Come on, Lucas pressed.

Finally, with some reluctance, Oliver stood and headed for the door. Lucas stopped him at the threshold, hand outstretched, palm up.

I think youre forgetting something, he said.

The invisibility fabric. Oliver still had it clenched in his hand. The last thing he wanted to do was hand it over to Lucas.

I can keep it safe myself, he said. Ill show Armando as soon as hes ready.

Lucas didnt budge an inch. Oliver realized then that it wasnt up for discussion. Lucas was taking the fabric whether Oliver wanted him to or not. With a heavy sigh, he held out his hand and dropped the fabric into Lucass palm. Just as before, a little square of invisibility appeared in the middle of his hand, making Oliver blink with the illogicalness of it.

Lucas turned the current on and off several times, staring as the patch of invisibility appeared then disappeared. Finally, he shoved the whole contraption in his pocket.

The broom is in the kitchen, he said, his lips twitching into another one of his sly smirks. Im taking a break. When I get back, I want the factory floor spotless.

He stalked away hurriedly.

With an uneasy feeling about handing his invention over to Lucas, Oliver went to the kitchen to fetch the broom. He headed out to the factory floor dragging it behind him, the sensation of disquiet growing inside of him.

He reached the workbench and started to sweep. But that feeling in the back of his mind that something was amiss kept growing.

Suddenly, it occurred to him what the issue was. Lucas. He didnt trust him to hand the invisibility coat over to Armando at all. Hed always seemed out to get Oliver. Then it dawned on Oliver. What if Lucas was going to claim credit for his invention?

Oliver dropped the broom. It clattered to the floor as he ran, full pelt, across the factory, heading for Armandos office. But of course the winding, mazelike corridors were too incomprehensible for him to navigate. He got lost, running around in circles, growing more and more confused.

Then he heard voicesArmandos and Lucass. He followed the direction they were coming from. They became louder and louder as he reached a door that stood ajar.

Oliver was about to push the door open when he heard what Lucas was saying.

I cracked it this morning. Stayed up all night. Can you believe it? After all those people trying, Im the one to solve invisibility!

Oliver gasped, horrified. Lucas was taking credit for his invention!

Through the door he caught a glimpse of Lucas with the small piece of invisible cloth in his hand.

I am very impressed, came Armandos voice.

Oliver couldnt believe what he was seeing and hearing. Lucas had backstabbed him! He was taking credit for Olivers hard work and Armando was falling for it!