Title: Another Life: Enoch Chapter 5
Characters: Enoch/Chandir/Wryn
Series: Another Life
"Just a few more days, and you will be out of this bed and walking the terra of Gliese," Wryn said, holding another spoonful of soup to Enoch's lips.
Enoch greedily opened his mouth. The soup was delicious; thick beef broth with small bits of vegetables that were easy to chew. Enoch had never tasted such richness before. He would bet his last pair of pants that he could feel the nutrients spreading through his body. He opened his mouth, hungrily ready for the next bite. But Wryn's hand shook, spilling a little of the soup. Enoch almost cried. Every bit of food was precious. Not even a drop should be wasted.
"Oh," Enoch gasped. He dabbed at the bit of broth with his finger, trying to scoop up what he could.
Grabbing a cloth, Wryn reached to wipe the spill away, bumping into the finger desperately trying to get the small amount. Wryn knew that food had always been scarce on Earth. "Enoch, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to spill. I've been a little...weak. But don't worry, there's plenty to eat here."
Enoch held back his tears. He could hear the misery and exhaustion in Wryn's voice. And he knew he was the cause of it. All his life, Enoch had caused misery and death to everyone he knew. He wouldn't do it to this kind man.
"Enough!"
Enoch startled at Chandir's voice. The large man hadn't yelled, but the force of his voice was as strong as the hurricanes that had decimated the eastern coast of the United States.
"Wryn, I have granted you the time you requested of me. But the time has run out. You are getting weaker and Enoch is no closer to accepting what is. We tried it your way. Now we will do what needs to be done. Say what needs to be said," Chandir stated.
Enoch couldn't tear his eyes away from the man. Chandir and Wryn had both talked about the genes that were primary in their bodies. The dominance that flowed through their veins. At this moment, Enoch felt that dominance call out to him.
"Chandir, Anax, it's only been days since he's been aware enough. Please, a few more days," Wryn begged in a demanding voice.
Chandir's face was set. Enoch was mesmerized by the large dom's eyes. For the past few days the warm brown eyes glowed like the hot sand of beaches that Enoch had seen in a picture book. But now, Chandir's eyes were hard and cold.
"He has to accept," Chandir stated flatly. Enoch flinched when Chandir turned to him. "Enoch. Wryn is weak and tired because he's linked to you. As am I. During the daytime, when you prohibit entrance of the visions, Wryn tries to take them. But the visions aren't for him. And they know that. They. Are. For. You."
Enoch shook as Chandir's words were spoken. He didn't want the visions. He didn't want to know. But he didn't want Wryn to suffer.
"You can't block them at night. They come to you while you sleep. They slip in the space between dreams. But too many are trying to gain entrance at once. You are too open to the ones that tell of disaster. Of destruction. Of death. Since I too am linked to you, your restlessness becomes known to me." Chandir's voice wasn't accusing. There was no blame in his tone.
Enoch bowed his head. "I'm sorry. I'll do better."
"Do better? With what? How will you do better?" Chandir asked gently.
Heart racing, Enoch tried to think of what Chandir wanted to hear. He'd say anything so that these men weren't hurt.
Wryn spoke. "You do not know, Pais. Nor should you. You need to learn to be open. You need to learn to open to the visions and to us."
"You fight us," Chandir said. "Let us help you. Let us love you. This is the way it is to be. You've seen it too, Enoch. Or you would if you'd just open yourself."
"No-"
Enoch tried to deny the words, but Chandir interrupted. "Yes. You do not want us to feed you. To care for you. But Historians need each other. Everyone needs another, but Historians have a special bond that eases the stress of our destiny. You-"
"Stop." This time it was Wryn who interrupted. "Rein it in. He's scared, Chandir."
Chandir nodded his head to Wryn. "Yes, he is scared. Knowledge is the best weapon against fear."
Enoch didn't know what to do. Anytime men fought with each other, argued, fists would fly. Blood flowed. Death slipped in. Death came in so many colors-grey, red, black. Red fog creeped into the room. Images, memories of a past red death was upon him. Enoch watched as the knife entered the girl's stomach. The red of the blood mixed with the red mist. Enoch couldn't tell which was which; the red blood flowed faster. He looked down to his hands trying to stem the flow from the wound. He tried to save the girl, but Death had already claim its victory. Suddenly, Enoch pushed with all his strength.
"AUGH!"
Wryn's scream brought Enoch back to the present.
"Wryn, my agape." Chandir was leaning over Wryn. Stroking his back, trying to alleviate the pain his fellow dom was feeling.
"I'm fine," Wryn gasped. "Go to Enoch. Go to our Pais. He hurts more."
Enoch shied away as Chandir reached for him. He braced himself for the blows that were sure to come. But instead of painful fists, Enoch felt Chandir's arms wrap around him in a tight embrace.
"Enoch. Pais. Accept what is shown to you. They are gifts. Gifts of hope. Of life. And yes, some of death. Please let us help you. Guide you."
Chandir's voice was so full of love and caring. Real concern for him. Enoch let himself melt into those strong arms. Just for now. But he knew he couldn't continue like this. He was hurting those who were only trying to help him. He'd never had anyone try and help him. He only knew of fighting to stay alive. Of men killing each other over the last berry on a tree in a forest. Another pair of arms wrapped around him.
"You will live, Enoch. You will live for life, now. On Earth we know you wanted to want death. But you never gave up hope. That's because the visions showed you your future. Your future is with us. We've seen what you've been through. But there is a future. We've seen glimpses of our lives together," Wryn whispered against his head.
Chandir's voice rumbled, "We are honored and proud that you kept yourself from death, Enoch. It is how it should be. Rest now. We will speak more of life. Of visions-past, present and future later. We'll show you how to accept the visions with pride. With respect. And how to protect yourself from the emotions that they can bring. But for now. Rest."
Enoch took the comfort the men offered in silent grief. He knew he couldn't stay. But for now he'd fill his soul with the strength of these two men. He'd need it.
Pretending to fall asleep, Enoch felt the coolness of the air replace the warmth of the men's embrace. He listened as they quietly left the room. He heard their voices, muffled by the closed door talking quietly in the other room. Enoch knew that he could no longer put off what must be done.
He slipped out of bed. He willed his legs to take his weight. He should be stronger. He'd laid in bed for over a month. He'd been fed more in the past month than what he'd eaten in the previous year! Wobbly, but determined, Enoch stumbled to the window.
The afternoon sun was blinding in its brightness. Enoch had never seen the sun so bright. Was it brighter on Gliese? Or had the years of human neglect and pollution dimmed the sky on Earth? Had the ash from years of volcanic eruption created a filter that didn't allow the sunshine through? Shaking his head, Enoch tossed the thoughts from his mind. He had a mission. He had to leave. Slipping open the window, he pulled his weight up and through the opening.
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