Temple: A New Journey Begins
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Voices were shouting, crying out in fear and pain. The sound of gunfire assaulted the air, bringing death and destruction. Cries of anguish rent the air as those who did not escape died where they had fallen. Blood, blood everywhere as far as tear stained eyes could see.
"Kwai Chang Caine, you must help them," a voice in his head spoke clearly as if that person had been in the room. "Do not let it happen again."
Kwai Chang Caine was jolted out of his meditation as he realized that this was no dream of the past, no vision of the future. It was happening here and now.
Caine raised toward the Lowery farm. On this day, he had decided to go to the lake to sit by his father's gravesite and meditate. He had been at a loss as how to help his friend. He knew he was deeply troubled about something, but he was also deep in helping the Sheriff with the investigation into Xia's murder. There was nothing he could do, but wait until Kermit was ready to talk.
While meditating the sounds of gunfire and anguish entered his thoughts. His father's voice intruding on his meditation made him realize that what was happening was very real. More deaths were happening at the shrine. If he did not stop whoever was responsible, all would perish.
Caine was quick, but not quick enough. Six monks had been killed and several others had been wounded. Today had been a very important holiday in the Tao and Buddhist calendars. There were at least twenty monks at the shrine, but now the shrine was drenched in the blood of the dead.
Caine looked around to see if he could spot the shooter. Shots continued to ring out. One came perilously close to Caine's head when a familiar voice cried out to him.
"Get down!"
Kermit was crouched behind an old oak tree.
Caine was quickly by his side as another shot came close, this time hitting the doorframe next to his retreating back.
"How many monks have been killed?" Caine asked
"Six. They are all in the shrine."
"What about my uncle?"
"He was one of the wounded."
"Where is Vance?" Caine asked his friend.
"He's taking care of your uncle. He was the first to reach him when the shooting started. I tried to draw the gunman's fire."
"Where are they?
"Don't worry, they're both in the house."
"Who is doing the shooting?"
"Boy you ask a lot of questions," Kermit stated. "Just like your father when he was your age."
"Can you see the shooter?"
"No."
"We must stop him. He will kill every monk."
"How do you know it's a he?"
"Now you ask the questions."
Another shot rang out, but there was no target this time. All the monks that were left had managed to find a safe haven. Kermit and Caine did their best to see if they could spot the shooter. A bullet whizzed by and hit the side of the tree that both now hid behind. More shots followed.
"Damn, we're pinned down."
"Where is the Sheriff?"
"Good question," Kermit replied. He was beginning to wonder if the Sheriff was even interested in stopping a murderer. He had done all the legwork while the Sheriff remained in his office.
"Cannot Vance call him?"
"I hope he's able to. Your uncle looked pretty bad."
That news alarmed the young Shaolin. "I must go to him at once."
"I'll try to hold him off, but I don't have much ammunition left. There's another clip in my glove box, but I won't be able to get to it. I'll run out before he does, I bet." Kermit kept his eyes peeled toward the Shrine. When he looked up, Caine had vanished. "Now I wonder how he did that?"
A movement out of the corner of his eye showed him where Caine had gone, up. He was climbing into the branches of the tree and heading toward the second story of the house.
"Now why didn't I think of that."
Within moments Caine was climbing to the roof of the porch and in threw an open window.
"I just hope you can get help soon," Kermit said as one more shot rang out and hit the tree near his head.
Continues with Part 54
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2004.
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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