Tril’s New Task

Tril zoomed through the bloodstream, spinning with excitement as the current carried him along. Life as a red blood cell was always full of movement, especially for someone like him—Trillion, the trillionth red blood cell in the body, though everyone just called him Tril. The name suited him—quick, fun, and always ready for an adventure.

"Hey, Tril!" called Bree, another red blood cell, floating by with her usual sleepy look. "Off to deliver more oxygen? You never slow down, do you?"

"Not when I’m on a mission!" Tril grinned. "There’s always work to do!"

He was just about to zoom ahead when a sudden

buzz

filled the bloodstream. It wasn’t the typical peaceful hum—this was sharp and panicked. Tril’s eyes lit up. A distress signal!

Curiosity piqued, Tril changed course and found Skinny, a usually cheerful skin cell, pacing nervously.

"Skinny! What’s happening?" Tril asked, hovering next to her, his usual smile fading.

"It’s my neighbor, Skinna—she’s missing!" Skinny’s voice quivered. "Nobody’s seen her, and everyone’s starting to panic!"

Tril blinked. Skin cells didn’t just disappear. They were the body’s first line of defense, forming a barrier to keep out trouble. This wasn’t normal.

"Maybe she’s just hiding somewhere," Bree mumbled, still drifting by lazily. "You’re all getting worked up for nothing."

Tril frowned. Bree never took things seriously, but Tril knew something was up.

"I’ll help!" Tril said, voice full of determination. "We’ll find Skinna, don’t worry!"

Skinny’s face brightened a bit, but worry still lingered in her eyes. "You think it could be… an infection?"

Infection. Tril’s stomach churned at the thought.

"I don’t know," he said, trying to sound steady, "but we’ll figure it out. I’ll get the others, and we’ll search everywhere."

With a quick nod, Tril zipped off, speeding through the bloodstream with renewed urgency. Infection or not, Tril wasn’t the type to sit still. Adventure was calling—and this time, it might be dangerous.