Where There Are Bubbles...

Getting no response Monitor Man continues, “Monitor Man, it's so wonderful to see you! Pie?” He asks, mimicking Writer Lady. He looks down at an imaginary pie that he is holding. “That looks amazing. I don't mind if I do.” He says. He lowers his head to eat only to have it redirected by Writer Lady as she gives him privy to her view.

“What the...” He says as a pair of giant bubbles zooms by their heads. “What are those things?”

“Bubbles.” Writer Lady says. “Flying bubbles.”

“Something is inside.”

“I think that it might be...” Writer Lady pauses as they watch the bubbles that had just flown past their heads lower to the ground. “...some form of transportation.”

“In this mess?” Monitor Man asks.

“Yes.”

Monitor Man studies Writer Lady looking for more information.

“Haven't you noticed that the rain is not as heavy now?” Writer Lady points skyward. “The vegetation is so thick that we aren't getting drenched like we were when we were out in the open?”

Something disturbs the tree tops behind them. Monitor Man pushes Writer Lady to the ground seconds before bubbles shoot past where their heads used to be.

Writer Lady looks up nearly butting heads with Monitor Man, “See? The bubbles are flying low. They're protected by the trees.”

“If they are a method of transportation...are you thinking what I'm thinking?” Monitor Man asks, standing up.

Writer Lady nods. “We need to find out if they really are a method of transportation and if anyone can use them.”

“If they are then we can get out of here.” He says, offering Writer Lady a hand as she rises from the jungle floor.

Writer Lady looks at Monitor Man and smiles. “Or...” She says raising an eyebrow.

Monitor Man picks up her thought and raises a brow in return. “We can circle back around and turn the tables on our pursuers.”

“This is going to be so much fun.” Carp says.

“What?” Tinkletoes asks.

“Catching a bubble. We can search a lot more quickly with one of those things.”

Tinkletoes thinks for a bit and smiles. “I have to say I like the idea of watching you try to catch one of those things.”

“I am a retired writer. I have an imagination. I am open to other possibilities. I've got this.” Carp says. “It will be more fun watching you try to catch one. Big, thundering, no imagination. Those bubbles are never going to open up to you my friend.”

“That isn't part of the plan.” Tinkletoes says. “My plan is...”

“You aren't coming?” Carp asks.

“My plan is...”

“It won't be the same.”

Tinkletoes glares at Carp. “The plan is: you search by air. I'm staying on the ground. That's where the real searching gets done.”

“She's not in the bonus room.” Paige says, entering the living room.

“Not in the kitchen.” Peter calls, returning with Dylan following close behind.

“She's not in High Command.” Ray says, sniffing at a brightly colored cat toy he returns from High Command with.

“What are you sniffing at?” Paige asks.

“Catnip.” Ray says. He leans in close and inhales deeply. “Good stuff.” He sniffs again. “Not domestic.”

Diomedes looks at Ray, “Imported?” He asks.

“Duuude...somewhere good too. Madagascar? No way man. That can't be right.” Ray sniffs again.

“Why are you sniffing catnip?” Dylan asks thoughtfully.

“I'm the cat.” Ray says, looking down at the tow headed boy.

“Well, Mr. Cat, did Writer Lady leave a note?” Paige asks.

Ray continues sniffing. “What?”

“You were in High Command? With the desk? Paper? Pens? A dry erase board? Did she leave a note saying where she went?”

Ray turns around looking in the direction of High Command, he turns back facing the others. “Um...no?”

Paige looks down studying the clipboard that she's holding. “What is the status of the bedroom?” She asks without looking up.

“All clear.” Mural Man calls, entering the room, and stopping next to House.

“We've checked the kitchen, the bonus room, the laundry room, Writer Lady's bedroom and High Command. That leaves...the bathroom. Who wants to look in there?” Paige asks, looking up and searching the room for a volunteer. “Anyone?”

There is silence.

“Ray?”

Ray takes a step back.

“What's wrong? You're the cat. Writer Lady loves cats. Doesn't she love you?”

“Du—ude yeah. But not in the bathroom. You should never go into the bathroom when a female is doing her...thing.”

“Diomedes?” She asks.

The dragon answers almost immediately, “I do not invade ladies' commodes.”

“The bathroom was the room we found you in.”

“I did not know that it was a lady's commode.” Diomedes counters. “If I had I never would have entered.”

Everyone looks at Dylan who takes a step back stopping next to his big brother.

“Don't tell me that you're scared of that woman.” House says.

“And you're not?” Ray asks. “Dude.”

“The bathroom is part of me, as I am part of it.”

“Then you check.” Paige says.

“No. I don't care where she is. The longer she's gone the easier my life is. When she's gone I can do things with this place.” House says wistfully.

“Aunt Purdy says that doing things behind someone's back is bad.”

“So.” House says.

“I agree.” Paige announces.

“I don't. I don't care what you think either. Who put little Miss Overachiever here in charge?” House asks.

A strange noise is heard coming from the bathroom. Everyone turns to look at the bathroom door.

“What was that?” Peter asks.

The noise grows louder.

“Dude...that bathroom is haunted man.”

The noise repeats louder accompanied by the sound of glass breaking.

“It sounds like someone is going to have to go in there.” Paige says, looking at the group.

More glass breaks as the floor shakes beneath them. House cries out in pain.

“That's it.” Mural Man says. “I'm going in.”

“No way man. You'll get wet and dissolve.”

Ray looks at the cat toy he is holding, he takes one last inhalation. “It's okay man. I've got this.” Ray places the toy on an end table and makes his way into the hall stopping at the bathroom door. The door opens, a bright light radiates through the hallway and into the living room. “Duuude....”