Son of The Monkey King

Chapter 48

"We don't have to leave Ray. You shouldn't push yourself." Lyra said to her friend. Raymond was still in clear pain from the burns, but he refused to let it slow him down.

"Yes we do. I can't just sit here and do nothing. I'm not wired that way." He said grabbing his long coat. The half monkey hissed lightly trying to get his bad arm in the sleeve.

"And what if we see Xing Tian down the road? What then?" She asked.

"Then I guess we're screwed." Ray said simply. Lyra couldn't help but frown at his answer.

"Do you have some sort of death wish, or do you just simply not care about what happens to you?" She asked him seriously. Raymond let out a sigh.

"They killed my mom." His back was to her. "My mom did everything in her power to take care of me, to protect me. She was the only person that didn't shun me, because I was different. She died in a fire protecting me from these people." Raymond said now finally facing her. His expression was full of conviction. "I had zero illusions when I took up this crusade; that I'd come out the other side unscathed or even alive. The idea of dying never bothered me. I die at least I tried. It's not like I was leaving anyone behind who cared." Raymond said. Before Lyra could say anything or contradict him. He approached her.  Placing a gentle hand on her arm Raymond looked her directly in the eye. "Look. You don't have to go with me. You've been more than helpful to me Lyra. If you want out just say so. You don't have to go down this road with me." He said sincerely.

The half monkey meant what he said to her. He didn't want to be the cause if she died in this final push with him. Although the selfish side of him didn't want her to leave. Raymond needed all the help he could get, and also they were friends. He liked having her around.

"Ray. I'm not backing out of this. They killed my brother. We can't let them get away with killing families like this. I'm with you all the way." She said her voice matching his conviction. The rational side of him felt terrible that she was going to continue with him, but it was drowned out by the rest him.

"You're a real one Lyra." Raymond said with a smile.

"Back at you." The girl responded.

"Alright. Now let's get out of here." Raymond said.

"I still don't think you should be moving yet." Lyra said.

"Yeah you're probably right, but we're so close. I can feel it." Raymond explained.

"Alright alright. If your arm still hurts when we get there you're taking it easy." The scarred girl said leaving no room for argument.

"Deal." Raymond said with a grin. The two left Lyra's room. Lyra wanted to avoid the woman who gave birth to her, but life wasn't exactly fair.

"Good you're finally leaving. Remember what you said. You ain't ever coming back here again." The woman spat. Lyra just rolled her eyes.

"Love you too mom." She said leaving. "C'mon Ray." She called out to him. He was rooted in place in the living room. Lyra went back into the house and grabbed his hand lightly tugging him out. The scarred girl was walking toward her bike when she noticed Raymond wasn't following her. Turning she saw him standing in the driveway.

"Why? Why is she like that?" He asked Lyra. She could only shrug in response.

"She had me when she was young. Good ol' dad didn't stick around to help. When my strength started to show she thought I was a freak. Pretty much disowned me. Then Charlie was born and all her love and affection went to him." Raymond clenched his fist the knuckle turning white. "Joey was my best friend growing, but he fell into drugs and mom did nothing to help." She explained.

Raymond turned his back to her he was about storm back into the house. He wanted to give that woman a piece of his mind, but Lyra grabbed his good arm pulling him back.

"Ray what the hell are you doing?" She asked.

"She can't get away with what she's done to you Lyra." He said firmly.

"What do you plan to do? Beat her up? Ray it's not worth it." Lyra told him.

"No but you are. You don't deserve to be thrown away like that." Raymond said. She couldn't help the warmth that she felt in her stomach from his words.

"You're wrong. She's not throwing me away. I'm throwing her away. She doesn't deserve my time or effort. To hell with her." Lyra told Raymond. Raymond's anger melted slightly.

"Fine we'll take the high road." He said.

"Good." Lyra said with a smile. "We need to get moving. Got a long trip ahead of us. The two walked towards Lyra's bike. The engine roared to life, although Raymond hasn't taken his usual seat behind her. The half monkey appeared to be lost in thought.

"Ray you okay?" Raymond ignored Lyra's question. His attention was on the car in the driveway of Lyra's mom's house.

"I know I said I'd take the high road but." He didn't finish the sentence. Going in his coat pocket the half monkey pulled out his shrunken staff.

"Ray." Lyra said wearily. Though once again he wasn't listening. The staff extended in length. With one hand and a spin Raymond swung the staff in a downward arc with all the strength he could muster; headed straight for the parked car. Lyra covered her electric eyes as the sound of glass shattering, and the crumbling metal reached her ears. Looking up she saw the vehicle completely flattened like a pancake.

"Alright now we can go." He said taking his spot behind her. She couldn't help the giggles that escaped her lips. Lyra's mother came bursting out of the door screaming hysterically.

"What the hell did you do!?" She shrieked. Raymond answered her, but not with words. He had his hand pointed at her with his middle finger pointed to the heavens.

The sound of the woman's screams could be heard down the road as she road off.

"For what it's worth Ray. If something happened to you. I'd care." She said remembering their previous conversation. Raymond's answer was his good hand tightening slightly around her middle.