Tricia cautiously climbed the stairs, barefoot. Her shoes and socks would only increase the risk of tripping, and she was having enough trouble adjusting to her shorter stature, weaker legs and dragging hair. The hallway at the top was quiet. The door to Jamie's room was shut.
Tricia knocked several times. "Tricia," she called in a high voice, "I'm coming in." The door swung open slowly, revealing a dark room. Tricia peered into the mess that was Jamie's world: coloring books, dolls and clothes everywhere. "Please," she said loudly. "You've gotta give me that remote back! Pretty please with sugar on--?"
In the corner, there was an unusual shape. It was cowering just behind the rocking horse. Now that her eyes had adjusted, she could see it was definitely a five-year-old girl draped in a blanket.
"Found you!" she said to the hiding girl. "Okay, now just gimme that remote and then I'll go hide!" It wasn't just an empty promise. She was serious. This situation was really starting to feel like an impromptu game of hide and seek, and she sorely missed being young enough to play.
But still, Jamie wouldn't move from her spot. Tricia pulled off the blanket and gasped.