Everlasting Family

Sean Green- Chapter 6

Brunswick, Maine- 1915- Sean Green

Chapter 6

I feel as though I have been trekking through the forest for hours looking for this river. Just as I begin to wonder if Dr. Roberts had been mistaken, the sound of water reaches my ears.

Before the sound really registers with me, my feet are moving. I run through the leaves and dirt, jumping over branches and dodging rocks. When I finally reach the bank of a well hidden river, I am utterly shocked to see a man sitting there.

He is dressed in furs and leathers, his black hair comes down to the middle of his back. His tanned skin appears darker as the sun has begun to set.

"Akecheta?" I whisper, not sure I can believe my eyes.

The man does not look at me, he continues to stare at the small river. He simply nods his head and gestures for me to come closer. Steeling my resolve, I make my way to his side, and slowly sink to the soft ground.

"I got a letter from an old friend-" I start, not sure what to say to him.

"Sean Green," Akecheta murmurs, finally looking up at me. "I know why you are here."

"Ho-how did you know my name?" I ask, suddenly skeptical of his man. "Who are you?"

"I am the only one who will be able to save your friend," he tells me, his voice very matter of fact. "Phil contacted me, he told me to except you. Tell me, Sean, why should I help you?"

His question gives me pause. "Why?" I ask, shaking my head in dismay. "I don't know, Sir."

"I believe you do," he contradicts me. "I cannot help you if you are not worthy of my help."

With a sigh, I get to my feet. "I haven't the time for games. I apologize for intruding but I must get back to my friend. He does not have much time left and what little he has, I would like to spend with him. I will be alone when he is gone, after all."

"I see," Akecheta nods, standing as well. "You care about your friend?"

"He's my family," I tell him simply, feeling my eyes sting with unshed tears. "He is my brother, I don't want to lose my brother. He keeps me sane. He is my best friend."

"You would be willing to be his best friend forever?" he asks, a strange tone to his voice. "To do good things in the world together. To help others and each other and continue to be the selfless men that you are, forever? Would you be willing to be Owens brother, forever?"

"What sort of question is that?" He does not elaborate, simply stares at me, waiting for an answer. I do not understand why he is asking me these things, though I suppose it does not matter. "I would not have to think twice about that. Of course I would be honored to be Owens brother forever. That will not change even if he..." I cannot bring myself to finish that thought.

"Very well," he nods, holding his closed hand out. Opening his hand, I see a small vial placed in his palm. "This is what you have searched for. This will allow you and your brother to be a family forever."

I begin to reach for the small vial, my hand shaking with excitement of having found a possible cure for Owen. Akecheta snatches his hand away before I am able to take the vial. My eyes snap up to his in surprise at his sudden movement.

"You must understand, Sean," Akecheta tells me, his voice serious. "When I tell you that you will be a family forever, I mean it. Forever is a very long time. You will not age, you will not grow old, you will be part of something bigger. You will have the chance to help the world. Please understand this before taking this step."

"If Owen is the one to take this, why would it do anything for me?" I ask, the skepticism clear in my voice.

Akecheta smirks at me, shaking his head. "You are a smart man, Dr. Green. You would not give this to your best friend without first trying it to insure I am not trying to harm him."

He is correct, I had every intention of trying his concoction before allowing Owen to have it. I would never risk causing him become more ill.

"Family is a choice, Sean Green," Akecheta tells me, holding the vial out once more. "What is your choice?"

I do not have to think twice before taking the vial from Akecheta. He smiles widely and looks pleased with me. "Very well," He says, holding his hand out for me to shake. "Welcome to the Academy, Sean Green."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Akecheta told me we would see each other again very soon, but for now I had to get home to Owen before it was too late. I thank him, praying that he is not a crazy man and his miracle cure will in fact work.

After running home, I open the vial and take a small sip. The contents taste like water. How strange. Normally, medications and herbal remedies taste rather bitter.

I allow a few hours to pass, to be sure that nothing horrid happens after I drank from the vial. Whist waiting, I tend to Owen and ensure he is comfortable. He has yet to become lucid since I arrived home, and I noticed the note I had left for him hadn't been touched.

Finally believing that the vial's contents are not poisonous, I attempt to wake Owen. Part of me is worried that he will not wake enough to drink this.

"Sean?" Owens quiet voice rings out in the silent room as I shake him slightly.

"Owen, I need you to drink this," I whisper, taking his hand. He begins to shake his head in protest, but I stop him. "Please, trust me, Owen. Please don't leave me alone without fighting. I have no one else."

He stops fighting me and simply stares for a long moment. For the first time in our twenty two years of friendship, Owen and I have a conversation without uttering a word.

Owen knows. He knows how much I need him, he sees it in my eyes. He knows that I haven't a clue if this miracle cure will work, but I can see that he is willing to try it. He is willing to fight so that I am not alone.

Without a word spoken, I help him drink from the vial. He lays back and closes his eyes, quietly drifting off to sleep. Now all I can do is pray that this works, pray that Owen survives.

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