Here it is, the sequel to Journey to the Past! Yes, I know, the title needs work. If anyone has any creative ideas, PM me and I'll think about using it! Thank you for the review from the last story!
P.S This takes place six months after Journey to the Past, so it's about late August. Enjoy!
Small drops of cool rain hit the lab roof, rolling down and falling onto the ground. The rain makes a light tapping noise, almost comforting to Cornelius. The tapping is so soothing and relaxing, he's having trouble staying awake. His motive for staying up so late is to finish an invention. He's almost done and can hardly wait to use it.
He's putting in one of the last screws, but his right hand and arm feel so heavy. He can hardly lift his arms. His eyelids feel heavy as well. The raindrops start to lull him to sleep, but a flash of lightning and a low rumble of thunder wakes him up.
He promises himself to stay up just for ten more minutes, then he can finally go to sleep. This invention has prevented him from sleeping well. He can only get a good four hours of sleep every night before he wakes up with a sudden craving to work on the invention. He hasn't even tried to go to sleep tonight. This is too important.
Cornelius steps back, gazing at his invention. Finally, he's done. After all these days, he can finally put it to use. He moves his tired hand forward to turn it up, but recoils. He's having second thoughts. What is something goes horribly wrong? This won't turn into one of those moments when he shrugs it off and tells himself to keep moving forward. It could be dangerous, possibly deadly.
He closes his eyes to think better. It's either now or never. He reaches his hand forward and is about to activate it when he hears footsteps behind him. He quickly turns around, feeling almost paranoid. A flash of lightning puts the figure into a shadow and Cornelius is paralyzed in fear.
The lightning vanishes as quickly as it came. Now the figure can be seen. Cornelius sighs in relief when he sees that it's only Franny.
"What are you doing up so late?" Franny yawns.
"I was about to ask the same question." Cornelius says.
"The thunder woke me up and someone was kicking me." Franny smiles as she places her hand on her belly. "I turned to face you, but you weren't there."
"I was up here." Cornelius says.
"You're always up here. You know, that sort of worries me. You're not sleeping enough. You could get really sick." Franny says.
"I know. You tell me this all the time." Cornelius says, beginning to gaze at the invention.
"Then why don't you listen?" Franny asks, waddling towards the invention. She looks confused and worried. "You're not going to do what I think you're going to do."
"Do what?" Cornelius asks, curious about Franny's concern.
"Replace Carl?" Franny says at almost a whisper.
"What? No! Never!" Cornelius exclaims. "Carl was one of earliest inventions. He's been with me- the family for years. I could never take him away."
"Then what is it?" Franny asks, staring at the invention as if it might lunge forward and attack her.
"A robot, but it will not replace Carl." Cornelius explains. "I invented a microchip that will upgrade all robots, but I don't know how safe the microchip is to use on activated robots, so this robot will get it first and I'll see what happens."
"Isn't that...cruel?" Franny asks.
"Cruel?"
"Well, what if it stops working? It would be like killing it and what if we get attached to it? I mean I loved Carl when I first saw him. Won't this robot be the same?" Franny asks.
"No, the robot will never see the family. It will be up here, away from everybody." Cornelius says. "Once it's turned on, the chip goes in. If it works, I'll turn it off and use it again if I invent another chip. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work."
Franny doesn't looked convinced. "This is a bad idea."
"No, it's fine. Everything will be perfectly fine." Cornelius says.
"Don't do it. Please, don't do it." Franny says. "Who knows what the chip will do if it messes up. What if it finds the family. I love supporting you and your inventions, but I can't help but worry with this one."
"You really think it's that bad?" Cornelius asks.
Franny nods. "I'm sorry, but I do."
"Don't be sorry. I understand. I won't turn it on, ok?" Cornelius smiles. "I've also been working on the truth ray, so we'll know if Wilbur is lying."
Franny looks happier. "That's great." She yawns, starting to look tired. "I'm going back to sleep. Are you coming?"
That sounded more like a demand than a question. Cornelius knows she's right. He needs to sleep more. "Yeah, I'll be down in ten minutes."
Franny smiles, rolling her eyes. She knows he won't be down for a good two hours. There's no point in trying to convince him. She turns to the stairs and carefully walks down them.
Cornelius turns to the invention. "Sorry, but you might be too dangerous." Cornelius says to the robot. He moves to a corner, just in case someone comes into the lab. He can't let anyone see it.
He nods when it looks like it's out of view if anyone comes into the lab. He turns to the stairs and walks down them. He sees a white flash, followed by a rumble. The storm is getting worse. He rolls his eyes. Wilbur will be up to mischief tomorrow if it keeps on raining.
He reaches the bottom of the stairs, then closes the door behind him, hearing it lock.
I hoped you enjoyed it! Reviews, anyone?