The Devil's Hands

Alone...

  Three years after that night..."Liu Fei, I am so sorry mom has promised you that it was the last time we are moving out, but we finally get new investors, we can make the pharmaceutical factory! And because of that, we need to move to the south city, it will make mom easier to take care of the job and watch the factory also. Mom promises you this is the last time, please... I also have looked for a new school with boarding facility for you, so you won't have to stay alone while mom is working till late."

"Mom..."

"Mom promises, I will go see you when I have a holiday okay? Be good Liu Fei, this is all for you. You know I only have you ever since your father leave us. You have to believe in me, okay?"

"All right..."

"Good boy!!" (kiss)

"So X=10 and Y are... oh come on Jenny, if you don't concentrate here, you won't pass the math exam and your parents will be mad."

"Xia lin...Is that you?"

(trying to remember) 

"I am Liu Fei, I live opposite your house."

"Oh, the big house with a white gate?!"

"Yes! You remember. Are you okay? I saw your house, but they said you were not there!"

(close Liu Fei mouth and drag him away)

"Jenny just a second, I need to show Fei gege around. You are new to this school right?"

"Yes, how do you know?"

"Let me explain it to you while we are walking. Your uniform looks new. And the fifth or sixth-grade student seldom walking here except if you have just come back from the principal office. A student who is going to the principal office either he or she did something bad, win a competition or a new student. You must be in fifth or sixth grade right?"

"Yes."

"If you did something bad, your face will be sad because you have just received a punishment or a warning. If you win a competition, there will be announced throughout the school, but I don't hear one. So the only option is you are a new student."

"Wow... (clapping hands) Your guess is right and very logical."

"Oh by the way Fei gege, can I call you like that?"

"Yes..."

"Can you please don't talk about what happened that night to anyone? I am sad if I remember that..."The true reason is, I don't want bad people to chase me. The orphanage where I stay for a few months was burned down because of me. Luckily the nuns there, were good to me, they sneaked me out and called Mr. Xi Men.

"I am so sorry Xia Lin, I didn't know. I was looking for you."

"Thanks but please don't talk about that anymore. This will be our secret okay?"

"Okay, I promise. I am so glad I am not alone here. So can you show me the school?"

"Yes, the school has finished for today, I can show you around. What classroom are you?"

"5-1"

"Okay, let me show you the classroom first." (Xia Lin is walking around with Liu Fei around the school)

"That is the canteen, every day we have meals 3 times, and 1-time snack. One at 6 o'clock  before school, lunch at 12 o'clock, snack time at 4 o'clock, and dinner at 7 o'clock."

"Each meal will be served for 1 hour, after that if you haven't had your meal you should buy it by yourself. We can only go outside if we have had got permission from the homeroom teacher. If you sneak out and get caught you will have a punishment such as cleaning up the school or dormitory, it will depend on your homeroom teacher."

"So, what are the students doing in spare time?"

"As you can see either we study the subject that we fail, or we join a club. There are so many clubs here, what kind of activity you like Fei gege? Sport, music, or art?"

"How about you Xia Lin? what are you doing in your spare time?"

"I study, unlike any other students here who were paid by their parents, I have to get a good grade so my scholarship will not be stopped. Don't look at me with that pitiful eyes Fei gege, I don't feel sad. I like studying because there is something important I should do when I grow up. But  I also did some exercise to make me strong, I run every morning.  In the evening I go swimming or learn some martial art." 

"What is it that you want to do that you prepared so much from now?"

"Secret hehe..." (wink wink)

______________________________________________________________________________

When she was 4 years old, Xia Lin enjoys watching her dad doing experiments in their little house. While doing the experiment, her dad will tell her all about his experiment, she finds it amazing how a liquid when it is combined with another liquid will change color, though little Xia Lin sometimes didn't understand what her father said. 

Her father always said when a liquid stands by itself the function will be limited, but when you know what to be added to this liquid, it will create some miracle. All the medicine that has been found in the world, are created through these experiments. 

"Xia Lin, daddy will show you magic..."

He takes :

1.Water

2.Potassium Permanganate

3.Liquid soap

4.Hydrogen Peroxide

5.Glass bottle

6.Rubber gloves

And then He uses gloves, dissolves Potassium Permanganate and water in a glass bottle, adds liquid soap, pours Hydrogen Peroxide slowly but quickly, immediately removes his hands.

The result makes Xia Lin so happy she jumps all over and says "Magic...Mommy Magic... Come see it!!"She takes her mom to the room and shows her their experiments, "Look at the color mom, it's pretty! You know it was just a liquid before but now looks like colorful snow!"

"Wow, that's amazing Xia Lin but always be careful okay? It's very hot right daddy?"

"Oh yes, a little girl can't do something like this alone. If you put a wrong liquid to another liquid sometimes it can explode."

After each experiment that they perform, her dad always said "Remember Xia Lin, whenever you feel confused about something and daddy is not here. Look it in this book, daddy always writes all the instructions here. Always bring it anywhere you go, don't forget it okay?"

________________________________________________________________________________

A couple of days later...

"Hey Jenny, right?"

"Yes, Liu Fei gege."

"Where is Xia Lin? I think her school for today has finished right?"

"Oh, at this time she usually in the martial art class."

"I see, thanks I will go there."

"Xia Lin..."

(panting) "Hi, Fei gege. Wait a moment let me take some breath first...How are you Fei gege? have you got used to the situation here? Your friends are nice to you right?"

"Yes, I have made some friends. Have you had a snack? It's almost snack time now."

"Hmm let me see, well I get out late from school and I think I don't have time to get some snack, I need to go to the library after I take a bath."

"You won't have a snack? Don't you feel tired? We can have a snack and after that, I can accompany you to the library, what do you need there? Doing homework?" 

"Yes, Fei gege." 

"Maybe I can help you with the homework, what subject is it? After all, I am your senior right?"

"Well, Da ge please help me then... I will be quick, wait for me here..."

"Okay..."

While Xia Lin is taking a bath, Liu Fei looking around the Dojo. There are so many pictures here, hey this is Xia Lin she is still very little. And this one also, what happened to her face? Why did she learn such a dangerous sport?

"Fei gege, I am done. Let's go!"

(showing the picture) "This is you right? What happens to your face?"

"Oh...this is when I went for a competition for the first time. Don't worry, I am much much better than that time now."

"Why did you choose such a dangerous sport? Doesn't a girl suppose to choose a swimming club, ballet, or gymnastics?"

"Haha... I will tell you why later. We must quick now otherwise we run out of the delicious snack."

"Hi Chef Lin, I am sorry for coming late (frowning) but you still save some for me right?"

"Haha... of course, I will save you the best part, I know how much you like this cake. Even when you don't come now, I will still save it for you until dinner time."

"Wow looks delicious, thank you, Chef Lin, you are the best!"

"And who is this? Should I save 2 portions for you from now on young lady?"

"Chef Lin this is Fei gege he is new here, but I guess both of you have met each other right? Fei gege, this is Chef Li, his cooking is the best. You must have tried it right?"

"Ah the new boy who likes western food. How about it? have you got used to the meal here? You don't look for a hamburger or fries again, right? Rice is the best for young children like you, you still need much more nutrition to make you grow taller."

"Xia Lin is right, the food is delicious. And because of that, I can eat this kind of meal. Thank you, Chef..."

"All right, let's go there Fei gege! I love eating while looking at the sky."

They are eating and chatting in the meadow...

"Look Fei gege, there are doves (pointing at the dove which walking around looking for a crumb, while getting bird food out of the bag) here... here... birdy..."

"You brought bird food in your bag?"

"Ah, yes although I don't know I will get to feed them today or not, I always prepare. I love seeing how they can fly freely, I kind of jealous."

"Hey, you are free too right? You can go wherever you want!"

"What I mean is not that kind of freedom, never mind Fei gege just small talk only. Have you finished the cake? We need to go to the library now or we'll come late to dinner."

"Done, let's go..."

Xia Lin and Liu Fei are going to the library. 

"What homework is it?"

"Arts, my drawing has never been good. So the teacher always gives me extra homework. He said a girl should be great with art than science.  So why can't you Xia Lin?"

"I told him, I am a boy teacher. I can fight, I can run fast but I am bad at drawing, dancing, or playing an instrument."

"He then said luckily you can sing well, it helps your grade in art. But that's not good enough, you have to work harder in drawing. At least when I give you a task to draw a horse you should submit a horse, not a pig! I don't ask you to draw like an artist but please... All right I give you one more chance this will help your grade, I know in order to keep the scholarship you can't have a D in your grade. So I am giving you this chance at least it can give you a C. I need you to draw any animal you like, but please do it seriously."

"Haha... You must be kidding me right? Does the horse really turn into a pig? That teacher must be too cruel to you. It can't be that bad right?"

(Xia Lin show Liu Fei her drawing and He suddenly laughs so hard)

"Hahahaha..."

(frowning) "Oh come on Fei gege, you are here to help me right? I don't bring you here to laugh at me, I am not a clown you know! Besides this is a library, look people are annoyed by your laugh."

"Oops I am sorry friends (looking at people around) and I am sorry Xia Lin, I should not laugh at your drawing like that, but the teacher said it correctly this is definitely not a horse" (holding back the laughter)

(frowning) "Fine you don't need to help me, go away!"

"Sorry sorry, don't be mad! Let me help you, but better put that drawing away so that I can concentrate."

Xia Lin put the drawing inside her bag again.

"So what animal do you like? It's easier to draw something you like."

"I like dog, cat, oh I love every animal except the rat and snake."

"Pick one you like the most then..."

"How about a dove then?"

"That's great, first we need to draw a rhombus sloping to the right as a guide to form the body of a flying dove. Then Make a small circle at the top of the rhombus for the head of the dove, then add a small curved beak...." 

By dinner time, Xia Lin has finished the drawing. 

"Wow, I draw a dove for the first time... I bet Mr. Wang will be very surprised and don't believe I draw this by myself." 

"If he didn't believe you then show him my drawing, tell him that this is the drawing of the one who teaches you. I am sure he will believe you."

"Good idea! I borrow your drawing then..."

"No, it's for you..."

"For me? thank you... thank you... this is a very good drawing. You are talented Fei gege."

"Haha... I love birds also, you know my name is Liu Fei, Fei is from flying..."

"Oh right, what a great name!"

"Look at the time... We should be hurry to the canteen..."

"Oh right let's go!"

"So the day after tomorrow is weekend, what are you doing Xia Lin?"

"Cleaning my room haha, I have been busy doing so many things lately so my room it's in a mess like a tornado has come to my room!"

"Hmmm If only I could help you so it can finish quickly, but it's a girl dormitory..."

"Haha don't worry gege I can handle it myself!"

"No... I mean if you can finish quickly then we can go to my favorite place."

"Oh I see, where is it? We can go on Sunday, I am free."

"Great, that's great! I can't wait to take you there..."

"Great, it's a promise! Now let's go to the cafeteria or we will run out of good food..."

"Xiao Fei... Xiao Fei..."

"Oh mom, that's my mom!"

Remember Xia Lin when you see someone using the car plate with DVA behind, you should hide. That's the organization that killed your daddy. And they are still searching for you. The formula hasn't completed

"Xia Lin... Xia Lin... where are you? This is my mom..."

(Xia Lin is hiding behind the wall, and try looking everything that indicates that she has been tracked down here. That's Fei gege's mom, the night when they moved the negotiation went bad and dad was killed. Did it has something to do with Fei gege's mom?)

"Mom, I meet the girl..." Fei gege please don't mention about me to anyone and don't ask anything about that night either.

"What girl Xiao Fei? Who is it?"

"Oh mom, never mind. I don't think you remember either. What are you doing here?"

"Wow, mom becomes suspicious. You must have a girl you like here, so you can ask me like that. I still remember when I sent you here the first time, you kept talking about me visiting you often. You will be lonely if I don't visit you often. And now you ask me what I am doing here?" (wink wink)

"Mom...Don't be like that! (blushing) I mean this is not a weekend or public holiday, how come you are not busy?"

"I was doing the job around here, so I thought it would be fun if I can surprise you (hug Liu Fei) So how is school? Is it fun? Have you made friends?"

"Yes and yes..." 

"How about going to dinner with me now?"

"Huh? how about Xia Lin? where is she anyway? We need to have permission from the homeroom teacher first mom, otherwise, I will be punished."

"Wow, my son now is an obedient student! I should thank your teacher. Let's go find her..."

(Liu Fei is looking around while they are walking, looking for Xia Lin) Where is she...

"Hello, Uncle Xi Men. This is Xia Lin, I saw those men. The men whom I saw taking my mom that night, they have the same badge on their clothes."

"Xia Lin, where are you now?"

"I am at the school uncle, they come with Fei gege's mom. You remembered when I tell you about the new neighbor that has just moved that night?"

________________________________________________________________________________

The day when Xia Lin's mom found dead...

"Xia Lin I am Uncle Xi Men (kneeling down to make eye contact and speaking with little Xia Lin), your mom and I were used to work in the same company before. You maybe didn't remember me, You are very little at that time. I was asked to be your Godfather by your parents. Xia Lin, I am now the only one you should trust. I know you are still very little but you must stay strong, you still have a long journey. Your mom called me and asked me to take care of you. I am so sorry I come late, I was in the field. Tell me everything that you remembered from that night. Was there something new or strange, who did you see..."

(Xia Lin haltingly described what had happened) "Yes, uncle but... mom she.. she.. was bleeding so much..."

(Hugs Xia Lin) poor little child, how come you have gone through such things!

"Xi Men... I only can think of you... Please as soon as you receive this message find me at the place we used to be. Xia Lin... Do you remember? The little angel has become a cute little girl. I can only trust her to you. I need to do something, Steven has gone the wrong way, they killed him..."

________________________________________________________________________________

"Liu Fei, mom has a spare time this weekend, why don't we go to the beach and after that we could enjoy the fish soup you like, oh and we could go shopping! Mom can't help feeling excited just thinking about that!"

"But mom...Will I be back on Saturday night? I mean...I..."

"Saturday night? Well, mom is planning to spend time with you until Sunday, I can send you back in the afternoon. Mom has asked permission from your homeroom teacher."

"Mom...I...It's not that I don't want to spend time with you...I am happy, I really am happy but...I...I have an appointment already with a friend on Sunday..."

"A friend? Is it the girl you mention just now? Hmmm, Mommy feels so sad, My little boy has to split his time now (pretend to feel sad)."

"Mom...I don't mean it..."

"Hey haha...Mom only pretends it, I am happy you already have "a friend" who you want to spend time with. So I will take you back on Saturday night, now let's go..."

Xia Lin looked at Liu Fei gege from afar, suddenly her phone rings. A message from Fei gege, 

"Xia Lin, I am going with my mom, I will be back on Saturday night so we still can go on Sunday. You will love the place, it's beautiful."

Fei gege, I really want to go there...

While cleaning her room, Xia Lin received a message from Uncle Xi Men. 

"Xia Lin, prepare your things. I will take care of everything. You should move!"

"All right uncle, I understand."

Poor little child, at that age she has to behave like a trained agent, no question asked...

"Jenny... Jenny..."

"Oh Liu Fei Gege, You must be looking for Xia Lin.  She moved yesterday, I didn't know the detail. She only said, there was an urgent matter."

"Did she leave a message for me?" 

"She left this for you..."

Liu Fei walking while reading the letter, there is not much written there. But a big beautiful bird drawing is there. 

Dear Fei gege,

I am sorry, I leave in a hurry. There is an urgency, but I can't explain that also. It is so nice to meet you again here. As you have promised me before please don't talk about my past with anyone including your mom. 

I haven't told you about another activity that I like so much. I like watching birds flying so freely. I just hope one day I can be that free.

I drew this following your technique, hope you like it.

bye...

Xia Lin

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