Half of My Heart

Mixed Emotions.

Wei hadn't been down here in this part of the house for years, not since all the electronics were removed and sent to Lin Jing who was now working from the steel vault in the bank. Therefore it was a large empty room with no lights. Black Robe produced a couple of large luminous globes which hovered in front of them as they slowly descended into the darkness.

Wei could see himself lying in the middle of the floor and approached slowly. It felt surreal looking at your own dead body and he questioned why he had not automatically returned. He sat on the floor beside himself as he examined his clothes, his face, and brushed his hair back from his forehead before he spoke.

"What do we do now, My Lord, because I don't want to be here? I'm neither dead nor alive. Can't you ask the PAB what happens next? Or at least explain why I'm like this."

Black Robe lowered himself down behind Wei and rested his hands on his shoulders while he spoke to him.

"You are quite safe in the mansion, no one can harm your body while it's here. Why don't you find somewhere to rest and I'll try to find some answers."

Wei agreed. It wouldn't do any good to sit here in a cold deserted basement and after the Spirit left, he went looking for Yunlan. Apep watched him leave before he approached the lifeless shell and wrapped himself around his wrist, protecting this precious body from anything which would cause harm.

Yunlan was trying to sleep but he was too uncomfortable after the thin smoky man had bruised his neck and he found it difficult to relax. Several pillows had been tossed away as he tried to find a position which didn't hurt and he lay quietly for a few minutes. Wei had been watching his behaviour and waited until he had stopped moving before he slipped into bed beside him and soothed his painful neck as he placed his hand on the dark bruising.

The gentle heat slowly floated from Wei's hand as he studied Yunlan's tired face. He had too many worry lines, Wei thought as he ran his fingers over them one at a time to ease them out. He sensed that Yunlan was not telepathic and wondered how he could have heard him that day in the cave which had not happened yet, it would be tomorrow or the day after, and he kissed his brow softly. Wei made himself more comfortable as he put his arm around Yunlan, pulling his head closer against his chest while he sat and spoke to him in his mind.

"You will only ever hear my voice, my love. This life is not easy but it can be full of so much love, not only from me but from the people around you. I will always protect you Ah Lan, sleep well."

Wei stayed for a while longer until he felt the call from the basement and returned to find Black Robe waiting beside his shape on the floor, and he approached him in a much better mood.

"My Dark Lord, did you find an answer to our problem?"

The Spirit tilted his head to the side as he looked at Wei and realised where he had been resting and was pleased.

"Yes. The device didn't send you here, though it can move the user's through time. Fate sent you here allowing you to do something important before you would return. Now, hold your left hand and everything should be back to normal. Once I see that you are safely home, I will leave you while I rest in the Enigma room."

Wei knew that the Spirit was not likely to tell him anymore than that, and he sat down beside his body and gripped his left hand. Nausea hit him hard and fast while the room was spinning with his eyes tightly closed. He recognised the feel of Black Robe's hands on his shoulders to steady him until it all stopped and he was helped towards a seat, before the Spirit nodded and disappeared.