Here it is! The sequel to "A Mind of His Own: The Quiz Master"! I hope you guys enjoy this as much as you did with the other one. This time however, instead of constantly uploading during the day, I'll only be updating one chapter per day (I'm such a cruel person.).
The episode this story takes place in was suggested by marionut247. I recommend watching "The Haunted House" before reading this fic.
It's night. I'm certain of it. The world around us is nothing but dark blue. Inspector is driving in the GM1.0 down an extremely narrow road. A narrow dirt road, may I add. Not to mention that on either side, all I can make out is black.
How comforting.
Fortunately, home looks nothing like this. Inspector was told to leave town for a special convention. For some reason that I don't remember, he decided to bring [AN-GEL] and Dog(?) along with him. To be honest, I'm not sure what to think of this arrangement.
On one hand, I'm excited. It's not every day Inspector decides out of the blue to take [AN-GEL] along with him. As the matter of fact, I can't even remember the last time he did so. This is also an extra plus, as she can foil whatever scheme is being fabricated without having to hide from Inspector.
On the other hand, I'm horrified. I know [AN-GEL] is capable of taking care of herself, but there are times that I have to remind myself that's she's only ten years old. What would happen she found herself in trouble and Dog(?) wasn't there to help her in time? What if someone kidnapped her, and Inspector would never know because he thought she was at home doing things other ten year olds her age do? Just thinking about Inspector loosing [AN-GEL] forever makes me feel horrible.
I've got to think of something else.
…Where the heck are we anyways?!
[AN-GEL] says something, probably talking about the place, but I can't make her out. Her voice is a bit too garbled up for me to understand. There are times that I wish I could understand her just as well as I can with Inspector.
"Yes, [AN-GEL], {Transylvania}. Home of the legendary CountDracula, and other ghosts, goblins, and spooks."
Thanks, Inspector. I feel SO much better now.
I don't think I'm the only one who feels uncomfortable being here. I can see Dog(?) through the overhead mirror, and he looks terrified. He's chattering his teeth and everything. I find this rather odd, as I'm certain he's been in more dangerous situations than this.
"What's wrong with Dog(?), [AN-GEL]?"
[AN-GEL] says something about Dog(?) being afraid of ghosts. Dog(?) confirms her statement by weakly nodding his head. The poor little guy…
…You all are probably going to hate me for saying this, but I want to scare the daylights out of him. It's just too tempting. I can't just brush it aside. There's just one little problem. Sure, my hands are the only things I can use freely without Inspector telling me to use them. But I can't just do stuff without drawing suspicion. If I scared Dog(?), and Inspector had no intention doing such thing, [AN-GEL] will think something's wrong, when really there's not.
What's that, Inspector?
Really?!
Oh thank you, Inspector!
Without [AN-GEL] or Dog(?) noticing, I use my left hand to tap on Dog(?)'s shoulder.
"Boo!"
Dog(?) gives a loud yell and jumps so high that he hits his head on the GM1.0's roof.
That.
Was Priceless.
If I was capable of doing such a thing, I would be dying of laughter. As to be expected, Dog(?) isn't happy one bit. He's not showing it, but Inspector is quite amused. I can sense it.
"Sorry, Dog(?). I couldn't resist that."
That's one of the great things about Inspector. He's generous enough to let me have fun time to time.
Wowzers! What was that?! I turn my attention back on the road and see the conditions are even worse than before. Every turn Inspector makes causes the GM1.0 to be on two wheels. Not to mention that it's bouncing all over the place. When was the last time they worked on these roads?!
"These roads are an absolute menace! Go-Go-GM1.0!"
You can't tell from the inside, but the GM1.0 transforms from a van-like car to a custom made police vehicle. It's pretty cool if I say so myself. I'm also relieved Inspector gave that command. In this state, the GM1.0 can handle off road situations much more easily. Just as the GM1.0 takes off like a rocket, I hear a loud boom and can faintly see a bright flash of light.
I don't know what that was, but I don't think I want to.
…
Things have gotten a lot better since the GM1.0 transformed. The deadly, cliff-like road eventually turned into a normal dirt road with grass, trees, and everything. Only the trees have no leaves on them, and it's still eerily dark. Up ahead, I see something that looks like a small wooden shed.
"Ah! Looks like a border crossing ahead."
Inspector stops the GM1.0 right at the gate, which is no more than a yellow and black striped pole. A man jumps out of the wooden shed, most likely the crossing guard. He's mostly blue on the head, arms, torso, and legs. There's also a lot of black.
"Good evening."
I know he won't hurt me, but I'm kind of scared of the guard. [AN-GEL] and Dog(?) seem to be a bit spooked as well. [AN-GEL] mentions something about the border guard looking like this supposed CountDracula.
"Oh yes of course, [AN-GEL]. They do it all for the tourists here."
Well, that certainly explains a few things.
It may not seem like it, but Inspector is a very logical person. Or, at least tries to be. He seems to have an explanation for everything, no matter how weird or bizarre it is.
As I mentioned before, I can't understand speech very well. The only person I can hear properly besides Inspector is [AN-GEL]. Everyone else sounds too muffled or echoed. Now I don't mean to sound racist when I say this, but accents are the worst. This border guard's accent in particular is very loud and constantly changes from being a few pitches too high to a few pitches too low. If I had my own body, it would be giving me a headache.
"I'm going to a law enforcement convention up in your beautiful mountains."
Oh. Inspector is being questioned. I better prove his statement by showing the guard Inspector's badge. I summon out my right hand with the inspector badge inside a red case. The border guard has a suspicious look on his face and—
That's strange. The guard's voice isn't as painful as it was earlier. Wait a minute! His accent's gone! He sound's completely different! Oh wait. There it is again.
I don't like where this is going.
[AN-GEL] is pointing at the shed, saying something about it. Curious, I turn my attention to it. It looks like something is trying to break down the door. I—AAAHHH!
IT'S A MAN! IT'S A MAN AND HE'S ONLY WEARING PINK! IT'S BOTH SO DISTURBING AND UNMANLY!
He appears to be tied up and gagged, as his voice is muffled up. Not like I could understand him if he wasn't. As he is standing up rather awkwardly, he falls on top of his face. The guard turns around in complete shock.
"Very entertaining! A little show for the tourists! Very scary, ay Dog(?)?"
Oh COME ON!
The guy was clearly attacked by the border guard! How can anyone misinterpret that for a "little show"?!
The man is trying to warn Inspector, but the guard pushes him back to the ground. He's saying something to Inspector, probably going along with Inspector's naïve mind. He waves good-bye to [AN-GEL], Dog(?), and Inspector as the GM1.0 drives off.
Something isn't right here.
…
FOR THE LOVE OF HUMANTIY, INSPECTOR! YOU COULD AT LEAST SLOW DOWN!
The road has now returned to its dangerous cliff-like state. I have lost count over how many times the GM1.0 almost fell into the bottomless pit. I don't know how much more of this I can take.
"While I'm at the convention, you'll be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery."
I don't mean to burst your bubble Inspector, but…what spectacular view? I can't see anything! Even [AN-GEL] agrees with me!
"As the matter of fact [AN-GEL], neither can I. Only one way to fix that! A little Gadget Fireworks should do the trick!"
…
You mean all this time you couldn't even see the freaking road?!
Its times like these I just want to slap myself in the face.
Inspector presses a series of buttons to activate the Gadget Fireworks. They launch in the air and explode in colors of orange and red, lighting up the dark world around us. Both Dog(?) and [AN-GEL] are hanging their head out of the window, looking down beyond the road. [AN-GEL] mentions something about liking the fog over being able to see.
I'm going to take her word for it.
Inspector seems to want to look at the map. To help him out, I grab the map with my right hand, and he opens it with his left. As Inspector looks at the map, I trace out the dotted line with my right index finger. Of course, I have forgotten we are driving on an extremely dangerous road.
"Let's see…The-Screaming-Tunnel,…Batwing-Peak,…the-Skeleton-Pass,…we should be right…there! The-Skull-Inn."