Talitha Koum

Chapter 22

TALITHA KOUM

CHAPTER 22

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When they arrived in the main meeting tent, Pang was already sitting on his throne, the mock-up of the one that belonged to the real Son of Heaven in China.

As they approached, Tom happened to glance into Julie’s face. He bent to her. “Julie, what’s wrong?”

She shook him off.

“What is it?”

She shook again. “I…I don’t know yet. Just stay alert.”

Pang said something to Mr. Fong, gesturing with his hands.

Mr. Fong twirled around to the other two, thrust his hands in the air and jumped into Tom’s arms. “Dr. Tom! Dr. Julie!” He laughed.

“Hey!” Tom smiled back. “What is it?”

“He’s going to let us live!”

“What?” Tom’s eyes went circular. “That’s fantastic! That’s really wonderful!” He tried to put his arms around Julie, but she brushed him away. “What, Julie? What’s wrong?”

Her eyes were on Mr. Fong. She glanced up at Pang and then back to Mr. Fong again. “Hang on. What did he say exactly?”

“He said, ‘I have found it in my heart to allow the two of you to live a while longer’!”

“Why?”

“Why?” Tom’s jaw dropped. “What do you mean, ‘why’?”

“Because,” Mr. Fong said to Julie, “lord Pang feel it too much blood spilled already. He doesn’t want to kill no more for now.”

Julie stood where she was, gazing up at Pang. She nodded her head. She smiled at Mr. Fong, and then at Pang.

Turning, she began to step back and forth at the foot of the stairs, pacing, with her arms clasped behind her back while she chewed on her lip.

She stopped. She rotated around to face Pang. “I’m sorry and I know what I promised, but I can’t seem to help myself…” She smirked at the man at the top of the dais. “…I think you’re lying.”

Mr. Fong rolled his eyes. “Not again.” He slapped his forehead.

Pang looked at Fong, waiting.

“Mr. Fong!” Julie crossed her arms.

“I know, I know. Just tell him…”

After Mr. Fong’s translation, Pang shook his head. “Woman, are you always this irritating?”

Julie nodded. “Many people think so.” Her eyes surveyed the room. Pang’s guards were standing at their posts, but they appeared relaxed, not like before. The previous tension in the room was gone.

She smiled at her host. “Forgive me, lord Pang and perhaps it is only my nature, but I just can’t help wondering. Why have you decided not to kill us after all? I heard what Mr. Fong said and what your reasons were but…”

Tom stepped up to her and yanked on her sleeve. She ignored him.

Pang leaned forward on his seat. “If you keep irritating me like this, then perhaps I will change my mind again.”

Julie waited. Pang did not call on his guards. She eyed the leader, and then his men, one by one.

She nodded to herself. “No, I don’t think you will. Because if you had wanted to kill us, you would have done so already. And we all know you have good reason to. Our car must have been moved well out of your reach by now, so we are useless to you. And what’s more, there is me, a lowly woman, who was insolent enough to dare speak out against you in front of everyone. You should be furious. But you’re not!”