Half of My Heart

The four legged eavesdropper.

Shen Wei found it tiring to begin with, just getting used to walking around again. The injury plus his high temperature from the host had weakened him and now the added worry over cutting a finger or any other small break in his skin which would bleed. There would be no easy way to stop the loss of blood and he was very careful in everything he did.

Some of the things Ying did for him verged on childlike. He wasn't allowed a knife for eating because his food was already sliced before it was given to him, and all sharp edged items were removed for safety. A guard walked beside him in case he would fall and scrape a knee or an elbow and he was beginning to feel trapped. The last straw came when forks were replaced by spoons because they were safer, and Wei sat down and breathed slowly, trying to hold back his frustration.

Guo Ying brought in some soup for lunch, in a mug with a spoon and Wei stared at it, while he tried to remain civil.

"What kind of soup is it? Am I on a liquid diet now?"

"No My Lord, it was the only soup that Ava had in the freezer. I can bring you some sandwiches with your tea afterwards."

Wei nodded as he felt the pressure of a headache build while he stared at the smooth soup with no solid substance that he might have to chew, raising the risk that he would bite his tongue. Or he could lift the cup and fire it at the nearest wall, but he didn't. He sat alone quietly staring out of the window as he called on Yunlan.

Daqing was sitting in cat form at the door of the smaller office while Chu was trying to explain to Yunlan about the differences between two dark energies, when Wei's voice came into his mind.

"Chu, I think I get it now, but I would like some time on my own, could you close the door for ten minutes," he asked politely while the cat slipped in to listen to Shen Wei talking.

Yunlan stood at the window and gazed in the direction of the manor by instinct, as he answered him.

"Yes Wei, I'm here, what's wrong? You don't usually speak to me during the day," he asked and heard the sadness in Wei's voice as he answered.

"I just wanted someone to talk to. I know that everything the staff are doing here is for my benefit but I feel like a child trapped in an adults world. Help me feel better Ah Lan."

"Tell me this secret that you are afraid to talk about, the one you want to hide from. Take your time."

Daqing walked forward slowly and hopped onto the window ledge as he brushed against Yunlan's arm to be lifted, and felt a soft hand slide across his fur as they both listened to Wei admit his fears.

"The injury from the bullet is not the problem. The alien dark energy is. It weakens your blood cells and if I so much as scrape my knee or cut a finger, I could bleed to death unless they stop it."

Yunlan felt his legs turn weak and had to sit down but he still held Daqing who rested on his lap and felt the reactions of Wei's words.

"Can the condition be treated, Wei Ah?" he asked as he ran his hand along the cat's soft fur while his eyes filled with tears.

"Yes Lan, but first they have to find the person who can help. Everything sharp has been removed from my living space, and I'm eating with spoons, no knives or forks. Today it was soup in a cup for lunch. I should be grateful for all the care and love I am shown but today, I ... "

"You felt like throwing the cup against the wall." Yunlan finished his words.

"What do I do Ah Lan? I'm tired, and I've never felt so angry and frustrated. I have a splitting headache that's slowly getting worse and all I want to do is shout at someone," Wei admitted while he sat looking out of the window, feeling his eyes filling with water.