STUCK: IT'S ABOUT TO GET VERY WEIRD

We all just stare at the gaping hole, and I feel numb.

Suddenly Sam breaks the silence. "Hey, you guys, wake up! We gotta hide! They might still be here!"

Sam has shaken us out of it, and we dive into the bushes nearby and hide. We sit quietly for a long time, watching the little remaining fires around the hole burn down until they are gone. Nothing seems to be happening here anymore, and time is slipping away.

"I think they're gone," Tom says, climbing out of the bushes and slumping on a log. "That machine was our only chance. Our plan doesn't work without it. What are we going to do now?"

I listen to the sadness in Tom's voice, and it unnerves me that he sounds so defeated. He has been through a lot, and he never gave up before. I think about how much I've been through, and Ben too.

"Listen," I start, "I've been chased by a killer robot, travelled across dimensions five times, fought off a horde of Bug-cCrunchers, and built a time machine tower out of junk. We are NOT going to give up now. We can figure it out."

Ben jumps in, "Yeah Sieraaaaaah! Figure it out, just figure it out!"

"But we don't have a machine!" Tom shouts. "It's gone, don't you see?"

"What about the power coming in?" I ask, climbing around in the wreckage. "Can't we hook into that?"

"No, they would have cut it off. They're not stupid."

"Oh I'd like to cut THEM off!" Sam grumbles, shaking her little fist. "Just one shot to the kisser, just one!"

Ben is grinning at Sam. "Yeah yeah, one shot! I'm with you Sammy, one shot, just one shot!"

Sam and Ben bump fists and cross their arms and stand there like a couple of gangsters.

I'm still going through it in my head, trying to figure it out. We built a machine from nothing before, there has to be a way. "Look, we just need another power source. Isn't there a power box or tower or something in town somewhere?"

Tom gets up and starts rubbing his chin. "Well, there is one place by the school, but it's right out in the open. Everyone will see us."

"But can't we just hook in at the last minute? Like get the wire all ready and then lure them in and BOOM, it's done," I say. "Because even if everyone sees, they won't know what's going on until it's too late."

Tom starts to pace around more quickly. This is what I wanted to see. This is good; he's thinking again.

"There is a green power box by the crosswalk." he starts. "If we took wrenches and removed the cover, there should be connectors in there. I watched one being installed when they were building the neighborhood about ten years ago. Thankfully, you still have the wire. But you'll have to be quick, and I'm not even sure which connectors to hook to."

"If we don't try it, nothing will matter." I say. "Besides, you can help me figure out the power box."

"No." says Tom.

"Why not?"

"Because we'll be getting Principal Wanigas and the robot. It'll be up to you."

"Okay, I'll figure it out," I answer.

Tom gets everyone to gather around, and he starts explaining and drawing out a plan in the dirt with a stick.

"Sierra, you go to my garage and get some tools, then head for the power box. Once you're there, remove the cover and set up a Potentium ring around the box and out in a circle in the grass in front of it. Then take the two ends of the loop and pick out which two connectors you think are the right ones, and connect one. Hold the other one and wait.