First Fix

  At first it felt like someone slapped a wad of gum across their eyes. The smell even hit their noses—sweet, rubbery, unmistakably bubblegum. Something lumpy and sticky clung to their vision.

  They clawed at it, jumping and squealing, but it wouldn’t come off. Panicked, they bumped heads, then froze and clung to each other.

  —Yuki, what now? We’re prisoners of the Gum Monster. Next step, it seals us into its wrapper like trading cards!

  —Don’t be ridiculous!—Yuki snapped. —It’ll come off. Probably… Please, bubblegum, go away! We don’t like you!

  Apparently offended, the gum vanished at once, clearing their sight—though now everything shimmered green.

  —Because it is green! We’re inside some kind of green hall!—Lil C. shouted, poking the soft walls and ceiling, all made of thick green curtains.

  —Whoa, so squishy!—He rubbed his hand across the fabric, ignoring Yuki’s cry of, -Don’t touch it! He was fine, of course. Instead, he darted around, yanking curtains down only to find… more curtains behind them.

  Meanwhile Yuki studied the floor. It bounced under her feet, springy but never giving way. She hopped higher and higher, the surface tossing her back gently.

  —What even is this place? Why does it never end?—her brother panted. —And where are we?

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  —Sit down. We need to think,—Yuki ordered. He actually obeyed, plopping down beside her. She sat cross-legged; he sprawled out like always.

  —Family council?—he asked.

  —Exactly. You do realize we’ve been yanked out of Earth, right?

  —What?—He sat up, excitement buzzing in his voice. No fear, just joy. At last—a real adventure!

  —I mean it. One second we’re in our backyard, next we’re in some place made of curtains. And no matter how many layers we pull, there are always more. That doesn’t happen on Earth.

  —No way!—Lil C. protested, though he scratched his chin, thinking. —Unless… maybe some rich trickster built this whole thing, filled it with hidden cameras just to prank us?

  They both looked around warily, scanning up, down, and all around, until Yuki swatted away her brother’s theory.

  —That makes no sense. How could he transport us into this place in an instant? Did you even think about that?

  —He invented teleportation…—Lil C. suggested, sounding even less convinced. Then he added, —Not that I’d mind getting dumped into Narnia or wherever bored kids go! But this place isn’t exactly fun either.

  —Yeah, it’s like we’re stuck inside a giant green screen where they shoot movies,—Yuki muttered, scratching her chin.

  —We’re in a blockbuster?—her brother perked up. —Then I’m the star, and I get the biggest paycheck—because I’m the only one who needs all the money in the world!

  —And what for?—Yuki raised an eyebrow. —To buy a dozen inflatable castles so you can bounce all day?

  —No way! I’d buy every single grain of buckwheat in existence, hide it forever, and make sure Dad never forces me to eat that gross stuff again!—Lil C. clenched his fists dramatically.

  —A noble dream,—Yuki said with sarcasm. —But before you conquer the world’s supply of grains, let’s remember how we even got into this -movie.

  —Easy. We put on the glasses.

  —Exactly! Where are they?!

  The glasses were gone. Their eyes were once again just… eyes. Plain, boring eyes.

  —Our eyes are lame,—Lil C. complained, rubbing his eyelids. —If the glasses could do all that, I’d rather look through them forever than with these dull things.