Armando made a little face of distaste. I was supposed to be drafted like everyone else. But the government wanted me to try to finish my grand invention. One that would be incredibly useful to the war effort. They gave me one last chance to make it work.

What was it? Oliver asked. He remembered the pages of his inventors book. Theyd mentioned that Armando was working on a time machine before the war had stalled his efforts. Was that what he meant?

Armando shook his head. It never worked, so it doesnt matter.

He seemed even more morose. Oliver felt bad for bringing up a past failure that he was clearly still touchy about.

Never say never, he said in an attempt to bring the inventor back to his normal happy level. Perhaps tomorrow will be the day you find the missing piece.

But rather than cheering him, Olivers words seemed to make Armando even more sad. He sat slowly, his joints creaking.

Im running out of time, Oliver, he said. My days are numbered.

Oliver got the distinct impression that he wasnt just referring to his old age, but to something more specific, something on the horizon, perhaps something hed even had a premonition of.

Armando sighed wearily. He seemed to have completely run out of enthusiasm. With a sad voice, he said, I suppose that concludes the tour.

Oliver snapped to attention. He felt himself deflate. It couldnt be over. He didnt want this moment with his hero to draw to a close. He wanted to stay here forever, to never leave. But even as Armando stood and headed to the door, beckoning him to follow, Oliver just couldnt summon the courage to ask. He was tongue-tied all over again.

Silently, his throat thick from cowardice, Oliver followed Armando back into the long corridor. At one end was the door to the bedroom hed slept in last night. It had felt like his room, like he was always supposed to have been there. But they turned the opposite direction, away from that cozy room of comfort, heading for the main factory floor.

When they reached the main part of the factory, Oliver glanced about him with a sense of yearning. The sight of all the machines and the rafters filled with mechanical bats and birds still stunned him. To think of all these amazing machines Armando had created awed him. Bitterly, Oliver realized that hed never get a chance to work on them together with his hero.

Its been quite delightful meeting you, Oliver, Armando said then, offering his hand for Oliver to shake.

He was as polite as ever, but Oliver still sensed the melancholy in his voice. He shook the old inventors hand, willing himself to broach the topic of him staying but failing to even find the words.

Yes, was all he managed. Its been truly wonderful.