On The Run

Part 12

Xiao Zhan painted again today. At the balcony again.

Yibo sat on the bench while having a cup of coffee, watching him.

A voice message came from Tianhe.

Yibo grabbed his earphone and plugged it into his ears.

Someone called again last night, came Tianhe voice.

And? Qian Feng’s voice came.

The same. He didn’t say anything.

Did you get his location?

It was from around. He was close.

Yibo choked a breath. He couldn’t just talk and let Xiao Zhan heard, so he wrote. Finally.

Came Qian Feng’s voice. What? You miss him, Yibo?

As if! Yibo wrote.

I’m nervous, came Tianhe’s voice.

Don’t be, Qian Feng comforted him.

Did you tell Han-ge? Yibo wrote.

I did, and I also told him that we know about Xiao Zhan’s background, came Qian Feng voice.

Did he get mad because we dug on his background?

No. In fact, he felt sorry because he didn’t tell us the whole story. And Yibo, he asked me to tell you that if anything happens, just go to Changsa.

Yibo paused a minute before writing. What are we dealing with exactly?

It’s obvious, Yibo. Killers!, came Qian Feng voice.

U sure? Yibo wrote.

You wanna bet on it? Qian Feng asked.

Yibo rolled his eyes.

These guys are really something. They even can find Xiao Zhan here, came Tianhe voice.

They? How many are they? Yibo wrote.

Came Tianhe’s voice, I don’t know. Could be one. Maybe two. Or five. Or an array?

Wonderful! Yibo wrote.

Did you notice anything different lately? Qian Feng asked.

Not today. Still the same as yesterday. Tianhe answered.

Stay alert tonight! Qian Feng’s voice was firm.

Yes, Sir. Yibo wrote.

Understood! Came Tianhe voice.

Yibo inhaled deeply. It was going to be a long night, and by Wang Han prepared the back-up plan for him to go to Changsa, something must have happened.

Yibo looked at Xiao Zhan who was nearly done with the painting. He needs to get calm so Xiao Zhan won’t feel the tense.

When the sun down, Yibo and Qian Feng wore their earpieces connected to Tianhe so he can warn them easily.

After dinner, Xiao Zhan silently went upstairs and read at the book corner, Yibo joined him later.

Yibo looked at Xiao Zhan. He seemed read a different book this time.

But still, The Little Prince book was still on the table. Somehow.

“Guys, alert. Movements,” suddenly came Tianhe’s voice from his earpiece.

Yibo involuntary threw his gaze at the balcony near them. He stood up calmly and closed the curtain. “Zhan-ge, are you done?”

“Level one stand by.” Tianhe warned Qian Feng.

Xiao Zhan looked up at him.

“Can you continue reading in my room?” Yibo asked bluntly. He was sure that the killers knew which one was Xiao Zhan’s room and so it was better to not put him there.

Xiao Zhan narrowed his eyes, looked at him fiercely. “I have my own room. I don’t think I need to read in your room.” Then he stood up and headed to his room.

“Ge!” Yibo tried to stop him. “My bedroom, please.”

Xiao Zhan stopped and turned around. “Why do I have to listen you everytime?”

Yibo tilted his head. This was really a bad time to argue.

“Two movements at ten o’clock.”

Ten o’clock means the killer was aiming the back door. The kitchen.

“Zhan-ge, please!” Yibo said.

But Xiao Zhan refused to obey. He stepped into his bedroom.

Yibo caught him by the wrist and tugged him, dragging him into his bedroom.

“Yibo!” Xiao Zhan said in annoyance tugged back his hand, trying to escape.

“Ge!”

Xiao Zhan pulled his hand when it was free, took steps back until his back hit the wall. “Don’t try me, Wang Yibo!”

“Two coming, four o’clock!”

Yibo frowned – they were now aiming second floor balcony. Involuntary, he threw his gaze at the balcony, then at Xiao Zhan.

Protect Xiao Zhan at any cost, no matter what happened, no matter how.