Nuisance: Short Stories

Nuisance - Part 12

April 08, 2028
"How do we keep getting ourselves into these situations?" Haylee grumbled, cutting at the rope that hung her by her feet. She looked down at Fern.
They shrugged. "Eleven years of friendship and I still don't know. Now hurry up, they could be here any second."
With one last swipe, the rope snapped and Haylee fell to the ground with a thud. Fern helped her up.
A lot had changed in the past eleven years; that was certain. But their friendship remained as unbreakable as ever. That's why when Fern asked Haylee to help them break into the Realms vault and steal a priceless artifact, she couldn't help but accept.
"Remind me why we're going to steal whatever it is we're stealing again," Haylee said as she tossed Fern her switchblade.
They stashed it into their pocket and smiled. "If you're thinking I'm gonna destroy the human race with it, don't worry. That's not on today's agenda."
"So you're saying that it's in there but it's not on today's."
Fern smiled again. "Don't worry about it."
"Remind me to change the passcode to the armory when we get back."
They walked through the dark and cold corridors with only the beam of Fern's flashlight guiding their way. The floor under them was dirt, not something they were typically used to back in the Realms.
The Realms. Gosh, we haven't been back here in years, Haylee thought to herself. I wonder how everyone's doing.
As they neared the gate entrance to the Realms, Fern turned to Haylee.
"You still remember the passcode?"
Haylee scoffed. "As if I would forget it. I came up with it. So move aside."
She entered the combination and with a small beep, the gates slowly opened. They hurried to get through without alerting the others of their presence.
Haylee nodded her head to a small corridor. "Let's take the side road. The main is too obvious, they'll see us coming."
Fern agreed and they went off on their way. Haylee had come up with the side road six years ago as a way of traveling between Realms without being detected. The others didn't know of it's existence.
"Since when did the Realms have a side road?" Fern asked.
"It didn't. I made it back when we still lived here."
"Huh, thank God for that then."
They neared the Realms' main hallway. The road's exit was a couple hundred feet off the ground, which was how it remained undiscovered. As they peered out from the edge, they could see the rest of the leaders out and about.
"Wow, they all look so different," Fern whispered.
Haylee nodded.
Fern was right. They'd all changed. Princey, they could see, had an assortment of different colors in his hair. There was purple for the base (his signature color), a blue fade, and a small strip of pink in his bangs. He was dressed in all black, and Haylee could see he still carried the blade that matched her old one.
Brianna and Tiffany still looked almost the same, only Bri had grown her hair out a bit more. Clarissa had ditched her bright blue attire for a purple that was softer on the eyes. Maddie had colored her hair again, this time black roots with blue ends. Gema looked the same but she was dressed significantly different. Her clothes were tighter and darker. They weren't something she'd wear.
"Do you see what Gema's wearing?" Haylee muttered. "She looks like me."
Fern frowned. "You're right. Why would she be wearing such dark clothes?"
"I dunno, but whatever the reason, it doesn't seem like it's gonna sound very good."
Haylee grabbed Fern and jumped off the edge of the cliff. Her wings extended for the first time in years and the two flew off silently. The vault was located in the control room of Maddie's realm. It's only security measure was a passcode. They'd been meaning to get more safeguards, but had never gotten around to it.
Soon enough, they reached the control room. This was where they could see every place and person on Earth.
"Look, there it is," Fern said excitedly. "Quick, what's the passcode?"
"It's 050924."
As Fern entered the numbers, Haylee looked over at the panel. She could see Earth lit up from the Sun's light. She walked over to the control board and entered coordinates for Phoenix, Arizona. As the panel zoomed into the U.S., she heard the lock click. Haylee turned and saw as Fern entered the vault.
"Careful," Haylee called to her. "We've got some dangerous stuff locked up in there."
No answer.
She walked over to the door and peeked in. "Fern? You okay in there?"
The room had no lights, but rather glass boxes exhibiting every artifact it held. These were lit up and in turn, lit up the room as well. Fern stood in front of one. Haylee walked over and looked to see a sword she'd never seen. Its handle was encrusted with emeralds and silver, and it's blade shone as if it had been made yesterday.
"Is this what we came here for?" Haylee asked.
"Yup."
"Why?"
Fern opened the case and pulled the sword out gently. "It's the only sword of it's kind, because it's the only weapon that Realm leaders have created."
"So it's the only weapon that came from here?"
Fern nodded.
"Well... what does it do?"
"The same as any other sword."
"So then why do you want it?" Haylee questioned. "If it's the same as every other one."
Fern shrugged. "It's just cool."
They exited the vault and locked it once more. As Fern placed the sword in its holder onto her back, the other Realm leaders entered the room. They stared at the pair.
"Haylee? Fern?" Princey said.
Bri stepped forward. "What are you guys doing here?"
"Oh, hey guys," Fern said sheepishly. "What a nice surprise to see you here."
"We just came to get something from the vault," Haylee answered.
"Who is that on the panel?" Maddie asked.
They all looked over to see a small child on a playground. He was busy making small sand castles in the sandbox as other kids ran around and laughed.
"Is that..."
Haylee nodded. "My son."
~
Present Day
As the image faded away, they all sat watching in shock.
"So let me get this straight," Princey started. "You two" - she pointed at Fern and Haylee - "are no longer living in the Realms?"
Haylee nodded. "That's correct."
"And you have a son?"
"Correct again."
Fern raised their hand. "What about me?"
"Well we both live on Earth but you live in England with your partner and dog."
"I'm married?"
"Ooh! Ooh!" Clarissa shouted. "What about me?"
"You and the rest of the group still live here, but we finally got you that cat you've been wanting."
"Ok hold up."
They turned to look at Gema.
"For how long have you had this ability Haylee?"
She shrugged. "Not long, but it's pretty cool right? Oh and Gema?"
"Yeah?"
"You had different clothes because you took over as Lucifer for me when I went down to Earth."
Gema frowned. "And that required a personality change?"
Haylee held up her hands in defense. "Don't look at me. You're the one that offered to take on the role in the future."
"Ok I think that's enough looking into the future," Brianna stated. "Knowing what's gonna happen can mess with the outcome."
"She's right," Haylee agreed. "That's enough for today."
As the others stood and went about their day again, Bri walked over to Haylee. She seemed concerned.
"Haylee?"
"Yeah?"
"Why did you leave the Realms?"
Haylee sighed. "Future me thought it was best that her son didn't grow up here. She wanted a normal childhood for him, and this" - she gestured around them - "isn't exactly the place for that."
Bri nodded. "And the rest of us? Does anyone else have children?"
Haylee smiled, a mischievous look in her eyes. "Oh yeah, we all do. Just at different times. But I'll tell you something."
She beckoned Bri to come closer. She did so, and Haylee whispered in her ear.
"They're gonna do great things."