Sorry for the delay in posting; when you work full-time while pursuing a PhD, writing as a hobby isn't the wisest choice. Still, I love doing it and am still confident this story will be completed in 2021; I have a few more chapters written after this one and only 2 more to write after that.

Chapter 16: A Way Out

As rattling as Phineas's unexpected visit had been, Isabella hadn't let it distract her from gathering information for too long. It was hard to track time, but it seemed like she had been in there for at least two days. The first time the guards took her to the bathroom, they had been alert and tense, but it had become a routine and they had relaxed significantly, allowing her to peek around at her surroundings more easily.

For one, Isabella was pretty sure neither Phineas nor anyone else were imprisoned in the same hallway of cells as she. While she had never gotten full views into the other cells, the windowed metal doors revealed that the lights were out everywhere else.

Second, it was obvious that this place was big. The bathroom was only two hallways away, so her view was limited, but the hallways she could see continued on and on. Most doors were closed, but a few were ajar and revealed some strange machinery and loads of boxes inside each. Whatever things were in them, Isabella noted that they could be of use if she found Phineas again and they were able to use them for invention parts. She had still not seen a single window or clearly marked exit and was hoping they would soon take her another route.

Isabella had also been scoping out the guards. While she didn't have a watch, they seemed to come in very precise intervals, perhaps every three hours. She had seen at least six distinct men now, always coming in pairs to get her or bring her food. Some were taller, others shorter, some grumpy and others talkative with each other. They always remembered to lock Isabella's door, which she quietly checked after each visit. But they all had one strange thing in common—a slightly unfocused gaze. Perhaps these were a bunch of new recruits who were still getting used to whatever their job was.

And if that were true, she could use it to her advantage. Isabella had initially waited to hear the demands of their kidnappers, but it was taking too long. She also hoped she would be able to see more of the prison, but if that didn't happen soon and two of the smaller guards took her to the bathroom, she might have to just surprise them and make a run for it. It was reckless, but if she could find and take him to those machinery rooms, maybe he could build them a way home.

Isabella sighed, staring up into the concrete ceiling from her stiff bed. Phineas really made no sense. First he went crazy, acting like she was his worst enemy, then he feigned amnesia but apologized anyway? And why did the actual enemy even forcefully reunite them in the first place, only to pull Phineas away minutes later?

But most inexplicable was Phineas's strange gunshot wound. Isabella had been sure that it wasn't there when she checked it by the steaming river several days ago. Her hypothesis was that the water on this alien planet accelerated cell regeneration, and her arm did seem to be healing quickly. But less than a day ago, Phineas's wound was back again. And now she was doubting herself. Maybe it had been her imagination; a lot of things had happened on that stressful night. Perhaps she was so shocked about that slap and her fall in the steaming river that she had subconsciously conjured up the idea.

Isabella turned on her good arm side and pulled the blanket over her head, wishing the overhead lights were turned off. She knew she should get some sleep, but her racing mind was keeping her wide awake. Phineas had seemed so genuine when he apologized, and even more utterly confused than she was. Isabella didn't want to let her guard down, but gosh it was hard to resist Phineas acting so sad and defeated. Just thinking about it gave her this convoluted feeling of caution and empathy mixed together.

It was like a switch had flipped, turning Phineas evil, and then flipped back, making him forget everything in the process. Whatever it was, Isabella prayed he would be normal again the next time she found him, even if it could be an act.

Either way, this time she was ready to face him. She no longer felt afraid and was ready to stand up for herself if need be.

Faint footsteps began echoing down the hallway. They almost always belonged to guards coming to her room for one reason or another; this place was big enough that she didn't hear much else. But Isabella wasn't expecting any visitors during her sleeping time. And as they grew louder, they sounded different, maybe quieter; was only one guard coming this time?

Weird, Isabella thought, carefully sitting up and straightening out her hair as the footsteps came to a stop near her door. Well, at least there was one advantage to already being wide awake. Had that boss figure finally come to see her?

The door creaked open, and in walked Dr. Doofenshmirtz, once again sporting his white lab coat. He gave her a look, then quietly closed the door behind him again.

Isabella waited expectantly for him to talk. She hadn't seen him since that first interesting encounter a few days back. Was she in for another strange monologue, perhaps? But it didn't come; the scientist had a perplexed look on his face, his eyes skirting back and forth between her and his shoes. Weirder.

"Dr. Doofenshmirtz?" she finally asked, more curious than cautious, "What are you doing?"

The man stiffened slightly, focusing back on her. "Oh, why hello, Isabella. Well, you see, all of the guards are in testing right now so I thought I'd… come make sure your lock was still working."

He broke eye contact again, beginning to clasp his hands together nervously, and she raised an eyebrow. That was obviously a lie; why would he even come in here if that were the case?

"Oookay," she said slowly, "Well you know it's working since you unlocked it, so unless there's something else you need you can leave me be now. I was trying to–"

"That's wrong!" Doofenshrmirtz exclaimed, making her jump. "Oh sorry. I mean, no, there's something else. I'm here to ...help you escape."

Huh?

Doofenshmirtz must have noticed Isabella's shocked expression, for his eyes immediately narrowed and his hand shot up, waving it at her. "You've got the wrong idea! I'm not doing anything good here, I have my own evil agenda! You see, maybe one could call me 'good' by helping you escape, but they're mistaken. Sure, I mean I of all people know how pure evil he is, and I thought it would be fun to have a driven accomplice!"

He absentmindedly scratched the back of his long head. "... But I disagree with how he's been treating both of you as well as the way he goes about doing things. When I learned his mind-controlled minions had misunderstood a command and actually shot Phineas, even after I told him the machine wasn't safe for use yet, it just about pushed me over the edge. So! Even if the boss is evil, I'm revolting against him, and that makes me even more evil!"

He looked away. "...Plus, I miss seeing my daughter."

As flawed as that logic was, Isabella wasn't about to start questioning him about it. Out of all things, Doofenshmirtz was really helping them escape? She sincerely hoped it was true.

She also hoped that what he said about the shooting was true.

If it were someone else, Isabella would have been much more skeptical. But Doofenshmirtz, smart as he was by the book, wouldn't have been able to act this out. It only took her a minute to decide that she trusted him.

"Well that's quite the surprise," she replied, getting out of her bed. "Thank you for deciding to help us. So how do we get back to Danville?"

"Just so we're on the same page, I am still evil. Got it?"

Isabella fought back a smile. "Loud and clear."

"I already told you about my Interdimensional-Time-Travel-Inator. That's our only ticket back home."

Isabella nodded. The converger. "I've been thinking about that too. How do we control it?"

Doofenshmirtz grimaced, but as he opened his mouth to reply, a loud crack sounded from somewhere deep below them and the building began to shake. Another earthquake. Panic shot through Isabella as she latched onto the bed frame, but as suddenly as it started, everything went still.

Doofenshmirtz looked a little concerned, but didn't seem shaken up at all. He must have been used to these constant reverberations. There was something wrong with these earthquakes, Isabella knew it. But there were more pressing matters right now. You're okay, Isabella, she coached herself mentally, trying to get control of her nerves. Just focus on the present. Finger-by-finger, she loosened her tight grip on the frame and turned her attention back to the doctor.

"That's where the snag in the plan is. You see, the only way to operate the machine is via a remote control, and the boss keeps it with them 24/7. He alone has controlled who comes and who goes for the past several months, which is why I've been stuck here for so long."

"So we need to steal it back. C-can we do that now?"

The scientist shook his head. "No, we have to wait. Right now he's testing the inator that Phineas built for him on all of his minions, and while it seems to be working flawlessly, that will take awhile. We need to strike when he's alone and unsuspecting."

It made sense. They needed to be careful. If it were discovered that Dr. Doofenshmirtz had dissented from the rest and he was locked up too, they'd be back to square one. But one thing he had said made her feel queasy.

"What do you mean, Phineas built him an inator?" Was the bad Phineas back?

"I don't think Phineas built anything on free will. From what I could tell, it looked like he was being forced. He looked pretty upset."

The response did little to quell the feeling in Isabella's stomach, but it gave her an idea.

"Phineas has been acting really strange lately," she found herself saying, "But he's my friend, and deep down, I know that he has a good heart. What's more, he's a genius and can build anything." Isabella looked up at Doofenshmirtz in determination. "If anyone can figure out how to get that remote, he can." She gulped. "Even if we have to force him to. So let's go find Phineas."

Doofenshmirtz slowly nodded. "That's a good idea. You know Isabella, you're really quite good at this evil stuff. Maybe I should make you my apprentice when we get back!"

"That isn't even remotely e–" Isabella cut herself off. Nope, without him I'm still locked in this cell.

It was as if a lightbulb appeared above Doofenshmirtz; a wide smile splayed over his face as the gears started turning in his oddly-shaped head. "An intern! I could make you do all the pesky inator registration paperwork. And blame you whenever something goes wrong instead of Norm! Maybe I'll even pay you! One quarter minimum wage, of course. And then when we yell, 'Curse you, Per–'"

"Doofenshmirtz?" Isabella interjected, trying not to derail the task at hand. "Should we go?"

"Oh right. Sorry!"