Out of Darkness - Chapter 2

by DethKlaire

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Brendon Small is a god. 'Nuff said.

Gratitude: Huge thanks to my excellent Beta Reader, and partner in crime, the lovely YvetteD!

Notes: My first story. Not yet complete, but I consider these first 6 sections to be "Part 1"
I am not a doctor or a scientist, so sorry if some of the medical / technical stuff is off…
I love Charles. Therefore I challenge him.

Warnings: Some strong language… but seriously, it's Metalocalypse, what did you expect? ;)

Hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think!

The quiet knock brought Charles back to the present. It had been five days since he had woken up to darkness. During this time he had memorized every detail the doctors and rescue team had told him about what had happened, constantly searching for some loop-hole, something that would somehow change an outcome which had already occurred. But deep down he trusted the Mordhaus physicians, and those outside the facility that had also been consulted. Their conclusions were always the same. And he found himself starting to accept it.

He wasn't expecting any visitors while he was staying in what the Medical Gears referred to as the "recovery suite". The room was not large in actuality but Charles appreciated its size. The feeling of being surrounded by walls gave him a small sense of security in this unfamiliar location. He smoothed the front of his shirt and reached up to adjust his glasses out of habit. His glasses. He had requested a new pair, and still put them on every morning, and no one questioned him. He liked the way it felt to wear them… It felt normal. Sometimes he even felt normal, at least when he was alone and not being reminded of what he had lost.

"Come in", he called out in the direction of the door.

He could hear the door slowly open, and a tiny voice from the doorway,

"Charles? It ams Toki… I broughts you something to make you feels better…"

Charles smiled slightly at the sound of the younger man's voice, and the innocence behind his words. Sweet Toki. Charles wasn't surprise that he'd be the first one to break the ice.

"Hello Toki. Thank you." Cautiously he reached out in Toki's direction just as a soft fuzzy lump was thrust into his outstretched hands. It didn't take much of an examination before his fingers recognized Deddy Bear, and he was surprised at the small comfort that holding the bear gave him.

"It ams Deddy Bear…" Toki's voice trailed off.

"I can see that," Charles replied warmly. Toki's exclamation instantly made him regret his choice of words.

"You can!? Oh Charles, that ams wonderful news! We thoughts…" But Charles cut him off as quickly as possible,

"No, Toki, I didn't mean… I still can't…" It surprised him that he couldn't just say it. He didn't want to say it. "I, ah, I can feel that it's Deddy Bear… I know how he feels to touch…"

"Oh." Came Toki's quiet reply. There was a moment of silence, and right before Charles was about to change the subject to alleviate the awkwardness, Toki sprung forward and wrapped his arms tightly around Charles in an emotional hug.

Charles did not see this coming. He didn't see the smile on Toki's face or his inviting outstretched arms. He just felt himself being grabbed suddenly, and his defensive reaction was automatic. In an instant Deddy Bear was on the floor, and Charles had Toki in a choke hold.

"Charles!" Toki yelped, his voice cracking. Realizing what had happened, Charles hurriedly released Toki, but he felt the young man start to tremble.

"Oh my god. Toki, I'm so sorry. I didn't know you were going to do that, I just reacted. I… I can't see you coming, Toki. You have to tell me if you're going to do that…Okay? I just reacted…" This last part was said more to himself, as he started to turn away. Toki's quiet sob brought him back around, and Charles reached out to where the childlike sound was coming from. He gently laid his hand on Toki's trembling back, and, with his other hand, guided him back to the edge of the bed right behind them.

"Sit with me, please" Charles said quietly. Knowing that Toki was probably somewhere between reality and his catatonic place, Charles didn't expect a reply. After guiding the still trembling Toki to be seated on the bed, Charles took a seat next to him, and took a few deep breaths to calm his own shattered nerves. He wondered if he would ever be able to relax again, in this new world of darkness. Quickly brushing that thought aside, he reached over and put an arm around Toki's lightly shaking shoulders.

"I'm sorry Toki. I didn't mean to scare you. I didn't mean to hurt you." He didn't know what else to say.

After a long moment of silence the trembling slowed and eventually stopped. Charles slowly slid his arm back over and leaned down to feel for something on the ground in front of them. It was right around here, wasn't it? He found nothing but the cold stone floor. Then he was aware of Toki leaning down next to him, gently taking the top of his searching hand, and leading him to the plush object that was just outside of where he had felt so far.

"Ams you looking for Deddy?" Toki asked softly.

"Yes. Ah, thank you." Charles said as he took hold of the bear and sat up. He clutched Deddy with one hand, unexpectedly shaken by the role reversal that had just occurred. 'I'm supposed to be the one helping him, not the other way around,' he thought with mounting frustration.

"I think he, ah, wants to be with you right now", said Charles, pressing the bear into Toki's accepting arms. Then, not wanting Toki to feel like his gift had been rejected, he added, "But, ah, thank you for bringing him, and, ah, you can bring him back to visit, ok? I would like that."

"Ok," said Toki, his voice sounding a little brighter. Charles imagined a small smile creeping onto the young man's face, which only made him wish that he could see it.

"And next times I tells you abouts the hug…"

"Alright. Thank you for visiting, Toki."

Charles listened as Toki headed towards the door and opened it. He heard the young man call out, "Sees you later, Charles!" before the heavy door closed and he knew he was alone.

"See you," Charles whispered into the darkness. He slipped off his glasses, closed his eyes and rubbed his aching temples. After a few minutes he felt a little calmer, more in control. But as he opened his eyes to darkness he felt the wave of anger and frustration wash over him again. He grabbed his glasses and angrily flung them as hard as he could in front of him. He heard them crack as the hit the door, followed by the sound of several pieces landing on the stone tile. For the first time in as long as he could remember, Charles Offdensen laid his head in his hands and quietly started to sob.

...