Crossing your arms in front of your chest, you let out a deep sigh and sank deeper into your chair.

Madam Bo seemed particularly careful not to let anyone get up from your table and sneak away.

You looked around.

Your fears were unfounded, as no one but you had any intention of leaving, but still. Nevertheless, you couldn't help but admire the old lady. She was like an eagle, her eyes everywhere and yet you could only notice her presence when she was standing right next to you.

Then she always smiled, looked at you meaningfully and nodded as if to say that there was no escape. It was really impressive.

Secretly, you could imagine that she really had been Lin Kuei once. Maybe she had even witnessed the childhood days of Sub Zero and Scorpion. Perhaps she had been their teacher.

The thought amused you, the small, frail-looking Madam Bo, as she rebuked the young and overly defiant Lin Kuei Grandmaster.

A sigh rolled from your lips.

Apart from Johnny, nobody at the table noticed. They were all too busy chatting about the food and the upcoming bill.

"Hey.", Johnny nudged you unobtrusively with his elbow. "Why such a face?"

Torn from your thoughts, you gently nudge him back, a grin on your lips.

"I'm thinking about breaking out.", you whispered, leaning conspiratorially in his direction.

His eyebrows raised in interest. Brown eyes flitted across the table.

"What are you saying?", he asked.

Rolling your eyes, you shook your head.

"We're not getting out of here, Johnny."

"And if we do?", he tilted his head teasingly. "I'm a real master at escaping. Ask my ex-wife's lawyer. I slipped out of the alimony payments like an eel."

You had to snort.

"You really seem to like talking about her."

He frowned.

"Nah. Most of it's bad memories. Before the divorce was nice. During? Not so much."

"If you say so. Hunny bum."

"Hm, yeah, we'll have to talk about that nickname."

"Not now!", suddenly you jumped up from your chair and scurried away.

Madam Bo was serving a table in the far corner. She couldn't keep an eye on you from this angle and she would never be quick enough at the gate to intercept either.

A golden opportunity.

You hastily ducked your head and disappeared between a group of guests who were about to leave.

"Hey!", Johnny glanced irritatedly at Madam Bo and then looked after you.

He seemed to wrestle with himself for a moment as to whether it was a good idea to follow you, but then decided in favour of the adventure.

Your heart was pounding in your throat as you lifted your head to make sure you were still undetected.

It smelled of dried tea leaves and steam-cooked vegetables with garlic.

A warm wind brushed through your hair. The day couldn't have been better. You were only a few steps away from the gate when a hand suddenly placed itself on your shoulder.

Startled, you flinched.

"Smile!", suddenly the flash of a camera blinded you. "Man, that's a shitty pic. I'm keepin' that."

Your brow furrowed as you stared at Johnny. There were so many questions you wanted to ask him but were too confused to do so.

He gestured towards the gate.

"Come on, Madam Bo won't be distracted forever.", he urged, one foot already on the road.

At that moment, your brain wouldn't work. You just stood rooted to the spot.

A groan escaped Johnny. He hurriedly grabbed you by the wrist and pulled you along with him.

"Come on, Princess and the Pea.", he grumbled as he took the lead. "We haven't got all day."

Confused, you glanced back over your shoulder.

"But...", you pointed at him and then back at the restaurant. "What?"

He gave you a grin.

"You don't think I'm going to let you go alone, do you?", he laughed and pulled a pair of sunglasses out of his trouser pocket to push them up his nose with his middle finger. "I have to film everything. Everything could be a template for a blockbuster."

Without hesitating once, he pulled you along the street. Dust kicked up with every step.

It smelled of dry earth and mud. You hadn't really planned to go far, but when fields of cabbage appeared at the side of the road, you knew it was too late to turn back without consequences. Madam Bo's house was just a pale outline in the distance.

"Oh well...", you mumbled and picked up the same pace Johnny was walking at. "Where are we going?"

He shrugged.

"Ha! No idea. Do you know your way around Chinese villages?"

"I don't know my way around anywhere."

His lips curled.

"Never been on holiday before?", he asked, glancing at you.

Your attention had already focussed on the houses that appeared between the fields. There were oxen and cows grazing freely among the cabbage. The clouds had receded and the sky was so blue that you thought a fish might jump out at any moment.

"To be honest, I grew up like a hermit.", you mumbled and let him lend you a small path that led between bamboo and purple flowers.

Moss gave way under your soles. Dragonflies buzzed in the air. There had to be still water somewhere nearby. A river or a lake perhaps.

"I feel you.", Johnny mumbled after a while. "My father was... well, anyway, we hardly had any money to travel. Malibu is my home, others go there on holiday. But nothing special for me. Travelling kicked off when I made it real big."

You looked at him with a grin.

"I meant that literally.", you said. "I grew up in a large estate, with my own teachers and my family. I rarely went out."

He looked at you as if you were telling him something completely crazy.

"You never left your place?", he asked.

"No.", you stretched out your fingers to reach for a bamboo leaf.

The surface was smooth, almost rubbery. As you pulled it, you cut your fingertip. A thin thread of red oozed out and dripped over your hand.

Cursing, you pulled back.

Johnny had to huff.

"You really don't know anything, do you?", he asked with a teasing grin.

With your finger in your mouth, you shook your head.

"I know I have a legacy to fulfil.", you mumbled tiredly, looking at the fresh cut.

"Uh, sounds exciting."

"One that I don't want."

"Hmm. That sounds like inner conflict. Good stuff for a film."

You smiled.

"Maybe..."