From The Manwell: Ah, more reviews! I'm lovin' it!
Follow the Lights
- Three -
"I'm sorry, Agent Chang, but a search of the center has revealed no sign of Agent Yuy."
Wufei glowers at that response and the unfortunate individual on the other end of the line – perhaps sensing his darkening mood – quickly continues, "However, his briefcase and jacket were in his vehicle."
"His cell phone?"
A soft rustling echoes over the line as the center's head of security sifts through the abandoned jacket. "Right here in his pocket."
Wufei bites back a sigh and an oath. So much for tracking his whereabouts...
"I need you to check the video surveillance for the parking garage."
"I've already got someone on it."
"Good. You've got my number. Call as soon as you have something."
"Will do."
"I appreciate it."
Wufei closes his phone and closes his aching, stinging eyes. He reaches up to cradle his forehead in his hand, massaging his temples with thumb and middle finger.
"We were too late again," Quatre summarizes quietly as he shuts off the engine.
Wearily Wufei nods. His increasing frustration and exhaustion is beginning to wear on him like chain mail. He almost laughs at that thought. Some knight in shining armor he's turning out to be.
A touch on his shoulder draws his attention and he looks up into Quatre's very blue eyes. He attempts a smile of appreciation and thinks to himself, At least Quatre is safe...
Wufei stares into those bright eyes and something comes to him that he hadn't thought to ask before. "Why you?"
"Excuse me?"
Leaning his head back against the seat rest, he elaborates with some effort, "Why did Duo decide to 'show' you his abilities? Why isn't he trying to come after you as well?"
Quatre leans back with a small, eloquent shrug. The gesture is meant to hide his increasing anger and concern over the disappearance of their friends. "He never said he wouldn't. I assume I am last on his list."
"But why?"
The other young man simply shakes his head. "I couldn't follow his reasoning, Wufei. I just... I just couldn't."
Wufei feels a stab of sympathy for Quatre. What it must have taken a brilliant strategist like Quatre Reberba Winner to admit that, he can only guess. "Come on," Wufei says, reaching for the passenger door handle. "We've got work to do."
...ooo...
"Are you there?"
"Yes. I'm here now. I'm right here." A warm hand grasps a solid, strong shoulder. The capable, pliant body beneath that grasp shudders with relief.
"Did you find him?" The soft voice is infused with concern.
"Yeah. I did."
A long breath is exhaled, accompanied by relaxation. "Good..."
"Are you all right?"
"Mmm... Maybe. It's dark."
"I know."
"I think I'm starting to like it."
A hand reaches out to touch the soft, hair framing a beautiful face. "It won't be long now."
"I know."
"But it's going to be difficult."
"I trust you."
"But how much?"
Strong fingers wrap around the wrist still hovering nearby. "With my soul. I trust you with my soul..."
...ooo...
Wufei sighs heavily and leans his forehead on the palm of his hand as yet another electronic database search reveals nothing. He listens to the soft tapping of Quatre's keystrokes at his desk, his tired mind likening it to the sound of raindrops. Realizing he has nearly closed his eyes, Wufei gives himself a small shake and forces himself to stare at his computer screen. He's about to use a different approach when his email messenger alerts him to a new message. Hoping it's from either Heero or Trowa, he abandons his work for the moment and opens the letter.
And frowns.
It's from Duo.
The subject line is simply "For You." And the body of the message is no more than fifteen characters in length. It reads:
followthelights
Follow the lights?
What the hell are you playing at, Maxwell?
He glares at the phrase as if he could intimidate the words into literally spelling out their meaning. Perhaps if he had been well rested and capable of putting considerable energies into his powers of intimidation, that might have happened. But after a slight hesitation, Wufei gives in and simply begins searching once more. This time, however, his subject is the clue Duo had sent him.
And he receives immediate results.
The page loads quickly and Wufei finds himself face-to-screen with three words:
Vampires are real.
He's insane. Wufei regards the page, his trepidation congealing into real fear. Duo had sent him this? Duo? Wufei finds it difficult to believe that the former Deathscythe pilot would allow himself to be drawn in by such nonsense. But as Wufei begins to read, he realizes that the article is well written and concise, its topic logically presented and calmly discussed.
Vampires.
But not the blood-craving, immortal, shadowy creatures of the night. No, not according to the author:
"Many real vampires live out their lives in ignorance of their abilities. Although they feel a need – a hunger – for something, they rarely realize what they require is actual human life energy. The vast majority of vampires do not require blood, but something non-corporeal. They need the actual energy itself which they can gain by seeking attention from others.
"Vampirism is the negative result of an uncontrolled psychic power. Unrefined empathic abilities have a tendency to draw life energies from others. Without proper training, an Empath may eventually drain those around him, those life energies being channeled into the Empath to feed the power. And as the power increases, so does the need for energies. As this process accelerates, the vampire may begin feeding on the souls of the people around him. Once this stage is reached, it is very difficult to train an individual to control his hunger and properly regulate the use of his empathic abilities..."
Wufei leans back, gaze still locked on the screen as he attempts to incorporate this newest development.
Duo believes in the existence of vampires. But does that mean he believes himself to be one? Perhaps, but...
Wufei looks up at Quatre who is currently glowering at his own laptop screen and feels a chill spiral through his body.
Duo may very well believe himself to be a vampire, but he also believes Quatre to be one as well. And his threat to steal the souls of Trowa, Heero, and Wufei... along with the coinciding mysterious disappearances of Trowa and Heero...
He really is insane.
Wufei lets out a long, hard breath as he covers his face with his hands. When he'd had that vision this morning he'd never expected to find this...
But with the thought of that vision comes a suggestion he's neglected to consider. He pauses – his entire body stilling – as he considers the merits of this particular course of action.
"Wufei? Are you all right?"
He nods, feeling his exhaustion reassert itself in the small motion. "I think... perhaps I should try something else," Wufei suggests slowly.
"What?"
Looking up at his friend, he replies, "Meditating."
"Meditating," Quatre repeats, not comprehending.
Wufei shrugs. "Sometimes it enables me to see things I otherwise would not be able to know..."
Sensing him companion's hesitation, Quatre urges, "But?"
"But I have never meditated outside of a sanctified border."
"You mean like in a temple, where the ground has been blessed?"
"And is protected, yes."
Quatre pauses, considering this. "I could drive you to a temple if you like but..."
"But it may be just the opportunity Maxwell is waiting for."
In agreement, Quatre nods. "There's a room here I use for meditation. You're welcome to it if you like. Otherwise, I can work in another room for a while."
"The meditation room will be sufficient," Wufei replies, standing slowly. He almost winces at the deep, ubiquitous aching of his body.
Quatre rises from his chair and ushers Wufei out of the room and down the hall. The last door on the left yields a plain, bare room carpeted with tatami mats and curtained by screens of rice paper. Finding this more than acceptable, Wufei nods his thanks and Quatre retires back to his laptop.
He takes his time pacing the room, inhaling the scent of the dried bamboo mats, and simply absorbing the atmosphere into his being. When he is ready, he removes his shoes and socks, his watch and jacket and belt. He loosens his collar and rolls up his shirt sleeves. Now comfortable, Wufei takes his place in the center of the room, facing the windows, and closes his eyes.
As he settles into his breathing, he waits for the ascension to begin. But instead feels himself sinking further and further into his own body. As if a vacuum had opened up inside of him. He falls deeper, harder, faster until he is no longer aware of his surroundings. And then he hears the voice whispering frantically – breathlessly – in his mind:
He is mine he is mine... You cannot... I will have what is mine... I will... His soul he has given... Mine... Is mine is mine...
The whisper quickens until Wufei can no longer understand anything other than its desperation, its need to break free of whatever cage it is circling within. The world dies away from him as he succumbs to the sound. He doesn't even feel himself falling toward the floor. So he doesn't bother to reach out his arms to cushion the impact.
Someone else does that for him.
The feel of warm, strong arms, causes the whisper to fade back until Wufei realizes he is being carefully held in a firm embrace.
"Jesus, Wu. How'd I guess you'd need my help right about now?"
With much effort, Wufei opens his eyes and sees... "Duo..." He tries to sit up, to move, hell, to do more than breathe but he can't.
"It's all right, man. It's okay. Just relax and rest. I'm going to take care of everything. You'll see."
Wufei forces his blurry stare to focus on Duo's face. He drinks in the kind smile, the welcoming light in his eyes and remembers: Follow the lights.
No matter how benign he seems now, Wufei must remember that Duo is insane.
Once more, Wufei attempts to push himself out of Duo's arms but his body refuses to comply with his demands.
"I've got you, man," Duo soothes. "I'll help you now. Just let me, Wufei. Just let me help. I promise this will all make sense soon. But, for now, just rest."
"Duo... can't... you're..."
Wufei feels a warm hand stroke over his hair and the timbre of Duo's voice changes – deepens – until the sound of it washes over Wufei like warm silk and sunshine.
"Come with me, Wufei. Come into the darkness. You will find all of your answers in the shadows with me. The most perfect freedom is waiting for you if you only let yourself go to it. With me. Come with me..."
The soft prayer continues until the sound of Duo's voice becomes a continuous, calming chant that seduces Wufei deeper into a place where there are no lights to lead him.
- End of Part Three -
Author's Note: The article Wufei reads about vampirism is loosely based on information that is accessible online. It's an interesting read regardless of how inclined you are to believe in the existence of vampires. The url is available on my Bio page.