Temple: A New Journey Begins
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"I wish to examine the body."
"I don't think that's a good idea," Sam stated.
"Why?" Caine asked, a look of puzzlement appearing on his face.
Sam didn't say anything at first, then shook his head. "For a moment there I thought I was looking at your grandfather. Believe me, you don't want to see the body. It's not a pretty sight."
"I have seen death before."
"Not like this," Sam countered.
"Please, perhaps I may be able to shed some light on how Ling Chung died."
"KC, I really don't think you want to see this. Every Shaolin that has died had to be cremated."
"Why is that?"
"You're insisting on going through with this?"
Caine simply gave his "Uncle" a shrug.
"Okay come with me"
Sam led his "nephew" to the barn. A special place had been set aside. A few monks were already there and beginning to prepare the body. The dead monk's face had been covered with a cloth.
"Are you sure you want to go through with this?"
"I must."
Sam stepped aside and let Caine pass. The other monks silently questioned why the stranger was there. Frowns appeared on the monk's faces that a stranger would violate their sacred time with a dead companion. Sam stayed back and observed all that transpired. Without another word, Sam observed that Caine had rolled up the sleeves of his shirt to reveal the brands on his forearms. It was as if some unspoken communication had gone on that Sam was not privy to. He was amazed at that moment when the monks moved aside, the look on their faces telling him that they knew just who Caine was; a fellow Shaolin priest.
Sam watched as Caine took the dead monk's hand in his own. He observed Caine lifting the cloth from Ling Chung's face. He turned away when he saw his "nephew's" reaction at what he had seen. Sam did not turn back until he felt Caine's hand on his shoulder a few minutes later.
"We must talk. I know how the monk was killed."
"Killed? You make it sound like he had been murdered." Sam stated with surprise.
"He was."
Continues with Part 9
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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