Distant Cousins
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Unknown Whereabouts
Peter and Henry watched through the vale of mist as the guard entered. The key that the guard used appeared to be like any ordinary key. When Peter had touched the lock with his qi earlier, he discovered the lock had been somehow enhanced to block a Shaolin's powers. It was apparent that any ordinary person with a key could still get through the door, but a Shaolin could not.
As soon as the guard entered into the cell with the tray, it was then that the man realized his mistake and saw that the cell was empty. He was about to raise the alarm when an arm reached up and pressed the area between the neck and shoulder. The guard slumped to the floor out cold.
"A Vulcan nerve pinch?" Henry questioned. "You mean that really worked?"
"Actually, there are some veins and arteries that run close to the surface of the skin. When you pinched the area just right, you cut off the oxygen to the brain and you can cause the person to black out," Peter explained. "Come on, we don't have much time."
Henry grabbed the key then thought about the food that would have been wasted. He grabbed a couple of slices of bread and handed one to Peter as they exited the cell.
"Thanks. Didn't realize how hungry I am."
Henry then shut and locked the door. "Makes them wonder how we got out," he stated to his cousin.
Peter gave his cousin a broad smile. The man certainly sounded like a Caine. At least he had the same rye sense of humor.
"Which way do we go?" Henry asked.
Peter thought for a moment. This place did feel familiar, but they probably would not end up in the temple of Shambhala like Peter had the last time. Maybe there was a way to tell. Peter reached out with his Shaolin senses and discovered what he was searching for.
"This way."
Peter led the way down the rough stone covered hallway. A door stood at the other end. When they reached it, it also had been locked to prevent any prisoner from escaping, but that wasn't about to stop a Shaolin priest. As soon as the door was opened both men rushed through but were suddenly stopped from the blinding white that surrounded them.
"Next time I'll make sure to borrow Kermit's sunglasses," Peter quipped.
"I can't see a thing, where are we?"
Peter blinked a few times until his vision cleared. "Oh just great. What kind of game are you playing Mr. Bon Bon Hai?"
"I don't understand," Henry replied.
"We're not in Kansas any more cousin. We're not even in Chinatown."
"Where are we?"
"In a totally different realm."
Henry's eyes became wide as he took in the site. The world they were in was nothing but white. No color of any kind could be seen as far as the eye could see. They were the only ones that seemed to stand out, a stark contrast against the vastness that stretched before them. This was just too overwhelming for Henry. It was bad enough to be kidnapped, but to find you were in a totally unfamiliar place like nothing on earth was almost unnerving.
"How do we get out of here?"
"You don't," said a voice familiar to one but not the other.
"Bon Bon Hai," Peter stated.
"Thank you for returning this," the ex-Zhong Li Quan leader held up the small golden tiger.
"That no longer belongs to you. My father tore it form your neck. You disgraced yourself in the eyes of the Zhong Li Quan."
"We shall see. I am the tiger, no others will follow except when I decide."
"Wanna bet?" Henry McLean-Caine rushed the man
"Henry, NO!"
But it was too late. The force of Bon Bon Hai's qi slammed into Henry and he was suddenly thrown back. He flew across the space several feet and fell hard to the floor.
"Henry!" Peter rushed to his cousin's side and checked his pulse. The man was still living, but unconscious. There was blood running down from his nose that suggested Henry was more than just knocked out. Peter turned toward their adversary. "Your fight is with me Bon Bon Hai."
"In good time son of the Crane. In good time."
At that moment, Bon Bon Hai disappeared.
Continues with Part 24
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2003.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from
the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
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