Drakan (The Chronicles of Eli) [#Wattys2015]

Chapter 4 (Edited)

        Eli didn’t come out of his room until Valen knocked on the door and told him his food was ready. Even then, Eli didn’t rush down to feed his growling stomach. Sluggishly, he walked downstairs and rounded the corner, met with the sight of Valen standing rim-rod straight next to the dining table. When Valen motioned for Eli to sit, he did so heavily. Although Eli wanted to act indifferent, his nose just couldn’t resist the aroma of chicken tikka masala. Eli’s eyes grew slightly wider as Valen sent a bowl sliding in his direction. The glass screeched over the polished wood and rested snugly into Eli’s awaiting hands.

“I made your favorite meal,” Valen said finally, slightly doleful. “I hope this isn’t too much, I assumed you were hungry.” His tone was fringed with ice.

“This is fine,” Eli said just as mildly. “Aren’t you going to eat?”

“No. I’m not in the mood.”

Eli watched as Valen went and plopped down on the couch, turning on the TV. He stared at the screen blankly, legs stretched out before him and arms limp by his sides. He looked both annoyed and dejected at the same time.

Guilt pricked at Eli’s heart. He had probably worried Valen to death . . . Eli quickly turned away from the sight of Valen on the couch and quickly began stuffing his face. After a bit, he made sure he said loudly, around a rather large masticated glob of chicken, “Thank you, Valen. It was perfect as always.”

“Finished already?” Valen asked, not even glancing Eli’s way. 

“Yeah, I guess I was really hungry. I hadn’t noticed.”

“Well there’s more on the stove if you want some.” Valen began flipping through the channels, the pictures flicking by so fast, he couldn’t possibly know if he wanted to watch the programs or not.

Eli cleared his throat uncomfortably. “No thank you. I’ll just save the rest for tomorrow.” He got up and took his plate to the sink to wash it.

“About earlier Eli….” Valen’s voice trailed off, his eyes still stuck on the TV, unblinking. He had finally settled on a station, but somehow, Eli got the feeling he wasn’t really paying attention to it. “I apologize for not being able to provide you with the answers you seek. You are right, Eli; you are different in many ways, but your heart is just as strong—if not stronger—than most people here in Drakan.” Now the man finally looked at Eli, and his eyes were grimly serious. “I love you and I am very proud of you. I know your mother would say the same thing. You are going to grow and become something powerful and great. You will be humble about it because you will remember how you once were. Everyone needs help, some more than others. But no matter how old you are, as long as I’m alive I will always be here to help you stand if you fall.”

A lump pushed against Eli’s throat, creating a sore spot, but he couldn’t ignore the moment after a speech like that. He put down the dish washing rag and walked over to Valen and bent at the waist to wrap his arms around the man’s lower back. Valen’s own hands patted Eli’s neck and back affectionately.

“I love you too, Valen,” Eli whispered, swallowing repeatedly against the ball in his esophagus. A minute passed before they let each other go.