Red Light

Aftermath: Part 6

Lan Wangji was trying to stay focused, but his head was a jumble.

'Just get them to the room.' was playing on repeat while 'What did we miss?' played in a messy counterpoint with the gradually increase volume option on.

His head already hurt.

Three centering breaths.

They were in a hallway only lit by the exit signs and the soft safety lites. After everything that had happened, it felt menacing.

Steve Chen had left to make sure everything was still secure. Nie Mingjue stood still, listening for any disturbance. Lan Wangji found himself patting the head of each person in the laundry cart. A simple reminder they weren't alone.

Chen came back and began to push the cart again. He stopped at a door no different than any other in the wing.

"This is it." he said quietly.

Nie Mingjue scooped Wei Wuxian out of the laundry cart and gently deposited him on a bed in the darkened room.

"We'll leave the lights off until we are all inside." he told him before heading out to get the next person.

Lan Wangji settled in a chair near the bed and reached for Wei Ying's hand.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Exausted. Sore. Worried." A pause. "I... I think we need to leave the hospital. There are too many people here. Too many opportunities to get to us. I think as soon as Yu Bin is able, we need to leave."

"I'll see what we have for safe houses." The detective felt a tightness within him begin to relax at just the idea of getting out of the hospital and away from everything associated wth last night.

"I think I know of a place we can go." Wei Ying's smile could barely be seen in the shadow of the room.

Nie Mingjue entered with A'Yuan and placed him next to Wei Ying.

"Are we still hiding, Baba?" he whispered.

"Yes, but we don't have to be as quiet as we did before." Wei Ying replied with a smile.

A'Yuan snuggled a little closer.

"Will they find us here?" He asked in the same whisper.

Wei Ying pulled his son closer.

"I hope not, Little Lion. I hope not." He kissed the top of the boy's head.

Sizhui walked by himself into the room. There was a click as the door closed.

"Turning on the lights, so be careful." Nie Mingjue's low voice came from the gloom.

They shielded their eyes as he turned on the sconces.

A few blinks later and everyone looked around. It was a ward room. Eight beds, four on each side, lined the walls. Half the beds were made. The other half had blankets, sheets, and a pillow neatly piled at the end. Two rolling trays had a variety of supplies stacked on them ranging from gauze to a few snacks. Boxes of gloves were stuck in the holder on the wall. Towels and toilet paper were in the bathroom.

A low whistle came from Nie Mingjue.

"Chen works fast!" He looked at everyone. They looked exhausted emotionally as much as physically.

"I think it is early enough to grab breakfast and sneak it in. I'll be back as fast as I can." Nie Mingjue stated. He flipped off the lights before exiting.

"Just in case." he said as he opened the door and silently closed it behind him.

He headed back to the main ward doors then paused. Looking back, he saw the lit exit signs. There was one rather close to room thirty-four, but there was also one further down the hallway.