A Scientific Match

Chapter 15: Halloween

Chapter 15: Halloween

"Careful with that. Knives are sharp you know." Kowalski quickly slid over to assist Private with a pumpkin he was carving.

Private nodded, holding the pumpkin, and let him take the knife. "How do you start one of these again?"

"Honestly, I'd suggest cutting around the bottom. It tends to last longer that way." He looked at him and the pumpkin. "Actually, on second thought, I'll do it." He gently took the pumpkin and set it on the table. "But watch what I do so you can do it for the next." He carefully demonstrated how to cut the pumpkin.

"Ohhh, that looks so much easier than what I was thinking..." He nodded, watching him. "I can gut it."

Kowalski nodded, passing it back. "Be careful when starting to cut your design, too. Rico's probably the better instructor for that... But please watch your flippers."

"Kowalski, I know how to be careful. I have used a knife before."

"I know... But one can't be too cautious." He nervously smiled.

Private glanced at him. "Seriously, I will be just smashing on my own. You can see if Marlene has something for you to do." He winked at him.

For a moment, the scientist just looked at him in confusion. Why would he dare leave him alone with a knife? What sort of irresponsible brother would that make him?... Even if Private was technically a young adult now. He was still the baby brother.

"I said—" He winked harder. "Go see if Marlene has something for you to do."

Kowalski blinked as recognition hit. He smiled sheepishly, nodding, but did not move from his spot. "That can wait a few m—"

Private sighed dramatically. "Kowalski..." He looked up at the ceiling. "If I injure myself, I know where to find assistance. I'm not a child anymore." He looked at him.

He made eye contact with him and sighed. "Right, right... Sorry..." He waddled over to the ladder, but paused before climbing up. "Happy Halloween."

"Have fun and be careful!" He chirped after him and waved the knife.

"DOn't dO thAt!" He gasped and then started up the ladder. "I'm serious! You be careful!" He pointed his flipper at him and finally left the HQ.

Kowalski stood on the ice flow and looked for Marlene. He had packed his ghost hunting gear in the coup the night before, so that all he would have left to do was to let her know that he was leaving so that she could start covering for him. He would have to thank her again more graciously later. He really did appreciate how she was handling Skipper for him. They truly did not deserve her.

He then spotted her by the fountain and hopped out of the habitat. He slid over to her and softly cleared his throat. "Marlene?"

Marlene turned from the banner she was tying. "Oh hey. You needing that 'to-do list' now?"

"Yes." He nodded with a small smile. "And again, thank you."

She hopped down from the fountain and handed him a blank piece of paper. "Nah, don't worry about it. Go have fun." She chuckled.

"You're the best!" he called back as he slid away towards the garage.

Kowalski nudged a trashcan and uncovered a secret panel of buttons. He clicked one and slid into the garage as the door opened. The coup was just as he had left it, thankfully. He waddled over and checked under the back seat. His duffle bag was untouched. He pulled it out and laid it in the passenger seat and then drove out of the zoo.