The Empty Bunk

Mariza's eyes snapped open as sunlight crept through the dusty curtains of the giant house. The old mansion creaked and groaned around her, its massive rooms echoing with morning sounds. She stretched and rolled over to check on Max in the bunk below hers.

The bed was empty.

"Max?" she called out, her voice bouncing off the high ceiling. No answer. She swung her legs over the edge and dropped down, her boots hitting the wooden floor with a thud.

The sheets were cold. He'd been gone for hours.

Mariza grabbed her worn pirate jacket and pulled it on. Max never wandered off alone, especially not this early. The younger boy was careful about staying close to the group.

She stepped into the hallway, listening for voices. The house felt different somehow—too quiet, too still. Where could he have gone?

"Ava's going to flip when she finds out," Mariza muttered, checking the bathroom. Empty too.

The Morning Hunt

Mariza rushed downstairs to find Ava in the kitchen, stirring a pot of oatmeal. The group leader's dark hair was pulled back in a messy bun, and her sharp green eyes immediately noticed Mariza's worried expression.

"What's wrong?" Ava asked, setting down her spoon.

"Max is gone," Mariza said. "His bed's been cold for hours."

Ava's face darkened. "I knew this would happen. That kid's nothing but trouble."

"He wouldn't just leave," Mariza insisted. "Something's wrong."

"Maybe he finally realized he doesn't belong here," Ava snapped. "Good riddance."

The harsh words hit Mariza like a slap. She knew Ava had never wanted Max in their group, but hearing her say it out loud made Mariza's stomach twist.

"I'm going to look for him," Mariza announced.

"Don't bother," Ava said, turning back to her cooking. "If he wanted to be found, he wouldn't have snuck out."

But Mariza was already heading for the door. Max was her friend, and friends didn't give up on each other.