(Four)
Kimble found his brother there in the Black Room, curled up in the middle of the circle of light, his hands cupped over his ears and his eyes clamped shut as he cried uncontrollably. Kimble stepped into the circle of light and went to him, putting his arms around him and speaking to him gently. "Seth? C'mon, buddy. It ain't all that bad. She's good now."
"How can I help her when I'm stuck in here!" Seth bawled. "I can't touch her or kiss her! She needs me and I can't get to her!"
"Easy, now. Calm down."
Kimble took Seth's hands away from his ears and pulled him up into his arms just as he did Fallen. When Seth broke down, Kimble always took care of him. He was his brother. The stronger taking care of the weak, it was what Kimble did best. Kimble most often expressed himself physically, he touched and he hugged to soothe the pain of others. He liked to kiss and reach out with his hands. Seth and Fallen both knew this and seemed to enjoy and need his closeness when they were troubled. He now brushed Seth's hair back until he felt him relax.
Seth cried himself out and snuggled down against him, burying his face against his chest. Kimble's embrace was comforting and familiar. When they had been locked in the system together, Kimble had often held him as he slept. In many ways, Kimble was more of a father to him than a brother.
"How am I going to help her?" Seth whispered in a dry scratchy voice.
"By doin' whatcha been doin'. Just keep lookin' after her sos she knows ya love her."
"It's not good enough..."
"S' gonna hafta be fer now." Kimble wiped the last of Seth's tears away. "When ya gots time, I wants ya ta take the password safeties offa the Black Room."
"Why? It keeps us safe."
"Jus' do it. If we git inta trouble you kin always put it back."
"All right."
"In the meantime, I kin take alla the meat and toss it inta Storage. The door's got a lock on it, it'll be all right. I won' let nuthin' happen ta her like what went on today."
"I'm never going to feel her again, am I?" Seth asked, a tremble still in his voice.
"Don' say that, kiddo," Kimble soothed. "Life's a funny thing. Never know how it's gonna turn out. Ya just gots ta have a little faith. I'm gonna try my best ta do fer you, 'kay?"
"Okay," Seth agreed, his doubt still there.
"Have I ever letcha down, kid? Huh?" Kimble teased gently.
Seth laughed softly. "No." He was growing drowsy from Kimble's warmth.
"You jus' rest easy, I'll stay witcha till yer asleep," Kimble promised, not quite ready to leave Seth just yet. He kept his word and held his twin until he was asleep, still and warm in his arms.
Kimble was a sensitive creature, in touch with the emotions of others. He understood Seth's frustration, he just wasn't sure what to do about it. He had an idea from when he had taken Fallen here to the Black Room briefly before, something that could be formulated into a plan if he was clever enough. Maybe he could bring her again and with the password gone, perhaps she could remain here longer than just a few seconds.
Kimble closed his eyes and held Seth close to him, wanting a little comfort himself. This day wasn't turning out so well after all. In here with no one to see, Kimble could let his guard down. He trembled as he started to cry. Being the caregiver was a difficult and painful job, one he chose to do on his own, but one that carried its own pains. He was frightened by Fallen's story and stung by Maylee's accusations. He knew deep in his heart that he wasn't bad or evil like she'd said. Valentin was. This place was. Fallen's story made him remember that it wasn't always safe out in the real world and now he was there again. He didn't know if he could in fact be killed out here and wasn't in an all fired rush to find out. How was he going to protect his people — Seth and Fallen and May — from everything that was going on, from Valentin? He was the Second, he was Kimble and it was his job to look after them. He would do whatever it took, sacrificing everything else to do it.