Ok, so just so everyone understands, this is the sequel to "Lost, and Not Found", Ending A. So if you haven't read that story, please do so before reading this :)
And I know I still need to finish my other two stories, I'M SORRY! But I'm finishing up the final chapter for "Memories Long Washed Away" and also working on the next chapter for "Taken", so hopefully it won't be long before they're up. I just had a major temptation and inspiration to write this and wanted to get it out there before I move on with the other two. I promise, I will update on those soon. And I know this is a really short chapter, but as I said I just wanted to get it started before finishing up on my other stories. Hope you enjoy:)
"No!" Scott yelled, scrambling to his feet as he saw the glint of the dagger taking aim for his father. Though no matter how hard Scott tried to get to his feet, he continued to feel his body being held back.
Suddenly, Jeff's form faded away to Alan's, standing defiantly and glaring at the Hood. A malicious laugh filled the air, and the dagger sped towards Alan. Scott felt cool tears run down his face as he watched in what seemed to be slow motion as the cruel dagger rushed towards his youngest brother, who's expression changed from defiance, to shock, to fear. The dagger finally made it to Alan, and buried itself deep within his chest. Alan cried out in pain, and shut his eyes tightly.
As Alan began to fall backwards, Scott tried to lunge forward, screaming, "No, Alan!"
---
Scott suddenly shot up in bed, cold sweat dripping from his brow. His breathing was heavy, and his throat was dry and sore. Among the sticky drops of sweat, he felt a drying stream of tears on both of his cheeks. Wiping them away, he let himself catch his breath before climbing out of bed. Glancing at his alarm clock, he let out a sigh. 12:23.
Looking in the mirror as he passed by, he almost shocked himself at how pale he had become. His face was sallow and worn, with deep circles beneath his eyes. It'd been almost a year since Alan's death, and Scott had hardly gotten any real sleep since. He doubted any of his brothers, or especially his father had either.
The impact of Alan's death hit everyone hard, especially Scott. After their mother's death, he'd felt that he needed to be strong for the others, to show no emotion and to become a leader. He couldn't let them down. Alan was only a small child at the time, and seemed to be the only essence of innocence and living left in the house. Scott felt as though Alan was the one that would always be there no matter what, the one that would cheer everyone up and never get hurt. The only one who would stay the same and keep a sense of normality around the house. But now that he was gone, he had nothing that felt secure to him, and it was extremely hard.
Sighing once more, he left his room and began to wander down the hallway. As he walked towards the kitchen, he suddenly heard a noise coming from the lab down an adjacent hall. Suddenly curious, he turned and crept towards the lab, peering around the doorway. Brains was standing in dim light next to two large machines, each looking like a CAT scanner. He'd noticed them before, but never took note of them, assuming they were some advanced medical machinery. In Brains' hands, there was a small gerbil squirming around and sniffing Brains' hand. Brains was talking to him, and looked quite odd. Brains then set the gerbil on the bed of the first scanner, and typed for a bit on a connected laptop, then hit a small blue button on the machine. A green light engulfed the machine, then the gerbil suddenly vanished. Scott could only stare in shock and wonder as the gerbil then appeared in the bed of the second scanner.
Scott, too curious to just walk away, walked into the room and turned up the lights. Brains' was rather startled, and nearly dropped the gerbil, which he'd just picked up from the scanner. His face soon turned from fear to delight when he saw who it was, and he set the gerbil in a small cage nearby.
"H-hey Scott, w-w-why are you up s-so late?" he said with a smile.
"Couldn't sleep," Scott said distractedly, looking oddly at the gerbil that was now munching on a treat in its cage. "How…how did you do that?"
Looking down at the gerbil, Brains beamed. "Th-this? Oh I've been d-developing a p-p-program for a couple of y-years now that can m-move an object from place to place, o-or forward and b-backwards in time!" He took a proud sigh, taking a quick glance over the machines. "S-still not quite p-p-perfect yet, but I'm getting c-close!"
Scott paused, taking it in, and pondering closely about the possibilities. "So," Scott started, thinking for a moment, then continuing, "So you said it could move things forward and backwards in time..?"
"Yep!" Brains said happily. He wagged his finger in front of the gerbil and made funny faces at it for a moment, then froze, his smile suddenly fading. "S-Scott, you know I-I-I can't take you back in t-time…"
"Why not?" Scott urged, watching Brains as he began to pace. "You just said you could!"
"But I h-haven't tested i-it on people!" Brains tried to press, though rather weakly. He stopped pacing and wrung his hands, keeping his eyes low. "N-nor have I tested it for long j-jumps over time, o-or the return m-m-mechanism. We c-can't do it."
"Please Brains," Scott implored. "This might be our chance to save Alan!"
Brains' jaw clenched, his eyes lowering even further. "I kn-know Scott…" he said quietly. "But we j-just can't take th-the risk of losing y-you too."
Scott walked up to Brains, putting his hand on his arm. "Brains," he trailed off pleadingly. Brains, though reluctantly, looked Scott in the eyes. "Please…"
Brains locked eyes with Scott for a moment, obviously contemplating the possibility. Finally, he sighed. "A-alright," he stuttered. "But I'll n-need a few days t-t-to prepare everything."
"Thank you, Brains!" Scott said gratefully, hugging the scientist.
Brains sighed again. I'm g-going to regret this.
Finishing his daily 30 laps in the pool, Scott dried off and wandered across the patio, letting himself fall into a nearby pool chair. Sighing, he became lost within his own thoughts. Time seemed to drift by, and he had no idea how long he'd been there. Frankly, he didn't care. All he could think about was Alan, and the possibility of him coming back.
Suddenly, he was torn away from his thoughts when he heard footsteps approaching from the patio door. Looking up, he found his father coming towards him, an almost distant glaze in his eyes. Scott shuddered slightly at his father's haggard appearance. His face had been creased with deep lines and his hair was unkempt, giving him the appearance of being ten years older than he truly was. He was also much paler, having often opted to stay in his office than venture outside, other than when a rescue was needed somewhere around the world.
"Dad?" Scott ventured, breaking his father out of his own trance. Jeff suddenly looked up, and smiled tiredly at his oldest son.
"Hey, Scott," he said hoarsely. "How're you feeling? You don't look so great…"
Scott gave a half smile. "You don't look so great either…"
Jeff also smiled slightly, though as he sat in the chair next to Scott, he sobered up again and gave a heavy sigh. "Yeah," he agreed quietly, "I suppose I don't…." Pausing, he looked up at Scott, frowning. "Scott, are you alright? You've been really quiet the last couple of days. Anything you want to talk about?"
Scott paused for a moment, contemplating whether or not he should tell his father what Brains had told him just a couple of nights earlier in the lab. He opened his mouth to begin, though quickly shut it once more. "No, I'm alright, Dad," he affirmed, not wanting to upset his father even more. "Just worn out." Smiling weakly at his father, he hoped that Jeff wouldn't press any further. He groaned inwardly when he saw his father was going to pursue the issue, though was surprised when he also shut his mouth once more. Standing up, Jeff nodded.
"Alright," he sighed again. "But honestly, Scott, if you want to talk, I'm here for you."
Scott smiled at his father, giving a slight nod. "Alright, Dad," he said quietly. "Thanks."
Jeff seemed as though he was tempted to question his son further, though he squeezed Scott's shoulder reassuringly instead. Smiling, he silently turned and reentered the villa.
Sighing, Scott fell back onto the pool chair. Brains, please hurry…We need him back…