10

Thank you for coming across from the T to the M rating! We have slipped back to Jeff and we will pick up with the boys again soon!

Kyrano wasn't sure why but he had a sudden instinctual desire to send his daughter on an errand. He felt uneasy having her in the house for some reason, something caused alarm bells to ring in his mind but he couldn't think why. "Tin-tin We are out of vegetables and I would like to make a soup for when the gentleman wakes no doubt, he will be hungry and he will need something filling yet gentle on his stomach."

"Yes father, I will go to the market now. Is there anything else we need?"

"Yes, if you could restock on bandages and any pain relief medication you can source."

Tin-tin grabbed her basket and bag before kissing her father on the cheek and heading out the door. Only a few moments later a man walked into the house, he could see Tin-tin's slender frame disappearing in the distance. The man was taller than average man who looked like darkness personified. His face was overshadowed by huge black brows but his head was cleanly shaven as was his chin. He had dark brown eyes with a hooded expression. He wore a simple black robe with elaborate gold embroidery around the hem and the base of his sleeves which almost hid his unusually large hands. The man emanated such a powerful aurora that most people were naturally wary of him even if they couldn't determine why.

Kyrano came out of the kitchen and nearly dropped the fresh bowl of water he was carrying, it sloshed precariously over the bamboo mat. "Ah brother! I did not expect you to visit today."

The man played along. "I heard that you had found a stray to take care of Kyrano and thought I would see if I could be of service." He replied in that rich deep timbred voice that was enough to make Kyrano take a natural step backwards.

Kyrano knew his brother had abilities, abilities that could aid Mr. Tracy but he also knew his brother was a cold and sinister man who would not grant this favour lightly. He always wanted something in return. Where Kyrano was light itself, his brother was corrupted by darkness. Kyrano knew he had no choice; if he did not convince his brother to help, Jeff would die. Better to live today and worry about the implications later. Kyrano let his brother follow him through into his bedroom where Jeff was on the bed. "I found him in the jungle, he crashed his plane and has a severe leg injury and a raging fever." Kyrano placed the bowl on the bedside cabinet and stood aside to let his brother assess the man's injuries.

Hmm thought the brother. Strong chiselled jaw, broad frame and easily six foot, this man was a man of stature. He wondered who he was and how we came to be here? "Has he spoken to you Kyrano?"

"No, he has not maintained consciousness long enough." Hmm a great pity.

"Any Identification on him?"

"No." Kyrano inherently glancing away before quickly making direct eye contact again but it was too late.

"Kyrano do not try to fool me. Show me what you found." The man's voice remained calm but gone were the brown eyes, now replaced with a deep amber light that penetrated Kyrano's mind. He tried to resist, moaning in pain as he did so but his hand was already slipping into his robe pocket against his will. He produced the ID and surrendered it subserviently. Just like that the amber faded and Kyrano couldn't remember producing the ID.

"Jeff Tracy, CEO of Tracy industries." Hmm, this man may be worth my time after all, he could be of use to me in the future. Fancy one of the world's most wealthy and influential men falling into my grasp! He didn't care to ease Jeff's suffering but he did care about his money and what it could buy as well as the advanced aerodynamic technology he could get his hands on. He pocketed the ID. it would be useful at a later date. He raised his hands over the leg wound and closed his eyes. The leg bone was chipped and septic. He did a brief scan in general. No other major injuries but he must have been missing for some time, for he was weak and under nourished. He dropped his hands quickly and turned to Kyrano.

"He has chipped the bone hence why it was septic but the fragment appears to have exited the wound now so it will heal. Keep him off the leg for a week and use this salve and he will be well."

"Thank you, Brother," Kyrano bowed low.

The imposing man swept from the room "I will be back in two weeks to check on him."

Kyrano nodded, the man made his exit without pleasantries. Kyrano breathed a sigh of relief before hurrying back to his patient. He removed the bandage and liberally applied the salve before bandaging it afresh again. He then mopped Jeff's brow with cool water. Jeff had stopped moaning some time ago and now just lay motionless again. Kyrano hoped the salve would relieve his suffering soon, he was amazed by the man's obvious strength.

The sound of the front door opening disturbed him from his vigil. Before he could get up his daughter's head poked around the corner. She placed the fresh medical supplies on the bedside table next to the bowl. "How is he?"

"He seems calmer but otherwise no change, his temperature is still high." Just then Kyrano noticed Jeff's hand twitch. He looked to his face and saw his eyes flutter. Tin-Tin looked at her father in excitement and came to sit next to him. "Mr. Tracy?" Kyrano asked tentatively.

A couple of blinks then steel grey eyes looked back at Kyrano. Jeff focused on a kindly gentleman and a young girl both looking at him intently. He realised he was lying in a double bed under some white sheets. The room was sparsely furnished with bamboo furniture and plain walls. There were a few pieces of art hung up that looked oriental in design. Jeff was confused. The man called him Mr. Tracy is that who he was? Why did he ache so much? There was a burning pain in his leg which almost felt pleasantly numb and his throat felt parched. He realised he was thirsty. He tried to speak but found he couldn't. He coughed. The man at the edge of the bed quickly got a glass of water and gently lifted Jeff's head so he could take a sip. Once he had finished, he was gently set down again on the pillow. "Thank you." he managed to rasp.

Tin-Tin thought she detected an American accent. Luckily. Tin-Tin felt it was best to introduce themselves. "Mr. Tracy, my name is Tin-Tin and this is my father Kyrano. We found you in the jungle it appears your plane may have crashed, you were badly injured so we brought you home."

"You are welcome to stay as long as you need." Added Kyrano.

Jeff took a minute to process what he had been told, he felt exhausted and their words took awhile to sink in. Especially when he couldn't stop thinking the odour emanating off of him. A mixture of excess sweat, body odour and a sickly-sweet herby smell cloying in the air. How could they tolerate sitting so close? He felt embarrassed by his condition, especially in front of the young girl. The pain made him want to curl up in agony and he ached all over. He was a hot as furnace too! Then his thoughts changed as his mind focused on thoughts other than his physical condition. Why was I in a plane? Come to think of it why don't I know my name, they called me Mr. Tracy. Maybe I hit my head?

They watched him patiently as he gathered his thoughts. "Where am I?" was the first question out of his mouth.

"Malaysia" replied Kyrano.

"Oh" well that didn't help! Especially when I'm not even sure where I come from anyway. He turned to get a better look at them.

"How do you know my name?"

"I found your plane, it had your ID card in it"

"Why can't I remember?" Jeff pondered quietly.

"You can't remember who you are!" Tin-tin said shocked.

"Not a damn thing. I guess I hit my head?"

"We are not sure Mr. Tracy, we found you on the jungle floor. It is possible you could have hit your head." Tin-Tin surmised.

Before he could slip off to sleep again, Kyrano helped Jeff to the bathroom so he could relieve himself. Jeff felt so weak and his leg throbbed every time he tried to place it on the floor so he had to hop holding onto Kyrano who was stronger than he looked, reflected Jeff. Once he was settled back in bed Tin-Tin came back in to keep him company whilst Kyrano left to prepare some supper. She managed to get a little snack of plain biscuits to line his stomach so he could take some painkillers. Jeff tried to stay awake, he had many questions but as soon as the sheets were tucked back up and he was settled into the pillows he slipped away again. Tin-Tin made sure the water was within his reach before withdrawing to assist her father.