manipulate // enoch o'connor

14 // weakness

   "THEY WILL MOST DEFINITELY TRY TO FIND SOMETHING WEAK IN YOU, PRESCOTT." Barron told her, as he looked down to her-- on the floor, avoiding his gaze, "And tell me, are you? Are you weak? Do you have something weak in you?" 

Clara spit near him, then she looked him, "If I was weak, you've killed me right now." Barron let out a harsh laugh, "Oh, Prescott. You never fail to make me laugh." He grabbed her arm and made her stand, "You fall in love, you risk yourself getting caught," He strengthen his grip, Clara fought against it but failed, "You know what happens to people who get caught?"

"What?" She asked, still trying to fight his strong grasp. Barron leaned closer, "They get killed. Tortured. Treated like an animal." 

"What's the difference? Isn't that how you treat me already?" Barron threw her back to the floor.

"The disrespect, Prescott! The difference here, I give you chances to fulfill your mistakes. I am your ally. They're not yours. What you experience here will be much worse once they do it. You will be considered as their enemy. And you know what happens to enemies right? They die."

Clara woke up, breathing heavily. She immediately sat up, wiping the dripping sweat she had on her forehead. It was barely morning, she assumed. Clara leaned against the headboard of her bed. Why that specific scene? She asked herself, then realized Enoch.

It's been almost two weeks since they kissed each other inside Miss Peregrine's office. It continues until now, each and every time they were alone Enoch would hold her hand and kiss her lips. He would give her a smile that melted her heart every time he did so. She asked herself, Am I in love? 

Not only that, she started to bring back her memories and check them. With the help of her peculiarity, it was easy enough to do. She flashed her encounters with Enoch, and the encounters with other people including him. She took a deep breath and ended her search. Unusually, her heart felt heavier than before. You know what happens to people who get caught? They get killed.  This specific line from her dream was the one thing that has been echoing inside her mind until a soft knock on her door happened.

✧ ✧ ✧

  "YOUR PLAN CONTINUES TO WORK FINE, EMMA." Enoch told Emma, as they were, once again, sitting on the roof again. "I don't think she suspects a thing." It was barely morning, but Emma was holding onto a candle and a candle holder. He stayed quiet. In his mind, he thought of nothing but the plan, yet his heart continues to yield for Clara's touch.

Glimpses of her smiles and gazes toward him was the only thing keeping him up all night. "Enoch. Is there something you're not telling me?" Emma asked him. He begun to have a hard time breathing, but kept it well. 

"Nothing." Enoch told her, "She hasn't told me a thing yet." I haven't asked her, he thought to himself. Being intimate with Clara made him get a hold of emotions he didn't knew he had. It was starting to scare him, as hours go by over and over again, he was starting to miss her touch, kisses and everything. He was afraid that the day comes and his pretending isn't pretending anymore.

Emma seems hesitant to believe him but nodded, "Alright then. Let's head back inside before they catch us up here. See you again at this hour." He walked Emma to her room to make sure she gets inside, after that, he went to Clara's room. He didn't know why, for sure, but he wanted to see her.

He knocked softly on the door before entering her room. There she was-- Clara. She was fast asleep, but she looked angelic. His heart started to beat faster than ever. Quietly, he sat on her bed. Enoch stroked her brown hair gently. She moved and squinted, "E-Enoch? What are you doing here?" 

Clara sat up, leaning against her bed's headboard, "I just wanted to see you." He said quietly. 

"I'm not leaving, Enoch," Clara smiled, "Unless.. You want me to."

"And you think I want you to?" He asked her. Clara shook her head, but looked him in the eye after. "Tell me, Enoch... Why all the sudden?" He froze. He didn't know what to say. Emma didn't mention anything about what to do if she starts noticing.

"What do you mean?" Enoch asked her, "What do you mean by that?" 

"I mean, why do you like me... Seems out of nowhere." She told him, "Maybe it's just me, but.. I can't help but think. Why all the sudden?" He looked at her and so did she. Enoch could feel her burning gaze toward him. It felt as if he couldn't speak.

"I--I.." He stammered. "I don't know for sure. One day, I looked at you and felt a burst of emotions attacking me. To be honest with you, I'm the least person inside this children home to have them. I've always lacked emotion since I was a child. You made me feel like a puzzle completed. That's when I knew. I like you."

Clara gave him a short kiss, "Thank you, Enoch. Can you promise me something?"

✧ ✧ ✧

  "SURE, ANYTHING." Enoch said, placing a hand over hers. Clara felt like crying. She felt his emotions was sincere. She was about to hurt him and he's about to fall in love with her.

"Promise me," She stood and made Enoch stand up too. She held his hand, "You would trust me, no matter what." Enoch gave her a short smile.

"You're not going to hurt me, are you?" Clara's breath hitched. Yes, yes I will. And I'm sorry, "Of course not. Trust me." She leaned closer, "I won't hurt you." 

Enoch leaned to kiss her this time, placing his arms over her waist and pulling him closer. She could feel his hunger for her lips, and she suddenly craved for it, too. Falling for him was sure her weakness. While his lips were still onto hers, she wished nothing bad will happen to him. At this point, she knew, she was digging her own grave.  She would fight for him no matter what. She was ready to die, only for him.

"I promise."

✧ ✧ ✧

  EMMA WAS THINKING ENOCH IS ACTUALLY FALLING FOR CLARA. She hated to have use Olive, but she has too, in order for this to work. Walking inside the kitchen where Olive was often, she hoped Olive would believe her. "Good morning, Emma. Tea?"

Emma yawned, and sat down the dining table, "Yes, please." Olive placed a cup of tea in front of her, "Thanks." Olive sat across her, waiting for her to say something.

"Olive, I need you to do something for me...." That moment, Emma knew how destructive this was, but she needed to know if Enoch was going to succeed or not. She sipped on her cup of tea,and hoped it was going to be the answer that answers her question; Is Enoch in love with Clara?