Pain. Intense heat. All around me, penetrating to the core of my being. I thought that this was surely the end, but I was still feeling. That means I was still alive. Somehow the fire had not completely consumed me. I was alive, but not very much so. I had to find a way out. The pain was intense, flooding my mind. I was disoriented, couldn't think straight. Then I saw it. It was a small hole in the wall, my only escape. I tried to get up but was too weak. I crawled towards the exit with pain searing my every movement. It was the simple knowledge that I couldn't lie there and that I must pull my body through the hole that mustered my determination. At last I made it through. I could hear the building behind me groan and sigh as it gave into the flames. That could have been me had I not the willpower. My vision slowly faded as I lie there in the darkness. I started shivering.
It was the thunder that woke me, then the sirens. I had been unconscious for perhaps only a moment or two. What was left of my ears determined that the sirens belonged to firefighters. As crazy as it sounds, I knew I must not be found. This time when I tried to get up, I did. What remained of my clothes was embedded in my skin. They provided some protection as I hobbled along. I had a secret hideout. I had plenty of medical supplies there to deal with my wounds. I managed to leave the zoo undetected. I walked through the park slowly and as quietly as I could. The rain that had been promised by the thunder earlier finally came. It was a light rain, but still harsh on my tender flesh. Yet it was nice.
I came upon the glow of the city after what seemed like hours. I wandered through several back alleyways until I found my secret entrance. It was a hidden door in the wall of an abandoned apartment building. I flipped it open, revealing a hole with a ladder descending into it. I gritted my teeth and pushed myself through the painful exertion of climbing down. When I reached the bottom, I walked down a small hallway, leaning heavily on the wall for support, and came to a door with a number pad on it. This had been a gang hideout that I had found from a bribe. The keypad lock on the door was my own personal touch, however. I entered the code, stepped inside, and went to the medical kit.
The first thing I did was inject myself with morphine. The pain disappeared and I sighed. That would make things easier. I set up mirrors all around me so I could see what I was doing. I looked at my burned body and started to feel anger well up inside me. Those fools that defeated me had better watch their backs because I'm going to kill every last one of them. My rage vanished when I saw my face. The burns had disfigured me. I had become a monster. That one thought caused me to really think. Not only physically, but in my actions as well, was I monstrous. All the crimes I had committed; murders, robberies, kidnappings, etc; came flooding into my mind. The only real villain that deserved judgment here was me. And I had gotten mine. For the first time in a long time, I cried. I really, truly cried. For over a decade I had betrayed everything I was brought up to believe, and I was only now realizing it. I had become my own worst enemy. I had become one of those that I had sworn to destroy. I knew I must know redeem myself. But first some healing was in order. I removed the remains of clothing still attached to my skin. It caused bleeding each time that I was quick to staunch. I spent hour's carefully applying bandages and ointments to almost all of my body. There were third degree burns on most of my torso and back and parts of my arms and legs. There were second degree burns on my face and the rest of my body. I carefully lay down on my bed, turned on the T.V., and let the healing process begin.
It was after two days of doing nothing but watching television and changing bandages that I decided to go back to the Sacred Hall. That was the place where I had learned my martial arts and been educated. They would probably reject me on sight but it was worth a try. Perhaps there I could find redemption. But I couldn't leave yet. I would have to wait at least a month to heal. I had plenty of food and water to last me.
It was now the beginning of September, and a marriage was happening in the zoo. I watched it from afar, as I was not invited. The newlyweds would sooner shoot me than exchange pleasantries. I once considered them enemies but now wished them luck. When the ceremony ended, I left to catch my ride. I had hired a private pilot to fly me to China, no questions asked. Once I arrived in China, I began a series of nonstop hitchhiking until I reached an old but familiar trail in the forest. I had not been there in years but it still was clear as day. It did not look like a trail to any regular person but I knew the hidden signs and followed them. I slowly walked the trail, savoring the nostalgia. It became more of an actual trail as it wound into the mountains. The trees no longer covered the trail and the sun beat on my face. I reached a familiar part and stopped. There was an obstacle I had to pass. Seemingly without warning a King Cobra slithered into my path and bared its fangs. I knew the snake, his name was Chi Quey. Such a familiar face from long ago. He blocked my path to keep outsiders from gaining access to the Sacred Hall. The entire family line trained for the honor of protecting the path. Only members or invited guests could access the Hall. I knew the only way to pass my old serpent friend was to speak to him words of trust in an ancient snake language. So I did.
Me: (Ancient Language) Let me pass great serpent brother. Look into my eyes for you know me.
The snake looked into my eyes and went to my side, astounded.
Chi Quey: You! You have returned?
Me: Indeed I have old friend. I would love to talk with you further but I have some important business to attend to first.
He nodded his head and slithered into the forest. I continued onward until the Hall graced my site. It was a magnificent building, thousands of years old. It was four stories into the sky and three stories deep into the earth. It stretched over a fair amount of land to include many training facilities or anything you could ask for. After many years, I was home.
After gazing in wonder, I started up the steps and reached the mighty doors. I pushed them open and stepped inside. There was no one in sight. I could hear people in the distance but for now I was alone. I kneeled to the ground and bowed. I knew sooner or later that my master would sense my presence and confront me. I expected punishment, all of which I completely deserved. My eyes were shut, I was focusing on listening. After only a few minutes I heard footsteps approaching me. They stopped in front of me. I opened my eyes and looked into the gentle face of my master.
Me: (softly) Master.
Master: Welcome back Victor.