Fog, human-shaped shadows and the voices of children surrounded Marcus. He tried his best to look around, yet his entire body was stiff - he had to force himself to breathe so he wouldn’t suffocate, and he barely had any spare energy for anything else.
“Marcus?” A faint, muffled voice called out to him,
“I’m here.” The words were stuck in his throat, he could not even open his mouth or push enough air through his throat to make a sound.
“Marcus? Wake up!” The voice became clearer. It was actually two voices, one of his father’s, and one of Gloria Lee’s.
He still could not see anything. But somehow, he could feel a warmth getting closer. Or, it was the warmth that was pulling him away from where he was.
He finally opened his eyes and took a deep breath in. The first thing that entered his sight was the painting of two Vajra Warriors on the ceiling. His father and Gloria were by his side, both quite relieved.
“Are you okay? C’mon.” Gloria helped him sit up.
“I’m okay, just - headache.” Marcus sighed and rubbed his temples: “What happened? How long was I out?”
“About - about an hour and a half. ” Kelvin answered: “We had to wake you because you were hyperventilating and sweating - you looked like you were having a nightmare.”
“Yeah, maybe. But I can’t remember.” Marcus took a few deep breaths: “Just - just catch me up. What happened when I was out? How’s Mick?”
“Mick’s still asleep. The Elder said he’s doing much better now. They pieced his soul together.” Gloria chuckled: “It was quite a fight - you know, you missed out on some big action, detective.”
“Well, at least he’s okay. That’s what’s important.” Marcus grimaced as he tried to put his numb and aching legs off the bed and his feet into his shoes: “And you? Are you okay? If there’s an Elder here, then you must have been checked as well, right? What’d the - the Elder say? And how is Liaowu?”
“Liaowu went with a - a Senior.” Kelvin scratched his head.
“Well, a FORMER Senior.” Gloria took a deep breath and stood up: “Okay, you take it easy. I’ll let the others know you’re awake. And we can grab something to eat. ”
“What time is it?”
“It should be about - maybe 7 or 8 o’clock right now, still very early.” Kelvin sighed: “Come on, Liaowu told us everything - mostly. And I’m sorry about Bulu Wang - he was a good man. A very good man.”
“Yeah. It’s gonna be - bad without him, after everything - ” Marcus sighed.
When Marcus walked out of the small room he was in, with the help of his father, he was greeted by Kevin and Keryn. The two remaining men in black previously under the employment of Mick’s father had now changed into robes - simple, sallow robes made of crude and rough linen - uniforms of low-level monks of the temple. They were kneeling before a tall incense burner, with three incense sticks in their hands, chanting in low voices with their eyes closed.
“What happened?” Marcus whispered his question to Kevin and Keryn.
“They decided to stay in the temple. After everything - well, it shook them up.” Kevin sighed: “Can’t say I’m surprised. It’s not new. And to be honest, it’s probably for the best.”
Marcus nodded, then scratched his jaw: “Anything on Mick?”
“He’s in there - ” Keryn pointed to a sanctum to her left: “The Elder said he’s doing better now. But there’s no telling when he can wake up.”
In the sanctum, Marcus finally met Mick’s parents in person after learning about them. His father did look like what a high level police official would look, though only slightly weary and tired; his mother seemed to be younger than his father, and had bags under her eyes indicating to Marcus how worried and concerned she had been about Mick throughout this time.
“Detective Marcus Cai.” Mick’s father stood up from his chair on the side of the table, on which Mick was lying, and walked straight up to Marcus: “We finally meet.”
Marcus hesitated for only a brief moment before reaching his hand to shake Mick’s father’s: “Nice to meet you, Sir. I’m sorry we have to meet under this kind of circumstances.”
“Well - ” Mick’s father took a deep breath, seemingly swallowing the snark and blame, and instead organized a few kinder and more productive words: “Sometimes fate has its weird sense of humor. But overall, I just hope that Mick would not be pulled into anything dangerous. And we need to find a good way to get out of this - mess.”
“I apologize with all my heart for what happened.” Marcus bowed gently: “We never intended for him to get hurt like this. And I’m glad he’s doing alright now.”
“What are you going to do next?” Mick’s father asked.
“We are going to visit a place. And don’t worry, we won’t bring Mick along. Though, there might be someone there who could have the knowledge to help him. If that person can help, we will ask for it.” Marcus nodded at the concerned father.
Mick’s father nodded and let out an exhale of relief. He hesitated for a brief moment, but ended up not saying anything.
“What are you going to do next? ” Marcus was somewhat relieved that Mick’s parents did not seem to be planning something rash: “And - if anything, I do suggest you lay low for a while before you do anything. This district might not be anything like the South-Western District, but the city has much less influence here - ”
“Thanks for your concern, detective. ” Mick’s father shook his head: “But - we need to do this on our own, and we must take our own safety into consideration.”
“I totally understand.” Marcus nodded: “But - just - this is the specialty of the South-Eastern District, so please take what the Elder tells you seriously.”
