Blades of Secrets: The Endless Night

CHAPTER 5

Li Ming and Cheng Xing stood above Wen Zhang's desk as he went through the phone.

"This is a black iPhone 4."

"Wow, didn't think people still had those phones."

Li Ming ignored Cheng Xing's comment and Wen Zhang didn't say anything. They went to recent phone calls.

"There's a recording."

Li Ming leaned in. Wen Zhang pressed play. There was the sound of panting. A panicked voice on the phone started talking.

"They're coming in my house and they're going to be after you next. Hide, run, SHE'S COMING......" and then the phone cut off.

"That seems to be the end of the recording," Wen Zhang said disappointed.

"See, it was a woman," Li Ming said turning to Cheng Xing. Li Ming turned back to Wen Zhang.

"Check the number."

Wen Zhang searched. Li Ming stood up and turned to Cheng Xing.

"Good job on nothing."

If I do something, you call me childish and that you don't need my help. If I don't help, you think I'm useless. HOW DOES THAT WORK! Cheng Xing shouted in his head.

"Ok, I found it. The number belongs to a man called Zi Rui. He lives in a blue apartment in room 204."

Cheng Xing walked into a room and closed the door. He dialled a number and someone on the other end picked up.

"They're going to the apartment, a person named Zi Rui seems to know a lot, send someone there quickly. It's room 204 blue apartment, the police will get there soon-"

The door opened, showing Li Ming.

"I'm hanging up."

Cheng Xing placed the phone into his pocket.

"What is it, Li Ming?"

"What are you doing here?"

Cheng Xing looked confused back at Li Ming.

"Why are you in my office?"

Cheng Xing looked over to see a desk and files. Cheng Xing does a slow nod and bites his lip. He didn't expect it to be Li Ming's, he just unknowingly went into an office, like a mind on autopilot.

"I'm....... going to go."

Cheng Xing squeezed past Li Ming and walked out. Li Ming grabbed his arm.

"We have to go to Zi Rui's apartment."

"OK, let's go" Cheng Xing said.

"I didn't mean now, I meant tonight." Li Ming said

Cheng Xing's brow furrowed.

Night had already fallen, the half crescent moon high in the sky. They knocked on the door 204. There was the sound of shuffling before the door opened slightly and a balding man peered through in a baggy brown shirt.

"Hello, I'm Li Ming and this is Cheng Xing. We want to talk to you about Shi Lei."

He slowly opened the door and led them into the house. They sat down on the sofa.

"Zi Rui, we would like to get straight to the point. Is it ok if we ask some questions?"

Zi Rui nodded. He looked shy.

"Shi Lei was found dead this morning. He last called you," Li Ming said pulling a piece of paper out.

"His last words recorded was quote 'They're coming in my house and they're going to be after you next. Hide, run, she's coming...' before the phone was cut off. Who was he talking about?"

Zi Rui's hands started shaking.

"We know too much- I can't say, or they'll kill you too," Zi Rui's hands shook, he gripped his knees clenching his pants.

I'm a part of the police force, I will be fine." Li Ming assured him, "Can you please tell me who Shi Lei was talking about."

He stopped and looked around the room, cautious. Zi Rui leaned in towards Li Ming.

"The assassins academy."

Cheng Xing's eyes looked up at Zi Rui instantly.

"The assassins academy kills those who are targeted, on their list, or who know too much. Shi Lei and I have been researching the academy for half a year now. We haven't shared any of the information."

Li Ming glanced at Cheng Xing.

"Apparently the academy has found out how much we know."

Zi Rui gets up and brings back some papers. He hands a drawing to Li Ming. This is supposedly what the tattoo looks like. It looked like a circle in the middle with blades coming out of them and a spiral running through the middle.

Li Ming nods looking at the sketch.

"I have been searching for their location of the academy but have found nothing. I'm guessing that a lot of the assassins are finding jobs to blend in with society easily."

Li Ming looked through the files. Li Ming sighed as Cheng Xing sat back on the couch laying his head back.

"I'm going to get a drink."

Zi Rui got up and left the lounge. Cheng Xing sat up and looked at the files.

"He seems to know a lot about the assassins."

The sound of thud stopped both Cheng Xing and Li Ming. Li Ming slowly stood up

"Zi Rui?"

He walked towards the bedroom to see Zi Rui dead on the floor, blood pooling onto the carpet. Li Ming pulled out his gun and pointed it at the figure cloaked in black.

"Who are you?"

She didn't reply.

"Put your hands up. You're arrested."

There was hesitation as she stared straight at him. She looked over to Cheng Xing and clenched her fists. She tried to smash the glass and escape, but Li Ming quickly shot her making her fall the floor with a thud beside Zi Rui. Cheng Xing rushed to her and pulled her sleeve up, checking her pulse. He felt nothing. No beating. No sound. No movement. Nothing. Li Ming pulled the bottom of her pants up and pulled her sock away. He looked at the tattoo on her ankle, the same one that was on the paper. Cheng Xing gently touched her arm.

Li Ming looked at Cheng Xing, but Cheng Xing couldn't look at him.