It's always the silent ones (GJxM)

Chapter 5

(Gradient Joe's POV)

I sit at a desk bored out of my gradient sphere mind. It was late at night yet I was completely restless, though I probably should have expected I'd feel that way. How could I not with that thing, the movie, with me? I lost the coin toss so I had to keep it now. Sure, free stuff is good but that movie is absolute crazy stuff! I just can't sleep with all these thoughts still in my conscious. So instead of just lying in my bed staring at the ceiling with sheets all over me, I moved to my desk. Myabe if I trick my mind into thinking it's doing work it will want to sleep sooner. But as the minutes droned on I realized that I wasn't feeling any sleepier. If anything, I was just feeling more restless. There had to be something I could do to fix this! I want to sleep but it's so hard, and if don't sleep I'll be completely unready to do my job as the mayor. I'd be putting the other townsfolk's lives at risk! I repeat in my head like a mantra 'Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep...' but it doesn't help. I clutch my head within my hands and bury my head in there, hoping it would do something to make me fall asleep sooner. But all it does is make me look crazy to anyone looking from afar at me.

I release my head from the frantic grasp and just look around this room. It was darkly lit as another attempt to make me tired, but all I was tired of was how not tired I was feeling. Then I spot something intresting that could possibly help me with my current issue. A stack of books on my desk which I had to pass time with. I like growing my garden of knowledge by watering it with nutritious amounts of healthy reading. You can become so smart and learn so many new things by just picking up the right book. But maybe I could use those books for a reason different from building knowledge. What if I read a book so boring I fall asleep? Well it's worth to try at least, so I grab the top book from the decent sized stack. It was a book with a mime guy on the cover. He had a striking resemblance to my friend Mime, which made me feel weird about. It wasn't a bad feeling, not in the slightest. It was just a bit strange, warm, but cozy as well. The book was about the history of mimes.

Well history books are notorious for being boring but I was worried I would keep feeling weird feelings by reading this book so I just gently put it on the bottom of the stack before picking up the next highest stacked book. This book was a murder mystery which I remembered getting into recently. Mysteries are so brain intriguing since you have to think of what the answer could be rather than knowing immediately. Though this book wouldn't help me with what I needed. I would be too invested to want to sleep therefore I need a different book. The last book I got was from the middle section of the book stack as a way to diverse the books I was picking. This time the book I got was a bit unusual. It looked like a story book or some sorts, but I couldn't determine what the book would be about just by looking at the cover. The cover had many colors and smile faces. The book was called "Indigo Park: The Story Nobody Knew" which interested me. It seemed like a nice enough time so that I'd enjoy it but not enough so I'd fall asleep eventually. So I get up holding the book with the side of my hand and walk toward my bed. I climb on the bed and tuck myself in, making sure I was as snug as a bug and then held the book over my head. Observing it, I determined it would be the book I would be reading to pass this night until I fall asleep. Yeah, it was perfect for what I needed right now. I bring the book closer to my head and then open it, beginning to read it.

Once upon a time there was a park. A great park known throughout the small quaint town as Indigo Park. The park was created by Isaac Indigo as the way he spread joy in the hearts of many, especially children. Everyone loved the park, many people lining up to visit it everyday to enjoy the fun attractions and mascot friends. But who are these mascots you may ask, well it's quite simple. First there was Rambley the raccoon. He was happy go lucky and talkative, being many kids favorite. He was purple in color with a red neck bandana he always wore unless it was sleeping time. Then there's Molly the bird. She was kind of like a parrot and could repeat words that the visitors said through her cardboard cut out. She also was a pilot but crashes her plane a lot, way too much to still have a legal license at least. Next there was Finnley. Finnley was a big green sea snake, but despite his size he wasn't a threat at all. On the contrary, Finnley was extremely shy and preferred collecting shells alone than hanging out with the other mascots. Lastly there was Salem the skunk. They used they/she pronouns and was the villain of the group of mascots. None of the visitors liked Salem because she was so mean in the cartoon and media produced. Many people went to Indigo Park just to yell about how much they hated Salem the skunk or made fun of them for skunks that fart or making potions. Oh yeah, Salem makes potions that corrupt the other mascots into being evil just like them. It's really bad like under Salem's potion many squirrels and other wildlife were corrupted into evil versions of themselves that wanted nothing more than to kill the other mascots like Rambley. Rambley was there because he had to check to see if Molly was okay after she crashed her plane for the who knows time. The squirrels attacked Rambley, trying to eat all of his flesh and kill him painfully. Rambley had to jump on the squirrels to get them to back off before running back on the grass field to get to Molly as soon as possible. But when he got there, Rambley was in for the worst surprise anyone could think of for the poor raccoon just checking on his friend. Salem was pouring some of the evil potion onto Molly. They said some mean things to Rambley before running off to let Rambley deal with the evil corrupted Molly. Molly leaped towards Rambley with no recognition in her eyes that Rambley was her friend, just something of a problem she had to squish out like a bug. Rambley dodged around a bit before Molly got tired. In the game Rambley does manage to save his friends from Salem, but the damage had been done to Salem's reputation. Everyone saw what she did and they hated them more than ever. Salem didn't car since they were just a character, not alive. None of the mascots were alive, there were only people in costumes playing as these characters that Indigo Park fans knew and love or hated. But that would change upon the entrance of one man. That man would make Indigo Park into truly an empire worthy to rival giants such as Disney, but make the park lose its charm at the same time. Who is he? Well that man's name was none other than Newton Lionel. Mr. Lionel was a business man who heard of Indigo Parks success from one of his many business trips. He knew Indigo Park could be turned into something greater, something so well known It'll be remembered until all humans died out. He could also make a huge sum of money if he got this business to be so popular not only townsfolk would be visiting but all of the world too. The only problem is was the size of this operation. However, Newton was warned not to try gaining ownership of Indigo Park since Isaac was known for being difficult for such things. You see, Isaac was content with staying local. even refusing deals to expand or sell Indigo Park. He wanted to own all of Indigo Park, but not for the money or fame. He could easily get both of he sold it to the right guy. But there were two reasons why Isaac refused to sell. The first reason was that he wanted Indigo Park to stay local within his community of other townsfolk. The second reason was he wanted Indigo Park to be for his family, his wife and son to enjoy. Having so many people there would make the park loose its magic. Mr. Indigo seemed like he would never budge from that park. However, when Newton heard these objections from his advisers, he simply laughed in their faces. "Oh please, everyone bends to the will of money. All that matters is the price." Newton proclaimed. He then traveled to Indigo Park and sauntered his way into Isaac's office. Isaac's secretary tried telling him to wait but Newton simply handed her two hundred bucks and she kept quiet as Newton entered ip the office. "Mr. Isaac, I have a deal for you." Newton grinned, pushing away the doors and letting himself in. Isaac groaned. "I'm not interested, now leave." Isaac stated. Newton shook his head. "Sir, I say you listen to my offer and see if your answer changes." Newton replied. "Fine, lets hear it." Isaac muttered, boredom etched in his voice. He knew whatever this guy had to say wasn't going to be what Isaac wanted, but he was nice enough to let the guy speak. "I see potential in this park everywhere. But I can also see this potential is being stifled, and I want to help bring it through! Five million dollars for me becoming the owner." Newton offered. He store Isaac down smugly, like he knew Isaac's answer would be an immediate yes. Five million for a small park would Be the deal of a lifetime for a man like Isaac, or so what Newton thought. But Isaac use waved his hand in a careless way. "No, I don't want it." Isaac said. Newton was jaw smacked with shock. "What the hell, are you crazy?! Your missing out on the greatest opportunity of your life!" Newton exclaimed. "Sorry, but this park makes the town people so happy, especially my family. Giving it to you would make the park loose some of its magic that the people need in their lives." Isaac explained. Newton growled, turning away from Isaac. "You'll regret this." Newton threatened quietly before walking out of the office. Isaac returned to his paperwork without a care before looking out his window to see a small group of kids playing around. He smiled, seeing his son among them. "I made the right choice." Isaac whispered to himself. Meanwhile with Newton though, he wasn't ready to just give up. Indigo Park would be his one way or another, and he was willing to fight dirty. Newton ordered his researchers to dig up everything on Isaac Indigo and his life. They complied, and soon Newton had all of Isaac's information in a neat stack of papers. Newton smirked, flipping through the pages casually like they weren't full of information of some guy. "Now with all of Isaac's information, I can perfectly replicate Indigo Park's success for my own gain!" Newton laughed. He then opened a new very similar park but not too similar as to not get copyright infringement charges. It was called "Lionel Park" and was opened directly next to Indigo Park just to spite Isacc. Newton's park only starred one mascot only, as Newton felt like he was the only special one his park needed. Llyodford L. Lion was the main and only mascot. He was full of pride and boastful, enjoying his lavish life. Newton knew with the power of money he could create grand rides that Indigo Park could only dream of having. Additionally Newton could promote Lionel Park around the entire world, which is what Newton exactly did. People heard and came to see the new park, but there were rarely any who returned again. Despite how much money Newton poured into the park to make it as appealing as possible, nobody seemed to really like it. All the rides were too complex or not as fun as simpler games. The visitors also were annoyed by Llyodford L. Lion's arrogance. Having no other mascots, they had nobody else to turn too and people weren't liking it. They kept visiting Indigo Park and not Lionel Park. Newton was outraged and vowed to strike Isaac hard and where it would hurt. Just like it hurt Newton to see his park struggle with few visitors. He hired kidnappers to kidnap Isaac's wife, Lilith. They did their job well with the sum they were paid and there she was beaten and tied up in Newton's basement. "Look, I don't want to hurt anyone. But Isaac hurt my business and he has to pay for that. So either you divorce him when we let you go or we will kill you. My spies will be watching you so we will know if you don't divorce him to take everything his has including his son or tell anyone I kidnapped you. Got it?" Newton said. Lilith having her mouth taped up had no other response other than to nod slowly with tears flowing out of her eyes. Newton smiled evilly. "Good." He stated. He let Lilith go and she immediately went to Isaac and gave him divorce papers, looking down since she was so sad she had to do this. "Lilith, why?" Isaac asked, heart broken. "I'm sorry, but we have to..." Lilith responded, choking back tears. The two entered a rough divorce, Lilith wanting everything Isaac owned and full custody of their son. Isaac was distressed, having no clue why his previously perfect family life was breaking like this. Then one day when Isaac was sitting in his office stressing on how he can get the judge to let him keep his business he built from the ground up and have custody of his son, Newton stepped in. "Why hello, Mr. Indigo." Newton greeted smugly. Isaac glared daggers at Newton. "What the heck do you want? I don't have time for any deals." Isaac said angrily. "Well I did say you would regret rejecting me didn't I?" Newton replied, grinning at the stressed man. Isaac's glare shifted into a look of shock. Could this guy be the reason why his family was falling apart. "Don't be so astound." Newton commented. "What. did. you. do." Isaac questioned coldly. "Do you know why Lilith is divorcing you, trying to take everything you have?" Newton asked. "No, she never explained." Isaac answered sadly. "Well me and her have been sleeping around for months now. She's tired of your cheesy personality and prefers me much more. When she's done with the divorceI'm much better in bed than you according to her account too." Newton lied, staring directly into Isaac's eyes with each false word. Isaac's stare grew hatred as he heard this. "HOW DARE YOU?!" Isaac bellowed, lunging towards Newton from his office chair. Newton simply dodged him, keeping that mocking smile. "Ah, ah, ah. I wouldn't do that if I were you. Attacking me would only add credibility to your assault charges on your wife." Newton smiled. "The hell? I'd never hurt Lilith!" Isaac exclaimed. "Yeah well, the next time you see her in court on the divorce, she'll speak on how you'd beat her. She'll have proof too so I doubt you'll get away from this accusation." Newton elaborated. Newton felt so smart for also requesting the kidnappers to take photos of Lilith's bruises when she was being attacked. "But that's a lie!" Isaac yelled. "Not a lie in the courts eye, Indigo!" Newton laughed back. "Though, if you do give me full ownership of the park for free, I'll tell her to let you keep custody of the son. I'll have the business but I'm feeling kind." Newton added. Isaac agreed, not wanted to never see his son ever again. The deal was made, but none of the public knew he gave the business for free. Newton made the story sound like he gave Isaac twenty million for full ownership on everything relating to Indigo Park. The divorce still went through, but Lilith got nothing since Isaac had nothing. When the court tried saying Isaac supposedly had twenty million dollars, Lilith immediately switched to asking for nothing. She didn't want to hurt Isaac and knew that Newton already won by taking Indigo Park, so her life wasn't in danger. Isaac was glad he didn't have to pull twenty million out of nowhere, but he still felt disdain for Lilith. He believed he cheated on him with Newton. The divorce happened, and Isaac got custody on his son with Lilith having visitation rights. Newton didn't marry Lilith as he found her worthless. He already had what he wanted, Indigo Park. Now the only thing left to do was to turn it into a franchise. He added Llyodford L. Lion into the group as the main attraction, putting him everywhere and shafting Rambley, who Newton hated, to the side. He moved the statue of Isaac and Rambley to the public bathroom area so people could associate the statue with pee. Newton reluctantly kept the name Indigo Park for branding reasons, but never missed a chance to make fun of the name with his employees. People still visited Indigo Park, but got bored by how charmless the place had become without Isaac's magical touch. There was only money and fame in mind for Indigo Park now, no passion. So overtime the park became less popular, which drove Newton crazy. He tried everything, from reduced costs to even installing AI to impress people. But nobody was interested in a park that had no soul or heart. "What the hell is wrong?! This park is so unpopular now, it's going to be abandoned just like Lionel Park!" Newton shouted. He curled up into a ball. "I've worked so hard to get this park, I'm NOT going to let it be abandoned just like my old one. I need something special... Something nobody has EVER done with a park!" Newton wracked his brain over and over until a very dark idea came into his head. He laughed manically. If this plan worked this park would be more than a success, it would be an innovation to technology as anyone knew it. He called up the kidnappers. "I'm going to need you all to kidnap Mrs- Oops! I mean MS. Lilith again!" Newton said. The kidnappers agreed, and Newton put the phone down as he grinned. "This plan will make everything work... It better. Newton chuckled darkly. Meanwhile with Isaac, he and Lilith were watching their son, Rodney. playing with toys. Lilith sighed before looking at Isaac. "Isaac I'm sorry about everything. Newton forced me to do that! Can we please just get together again and move on from the park?" Lilith pleaded. Newton looked away. He wanted to believe her, but he just couldn't after everything that happened. "How can I trust you ever again Lilith? Look, you can see Rodney when your days come since he's your son too, but I just don't want to be with you anymore. I'm sorry." Isaac responded. Lilith looked away as well but understood where he came from with his answer. They would never get back the special relationship Newton stole from them, no matter how much healing happens. "I'll be leaving with Rodney now." Isaac informed. He picked up Rodney before leaving Lilith's home without another word. After that Lilith watched Isaac and Rodney get farther and farther until she could no longer see them. She then sat down on her couch and began sobbing. She was so distraught about her family life that she didn't notice the kidnappers breaking in her home. By the time Lilith realized, it was too late. They already subdued and knocked her out unconscious. When Lilith woke up, she wasn't tied up in a basement but in a lab. Newton was still there, along with some scientists. "Glad your fully here with us Lilith. I thought you wouldn't wake up for the whole process." Newton grinned. "What the- huh? Where am I? And why the heck are you here Newton?!" Lilith cried out. "Well I decided to use you for an experiment that will improve the park." Newton responded. "What? We're your spies watching me so they could kidnap me in the future? Was it because I told him the truth? Did you seriously expect me to live my life in fear Newton?!" Lilith yelled. "Well I actually wasn't wasting money for spies to keep spying on you. But since you were telling I guess this is your punishment now. Also I'll be gagging you so your telling doesn't interrupt the scientists hard at work!" Newton said before grabbing a gag and shoving it into Lilith's mouth, tying it around her head hard. She struggled against the gag, but it was no use. It wouldn't budge under her lack of strength. Newton waved goodbye tauntingly before walking to the back of the room. Then one of the scientists turned around with a needle filled with a strange substance. Lilith begged for them to stop, but the scientists didn't care, they were getting paid good and cries weren't stopped them. The scientist came closer, holding the syringe to her neck. She cried, muffled pleas filling the room. But nobody cared as the needle was injected and the dosage was given. Lilith's cries turned into agonizing screams as she felt the liquid being injected into her. Especially in her neck, why the neck? It didn't matter though, the liquid was in her bloodstream and soon Lilith felt herself changing. Feathers grew on her arms and her arms started feeling less like arms and more like wings. Her face shifted to have a beak and her skin grew white with colorful feathers all over her body. Was she turning into a bird? Lilith tried fighting it but the changes were already being made, soon Lilith couldn't even speak freely and could only repeat what other people say. Lilith, or Molly squawked, tearing off the gag on her. "Aw, what a beautiful bird she is! Here, does Molly want a cracker?" Newton cooed before holding up a cracker to her maw mockingly. Molly slapped the cracker out of Newton's hand and screamed, ready to attack him. But Newton jumped into action, grabbing a whip out of his pocket and smacking Molly with it. "Back, you beast!" Newton shouted. "Beast! Beast! Beast!" Molly shouted back, stumbling away from Newton. "Yeah, that's what you are. Nothing but a beast. I'll need to get you trained, can't have a beast entertaining the guests can I?" Newton muttered. He then called his trainers to force Molly into a cage and take her away. Molly was hit and shocked again and again every time she tried fighting back. Eventually she started listening to what the trainers wanted and preformed correctly. Greeting test guests and repeating what they said to impress the trainers. When Newton saw the success of Molly he was ecstatic. "Yes! This is perfect, now I'll just need more people and the park will be popular again!"

It was only a chapter, but I fell asleep easily after that.