AN: Hey everyone. I know it's been almost two months since I updated. I can honestly say it's been partly to blame on me being busy, but some of it was I just didn't feel up to writing.
However, I haven't forgotten this story, or you guys reading it, so I hope you all will enjoy this one. (Anyone reading my other Portal story "Life Experiences", I've kinda hit a brick wall with that one. I'm working on getting past it, but I am sorry for the delay on it.)
Anyway, enough from me. On to what you're here for...
...
Wheatley ran down the stairs, nearly knocking over several people in the process. Spouting quick apologies, he reached the first floor and continued to the servent's quarters. Upon arriving he saw Eliza pacing the hall, chewing on her nails nervously.
"Well, she's definately not on the third floor. All the rooms are either locked or empty." Wheatley said, slightly out of breath.
Eliza continued to bite her nails. "Oh, god. Where could she have gotten to?"
Wheatley didn't have any ideas. He placed a comforting hand on the maid's shoulder. "We'll find her."
"I sure hope so." she muttered.
...
Hours went by, and still no sign of Chell. It was getting close to dark. Eliza had been pacing the halls all day, not even stopping to eat anything. Wheatley felt for the woman. If he had a child, he didn't think he could handle something like this.
The head cook came out of the kitchen, carrying a bucket of raw meat. Figuring Eliza would be too frantic to talk to, he walked over to Wheatley.
"Any luck finding the girl?"
Wheatley shook his head. "Unfortunately."
"Sorry to hear that."The cook paused for a moment. "Well, I'm off to feed the vicious monsters the Queen calls dogs. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for her."
Wheatley gave a small smile. "Thanks, Daniel."
"No problem." With that he was off, bucket in hand.
Although Daniel rarely talked, he was always more than willing to help a fellow servant. Almost all the servants treated each other like an extended family. Wheatley found that to be a comfort.
Getting up from his seat, he walked over to Eliza and placed a hand on her shoulder again. She looked up at him, eyes tired from worry.
"Daniel is feeding the dogs. He's going to look for her on the way."
She nodded softly.
...
It was cold now, and Chell wished more than ever that she could speak. They had stopped barking and growling for the most part, save for the few times she moved. She huddled in the corner to keep as far away from the dogs as possible. All she had wanted to do was pet them. Her mom had always told her they were dangerous, but Chell had watched the Queen play with them, and they seemed nice. Not so much now.
She wondered how long she was going to be stuck there. Surely someone would find her. Chell didn't even care if it was the Queen herself at this point. All she wanted to do was go home. She looked for something to help her get someone's attention. All she could find was some bones that looked like it belonged to a small animal, and they were right next to the dogs.
She stood up slowly and attempted, for the sixth time, to quietly move past the dogs. As she reached the first dog, he suddenly charged toward her, barking and snapping. She jumped back, barley missing being bitten, and went back in the corner. Now both dogs were barking again, and Chell huddled into the floor and began to cry.
"Calm down in there."
Chell looked up at the sound of Daniel's voice...
...
A few minutes later, Daniel returned...with Chell in tow.
Eliza let out the breath she had been holding. "Oh, thank God your alright." She looked at Daniel. "Where was she?"
"In the dog's pen. She was huddled in a corner crying."
Eliza gasped and looked back at Chell. "What in God's name were you doing there?"
Chell just looked at the ground. She was shaking slightly.
Wheatley walked up to the girl. "If I had to guess, I'd say she was probably trying to pet them."
Chell slowly nodded.
Eliza sighed. "You know better than to go near those dogs. They are dangerous!"
Chell just sniffed and ran up to hug her mother. She was shaking more now.
"Well, you've had quite the scare today. But, next time I tell you something is dangerous, you best listen to me, do I make myself clear?"
Chell nodded.
"Good. Well, it's been quite a long day for all of us. It's probably best for us to all head to bed."
Daniel and Wheatley nodded as Eliza escorted her daughter to their room, (AN: who would probably have cynophobia after this).
For the next few days, Chell wouldn't leave the castle. She stayed in the servants quarters. This suited Eliza just fine. It kept her safe.
Wheatley hoped Chell would bring herself to go back outside again. She loved the outdoors, and Wheatley would hate for that to be forever ruined for her.
...
Wheatley was in the back courtyard thinking. More specifically, he was thinking about the hidden door on the third floor. He had actually spent the past several days trying to come up with an answer for what was behind it. Initially, he thought someone might be living in there, but then he figured the most likely explaination was that someone was secretly using the room for something. Who and what he didn't know. He was so lost in thought, he didn't notice GLaDOS walk up to him.
"And what exactly is it your doing?"
He jumped at the sound of her voice, scrambling to his feet.
"Oh..., um. Nothing important."
"Good. Come with me."
He obeyed without question and proceeded to follow her.
As they walked, Wheatley continued to wonder about the door.
Who would need a secret room? Why would they need it? When I pulled at the crevise, the light went out, so does that mean they know someone found it? If so, do they know it was me?
He was thinking of so many questions, that he didn't notice GLaDOS had stopped, bumping into her. Upon realizing this, he began to bow.
"I'm so sorry, my Queen. I didn't mean to..."
The Queen raised her hand, cutting him off. He looked around him. He quickly realized they were at the stocks.
"Put your head and hands in place."
Inwardly groaning, Wheatley did as he was instructed. GLaDOS locked him in and then walked up next to a barrel several feet away.
What's in that barrel?
He watched as she removed the white gloves that normally covered her hands. They had a pale tone, and looked so delicate.
Wow. You'd never guess someone so hard could look so soft.
She reached into the barrel and pulled out something small. It appeared to be leaking.
What the...umf
Wheatley's thoughts were interupted by a small wet sponge hitting his face. Then a second one. A third. This continued until the entire barrel was empty.
GLaDOS pulled out a small cloth and proceeded to dry her hands. Once she was done, she approached Wheatley, released him, and walked back to the castle without a word.
This is all she brought me here for? Wet sponges?
Confused, he followed the direction the Queen had gone.
...
Night had fallen, and Wheatley was enjoying a nice cup of tea. Today had been an odd one. His "torture" had been anything but, save for a bit of embarassment. He wondered if the Queen was feeling ok. This wasn't like her. Usually, when she was done with him, he was either in intense pain, or scared for his life...or both. He decided not to dwell too much on it. It was a positive change for him, so he was going to enjoy it for as long as it lasted.
Finishing his tea, Wheatley returned the cup to the now empty kitchen. It seemed so quiet compared to mealtimes, although he quite liked how barren the castle became at night. He'd come to love roaming the corridors. Occasionally, he would run into a guard or two, but most of the time it was just him. He wasn't really tired yet and since tonight seemed as good a night as any he decided to take a stroll.
Humming as he went, he decided to check out the third floor. He hoped to catch that light on again. Reaching the third floor, he was met with disappointment. No light. He sighed.
After a while of roaming, and checking the door each time he passed it, he started to feel a bit tired and decided to turn in for the night. As he was passing Eliza's door, he thought he heard crying. Concerned and curious, he gave the door a small knock. Nobody answered, but he could still here the crying. He knocked a bit louder. Still no answer. He decided to open the door.
"Hey, Eliza? Is everything ok?" As he peeked into the room, he noticed the maid holding something.
"Eliza?"
The maid turned to face him. In her hands was a tiny baby wrapped in a blue blanket. Eyes widening, Wheatley walked into the room.
"Whoa. Where did he come from?"
"Close the door please. The hallways are very drafty and he doesn't need to get sick."
He complied.
"Now, as for the baby, I found him in town, abandonded. I decided to bring him home. I couldn't just leave him there."
Wheatley noticed something. In her voice. There was more to it than that.
"So where did you find him?"
"I told you, in town."
"I heard that. I ment where in town?"
Eliza rocked the now calm baby. "On the side of the road past the market. Look all that matters is that he's safe now."
Wheatley could tell she was witholding something. Deciding it was best not to push her, he changed the subject.
"What's his name?"
Eliza smiled. "Doug."
...
Poor Chell, she had a hell of an experience. Next time maybe she'll listen to Eliza.
A kinder GLaDOS? or is she toying with him?
Well, there's a new baby, and Wheatley seems to think Eliza is being less than honest about where he came from.
Thoughts/ideas?
Reviews are always welcome.