Frederick was shaking as he listened to his phone repeat the message that the number he had called couldn't be reached. His ears were ringing and it felt like the blood was rushing to his head. The sound of his son's screams were echoing in his head. He was terrified for the safety of his son, but equally as strong as that fear was an unfamiliar emotion that manifested in a very familiar way.
Frederick was furious. How dare Pericles lay a single claw on Fred's head. Frederick knew that he should have gotten rid of that bird while he had the chance. Locking him up had been far too kind for him.
Frederick's fury showed itself through the character of the Freak. He could practically hear the shrieking of the Freak in the back of his head. It took every ounce of Frederick's control to pull it back. The Freak could be useful in getting Fred back, but it also made Frederick react far too emotionally. This wasn't the time to get emotional and lose himself. He couldn't get careless. Frederick needed to remain strong, which meant that at least for now he needed to put the Freak on the back-burner. It was only to be used as a last minute resort.
He took a deep breath and lowered his phone. After listening to the same message for several minutes Frederick finally hung up. Clutching the phone tightly, Frederick numbly stood up and stumbled out of his son's bedroom. He made his way to his own room. Without really thinking about it Frederick opened the safe near his bed and took out the piece of the Planispheric Disk.
He stood there and stared at the piece like it held all of the answers of the universe. There had been many times in the past ten years that Frederick had done something very similar. When he was starting to question what he was doing and doubt himself, he would bring out the piece and remember everything that he was doing it for.
Looking at the piece now, Frederick had none of that clarity. He was reminded of his desire for the treasure, but equally as strong as that desire was the need to find his son and bring him out of harm's way. Frederick wanted both, which did nothing to help his conflicted feelings.
For all of his adult life, ever since he had learned about the treasure of Crystal Cove and had started to look for it, Frederick had felt like there was a voice in his head pushing him on to his goal. I was as though there was an invisible force pulling him to the treasure.
The voice had quieted over the years as Frederick's search became more casual, but it never truly went away. Frederick hadn't realized how familiar and almost comfortable the voice was until now, when, for the first time since he could remember, it was completely silent. He felt like he was missing a piece of him. Frederick couldn't rely on a guide to show him what he was most interested in. He had to choose for himself, and it was overwhelming.
He didn't want to give up his piece of the Planispheric Disk. He had blackmailed and attacked the only people that he had truly considered his friends, all for the piece. He felt like he needed the treasure, just as he needed to breathe. He couldn't survive without it. Frederick had let go of all his morals for the sake of getting the treasure. How could he possibly give it up?
But Fred. How could Frederick just let him stay in harm's way? He was just a boy. Frederick hadn't meant to grow fond of him, but he didn't just care for and raise the boy, he truly loved him. Fred was his son, and though Frederick wasn't the best father in the world even he knew that he had no right to call himself a father if he gave up his son for treasure.
Not even the treasure itself, but a mere sixth of the map that would lead him to the treasure that, if Frederick was being honest, he wasn't entirely sure even existed. What was he supposed to do?
Frederick put his piece of the Planispheric Disk back in the safe and closed it. He wanted to run to Destroido Corp and save his son. He wanted to take the piece, get in his car, and leave the country for somewhere that Pericles would never even think to find him. Though he wanted both, neither of them felt quite right, so Frederick didn't do anything except get in bed. He was absolutely exhausted, despite the early evening hour. Pericles would probably still call in the morning, and he didn't think that he could stand to stay up for all those hours doing nothing but waiting.
The sooner Frederick fell asleep, the sooner he'd be able to negotiate with Pericles. Besides, when his search for the Planispheric Disk pieces had first started it was his dreams that had urged him on. Maybe he could have one of those dreams tonight and finally figure out what he wanted to do about this dilemma.
He was in a cavern that he'd never seen before, but it felt familiar and oh so right. This entire place felt like how he felt when he had finally gotten his hands on his piece of the Planispheric Disk. The cavern was dark and plain, with the only thing of interest to see being a crystal sarcophagus. Frederick felt drawn to it. Without understanding why, he immediately understood that this sarcophagus was the treasure that he had been searching for for so long.
Frederick approached the crystal sarcophagus, reaching out for it. He ran his hand across the lid, full of awe and almost reverence. He admired the sarcophagus itself for a long time before he slowly lifted the lid away. As soon as there was the smallest opening a dark, thick mist began to slip out of it. It should probably be a horrifying sight, but Frederick felt nothing but excitement. Finally, after everything he'd given up, everything he'd done, he would have the treasure.
Frederick lifted the lid higher, but he froze when he heard a familiar shrill scream. Freddie. Frederick didn't release his grip on the lid, but he looked over his shoulder to find his son. He immediately saw Fred. He looked unharmed, but the boy was absolutely terrified. It seemed as though all of the dark mist from the sarcophagus had surrounded Fred. It looked like it was trying to swallow him whole.
Tears fell from Fred's eyes as he reached out to Frederick. "Daddy, help!" Fred cried. Frederick tried to move towards his son, but his hands seemed to be stuck to the lid. He couldn't step away. Frederick struggled for a bit before he gave his son a desperate look.
"I-I want to." Frederick said. "I promise, I want to save you, but I can't. The treasure won't let me go."
"Treasure?" Fred's voice broke. He sounded heartbroken and betrayed. The boy lowered his hand. "You're choosing a treasure over me?"
"No, no, Freddie, I swear I'm not." Frederick said. His son clearly didn't believe him. Fred took a step back from him, deeper into the thick mist. It almost seemed to be gripping him, as much as a formless mist could. "Let him go!"
The mist grew darker and larger and before Frederick could offer any more protests it completely engulfed Fred. The mist grew wispy and disappeared into the cavern. When it was gone, so was Fred. The only thing that Frederick had to remind him of his son was the memory of the betrayed look in his eyes and the echo of his plea for help.
Frederick was finally able to let go of the crystal sarcophagus. He turned his back to it and ran to where Fred had been, but there was no sign of the boy. Fred was gone. Frederick hadn't been able to save him, and now he wasn't going to see his son again.
Frederick felt his legs grow weak as they collapsed under him. He knelt on the ground, uncaring when the shadows began to surround him just the way they had to Fred. Frederick was engulfed in a world of shadows, and it was frightening, but not nearly as terrifying as the knowledge that his son was gone because of him.
Frederick jolted awake with a start when he heard his phone ring. He didn't know how long he had been asleep, but it might be morning by now. Pericles. Fred. He quickly answered the phone.
"Hello?" Frederick said breathlessly.
"Hello, Frederick." Pericles' voice said from the other end. The man seethed at the sound.
"Give me my son back." Frederick growled.
"We both know it won't be as simple as that." Pericles said. "Have you considered my offer?"
Frederick hadn't thought about it for very long, but his dream had been clear. He needed his son back, even if it meant giving up the treasure. He had made his choice, but it was difficult to say out loud. He hesitated for just a moment too long, making Pericles sigh in disappointment.
"I see you'll need more time to make a decision." Pericles said. "The boy will be so disappointed. He's been getting lonely here."
"You stay away from my son." Frederick squeezed the phone tightly. He heard a touch of the Freak in his tone. It was fighting to come out.
"I have no intention of being near the child." Pericles said. "Although, we both know he's not truly your son, is he?" Frederick knew that he had kidnapped Fred, but having the reminder thrown back in his face was painful. "Although, I've been thinking of arranging a bit of a family reunion for young Frederick."
The man felt his blood go cold. "Don't you dare-"
"I'll call again this evening." Pericles said. "It will be your last chance."
Frederick began to swear at the parrot, even after he had hung up on him. He shouted furiously and threw his phone on the bed. He hated that bird. Pericles was just playing games with him at this point. Frederick didn't even know what he wanted anymore. If he was only after the piece of the Planispheric Disk, why was he always so quick to hang up?
What was Pericles up to?
Frederick wanted to think about it and plot out how to outsmart Pericles once again, but his mind was focused on one thing alone. Fred was still in danger, and if Pericles was to be understood, Brad and Judy would be joining them soon.
They were going to try to tell Fred that he was their son, and he wasn't. Fred was his. He'd raised him. He'd taken care of him when he was sick and comforted him when he was scared. He was the one who was willing to give up his piece of the Planispheric Disk just to keep the boy safe. Brad and Judy had given Fred up. They had no right to him.
The Freak was screaming in Frederick's head, and he stopped trying to push it down. With a powerful and raw scream that could be heard throughout the house, Frederick let the Freak out.
Things were getting out of control, and Ricky didn't like it. Pericles was supposed to be getting the piece. Why was he stalling and needlessly pulling Brad and Judy back? Ricky couldn't believe his ears when he'd heard Pericles' most recent conversation with Jones. He had tried to question Pericles, but his old friend just gave him a cold glare that made him hold his tongue.
The two of them had just stared at each other for a long moment before Pericles had condescendingly told him to make himself useful. The parrot flew to a cupboard and pulled out some handcuffs. Ricky didn't even know where these had come from. When Pericles tossed them to him and told him to make sure that Fred couldn't try to escape again, Ricky had the feeling that the parrot had been planning this the whole time.
This wasn't about the boy escaping, as Pericles had been content just letting Fred be in a locked room all night. This was about punishing Frederick for not immediately bending to Pericles' will. Ricky didn't like it, but he couldn't defy Pericles.
Ricky went into his old room to find Fred curled up on the bed, exactly where he had left him last night. He could see the plate of pizza and package of cookies left behind. The kid hadn't eaten anything. He didn't react at all to Ricky entering the room. The boy just laid there.
Ricky sighed and sat at the edge of the bed. "Kid, you really need to eat something." Fred whined and curled up tighter on himself. "Are you sick?" The boy shook his head. "You have to be hungry by now."
"Go 'way." Fred said in a way that was difficult to even understand. "Want m'daddy."
"I know." Ricky said. He wanted to tell the boy that he would see him soon, but he didn't know if that was true anymore. Fred wouldn't see his father until Pericles figured out a way to use it to his advantage.
"Are you sure you won't eat something?" Ricky asked. Fred shook his head again. Ricky sighed. There wasn't anything he could do. He couldn't exactly force feed Fred. Now that he didn't have any other reason to procrastinate Ricky took Fred's shoulder's and sat the boy up.
"I'm sorry about this, kid, but I have my instructions. Pericles wants to make sure you can't run off. It'll be uncomfortable, but I'll try to make it as painless as possible. Fred barely reacted as Ricky pulled him onto the floor. Fred didn't move or try to run as Ricky grabbed the pillows and blankets and set them on the ground. He might as well make the kid as comfortable as possible.
Ricky led Fred to kneel on the cushioning. He took the kid's hands and held them near the legs of the bed. Ricky took the handcuffs and wrapped them around Fred's wrists. He very carefully locked them, making them tight enough that the kid wouldn't be able to just slip out, but loose enough that it wouldn't hurt the kid. Fred frowned and gave the handcuffs a small experimental tug.
"Try not to do that too much." Ricky said. "You'll just chafe yourself."
Emotion and light returned to Fred's eyes. He almost looked excited, but that had to be a trick of the eyes, because there was also still clear fear in Fred's eyes. What would he have to be excited about in this place?"
"Just stay put." Ricky said. He grabbed the plate of dinner that Fred had ignored last night. He set it within the boy's reach, just in case he wanted it. "I'll check on you again later."
Fred said nothing. He didn't cry, or bed, or whine. He was just silent. Ricky was starting to get worried. Something seemed to be going on with Fred. Ricky didn't know how to help the boy though. He didn't know anything about kids, let alone this specific one. The only person he could think of that might know if this was normal for Fred and how to help him was Frederick.
Ricky went into a private room, away from Pericles, and pulled out his phone. Perhaps it was a mistake, but he needed to talk to Frederick. He felt the need to reassure the man that Fred was okay. And if Pericles wouldn't take the piece from Jones, then Ricky would be more than happy to do so.
The phone rang for several long moments before Frederick answered with a growl. "What?"
"I need to talk to you." Ricky said.
"Owens." Frederick said in a tone that sent shivers down Ricky's spine. There was a layer of the Freak of Crystal Cove in Jones' voice. It was unnerving to hear. "When I get my hands on you-"
"I'm worried about Fred." Ricky said quickly. It shut Frederick up for long enough for Ricky to continue. "He won't eat, and he'll barely say a word. He's barely responding at all."
Frederick sighed. "He's shutting down." The Freak in his tone calmed down a little bit. "He has a difficult time functioning when he's stressed or overwhelmed."
"Is there a way I can help him?" Ricky asked.
"Why should you care?" Frederick asked. The Freak was back again.
"He's just a kid." Ricky said. "He doesn't deserve this."
"A lovely sentiment." Frederick said sarcastically. "It's a shame that your greed is stronger." Ricky couldn't help but feel annoyed. Frederick had threatened teenagers and kidnapped an infant for the sake of the treasure. He was in no place to judge.
"How can I get him to eat?" Ricky asked.
"Besides letting him come home? Frederick asked. Ricky could practically hear the way that his eyebrow was surely raised. "I don't know. I've never been able to handle Fred's moods as well as I probably should. Angel was always better at that bit than me."
"Angel?"
"Angel Dynamite." Frederick said. "A DJ at the local radio station. She's Fred's babysitter. She's better with him than anybody else."
Ricky found himself stunned into silence. There was no way. It was too big of a coincidence. Ricky would occasionally turn on the radio when he was working or anxious and just needed a little white noise. He liked listening to music, but Ricky also found that he enjoyed listening to the DJ talk. He'd found her tone comforting. Only now did he realize that it might have been because she was familiar.
It didn't seem possible, but at the same time it seemed so obvious. Ricky had been drawn to return to Crystal Cove. Brad Chiles had come back years ago. The treasure was pulling on all of them like magnets. It would make sense that Cassidy was drawn here as well. She'd always been just as interested in the treasure as the rest of them.
"How can I contact her?" Ricky asked.
"Why?" Frederick said tiredly. "Are you looking for someone new to kidnap?"
"I won't kidnap anybody." Ricky said, and he meant it. Taking Fred was as much as he could handle, and he wasn't even managing that much well. "I just want to help your son."
Frederick was quiet for a long time before he swore and gave Ricky a phone number. A number that he recognized. This Angel's number was the same as Cassidy's. Ricky's old flame was in Crystal Cove, and she seemed to know Fred well.
Ricky had stopped calling Cassidy regularly years ago, because she had asked for some space. It looked like it was time to call her up again. If they were bringing the gang back together again, they might as well go all the way.