Spider's Bite
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Peter Caine was dumped by the side of the road on the other side of the city. Any evidence that would have linked him to the Black Widow Order was quickly rounded up and carried away. All anyone would find would be the young Shaolin's body and a note carefully placed in a pocket. The last dose that was given to Peter Caine just before he was dumped was meant to be a lethal one. The Order hoped that when Peter Caine was found, the Chinatown community would assume that his last act of violence was to commit suicide for the shame that he had brought on to the name of Caine.
It was a perfect plan, discredit Peter Caine with a look-a-like, pump the real Peter Caine full of drugs to make it look like he died of a suicidal overdose. The shame brought on by Peter's disgrace would cause the community to loose faith in the Shaolin.
As for Matthew Caine, they believed he was still their prisoner. After the spiders were done with him, his body would also be dumped, but not in some back alley. His body would be delivered right to the door of Kwai Chang Caine.
Hours slipped by as Peter Caine remained lying in the dirt unaware of his freedom. Those who passed by the prone man avoided him, thinking that he was just another drug addict wasted from his last fix.
Peter Caine stirred, forcing his body to move. The swirling drug induced nightmares that had been a part of his existence since his imprisonment were finally coming to an end, or so he thought. The pounding in his head announcing the start of the withdrawal symptoms forced him to move even more. He had to return to Chinatown and get help. Only his father or the Ancient would know what herbs he would need to clean his system of the toxic substance threatening his life. He did not want to go to a hospital. Though they would treat him for the drug overdose, the staff would have to report to the police the use of narcotics. If that were to happen, the Black Widow Order would disappear.
Peter concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. Just moving was becoming painful and his body was beginning to shake from the ordeal. He was soaked with sweat from the exertion and his mind kept drifting back to the first time he had experienced being drugged.
***Flashback***
Peter's mind floated between times - what is and what was. In the half-light of the burned out second floor of the meant market, all he was the father that was.
"Sorry I'm late for class, father. The priest stopped me. He hates you."
"Be still. Do not talk," Caine consoled his son.
"Same guy. Wants us dead." Suddenly the memories became more vivid. Fear gripped Peter as more memories flooded his being. "Fire. Flames everywhere. Help me, father, help me . . .!
"I am here," Caine tried to tell his son, but Peter was still caught in the memory brought on by the drugs.
Peter struggled against the white sheet binding his body. He tried to sit up and bury his body in Caine's embrace.
"Coming at us," Peter's muffled words came from inside Caine's shirt. With just as much suddenness, Peter's mind cleared and was aware of his surroundings. He settled back upon the platform. "What? What happened?"
"You were drugged." Caine stated.
"Yeah, right. Yeah."
*** Flashback end ***
Peter's mind continued to replay the conversation they had. He gave a short forced laugh realizing that at that time, he had told his father that he had other plans for his life.
'Yeah, right, as if I really had a choice in the matter. I wish my Pop were here with me now,' Peter thought. 'I'd apologize. He knew all along what I'd become. I just didn't see it for myself at that time.'
Peter continued to stumble forward, slipping in and out of memories present and past. He had to keep moving, if only to remind himself that he was still alive.
Another memory came to him, this time one in which he thought he would loose his father forever.
*** Flashback ****
Peter entered his father's workroom only to find him lying on a low pallet.
"Pop! Pop, what is it? Are you sick?"
Caine did not respond. At that moment, Peter looked up to see Cheryl entering with the Ancient.
"He wouldn't see a doctor or go to a hospital. I didn't know what to do so I brought the Ancient."
Peter watched Lo Si run his hands above Caine's body. He then sat and took Caine's hands in both of his.
"What's the matter with him?"
"His qi is being poisoned."
"By what? By whom? You mean like the Dim Mak did when they went after those doctors?"
"This technique is much more advanced. Your father's qi is strong. But it will not survive a poison this sophisticated. He will be dead by morning."
*** Flashback Ends ***
'I wonder if that's what will happen to me,' Peter thought. 'No. I can't let the Black Widow Order win.'
Peter continued to move ever forward, this time trying to focus his qi to give him the strength to remain in the present. Each time his mind slipped into the past, he was aware of his body beginning to weaken. He had to remain focused if he was going to survive the effects of the withdrawal. More drug addicts died not from overdose but from withdrawal, their bodies having been weakened from the ordeal. Peter was not going to allow that to happen.
As exhaustion took its toll, and the drugs again tried to reassert their hold, Peter heard his name being called.
"Peter! Peter!"
The voice sounded familiar yet seemed far away. Peter believed he was once again slipping back into reliving memories when the person calling his name came into clear focus.
"Kermit, am I glad to see you."
Kermit caught Peter as he collapsed into his arms and into unconsciousness.
Continues with Part 23
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2002.
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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