It must have been hours. Bubble couldn’t sleep. He had to know if she was alright, or at least if she was coming back. He was possibly the closest to Starfish, since he was the youngest (before the hybrids, of course). When Bubble was two, he would cry when Starfish left him at school. Drown and Droplet were there, of course, but it always hurt when she swam away.

Bubble had gone to overnight camps when he was four, and even that was a bit tough on him. Bubble lay awake, tossing and turning. He wanted to know she was okay. Droplet had made shrimp noodles for dinner that night, and although it was delicious, he still couldn’t feel any better.

He knew it was a bit hard on everyone. Even Melt was picking at his food, and he was always the toughest within the group. Drown assured everyone she was okay and that she would be back. It wasn’t like Bubble didn’t believe her, he knew she was okay. It was just so sudden and he didn’t have any time to prepare.

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Bubble stared at the hammock above him, wondering what Droplet was thinking about. He must be worried, too, but he never showed it. His eyes were always blank with obedience, and always looked towards Drown, secondly, their mother.

But maybe he didn’t have to wait for her to come back. What if he went looking for her? Everyone was asleep, so nobody could catch him. Besides, he’d be back before the sun rose. Bubble carefully climbed down the ladder and sneaked into the kitchen. He walked past his mother’s cookbook, open to the noodle recipe. Bubble peeked out the door and almost crashed into a burly SeaWing he didn’t recognize.

“Halt!” He shouted. “Freeze in the name of the Queen!”