A Perfect Morning

Crayon Marker Doe stretched her arms wide in the morning sunlight streaming through her bedroom window. The blue and black fabric of her supersuit caught the light as she admired her reflection in the mirror.

"Another beautiful day in Craft Room Forest," she said to herself, adjusting her purple cape.

She walked to the special display case where her most prized possessions lived. The giant crayon gleamed red and orange, its tip still glowing faintly from yesterday's adventures. Next to it, her giant marker sparkled with purple and green swirls.

"Time for morning practice," she announced, reaching for the marker.

Her fingers touched empty air.

She blinked hard and looked again. The marker was gone.

"That's impossible," she whispered, checking behind the case and under her bed. "I put it right there last night."

She rushed to her window and peered out at the forest below. Everything looked normal. Too normal.

Something was definitely wrong at Crayon Marker Mansion.

The Colorful Trail

Crayon Marker Doe rushed down the spiral staircase, her purple cape flowing behind her. She needed to check every room in the mansion.

The kitchen looked normal until she spotted something odd on the white refrigerator door. A bright yellow smiley face was drawn there, still wet and gleaming.

"I didn't draw that," she whispered, touching the mark. Fresh marker ink came off on her fingertip.

She hurried to the living room and gasped. Purple zigzags covered the couch cushions. Green circles decorated the coffee table. Red hearts dotted the walls.

"Someone's been here," she said, her voice shaking. "Someone with my marker."

A bark echoed from outside. Through the window, she saw a golden retriever running circles around the fountain. The dog had something long and colorful in its mouth.

"Is that my marker?" she asked herself.

The dog dropped the object and bounded toward the forest. Crayon Marker Doe squinted at what remained by the fountain. It looked like her giant marker, but from this distance, she couldn't be sure.

She grabbed her giant crayon and headed for the door. The forest was calling.