Chapter 2

The Suit

            I looked up at him and saw in the back street light that he was Asian.  In his hand it looked liked he wielded a katana sword.  I just sat there frozen with fear, not knowing what to say to him.

"The suit boy," He said, "Give it me and I'll spare your life!"

            The suit? Does he mean Hartuki's ninja suit?  After I left Mr. Lee shop the night I regained conscious, I took off the garment and threw it in the Hudson River, hoping I never see it again.  But what does he want it for?  I had to say something, but what?

            "I-I don't know what you're talking about," I hesitantly said. 

I didn't want anyone to know what I did with it.  As far as I was considered, that suit was curse to me and I was glad that I got rid of it. 

"You lie," he said as he drew his sword.

My eyes widened in more fear.  I gasped and stumbled backward trying to get away.  I don't want to die. Not now at least.  What does he want? 

"We know you have the suit of Hartuki Kokartri," He said, "I will give you one more chance.  Where is it?"

"I don't have it," I blurted out, "I threw it away, in the river."

"Another lie," he said again raising his blade ready to strike. "Prepare to die little one."

Oh my god, I was so afraid that I pleaded to him, raising my hand towards him and suddenly red lightning came out of my hand and struck the Asian stranger in the chest as he leapt in the air and fell back about five feet away.  What the hell?!  Where did that lightning come from?  I stumbled back up and just sprinted down the ally as fast as I could.   What was happening to me?  I didn't know were I was going as thousands of questions flooded my mind.   I finally slowed down as I was huffing and puffing from the run.  I must of ran a few hundred blocks.  I sat down on a bench and the image of that red lightning striking that man replayed in my head.  I started to weep in fear.  I didn't want to hurt him, hell I didn't even know him.  Why did I do it?  So many questions, I need answers.  Maybe Mr. Lee's son had an idea of what was going on.  Right now I want to go home.  The bus came and I boarded, paying the fare.  I sat in the back and looked at the others.  There was only 3 people plus the driver.  I wonder what they were thinking, but then I already knew that they didn't care who I was.

Once I got home I was so tiered that I sat on my bed, still not believing what happened tonight.  Can it be true?  Can I be a?  No, there got to be an answer.  I didn't get much sleep that night, kept thinking of that Asian man.  Who was he and why did he want Hartuki's suit?  Maybe I'll get the answer tomorrow.

The next day I must of fell asleep in all my classes.  After chemistry, Mr. Parker asked me to stay and talk to him.

"What's going on Michael?" He asked, "Everything ok?"

"Well," I started, "Not really.  I've been having these bad dreams that kept me up last night.  Look I have to go I got an appointment with someone."

"Alright, if you want to talk about it, you know where to find me," he offered.

"Thanks." I replied as I took off.

I know that Mr. Parker is a nice teacher and everything, but if he finds out that I have these powers, he'll freak.  As I walked out the hallway door, Harold called my name from behind.  Didn't want to stop because I'll miss my bus.

"Mike wait up," he said. "What happened to you?  I waited at the library for an hour yesterday."

"I'm sorry Harold, but something came up," I replied, "I can't talk, I have to go."

Dashed towards the stop as the old number 25 bus pulled up and I disappeared inside it.  I didn't want to disappoint him.  I mean after he apologized to me, seemed to like me.  Well, he knew that I have these powers, he too will freak.  The bus stopped at the corner in Chinatown and I entered the shop from there.  There she was, it looked like she was doing her homework.  When she heard the bells on the door, she looked up and smiled at me.  That's what I needed, as I smiled back at her.

"Hello again, Mr.?" She started.

"Longford, Michael Longford." I replied, "I didn't get you name though."
            "Fen Lee," She replied.

What a beautiful name, I thought. I wondered what it means?  Just then an older man walked out from the back.  He looked old enough to be Fen's Father as the matter of fact he was.

"Father, this is the gentleman that told you this morning." Fen stated.

Her father looked at me and said, "So, you knew my father?"

"Yes," I replied, "As I told your daughter, he helped me greatly a few months ago with a problem."

"What kind of problem?" he wondered.

"Has he told you about Hartuki Kokartri?" I asked.

"I have heard of him.  He was a vigilante in old Japan long time ago.  But I only heard storied since my family originated in Hong Kong." he replied, "For give me for not introducing my self my name is Jackie Lee."

I shook his hand and told him my name, and then I told him my story with his father.  He did not believe it at first, but his father has told him of a young man may returning someday.

"So you are the one who has disturbed Hartuki's burial grounds?"  He said.

I nodded in shame, "Yes, but it was an accident."

"My father, before he died, told me that he released the sprit with in you of Hartuki Kokarti.  Why have you come back?"

"I don't know what it is," I tried to explain, "I keep having dreams of him, nightmare actually.  I think he's trying to return. It's driving me crazy.  But that not all.  When Hartuki was in my body, he possessed some kind of electrical laser beam powers.  I thought when he was gone; his powers would be gone too.  I found out last night it wasn't."  I sighed and looked at him, "What going on with me?"

"Have you gone to a doctor yet?" he inquired.

"A doctor?" I repeated, "You don't believe me?"

"Hmmm, all that I am saying is, when my father mix that potion for you it should of vanquished the spirit of Hartuki," he said, "But as for those powers, Hartuki never had them, even if he was alive.  But what I can do for you is to help you free your mind of Hartuki.  Since his spirit is gone, his memory still remains.  I run a dojo upstairs, on the weekends.   If you are interested I will gladly give you a few lessons in meditation and the martial arts."

The martial arts I thought?  That could come in handy.  "How much are for the lessons?"

"They are usually twenty dollars per session, but for you, how about ten?" he suggested.

Ten dollars?  That seemed reasonable, if I had a job to pay for them.  "Well I can only afford one lesson," I told him, "I'm a little strapped for cash at the moment."

"Hmmm," Mr. Lee Thought.

"Father, the Chinese New Year is coming up, " Fen said to her father then she looked at me, "that is the busiest time for us."  She looked back to her father and suggested,  "He could help us in the store."

Mr. Lee thought of Fen's idea and asked me, "How much do you know about antiquities Mr. Longford?"

Is he kidding? "I am majoring in Asian history sir." I replied.

"Really?" he wondered as I nodded, "good, then it settled.  Fen, why don't you show him around while I'll finish unloading?"

"Yes father," she said. 

Mr. Lee disappeared through the back door as Fen smiled at me.  Well we were alone.  What perfect time to get to know her more, maybe I could ask her on a date.

"Well, we just sell, original antiques," She started, "Mostly from Honk Kong.  There are some items that aren't price, like this vase."  She pointed to a blue decorated vase on a shelf with other nick knacks.

"Let me guess, that is a 1800's Ming dynasty vase," I suggested.

"Very good," she replied, "I'm impressed. The most expensive items we keep in the back locked up.  My father gets those. And that's bout it, any questions?"

"Well just one, you don't have to have a boy friend do you?" I asked.

Fen then blushed in embarrassment and giggled, "No I don't."

"A beautiful woman like you?"

She giggled again, "Are you trying to ask me out?"

"If you want to," I replied.

"I barely know you," Fen said.

"Ok fair enough, you go to NYCU?" I asked

"No," She replied, "I go to Brooklyn Community Collage."

"That's cool. What are you studying?" I asked.

"Music," She replied.

"Violinist?"

"Piano actually."

"Really? Can you play any good Beatles songs?"  I joked as she chuckled.

At least she has a sense of humor.  I like that in a girl.  She shows me around some more even though there wasn't much to show, as it was a small shop.  We had one customer come in and Fen told me to take care of him.  It was my first day and I sold a piece to this gentleman.  Fen was glad I was working with her and so was I.  It was closing time and I had to go home.  I thanked Mr. Lee for the job and went out side.  It was around 7:00 and it was getting dark.  I hurried to the bus stop but before I made it to the to corner a black sedan pulled in front of me and stopped. 

"Hey!" I cried, "Watch it!"

Suddenly the back passenger door swung open and I was some how pushed in hard.  The door slammed shut and the car sped away.  I looked around my surroundings and saw an Asian man dressed in a cream two-piece suit sitting in front of me.  Who was he and what did he want?

"The suit, Mr. Longford, Where is it?"  He said.