Hello again! Sorry people I had a very busy morning, and I work from 14:00 to 22:00, so I'm trying to update this in my free time.
Anyway, here's the new chapter for you! I've to admit, in this chapter appears an element I originally didn't thought I was going to put, (welp, it appeared on a dream in this same story), but someone commented in the original version if a part of the dream it'd also appear in the real situation it was going on, so I thought, welp, why not? And I put it. I hope you'll find out soon what I'm talking about, and I hope you'll like it
As always, I'd like to thank Empro-8 for helping me editing this story. Honestly, without her help this wouldn't be as good as it is, so thank you very much Empro-8 you're amazing!
Welp, I'll stop talking and let you read the chapter, enjoy it!
21.- Almost there
Beaks got out of the car immediately after parking. Five days had passed since his last visit to Huey. He positively knew, thanks to the number of strategically hidden cameras, that Graves had visited the boy constantly disguised as the various mansion's members.
Honestly, the Waddle's CEO was impatient for the moment when the hawk would appear as Gizmoduck. He constantly checked the camera feeds until he finally saw him in the superhero costume. It should be said that it was extremely funny to see how the falcon tried to move with that suit without losing his balance. To be honest, it was good that he practiced, since it wouldn't be very credible if he fell face down in front of the red-dressed triplet. Beaks remembered smiling when he saw Graves enter the room, with the clear intention of following the specific order he gave him. He was surprised afterwards when after a while he saw Graves leave the room and return with chains. Not even two minutes later he left again without them. What had Graves done with those chains? Also, after this, there had been some other moments that Graves had disguised himself as the superhero to visit Huey. Usually when he brought food to the boy.
Actually, Mark was intrigued to know everything. Entering the building, the only thing the Waddle's CEO focused on was finding his employee, which didn't take long, the hawk seemed to hear him coming, or perhaps saw him park. The point is that Graves came to meet him saying:
"Mr. Beaks, if you've already arrived, does that mean I have to disappear from view, haven't I?"
Mark smiled widely and cheerfully, replied:
"Yes, you're right, but before answer this question, what were the chains for?"
Graves's eyes widened in surprise and after awkwardly clearing his throat, said:
"The chains... what? But how have-? Do you have cameras spying on me?"
With a confident smile, the gray parrot crossed his arms and proudly proclaimed:
"Naturally, after all, this building is my baby. I have the right to know how much is happening here."
Graves rolled his eyes, although Beaks ignored him. He then spluttered something that Beaks couldn't understand, although the CEO of Waddle didn't care. He only cared about one thing, so speaking in a slightly impatient voice he said:
"Well?"
Graves looked at him for a few moments, as if he didn't know what Beaks was talking about. Finally, his mind seemed to realize it and he began to explain:
"Ah yes, about the chains... I thought it would be more mortifying for the boy if he kept seeing the ashes mountain of what his cap was, but without being able to reach them."
Mark's eyes widened in surprise. But it was a pleasant, jovial surprise. Still recovering from what Graves had just said, he asked:
"So, you mean that you've completely immobilized him?"
The hawk shook his head and explained:
"Not exactly, I've put shackles on his wrists, with chains that connect him to the wall. It allows him a certain degree of movement, but it doesn't allow him to reach the pile of ashes."
Beaks looked away and began to say:
"That's…"
Graves's face contorted a little, perhaps because he feared he did wrong. With some apprehension the hawk asked:
"Have I exceeded myself?"
Beaks quickly looked back at the hawk smiling broadly and rushed to reply:
"No, on the contrary. It's magnificent! It's like putting salt on the wound. It may have had a strong effect on the boy's mind. I'll have to evaluate him first, but... it could be that Huey is already... prepared enough to get him out of here."
Something that seemed to be hope flashed in the falcon's eyes, and with some excitement, asked:
"Does that mean...?"
The Waddle's CEO nodded and replied:
"Yes, your work would be over. You could go. But I'll say that after studying the boy and his way of reacting to me."
Graves nodded at the gray parrot's last words. Then concluded the conversation:
"Okay, I get it. Do what you've to do then. I will get out of boy's sight."
Beaks nodded one last time saying:
"Yes, I'll take care of everything from now. But before... one last question."
Graves raised an eyebrow, a gesture that Beaks took as an opening to continue talking, so he asked:
"What else have you done to the boy dressed as Gizmoduck?"
Graves's eyes widened in surprise and with slight nervousness, he began:
"I... uh..."
Beaks narrowed his eyes and in a moderately impatient voice urged the falcon to continue:
"Come on, tell me."
The larger bird sighed and then replied:
"I took the food to him, but leave it too far away from him for him to take it."
Beaks was shocked for a few moments. Falcon seemed to have taken his orders seriously. When the gray parrot regained the speak ability, simply said:
"Oh Graves, that's cold."
Graves sighed again and speaking tensely responded to that comment:
"You told me to save the worst deals for the boy for when he dressed up as Gizmoduck, and this is what I came up with."
It seemed as if Graves believed he went too far doing this. But actually, each of those actions the Falcon had taken against the red-dressed triplet was like music to Beaks's ears. It was just… magnificent, and this was stated by the Waddle's CEO saying:
"No, it's okay. I'm looking forward to seeing how that has affected him."
Those words seemed to reassure the hawk, who speaking calmly than before said:
"So, I guess it means I'm leaving now."
Beaks responded:
"Yes, we'll talk later."
After say that, Graves walked down the hall, disappearing from view. Beaks for his part inhaled and exhaled the joyfully. Everything seemed to be turning out even better than he had expected. Mark headed towards where Huey was locked up. It was time to evaluate Falcon's work in this new process' phase.
When he reached the door, he stopped for a moment. Before entering, he'd to put on his "concerned mask" that boy. When he thought he was ready, frowned and threw open the door to the room.
Inside the little room, he found Huey, half incorporated with a deep fearful expression on his face. The boy had probably been sleeping, or at least trying to. But upon hearing the door open, he soon sat up, scared of what might happen to him now.
The boy's frightened face reflected slight confusion when saw it was Mark and not Graves who appeared. Beaks saw immediately that as the hawk had told him, the duckling had hoops on his wrists. These cuffs were connected with chains to the wall behind him. And there, there was a pile of ashes that Beaks assumed was what was left of the boy's cap.
As Falcon had said, the chains that limited the boy's movements didn't allow him to reach the pile of ashes, allowing the boy to have a clear view of them, but couldn't pick them up, push them away or scatter them. It was like a constant reminder of what he'd lost. Something truly cruel... fantastic!
Beaks plunged into his paper and after a sharp inhalation, cried in anguish:
"Huey? My poor boy! What have they done to you?!"
The fear that until then had adorned Huey's face disappeared and was replaced by relief. That pleased the gray parrot, it pleased him very much. It really seemed that the duckling saw him as his savior. Someone he could trust. Someone who'd rid him of torment... perfect!
Beaks suppressed a smile. He couldn't allow the boy to see through his facade. Instead, the Waddle's CEO knelt at the red-dressed duckling side and took out the key that Graves had given him just before 'disappearing'. He removed the handcuffs to the boy. Once free, the duckling looked at him with tears in his eyes and immediately, threw himself into Beaks' arms. He was crying and trembling.
Mark was momentarily surprised by that action. But honestly, it was exactly what he wanted. The gray parrot smiled cruelly as he hugged the boy back. Huey naturally didn't see it. Thinking about what the boy had just done, Beaks realized that if the duckling had no qualms about hugging him and seeking solace in him, that might mean that he trusted him or at least tolerated him enough to want Beaks' help.
Maybe it was a bit early to assume it, but it could be that Huey was ready to go back to Duckburg... yes, of course. Why not? There was a way to check whether or not the boy was ready to go. The gray parrot rose from the ground, carrying the kid with him. Huey hugged Beaks tightly. He seemed to not want to be separated from him. This was the exact results he wanted!
The gray parrot, like last time, first brought the boy to the bathroom for the boy to groom himself. Once there, Huey was reluctant to enter alone. He only agreed to do so when Beaks agreed to speak to him through the door the entire time the duckling was grooming.
At lunchtime something similar happened. Huey ate. But he constantly looked at Beaks, just to make sure the parrot was still there. That he hadn't abandoned him. Beaks made mental notes of everything thinking to add it later to his progress sheet.
When Huey finally finished eating, Beaks led him to the same room that he had occupied the last time he was there. Upon entering that room, Mark gently led Huey to the desk and motioned for him to sit in the chair. The Waddle's CEO bent down to be at the duckling's eye level and speaking worriedly (in his modest opinion, quite realistic), asked:
"Tell me Huey, what happened?"
Huey deliberately looked away, remaining stubbornly silent. Slightly annoyed, the gray parrot tried again:
"Come on Huey, I can't help you if you don't tell me."
The boy closed his eyes and speaking in a trembling voice said:
"It... it was Graves..."
Mark feigned surprise asking almost instantly:
"Graves?"
The boy nodded and continued explaining:
"Yes, I-I... I don't know why he did it... but suddenly he appeared d-dressed like Uncle Donald and-and-"
The boy stopped talking and started shaking again. His eyes were still closed, so he couldn't see the satisfied face that Beaks had, although the Waddle's CEO knew he had to be careful. He couldn't allow the boy see him rejoicing in his pain. It would ruin everything. So, the gray parrot cleared his throat and feigning be worried, asked:
"What's up, Huey?"
Huey visibly cringed and after trying to speak several times, finally managed to answer:
"He locked me up again in that- that-"
"That place." Beaks concluded.
The older triplet opened his eyes and nodded. It was clear that he was going to cry at any moment.
Well, it was time to take a risk. Taking a breath, the parrot asked:
"And why did your uncle take you there?"
Huey's head quickly turned to look at Beaks, and speaking surprisedly, said:
"M-my uncle? No… it wasn't him… it was… Graves…"
Oh man… Huey could still clearly discern difference between his employee and his family. It was clear that the boy needed more time for his mind to get confused enough that he would no longer see a difference between either. Trying to hide his disappointment at that fact, the parrot hastened to say:
"Yeah, sorry, my bad. *cough, cough* Why did he lock you up?"
Huey lowered his head and tremblingly explained:
"H-he said it was where someone l-like me deserved to be."
"What?!" Beaks exclaimed, feigning deep surprise (super realistic reaction by the way).
The duckling closed his eyes and weakly said:
"That w-was what he said… and then..."
"What else has happened?" Mark asked again in an alarmed tone.
The boy trembled again and answered the question explaining:
"He... he came to see me... in costume and every time he came... he... he..."
"Has hurt you?" asked the parrot with feigned concern when saw that the boy was again silent and unable to finish his sentence.
At the question, Huey nodded and replied:
"With his words..."
Mark narrowed his eyes. He knew that the boy hadn't told everything. But he also seemed to need a push to finish telling what had happened. So, after clearing his throat again, Beaks asked:
"Is there something else?"
Huey's trembling worsened and Beaks realized that his breathing had quickened. Beaks was about to ask but before he could do it Huey spoke up first:
"Yes... but I... no... I don't want-"
Beaks sighed and explained:
"Huey, it isn't good that you keep those things for yourself. Come on, tell me."
The older triplet inhaled and exhaled several times, probably to calm his nerves, and finally replied:
"Graves disguised himself as Gizmoduck and burned my cap."
"He did this?" Beaks asked in a shocked voice.
The Waddle's CEO saw the boy nod at the same time as there were tears streaming down his face, despite his closed eyes, magnificent!
He hugged the trembling duckling, Beaks spoke tenderly:
"Oh, my poor boy… I'm sorry this happened to you. But, are you sure it really was Graves?"
Huey's eyes widened and he answered almost immediately:
"Y-yes it was him." then he looked away and sounding less convinced, added:
"It can't be anyone else..."
Arching an eyebrow, the gray parrot asked:
"Are you sure about that?"
The boy didn't answer, his gaze fell on the ground. It was as if he was internally debating with the possibility that it wasn't really Graves who was responsible for all the damage that had been done to him. Maybe… maybe the boy was ready to go back to Duckburg. Beaks decided then to do the final test:
"Huey... I think there is a way to... prevent this from happening again," he said to the boy. The duckling immediately looked up at the parrot with hopeful eyes while asking:
"R-Really?"
"Yes." replied the CEO.
The shadow of a smile began to form on Huey's features and then he asked:
"How? How could you prevent this from happening again?"
Beaks smiled widely, if he could get what he wanted, the boy would be his forever. So, he said:
"We can avoid it if you do something for me."
Speaking excited, the duckling asked:
"What... what do I have to do?"
Smiling more than before, Beaks began to say:
"You just have to..." he took out a document and a pen and handing them to Huey concluded:
"Sign this contract."
He put the contract on the table and handed the pen to Huey. The duckling took the utensil and slowly and shakily brought it closer to the paper, only stopping an inch or two from it.
"Come on, just a signature," encouraged the Waddle's CEO anxiously.
The tip of the pen moved a little closer to the paper, but suddenly, Beaks saw Huey's eyes open momentarily before closing as the boy said:
"I... I c-can't-"
"Why not?!" Mark suddenly yelled angrily. Huey immediately opened his eyes and looking at the gray parrot with deep fear, he tried to explain himself:
"I-I'm sorry... b-but legally only Uncle Donald could sign it."
Beaks straightened up and closing his eyes took several deep breaths to calm his momentary fit of anger. He couldn't show anger at the boy. Not yet! Before he had to get the boy to be a submissive servant, a slave who wouldn't dare to disobey him, and it was clear that he hadn't yet achieved that goal. He had to be... patient, even if it was almost impossible for him.
Opening his eyes again, the Waddle's CEO looked at the boy sadly and tried to calm him explaining:
"I'm sorry to have yelled at you Huey. I have had... a very stressful day, and what you've told me about what they have done to you has left me... very puzzled. I just wanted... to free you, to get you out of this situation forever. This contract will put you under my protection and protect you from them."
Mark deliberately used plural terminology to further confuse the boy. He wanted Huey to believe that his family was responsible of his torture, not Graves.
Still trembling slightly, but calmer than before, the duckling began to say:
"I know but-"
The duckling couldn't finish because at that moment a loud alarm started to sound.
Wow, welp, have you realized what I was talking about? If you think you know, you can write it on your reviews. Also, Beaks is really manipulative, trying to make the poor boy not trust himself about it was Graves who tortured him. Beaks is a real monster. And he was so close to get his plan succeed… thankfully Huey didn't sign the contract. Can you imagine why couldn't he sign the paper? I'll be glad to hear your thoughts about it… about everything of this chapter. Also, what has activated the alarm? And what will Beaks do from now?
Okay, after say that, I really hope you all enjoyed this chapter, I also would like to thank you all those who've read this story, those who follow it or have it among their favorites and I'd like to especially thank: puppydogs68, GiddyReflections and Waffle for their reviews. Thank you very much, I really appreciate it!
Waffle: Yup, all of them need a hug, except Beaks and also Graves. Maybe he isn't at the same level as Beaks, but Graves isn't a good person for all he's done to Huey.
Puppydogs68: They're getting closer to find Huey, they just needed Beaks to go again where Huey was, which happened in this chapter.
See you in the next chapter