nah bro, good luck findin' them though."
"Okay, thanks anyway." With that, Fern strolled off and headed for Purgatory. Surely they'd at least find Princey there.
As they walked in, they found Madison sitting at Princey's desk.
"Hey Maddie!"
The red head looked up and smiled. "Hi Fern. What's up?"
"I was wondering if Princey was here?" they asked hopefully. To their dismay, Madison shook her head.
"Nope, he hasn't been here. It's just me."
"Oh," they sighed. "Any idea where he's at? Or maybe Haylee or Bri?"
"Nope and nope. Come to think of it, I haven't seen them all day actually."
Fern nodded and waved as they yet again, left empty handed.
"Maybe they're in their rooms or separate realms," Fern thought out loud.
They skipped off towards Hell, humming a made up tune. They neared the tall, black gates and pressed the speaker button.
"It's Fern!" they yelled, watching the gates.
They creaked open momentarily, but long enough for them to slip in. They passed the fire pits and staircases that led to what seemed like the basement, if Hell had a basement.
"Anybody home?"
Their question echoed through the halls, but no one answered. Suddenly, something moved from the corner of their eye.
"Stop right there!" they yelled, swiveling around and smacking the robed figure.
"Ow you hooch!"
Tiffany pulled down her hood and smacked Fern with her scythe.
"Why are you wandering around Hell, Tiff?" Fern asked, rubbing her shoulder.
Tiffany chuckled. "Same reason you probably are. I'm looking for Haylee."
"Me too. Have you seen Princey or Brianna?"
"Nah, I've already asked Clarissa, Madison, and Gema, but no ones seen them."
"Yeah, which is really weird, considering they're Realm leaders."
Fern scratched their head in thought. "Is there possibly any room we haven't checked?"
"I don't think so," Tiffany sighed. "Do we have like a tracker or something?"
"They're not dogs Tiffany."
Tiffany wheezed while Fern rolled their eyes and walked back out to the white halls.
"But like seriously, where could they be?" Tiffany thought out loud, running to catch up with Fern.
"Who knows?"
~
Haylee's bright red eyes snapped open, her brown hair falling in her face.
"So? They have any idea where we are?" Brianna asked.
"Not a clue," she smiled.
"Well that's great," Princey chuckled. "I'd say we're definitely the best hiders."
Haylee squirmed uncomfortably. Brianna's elbow was digging into her side, and Princey's boot heel was pressing into her thigh.
"Guys, remind me to never hide with you guys for Hide N Seek again. Especially in this small bathtub."