Enola Holmes- The Fox In The Henhouse

Chapter 27

It was only five in the afternoon, and yet the overcast sky was growing darker by the second. Mycroft's maid, Eliza, had just finished lighting enough oil lamps and candles for him to be able to continue reading.

He had always enjoyed his job. He'd be lying if he said that he didn't appreciate the power and status that accompanied it, but for him the true delight lied in the large swaths of papers and documents he had to both read and write. Often he would lose track of time while pouring over pages of legislation, letting hours slip by as he filled his mind with proposals and debates; but now he had come to detest this feeling he once loved. For while there was a bliss in forgetting the world around him, this was outweighed by the pain of being dragged back into reality. A reality where he was helpless to do anything but watch his sister, the person he had promised his father he'd protect, lay on the brink of death.

It had been four days since Enola's surgery, and Mycroft had spent many an hour sitting by her bedside waiting for her to wake. He takes a seat there now, feeling such a deep pain in his heart as he looks upon his sister lying so still. It was so strange to see Enola like this. She had always been so outspoken and energetic. There had been a countless number of times, where Mycroft had silently and verbally wished she were not so; and now he would give anything for her to be so again.

He takes her hand in his, delicately holding it, scared the slightest pressure could break it. He strokes the back of her hand with his thumb, when he feels the slightest movement in her fingers. His eyes snap wide open and in a startled panic he recoils and lets go of her hand.

He waits, staring at Enola for any indication as to whether or not he had imagined the movement; but after moments pass and she lays as still as ever, he settles again. He sighs slightly, hope slipping through his fingers like sand. He goes to take her hand again, when he sees her fingers twitch. This time he is certain the movement was no figment of his imagination, and he edges closer to her.

'Enola?' At the sound of his quiet voice, her eyelids begin to flutter open.

Her weary looks around the room, and confusion and fear seeps into her expression upon seeing such unfamiliar surroundings. When she casts her gaze at her brother, who can't help but gaup at her in joy and shock, her expression softens and she lets out a deep sigh of relief.

'...Mycroft.' Her voice is so small and quiet, that Mycroft can't quite believe that it came from Enola's mouth. But still the sound of his sister saying his name is enough to make him want to weep with joy. He tries to fight the tears, tries to swallow down the heavy feeling in his throat, but he can't.

At the sight of a tear rolling down his cheek, Enola lifts up her frail hand, and wipes it away, resting her hand there to soothe him.

'Don't cry...' Enola says softly.

Mycroft sits up and loudly clears his throat. He brushes his sister's hand away, disguising the action by straightening his jacket. Enola goes to sit up, but is crippled by the pain emanating from the still healing bullet wound. A sharp gasp escapes her lips, reminding Mycroft of the reality of the situation.

'Stay still, I will fetch Sherlock and Watson.' He goes to leave the room, but Enola grabs his hand.

'No.' Mycroft turns back, confused. 'Please just- Stay with me?'

Her words hang in the air. Mycroft stands still, unsure of how to react. He looks at this sister, and sees the fear in her eyes.

He had left Ferndall Hall when Enola was very young, and when he returned, she was already a young lady. An unkempt and improper young lady mind you, but a young lady nonetheless. But now, all he sees is a scared child. Afraid to be alone.

He sits down next to her on the bed, and as he does she sits up as much as she can, and rests her head against his chest. He hesitates, before he wraps his arm around her shoulder, holding Enola close to him. They stay like this until Enola drifts to sleep once again.