Socks fitted the brass gear into the empty socket.

It settled into place with a satisfying click.

He pulled the lever.

The device whirred to life as everyone gathered around to watch.

Chef Crumbs still carried his cookies. Mo’s mug rested safely on the blanket. Dozer remained asleep beside the commotion.

The device worked.

Mostly.

“I can fix the rest,” Socks said. “Probably.”

Then everyone noticed the golden-yellow pencil lying beside the machine.

It had three unusual teal marks near the end.

No one immediately recognized it.

The missing gear had been found, but a new, much smaller mystery had just appeared.