The Flower Among the Flames

Chapter 12

Guan Liang found her after an hour of scouring the camp and overturning every rock in his way. Though he probably shouldn't have, Guan Liang also opened every tent flap, interrogating every soldier and soul for Choi's location. No complaints reached his ears nor did he allow it. Finally, someone told him that he saw her north of camp by the forest's edge hours ago. Guan Liang was delighted to know that the man was right. She was there. Now he just needed to get her attention.

"Hey!" he called out, running towards the woman. She made no movement. She didn't even turn around to greet him. Was she asleep? No...he saw her shift slightly, her hands dropping to her lap from her sides. He waited for her to respond...but...she was just not having it. Okay...I'll wait. And he waited...and waited...and waited until he could not bear her silence any longer. No pun intended of course.

"Damn," Guan Liang whistled aloud. "Girl, you've got some punch, you know? Knocked the poor kid out. We got to wonder if it'll leave a mark. That being said...it probably will. Yul has sensitive skin, from what I've heard."

Guan Liang laughed heartily, but was quickly dismayed for Choi gave no answer...or as Guan Liang was led to believe. He couldn't exactly be sure. Considering she was mute, how could he? She just sat there by the edge of camp on that rotting log, staring off into the distance. Choi was probably like this for about a couple hours now, and it was beginning to concern the troops– Guan Liang included. He shifted awkwardly. How does Yul do it?

"You, uh, okay?" he asked, concerned with her lack of movement. He never saw the silent assassin like this before. Truth be told, Guan Liang did not know her as well as the others, considering how short of a time he was with the Iron Phoenix. However, he knew odd behavior when it is brought about– especially if the men were the ones telling him such. Choi had a very confident and firm bearing; seeing her slouch and droopy was strange if not alarming at most.

Okay? Okay?! I am anything but okay. She thought miserably, slapping her hands against her lap and giving off an aura of depression that even Guan Liang could understand. She had just sucker-punched her superior, not to mention a good friend, in the face, and he was asking if she was okay?! Good thing he can't read my mind, she thought. There was some benefit of silence. She didn't have to answer questions or talk to people she didn't like, to list a few. There was, of course, some disadvantages. Choi was often called strange, dumb, and even...a monster. Yul was one of the only ones who didn't see her as such. This thought caused her to sink deeper in depression, feeling even guiltier of punching the man who understood her the most.

"Okay, that was a bad question," Guan Liang grumbled, chiding himself for his poor selection of words. Choi jumped a little, her heart freezing for a second. Did he...just hear her? No. That wasn't possible. No one could...understand...right?

"Look, ah," Guan Liang scratched his scalp absentmindedly. "Mind explaining what happened?"

Choi turned her head to face him, blank mask regarding him with now equally blank emotion, studying the man standing in front of her. So he really couldn't understand her thoughts. At best, he was reading her body language; not to say that doing so wasn't impressive in itself. Were it a better time, she'd even congratulate him. Now that she was thinking about it, how was it that Yul was able to understand her? He wasn't really any different from anyone else. Choi felt warmth spreading across her cheeks. Was it just mere coincidence...or?

While Choi was debating this, Guan Liang was crossing his arms across his chest in deep thought. Okay...I've got to stop with stupid questions, Guan Liang thought, chiding himself. He started to believe her stare was one of derision and annoyance. She can't talk, you idiot. He knew that Yul and Choi had some affinity with each other– so great of a connection that it was to the point where Yul can have a conversation with her. Guan Liang's eyes widened, an idea forming in his head. I'll just have to create another way for me to understand what she is saying.