Who is Julie McDuck?!

The Horrifying Truth

(Julie's POV)

Josh cradled his son and ran his fingers through his hair feathers as he spoke to me.

"I'm sorry I didn't come here sooner, Julie," he apologized once again. "Staying with Nathan really left a mark on me."

"What do you mean?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Josh sighed and handed Jake to Uncle Scrooge as he rolled up his sleeve. His arm underneath was covered in bandages. As he unwrapped them, I felt the air in my lungs evaporate.

"Oh my gosh," was all that I could say as Uncle Scrooge's eyes widened in horror.

My brother's arm looked like he'd hit it against a tree; it was blue and purple and several marks of dried blood exposed themselves. I felt like I was going to throw up.

"Lad, did yer stepfather...do this to you?" Scrooge asked, shock lacing his words. He gritted his teeth when Josh nodded.

Josh's expression turned serious. "This is why I'm telling you this; Nathan can NEVER find out that Julie lives here. I don't want her to go through the same abuse I went through." 

He put his hands on my shoulders. "No matter what, my top priority right now is that you stay hidden and safe. Nathan hates reminders of Mom. If he found you..."

His words trailed off, but I could tell what he was going to say. "I can't lose you again," he choked out.

I put my hands on Josh's arms.

"Don't worry about me; I can take care of myself," I said before someone knocked on the front door.

I checked the living room clock. "It's almost midnight; who could that be?" I wondered as Josh opened the door.

A grown man who seemed to be around forty or fifty stood at the door. He had black hair feathers that dripped into his eyes like ink and had a threatening glare. His beak formed into a sick smile as he glowered down at my brother.

"Hello, Joshua."

Josh gulped. "Nathan."