Soulmates Beyond Time
Jordan's dreams were filled with nightmare images. Someone was trying to persuade her that killing Caine would set things right. It would force Peter to face the fact that he was not a Shaolin but a cop said the voice. He did not have the power or the skill. It had been a mistake to leave her. The voice whispered compelling arguments, stirring Jordan's feelings into knots. It was Caine's fault that Peter was no longer with her. Caine was the reason that Peter became a priest. Peter should not be punished for his choice, but his father. Jordan tried to fight the nightmare but in the end, the nightmare won. Deep down she had to admit what she felt was real. Caine should pay for taking Peter from her. He was the reason that Peter left. He cared more for his father than for her. He should be made to pay for abandoning her.
Jordan rose from the bed as if in a dream and opened her closet. Contained inside were some of the clothes she would wear for vice whenever they were trying to track down those who would kill hookers. Without realizing what she was doing, she chose an outfit that seemed to mirror the mood. It was a black leather number with chains. There were also items that she had bought to wear at the next Halloween Party at the precinct. One was a large plastic black widow spider. This she put in her hair. For some reason spiders intrigued her. Before they were nothing but creepy bugs that needed stepping on. Ever since that night when that black widow spider crawled across her back, her attitude changed toward spiders. Now, she was fascinated by them.
Jordan pulled out a second item from the closet. It was a whip, this she tied around her waist like a belt. What a fitting way to punish Caine for his crime against her. Wasn't that what monks did when they disobeyed? They were punished by whipping themselves? At least that is what they did in the middle ages. It still seemed like a fitting punishment even today.
Jordan then took out a suite case and began packing. She did not know where she was going, only that someone was compelling her to do this. She was to be judge, jury, and executioner and she was to carry out the sentence upon the one man that caused it all, Kwai Chang Caine. It did not matter where he would be. All that mattered was for her to carry out her mission. As she packed, the voice whispered other thoughts, thoughts that spoke of betrayal of the heart and a rival. Before long, Jordan would also have to take care of that person, but first she needed to hunt Caine. Without Caine, Peter would have no reason to remain a priest. The voice, however, knew there was a chance for failure. Caine was no ordinary Shaolin priest.
As she continued to pack, the voice also told her ways that she could escape if she failed in killing the older Shaolin. After all, there was still the rival. She would need to be dealt with and quickly. If the younger Caine were to learn who she truly was, the game could be forfeited. With her added strength, young Caine could upset the game. But if he kept this pawn, the voice thought, he may still have a chance at winning this game and destroying the dragon lord and his prince. The voice urged his pawn forward and continued to instruct her in the game and all its escape roots. He would not risk loosing this pawn. She was far more willing than others had been. There was a dark spot within her when coaxed could be made to grow to greatness. This pupil, however, would have to be guarded. She would have to be educated in the forces of the dark and how to play the game. She could become one of his most powerful pieces. After all, most people did not realize the queen was the most powerful piece on the board until it was too late.
*****
That same night, Peter was lighting the candles throughout the apartment to dispel the gloom. Mai Chi had left with the Ancient. She needed sleep and Peter needed time to think. Then suddenly, his Shaolin training revealed to him the image of Jordan and his father. She was striking him with a whip and he was trying to protect someone else from the blows. Her speed was incredible, as if she was being used by someone else. Long bloody welts appeared on Caine's face and Peter could feel his pain.
"FATHER, NO!"
Peter dropped what he was doing, grabbed his leather jacket and satchel containing what herbs he would need for the journey. He stopped in the doorway just briefly to wave his arm. The candles were snuffed out and the room was plunged into darkness. Unlike his father, Peter still kept his Stealth. It came in handy and he knew of a Chinese merchant working at a local gas station who would fill his car for free. The man had been grateful to Peter for stopping another man from robbing his place. In exchange for that gratitude, the man said he would help maintain Peter's car for as long as he owned it at no charge. That included free gasoline. Peter stopped to fill his car and the Chinese man came out and washed his windshield. Since Caine's presence, the man's gas station received more customers than the man could handle. He had to hire extra help. Peter bowed to the man in Shaolin style, and gave him the hand to fist salute. Peter then got back into his car and headed out.
Kermit was working late. There hadn't been much by way of crime tonight and Kermit was grateful for that. At that moment, he was tapping into one of the travel bureaus checking on flights to see what kinds of rates he could get. He had a feeling he might need it. Then he felt the presence of an old friend. The door had not been opened.
"If it were anyone else, I would have blown their head off right about now." Kermit turned and regarded the man standing by his chair.
"I need your help, Kermit."
"So, what trouble can we get into today?" That was Kermit's way of saying yes.
"My father's in danger and I have to be elsewhere. I need you to stop him from being killed."
"I take it, it hasn't happened yet? Do you know who would want him dead?"
Peter shook his head no to the first question and answered the second, "Yes, but it's complicated. It's Jordan."
"Jordan? Why would she want to kill your father, she's a cop."
"It's not her that wants my father dead. Wei Ch'I is back." Peter let that sink in.
"He usually uses a game board to control others doesn't he? He gets some innocent people to play the game until the game begins to control them as well?"
"Usually, but I can't tell where the game is being played and what the rules are for this type of game. That's not all. Jordan isn't the only one. Sing Ling has also been drawn into this little game."
"The new Chinese Emporer?"
"Yes, only he's using his soul. By trapping Sing Ling's soul elsewhere and sending Jordan after my father, he's created double jeapordy."
"How?"
Peter told him of the spiritual journey and how he learned that Wei Ch'I was involved.
"He knows I can't be in two places at once. I know my father can handle himself but he'll be trying to protect someone else which makes it difficult for him to help Jordan. Jordan is going to be in such a state that she won't even be aware of what she is doing. An innocent person may get hurt in this process as well. My father will do everything to protect that life, even give up his own in the process. I need you to follow Jordan and to stop her, hold her so my father can help free her from Wei Ch'I's control while I try to help the Emperor and find who is playing the game and destroy it once and for all. I should have destroyed it the last time. I broke the spell by upsetting the board, but the pieces must be destroyed so they cannot be used again."
"Where do you think the game is being played?"
"Somewhere in China. For all I know, it may be at the Emperor's own safe house. Will you do this for me?"
"Oh, yeah." And Kermit punctuated the remark by placing his trademark sunglasses over his eyes.
End of Part 5
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2000.
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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