The night had ended sooner than the rose wished. He felt that he could sleep for an entire season, so when a loud noise jolted him awake, he was not in his best mood. Then, he noticed An Zhe in his arms, who also opened his eyes. His face was wrinkled and drowsy, and half of his right cheek wore a big red circle, where he was pressing to Lu Feng in his sleep. But he still seemed feverish, which gave him a faint red mist under his eyes.

     They looked up when they were called.

     Adjutant Seraing stood right in front of them in the golden morning light. The sun shone directly into the apartment, making them blind if they tried to look that way, and gave a glare to the officer’s Trial Court badge. He was already clad properly as if he hadn’t even slept all night.

     Dr Ji was one step behind him, and judging by his face, he wasn’t even awake yet, looking out from one eye, because he couldn’t open the other.

   “Doctor…” The adjutant said to An Zhe in an urging voice, looking at him worriedly. “I’m afraid, you don’t have more time to rest. The management is planning full seclusion after what happened. If they implement it, it would be impossible for you to escape. They will announce it at noon, and close the base for good at 4 p.m. They planned a ten-year-long seclusion this time, considering the huge losses and the… Arbiter’s disappearance… You… you two both… are also considered as traitors… they will announce that at noon as well…”

     Adjutant Seraing’s voice halted. An Zhe already sat up to listen, and Lu Feng reluctantly followed him. The sleep was good enough to feel rested, yet, he didn’t like how things turned out.

   “I see.” An Zhe said, and somehow he managed to use his usual, kind and low tone as if nothing changed. “Are you alright? Are you not suspected as my adjutant?”

   “Not yet…” The officer said with a sigh. “There wasn’t enough time for them to start interrogating us, we worked all night. But I think it’s coming.”

   “Hm. Seraing, I want you to betray me.” An Zhe said confidently, causing shock for his subordinate. “I don’t want you to stand up for me. You’re an excellent Judge, intuitive, and smart but you have a high level of tolerance and empathy too. If they keep the Arbiter’s Code, I want someone like you as my successor. People in the base need a good protector. They will not accept you if you don’t express your disagreement with me, and abandon me. Even then, I want you to be extra careful, and look out for the other Judges too.”

     Seraing’s eyes grew a light mist in the golden light, but he soon composed himself, and saluted. In the meantime, Dr Ji disappeared, and came back with some fresh clothes.

   “Can you get yourself a shirt already?” He grumpily threw the clothes at Lu Feng. Lu Feng caught it, and after finding the front part, he dressed himself.

   “I will prepare your escape before noon.” The adjutant spoke again. “You’ll need all the help… I’m not sure, how long it can help though… a personal car out in the wilderness…”

   “We only need it temporarily.” Lu Feng said calmly, knowing that once they got far enough, there wouldn’t be a need for any vehicle. “Water is more questionable…”

   “I will get you supplements.” Seraing nodded at him. Lu Feng stood up to get his boots. “But that would also last for the time being… do you have any plans, what will you do when you run out of all?”

     Lu Feng slowed down while he put his jacket on. He unconsciously looked at An Zhe, who had only finished dressing up, and seemed a bit sweaty already.

   “I know a few places in the Abyss. Places I liked. I think we can find ways to survive there.”

   “The Abyss…?” Seraing’s concerned voice made Lu Feng look at him again. “You might be a xenogenic, but the doctor…”

   “Don’t look down on me now, Seraing.” An Zhe asked with a small smile, standing up, although, he seemed even smaller than usual as if he could disappear into the thin air. In the strong, golden morning light, in the white shirt, with his paleness, he was glowing.

   “You’ve never been in the wilderness,” Seraing said firmly, almost scolding.

   “I have.” An Zhe argued without changing his tone.

   “For exercising, with a well-trained military troop,” Seraing stated. “Wouldn’t it be better to seek shelter in an abandoned town? The Abyss… the Abyss is the worst place of all.”

     The rose didn’t interject the conversation, just went to the kitchen for a drink. Dr Ji was there too, taking out a few instant noodle packages.

   “Well, I’m not a chef, you know, and I don’t spend much time at home… I don’t have any useful things…” He murmured apologetically, yet he almost snapped at Lu Feng for needing food to survive outside the base. “I will give you medicine too… Lu Feng… I’m not sure if this one night was enough for An Zhe to heal… so take good care of him… You don’t have to worry about a small fever, but if he faints, or his temperature gets too high, you can inject him with an antipyretic.” Dr Ji grabbed his elbow, despite Lu Feng having a full glass of water in his hand, almost spilling it on their way to the laboratory by the blond man’s energetic pull. “I also give you disinfectants and anaesthetics. I don’t have a lot though, my field of expertise isn't exaclty mecid, I’m a biologist. I just happen to know the basics and have some supplements, that’s all. You have to be careful of how and when you use it.” He did what he said he would, and just like in the kitchen, his metal table soon got lost under the many kinds of medications, flasks and brand-new syringes.

     Lu Feng used this time to drink, and looked at the zealous doctor’s back. He heard some muffle voices from outside, and Seraing left soon.

   “Doctor…”

     Dr Ji only hummed questioningly, not even looking at him, as he was searching for something, and sometimes throwing things behind his back, like gauze rolls and tapes.

     Lu Feng couldn’t mould his thoughts and feelings into words. He appreciated this man a lot, but he was also confused, and tried to understand him. For his silence, Dr Ji finally looked back. He was still grumpy, but not that sleepy anymore.

   “What is this look again? Like a lost child…” He sighed irritably, and pulled out another vial. “If you want to ask why do I help, I sure punch you in the face.”

   “I thought you would betray me,” Lu Feng said calmly, for which the doctor stiffened in his turning towards him. “You don’t value your life anymore?”

     Dr Ji’s azure eyes darkened, and their coldness could freeze a whole city. He almost forgot not to jam the vial in his hand onto the table.

   “Thanks.” He spat it out bitterly. “I thought you saw my suffering over my own stupidity for not standing up for my friend. I’m trying to make my mistake right, and you just throw at me, that you don’t expect me to change for the better.”

     Lu Feng stayed silent. Humans were surely very complex beings… he still had a long way to go to understand them.

   “I didn’t mean that way. I wanted you to know, I wouldn’t be angry at you if you do the same with me that An Zhe asked from Seraing.”

     The doctor’s shoulders relaxed a bit, and his coldness thawed.

   “Sure… thanks. I will do my best to stay alive, and lie whatever I need to.” Dr Ji’s tone remained sarcastic. “But until they specifically ask me, I also want to do anything to help you… like how Seraing is doing it.”

     Lu Feng thought about it for a moment before nodding, accepting his help.

   “This sample… I took it home for further inspections.” He lifted the vial again to show it to Lu Feng. “I’m not saying you should use it because it was not tested enough. In fact, I shouldn’t give you this extract. But… if something unimaginable… something irreversible happens… Lu Feng, I’m talking about an ultimate, life-saving situation, where the other choice would be inevitable death… Try to use it on him… This is from a creature that showed resilience against infection… The Abyss is no joke for a wounded person. Seraing is right. You should stop in a ghost city before you go further. The flatlands don’t have high pollution values… well, they have higher values nowadays, but still better than the Abyss. At least, wait for him to recover fully before you enter the Abyss. And if he gets injured, or something attacks you… and he is on the verge of death, you can try this. I don’t have any insurance that it would work. Maybe it wouldn’t have any effect at all. Maybe it would only worsen his case, or turn him into a fucking mushroom, who the fuck knows… But better than nothing.”

     Lu Feng reached for the vial. After studying the pearl-like liquid, he nodded and put it away securely in his inside pocket.

   “Thank you… for trusting him to someone like me.”

     Dr Ji snorted, and started to pack the medicines into a small bag that he had gotten from one of the cabinets.

   “You mean a xenogenic like you?” He asked back.

   “Mn. I thought you would be scared if you knew my identity.”

   “I was always your friend when no one else was. Well… I’ve failed to be a good friend at some point…”

   “But I’m not the Lu Feng you know.”

     Dr Ji’s hand paused for only a moment.

   “For me, you are… you will understand later… don’t forget to check the message I sent you.” He said suddenly. “Many things will make sense to you after reading it.”

     He pushed the bag onto Lu Feng’s chest to take it. Lu Feng looked at him deeply for a half minute, before nodding again.

     After that, they both strode out, and Dr Ji fled to care for himself this time, leaving Lu Feng and An Zhe alone in the living room. The sun ascended since then, it didn’t blind them that much, and An Zhe wasn’t glowing anymore, but he was still soaking in gold, looking up at Lu Feng. The rose stood right in front of him, as the young man was sitting on the sofa, and they looked at each other in silence for a little while.

     An Zhe swallowed and lowered his eyelashes, covering his light irises from Lu Feng.

   “I haven’t thanked you for… saving me yet.” He said in his usual voice. His desperation and depression weren’t audible anymore.

   “No need.”

   “Of course, I need to.” An Zhe started fiddling with his fingers on his lap. “I was very selfish yesterday… I don’t even know, why I went up there… Everything seemed so hopeless…”

   “It’s okay.” For An Zhe’s sigh, he added. “It’s okay because I saved you. If you want to talk about what you said yesterday, we can talk in the car later. But if you want to apologise, or thank me, or change what you’ve said, I don’t want to hear it.”

     An Zhe couldn’t help but look up, and a thin layer of mist covered his eyes. Lu Feng reached out, and messed up his already dishevelled hair even more by stroking his head, just as he did with Dr Ji. An Zhe reacted differently: he pouted after realising what Lu Feng did to his hairdo, and when he withdrew his arm, the young man tried to brush his strands with his fingers. He was very cute.

     Lu Feng made sure that An Zhe had a breakfast and a drink while Dr Ji strode out of his bathroom in a fresh outfit, smelling good, not grumpy anymore.

   “I don’t get any?” He asked when he saw Lu Feng bringing a bowl of cereal and milk to the young man. He clicked with his tongue. “You’re doing it again. Lu Feng, don’t make me feel more single than I am already.”

     An Zhe took the tray from him, but hearing his words, his face reddened.

   “We’re not…” He started, but Lu Feng already had his own answer.

   “If you don’t want to be single, you have to find a partner yourself. Go and date. Don’t be envious of those who have dated to find a partner. It only works for flowers to wait for their pollinators to come, humans have to seek their chances themselves.”

     After being lectured this way, Dr Ji’s mouth was agape, and he couldn’t form a single word. Losing his ability to talk, he clicked with his tongue multiple times in a row to express his displeasure.

   “This is the gratitude I get for my genuine help… I see you, Lu Feng… Fucking hell, from all the people, you’re the one lecturing me about dating and relationships… I can’t believe you.” Dr Ji found his voice, idling around his apartment. “For the gods’ sake, how long does it take to Seraing to get you ready? I don’t want any of you in my home anymore, go and love each other somewhere else where I can’t see. You’re polluting my bachelor apartment. I also have to go to work soon, damn it.”

     An Zhe pretended to be deaf, so Lu Feng did the same, sitting down beside him while he was eating his small meal. The red layer was still covering An Zhe’s face, but he firmly looked down, so only Lu Feng could notice.

     Seraing called them about half an hour after they all ate breakfast. Dr Ji started to get really nervous for the time; he was overjoyed hearing that the adjutant got a car loaded with supplements, and they were good to go. They all left, avoiding every people around the building. Many of them went to work this time of the day, and Lu Feng lifted An Zhe in his arms again, keeping him closer to hide him if needed. They waited a bit on the corner, watching a line of people entering the elevator, but a new queue formed right away. Lu Feng advised Dr Ji to just join that line, and he took An Zhe to the staircase instead. Lu Feng changed their position in the secluded and empty area: he took An Zhe onto his back, instead of keeping him in his arms. This way he could go down like lightning. Because of An Zhe’s wound, he could hug Lu Feng’s neck with only one hand, but Lu Feng grabbed both of his thighs firmly.

     Seraing wasn’t waiting for them directly in front of the building, but a few streets away, in a darker alley, which was still puddled from the night rain, emitting a colder atmosphere. The car that he fished for them had shadowed windows. He was sitting in it so as not to bring attention to himself, and after Lu Feng and An Zhe successfully reached him without being discovered, he jumped out.

   “I have packed food and water that can last for at least a week if you don’t skip meals. I also put a tent inside, which I rented from one of the Judges. And blankets. And flashlights. I couldn’t find my portable heater, but once the battery dies, it would be useless anyway. Our people will be at the Main City’s gates now, so you can drive off. There are no soldiers out there at the moment. The Outer City is not emptied yet, we cannot guarantee what will happen there, but people are busy moving every important item and equipment to the Main City until noon, so even if they notice you, they will not chase you immediately. I can’t do any more than that…”

   “It’s already more than enough.” An Zhe bowed to his own adjutant, making Seraing emotional again, who just saluted, despite that the Arbiter wasn’t really the Arbiter anymore, nor his boss, just a deserter scientist.

     Lu Feng walked around a puddle of water, and sat in the driver’s seat, while An Zhe slowly crawled beside him. The officer went to the corner to check if anyone had seen them, and was ready to give them a signal when they were free to go.

     Right when Lu Feng secured his seatbelt, his communicator rang. Surprised, he picked it up, seeing Dr Ji’s number on the small screen.

   “You jerk, you sent me away, and I forgot that we haven’t even said goodbye…” The doctor scolded him.

   “Sorry… then, g…”

   “Wait, wait, wait, I wanted to tell you something.” Dr Ji suddenly quieted, and from the background noises, Lu Feng could hear him sitting into his car. When the door slammed, the doctor spoke again. “Lu Feng, I don’t have any more time to explain… About your destination… go to the South. The most southern South you can reach, even if it seems impossible. Just go there, as close as you can.”

     The Abyss was in the South too if Lu Feng wasn’t mistaken, so he didn’t know the significance of this advice. But since it didn’t interrupt his plans, he hummed.

   “I will. Thank you. Take care of yourself…” Lu Feng paused, and tentatively added. “Bestie.”

     Dr Ji lost his words for a whole moment, and Lu Feng felt an awkward feeling creeping up his spine.

   “I’m glad I’ll never see you again. I would die in embarrassment if I ever heard that word from you, especially in person.”

   “I agree.” Lu Feng smiled, but then he saw Seraing waving his hands, and An Zhe poked his arm too. “I have to go.”

   “Hmh… Good luck. Same for An Zhe… take care of yourselves, guys.”

     The black car slowly rolled out of the alley. They passed Seraing, who nodded to the car before he also turned his back to them, and acted as if he was just heading towards his workplace like everyone else on the streets.

     Lu Feng blended among the other cars, and for a while, it was still safe. The sun had risen more and more, and they had to reach the gates of the Main City before noon. It seemed to be a very long road until they were able to drive out of the line of cars, and turning to an empty section, they headed towards the entrance. Coming out of a tunnel, they entered a buffer zone, that circled the Main City. Out there, they only could see armored vehicles parking, or jets and other type of planes, that were probably used for carrying stuff; it wasn’t as empty as the Outer City’s buffer zones. Their car, however, didn’t blend well in this environment. At least, they could go full speed on the smooth concrete.

     The gates opened up to them when they arrived. There were a few troops of people, but as Seraing promised, they were all Judges.

     They exited at top speed, flying towards the Outer City, and driving along a pair of trails. An Zhe didn’t say a word, just looked out the window, leaning against his seat. Lu Feng was a bit distracted by his worry about their escape, so he didn’t strike up a conversation just yet.

     His worry wasn’t completely baseless, and Seraing’s warning was real. Big trucks were coming and going in the Outer City, soldiers were sorting the supplies, mostly around the supply depots, and Lu Feng tried his best to avoid going too close to them. Not until they reached the second entrance… the entrance of the whole Northern Base, where they have been discovered. The gates were not open, and they couldn’t ask anyone to open it for them – the patrols on the wall weren’t Judges, and they had seen them coming from afar. At first, they could mistaken them with management personnel or special messenger from their superiors, so they didn’t shoot them. But to exit the base, Lu Feng had to make a scene.

   “Grab the handle.” Lu Feng advised his passenger, and An Zhe obeyed immediately. He was heading in a straight line to the gates.

     If they had an armored car, they could break those gates as a strong wind would sweep away a whole forest, but a small breeze had to fight a bit harder for a similar effect. Their car wasn’t built for the purpose of destroying properties, especially such properties that meant for protection. However, he kept the car at full speed, and drove directly into the middle part of the two gates.

     It was heavy, solid iron, at least half a meter wide. Only their velocity helped them warp it, otherwise, they would be just stuck into it like those bullets in that door on the magnetic pole’s top floor. Nevertheless, it was a shocking experience. The vehicle trembled on the strong impact, and their bodies jumped. Lu Feng gripped the wheel so hard his fingers went numb, trying to keep his position and push the gas pedal. For a moment, the impact slowed down their speed, but the wheels screeched under them, still going with full power, forcing the weakest point of the gates more and more to open. The noises mixed with people shouting at them, and maybe firing at them, but Lu Feng couldn’t spare a thought on that.

     There was a point, where the car squeezed between the gatewings enough to shift the power balance. From that point, they accelerated again, successfully bursting out of the base, temporarily jumping with the car from the ground, and falling back – causing another shockwave. Lu Feng lost control over the car for a moment, and they drifted sideways, but he turned the wheel right away, changing the direction, and staying on the road that led to the base.

     Once he got his balance back, their vehicle reached its top speed again, and flew into the distance like a narrow.

Previous

Next

S�g� M�g nincs hozz�sz�l�s.

�j hozz�sz�l�s Friss�t�s