Requiem III: The Search for The Truth

by Bonnie Eagan & Alisa Joaquin

Part 35: Reconnecting

At first, Kwai Chang Caine did not understand his father's reluctance at not finding Peter but first trying to understand the nature of the force they were up against. Hearing his father's words that Peter was Shaolin and needed to face his own battles, did little to comfort him, but he knew his father spoke the truth. Yet, this battle was not Peter's alone, but one directed at all of them. He was suddenly taken aback when his father seemed to change his mind. The look on his face told Kwai Chang that for the first time, Matthew saw things, not as a priest, but as a father and was beginning to understand just what it was that Kwai Chang faced when dealing with a child in his life.

Kwai Chang Caine then gave his father a nod and set out to contact his son while the others planned. Caine stepped into his meditation space and lit the candles on the altar. He fluidly sunk down into a lotus position, closed his eyes and focused on his son's chi. For a moment, he could sense embarrassment then there was an urgency. It was for someone else, a young woman. If his son had sensed him, he was not acknowledging it, so focused on the task ahead was Peter that acknowledgement could be costly. Caine understood those risks.

Kwai Chang Caine concentrated to try to see through his son's eyes without trying to disturb him in his focused state. Observing through his son's eyes, and Caine knew instantly, where Peter was being held. He also learned of the danger his son and the woman were facing. Quickly, he broke all contact. With imminent danger at hand, Caine decided instead of contacting Peter, he would simply go to his side.

Earlier, while still up in the cage, Peter felt a familiar tingling of his father's chi, but did not make contact. Too many times he had allowed himself to get in positions where his father had to get him out. He just wasn't ready for that, and yet, he was comforted in the fact that his father was there, a presence that he could call upon if needed. Peter had thought about letting his father know, but then all hell had broken loose as the woman entered the arena and soon after the first of two large tigers. Without another thought, Peter simply allowed his father to be there, but concentrated on the task at hand.

And now that that task had been successfully completed, Peter decided it was his turn to take the opportunity and let his father know they were out of danger for the moment. There was one thing, however, he needed to do first before that.

"Mia, let me see that arm."

Mia held out her left arm to the young man. Peter examined the cut by passing his hands over and around the arm. The cut was not deep. No artery or vein had been severed, but it was still deep enough where Peter could see the fat deposits had been exposed and if the cut was not healed, infection could set in. Grasping Mia's left arm in his right hand, he gently pressed the skin together then taking his left hand he pressed it to the cut. He drew in a deep breath and as he let it slowly out, he focused his chi. In his mind he could see the cut, see the many layers of skin and fat that the knife had separated with its sharp blade. As he focused, he saw those layers obeying his thoughts, the edges coming together and fusing themselves into a cohesive whole, leaving no scar. Only Smooth skin remained. When he removed his hand, and wiped away the blood, it was as if the cut had never been made.

"How did you do that?" Mai asked in amazement.

Peter answered with just a shrug. Then remembering where they were still at, Peter added, "Mia, watch my back."

"What are you going to do?" Mia said, an apparent tremble was in her voice.

"I just need you to watch to make sure no one sneaks up on us. I'm going to contact my father."

"Your father? You're going to make a phone call?"

"Something like that," Peter grinned.

"But there are no phones down here."

Peter gave Mia a sideways grin. "It's a Shaolin thing. Just watch my back to see no one interrupts."

To Mia's amazement, Peter sat on the floor and crossed his legs. He closed his eyes and drew in a deep sigh. Mentioning the Shaolin, Mia visibly relaxed. She had heard of Caine and his son but had not met either of them before. She should have realized who he was when he did that trick with his hands and the tiger fell back as if it had been slapped in the face. Looking around, and stepping in front of Peter, Mia started her watch with trepidation.

Peter sank to the floor and closed his eyes. He breathed in a deep sigh, then focused his thoughts on his father's chi. To his amazement, his father, grandfather, Kermit, the Ancient and even Li Pei were all heading in the direction of Tan's old lair. Marlene had remained behind at the Caine apartment, not wanting to go back to that place ever again.

*We will be with you my son to face this evil together,* Kwai Chang stated through their link.

*Be careful, Pop. He's very powerful. I think he really wants all of us dead.*

*He will not succeed.* Those thoughts came from Matthew.

*Grandpa, thanks for coming along.*

*Do not call me Grandpa,* Matthew chided.

*My son, guard the woman who is with you and do what you can to find your way out of there. We will do the rest. Kermit and Li Pei will help you and create a diversion if necessary.*

"Okay, Pop. See you later.*

The connection was broken at that point and Peter rose from the floor.

"You were sitting there for a long time. Did you make contact?" Mia asked.

"Yes. Come on, we're getting out of here."

Peter grabbed Mia's arm and headed away from the arena, and hopefully to freedom.

Continues with Part 36