Green with Jealousy Part 12
By crystalquirt
Sibey yaoi – action, adventure, boyxboy romance, mild language
Ideas for this fic contributed by:~loveless kittykat~Pandalover~Lycan-wolf96~forever tiki [Sadie] from DA
Kong Li uses a spell that causes earthquakes and even lava to spew forth in Chinatown. But that isn't his plan this time. He uses the spell to lure out and weaken the fighting trio. Sid's innocent friend, Will from his history class is recruited by Kong Li to pursue his son to drive a wedge between Sid and Tobey and to help convince Tobey to join him once and for all.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[TD]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
A short time after they got home, Nana started going by Sue's room to check on her every few minutes, each time finding she already had help. It seemed Barney was waiting on Sue, bringing her what ever she needed and several things she didn't. The last time she looked in on them, Barney was playing air drums and singing to her and she seemed to be enjoying it. Nana smiled and left them alone, she was worried about Sid and Tobey. Sid had been in the shower since they got home and Tobey had fallen asleep on Sid's lower bunk. He didn't even have the energy to climb up on his own.
Nana knocked before she went in. Sid answered her right away. Tobey was awake, but still lying on his stomach on Sid's bunk and Sid was sitting next to him. He had already helped Tobey take his shirt off. It wasn't easy and hurt since the fabric was stuck to the welts and cuts. Sid wanted to take him to the shower to let the hot water soak it off but Tobey refused.
"Oh man, Tobey, that looks like it really hurts – even the backs of your arms are cut and . . . Oh Tobey. . ." Sid couldn't finish. Even Kong Li had never been so cruel before. Sid paused a moment fighting to swallow his emotions so he didn't cry in front of Tobey, thinking he had enough trouble. Sid looked up at the bottom to Tobey's bunk. "How did he do this to you?" Sid was fearful of the answer.
"Yeah well it was a whip . . . and at the time Will had my hands tied behind my back; I don't even remember how he got me that way. Soon after that, it was Kong Li who hung me in chains. Sid, why would, he do that to me? He thinks I am his son - he says he wants me to join him and then he has his servant hurt me like this."
"I don't know why Kong Li does anything he does Tob', I just wish I could go back and change it. I wish more than anything he had captured me instead of you."
"Forget it Sid, I can take it as well as you can – even better – I am the bravest . . . I wouldn't want you hurt either." tears welled up and spilled down Sid's cheeks. Before Sid could answer, Nana did.
"Kong Li does these things because he has become so obsessed with the recipes and ruling the world that he will hurt anyone if he thinks it will help him get what he wants. He is only calling you his 'son' and trying to get you to join him because of the prophesy." She spoke softly as she leaned in next to Sid to see Tobey's back.
Tobey wiped his eyes and started to roll over to get up. Nana put her hand on his shoulder. "Stay still Tobey, rest while I make you some lotion. Sid, get some warm water and gently clean his back and other wounds. Don't wipe across the wounds themselves, you know how, I have shown you - I will be back."
Nana left, and so did Sid and then Tobey. He followed Sid across the hall to the bathroom to get the water. Sid saw him in the mirror after he turned on the water to let it run hot.
"You must be exhausted Tobey, I can handle getting the water - why didn't you stay lying down?"
"'Cause you left me."
"Wow, that potion is some strong stuff. It makes you that attached to me?"
"Sorry Sid, I can't help it. I feel sick if I can't at least see you. I think this stuff shouldn't be called a love potion. This isn't love, love makes you feel good this makes me feel terrible."
"Hang in there, it will wear off. Here, if you're gonna be staying this close to me until it wears off, you have to not stink." Sid laughed and Tobey even managed to smile as Sid stopped to get the deodorant, washcloth and soap to go with the pan of warm water. He handed Tobey a short stack of towels and they went back to their room. Sid washed Tobey's back first. Then his arms, and even his stomach and neck where the worm-thing stung him. Those holes were big and in pairs like a vampire had been chewing on him.
The longest, deepest cuts that ran from his shoulder to his loin on both sides started bleeding again when Sid came close with the washcloth, even though he was being as gentle as he could and still get the blood off. Tobey couldn't help but whine softly, arch his back and grit his teeth.
"Sorry Tobey, there's a lot of dried-on blood."
"I know Sid, but do what you got to do – I can take it."
"I know you can." Sid got the washcloth wetter and draped it over the worst place to try and soak it clean. As he sat quietly for a moment he heard Tobey making small sounds into the pillow. His sides were heaving with irregular breaths. "Tob'- are you crying?"
"No." his voice squeaked and Sid knew he was lying.
"It's okay man - cry if you want to – anyone who had been through what you have would."
"Sid – being tied up was worse than being trapped in a small space! I tried, I really did – I tried to fight back - it hurt so bad . . . I . . . aaaarg!" Tobey couldn't speak anymore and screamed angrily into the pillow. Sid put the washcloth back in the water to warm it up again and put it in another spot. He got another washcloth and started gently daubing the blood off. "I'm so sorry this happened to you Tobey. If there was anything I could do to change what happened I would. I couldn't save you – I feel terrible about it. If only Nana could make some more repeat tofu."
"And go through all that again? No way!" Tobey's back shook as he sobbed harder just at the thought of it.
"No, I meant repeat the day so we could keep this from happening. Sorry Tobey." Sid stroked Tobey's hair and warmed anoth`er washcloth. Tobey cried. He cried for himself and for every other person who is hurt by another person so brutally. He would have told Sid that nothing that happened was his fault and all, but he couldn't even force words. He felt relieved that he was home safe now, with people who love him, but continued to cry for all those others who were still suffering. Tobey cried so hard Sid got tears in his eyes again just listening to him.
Nana came back just as Sid was finished cleaning Tobey's back and Tobey had quieted down a little. She took a look at his back and proclaimed, "That looks fine Sid – here you go." She handed Sid a bowl of something brown and smelly. "Rub that over his wounds, it won't sting or anything, in fact it should make his wounds feel much better right away and as you rub it in and it warms up it will change to a clear color and disappear."
Tobey lie still while Sid worked on his back and spoke to Nana. "I was wondering, how did the dragon know to come help us?"
"He knew you were in great pain and needed help. You will always have a strong connection to the dragon through the tooth in your back Sid. He will be your protector for the rest of your life and if you learn to open your heart and mind to him you can even communicate over long distances with him. He roams the earth protecting as many being as he can from harm, just as all dragon's do."
"That is amazing Nana, will he protect Tobey and Sue too?"
"Only if they are with you, unless he is already nearby. You are the one with the special connection to him and will have a wonderful and, I'm sure, mutually beneficial relationship with the dragon for a long, long time."
"Really what does that mean Nana? How does that work to have a connection with a dragon?"
"That will be between you and the dragon I suppose. I don't know exactly. For me it meant he would come around from time to time and help me or my family out when needed. You probably don't remember, but when you were younger, soon after you came to live here the dragon protected you for me."
"No way."
"Yes. Soon after I brought you three home, Kong Li found out. He leaned that you were the three special orphans that I would train to help me defeat him. He was especially interested in Tobey even then and came to take him away from me and get rid of you and Sue. My finding you three was a prophesy he sought to interrupt so it would never come true and he almost did, if not for the dragon. I was nearly defeated and couldn't fight anymore. You three were too young to help and were vulnerable.
Kong Li had grabbed Sue and was chanting a spell to put her to sleep forever when the dragon appeared suddenly. I pulled myself to my feet, my only drive was to protect you three and be sure you were safe. The dragon and Kong Li had a very short battle and Kong Li didn't have a chance. It scared him so badly that it was a very long time before he tried to attack us again really, it was a long time before I even saw him again."
"We owe that dragon our lives, from more than one time huh Nana?"
"Yes we do Sid."
"But, I don't understand; how does the dragon benefit from the relationship with us? You said it was mutually beneficial?"
A relationship with humans showing kindness and caring for each other will ensure that the dragon's continue to exist. Humans are the only beings that can kill a dragon and we are the only ones who can help them survive as well. They were nearly extinct once, but over the last thousand years, their numbers are slowly increasing."
"That is amazing Nana. When I woke up and saw destroyed building, I thought you did all that. I didn't get to see the dragon again. I'm sorry I missed him."
"I brought no magic powerful enough to destroy a building with me that time." Nana smiled at him. "But thanks for thinking me so powerful."
"You are, but I am thankful that this time the dragon was around to save us! Is Kong Li gone for good then?"
"I don't know I doubt it. Dragons are not allowed to kill a human no matter how evil the human is. The dragon also couldn't have taken Kong Li through the barrier around Chinatown so he couldn't have taken him far away. But escaping won't be easy. I expect we won't be seeing Kong Li around for a while, even if he did survive."
While Nana and Sid spoke softly, in soothing tones Sid's warm hands gently rubbed the soothing lotion on Tobey's wounds. Tobey drifted off to sleep. After Nana left, Sid made sure Tobey was covered and warm and climbed quietly up to the top bunk to rest. The lotion he used on Tobey's back had already made his burned hands feel much better too. He wondered if he spread it all over if it would make all of his sore muscles feel better. He decided not to try it, deciding instead to save it for Tobey.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[TD]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
After a very quiet few days, over a week in fact, with Sid and Nana caring for Tobey's wounds and doing their best with his his mental state his night terrors stopped and everyone was sleeping better. With all the attention on Tobey and Sid, Sue stayed quiet and out of the way. Barney became aware that she had not been downstairs in many days. He decided to make it his mission to help her get back on her feet.
Sid and Tobey had been back to work too. They were taking deliveries and were both almost back to a regular routine – except their routine was missing Kong Li and that didn't feel regular at all. They had not heard anything from him and Nana's magic couldn't detect any activity going on having anything to do with the magic recipes. Still they were all afraid to relax, just in case.
Sid and Tobey had left early to get a long list of supplies for Mr. Wu and were still gone. Barney took Sue's breakfast to her on a tray. He knocked softly and opened the door when she heard her call to him.
"Morning Barney . . . I really appreciate your staying here with me when you can and even bringing my meals up."
"No problem Sue. When do you think you will feel able to come down? I mean, I'm worried, it has been days since you've come out of your room even to visit with me." Barney sat Sue's breakfast tray in her lap and put another pillow behind her back.
"I don't know. Right now I don't want to leave my room. My mouth hurts, and my arm hurts and my teeth look awful. I especially don't want to run into Mr. Wu and have to listen to him yelling."
"At least the bruises are faded away. I totally understand how you feel about dad. I wish I didn't have to listen to him yelling either."
"The yelling didn't used to bother me, he is just a big loud teddy bear after all, but now I shudder when I hear him - even if he isn't yelling at me. I can't wait until I get this cast off!"
"Nana made you another appointment at the dentist for tomorrow, I hope dad lets me go with you, if you want me too."
"I would love it if you came with me. If we can keep the appointment. I might not be well enough to go."
"But Sue, all you will have to do is sit in the chair and you've already canceled two other appointments before. They said the repairs on your teeth would be easy and you have to get it done. Let me see your tongue."
"I know, but, I um, I just don't know." Sue stopped trying to explain and opened her mouth for Barney to see.
"Your tongue looks great – the stitches have even dissolved. Remember they said it would take seven to ten days – so it's perfect. So you know, but you don't know? That made no sense. What don't you know?"
"I guess I just don't know how I feel."
"I think besides being hurt physically, you are feeling scared and you don't want to admit it."
"You're probably right Barney. I'm afraid of the dentist; I'm afraid I will get hurt when I go out again or something bad will happen to Sid or Tobey and I won't be able to help them."
"I understand Sue. We are all afraid of things. Don't tell anyone, especially dad, but I'm afraid of ventriloquist's dummies."
"Ventriloquist's Dummies? Why?" it was all Sue could do to keep from giggling.
"Well yeah! How do you know the dummy is not the one in control? And if it is evil it could take control of the ventriloquist and make him chase members of the audience around with a knife!"
"But Barney, that just can't happen; you've been watching too many late night movies . . . what I am afraid of can happen, has happened. Sid and Tobey have been hurt – I have been hurt, and come on, you have to admit dentists are scary! What if he can't get my tooth numb, what if blood runs down my throat and I choke?"
"Sue, I'm just saying, of course I know my fear of ventriloquist's dummies is all in my head right? When I see one I don't run away screaming do I? I'm just saying your fear is all in your head. The dentist will get you numb, and there won't be blood. Even if there is blood the dentist will take care of it. You won't choke on it. Look Sue, no one is more balanced and physically capable of taking care of themselves than you are and besides, you are more likely to keep Sid and Tobey out of trouble and keep them from getting hurt if you are with them, right?"
"But . . . "
"Weren't you just complaining a couple of weeks ago that you had to mother them all the time and you were tired of it? Sound to me like you take good care of them and you three need each other. And if you want to call it mothering, I guess that is accurate . . . and it isn't a bad thing."
"Barney, I . . . you're right . . . it's obvious that they need someone to look after them and no one does it better than me. Thanks Barn – I will consider all you said and you're right, I do need them, and I need you too." Sue grabbed a handful of Barney's shirt front and pulled him down over her breakfast tray. He got a little sticky from syrup but they had a nice kiss. Blushing, Barney stood up and said stiffly, "You're welcome Sue, I expect you to come down to the dining room for lunch. I'll make you something special!"
"Okay Barney."
Sue finished her breakfast and got out of bed. She stood in the small area next to her bed and ran through a series of Kung Fu warm up positions; minus her casted arm. She felt wobbly and even got a little dizzy since it had been so long since she got any exercise. Nana had even given up, thinking it best to leave her alone to give her some time to heal. Sue mumbled out loud, "I am so dumb, now it will take me weeks to get back into shape, and Barney's been feeding me good and I've had no exercise. I must have put on a little weight. Even my panamas feel tight."
Sue sucked in her stomach to get her belt buckled in the same hole she was used to. She looked into her mirror. She put her red outdoor shirt on right away trying to hide the little rolls in her skin over her too-tight belt. With a sigh she went down and straight out into the garden. After completing another routine of Kung Fu, Tai Chi and yoga positions, or as close as she could come with a cast on, she sat on her cushion for meditation. She contemplated what Barney had said for a long time before she began to meditate.
Sid and Tobey came back from the grocery store through the garden and saw Sue meditating. They quietly went inside without bothering her. Once inside Tobey spoke up, "Sid! Sue is out of her room! Isn't that great?"
"It's good to see her up and practicing again."
"It would be better if she was up and cooking us some shrimp lo mein!"
"She'd have to do it one handed. We're stuck with Mr. Wu's cooking for a while yet. With any luck, Barney is cooking today."
They got to the kitchen and put the groceries on the counter. Barney started putting things away. Mr. Wu was cooking. He was stirring and tasting from a pot of something boiling on the stove. Nana was kneading dough on the counter across from the stove. "Did I hear you say Sue is up?"
"Yeah Nana, she is in the garden sitting in meditation!"
Barney interrupted excitedly, "Hey, that's great - our little talk helped her feel better."
"Your little talk? What did you and my sister talk about Barn?"
"I cannot divulge that information, professional oath you know. Its between me and her."
"You aren't a professional anything Barney."
"I'm still not telling you. If she wants you to know, she will tell you guys."
"Well fine." Sid teased in a squeaky voice and Tobey added "Fine!" in his own cartoon voice. He had been standing right next to Sid with his hand in one of Sid's back pockets where Barney couldn't have seen it. Without even thinking about it, Tobey had backed up to the edge of the door and was trying to itch his back. He had pulled Sid backwards by his pocket. The healing cuts on his back were itching like crazy. He winced when he rubbed too hard and tried to reach with his fingers instead.
"Tobey, come on – stop that, you will rip your healing cuts open again." Sid scolded and pulled him away from the door by his arm. Nana sighed, "I told you about doing that Tobey. - Go with Sid now; he will put more of the lotion on your back before lunch deliveries start."
"Yes Nana . . . If I have to, you know how I hate to have him be touching me." Tobey teased with his hand back in Sid's pocket. Tobey stayed closer than Sid's shadow all the way upstairs. He even followed him over to the dresser to get the lotion off of the top. "Tobey, go sit down I will bring it."
"It's okay, I want to be sure you won't get away."
"I'm not trying to get away – you're stuck with me."
"Great!" Tobey went a short distance away and sat on the floor as he pulled his biking shirt and then his undershirt off over his head. The static electricity made his hair fan out in the back. Sid smiled and smoothed Tobey's hair as he sat down behind him.
"You know Tobey, this worked out good, you're wound's and my burned hands needed Nana's special lotion – how perfect is it that I put it on for you?"
"It is perfect. Your hands look completely healed already."
"My hands, are fine. I wasn't cut and some of the cuts on your back were deep, I'm afraid you will take a little longer to heal. It is amazing how your back is healing so smoothly – some of those cuts probably could have used stitches if you had agreed to let Nana take you to the doctor."
"No way Sid, they would have seen I had been whipped and my other injuries. The police questioned Nana and us enough without knowing all the details of my injuries. They are probably still out there looking for some maniac. Do you think Kong Li is really gone this time?"
Sid finished warming the lotion in his palms and started with Tobey's shoulders, rubbing gently over the reddest, most raw looking places. "I doubt it, didn't you hear what Nana said? The dragon couldn't have taken him out of Chinatown or end his life."
"Well - I must have been asleep during that part, but Nana said the dragon had Kong Li in his mouth."
"But she said he was still kicking and the dragon couldn't have eaten him, he would have died from eating Kong Li's rotten flesh. He would have had to spit him out somewhere inside the barrier around Chinatown."
"True." Tobey made a face like he might barf and then smiled over his shoulder at Sid. "Turn back around I have to finish rubbing Nana's magic lotion over your beautiful skin.".
"Thanks Sid," he said as he turned back around and stared down at his feet. " . . . but my skin is not beautiful anymore. I saw my back in the mirror. I will have terrible scars."
"Weren't you listening to Nana? She said the scars won't be bad and this will make them fade over time if we keep using it even after the cuts themselves are healed.
Tobey sounded so depressed, "I guess. I'm surprised you can still stand to be around me at all."
"What do you mean? Of course I can stand you, I love you in ways than I ever thought I would. You're even cuter than Tiffany - you know?"
"Funny Sid, glad you think so, but I'm such a mess."
"Awe Tobey, you know I don't care what you look like, I will love you when you are as big as Mr. Wu and wrinkled with gray hair. I wonder if the white will turn gray too?"
Tobey ignored his question. "Well thanks, but how I look isn't what I meant. I'm embarrassed that I've still been so clingy. Wouldn't Kong Li's potion have worn off by now?"
"I don't know, maybe it is taking longer to wear off because we already loved each other when it was activated? And I don't mind that you want to be close – its kinda nice."
"I try so hard to control myself. Over the last couple of days especially, it has been very hard. If I am not actually touching you I feel panicked, and sick like something is very wrong with me. I like being close to you too, but this is scary – it's not normal."
"I know Tobey it's okay, I like having you in my back pocket. I just need to remember to lock the bathroom door is all."
"Hehehe, yeah . . . sorry about that."
"Nana said it would wear off and then we can get back to a more normal relationship. You know, where you won't stand outside the bathroom door and whine like a puppy while I am in there. Isn't Nana making you drink something dark-green every few hours, I thought it was an antidote."
"She won't admit it is an antidote, but I think it is. She calls it vitamins to help heal my back. Nana's worried because it doesn't seem to be working. I know she just doesn't want to scare me. But its too late . . . I'm already scared, instead of wearing off, I think the effects of the potion are getting worse."
"Worse? How?"
"I was even jealous of Nana when she was putting the wrap on your wrist after training yesterday. I felt so angry, it was all I could do to not pick a fight with her right then! It is Nana! Why would I feel that way when Nana is close to you? It scared me, and I tried to leave so I wouldn't have to see it. But I missed you so much I had to come back right away."
"I noticed you tackled me pretty hard for a hug last night. Is that what that was?"
"Yeah," Tobey blushed, "and before I just had to be close to you, or know where you were. Today and yesterday I feel panicked when I am not actually touching you and I get really angry if someone else gets closer to you than I am. Its so weird – I don't like feeling so needy or so jealous."
"Have you told Nana you feel differently?"
"No, I am embarrassed, and I don't want her to worry."
"I think she needs to know, do you want to go talk to Nana now? I will go with you if you want me too."
"No not now . . . maybe after deliveries. Mr. Wu or Barney will start yelling for us any minute. I don't think Nana will let Sue go yet."
As if on cue, Mr. Wu yelled "Deliveries!" from the kitchen and they heard him clearly from in their room with the door closed. Mr. Wu was annoyed that they boys kept going out together for deliveries, no matter what the addresses were. "It is taking you two twice as long to get these delivered! Split up and get it done faster!"
"Yes Mr. Wu." Tobey moaned. But Sid noticed he stayed with him again. Tobey got next to Sid and tried to hold his hand while they were riding. "Tobey, come on man, we will run into each other, how embarrassing will that be?"
Tobey had big tears welling up, "Oh no Sid! I knew it, you're embarrassed to be seen with me!"
Sid stopped and pulled Tobey to stop with him. "No, I'm embarrassed to crash into you in the middle of the street. Come here . . ." Sid pulled on Tobey's hand until he had to swing his leg over his bike and let it fall away. "I don't want you to be scared or think those bad thoughts anymore." he whispered in Tobey's ear before kissing his mouth shut.
When their kiss was over, "Will that last you for a little while Tobey?"
"Maybe, but stay close."
Sid smiled at him. He was worried about him, but he looked so small and scared right then. Sid lead the way as they rode quickly to finish deliveries. Tobey had a knot in his stomach and was breathing harder and harder, but not from riding fast.
When they had started back to Wu's Sid noticed Tobey was making soft whining noises like he did when he was waiting for him outside the bathroom door. Showers were the only private time Sid had over the last week and he even had to promise to stay right by the door while Tobey got a shower, or Tobey might not have bathed at all.
Sid was watching Tobey. He seemed more and more anxious, but still hadn't said anything. They stopped again once they were in an alley. Tobey stopped right next to Sid and reached for him. Sid let him take his hand.
"Are you getting scared again Tobey?"
"Yeah, something is very wrong!"
"What's wrong? Should I call Nana?"
"I don't know – I . . . I . . ." Tobey got off his bike and grabbed Sid's arm as he bent over holding his chest. He took several fast, shallow breaths. Tobey whispered, "Hold me-Hold me-Hold me." in between breaths.
Sid quickly got off his bike and hugged him tightly. "Tobey, I think you're hyperventilating! You have to calm down." Tobey hugged Sid back, but continued to breath very fast with his cheek on Sid's shoulder. Instead of calming down, within seconds Tobey shifted restlessly like he was standing in hot coals. He never let go of Sid and even stood on his tip-toes like he was trying to get even closer. He cried breathlessly into Sid's neck,"S-Sid-My chest h- hurts!"
"Control your breathing, like Nana taught you – don't worry – I'm here and I won't let go."
"I can't feel you – hold me tighter!"
Sid hugged him tighter, "Tobey, keep breathing, make yourself slow down. Everything is okay." but then he mumbled, "Damn that Kong Li!" With one hand, being sure to hold Tobey tightly with his other hand, Sid took out his phone and turned on the speaker. That way when he called Nana so he wouldn't have to put the phone up to his ear. Doing that would have taken his hand off of Tobey and he feared he would react badly. He pressed Tobey's head tightly into his neck and spoke softly to him until Nana answered.
"Nana, Tobey's not feeling well – I don't think he can ride home - we need you!"
"Sid, I will be right there. Is he panicked again?"
"Yeah, real bad Nana – the worst yet - hurry."
"I have your location, I will be right there." Nana hung up and put a few more bottles and a thermos full of hot water in her bag. Barney whined when she took the hot water right out of his cooking pot. "Now I have to start all over to boil some more."
"Sorry Barn, its an emergency."
Sue stopped tearing lettuce for salads, "Nana? Is something wrong with Sid or Tobey?"
"A little, shouldn't be too serious."
"I'm coming too." Sue started to wipe the lettuce water off of her hands.
"No Sue, its better if you stay here. Help Barney. I will call you if I need you, I might need you to bring me more herbs and it will be faster if you are already here."
"Okay Nana." Sue really would have rather gone with her, but knew right now, Nana could probably travel faster going alone. She sat her phone next to her bowl and stared at it as she went back to tearing lettuce and saving some big leaves for wraps.
"Don't worry Sue, I'm sure Nana can handle what ever is going on."
"I hope so Barney."
"Why would Nana need a bunch of herbs in an emergency I wonder?"
"I don't know the answer to that myself Barn."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[TD]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Nana got to the alley and saw Sid and Tobey. Sid had sat on a step behind the dry cleaner's building and had Tobey in his lap, still hugging tightly, Tobey breathing sounded like wheezing; like it was getting harder for him to breathe at all. His heart was beating so hard and fast that Sid could feel it just while hugging him. Nana ran over and put her bag down. She spoke softly and touched Tobey gently so she wouldn't startle him.
"Nana?"
"What brought this on Sid?"
"I think its still Kong Li's love potion. Tobey said he was having trouble."
"What kind of trouble?" Tobey whined like he wanted to answer, but couldn't form words. Sid hugged him tighter, "I'll tell her Tob."
Nana took the lid off of the thermos and started adding things to the water, including a whole strawberry, ground clove, dried nettle and ginger.
"Tobey was worried because he's been feeling anxious if he was not close to me, and the last couple days he said it got even worse. He said he felt anxious if he wasn't actually touching me. While we were riding I wouldn't let him hold my hand - I thought he was handling it okay – he never said anything but then this started . . . I'm so sorry Tobey."
"Here Tobey, drink this, it is un-strained, drink it all, even the lumps of herbs and strawberry – slowly, be careful you don't choke. She handed him the cup from the top of the thermos. It was only a third full and smelled very strongly of the strange combination. Tobey took a sip and made a face. "Go on, keep sipping."
Tobey forced some more sips down, in between trying to catch his breath and wound up coughing violently. Sid let him bend forward, across his lap, but still made sure Tobey could feel him holding tight. He let Tobey rest his forehead in his hand while he coughed.
Nana put a magic cinnamon stick and some lemon rind into the thermos and shook it. When Tobey was finished coughing she barely let him take a breath before she started trying to get him to drink it again. Sid noticed after the coughing fit Tobey was shaking, his hand shook so hard he almost spilled the potion. Sid helped him steady it to drink the rest. In less than a full minute Tobey's breathing slowed down a little, but he continued shaking.
"S-S-S . . . id – than-t . . ."
"No problem buddy – don't try to talk just catch your breath, okay?"
Tobey nodded. Nana closed up the thermos and put everything back in her bag. "I am very worried. Kong Li's potion should have worn off by now. I am not aware of any recipe from our master's cookbook that would do this to him, but his fixation and attachment to you does go along with a love potion. I've just never seen a simple love potion do this before."
"Nana, could it be more than one potion; or maybe the venom from when that worm stung him – or even the two substances together?"
"Could be, I just don't know. I have more research to do. I have to find the answer, I'm sorry you are still feeling so badly Tobey; I've really let you down."
"Not you Nana, n-nnno I am okay."
Nana smiled at him, Sid helped him stand up and noticed Tobey actually let go of him while he brushed alley dirt off of his clothes. "You're feeling a little better aren't you Tobe?"
"Yeah, but my chest still hurts and I can't stop shaking."
"Do you think you can ride with me? I will pull your bike along side us."
Before Tobey could answer Nana did. "I have us a ride home boys." Nana picked up Tobey's bike and started pushing it out to a waiting cab. Sid got his bike and Tobey walked with him. This cab had a bike rack strapped over the trunk so it was an easy task to get their bikes secure.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[TD]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Wu's was closing by the time they got back and Sue was really worried, she had been standing out on the sidewalk watching for them to come home, and when they finally did, she hugged Sid before he could even get out. Tobey frowned, "Hey!" and separated them. Sue ignored him, "What happened? What was the emergency?"
"Tobey had a panic attack I guess, isn't that right Nana?"
"It's as good a description as any, but this effect is brought on by the potion or something that Kong Li did to him. Sue, I will need your help to do more research to find an antidote that works. Do you feel up to it?"
"Of course, anything to help."
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[TD]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
[Tobey continued . . . ]