“What do you mean ‘she’s MISSING AGAIN’?” Jasper screamed. He did not often lose his composure, but it was 3 in the morning, and somehow, security had lost Violet-Rose once more. “She was literally in a coma. And someone was watching her 24-7. How in the ever-loving fuck could she vanish?”

“Uhm, I am not sure, sir. Maybe someone took her?” A young security agent was shaking where she stood.

“Well, you better hope that she’s found,” Jared interjected. The words were said calmly, but they held a harsh bite. “And in one piece, because anything that happens to her, happens to you.”

The guard turned her eyes to the floor. “Yes, sir.”

Violet-Rose had been found nearly dead four days ago. Her days consisted of a guard and a constant stream of visitors, including medical staff. Her nights consisted of a different guard and many less visitors. All were waiting for her to wake up. Some of those who watched over her were boisterous, telling stories or singing songs, and others were quiet, simply seeping in the peace that surrounded the room. There was never a minute, no, never a second that she was alone. That is until a guard on the night shift, on their first rotation of watching Violet-Rose, got a call.

Looking at Violet-Rose’s peaceful face, and faced with the deafening silence of the medical room, the guard decided to take the call in the hallway. She knew that it would only take a minute. Two at the most. It was 1:30 in the morning and her partner should have just gotten home from their shift at work. The call was her partner calling to tell her ‘I love you and good night’ and did she ever want to hear their voice. So, she stepped out, turned her back to the door and took a couple of steps into the hallway. She was right, the call lasted one minute and thirty seconds. But when she went back into the room, Violet-Rose was gone.

Panic had gripped the guard. She checked around the room, making sure Vi hadn’t fallen to the floor. She checked the bathroom in the off chance that the comatose patient got up and went to the bathroom. She wracked her brain over where Vi could be. She didn’t want to report her charge as missing, but she knew if she couldn’t find her, she would have to do just that. She knew that Jared would hand her her ass.

For a while, the guard sat in the chair she had been in before and contemplated what to do. After being deep in thought, an idea came to her. Before she informed her supervisor, the guard would check with the nurses. Even though they weren’t in the medical bay, a nurse station was set up at the end of the hallway in case of an emergency. Maybe the nurse had taken her to do a test? Or maybe they had seen her?

‘Excuse me, sir?’ She had asked the nurse.

‘Yes?’

‘Have you seen Violet-Rose?’

‘What do you mean, have I seen her?’

‘Like, did you take her to do a test or something?’

‘What? No? Why?’

‘Uhmmm… I can’t find her.’

‘You can’t FIND her?’

‘Yeah, I can’t find her. The last time that I saw her was 1:30.’

Shit. I am screwed.

Looking at his watch, the nurse’s eyes widened. It was already 2:30. The nurse took charge and immediately called for Dr. Biff and Jared. Jasper was with them, as Biff was jarred from their bed.

“Did you hear me?” The guard forced her eyes up. She had been lost in the events leading up to this moment.

“No, sir, I am sorry.” Her voice was small.

“I told you that you are dismissed for the night. Go home.” Jared’s eyes were boring into her. “I’ll let you know when your next duty is.”

“Yes, sir.” The guard’s shoulders drooped as she turned to walk away. This was so embarrassing. She wished that she would at least be put to work trying to find Violet-Rose, but instead she had been sent home in shame, forcing her to dwell on her mistake. She didn’t think that a minute and thirty seconds would make a difference. How wrong she was.

------

“If we can’t find her by 6:00, I’ll ask Isa for help.” Jasper was biting his nails. Biff and Jared just nodded.

------

Thomas awoke to a great ruckus in the hallway. It was almost 5:30 am, and his shift guarding Isabella started at 6:00. Jared and Jasper had been upset that he helped Isa hide the presence of Violet-Rose, but she convinced the two that she wanted Thomas to continue to be her personal guard.

Thomas stumbled out of bed, angered at being so rudely awakened. He could have slept for at least another 15 minutes. Sighing, he threw on his uniform anyway and took the extra time to investigate what was happening in the hallway. He exited his room and was immediately face to face with Rex.

“Rex, what’s happening?” Thomas’ concern skyrocketed upon seeing him. Rex was supposed to be on shift, with Jasper.

“Violet-Rose is missing again. I’m gathering more people to search for her.” With that, Rex left Thomas alone in the hallway with his mouth hanging open.

When the shock wore off, Thomas shook himself and ran for the elevator. He was worried for more than Violet-Rose.

------

“Jasper,” Thomas huffed. “If Vi is missing, where is Isabella?”

Jasper’s face paled. “What?”

“Yeah, has anybody checked on Isabella?” Thomas was going to check on her immediately but ran into Jasper in the hallway before he got the chance.

“Of course I checked on Isabella.” Another guard walked up. He was the night guard that Thomas was coming to relieve. Thomas had never really liked him, but put up with the small interactions that they had.

“When?” One reason why Thomas didn’t like this guard was because he thought he was lazy.

“I don’t know, like 3? After I was informed that Violet-Rose was missing.” He shrugged.

“And Violet-Rose was not with her?” Thomas’ eyebrow shot up.

“No, it was just Ms. Isabella, sleeping, like normal.” The man sneered.

“So, if I go in there, right now, all I will see is Isabella fast asleep?” Thomas questioned.

“Yes.” The guard was sure.

“Okay, well, if that is NOT the case, you owe me dinner. For a month.” The other guard scoffed as Thomas charged past him and Jasper to enter Isabella’s room.

After a few moments of bated anticipation. Jasper followed.

------

Jasper entered his little sister’s room and saw Thomas standing by the bed. When Thomas hadn’t immediately come back out of the room, Jasper had grown worried that something was wrong. But as he approached the bed, Jasper realized that was not the case.

Lying in bed was Violet-Rose with Isabella curled up beside her. An IV bag was sitting on the dresser. Thomas was there with a little smile on his face.

“How did you know?” Jasper whispered.

“The first morning that I came on duty, I couldn’t find Isabella.” Thomas replied. Jasper gave him a worried look, which only caused Thomas to chuckle. “Don’t worry. It only took me a minute to find her.”

Jasper’s face scrunched up with confusion. “Where did you find her?”

“I remembered that when she would get nightmares, Vi would tell her a story and she would fall back asleep. When I swept the room with my eyes, I saw the connecting door slightly ajar, and I figured that Isa had gotten scared and went to be with Vi. And was right. Snuggled right up next to her like she is right now, just in the medical room instead of here.”

“She’s been having nightmares?” Jasper gulped.

“Yeah, for about a month. I would hear her screaming. When I comforted her, she begged me not to tell you. Then, when Violet-Rose came, the screaming stopped.” Thomas bowed his head, upset that he had given up one of Isa’s secrets.

“Why. Why didn't she tell me?” Jasper had tears in his eyes.

“Because I didn’t want to worry you.” Isabella yawned, stretching her arms above her head. “You already had enough on your plate.”

“I’m sorry that we woke you.” Thomas still had his head bowed, but he peaked up at Isa to gauge how mad she was at him for revealing her secret. She smiled and shook her head, signifying they were okay.

“You’re okay. Do you have to take Violet-Rose back now?” She made full eye contact with Thomas, who nodded in return.

Thomas walked closer to the bed and gently brushed the hair away from Vi’s face. “Hey Darlin’, I’ve got to move you, okay? It’s safer for you to be in the medical room.”

“Mhm,” Vi mumbled. She raised her arms, as if asking to be picked up. Thomas gladly obliged, picking her up and heading to the door that connects Isabella’s room to the medical room.

“I’ll see you soon,” Isabella called from her bed. Jasper had taken the spot that Vi had previously occupied and pulled Isa into a hug.

“Isabella, I am always here for you. Please know that.”

“I know, but -”

“No, no buts.” That got a chuckle out of Isabella. “You are only 10. You should reach out to your big bro if you’re scared.”

“Yeah, but you’re only 25 and have a lot of your own problems to deal with.” Isa sighed.

“Not so many that I can’t help chase your nightmares away.” There was a pause. “Were they about mom?...”

“Yeah,” she squeaked.

Jasper pulled her in closer. “Don’t worry. I am always here for you.” Isabella smiled up at him. They held each other for a moment longer, before Jasper pulled her out of bed.

“Come on, Isa, we have to go stop a manhunt.”

Isa was confused, but followed her brother out into the hallway.

“Olly.”

“Yes, Jasper?” The guard from before looked smug, seeing just Isa with him.

“You owe Thomas dinner for a month. Call Jared. Violet-Rose has been found."

------

“Do you think that you could calm her?” Thomas asked Jasper.

After the search was called off, Thomas, Jasper, Isabella and Biff had made their way into the medical room where Vi was. Jared stayed just outside the door. Rex had just recently joined him.

“Yeah, that would probably be helpful.” Jasper turned to Biff. “What do you think?”

“It’s probably for the best.” Biff nodded. “It should have no adverse effect on her health.”

Isabella was curled up in the bed next to Vi. Thomas was on her opposite side, holding her hand. Jasper was at the foot of the bed, and Biff was pacing.

“When do you think that she’ll wake up?” Isabella asked.

Biff stopped his pacing and came to the head of the bed. He placed his hand gently on Vi’s forehead. “She’s awake right now, she’s just choosing to keep her eyes shut.” Biff chuckled.

“Vi,” Thomas squeezed her hand. “Can you please wake up now?”

“For you, Darling,” Vi croaked, but still managed to wink. “Anything.”

Isabella grabbed Vi into a hug, Thomas continued to squeeze her hand, and Biff and Jasper were all smiles.

“Please get Jared and Rex in here.” Vi smiled.

The others looked a little shocked. “We were worried that seeing Jared's face would bring up bad memories?” Biff was placing his hand on Vi’s forehead again.

“Don’t worry about that, I can tell the difference between Jared and Jace.” Vi chuckled. “But I do need him in the room for what comes next.”

They all looked at her funny.

“Oh, I KNOW that something fishy is going on here.” Right as she finished saying that, Jared and Rex walked through the door.

“Y’all have some explaining to do… Where am I? And who exactly are you?” Violet-Rose was looking at all of the faces surrounding her. “Because I really have the feeling that we aren’t on Earth anymore.”