Running through her parent's bedroom straight to the kitchen, almost tripping, she found Silver. Scarlet stopped for a moment to catch her breath. "Have you seen my mom? Or my dad?"

"No. Why would I--" he paused, turning around. "Are you wearing sunglasses in here?"

Scarlet huffed. "That is not the point. Would you just answer the question?"

He patted her on the shoulder. "Technically I already answered your question. I said no, didn't I?"

She moved away from him, making sure he was facing her back. "Just forget it, Silver. Thanks for not helping."

With her eyes watering, she tried her best to resist the pull of her best friend. She didn't want him to see her cry, but it was no use. He'd seen it many times either way. Scarlet faced him involuntarily, sniffling as tears ran down her face.

"How can I help?" He wiped her tears away with the base of his thumb.

That's how she knew they'd always be best friends. Through the tears and the comebacks they threw at each other, Silver always seemed to know what was best for her. A small smile spread across her face, yet she was still crying. It was too easy to feel all the attention that was on her at this moment. It was like every pair of eyes were glued to her face, but she didn't care. She had to figure out what happened. "I don't know where my mom went. One minute she was with me in her room and the next she was gone. Are you sure you didn't see her?"

"I'm sure," he responded. "Let's go look for her. And your dad, just in case."

She nodded, walking through all of her friends and family without a care in the world as Silver kept up behind her.

As they made their way out the door, Silver asked, "Tell me again. Why are you wearing sunglasses in the house?"

"Oh, would you just shut up about the sunglasses." She laughed, poking him. "I need them, okay?"

"I see, I see," he answered before coming up behind her and yanking the sunglasses off. "How bad? Maybe I could wear them."

The blob of blue re-appeared when she stared him down. Unable to help it, a laugh spilled out of her mouth as he fumbled while trying to put the sunglasses on. Though she was barely able to see, it seemed they wouldn't fit on his face no matter what he tried. "Give them back to me, you brat. I told you I need them."

He handed them back to her, grinning. "Alright, geez. Can't blame a guy for trying, huh?"

Both laughing, they walked over to the Wandering Woods. Not too far from either of their houses, the woods were the one place they'd always go to spend time together. It was possible her parents went there. She remembered all the training her parents spent time with both of them on, the fire and ice in the midst of all the green forest. Considering how many times they'd all been to this wonderful forest, the two of them thought it'd be the best place for them to start. After looking around for what felt like an eternity, neither of them could find her parents. Scarlet found it so strange that her mother would just leave like that. And her father, too. Maybe there was another big surprise for her birthday? But surely Silver wouldn't lie about not seeing them.

"It doesn't look like they're here. Where to next?" she asked.

Silver shrugged. "Do you think they went to the training center? It seems like they're always training someone."

"Maybe." She sighed. "I guess we should go look."

As they walked toward the center, Scarlet removed her sunglasses. Everything in the forest was still as bright of a green as she could imagine, but as soon as they stepped foot onto the pavement she realized it was no longer tan. Grey was slipping in through the cracks, removing the color. It happened again with a few trees. More grey breaking in. When they finally made it to the building, the door was no longer red. She shook off the idea of the colors actually disappearing. Maybe this replaced the blobs that appeared in her vision at first. Yet when Silver opened the door for her and she glanced up at him, the blue blob appeared again. Something strange was definitely happening.

The foam of the mats squeezed against her shoes while she watched other kids' training tactics. Of course, all that was in her face were those blobs, but she could see a little. She didn't want some of them teasing her for wearing sunglasses inside a building, though she knew finding her parents was more important so she slid them over her eyes. The color continued to drain from the walls. "Hey." She poked Silver. "Do you see that? The shade is disappearing."

"What are you talking about?"

"The walls. They're not white anymore," she responded.

A laugh escaped from his mouth. "I think you've gone insane."

"Silver, I'm serious." Scarlet rolled her eyes. "Just look. It's gone."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "I have no idea what you're talking about. The walls are still white. They've always been white. What's up with you lately? By the way, you never told me why you have those silly sunglasses on."

"Nevermind." She groaned. "Let's just look for my parents."

The two of them walked around the center with no luck. Scarlet was clearly aware that each shade was draining and turning grey. She wasn't crazy. Eventually Silver would see it, too. He had to. Maybe the loss of color had something to do with her parents. Hopefully they'd find out soon. It was strange for her mother to just disappear. No matter what, she'd find them.

Being the best friend that he was, Silver opened the door for Scarlet again as they walked out of the building. With the temptation of going back to their favorite spot, they moved to the left, making their way toward the forest. It was the only place Scarlet felt like she could be her true self. She loved being around others, but when it was just her and Silver, it was completely different. "Thanks for helping me try to find my parents."

"Anytime. You know I'm always here for you and, apparently, now those sunglasses."

"You're not gonna let it go, are you?"

"Nope," he answered. "Not until you tell me the story behind them."

"Do you have to know everything?" she asked, shoving him then running before he could catch up.

He yelled, "Duh. You're my best friend. Is there anything I don't know?"

Now, there was. She tried to tell him, but he'd probably think she was crazy. At least it seemed that way earlier. Finding a way to let him know wouldn't be easy, but she'd do it. They never hid secrets from each other. "Of course not." She smiled at him while he caught up.

"Good, 'cause I'll figure it out. Just like I noticed the cake in your hair earlier. Aren't you glad I told you?"

"Ha, you think whispering in my ear telling me to check out my hair was telling me?"

They stopped, looking into each other's eyes. "I mean, it was better than me yelling it out loud. You're the one that caused that problem."

"Very funny, Silver. Come on, let's go!"

Both of them were so busy talking Scarlet almost ran into a grey wall before Silver pulled her arm back, making her stop. Her mouth fell open, but no words came. Instead, Silver took over. "Almost knocked yourself out there, didn't ya? Good thing your best friend saved you."

"Woah, that wasn't there before. We were just here. How did it get there?" Scarlet spoke, ignoring his words.

He shrugged. "Who knows. We should go check it out. It's got a door. Maybe it wants us to go inside." It squeaked as he twisted the knob, pushing it open. "Come on."

"I don't think you should--" Scarlet stopped speaking, knowing better than to try to talk Silver out of it. She sighed, walking into the building full of grey. From the shelves to the walls and everything in between, there was no color. Nothing bright and cheery, anyway.

Silver waved his hand. "Look at this. I found a note. What do you think it means?"

Walking over to him, she read the note:

With your first clue

Comes an adventure full of blue

Located just outside of the town

If you fail, you'll surely drown

"Hmmm," Scarlet mumbled. "It sounds like some kind of hunt. But to what? Do you think it's to find my parents?"

"I don't know." He shook his head, reading the letter again. "Where do you think it leads?"