The house had finally gone quiet. After a long day of laughter, mischief, and small arguments, Buem drifted into a deep sleep, hugging his favorite blanket. The soft rise and fall of his breathing filled the room with calm. But across the hallway, CUTIS’ eyes suddenly flickered open.
This was the moment he had been waiting for.
Moving slowly, CUTIS sat up and glanced around to make sure no one was watching. The moonlight slipped through the window, casting long shadows on the floor, making everything feel like part of a secret world. With careful steps, he tiptoed past Buem, pausing for a second when Buem shifted slightly. CUTIS froze, heart racing—but Buem stayed asleep.
“Mission starts now,” CUTIS whispered to himself.
Earlier that day, CUTIS had overheard something important—something hidden in the kitchen cabinet. A mysterious box that Mom had told them not to touch. Naturally, that only made CUTIS more curious. What could be inside? A surprise? A treat? Or something even more exciting?
He crept into the kitchen, each step slow and deliberate. The floor creaked once, and CUTIS quickly crouched down, listening carefully. Silence. Good.
Reaching the cabinet, CUTIS stretched up on his toes and carefully opened the door. There it was—the box. Small, simple, but full of mystery. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he gently pulled it closer.
But just as he was about to open it—
“CUTIS… what are you doing?”
He jumped, nearly dropping the box. Slowly, he turned around to see Buem standing there, half-asleep, rubbing his eyes.
“You were supposed to be sleeping!” CUTIS whispered urgently.
“I woke up… and you were gone,” Buem mumbled.
For a moment, they stared at each other… then both looked at the box.
A grin slowly spread across CUTIS’ face.
“Well… since you’re here,” he said softly, “want to join the mission?”
Buem’s sleepy expression turned into excitement.
And just like that, the secret mission became a two-person adventure.
