Old Four: “Damn it!”

  Widening his eyes in horror at the figure of his fallen comrade. The middle-aged man rushed to Xiao Chen’s side as both hands pressed down on the gushing wound.

  The warmth of pooling blood penetrated through the fabric of the man’s pants and sleeves within a fraction of a second Old Four knelt down.

  Akin to the slow crawling of vines encasing around his limbs in an agonizing fashion…

  Dread induced the middle-aged man to tremble with fear as he tried to placate the body slumped in his embrace. Words came out in a low quivering tone as Old Four sat completely helpless on the ground.

  One hand supported Xiao Chen’s back while the other still pressed hard on the flooding gap colored in a hue of darkening red.

  “Xi, Xiao…. Chen. Xiao Chen…. it’s okay… everything will be okay. You just have to hang on, I'll take you to the hospital soon.”

  The heat and stench of blood seeped into the air before drilling into the man’s senses as the mix of vertigo and confusion threatened for the man to hurl.

  Vision blurred akin to a mirror veiled in mist as tears began to form on the corner of those droopy eyes.

  “You have to hang on…”

  Suppression of blood flow does not seem to work as well as first planned. The temperature under trembling fingers descends with each tick of time. This realization caused the middle-aged man’s heart to ache with pain akin to arrows piercing his heart.

  Think! Think! There has to be a way!

  Thoughts tangled together with no ways of untwining until Old Four felt a light tug on his shirt. Inducing the middle-aged man to connect gazes with Xiao Chen’s dazed vision.

  “Xiao Chen.”

  “......Ol ...d….F… our… I think…” Scarlet liquid streamed from the corner of stained lips made even more serious with each strained cough and intake of breath.

  Before his words even finished, Xiao Chen’s breath halted just as abrupt as the attack itself.

  Everything started and ended within a matter of minutes.

  The young man died rather quickly.

  “… …”

  Staring in a daze at his bloody hands, the tears at the corner of Old Four eyes finally fell. Sliding from his cheeks all the way down to the still warm corpse in his arms, staining an area of Xiao Chen’s shirt a darker shade.

  Why? Old Four wondered.

  Why is this happening?

  What is happening?

  I… can’t think straight, he thought.

  Just as the older man was about to question this situation even further, a shadow suddenly draped over his hunched figure.

  Blocking off the light from a nearby window while successfully capturing his distracted attention.

  “... …”

  Blurred pupils filled with unshed tears quivered for a second before rising to collide with an intense gaze. Cold and aloof to the point of being almost emotionless, those dark orbs locked onto the middle-aged man akin to looking at a dead object.

  “Y, y,” Dry lips twitched and trembled before managing to question with a tinge of hate, “you… who?”

  But as if having near the limit of their patience, the figure above lifted the object in their hands high and struck down without pity.

  Widened pupils watched motionless as that glint of silver cut down without hesitation.

  Bang!

  Unshed droplets of anguish rolled down the man’s tear stained face.

  _____

  “...”

  “... …”

  “...... Hey…”

  “..........Old ….….hey..”

  Xiao Chen: “Hey!”

  Old Four: “Huh!?”

  Opening his eyes in shock, the middle-aged man stood in bewilderment at the middle of the busy pier.

  Xiao Chen: “Old Four, are you listening to me!?”

  Droopy eyes stared absentmindedly at the docked ship, the moving waves, along strides of strangers walking by. The faint chattering of people undulated within his consciousness but still failed to register nonetheless.

  Where?

  “Hey! You’re ignoring me again!” Xiao Chen said as he jumped in front of his partner with a pout which immediately startled the man.

  “Huh?” Old Four revealed a shock expression which morphed into one of utter disbelief, “Xiao Chen, is, is it really you?”

  Didn’t you… die?

  Staring wide-eyed at the person in front of him, images flashed by akin to reels of a black and white film.

  The death of this young man who is his one and only partner.

  His despair at seeing someone he knew for so long take their last breath in his arms.

  As well as…

  As well as the coldblooded gaze of the culprit who created all this.

  All these sudden recollections of broken images caused the middle-aged man to shiver subconsciously under the heat of this noontime sun.

  Was… all of that just a dream?

  But… It felt so real?

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  Oblivious to Old Four’s thoughts, Xiao Chen sulked unhappily to a greater degree. “Of course I’m here! If I’m not here, where am I supposed to be? Hello? Hey …Old Four! Your mind is wandering again! What are you thinking about so seriously?”

  Startled by Xiao Chen’s shout, Old Four escaped momentarily from the cage of messy thoughts.

  In the fraction of a second the man looked up from his daze, a sudden transparent haze even he couldn’t detect invaded his senses. Casting a thin film of mist over every churning thought and ideas in mind, turning it stagnate and blank in a matter of seconds.

  The mix of confusion, bewilderment, as well as fear which swirled within those fatigue pupils froze then shattered before dispersing without sound.

  What was I thinking about again?

  I can’t seem to remember… even though I was just thinking… about… what?

  ”I don’t… nevermind.” Shaking his head to clear the muddle of heavy disorientation, Old Four asked with furrowed brows. “What were you talking to me about again?”

  Although a little upset at being ignored, Xiao Chen decided to forgive his old partner’s actions and continued to talk. “I was saying you should wear brighter colors instead of dreary black and grey ones, like a bright yellow suit! You’ll look ten years younger that way, it might even help you get rid of your singular life.”

  “Hm.” Old Four answered absentmindedly, thinking that this conversation sounded rather familiar.

  “Come on, walk faster! We have to meet the new advisor for our team! I think I see him near that tree over there!” Xiao Chen said as he started to pull Old Four towards a tree where a figure is seen standing under.

  “... …”

  The sense of deja vu grew stronger with each passing moment as blood-shot eyes locked onto a vague figure distance away.

  Heartbeats pound loud as if drums vibrating in his chest, allowing blood to rush rampant through every vein amongst heavy strides.

  There are just too many people to see clear enough to give life to that expectant picture carved in his mind. A large dog of some breed laying under the shade in leisure rest.

  However…

  …Huh?

  Why would he think a dog would be waiting instead of a person?

  But Old Four’s strides did not falter; on the contrary, it grew faster to the point that it turned into him pulling Xiao Chen along into a short run instead.

  Xiao Chen: “Hey! Quit yanking, you’re walking too fast!”

  Steps halted upon arriving about a few feet away as the middle-aged man’s facial expression morphed into one of vacant surprise.

  Sight enraptured by the silhouette under the shade of sashaying leaves.

  A cool wind blew in the caress of rustling leaves which then fluttered onto the tall frame below. Gliding past strands of dark colored hair and paleness of porcelain skin before making a momentary contact with thin pursed lips.

  Brushing by before landing silent on the ground beside the youth’s feet.

  “... …”

  Perhaps sensing the arrival of guests, long lashes quivered for a second before the figure under the tree opened his eyes. Limpid black irises collided with the duo standing on the opposite side as a translucent voice rang out from those soft lips. “Detectives, correct?”

  Not expecting to hear such a clear voice, the two detectives nodded in a wordless daze.

  “... …”

  Receiving the response he wanted, the young man pushed himself away from the tree before sauntering away. Slender digits motioned towards the duo to follow, “this way.” The mysterious youth said while turning away from the direction of the pier.

  _____

  Through one alleyway to another, the detectives followed in silence behind the tall figure in blue. The trio stride without conversing all the way until they arrive at an old two story building.

  Old with a dilapidated sense of an abandoned house, a feeling of unease began to swirl inside of the middle-aged man the moment his sight landed in front.

  Hesitation withheld him as cold sweat began to slide down his icy back.

  Jaws clenched tight as they walked the halls within the quiet interior, past many familiar but foreign furniture and sights until… they halted a step away from a certain door.

  Stopping in front of the entranceway of the chamber, the young man stepped aside as he gestured towards the duo with a faint smile. “Please, guests first.” He then waited in politeness for one of them to open the door.

  Feeling comfortable enough, Xiao Chen was about to show himself in when Old Four shot a hand out to grip tight on his wrist. “I’ll open the door, you stay behind me.”

  Xiao Chen: “Ah?”

  Although puzzled by these strange actions, Xiao Chen did not think much as he moved to stand behind his partner.

  Old Four: “... …”

  Standing with sweat running down his forehead, Old Four released a trembling breath as a hand slowly reached for the door knob. Unblinking sight locked hard on the motion of turning so much that it caused him to neglect his surroundings.

  Especially his failure to detect the pair of clear eyes staring silently at his every move.

  “... …”

  Gathering enough courage, Old Four took a deep shaky breath. Letting it out at the same juncture as the turning of the knob, the door flew open with a bang to reveal the secrets from within.

  A room decorated with expensive redwood furniture.

  From chairs, to tables, to bookshelves, its dilapidated outer appearance conceals a lavish interior hidden from apparent sight. A large fireplace, leather couches, a few glass lamps, and a beautiful red rug which lies a huge sleeping St. Bernard.

  Upon hearing the sound of guests, the ears of the dog twitched in slight motion before it stood up to find another comfortable spot under the window near the large redwood desk.

  Stunned by the unexpected normalcy of the room, Old Four stood rooted at the same place until a slender figure walked past. Pulling him from his reverie as the middle-aged man hurried after the owner of the house followed by Xiao Chen.

  “Wow! This place is so different from the outside!” Xiao Chen exclaimed in admiration which earned a glare from Old Four.

  “Don’t be rude.”

  “Feel free to find a comfortable seat.” The young man said as he sat himself behind the large desk. Hands and legs crossed together simultaneously as he stared at the two detectives in contemplation.

  Concurrent with those actions, a gentle lighting shines from the large glass windows onto his tall figure. Surrounding the youth in a thin layer of blinding white light.

  Combined with the clearness of those black pupils, it was as if the person sitting at the desk was not the adviser they were planning on meeting. But a being that transcends mortality and whose sights can peer through the depths of one’s soul.

  “Cough!” Breaking eye contact from the scene in front of him, Old Four steady his thoughts before giving himself a formal introduction. “You can call me Old Four and the kid behind me is Xiao Chen. We’ll be working together from now on, so pleased to meet you.”

  “Qi Lan. Pleased to meet the two of you as well.” The youth named Qi Lan said with a meaningful smile.

  Silence…

  Unable to think of a suitable topic to start on, Old Four awkwardly swept his eyes around the room. Unexpectedly landing on a book left on the coffee table to his left. Curiosity induced the man to take a few steps forward in reach for that item.

  [Lament Island], the book is titled.

  Is this not a book about how the island was built years ago?

  Anyone who lives on the island knows the basics of this history by mouth, there isn’t really a need to purchase a physical copy.

  Worried that his new advisor might’ve been scammed, Old Four was about to enlighten this young lad when Qi Lan opened his mouth with an abrupt question.

  “I see that you are interested in that book?” The youth smiled lightly.

  “Ah? This? No...” Surprised by the sudden inquiry, Old Four stuttered in response.

  A soft chuckle rumbled from Qi Lan’s throat whilst an index finger tapped faintly on the desk in absentmindness. “Have you heard about the history of this island?”

  Nodding his head, Old Four answered naturally, “of course! Everyone on this island has heard of it at least once. To put it in simple terms, a group of wealthy people had too much time on their hands, made an island and threw people in here to die. That’s fundamentally all there is to it.” The older detective twisted his lips with scorn.

  “Hm. That’s one of the versions. But I bet you haven’t heard of this one.” Qi Lan said with a deliberate smile.

  _____

  [What should we do?] Someone said,

  [So much human trash, but so little place to throw them to.] Another rang with an upset voice.

  Just as everyone grew restless with worry, a clear voice sounded amongst the crowd.

  [I know.] That person said, [Let’s create a sanctuary.]

  [A place where people can be recycled. A place where gods can battle. A holy ground in which each species is given a chance to be reborn!] Bellowing in a deranged voice, that figure placed both hands on the table, the lighting from the overhead lamp casted upon its figure. Stretching out its shadow that seems to be howling with an equally demented stretch of their lips.

  [That’s why. At a place very far away, let’s build an island.]

  [On that island, let’s build a city.]

  [For that city, we’ll give it a stage.]

  [And on that stage… let’s bear witness to a massacre! Hahahahahaha!!!!]