I was shopping online for a Dremel tool and some metal blanks when my music suddenly cut off. I'd set it up that way to let me know when somebody got home when I'd synced to the art's system. That meant I'd already had a chance to minimize any of the more incriminating bits from my research assistant before my little barged into my room without knocking.

"Hey, Bubba."

"Hey, Dee- Monica."

"Don't call me that. "

"Then don't be a soul less creature who crept up here from the abyss to destroy all traces of joy in my life."

"I'll tell mom. "

That had gone to the nuclear option awfully quickly, and I minimized my screen and turned to actually face my sister in the doorway. Sinferring about the set of her shoulders and the look on her face, i was pretty sure she had been crying. Big brother instincts fired up a I took a closer look. No black eyes or fat lips, so not a fight at school. Or at least not one she lost. I peered down and her knuckles were unblemished, OK, not a fight at all. Bullshit girly relationship stuff maybe? I fucking hated when Mom worked late.

"Peace, Monica. Why are you all pissy?"

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"I'm not pissy. Why do you have to be such a jerk, Chris?"

"I'm trying to be nice. Something's bothering you, what is it? Cookies on a high shelf, one of the other goblins give you a hard time at school? What's the matter?"

"Bubba..."

"Seriously, whatever it is it can't be worth all this build up, just spit it out, Mon."

"Do you remember my friend Jenna."

"Nope."

"Ugggh, she lives in our building, has like super long hair and that really cool holo jacket."

"Sorry, dude. I, uh, tend to not pay attention to your friends."

"She was at my birthday party and you hung out like the whole time with her big sister."

"Ella, the one who kept taking pictures?"

"Yeah, her. She's missing. "

"Who's missing, your friend or her sister?"

"Her sister. Jenna said she went to sleep in the top bunk and in the morning her sister was just gone."

Memories of the trials went through my head and all of the bad things that could have happened, and my voice was almost hesitant as I asked, "How old was Ella."

"I don't know. She wasn't a grown up yet but she was older than Jenna. What if you disappear like that?"

How could i tell her if already risked it and passed my trial? Instead I shrugged and tried to smile at my sister. "She probably just snuck out to go see a boy or huff paint or something equally stupid. I don't do that shit so I won't go missing."

"Ella wouldn't huff paint. "

"How do you know? Jenna might not, but you weren't exactly close to Ella, right? She could be anywhere, but that doesn't mean I'm going somewhere. Sucks to be Jenna but our family is okay."

She gave me a dubious look so I diverted her in the way only a sibling can.

"Enough talk, DeeMonica. Go make some Mac and Cheese."