Rise and Fall

Professor Inkling

This was a tough chapter to write. I had very few ideas for it, especially since, so far, this character has only been mentioned, like, three times in this entire story. Still, like I said, I didn’t want to leave anybody out, so here it is.

Chapter 13: Professor Inkling

Day 100 without my family/Day 94 on the Octopod

I can’t believe it’s been one hundred days. In some ways, it feels like longer. I guess that’s because a lot has happened since then. But in other ways, it doesn’t feel like that long at all. I think that’s because I remember it so well, but I wish I didn’t.

When my family died and my house burnt down, I thought my life was over too. I wished I’d died in the storm too. Now, I’m actually happy here. Shellington’s really nice. So are the Vegimals, Peso, Kwazii, Dashi and Tweak. I’m just still scared of Capt

Angel sighed as her pen ran across the page. Her hands flew up to her ears. Captain Barnacles wasn’t the only thing on the Octopod that still frightened her. Sudden loud noises had always scared her and she hadn’t quite gotten used to the Octo-Alert just yet. It made her jump.

Shellington knew this and, when he looked up from his microscope, he saw her anxious expression.

He reached for her hand. “Let’s go.”

Keeping her other hand pressed firmly against her ear, Angel let Shellington lead her down to the launch bay. As usual, she wondered what was happening. Not that she had to do anything; she only went out on research missions. So, it only affected her if Shellington had to go.

“Octonauts”, Captain Barnacles began once everyone was present, “there’s a big storm on the way.” He showed them how big on the monitor.

Peso gulped. “Flappity flippers!”

Angel was afraid too. Just like fire, she was scared of storms. Also just like fire, her fear had gotten worse after what happened to her one hundred days ago.

“Our mission is to head out to the coral reef and warn any creatures who might be in danger”, the Captain went on.

“That coral reef is home to all kinds of sea creatures”, Shellington pointed out.

“And we’re going to help them”, Barnacles declared. “Everyone, to the GUPs!”

Everyone except for Angel and Professor Inkling made a dash for the GUPs. It was no surprise who got which one: Captain Barnacles in the GUP-A; Kwazii in the GUP-B; Dashi, Shellington and the Vegimals in the GUP-C; Tweak in the GUP-D and Peso in the GUP-E. Angel just stood near the Professor, looking lost, scared and alone, as she often did without Shellington.

“Wait!” she cried, causing everyone to stop and stare at her. “How long is this gonna take?”

“Don’t worry, Angel”, Shellington tried to comfort the girl, knowing exactly what she was worried about. “We’ll be back before the storm gets here.”

“Okay”, she mumbled, fiddling with the strap on her overalls.

“In the meantime, you’d better stay here with Professor Inkling”, Captain Barnacles advised. (Angel whimpered, but the others barely noticed now.) “Feel free to use the hot chocolate machine and help yourself to some fish biscuits. Now, would you open the Octo-hatch?”

Angel was too afraid to answer, but she did comply. She pulled the lever Tweak had shown her the other day and the GUPs departed.

Just like that, Angel was left all alone with Professor Inkling. Not exactly an ideal situation. She felt like she’d only spent about ten seconds in his presence. If a storm was coming, then the ten-year-old wanted to be with someone she knew and trusted, like Shellington. Or her mum.