12 Hours

" Ok, we need to stop goofing around," I said.

" You know this always happens, we are having a good time then my watch ruins it," said Bryson.

" Unfortunately." I sighed.

" So do we have a game plan?" he asked.

I gave him a blank expression.

" I thought we were just gonna wing it?" I replied.

Bryson looked at me and scoffed at my comment.

" You thought we were going to wing this mission?" he asked.

" Kinda......" I mumbled.

" Well we're not going to do that, we actually need a plan," Bryson said.

" Why don't you come up with it?" I said.

" No no no, I've done enough. I came up with the idea to come up with a plan, you can do the rest," said Bryson.

I shook my head.

" Sure, we should probably see what we're up against." I proposed.

" We're up against robots."

" Obviously." I mocked.

" Shouldn't I be saying that to you?" Bryson said bluntly.

I gave him a death stare.

" Nevermind, proceed," he said.

" We are up against robots, but we are facing different ones. These robots can talk and interact with each other." I said.

" Why don't we just trick them?" Bryson asked.

"I don't think we can trick robots that turned paper dollars into electric dollars that easily, but if you wanna try I'm not stopping you," I said.

Bryson looked at the city then looked back at me.

" How hard could it be?" said Bryson.

Bryson turned around and started to head towards robot city, then he suddenly stopped.

" Nevermind, this is a two-person job," he said.

I shook my head and sighed.

" There is no possible way to get past all these robots without getting caught," I said.

" Never say never," he said.

" I never said never."

" Ha! You just said it!" Bryson said.

" Keep it up and it won't be the robots that kill you, " I said while glaring at him.

" Sourpuss." Bryson laughed.

He reminded me of my little sister because of how annoying he was being. But sometimes my sister made me die of laughter. I started to tear up because I missed her, and knowing that she woke up and I wasn't there was heartbreaking.

" Hey, you ok?" Bryson asked.

" Yeah." I sniffed.

" Sorry if my annoyingness made you cry, didn't know it could affect someone that way," he said.

I busted out laughing with tears rolling down my face.

" Or that way either," Bryson said.

" You're such an idiot." I joked.

" I'm am extremely confused right now, what is going on?" he said.

" Just a teen girl getting into her teen feelings," I sighed.

Bryson opened his bag and started to go through it.

" Are you looking for something?" I asked

" Well we have all these gadgets that the boss man gave us that could probably help us, so I am going to see what each and every one of them do," he said.

Bryson pulled out a blue and silver gun with a clear tube in the middle filled with blue goo.

" What is that?" I asked.

" I don't know but it looks dope, which means it obviously does something cool," said Bryson.

I started to search through my bag as well to see if I had any cool gadgets like Bryson. I found a leather watch, but there was something different about it. You know how a normal watch has three moving hands inside them? Well, this watch had twelve, and they were all the same color.

" Ha, you got some derpy watch in your bag!" Bryson laughed.

I rolled my eyes and then I started to analyze the watch. On the side of it, it had this tiny button that had groves all around it.

" I bet you it does something super cool like telling time." Bryson laughed.

I rolled my eyes then pushed the button with my finger, and suddenly Bryson stopped laughing. As a matter of fact, I stopped hearing sounds completely. I looked up and Bryson was frozen, well not exactly. He was moving but he was moving very very slowly. I looked down at my hands and started moving them and I realized I was moving fine. Then I looked at the watch again and realized that watch hands were moving.

" The watch slows downtime!" I said excitedly.

The watch's hands suddenly sped up then stopped moving and everything went back to normal.

" W-what the heck Alex!" Bryson said.

Bryson seemed like he was out of breath for some reason.

" Are you ok? You're like out of breath." I asked.

" I don't know, I was laughing then all of a sudden I started laughing slower and I started to run out of breath," he said.

" Wow," I said in awe.

" Wow?! I almost died and you respond with wow?" Bryson said.

" Sorry, I'm sorry you almost died but this watch literally stopped time."

" That derpy watch stopped time?" Bryson asked.

" Yeah, that's what you call freaking dope!" I said.

" Wait did it stop time just in this area or everywhere?" Bryson asked.

" Everywhere! It was amazing!" I said.

" Wow, I think you beat my gun," said Bryson.

" I think this has turned into a contest," I said.

" This is fun, plus we need to learn what these things can do and how they can help us," he said.

Bryson and I started to go through our bags and pull out gadgets so we could go through them and see what they do.

" Ok, I found this round, black object that has a scale-like texture to it," Bryson said.

" I found these contacts that have blue and black rings on the outside of the pupil," I said.

" I found a water bottle filled with red dust," he said.

" What?" I asked.

" Yeah, that's what I said in my head." Bryson laughed.

" I think we've learned about enough gadgets for now," I said.

" Just in case, put the gadget you think is most helpful in your pocket," said Bryson.

I nodded my head and looked at the watch.

" I think I'll keep this watch in my pocket," I said.

" I think I'm gonna keep this black, flat disc-like object on me," Bryson said.

" So now that we've gone through our gadgets and picked out favorites, what do we do next?" Bryson asked.

" First we need to get into smart robot character," I said.

"Check."

" Then we uh, then we....we locate the cameras!" I said.

" Locate every single camera in this building?" Bryson asked.

" No...I actually didn't think this far ahead." I said.

" Obviously. We need to figure out where the source is," he said.

" Nah dip Sherlock." I mocked.

Bryson looked at me and rolled his eyes.

" Shut up," he said.

" That's kinda the whole point we're on this mission," I said.

" The only idea I have is that we have to search every room," said Bryson.

" No way am I doing that," I said.

" What do you mean, no way? You have to," he said.

" Why can't we just trick a robot into telling us?" I asked.

We paused for a second.

" That's actually a good idea," Bryson said.

" Yeah, I know. I realized that after it came out of my mouth." I said.

" I think you have better ideas when you don't mean to say them," said Bryson with his hand on his chin.

" Whatever." I laughed.

" So we are going to need a robot in order for this plan to work," Bryson said.

We both stopped and looked back at the robot city.

" Being that we both looked back at the same time, I'm guessing we're thinking the same thing," said Bryson.

" If we need a robot, we can definitely find one in there," I said.

" We're gonna walk in there.....looking like this?" Bryson asked.

" What else are we gonna look like walking in there?" I asked.

Then I started to smell paint and I'm guessing Bryson did too because we both looked to the right and saw this room where robots were getting sprayed down with metallic paint.

" Like that," Bryson said.

" I hope we don't have to do that naked," I said.

" That's seriously what you're thinking about right now?" Bryson asked.

" Well yeah. They are automatically naked, but we have clothes and we can't paint our clothes silver too." I said.

" Crap," Bryson said.

" Now do you see why I was thinking that?" I asked.

" Yeah but it's still weird that that was your first thought," he said.

" That wasn't my first thought," I said.

" Then what was your first thought?" he asked.

" Does it matter?" I asked.

Bryson shook his head.

" I guess not, no," he said.

" So are we gonna do it?" I asked.

" Yeah, it's our only option," he said.

" I don't wanna go through this again." I sighed.

Bryson and I walked up to the room where the robots got sprayed down with paint. When you walk in, to the left of you there is a digital screen that has two options, permanent or temporary.

" We are getting temporary right?" Bryson asked.

" Yeah, unless you wanna look like a robot forever."

" Hecks no! I don't wanna be a brainless creature," he said.

I accidentally laughed when he said that because I said something funny in my head.

" What's so funny?" Bryson asked.

" Nothing." I lied.

Bryson turned around and folded his arms.

" You're lying," he said.

" It's nothing Bryson," I said.

" It's about me isn't it?" said Bryson.

" Who else would it be about?" I asked.

" Oh, so it is me?!" he said.

" Shoot," I whispered.

" I won't start this process until you tell me," he declared.

" Fine! I was going to say you already are one." I said.

" You--"

" At least I didn't say it. I was actually being nice for once." I interrupted.

" True." he agreed.

" Ok, you have to keep your end of the bargain," I said.

" What?" he asked.

" Start the process." I sighed.

Bryson nodded his head.

" Right," said Bryson.

Bryson walked over to the screen and pressed temporary.

" So we have a slight problem," said Bryson.

" What is it?" I asked.

" So it asked if there were one or two robots, I obviously pressed two," he said.

" I'm not seeing the problem here," I said.

" Well it's more of a question than a problem, but if you look at it from a different perspective it could be a problem," he said.

" Just spit it out Bryson, we don't have time to waste."

" Well it says we can go together or separate," said Bryson.

" Obviously separate!" I exclaimed.

Bryson nodded his head and pressed separate. The machine began to make sounds.

" Your paint job will commence when a robot enters the machine." said the machine.

Bryson turned and looked at me.

" Who's going first?" Bryson asked.

" Doesn't matter to me," I shrugged.

"I guess I'll go first," he said.

He took his shirt off first, then his pants but then he stopped.

" You better not--" he said.

" I'm not looking you goof," I said.

He laughed and continued to take off his pants. He finally finished, and I say finally because it took him a while to take his pants and shoes off. Then I heard him step on the machine.

" I'm a little scared Alex," he said.

" Awe, lil ol' Bryson is scared." I joked.

" I'm serious, I've never had a paint job done to me butt naked," he said.

" Me either, but I'm doing this too," I said.

I could hear the machine preparing to spray him down.

" Oh crud, it's starting," he said.

" Keep your mouth closed," I said.

I could hear the paint being sprayed onto him, and it sounded pretty painful. The sound reminded me of the noise a chainsaw makes when it cuts a tree. I actually felt bad for Bryson.

" Holy crap that's cold!" Bryson yelled.

" Did it hurt?" I asked.

" Yeah, it hurt! It felt like I was constantly getting slapped with a ten-pound catfish all over my body. But it did feel good on the butt." he said.

" You're so weird." I cringed.

" Ok, I'm done so you can...you know....do your thing," Bryson said.

" Undress, the word is undress," I said.

" I didn't wanna say it," he said.

" It's not like it's an offensive word or anything," I said.

" I know, it's just awkward to say," he said.

" Whatever Bryson. " I laughed.

I took my shirt and pants off, then I took out my ponytail.

" You better not be looking," I said.

" Don't worry I'm holding back," he said.

I got quiet.

" Joking," he said.

I sighed and continued to strip down. I felt myself shaking with embarrassment. I'd never gotten naked in front of a guy before.

" You naked yet?" he asked.

" Yeah...." I mumbled.

" Well do yourself the favor and step on the machine please," he said.

I nodded my head and sighed.

" Right," I said.

I stepped onto the area where footprints were, and the machine began making sounds. The machine looked like a treadmill and worked like one too. When it started, it sprayed me down with some oiling substance then it began to spray me with the metallic paint. Bryson was right, it was cold.

" Mother of God! It is cold." I yelled.

Bryson bust out laughing.

" Laughing at my pain now are we?" I said.

" Sorry," he said.

When I stepped off the machine, I looked up at Bryson and I saw him quickly turn his head.

" You dressed yet?" I asked.

" Uhm, no," he mumbled.

" You had plenty of time to get dressed," I said.

" Sorry, I was just thinking of how we could trick the robots." he lied.

" Sure," I said sarcastically.

I walked over to where my clothes were, and before I put them on, I lightly patted all over myself to make sure I was dry. Once I confirmed I was dry, I proceeded to put my clothes.

" Ok, I'm fully clothed are you done yet?" Bryson asked.

" Just about, you can look through. I have my undershirt and pants on." I said.

Bryson sighed in relief then turned around.

" Whoa! You look really weird," he said.

" I look weird? Look at yourself." I said.

We both laughed at each other. Every inch of Bryson's body was silver. His eyelids, lips, ears and even his hair was silver.

" We may not look exactly like robots, but we will definitely fit in," Bryson said.

" We look like wannabe robots," I said.

" We are wannabe robots." Bryson laughed.

I nodded my head in agreement.

" We should probably get going," I said.

" I'm kinda embarrassed," said Bryson.

" Embarrassed by what?" I asked.

" We look like children dressing up for Halloween," he said.

I rolled my eyes, got my stuff together and headed outside.

" You should feel embarrassed too you know," he said.

" Whatever Bryson." I sighed.

" You know what."

" What?" I asked.

" I think those are your favorite two words to say," he said.

I looked at him and gave him a confused look.

" What two words?" I asked.

" Whatever Bryson," he said.

" They are not!" I said.

" Are too." he shot back.

" Are not?" I said.

" Are too!" he repeated.

I rolled my eyes and walked away from him because I didn't feel like arguing over something so pointless. All though I did say those two words very often. Probably because Bryson constantly annoys me.

" Just admit it, you love my name," Bryson said.

I ignored his stupid comment.

" You can't ignore me forever," he said.

" Actually I can," I said.

" Ha! Told you so, you can't ignore me forever," he said.

Shoot. I looked at him and crossed my arms.

" Can you not be annoying for like one minute?" I asked.

" I am not annoying," he argued.

" Sure," I said.

" Why are you such a butt?" he asked.

" I am not a butt," I argued.

" Oh just how like I'm not annoying," he said.

"You're the one who said I loved your dumb name," I said.

" I was joking around."

" Well can you stop joking around? This mission is not a joke." I said.

" No one said it was," said Bryson.

I glared at him and grinded my teeth together.

" You know what, forget about it," I said.

" No, it's obviously bothering you," he said.

" No it's not bothering me, you're bothering me," I said.

I sighed then looked at Bryson longingly. Maybe he was right, maybe I was mean.

" Sorry Bryson." I sighed.

" Sorry? For what?" he asked.

" Your actually right, and you're normally always right," I said.

" Actually right?" he asked.

" I'm being serious Bryson," I said.

" See that's your problem, you're always so serious. I know this mission is serious but things fly by when you're having fun," said Bryson.

I decided to take Bryson's advice, maybe it was the time I actually loosen myself up a bit.

" Ok, maybe I will," I said as I straightened my posture.

" Maybe I will what?" he asked.

I grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer to me.

" Loosen up a bit, have fun," I whispered.

He looked down at me and grinned.

" Now that's what I'm talking about," he said.

" Now let's trick some robot butt," I said as I looked at the city.

I turned around and we both looked ahead of us at the crowded robot city. For the first time, I actually felt confident about what I was doing, I wasn't worried about all the possible things that could go wrong. It felt good to loosen up, it's a lot less stressful.

" So do you think they have like age groups?" Bryson asked.

" Like kids, teens, adults, and elders?" I asked.

" Yeah, what if they are all like the same age," he said.

" Well we did see robot children, so I think they have adult and children robots," I said.

" Oh yeah, I forgot about that," he said.

" So how do you want to approach them?" I asked.

" I don't know, I guess ask them about something technical," he suggested.

" I don't really know anything dealing with technology," I said.

" Really? I thought you would have known something about it."

" Why?" I asked.

" Because I guess I assumed you were into that kind of stuff," he said.

" I am into that kind of stuff......I just suck at it." I said.

" Alexandra Brown actually sucks at something?" Bryson asked.

" This is a one-time thing, don't think too much of it," I said pointing my finger in his face.

" Way to ruin vibes. Vibe killer. The bearer of bad vibes." he mocked.

" You done?" I asked.

" I don't know, I might come up with some more names for you." he teased.

I gave him a cold, deep death stare right into his soul.

" I think I'll just keep them in my head," he said.

" Good idea," I said sternly.

" Ok, I think we should go after a woman robot," said Bryson.

" Why a woman robot? Oh my gosh, don't tell your gonna try to get with her or something?" I said.

" No way!" he said.

" I don't know how they give birth here, but I don't think you want to find out," I said.

" Robots don't give birth."

" How would you know that?" I asked.

" Because that's just dumb. They would sound dumb when they gave birth," he said.

" How would they sound?" I asked.

" Oh my goodness, it's coming. Someone virtually call the medical robot doctor. Mother of metal, I can feel my metal hole opening." he said.

I busted out laughing. That was the best robot birth impersonation ever.

" You should be an actor, you would totally kill any audition you have," I said.

Bryson started laughing with me and began to make some more goofy impressions. Then he looked down at his watch and realized what time it was.

" God Alex, we keep getting off task, we need to find a robot," he said.

" Sorry......at least we got a quick breather," I said.

Bryson rolled his eyes and smiled then started walking towards the city.

" So, why do you actually wanna trick a woman instead of a man?" I asked.

" I don't wanna it aloud, it might be offensive to you," he said.

" Offensive?" I said with wonder.

" It's easier to trick a woman than it is a man, at least that's my opinion," he said.

" Sadly, I have to agree. They fall in love with someone when they help her get something from a high shelf in the store." I said.

" That is so true." he laughed.

" So are you going to try to woo her or something," I asked.

" So you do know guys?" he asked.

" No, but I've seen enough movies to know how it all plays out," I said.

" And what will you be doing? Standing there like an idiot?" he asked.

" No, I'll compliment her metal attire," I said.

" So I will woo, and you will compliment. This might actually work," said Bryson.

Bryson and I had finally entered the city and it felt like we had entered a whole new world. The atmosphere seemed so much more lively.

" Is it just me or does this place change your mood completely?" Bryson asked.

" No, it's not just you. I went from happy to super happy." I said.

" I feel like I could dance right now, and there isn't even music playing," said Bryson.

In the center of the plaza, there was a beautiful water fountain with crystal clear water, that shot into the air and cascaded back into the fountain.

On each side of the city, there were stairs that went inward to the heart of the city. On the first floor, there was just a simple park with few flowers, and I'm pretty sure the grass was fake.

" This looks way prettier than the grass in my front yard," said Bryson.

" This is amazing, I can't believe robots came up with such a beautiful design," I said in awe.

" I know right, they are way better at this than humans are," he said.

" Wow, we're insulting our own kind." I laughed.

" I mean it's true," Bryson said.

As we walked further into the city, more and more robots began to notice us. Some paused for a second and others didn't.

" I feel like we are the new kids in a school," said Bryson.

" We need to hurry up and find a robot," I said.

" Ok, which stairway do you wanna go up?" he asked.

I looked over and gave him a big grin.

" Why are you smiling?" he asked.

" You can go up the left, and I'll go up the right," I said.

" No."

" Yes," I said.

" No Alex."

" Yes, Alex," I said.

" Yes Alex?" he said.

" Ha! You said yes Alex!" I said.

" Hey! That's not fai--."

Before he could finish his sentence I took off running to the right stairway.

" Hey wait up," Bryson yelled.

I looked back and Bryson started running after me, but he didn't look happy. He looked irritated. He finally caught up with me at the top of the stairs.

" You ok?" I asked.

His face was red as a cherry and he was out of breath.

" Ever heard of an idiot?" he asked.

" Sorry, you did say loosen up," I said.

" That doesn't mean run up the stairs!" he said.

" Shhh! Keep your voice down, we are in the city now." I said.

" City my--"

" Bryson! Fine, I'm sorry. Just trying to have fun, geez." I said.

Bryson looked up at the ceiling and sighed.

" Let's just find a robot," he said.

You know when a group of people are laughing and you have no idea what they're laughing about and you want to be included, so you start laughing and they stop and you're the one looking dumb? That's how I felt.

" Sorry for getting mad, but you can't just do that to someone," he said.

" Yeah, sorry," I said while rubbing my neck.

It was really awkward between from that point on. I definitely pulled a string.

" Hey look, there's a woman. She looks like she's a young adult." I said.

All of a sudden Bryson's watch started to beep. You know what that means.

" Alex..." he said.

" Just say it, Bryson."

" We have eight hours left," Bryson said.