“Alright, gimme a second. Come on in.” Carlos stepped away from the flap of his tent to get his pack.
The tent was set up like a small laboratory with folding tables holding various instruments set up along the walls. There was a small cot in the corner and a lamp hanging in the center of the small ‘room’ the tent made. Carlos grabbed a pack that he used when he was out collecting samples and opened it to make sure he had a first aid kit and some water and snacks.
“How long has this kid been missing?” he asked David as he shut up the pack and pulled it on, getting ready to go.
David was curious about Carlos’s lab but he’s much too anxious about Max to pry. “N-Not long, Max normally storms off when he’s upset. I tried catching up to him but I tripped over one of our camper’s toys.”
“He’s a good kid, just troubled…” And he can’t speak about how worried he is of Max getting lost on his own in the woods. He just can’t handle it.
Carlos nodded, understanding. “I get it… we’ll have to keep our eyes and ears open then, in case he doesn’t actually want to be found.”
Carlos checked his shoes and then grabbed a baseball cap with ‘Science, Bitch’ written on it. He didn’t seem to notice the decal on the hat at all as he ran his hand backwards through his hair and pulled it on.
*he whines, tightly hugging the toy with tears in his eyes*
A: Papa, he won’t let go.
C: Oh – Angela, don’t take it from him. Hang on… *he reaches and tears off the tag and gives it to the cashier to scan*
*Max curiously watches as the cashier scans the items*
*Carlos moved to the pin machine and paid for the items. He then started loading up the cart with the bags* Alright, kids, let’s get going! Thank you! *he says to the cashier*
*he grabs into Carlos’ hand any chance he got, yawning again as the cart was filled*
*They leave the store and make it back to the car. Carlos opens the side door and reaches to pull Max out of the cart*
C: Angie, can you get me one of those diapers from the package please? And the wipes?
A: Okay, Papa! *she gets the things out and has them ready for him.*
*he tiredly hugs the other, almost dropping his stuffed animal* paps…
C: Shh… it’s okay, Max. You’re sleepy, aren’t you? Let’s get you changed and then we can wrap you up in your brand new blanket. *lays him down in the seat and grabs his toy, setting it right next to his head. He takes off the make-shift diaper he made and Angela hands him the wipes and new diaper*
*he whines, tightly hugging the toy with tears in his eyes*
A: Papa, he won’t let go.
C: Oh – Angela, don’t take it from him. Hang on… *he reaches and tears off the tag and gives it to the cashier to scan*
*Max curiously watches as the cashier scans the items*
*Carlos moved to the pin machine and paid for the items. He then started loading up the cart with the bags* Alright, kids, let’s get going! Thank you! *he says to the cashier*
*he grabs into Carlos’ hand any chance he got, yawning again as the cart was filled*
*They leave the store and make it back to the car. Carlos opens the side door and reaches to pull Max out of the cart*
C: Angie, can you get me one of those diapers from the package please? And the wipes?
A: Okay, Papa! *she gets the things out and has them ready for him.*
*he whines, tightly hugging the toy with tears in his eyes*
A: Papa, he won’t let go.
C: Oh – Angela, don’t take it from him. Hang on… *he reaches and tears off the tag and gives it to the cashier to scan*
*Max curiously watches as the cashier scans the items*
*Carlos moved to the pin machine and paid for the items. He then started loading up the cart with the bags* Alright, kids, let’s get going! Thank you! *he says to the cashier*
*he
tries to chew on a few but is usually stopped, he likes few of the toys
brought to him, but clings to one of the stuffed animals Angie brought
over*
A: Papa, he likes this one!
C: Ooh, that’s great! I’ll get that for him then. Find a teething ring too, will you honey? I think I’m almost done here.
A: Okay! *she finds a little soft plastic ring with liquid and glitter inside and puts it in the cart*
*he yawns, tiredly looking at the rest toys and watching as Angie put the teething ring in the cart*
*Angie walks to the front of the cart and peers at Max* Hey, Maxy. You getting sleepy?
*grumpy lil tired baby noises*
C: I think he’s about done here. So am I – let’s go get these things paid for and get him into a real diaper. *he moves to start pushing the cart to the register*
*he reachs up for Carlos again, cooing softly*
*Carlos smiles and offers him his hand to hold* We’re almost out of here, buddy – I promise. Angie – put things up on the counter for me honey?
A: Okay, Papa!
*tinyest hands holds his hand, Max makes random noises*
C: Hey, buddy. Gimme a second, I need to get my wallet out, okay? *he pulls his hand away and gets out his wallet.*
*Angie reaches for Max’ toy to put it on the belt*
*he
tries to chew on a few but is usually stopped, he likes few of the toys
brought to him, but clings to one of the stuffed animals Angie brought
over*
A: Papa, he likes this one!
C: Ooh, that’s great! I’ll get that for him then. Find a teething ring too, will you honey? I think I’m almost done here.
A: Okay! *she finds a little soft plastic ring with liquid and glitter inside and puts it in the cart*
*he yawns, tiredly looking at the rest toys and watching as Angie put the teething ring in the cart*
*Angie walks to the front of the cart and peers at Max* Hey, Maxy. You getting sleepy?
*grumpy lil tired baby noises*
C: I think he’s about done here. So am I – let’s go get these things paid for and get him into a real diaper. *he moves to start pushing the cart to the register*
*he reachs up for Carlos again, cooing softly*
*Carlos smiles and offers him his hand to hold* We’re almost out of here, buddy – I promise. Angie – put things up on the counter for me honey?
“Hello there! Um…this is awkward. Have you seen a young boy runs across here? He’s small, poofy hair, wearing a blue hoodie?” David had knocked despite himself. He heard about a scientist researching the volcano near by but he never had the chance to actually swing by and say hello until now.
Carlos looked to the younger man with a concerned frown. “I have not,” he admitted. “But… do you need help looking for him? A kid shouldn’t be wandering around in the woods on his own.”
‘That would be a lot of help actually.” He’s been searching for half an hour. “Max can be bit of a handful especially when it’s mail day. I had planned on taking him out to make up for it but he already took off before I could ask.”
“Alright, gimme a second. Come on in.” Carlos stepped away from the flap of his tent to get his pack.
The tent was set up like a small laboratory with folding tables holding various instruments set up along the walls. There was a small cot in the corner and a lamp hanging in the center of the small ‘room’ the tent made. Carlos grabbed a pack that he used when he was out collecting samples and opened it to make sure he had a first aid kit and some water and snacks.
“How long has this kid been missing?” he asked David as he shut up the pack and pulled it on, getting ready to go.
The Perfect Scientist 
