Heal These Battle Scars | MxM

Chapter Fifteen - It Is Okay To Die

Call Xiao Fang stupid, foolish — a brainless man even, he would agree. At least, he admitted that last night when he confided to his comrades — telling them about the narrow pathway down the west end of the barracks, the high fence they would have to climb, the long walk down to Lu Ba. Yet, not once did it cross his mind that they needed to get out of the holding cell before they could do the escaping part. Foolish madness indeed.

Fortunately, being a doctor came with its perks. Xiao Fang had a quick-thinking mind. He was a splendid planner under stress, and excellent at spotting details. All of these paid off when he realized as he racked his brain last night that the young prison officer, Bai Lu, was a dense young man who seemed to lack critical thinking, as his eyes often wandered around; his words often slurred - an easy man to manipulate.

A manipulator.

Though he would do whatever it took to save his country from the Communist Party — to save his starving comrades, Xiao Fang never expected he would stoop so low.

If Commander Wang Yi could read his mind — read about all the men Xiao Fang would kill to run away, surely Yi would think of him as a fraud, faking a friendship to snoop around. Yi would call him a machiavellian before putting a bullet between his eyes for betraying his trust.

The idea of Yi pulling the trigger should not have Xiao Fang clutching his chest. Yet, it did cause that to happen — which made it difficult to leave this place, knowing he would never see the commander's face again. If only Yi had not left an imprint in Xiao Fang's heart — had not come into his dreams and startled him awake, escaping would have been much easier.

++++++++++

As Xiao Fang's comrades lay in the holding cell — some on their backs, others on their sides, faking sleep in the dead of night, Xiao Fang gripped tight against the rusted iron bars of the cell. "Bai Lu," he cried out in a hushed tone to the young soldier guarding the front door, sitting on a wooden chair, half-asleep, a rifle wrapped around his fingers. "I need help," he said, his voice hoarse, sounding sickly. "Please. I think I'm dying."

Xiao Fang had never been a good liar. Whenever he tried lying, he would blush bright pink — anyone and everyone could see through his little white lie. However, in times like these, when he wanted to escape, Xiao Fang had to improvise. He had to be wary, stiff, and strong. Or, if caught, he would end up like the nameless soldiers buried outside the military base. Or worse, have his corpse tossed in the forest for wild animals to feast. Either way, both involved him dying in barbaric situations that brought shiver racing down his spine. He had never been a good liar, but tonight that would change.

"Bai Lu —"

"Aye, what do you want?" The soldier, Bai Lu, slammed a hand against the bars in annoyance at Xiao Fang's constant shouting. "You like being a nuisance, don't ya?"

Xiao Fang faked a cough. "I'm sick," he pouted a barely visible pout as he stared at Bai Lu with pleading eyes, hoping to win the soldier's sympathy.

"What you want me to do 'bout it?

"I need to get to the infirmary," Xiao Fang said. "If you don't take me, I'll die. I don't think Commander Wang would want me to die. I just need some medicine — I'll be real quick, what do you say?"

Bai Lu folded his arms, staring suspiciously at Xiao Fang. "How do I know you're not lyin'?" he frowned.

Xiao Fang swallowed. "I...I'm not," he cried as he lowered his head to stare at the floor so he could blink fake tears. "I'm not," he looked back at Bai Lu with tear-filled eyes. "Come on...I'm dying here."

Bai Lu tsked. "Fine," he bit out. "I'll take you there because I ain't know much 'bout medicine."

"Okay," Xiao Fang beamed before faking another cough.