I slunk around school the next day. I didn't dare show my face to Cassandra. So, I ended up pretending to have a stomach ache during fifth period so I didn't have to face Cassandra. On the down side, the nurse called my mom and my mom being the overprotective parent she is, decided to come to school and pick me up.
"Mom I'm fine-" I protested over the nurse's phone, but she didn't listen. Twenty minutes later and she's shoving me into the car, complaining about the school system and how it's unsanitary and kids my age should wear surgical masks at this point. Finally, I ended up where I started. Lying awake in bed.
I looked over by the wall. Where my Inkbrush was usually propped up, nothing was there. It was still getting fixed. Just then, my phone buzzed. I picked it up.
"DeepSeaLucyyy wants to chat!" Read the text message offer. I scoffed. That's Lucy's internet name, I recognize it anywhere Hell no. I declined the request and through my phone down. But, after a few seconds boredom got the best of me, and I decided to check Insta-Squid for something interesting.
The first thing that popped up onto my screen, was a photograph of The Squid Sisters. Both were holding signs advertising splatfest.
"SPLATFEST THEME ANNOUNCED! TIME TO GET DANC'IN! ROCK MUSIC? OR POP MUSIC? PICK YOUR TEAM AT THE PLEDGE BOX IN THE PLAZA! BE THERE OR BE UNFAIR! STAY FRESH, AND LET THE BETTER MUSIC CHOICE WIN!" I mumbled in agreement with Marie, Pop music was definitely more my style. I wondered what side my friends would pick.
Dinner sucked. Every thing sucked. I was just so miserable It took me a few minutes to notice the TV screen in the kitchen- the one Ruthie watched her lame old lady cooking shows on- blaring with the image of the Inkopolis tower. But something was off. The great Zapfish, The Electric Catfish that rested atop the tower was missing from the photograph. The Squid Sisters stood around the image with scared faces.
Callie: News flash!
Marie: What is it?
Callie: The Great Zapfish has been declared missing!
Marie: No way!
Callie: The reason behind this is a mystery, however some theorise it may have something to do with the UFO crash last month.
Marie: The crashed UFO was found in a turfwar stage three weeks ago. No sign of life was found in it, and it doesn't have any sort of unknown technology, so scientists assume it was not from outer space, though its origins are still unclear.
Callie: With the Great Zapfish missing, Inkopolice will see a definite decrease of power, and blackouts might be unavoidable.
Marie: Woah! You don't think we might have to cancel the splatfest, next month…?
Callie: Urg, don't make me think about that.
My mom then switched off the TV. Actually, she didn't. The power just cut off.
"Speak of the devil, and he doth appear." My sister's deep voice said from the stairwell. I looked up to see her in the dim room, still in her school uniform. She just looked like she was done. With the lights off she sure as heck looked a lot more ominous.
"Hi, Miff." I greeted my sister. Miff just thinned her lips and groaned.
"The powers out? Why am I not surprised?" She sighed. A roll of distant thunder sounded. She limped from the stairwell and plopped down next to me. I assume she limped because her ankle was acting up again. She picked up her now cold dinner and began wolfing it down. My older sister did not live a very healthy lifestyle… Ruthie enters the room now.
"Girls, the powers going to be out for a while so you might as well study and what not." The old squid said, and waddled her way back to the kitchen. My mother must have not been back from her job yet, because I didn't see her join us at the table. I sighed. It was going to be a long night.