The giddiness Inez had felt from when she'd been completely alone was slowly fading away. She'd been so free and happy. Although it was nice, knowing that her friends were always with her, the constant companionship was also incredibly suffocating. For almost two hours of her life, she'd been completely alone and free to do anything she wanted.
Of course, Inez wasn't stupid. She didn't do anything that would cause attention to herself. She had mostly just hidden around in corners, gazing at all the other, harried passengers. None of them paid attention to her. For all they knew, she looked like she was minding her own business.
By the time Jackie had arrived, she was back in the play-area, building a small town with blocks. Jackie had grabbed her hand tightly, and Inez knew she had worried the entire time they were apart.
By the time they arrived at the Transportation Center, Jackie had calmed down. Creech gave Inez a sympathetic smile as she tugged her hand out of Jackie's death grip.
"Drew Marberry is visiting us. He's at home." Creech informed her.
Inez felt her heart squeeze in excitement at the news. "He's here? How did you find him?"
"He found us, actually." Jackie mentioned. She held the door open for everyone as they filed out of the Center and began the trek home.
"We were wandering around the beach when we saw someone who looked exactly like him. We didn't want to say anything in case he wasn't, so we moved closer. When we heard him discussing portals and college-level physics like it was everyday common knowledge, we knew it was Dr. – uh, Drew Marberry." Creech explained.
"That's awesome!" Inez cheered, unable to chase a huge grin off her face. "And he's at home? What are we waiting for? Come on!"
She took off running. Creech followed, both of them ignoring Jackie's light laughter behind them.
They got home quickly, breathing hard but laughing. Inez bounded up the stairs and pushed the door open.
She peered inside, and caught a glimpse of a short, stout man with hair almost snow white. Beyond the difference in height, weight, and hair color, he was still the same old Doctor.
"Inez? Is that really you?" He asked. Before he could get another word out, she threw herself into his arms.
Inez had always been close to Dr. Marbles, even more so than Jackie, Matt, or Digit. While the others tended to tune out the scientific explanations that Dr. Marbles loved to give about everything, Inez always paid attention and listened carefully. They both enjoyed having long, intellectual conversations together.
"Dr. Marbles!" Inez squealed, hugging her old mentor tightly.
"Calm down, now, Inez." Dr. Marbles hugged her back gently. "I'm here, and we're going to put a stop to all this madness now."
Inez grinned at the determination in his voice.
Jackie came into the room, her face alight with excitement. "Matt just called on the Squack Pad. He and Slider and heading back now. Once they get here, we're going to call all our allies."
"What's our plan?" Inez asked curiously.
"I'll explain after everyone gets here." Dr. Marbles promised.