Step by Step by Step to Work It Out

The confusion at his question has Enki’s brow raising as a tiny humor filled grin begins to worm its way onto his face he wonders if she has forgotten the reason for calling him so soon. The smile that tugs at his lips turns warm as she speaks and bobs his head in agreement that he hopes he has answers as well. At the question about his horned brother, the boy stifles a laugh as he remembers fondly, the few times he had been able to be with Akuma. With a nod of his head, Enki says, “When I was a pup, fresh out of the den, a coyote tried to carry me away. Akuma, that is my brother’s name, stopped the coyote and saved my life.”

It had been terrifying and Enki remembers clearly the fear that had invaded his heart in the moments that he had thought he was surely dead. But his brother had appeared, charging in, unafraid to challenge a larger predator and had stopped his would-be abductor. On top of that, they had then chased away the coyote… together. While the years may have kept them apart as their mother did her best to hide them from perceived danger and the pale boy had hidden in Ashen while his leg healed but, no matter has happened in their lives, he will always love and trust Akuma.

And he decides to tell Medusa just that, “I wasn’t able to spend a lot of time of him growing up but, I trust Akuma with my life. Sure, he might have a bit of an attitude but, deep down, he was just a lost, lonely boy… like me.” A sad, wistful smile pulls at his lips as he remembers the days after the pack challenge, the uncertainty and fear that had blotted out much of his childhood and stolen away his youth. Yet, life is strange and now, here he stands with the woman who he had been raised to believe was his biggest enemy in those years and he finds himself… grateful for her.

Yes, life is strange indeed.


"Enki Klein"