DESCENT INTO DARKNESS
PART 5
By:
Stacy L.
Early the Next Morning…
Daniel awoke slowly sitting up and regretting the move as dizziness washed over him. He lay back down and waited for his vision to clear fearing he knew the source of his sudden discomfort. He needed nourishment, for without it he was weakening and part of malnourishment was the unwelcome arrival of confusion and disorientation. If he didn’t soon eat… He tried to sit up again, feeling relieved when he was successful the second time. He gazed around the interior of the cave seeing Mehtar still asleep. The other three were gone, probably out doing reconnaissance. He found that he didn’t want to remain inside so he quietly left the cave feeling relieved when he stepped out into the cool, brisk morning air.
He turned to gaze off to his right when he heard movement smiling when Sam exited the forest. She saw Daniel and immediately said, “Hi Daniel. Sleep well?”
“Um, yeah actually I did.”
“And how do you feel?”
“A bit better, stronger I…I think. You know you shouldn’t be wandering these woods alone. This place isn’t safe, not even in daylight.”
“Do you really believe we’re in danger here?”
“Yes. You need to be cautious and careful.”
Sam smiled as she nodded and said, “Yes Dad.”
Ignoring the slight jab Daniel asked, “Where are Jack and Teal’c?”
“They headed around the other side of the cave.”
Daniel looked at Sam suddenly hearing the pounding of her heart in his ears. He tensed finding the rhythm almost hypnotizing. He swallowed hard as his mouth began to water and his desire to eat increased. He tried to force himself to look away but found that his eyes were now trained on her neck, watching the vein as it pumped blood throughout her body. He slowly approached her as his need to feed grew. He ran his tongue across his teeth smiling as he felt the sharp points now protruding from his jaw. It was time to taste that precious blood that taunted him daily. He could smell it and closed his eyes briefly fantasizing about the taste of her blood on his lips, so sweet, so tangy, and so deliciously warm…
Before he realized what he was doing he grabbed her and threw her to the ground pouncing on her the moment she was vulnerable and pinning her in place. Through the haziness in his vision he could see her blue eyes not condemning only full of sorrow and love. He halted, hesitating as his mind began to clear but the lure of the sweet red liquid she could provide him became overpowering. He needed to taste it, to take a tiny sampling and then he’d let her go. He would.
He lowered his lips to her neck pressing soft kisses there before licking the vein he was preparing to feast from. As he pressed his mouth to her vulnerable throat he could feel the pulse beating beneath his lips and his mouth watered more. He raised his head prepared to sink his teeth deep within her neck when a sound off in the distance stopped him. He turned his gaze to the forest feeling the woman beneath him as she gently stroked a hand across his left cheek speaking a name that he knew, a name that was very familiar to him. He turned to gaze at her cocking his head to the side as she continued to repeat one name over and over again. Something registered deep in the back of his mind that he shouldn’t be doing this, that he needed to stop and without questioning that urge he started to pull away from her preparing to leave her as the name she had been saying pierced the air around him only this time being shouted by a man, “DANIEL!”
He stopped jerking his head up to gaze at the one who had just shouted his name. He shook his head suddenly confused wondering why the man was looking at him in fear. He knew the man unable to place the face but as his mind cleared further he recognized Jack and found himself questioning why his best friend was looking at him in pure fear. Greatly disturbed by that look he softly questioned, “Jack?”
He saw Jack’s gaze flick from his face to the ground then back again looking both fearful and concerned at the same time. He followed that gaze blanching when he saw Sam now lying beneath him very much aware looking at him with nothing but trust and concern, even as blood ran freely from below her left ear and red marks glared on her pale skin. He felt his heart lurching in his chest and felt acid eating at his stomach as the realization of what had happened washed over him. Oh God, he…he had attacked her and instead of seeing fear, instead of seeing disgust she was gazing at him with eyes full of trust? How…how could she trust him so implicitly even after he had attacked her?
She reached up as if sensing his inner turmoil and wanting to soothe him. She then pressed her other hand gently to his other cheek softly assuring, “It’s all right, Daniel. I’m fine.”
Daniel stared at her in abject horror shaking his head as he tried to deny his actions, “No, no…no I… No, God NO!”
“Daniel…”
He jerked violently away from her feeling deeply ashamed of himself for what he had done, what he almost did. My God, he attacked her. He tried to…tried to feed from… Oh God NO! He started shaking his head feeling guilt and shame flood him. He could hear her speaking to him in a soothing tone but was so horrified with himself that he pushed her away before rising to his feet and darting into the woods hearing several shouts of ‘Daniel’ as he fled. He ran fast and hard desperate to place as much distance between himself and his friends as was humanly possible. He didn’t want to hurt them, never wanted that, but the hunger within was only continuing to build. God, hadn’t the collar been placed on him to control him? If so how come…? God!
He stopped by a tree and sagged against it sliding down until he sat perched at its base then he drew his legs to his chest, wrapped his arms securely around them and pressed his forehead into the tops of his knees hiding his face from view feeling bitterness, anger and terror threatening to engulf him. He had almost, he almost…
He moaned softly as his stomach began to cramp up again sending little pangs of discomfort his way. He was so hungry, so very hungry but he couldn’t eat. He couldn’t! If he did, if he caved in to the ravenous hunger still gripping him, then he’d turn into one of them. He’d become one of them and he’d condemn himself to eternal damnation. He couldn’t do that, he couldn’t!
He whimpered as his hunger continued to build and winced as the chills and shudders began to wrack his body. He would stay here. He would remain here. Here they would be safe. The others could go home and forget him. He’d remain here until he died of starvation. He’d never drink the blood of another living thing. He was more determined than ever not to repeat the same mistake he had nearly made this morning. He wouldn’t allow hunger, the need to feed, the food cravings or the pain to sway him. He would remain strong and would refuse to eat. He would remain here beneath this tree and allow himself to…whither away.
He sat for the longest time listening for any little sound or approach of another. He didn’t want them to find him, so he continued to listen prepared to take off running the moment he heard another’s approach. They wouldn’t find him ever again, and he would remain behind on this planet that was now to be his tomb. He couldn’t put them in danger. He couldn’t do that to his friends and he wouldn’t do that!
The longer he remained the colder he became and the more his body began to shiver. The sun was high in the sky and Daniel was certain that it was extremely warm out today, yet he felt as if he were already in a tomb, buried under thousands of rocks, trapped in a small little compartment packed full of ice. God, he was so cold! Why was he so damned cold? Why couldn’t he get warm?
He curled up in as tight a ball as he could form trying desperately to retain any amount of heat he could in his body, but still felt so very cold. He closed his eyes as drowsiness swept over him. He started drifting asleep but jerked his head up yelling at himself to stay awake determined to evade his friends, who were no doubt looking for him even now. He couldn’t go back to them. He couldn’t. He had almost killed Sam. He would have if Jack hadn’t… God! He had almost killed Sam! He shook his head feeling guilt and shame encompassing him as he regretted those actions. He had almost…
As the day progressed towards evening Daniel felt confident that he wouldn’t be found. He wouldn’t be found, and they would be safe again. They would be safe. He closed his eyes trying to sleep and moaned softly as pain answered his attempts. He cursed violently as the twisting agony returned with a vengeance. The squirming snake was back twisting and turning in his gut, gnashing his insides with its teeth and gouging his organs with its razor sharp claws. He tried to keep his pain silent, but it wasn’t long before he released the desperate wails and screams of pain as the serpent within chose to shred his insides to bloody pieces.
He became desperate for the pain to end finding that he couldn’t handle it much longer. His breathing started coming in short gasps as the pain continued to build and swamp him. He became very afraid that he’d be killed, destroyed from the inside out as the squirming evil within continued to gnash at him and lance his insides punishing him mercilessly for not taking the food that had been offered so freely to him. The beast was growing angry, less patient with its chosen victim. It wanted to take control, to reign supreme over the body it now resided in. The beast wanted to gain full control over the one still desperately fighting against it.
Daniel released another anguished scream as the pain seemed only to increase within and felt his body begin to shiver again as the strain on it became nearly too much. He was afraid, for he knew what could happen to him: he could slip into shock and die out here in the middle of nowhere all alone. He could die and never be found. He suddenly realized that he didn’t want to be alone. He wanted to be with Jack. He wanted to tell Jack how he felt about him. He wanted so much but he knew he couldn’t have any of those dreams anymore, for he was becoming a soulless creature by the minute. He was dying a slow painful death, the most painful death of all…
“Daniel, you must fight. You must fight to live, to survive. It is not your time. You are not meant to die in this way for you have much yet to accomplish in this life. You must return to the light. You must not allow the evil within to destroy your soul, precious one. You must not surrender.”
Daniel opened his eyes gazing about him anxiously wondering
where that voice came from and certain that he was dying. He was losing his
mind. There was no one around so where the hell had that voice come from and
who had spoken to him? He shook his head unsure of what was going on and
feeling suddenly very vulnerable. Here he was transforming into a soulless
creature that was extremely powerful, yet he felt vulnerable. Why?
He tried to sit up screaming weakly as the pain within lashed out at him again. He had hoped, had prayed for the pain to end but it never had. He was still suffering, and he didn’t think he could handle it much longer. The pain was too much for him. He tried to sit up again and ended up screaming as he curled into a tight ball once again moaning and feeling the coldness that now enveloped him. He had to get up, for surely it was soon night and the vampires would soon return to claim him. But the pain kept him trapped at the base of the tree unable to move.
He was ready to give up when warmth suddenly encompassed him and pulled him in. He felt the pain begin to lessen as strong arms wrapped around him and pulled him close. He knew that he was no longer alone, that someone was lifting him into their arms and that he had to open his eyes, for if the vampire had found him…
He shook his head trying to force his eyes to open hearing a soft, gentle voice flowing over him as the one now holding him said, “Easy Daniel, I’ve got you now. Easy. We have to get you back to the cave. You had us scared to death. You shouldn’t have ran off, Daniel. It’s too dangerous for you to be out here alone. I’ve got you now. Come on. We need to get out of here before night fall.”
He tried to concentrate on that voice knowing it and trusting it implicitly. He tried to speak aware that his throat was now hoarse and dry from his screams of pain and anguish. He licked his lips uttering a name he knew so well, “Ja’k are…why are you here? Too dangerous…leave me. Leave me here.”
“No Daniel I’m not going to do that. No. We’re going back together. Come on. I’ve got you. We need to get back to the cave. There we’ll be safe.”
“Safe here…”
“No, no we’re not. It’s too dangerous here.”
“No…”
Daniel felt the need to assure Jack that they were safe for the moment and reached up to grasp a handful of his t-shirt, when he was successful he continued, “No, safe…safe here…she protects us…”
“She? Daniel, are you all right?”
“She’s here Jack…she’s watching us, kept me safe…”
“Daniel you need to calm down. Sleep. Get some sleep. Please.”
Daniel needed no further coaxing as he slipped into a deep
sleep causing Jack to release a sigh of relief. He then hollered for their
Once to the cave Jack carefully settled Daniel on a blanket then turned to Mehtar asking, “Can we travel now or do we have to spend another night here?”
“It is dangerous…”
“And Daniel doesn’t have a lot of time. He couldn’t even stand on his own when I found him. We had to carry him back here.”
Mehtar nodded before lowering beside Daniel and pressing a hand to the young man’s forehead. He closed his eyes as he focused inward seeing the young one’s life force slowly ebbing away. He opened his eyes again saying, “We can make it to shelter if we leave now.”
Jack focused intently on Mehtar seeing concern and worry in the elderly man’s eyes. He spoke aloud, “You’re scared for him. He really doesn’t have much time left…does he?”
Mehtar remained silent gazing at the worried faces of the three with him. He neglected to answer the Colonel’s question choosing instead to suggest, “Perhaps it is best if we continue our journey. Is there one who is able to carry him as he rests?”
Jack, Sam and Teal’c all exchanged glances knowing, understanding that Daniel’s days were numbered, and none of them wanted to admit to that fact. Teal’c interrupted their dower contemplations by offering, “I will carry Daniel Jackson. We must find the Chandrakanta stone. We waste time with our delay.”
“I’ll take him when he gets too heavy for you, T.”
Teal’c nodded in agreement but would carry Daniel as long as needed to get him the help they desperately sought.
Jack turned to Mehtar after silently gathering a consensus from the other members of his team then said, “We leave now. One will carry Daniel some of the way then we’ll switch off. We’ll hike until sunset…”
“We must find shelter before dusk, for I fear the vampire will begin searching shortly thereafter. We must get him out of sight.”
“Okay. We’d better get going then.”
“Yes.”
Together they gathered their things and headed out from the
Daniel slept most of the hike making Jack’s fear for him climb several notches. Hadn’t Mehtar said that during sleep Daniel’s energy was replenishing? Just how much energy did his young friend expend when he dashed through the woods after having attacked Sam? He shook his head tensing and turning his full gaze to the one in his thoughts as Daniel spoke his name. When he saw Daniel awake he smiled saying, “Hey, there sleepy head, how are you feeling?”
“Tired…”
“After that rest? Daniel…”
“Jack, don’t. Don’t do that.”
“What?”
“Worry…about me. Jack, I’ll be fine. I just need to get some sleep, and I’ll be fine.”
Jack turned when a hand pressed to his shoulder and looked to see who drew his attention. As he focused on Mehtar the look in the old man’s eyes worried him even more. Mehtar shook his head before saying, “We shall rest here for a moment.”
Jack nodded his head in understanding.
Once they were settled Jack approached Daniel offering him water. When Daniel refused Jack persisted gently coaxing, “Come on. Take a small sip, Daniel. Please.”
Daniel licked his lips wanting nothing more than to drink but knew that water would no longer quench his thirst, feeling disgusted at the realization he chose to shake his head and respond with, “Not…not thirsty for… No Jack.”
Mehtar focused intently on the Colonel and was certain the same thoughts ran through his mind: the young one was thirsty for blood not water. Mehtar knew that his cravings were probably increasing and if he didn’t soon willingly feed the evil that resided within would take control and force him to comply. He shook his head again saddened by seeing the visitors in such anguish over their friend. If he had only warned them… He focused on the Colonel as he quietly insisted, “He must drink water or he will never make the journey.”
Jack nodded, understanding Mehtar’s fears and knowing the risk Daniel was now in. If he didn’t keep drinking water he would dehydrate. He was already refusing to eat any food offered and now the water was becoming a challenge to get into his system. The human body needed water to keep functioning and if Daniel continued to refuse to drink then he could die before they got him the help they sought. He was not about to allow that to happen so he returned his focus to his young friend again urging, “Daniel, please drink some of this.”
“I…I can’t…”
He softened his voice as he continued, “I know you don’t want to Daniel, but you have to. You have to drink some of this water. You have to at least try. If you don’t drink…”
Daniel released a weak refusal shaking his head as he managed, “Makes me sick, Jack. Please, don’t make me drink…”
“You have to try, Daniel. You have to. You need to drink some of this. Please. Please Daniel try to drink some of this… You need to at least try.”
Mehtar watched the exchange and his worry only escalated. The young one was refusing to partake of the liquid he so desperately needed and if he continued to refuse then they would lose him before they found the sacred moon gem. He had to drink. He turned towards the woman as she approached him and reassured, “Don’t worry Mehtar. If anyone can get Daniel to comply it’ll be Colonel O’Neill.”
Mehtar looked at her then at the two men positive that she was right and feeling relieved when the young one accepted the water with little resistance taking several sips before turning away. He smiled when the Colonel proceeded to gently chide, “Ah, ah more than that Daniel. You have to drink more than that.”
“Jack I…”
“More than that. Don’t argue with me. You need fluids. You need to drink.”
“I need…a lot of things Jack.”
“But you have water right now and you need water so drink. Drink.”
Daniel sighed rather loud and dramatically earning a grin from Sam in the process for his attempts at complaining before he yielded accepting more of the water before curling inwards on himself as obvious hunger pangs seized him yet again. As he softly hissed Jack responded immediately reaching out to grasp his friend’s hand and saying, “I’m here Daniel. I’m here. You can let it out. You’re not alone. We’re all here for you. We’re all here.”
“Ja’k what if…what if…?”
“Shh, shh hush don’t be thinking like that. You’ll be fine, Daniel, you will. We’re already halfway to that healing rock. We’ll get it soon, and you’ll be back to normal in no time.”
“But…”
“No, no buts. You stay positive,
Daniel nodded and managed to lift his head offering a weak smile of gratitude before again lowering it and curling into a smaller ball feeling extremely relieved to know that his friends were with him, and he wasn’t facing this whole situation on his own.
Jack watched as his best friend curled inwards on himself feeling both angry and sad that he was suffering so much. He was determined to find the stone that would heal Daniel, and if they had to hike all day and all night for several days to get to it quicker then he’d damned well do it. Daniel was too important to him to lose, and he wasn’t about to let some evil creature steal Daniel’s body and soul. That price was way too high to pay and he would prevent it from happening at all costs. He looked at Mehtar quietly inquiring, “I thought you said he would be stronger upon waking…”
“He is.”
“Then why is he…?”
Daniel forced out between gasps, “Hunger pains, Jack… Need to… Won’t comply… Pain’s immense.”
Jack tensed realizing that Daniel had heard what he had whispered to Mehtar and hoped that it didn’t further upset his best friend. He hadn’t meant for Daniel to hear his inquiry or Mehtar’s reply. He focused intently on Daniel and could tell that he was suffering. He knew that Daniel needed to rest and recover. He also shouldn’t be constantly on the move. He needed to be stationary so that he could gain proper sleep, but it was too dangerous to remain out in the open. They had to keep moving so he quieted his voice as he hesitantly informed, “Daniel, we need to leave this area and get to shelter before nightfall. Teal’c or I can carry you but rest is going to be…”
“NO! No!” came Daniel’s immediate protest as he forced himself to stand upright holding a protective arm across his abdomen and trying to keep from hunching over like an old man from the agony within. He inhaled deeply before forcing his head up, locking gazes with Jack as he refused the aid, “No. I can walk. I can walk, Jack.”
Seeing Daniel’s stubbornness shining in his eyes made him feel a whole hell of a lot better, but Jack also knew that Daniel would contest this decision to death, still he had to try to make his friend understand, “No, Daniel, you can’t…”
Daniel refused to accept defeat firing back, “Yes I can.”
“Daniel, you’re in pain. You can’t…”
Sounding bound and determined Daniel informed, “I will.”
“No.”
Daniel glared at his friend before saying, “Jack, we’re wasting valuable time arguing. I’m walking so let’s go.”
He then deliberately turned away and started walking missing Jack’s frustrated, angry expression as he did so. Mehtar touched Jack’s shoulder shaking his head before saying, “This is foolishness. He does not have the strength…”
Jack could see the stiffness of Daniel’s spine, the deliberate forcing of one foot in front of the other and the stubbornness written in Daniel’s every action. His friend wouldn’t accept aid until he fell down, the stubborn son of a bitch! What was worse, he couldn’t order Daniel to comply. He continued to watch Daniel sighing in displeasure before answering, “Why don’t you try telling HIM that?” before turning abruptly to follow his friend knowing that Daniel would never yield in this decision, but Mehtar refused to accept that answer running after him as he said, “Please, he is weak. You must tell him to stop.”
Jack paused long enough to offer Mehtar a half grin as he informed, “Mehtar, let me tell you a little something about our Daniel. He’s stubborn as hell and when he sets his mind on something…”
Mehtar interjected, “Then order him to stop. You have that ability. The collar makes him compliant. He will listen to your commands. Order him…”
“No.”
“But you must.”
“NO! I won’t take advantage of him in that way.”
“But you…”
“No. He’s my friend not my slave. I won’t order him to do my bidding.”
“Then you are adding to his suffering, for he takes such foolish risks.”
Jack shook his head in denial before adding, “No. Daniel’s insisting on this BECAUSE he’s thinking of everyone but himself.”
“What do you mean?”
“He feels guilty for making us carry him. He feels like a burden. He isn’t worried about himself at all right now. Daniel’s only concerns are for you and us. He’s thinking of how if he dies or changes he may hurt us. He’s thinking of how because he’s changing we’re remaining with him and risking our lives to save him. He doesn’t care about himself, that’s not Daniel. He cares about us and he is worrying about us. He’ll walk until he can no longer walk. He’ll walk until he passes out and has to be carried because he fears he’s slowing us down thus placing us in danger of attack. That’s just the way Daniel is. He’d sooner give up his own life to save another then witness them being hurt or killed. Daniel is special. He’s very…unique. Daniel is…Daniel and there’s no changing him.”
Mehtar nodded in understanding saying, “I see now why he holds your heart, but he endangers himself with his foolishness.”
Jack swallowed hard as Mehtar said those first few words knowing what they implied. Instead of wallowing on them he answered, “It’s his choice, and I won’t take that away from him.”
“Even at the risk of his own life?”
Jack said nothing watching Daniel and wanting nothing more than to command he stop walking and submit to aid, but he couldn’t, he wouldn’t do that to his friend. He’d monitor Daniel, and when he recognized the signs of distress he’d be there to catch him.
He shook his head as he thought of how much he loved the
stubborn son of a bitch. Love? When had he fallen in love with his best friend?
When had he started viewing Daniel as more than just his teammate? If he had to
guess he would say on
He jerked his head up as Daniel hissed failing to miss the way he stumbled over a rock. Damn! Dammit why did Daniel have to be so stubborn? Why? He shook his head as he made his way to his friend’s side earning a brief glare and a quick retort of, “I’m fine,” from the stubborn man. Instead of pointing out that Daniel nearly fell on his face back there he settled for walking beside him in case Daniel should happen to trip or fall and need some assistance. He’d let Daniel walk, but he’d also monitor the man extremely close. If Daniel faltered then he would be right there to offer help and that was much better then the alternative.
Next:
Feedback to: bluebirdstears@yahoo.com
Copyright©2004-2011 Midnightstorms.net
All Rights Reserved.