Maurice is Missing!

Chapter Four

The Search

"Oh God! Oh God! What do I do!.?" I yelled as I paced around. "Maybe I should go back to Mom and Dad? No! They'll have my head on a platter! Maybe I should go to the information booth and have them page him? No! Mom and Dad would hear the announcement!"

I was freaking out! I practically bit my nails down to the bone trying to think of something, anything I could do! I paced for a few more moments before the only thing I could do came to mind.

"Maybe I should…look for him?" I shrugged. It's the only thing I could do that won't involve getting my parents' attention. Nervously, I moved forward.

"Ok. Now think carefully, Lars. Where could he have gone?" I thought for a few moments.

The thing is Maurice has never been here before. He should only know the way to the wave pool and the exit. Nah! Why would he go to the exit for? And also, the wave pool at the moment is closed off, so that eliminates that possibility. Wait, he said he wanted to go to the water slide. I groaned. A lot of good that does me. This place has tons of water slides. He could be anywhere! Well, he was going towards the three super-speed slides. Maybe that's where he went. With my first lead, I moved onwards.

The super-speed slides were a trio of slides. Two of them were tubes while the last one, which was placed higher, was a straight, uncovered slide. You use your body to go down them. Each slide was steep. The recorded speed for an average-sized person was forty-five miles per hour. I gulped. Maurice was barely over four feet tall. He'll probably go much faster than that. The whole thing was set up at one corner of the park. You had to walk up a flight of stairs to get to the slides.

When I got halfway towards it, I saw that little brat running off the path towards the line. Unfortunately, the line wasn't all that long. I would've been able to catch him instantly otherwise. From what I could tell, it was clear up until three quarters of the way towards the first two slides. I had to hurry! Otherwise, I won't be able to catch him. I ran towards the ride. Because I was bare footed, it hurt to run. It didn't matter to me though. I'm gonna catch him and then I'm gonna bring him right back to Mom and Dad!

I got to the stairway to the slides and started climbing. Running all the way over here and going up these steps with sore feet was NOT fun! Maurice has only been lost five minutes and already I wanted to strangle him. Soon, I saw some people ahead. I huffed as I reached them. I started taking my breath when I noticed one important detail: Maurice was nowhere to be found!

'How can that be!.?' I thought. 'I saw him come here last. Did he cut in line or something?'

It makes sense. After all, he was tiny compared to most people. He probably could've slipped right through. I decided to just wait until I reached the slides. Maybe he'll get stopped or something. I yawned as the line slowly moved forward.

This is so dull! Why couldn't Maurice just stay still!.? I could've had a nice day of fun in which I get soaked to the bone, ending with the greatest fireworks display ever! And maybe even getting with that hot guy I met at the wave pool. It's so unfair! How can everything turn upside down so fast?.! I crossed my arms as I moved up another step.

Suddenly, everything went dark! Oh God no! Don't tell me I went blind! No! Not before I could lay eyes on that beautiful creature I saw at the wave pool again! I'm too young! I can't go blind! I always eat my vegetables! …Oh wait. Never mind. I always spoon my vegetables on Maurice's plate. But still, don't let me go blind! There are so many things I haven't seen! For one thing, that hot boy naked. Yum! Oh wait! This is no time for lusting! I can't see! Everything's lost! I—Hold on… Is that laughing I hear!.?

"Guess who?" A familiar voice whispered into my ear. I growled as I turned around. The first thing I discovered was that I could see again. The second was that I was looking into two green lenses. The same two that belong to that boy's sunglasses. I swear I could kill him for what he just put me through!

"You…" I seethed. He gave me a toothy grin.

"What? Aren't you happy to see me?" His grin widened as I clenched a fist. I could just wipe the smirk off his face. I sighed as I turned around. I may not know him yet, but I just can't stay mad at such a pretty face.

"So anyway, great minds think alike, huh?" He said. I turned to him with a curious look. "You know, both of us here on the same ride." He then moved closer. "You know, if we didn't have to go down one at a time, I'd gladly go with you." He whispered. I blushed to that before turning around with my arms crossed.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I said as I moved up a bit.

"Why not?" He asked as he followed. I gave him a smirk.

"You probably just followed me here like a stalker or something." Now it was his turn to cross his arms.

"Don't flatter yourself. You may be hot, but I wouldn't waste my time." My smirk became a grin.

"I'll bet."

"I'm completely serious, dude." He replied as we moved forward. "I just wanted to get wet and go down at extreme speeds. After all, I am an extreme sportsman."

"Extreme pain is more like it." I muttered. "Anyway, do whatever you want. I have more important things to worry about." We moved forward again.

"Aside from sliding, what could you do up here that's more important?" He asked. I gulped as I faced him. Should I tell him what happened? Would he actually care? Maybe this'll be the first test of our love. Wait! What am I thinking?.! I gotta find Maurice, not try to get with this fine specimen! I decided to tell him.

"I'm up here because I lost my little brother." He gaped at me.

"You lost him!.?.! Dude!" I glared at him.

"Oh don't you dare give me that look. He ran ahead of me and got lost in the crowd."

"So what are you doing here? If I had a younger brother and I lost him—although I wouldn't have lost him in the first place—" I scowled at him. He really knows how to push my buttons. "—I'd be running around the park or something."

"Well, for your information, I saw him come here, so I followed him."

"And what's to stop him from going down one of the slides before you get to him?" He asked. I looked to the side.

"Errr…"

"What is he, four feet?" I nodded. "That means he's tall enough to get on just about any ride in the park." I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Do you work here or something?" He grinned at me.

"Nah, but I might as well. I come here almost all the time with my sister and her boyfriend. At least I could get in cheaper if I did. Then again, I'd be burning in this heat instead of enjoying the slide with you."

Cheap bastard! He just had to remind me about the heat! I fanned myself as we got closer. I could just barely see the first two slides. I held a hand to my chin.

"If he's tall enough for most of the rides, which ones wouldn't he be allowed to get on?" I asked the redhead. He too put a hand to his chin.

"Let's see… He wouldn't be allowed to go on—"

"WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!.!.!.!.!.!" My head snapped towards the slides after hearing that scream.

"That was Maurice!"

I pushed past the few people in front of me and looked over the railing. Red followed. A few seconds passed before I saw him emerge out of the left slide, which was blue. He seemed to giggle madly before running off to another ride. I clenched a fist at his retreating form.

"That cheap little…"

"Hey! I think I know where he's going next!" The boy of my dreams said. I instantly grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him.

"Where is he going!.? Tell me!.?"

"I will when you stop shaking me!" He yelled. I blushed as I let him go.

"Oops… Sorry."

He stumbled around.

"Hey… Since when did you have identical triplet brothers?" He asked dizzily. "Maybe I can date all three of ya!" I rolled my eyes.

"Focus!" I shook him once more for good measure. He shook his head.

"Awww… Now there's just one of ya." He grinned cheekily. I glared at him. He quickly cleared his throat. "I think he's going to the tube slides."

"Thank you." I said before I ran over to the nearest tube. I grabbed the guy that was about to get in and shoved him out of the way. The attendant blinked before turning to me.

"Cross your arms in front of your chest and—"

"Save it, Brad. I know the drill." I said before sitting down at the tube's entrance.

"I'll meet you at the bottom!" The redhead said before going down the opposite tube, which was red. I crossed my arms in front of my chest and moved forward. Just as I entered the tube, I crossed my legs.

Darkness enveloped me as I zoomed down the water slide. I know I said the average speed was forty-five miles per hour, but it felt more like a hundred! I went through many twists and turns. It may have been my imagination, but I think I might've even gone upside down. Soon, I saw light at the end of the tunnel. I reentered the world of the living with a splash. I was in a daze as I got up from the landing area. I decided to wait for that boy before I continued searching for Maurice. He may be a pain, but at least I'm not doing this alone.

"Whoooo hooooo!.!.!" I heard him scream as he got out of the tube on the other side of the area. I crossed my arms. Well, at least he's having fun. I started walking away.

"Hey! Wait for me!" He yelled as he ran after me. He caught up and looped an arm around one of my own. I turned away, blushing madly. "Thought I was going to let you do this alone, huh?" My blush disappeared as I turned to him.

"You mean it? You're gonna stay with me?"

"Well sure!" He replied. "If it means I get to spend time with you, I'll go to the ends of the earth!" I raised an eyebrow at him.

I don't know whether to be happy or seriously freaked out by that statement. I don't even know the boy's name! I think I'll go with the first option. Somehow, I think he's using my distress over Maurice to get closer to me. The thing is it's working. Oh well. If we actually find Maurice, I'd say "Screw dinner" and get right to the good part. That and my eternal love will be my payment for his services. He just better be able to return my love. I won't allow him to break it off with me, no matter what.

As we walked down the path towards the tube slides, I started wondering about the boy whose arm was looped around my own. What's his deal? Why is he so crazy? How come we haven't gotten together sooner? Is he lying about where he lives? I sighed. I don't have an answer to any of those questions. You'd think that we would've gone to the same high school. Right now, I'm getting ready to start college. He seems younger than me, so he must be a junior or senior. I know that everybody was in different cliques, but if we were in high school at the same time, you'd think one of us would've seen the other. I turned to him.

"Hey, mind if I ask ya something?" He turned to me with a grin.

"Sure, babe. What's up?" He asked. I chose to ignore the pet name.

"You're in high school, right?" It's possible that he dropped out. That better not be the case. If it is and he expects to get with me, he's going back!

"Actually, I'm home schooled." I sighed with relief. "My step-mom teaches me. Why?"

"Just wanted to know." I answered with a shrug. At least I don't have to worry about him having a sucky future or anything. I heard that kids who are home schooled are supposed to be smarter than kids who go to normal school. Now that I've met this guy, I'm starting to doubt whoever said that.

"And you?"

"I graduated this year. I'll be going to college in the fall." I replied. He gasped.

"You're not going to a faraway college, are you!.?" He squeezed my arm tightly, refusing to let go. I grunted as I tried to pull away. He wouldn't let go. Man! He's got a strong grip! "Please don't tell me you're gonna live at some dorm where you'll get drunk at some party and wind up in bed with some girl!" He yelled out "girl" with utter disgust. I stopped struggling and gave him a weirded out look.

"Uhhhh… No. First of all, I'm gay, remember?"

"Oh yeah… Good point…" He then pointed an accusing finger at me. "Then you'll wind up in bed with some guy while I'm home worrying about you!"

Some people walking by gave us curious looks. I sighed exasperatedly.

"Who said I'm gonna get drunk at a party?" The redhead gave me a questioning look.

"Uhhh… You did?" I shook my head.

"No, you did. And about college, I'm going to the community college, so you don't even have to worry about me staying at a dorm." He sighed with relief.

"Oh thank God. I thought I was gonna lose you for a second." He said. I rolled my eyes at him.

"I'm not even yours yet." He gaped at me in disbelief. I sighed. "I said 'yet' for a reason, ya know."

"Oh yeah!" He chuckled. Ugh! Why did fate have to send me such a hot nutcase? "Well, we better get moving. The sooner we find your brother, the sooner we can make out, right?" I raised an eyebrow at him. Yep. Definitely too forward for his own good. But he was right. We gotta find Maurice. We started moving before I realized something.

"Could you do me a favor?" I asked.

"Yeah?"

"Could ya let go of my arm!.?"

He pulled away and looked at my right arm. It was purple from lack of circulation. He looked back at me and blinked.

"You know, your arm looks kinda pretty like that." I scowled at him.

"Thanks. Now back off!" I snatched my arm away and shook it to get the blood flowing. My arm went back to its normal color as I started walking. "Come on. We're almost there." I heard him sigh sadly.

"Ok…"

We soon made it to the tube slides. Like the super-speed slides, there were three of them. They were high up and consisted of a whole lot of twists and turns. They were dark tunnels. You wouldn't know when you'd reach the bottom until it's too late. The only way you could go down the slides is to use an inner tube. By the path to the stairway, there were a whole bunch of yellow inner tubes. Most were made for one person, but others could be ridden by two people. I ignored the tubes as I ran towards the line.

"I'll go ahead and see if I can grab Maurice!" I yelled over my shoulder. "Get a couple of tubes just in case I can't get him!"

"Alright, my hot soon-to-be lover!" He shouted lovingly. I groaned, trying very hard to suppress a blush. I can't believe he just said that out loud! I shook my head as I ran up the stairs. There's no way Maurice is gonna get away this time! He had to have an inner tube with him, so he couldn't possibly cut in line. I smirked. He's mine.

I huffed and panted as I climbed the steep steps. The fact that my legs were still sore from climbing the stairs at the other slides and the high humidity just about killed me. The hot sun dried me completely. Only my hat and my swimming trunks were still wet. I started sweating as I went higher and higher. About halfway up, I decided to stop and catch my breath. This is insane! When I catch Maurice, he's so gonna get it!

I caught my breath and was about to continue on when I noticed the great view. Wishing Waters is on the outskirts of town. In fact, you could see the amusement park from here. If we were allowed to stay up here when night rolls around, we could see the park's fireworks and the town's. Unfortunately, the park closes before the fireworks start. Everybody gets moved to a nearby field that's turned away from the town. I sighed. Oh well. The park's fireworks are much better, anyway. But it would've been nice to get a double feature.

I stood straight up and continued on to the slides. When I reached the final flight of stairs, I looked around. Maurice was nowhere to be found. Was he farther ahead? But how? I wiped my forehead and closed my eyes while panting. Just then, a calm breeze blew into my face. I sighed contently and closed my eyes as that wonderful breeze cooled my sweaty head. It felt so relaxing, so tranquil, so…perfect. Nothing can possibly ruin this serene moment.

"How's it feel?" My eyes shot open and I faced that hottie. His face was mere inches from mine. My face burned up as I stared into his eyes. I stared at those emerald-covered orbs for nearly an eternity before I realized how close we were.

"Gah!" I shouted as I pulled back in shock. I started to lose my balance, causing me to wave my arms wildly. I was barely able to grab the guardrail. I breathed deeply while he just stood there, laughing at me! I gave him a cold glare as I stood up.

"What the hell was that about!.?" I demanded. The redhead stopped laughing and gave me a lopsided grin.

"Well, you looked tired, so I blew on you to cool you off." He said like it was no big deal. I'm starting to rethink this whole "get with him" thing. Would it really be worth it to have this headache of a guy around me? I shrugged at the thought. Heh. Couldn't hurt. Maybe I can live with his antics. I gave him a small smirk.

"You know, you look a little hot too." He gave me a cocky grin and was about to speak. I gave him a tired look and crossed my arms. "I meant hot as in sweaty."

"Ohhh…" He replied, never losing that smirk of his. "Are you sure you didn't mean the other kind of hot?"

"Positive."

"Well anyway, I'll be able to cool down once we go down the slide." He said. I groaned inwardly. So much for getting him back for blowing in my face like that. "Speaking of which, did you find your brother?" I shook my head as the line moved.

"I didn't see him when I got here." I looked at my feet.

"Oh. That's too bad." He placed a hand on my shoulder. I held it without looking at him. He seemed sincere about that.

"Thanks." I said.

"No prob. We'll get him. You'll see." I turned and gave him a small smile. He smiled back.

"Right. We'll find him and make sure he gets back to my mom and dad." I said as we moved forward again. I could just barely see the entrances to the three slides. "So where's my tube?"

"Right here." The boy said. I turned and gaped at him. He got a double inner tube! I glared at him.

"Is this your idea of a joke?.!" He gulped.

"W-well, I was thinking that if we catch him, you and him can ride this tube down so that he won't get lost again. I'll use the one he got." He laughed nervously. I didn't believe an ounce of that, although it did make some sense. I decided to cut him some slack for once. Although it's so obvious he just wants to flirt some more, I'll be able to keep an eye on Maurice.

"Good idea." I said coolly. He breathed a sigh of relief. I smirked at the act.

The line moved and I was able to completely see the platform. There were still a few people ahead of us. I looked around for Maurice, but I didn't see him. I scratched my head and turned to the redhead. I thought he said he came this way. The boy gave me a shrug. I huffed as I turned back around. I strained my eyes trying to find that little pest of a brother. When I just about gave up hope, I saw a striped cap a few people ahead of me. It wasn't just any striped hat. It was his striped hat!

"Maurice!" I yelled. The boy in question turned towards me and delivered his best attempt at a glare. Just as I thought, he had a single-person inner tube with him. I wonder how he was able to carry it, though.

"Twista!" He yelled. I sighed tiredly. At least I managed to get him. That's all that matters. I glared at him and pointed towards my feet.

"Get over here now, Maurice!"

"Twista!" He said in response. He started moving towards the middle tube.

"Maurice, stop right there and come here!" He put down his inner tube in the small pool that marked the entrance and turned to me.

"Twista!" He stuck his tongue out at me. Before I could move to throttle him, he sat in the tube and went down the tunnel.

"That little twerp!" I cursed as I pushed past the people and went over to the middle tube. I could still hear his laughter echoing through the tunnel. I shook my fist at the tunnel.

"Come on! We could still catch him!" Red said, walking up to me with the double tube. I grabbed it and laid it down in the pool. I sat in the front seat and waited for the boy to sit on the other one. When he was all set, I moved the tube over to the tunnel's entrance and was about to go inside.

"Hold it!" I turned and scowled at the attendant. "You gotta wait until that kid gets out." I growled in response to that. By the time we get down there, he'll be gone! About a minute passed before she gave us the ok.

"Finally." The redhead said as we moved forward. I put my legs on the rim of the tube and placed my arms inside. We went inside the tunnel and darkness surrounded us as we went down.

"WAHOO!.!.! ALRIGHT!.!.!" The guy screamed as we went left and right at an intense speed. I had to admit, despite the fact I've been on this ride hundreds of times before, this time felt more fun. I can't figure out why though…

Anyway, just as we got halfway through the ride (at least I think it was halfway), I felt something enclose around my neck and squeeze tightly. I sputtered for air. I was getting choked! I tried to say something, but nothing came out! And even if I was able to say something, it would've been drowned out by my companion's screaming. I moved my hands, trying to pry off whatever got me. I felt ten little bumps. I moved my fingers around, feeling for a way to get whatever had me to let go. I soon heard the guy laughing.

"Dude! HAHAHAHA!.!.! I don't think this is—HAHAHAHA!.!.!—the right place for a tickle fight! HAHAHA!.!.!"

Oh great! Don't tell me he's choking me with his damn legs! At least now I know he's ticklish. Although I was choking to death, I gotta say, this certainly is kinda sexy. Woah! What am I saying!.?.!

°SPLASH!°

We were both tossed out of the tube as we exited the tunnel. I broke through the surface of the pool and gasped for air. When I was able to breathe properly, I glared at the boy. He turned and gave me a questioning look.

"What?"

"Nothing." I said coldly as I left the pool. The boy followed close behind.