Description
The week after the initial blighting was maybe some of the worst days of Charlotte’s life. Charlotte suffered severe hunger pains that caused dizzy spells, she could no longer sleep at night, and her skin was getting itchier and flakier by the day. But regardless, that didn’t stop Charlotte from forcing herself to get up and check on the boys, who sadly suffered terrible blights since the attack. Malekai today was the first on her visit trajectory.
Malekai, for the first few days, was missing, last night he was finally found after he went dumpster diving by his mother. She didn’t know the details; besides, The Eldrenfell's home struggled with this new blight.
Charlotte entered the home as if she lived there; Dr. Ruth Eldrenfell was used to her company, as Charlotte visited almost daily. She mozied her way to the kitchen, where she found Malekai stuffing down food in his mouth, acting like he hasn’t eaten in years. His Mother looked at him displeased by his lack of manners but hadn’t scolded him for it. Not this time, at least.
Dr. Eldrenfell soon took notice of the young teen, who stood politely at the doorway. She gave her a nod of acknowledgment; Charlotte took that as permission to enter and slowly approached Malekai as he ate ravishly. Malekai hardly noticed her presence, even as Charlotte attempted to greet him. It was clear that he was very distracted. Charlotte looked over at his mother, who, just by her eyes, could read all the questions Charlotte wanted to ask. With a sigh, Dr. Eldrenfell addressed them, “He’s been like this since we found him. He is never satisfied, an unfortunate consequence of his blight.” Charlotte nodded; she stared at the table solemnly. She turned to look at Malekai to speak to him, only to be shocked that he was no longer eating at the table; in fact, he wasn’t anywhere in sight. Dr. Eldrenfell looked alarmed; how did her son run off on her right before her eyes?
Thankfully Malekai left a messy trail for them to follow; it led them directly to the kitchen. They found the family cook standing by an open walk-in freezer, clattering sounds heard from within, the cook looking horrified yet somewhat relieved when she saw Dr. Eldrenfell followed by the young girl. Dr. Eldrenfell seemed distracted as she tried to talk to the cook, Charlotte, clearly not learning her actions have consequences, entered the walk-in freezer while the two adults talked.
God, did she find a mess there, as the place was completely wrecked. Food was all over the ground, a shelf in the back was knocked over, and Malekai himself was hunched over, facing toward her. He was eating something, most likely a piece of raw meat. Charlotte herself was horrified; this was not the Malekai she knew. She scolded him, saying, “Kai! You are behaving like an animal!” She felt pretty silly saying that, of course, he would; he’s moontouched.
Malekai didn’t respond great to being scolded. He growled at the young and worried girl, “Go away! Leave me alone! You can’t have any!” This caused Charlotte to flinch, but she stood her ground, stomping her foot and looking at him sternly. “MALEKAI, SNAP OUT OF IT!! WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO YOU?!” Despite her tone, she wasn’t angry, she was desperate. Desperate for her friend back. But this did nothing to snap Malekai to his senses. Now he was puffed up, his teeth bared, and he was seconds from pouncing before Dr. Eldrenfell intervened and scooped the young girl up. “Don’t antagonize him,” Dr. Eldrenfell said sternly, with a twinge of vitriol in her tone. Charlotte could only stare at Malekai in distress and desperation. Near close to tears seeing her friend like this.
Malekai seeing the distress in his friend and mother caused him to ease up on his defenses. His Mother looked at him with the same look she gave his father all those years ago. With the same eyes, she watched helplessly as his father lost his mind to the ever-growing predator. How could he cause her more grief? They’ve all been through enough. He averted his eyes, and the shame that grew within his chest became unbearable. He couldn’t look Charlotte or his mother in the eye. As soon as the Adrenalin wore off, he began to shiver.
Charlotte felt her heart break in two. Seeing him shivering, vulnerable, and in so much pain; was too much. She has never seen him like this before. She reached out to him in vain; being held up, she couldn’t reach him, but she tried anyway. She spoke in a meek voice, “Kai?... Kai, are you back?”
She was met with no response. Instead, she watched as Malekai let out a few shaky breaths and crossed his arms. He struggled to hold back the tears. Charlotte knew how he always wanted to keep up a tough image, he never handled any sense of vulnerability well. As Dr. Eldrenfell slowly let Charlotte back down, Charlotte slowly approached Malekai. Her eyes were locked in on him, her surroundings blurred from her focus. Malekai was soon met with two eyes, softly and compassionately looking at the boy with nothing but love and worry. She slowly pulled him into a hug, wrapping him tightly in all four of her arms.
She felt him tense up for just a moment before he relaxed and finally sobbed into her shoulder.
The defenses were down, he couldn’t be strong anymore.
Not right now.
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Malekai belongs to TheLooneyCharboa
Acorns: 13/584