A Shaolin Easter to Remember
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A Shaolin Easter to Remember
by Alisa Joaquin
Part 8 - White Knight Responds
Kermit Griffin entered the all too quiet apartment. That did not surprise him in the least because Caine was a quiet man to begin with. He thought Caine was going to mix some herbs for Peter. But when he entered the workroom, devastation struck him in the face. He races through every room of the apartment, searching for the illusive Shaolin Priest.
"Where could a blind man get to so fast?" he said out loud to no one.
Then his eyes fell upon the box sitting in the middle of the floor among the remnants of the destroyed altar. His face became a mask of stone. 'Peter's not going to like this,' he thought.
****
"What do you mean my father's been taken? Didn't you even ask Lo Si to stay with him?" Anger and frustration exploded from Peter.
"Peter, calm down. I was only gone for 45 minutes. Your father insisted he would be all right."
"How could you do this, Kermit? You know my father can't see yet and you know Nelson's out there . . ."
"Peter, before you continue to yell at me you better take a look at this."
Kermit handed Peter the box he found at Kwai Chang's apartment. Peter opened it to find a black sash, a folded saffron robe, and a small collapsible rod that would be used by the blind. There was also an envelope. Peter opened the envelope as best he could.
"Remember Petey? Can you call the bluff and recover a blind man? Can you find him before my last obstacle does? You know where to go. Be there in 24 hours or you will have something to bury. N"
This time there was no need to hide. It was obvious who was to blame. Peter read the note a second time. He would go there? Is that place still intact after the destruction? Peter would have no choice but to find out if he was to save his father.
"Kermit, you have to get me out of here."
Kermit nodded his head. "Let me see what I can do." It was the least he could do after the blunder he made.
Peter watched Kermit leave. He then reached into the box and stroked the saffron robes that he remembered being a part of his earlier childhood memories at the temple. Faces came and went as old memories played themselves out, some good, some not so good. One memory, though in particular, continued to haunt his thoughts. Some day he would have to deal with them, but not right now. Once again those thoughts were being pushed into the background.
At that moment, Kermit re-entered the room and Peter turned toward his friend. Kermit carried what looked like a small bundle of towels. Wrapped inside were hospital scrubs.
"Kermit, do you really think I can pass as a doctor with this injury?" Peter pointing to his shoulder.
"Would you rather wear the robe?"
"Help me off with this surgical gown, and yes. I believe the robe would suite me better."
Kermit placed the towels and the scrubs on the bed and assisted Peter with his gown. With Peter's help and memories, Kermit got the robe in place. Standing back, he suddenly got an image of Caine superimposed on Peter. With the robes in place and Peter's arms still exposed, images of the brands flashed through Kermit's mind. He shook it off and told himself it was because he was worried about Caine that the images showed in his mind. He didn't want to think that what he was looking at was a possible vision of the future.
After the robe was in place, Peter was surprised just how the robe did feel. The robe did not feel all that uncomfortable. In fact, it felt like it was a part of him, as if they were old friends returning. It brought back a lot of memories of being in the temple with his father. He did his best to unroll each sleeve, even though it had been painful to do so. Removing the sling had been necessary in order to get the robe on. He would have to leave it off but continued to wear it under the robe just in case he needed it.
At that point, Kermit assisted Peter to get the robe to lay just right so that it hid any evidence of Peter's injury. So long as no one slapped him on the back, the robe did an excellent job hiding the bulky bandage covering Peter's wounded shoulder. The robe was a better idea than either of them had expected. This particular robe had a hood that could hide Peter's face. As they were about to leave, Kermit grabbed a sign on the nearby table.
"Now, follow my lead."
Kermit held the door so Peter could come out first. Peter kept his head down and his back toward the nurse's station. Kermit made his voice loud enough so others around could hear him but not so loud that it was a dead give away.
"Peter, I'll go talk with Blaisdell. You get some rest."
To aid in the illusion, Peter bowed to the empty room to make it look as if he was saying goodbye. He then watched as Kermit placed the small "Do Not Disturb" sign on the handle of the door. Hopefully, that little ruse will not be discovered for at least a couple of hours.
Kermit then led Peter by the arm to the elevators. He kept himself between Peter and the more open areas, letting doctors and nurses pass them by without notice. Soon they were in the elevator and on their way out the front door.
End of Part 8
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2001.
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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