Unpopular Science

Epilogue

After his long trip home, Jack Fast was shocked by what he found there. There was crime scene tape around the museum. The interior of the museum proper was in shambles—although the gift shop looked untouched! There was crime scene tape across the entrance to the Fastbinder house, as well, and inside were ruins.

The depression in the floor, and the one major piece of unaccounted-for equipment, told Jack Fast exactly what had happened to his father. The assassins came and Fastbinder tried to escape using the most dangerous possible method.

“Aw, Pops, ya dope. I told you it was a death trap.”

Jack’s girlfriend appeared around eleven that night and ran into his arms. Nancy was overjoyed to find him alive.

“The police came and couldn’t find any clue about what happened, Jack, and they couldn’t find you or your dad. Where were you? You could have called!” Eventually she overcame her anger. They slept in the cool, peaceful ruins inside the old warehouse. Jack Fast was one tired kid.

But he woke up when he heard the clink of metal on metal, and sat bolt upright. Then he couldn’t hear the sound anymore.

When he laid back down, he heard it. Faint, coming from beneath.

Jack Fast grinned, his mind already working at lightning speed, planning his next amazing feat of engineering.

“I’m coming for you, Pops!”