27. Qui Su has been found!

                                    

                                          

"Storm is awakening 
 Truth at the door
 New Love blooms
 Unaware of the Score..."
-- ( by ME )



Chapter 24
 Qui Su has been found!



In a dark chamber in the cave in the woods:
 

Xena is lying on a bed , carefully cushioned in silk sheets and pillows. She looks very pale and almost hollow cheeked. Carmen is holding her hand , keeping her other hand on her cut wrist . She has her eyes closed and is mumbling something. 
Mr. Lan is standing a little distance away with the hooded men and is looking at an unconscious Xena with a straight face, there is no worry and no anguish on his face.


Suddenly, Carmen opens her eyes and looks down at Xena's wounds- they begin to heal . Blood returns to Xena's skin and she slowly opens her eyes. As her hazy vision settles, she sees Mr. Lan, Carmen and other vampires standing around her.

Mr. Lan ( smiles )- You are alive, Xena. We almost thought that Qui Su's ghost ate you up.


Carmen ( helping her sit up)- You do feel alright now, don't you ( feels her veins) hmm...your pulse is returning to normal ( pats her head lovingly)..so, did you find Qui Su ?


Xena recalls what she had seen in the trance and then, debates whether to tell the Lans or not. She bites her lower lip and then, shakes her head.

Xena ( not meeting their eyes and wiping blood from her nose)- No.. I  think I will have to try again...my energies couldn't stand the strain.

They all exchange glances and then, nod at Xena.

Carmen ( getting up)- It's alright, Xena, you need some rest now.( stops in her tracks) but Qui Su's dress is burnt. How will you contact her now?

Xena (hastily)- I am a witch , Carmen aunty and so was Qui Su. I will find a way for sure.

Mr. Lan ( looking at her rather suspiciously )- Come back to the mansion when you have fully recovered. I am leaving these men behind to look after you and I have informed Yibo ... he will come and see you anytime now.


Xena gives him a weak smile and nods, again wiping the blood from her nostrils.

Carmen and Mr. Lan leave and Xena beckons the men to leave her alone. As soon as she is left alone in the chamber , Xena lets out a sigh of shock, putting her hands on her mouth to reconcile herself with what she has just found.


Xena ( running a disturbed hand through her gorgeous brown hair)- UNBELIEVABLE.


Just then, a voice rings in from a corner of the cave.

Voice ( bellows )- I have been waiting to hear that.


Xena looks behind and striking a matchstick on a fat white candle is Yibo. Sitting on a stone square and his face illuminated in the flame that he has just caused. Xena looks at him in shock and Yibo looks at her frail and sickly appearance.


Xena ( not surprised )- Yibo...


Yibo gets up from there and walks upto her. He sits on the bed with her . He looks at Xena's face and his face seems to soften.