Rise and Fall

Tweak

Unfortunately, I had little to no ideas for this chapter and the next one, but like I said, I wanted to give each Octonaut a chapter in which they and Angel bond and I didn't want to leave anybody out. So, here it is.

Chapter 12: Tweak

“Are you sure you have to go on this research mission, Shellington?” Angel asked. She was sitting on the bed in the lab, watching the scientist cram notebooks, pens, a few other books, a magnifying glass, test tubes, kelp cakes and who knew what else into his satchel. The ten-year-old was amazed by how much stuff he could fit into such a seemingly small bag.

“Yes, I’m sure”, he replied. “There is still so much of the midnight zone that hasn’t been explored. I’ve been wanting to do this research for a long time, but, uh… I’ve been busy”, he finished awkwardly. He hadn’t gone because Angel wanted him close by, but he didn’t want her to feel bad about it.

Evidently, she didn’t; she was too busy thinking about something else. “And you’re sure I can’t go?”

“Sorry, Angel. The midnight zone is the deepest, darkest part of the ocean. It’s too dangerous for you to go down there.”

“Okay”, Angel murmured, dejected, staring at the floor. She hooked her thumb through the strap on her overalls and twisted it round as she swung her foot back and forth.

Why was she so upset about not being allowed on a mission? She rarely went out on missions; they were too dangerous and, bored as she was, Angel accepted that. She knew all too well just how dangerous the ocean could be. It took Shellington a moment to realise that she didn’t care about not going on the research mission.

“I’ll only be gone for one night”, he reminded her.

“I know”, she mumbled, not looking cheered up by the thought.

“And you won’t be alone”, the otter continued. “The Vegimals are coming with me and Peso’s not here…” The penguin was away, visiting some of his many relatives. “But Dashi and Kwazii will be here. So will Tweak… And Professor Inkling…”

“And Captain Barnacles”, Angel concluded, sounding like she would be stuck on the Octopod with a zombie or a vampire or a werewolf or something like that.

“Well, yes”, Shellington admitted, “but you’ll be fine. You haven’t had any nightmares in almost a month now.”

That was true. The medicine from Peso had worked wonders on the girl. Unfortunately, she was still sleepwalking and sleeptalking. A couple of times, she had woken up in unusual places- like the garden pod or under the desk in HQ or even once in Tweak’s bed, when the rabbit had fallen asleep on the floor whilst playing video games- with no idea how she got there.

Still, Angel wasn’t really convinced. She was worried enough about facing the Octopod with Captain Barnacles around; doing it without Shellington seemed like torture. Even after three months of living there, nobody could convince her that she had no reason to fear the Captain.

There’s only one thing for this! Shellington thought, seeing the look on her face. He knew of one thing that always got a smile out of the girl. He told Angel to wait where she was and left the lab. By pure luck, Tominnow just happened to be passing by at that moment. Shellington scooped her up, making her giggle and carried her back into the lab. Then he deposited the little Vegimal in Angel’s lap, prompting more giggles, this time, from both of them.

“Hi, Tominnow!” the happier child greeted her.

Putting a Vegimal in her lap worked every time. Angel felt a little better- but she still wasn’t looking forward to her night alone.