I looked at my brother and his skunk haired bestfriend sitting across the table. We sat in the back booth at Wu's Garden, taking advantage of the slow day.
"You okay Sue, you're lookin' a little..." Sid couldn't seem to find the right words to describe my condition.
"You look like you just saw Kong Li in his underpants!" Toby exclaimed.
I couldn't help but smile. When Toby is around, everyone smiles.
"I'm okay guys, just a little tired from all this training Nana has been putting us through recently." I lied.
"We HAVE been training a lot lately. I wonder what's up." Sid gazed off, lost in his thoughts.
"You three, we just got a big order!" Mr. Wu yelled from the kitchen.
I glanced back as Mr. Wu slammed around one dozen brown paper bags on the counter.
Toby groaned and slid down in his seat.
I smiled and got up, "C'mon guys, the sooner we deliver these things, the sooner we can get back."
"Oh fine." Toby plastered a big frown across his face as he made his way over to the food.
"And Toby, if you eat this order like you ate the last one, you'll be fired!" Mr. Wu yelled, slamming the back door.
"Like I would EVER do that." Toby was smiling again. That made me happy.
We each grabbed a couple bags and walked out to our bikes. I mounted mine and checked the address on the order paper.
"That's weird." I mumbled.
"What's weird? Squirting milk from your eyeballs? Mr. Wu being nice? Kong Li apologi-"
"TOBY!" Sid and I yelled simultaneously.
"Well sorry!" Toby muttered sarcastically, taking off down the hill.
I glanced sideways at Sid before riding off after Toby. If he was left alone for too long, he might mistake an old woman for Kong Li. Believe me, he's done it before.
Sid and I finally caught up with Toby as we turned down a narrow street.
"Are you guys sure this is the right place?" I asked warily, examining the rundown homes we were passing.
"Yeah. It should be right... here." Sid parked his bike infront of a small home that looked like it had been hit by a nuclear bomb.
"Wow! This is like something from Fallout 3 or something!" Toby exclaimed, his eyes widening in amazement.
I dismounted my bike, holding the bags in my hand. I walked up the broken concrete path and knocked on the door.
"Nobody is home Sue." Sid pointed out, joining me at the door.
"Someone HAS to be home. They just ordered five minutes ago..." I went to open the door when it swung open, revealing the last person I wanted to see.
"Hello children. I see you brought my meal." Kong Li smiled devilishly.
I stared, my body refusing to move. Kong Li grabbed my arm and pulled me into the doorway. I was just inches away from him.
"This time," he snarled, "your Nana won't be able to save you."
"Don't hurt her!" Sid threatened.
"Da- Kong Li, you don't have to do this! There isn't even a recipe involved right now!" Toby shouted.
I didn't miss Toby almost calling Kong Li dad. My heart throbbed for the poor boy.
"Son, you are very wrong. A recipe is involved. One that is particularly strong. And I intend on keeping it." Kong Li squeezed my arm, causing me to collapse.
I was breathing hard, when he squeezed my arm, it was like I lost all of my energy.
"What are you doing to her!?" Sid shouted.
Brother-Sister Telepathy told me Sid was afraid to attack. It told me he was afraid I would get hurt.
"This is SO boring." Toby faked a yawn before leaping into the air towards Kong Li.
I was pulled in front of my enemy, so Toby's foot would land on my face instead of Kong Li's gut. Toby stopped mid-jump and skidded to the ground in front of me. The man squeezed my arm again, and I felt most of my body go totally limp.
"What are you doing to my sister?" Sid demanded.
"I'm doing nothing but squeezing her arm. The recipe is doing it all."
"Tell us what's happening to Sue or face our wrath Kong Looser!" Toby always was so energetic, almost to a point that I envied.
Kong Li dropped my arm, stepping over my numb body towards the boys. I fell back against the doorframe, still to weak to move.
"You boys are very lucky I let go of her. One more dose of recipe, and she would've been gone."
"Da- Kong Li, even you aren't that cruel!" Again, Toby almost called the enemy 'dad'.
Sid took the advantage of an awkward silence to leap at Kong Li. My brother's foot collided with Kong Li's face. The man tumbled backwards, stepping on my leg. I sucked in the pain, knowing I wouldn't be able to get up now.
Toby attacked next, showing no fear of fighting his father. I felt totally helpless.
My voice was weak when I spoke, "don't let him grab you."
"Toby, we gotta get him away from Sue so she doesn't get hurt!" Sid shouted.
They both back flipped and landed in attack positions. Toby proceeded to make chicken noises.
"Good ol' Toby." I mumbled.
Kong Li took it badly. He went flying at the two. My mind and my body were having an argument in my brain. My mind told me to go protect my brother and my friend. My body told me to stay put because I was weakened and my leg was throbbing. I decided to watch the fight.
I hoped it didn't hurt for Toby to have to fight his father. I watched as the three fought. It was very repetitive. Kick, punch, block. Leap, kick, block. I let a loud yawn escape. Kong Li stopped for a moment, and turned to face me.
"Looks like Mae-Mae doesn't find this interesting." He sneered.
"Don't call her that!" I swore Sid was growling at the man.
Kong Li grabbed a hold of Sid's upper arm. The man's fingers flexed, and Sid went limp.
"NO!" I screamed in agony.
Ignoring my body's protests, I stood up and leapt at Kong Li. I managed to collide with his body. He fell to the pavement and didn't move. I knew he wasn't dead, but I couldn't have cared less. I crawled towards my brother's body. Being extremely careful, I picked up my brother's head and cradled it in my arms.
I found Toby kneeling beside me, his arms wrapped around my shoulders.
"Let it out Sue, let it out." And I did.
I cried harder than the day my parents died. I wailed and sobbed, listening to Toby's comforting whispers.
When I finally stopped crying, I could only say two words, "Call Nana."
The rain then started to fall. Toby reached for something to cover us with, but I stopped him.
"We couldn't stop Sid from dying. We can't stop the rain from falling. Let it fall." I told him, knowing nothing would bring him back.
