City at Night: Part 4

Jiang Cheng received a text.

It was their assignment.

City Hall.

The buses were waiting.

He looked at his people. Sergeant Liu Tingyu stood in front. He thought of what could happen to her on the riot line and his heart cringed.

"Sergeant?"

"Yes, Inspector?"

"You will run the office and communications. Once we're out there, communication can falter from our commanders. When you get news, you will convey it to me asap using the chat between you, Feng Mingjing and myself. It should still work even if it's difficult to get phone reception." A slight grimace. "Use the office chat group if we're scattered. We may need escape routes back to a station. "

Liu Tingyu gently took off her helmet. The look between them revealed she knew exactly what he was doing.

"I will be ready, sir. I will be in the main comms. That should give me more information faster."

He nodded with a small smile. "We're in good hands then."

He shifted his gaze to include all his people.

"Keep your phones on you. If this goes to hell, use the info on the office chat group. Sergeant Liu will feed us escape routes if necessary. Grab other officers and bring them with you." He paused. "Now that we have a back up plan, we have been given City Hall as our assignment. They are using three different stations for this because it will be the focus of the protests."

He solemnly looked at the faces of his people.

"We are the front line. City Hall. We have the left flank. We have done riot line exercises so remember your SOP. We are professionals and we will stand firm."

He looked at over a hundred people as they stood ready to do their duty. More were still trickling in.

"I believe in each of you. We can do this and we will fulfill our duty. Understood?"

His voice was strong and commanding. He had no doubts.

"Yes, Inspector."

The officers looked at their Inspector. Bruised face but his eyes were clear and determined. He believed in them.

"Understood?"

"Yes, Inspector!"

"Load up!"
-----

Yu Qing was between patients in the Emergency Room when she took a moment to check her silenced phone for messages.

One from Nie Huaisang saying Yu Bin wasn't doing well. Her eyebrows furrowed.

Leaning over the desk, she told the nurse she was taking lunch and headed to see Yu Bin. As she walked, she scanned her other messages.

Jiang Cheng?

She read it and wondered. What the hell was going on that she would need a back up plan?

Reaching the room, she found quiet people huddled in pairs. A'Yuan and a boy she didn't recognize were on the sofa playing a game. They were leaned into each other as if seeking comfort. There was no doubt Wei Ying and Lan Wangji were finding solace in each other.

Nie Huaisang had crawled into Yu Bin's bed and was softly stroking his hair as Yu Bin slept with his head on the inspector's chest.

Nie Huaisang's eyes warned her to go softly.

A quick swipe of a thermometer over her brother's forehead told her all she needed to know. A good look at his arm confirmed her fears.

"I'll be back." she whispered. Nie Huaisang nodded never having broken the slow rhythm of his hand over his A'Bin's hair.

Ten minutes later, she was back with an IV.

Gently, she rubbed her brother's good arm.

"Di-di? You need to wake up for just a minute." she whispered.

A muffled "Mmph" came from Yu Bin.

" Time to wake up, Di-di." Her voice was a little firmer.

He just whined and rubbed his head into Nie Huaisang's chest.

"A'Bin. Wake up." Her doctor's voice was showing.

He cracked an eye at her. "Don't wanna. Feel awful."

Her face softened. "I know, little brother. Let's see if I can help. Okay?"

He nodded grumpy and groggy.

Nue Huaisang helped Yu Bin sit up enough that he could slide out of the bed and out of Yu Qing's way.

In no time, she had her di-di set up with an IV.

"There's antibiotics and anti-nausea meds in it. The fluids will help too." She ran through his vitals which were all, thankfully, good.

"This will help a lot. Go back to sleep, A'Bin." she whispered and kissed his forehead.

She stepped back, looked at Nie Huaisang and then rather pointedly at the bed.

He paused then grinned. It took some maneuvering but they finally got Yu Bin settled despite the IV in one arm and the other in the cradle. Nie Huaisang went back to slowly stroking A'Bin's hair as he dozed on his chest.

Yu Qing gave a small smile before remembering her question.

"What is going on that Jiang Cheng would send me a message about having a back up plan?"

Nie Huaisang explained. Yu Qing was horrified.

"He sold people? What the hell is going on with this selling people shit?" she growled while still trying to keep her voice down.

"I think Madame Yu got the information from Jin Guangshan but I can't verify." Nie Huaisang's voice was harsh even if he was keeping the volume down. "There are always people willing to do anything to make money and if they have to torture their fellow human beings to do it? So be it. I am hoping there's a special section of hell set aside for them."

"So where the hell is Jin Guangshan? Is he in custody? Being questioned? Something?" Yu Qing ranted in that strangely quiet voice.

"I honestly don't know. I hope so but I've heard nothing." Nie Huaisang answered. "I hope they find him before the crowds do. At least if they want him alive."
-----

Song Lan was now running.

There was a sound to masses of people. A murmur as if the individuals were simply components of a larger creature. The Creature's tone changes with its mood. Bright and happy, hurried grumbling or, as in this case, a low growl punctuated with anger.

The sounds indicated a mob. A mad one.

What was scaring him more was the green blip showing Wang Hao Xuan's location was blinking in and out erratically. Static laden. Had he entered a building? The tracker should work in a building no problem. What the hell?

This was the right block and the right alley. Where was he?

He stopped his frantic turning as he tried to spot their son. A deep breath.

'Hao Xuan is a survivor. He wouldn't be out where anyone can see him.' he thought.

He began to seriously examine the alley. It smelled of rotting food. Water sitting in random pools. Trash scattered despite all the old metal dumpsters.

Metal dumpsters.

They could block the signal.

He started looking at each dumpsters placement. All of them were up against the walls except for two about mid block. They were in front of a section that was indented into the building about two feet but they stuck out further than the other trash dumpsters.

'Clever boy!' he thought with a grin.

As he walked to what he hoped was Hao Xuan's hiding place, the Creature's voice became louder. More strident. He was running out of time.

He broke into a trot. As he reached the closest dumpster, he pulled it far enough back to get himself passed it.

What he found made him want to cry.

A cardboard box was hidden behind the mass and stench of the dumpster. There were drawings on the outside. Flowers along the side he could see with unidentifiable animals. The top had white fluffy clouds on it.

There was motion within the box.

"Hao Xuan? It's Song Lan." he said quietly.

The box stilled.

"There's a mob and they're angry. It's not safe here. We want you to come with us. We want to protect you." Song Lan was trying to be calm but he could hear the crowds getting louder.

He could only pray Xiao Xingchen could make it to them.

"Hao Xuan?"

The flap opened revealing Hao Xuan. He just looked at Song Lan for a moment.

"I was packing." he whispered.

Song Lan crouched down and tried to smile reassuringly at him.

"Are you done or can I help? Xingchen is coming to get us so we should be ready."

The situation was beginning to feel surreal.

"Almost done." There was a rummaging sound and Hao Xuan appeared. Still in his coat, he was carrying a grocery bag along with his new backpack and sleeping bag.

Song Lan got a glimpse of the inside of the box. There was a man with a baseball cap and a boy drawn in crayon. They were holding hands.

The flap dropped, blocking his view. He didn't think he'd ever forget what he had seen tonight.

He pulled his phone out as he stepped from behind the dumpster with Wang Hao Xuan.

"My Star? Where are you? I found him."

"Two blocks from you. The alleys are clear so far. It's crossing the regular roads that are a problem."

"We'll start moving toward you. The sooner we're all in one place, the better."

"Agreed. Be careful, A'Lan. There are troublemakers in the crowd just out to cause problems." He paused briefly. "I love you."

"I love you too, My Star."

He tucked his phone in his jacket pocket and looked down at Hao Xuan.

"How about I carry the sleeping bag and your plastic bag? You carry the backpack. Does that work?" Song Lan asked.

"Okay, but don't lose my stuff." His eyes were serious. He was handing his most precious possessions to Song Lan.

"I promise." The man's voice was just as serious as the boy's.

Hao Xuan kept reminding himself, 'A Dragon promised. He promised.' as he tentatively handed the bag to Song Lan.

A quick knot in the top of the bag to ensure nothing fell out and Song Lan looked at him again.

"We're going to head toward Xingchen. When we have to go through the crowds, I would like us to hold hands. I don't want to get separated. Are you okay with that?"

Hao Xuan slipped his hand into Song Lan's and smiled.
-----

Jiang Yanli stood leaning against Jin Zixuan's body as they just held each other. Somehow, neither could bring themselves to say anything since they had entered Lan Xichen's home.

It was quiet. Welcoming despite the simplicity of its decor. A stark difference to the hospital and the events of the day.

As soon as they could, they had smiled, nodded and gone to the guest bedroom. With a quiet snick, they closed the door and shut out the world.

Yanli didn't want to move when there was a quiet knock on the door.

"I have some clothes to sleep in if you like." Xichen's muffled voice said.

Jin Zixuan opened the door.

"Thank you for all your hospitality, Xichen. We appreciate it." he said in a tired voice.

"I'm glad I can help. I'll be going back down to the hospital. You have my number if there is an emergency and the spare key card for the elevator is hanging with my car keys in the kitchen. Sleep well." He gave them a small smile and headed back to his bedroom.

Jin Zixuan gratefully closed the door again.

He looked at his wife. She looked exhausted. Tired down to her bones. She was still lovely.

"Shower then bed?" he asked as he gently tucked a strand of hair away from her face.

"That sounds too good to be true. Together?"

"Mhmm."

It didn't take long to find everything including spare toothbrushes. Dr. Lan was a well prepared man.

They washed each other's hair. Jin Zixuan asked to be first so he could focus on Yanli. He wasn't sure why, but there was something about washing Yanli's hair that relaxed them both. Perhaps it was the feel of her hair sliding through his fingers as he massaged her scalp. The bubbles as he rubbed her long hair between his palms. Maybe it was just the way Yanli gave herself into his hands with absolute trust.

Whatever it was, by the end of the shower, they were both relaxed enough to sleep. They hoped.

Dressed in a Nike t-shirt that came to her knees, Yanli crawled into the oh so comfortable bed.

Jin Zixuan slipped on the workout shorts and left the t-shirt on the chair. He snuggled in next to his wife.

Gratefully held in each other's warmth, they fell into the quiet blessing of sleep.
-----

There was something going on. Guards were yelling back and forth about lockdown. Lockdown wasn't for several hours yet.

A guard suddenly opened the door.

"Get up." he grunted. He was obviously in a hurry.

Apparently, Madame Yu didn't move fast enough for him. He grabbed her unbroken arm and yanked her to her feet.

She almost passed out from the pain.

Madame Yu was unceremoniously dragged out of the prison's clinic. A quick pace down a series of halls and then deposited roughly into the solitary cell. She couldn't silence a cry of pain as she landed on the bed.

A slam of the door and a chunk chunk sound announced she was locked in.

The cell was six feet by eight feet. The bed at one end. The toilet and sink at the other.

No Ma'am. No Wei Ying.

It didn't matter if she was in pain. Those two weren't there and couldn't get to her.

She laid back gingerly on to the bed with a sigh of contentment.

A little peace and quiet and she would be able to plan her way out of this mess. Soon, she was lost in grandiose ideas of resuming her previous life.

"Miss me?"

The words were said approximately two inches off the end of her nose.

She flinched hard and once again grunted in pain.

Wei Ying stood there with a pleased grin.

"Gotcha!" He glanced around the cramped space.

"Wow. You are definitely on a downhill roll. This place is awful."

The cheerfulness in his tone. The sparkle in his eye. The lopsided grin. The jaunty angle of his paperboy cap. It all spoke of satisfaction at her situation.

If she thought she could have done it, she would have slapped him.

"Get out!" It was the same tone she had used to intimidate him as a child. So satisfying when he had been shuddering in fear.

Now it failed to impress.

Wei Ying smiled with a malicious glee.

"Oh, does that take me back." He closed his eyes and tilted his head back. "Memories... too bad they weren't sweet."

The last words were sharp, clear, dangerous.

"So many memories, you and I. Such cruelty in a pathetic attempt to prove you were so much better than everyone around you."

He looked down at her sprawled form with the same distaste reserved for finding a cockroach in your meal.

"And yet, here you are. Beaten, incarcerated and abandoned by your children. I would suggest your efforts were less than successful but perhaps that's just me." His tone was dry. Sprinkling sarcasm with a liberal hand.

"FUCK OFF!! GO AWAY!! I HATE YOU, YOU LITTLE BASTARD!!" she screamed. The words were no more out than she was gasping. Her ribs were throbbing.

"Tck, tck, tck..." he clicked his tongue. "What are you doing to your blood pressure? At your age? Not good... Add the delicious and exquisite agony your ribs are in at the moment?"

He chef kissed as he smiled down at her.

"How does the meal you prepared taste? Bitter, I hope."

He laughed at the shock on her face.

"Did you think I would abandon you? Leave you to quietly recuperate away from the loving attention of Ma'am? What kind of person do you think I am?"

In a flash, Wei Ying disappeared. In his place was a thin, fearful four year old boy desperately clutching a stuffed bunny.

"Did you think I would still react the way I did when this was me?" he said in his oddly adult voice. He turned smoothly so she could see his child self.

Her eyes were wide.

'This isn't possible. This isn't possible.' kept shrilly squealing around and around in her head like a dilapidated carnival ride.

"Oh it is definitely possible." he replied to her thoughts.

Madame Yu gaped totally at a loss for words.

In a swift transition, Wei Ying grew back into his adult form.

"That's better!" he sighed with a brisk shake.

Turning back to her, he grinned with brutality in his red eyes.

Yu Ziyuan's scream echoed in the cell block
-----

Nie Mingjue entered the Emergency Room with a firm step. He was an imposing figure as he stood at the desk. The woman behind the desk slowly looked up his form and gulped.

That was a lot of man.

"May I help you, sir?" she asked in a slightly breathless tone.

The inspector smiled at the flustered woman.

"I am Inspector Nie Mingjue." He showed her his badge. "I need to speak with Dr. Lan as soon as possible."

He finished his statement with a smile that had the receptionist on the edge of hyperventilating.

"Of course, Inspector! Give me just a moment." She smiled back. Dr. Lan would be found and delivered to the Inspector in ten minutes if she had anything to say about it.

Possibly with a red bow.

It actually took her twenty minutes but that was still impressive.

Dr. Lan approached the desk with his usual polite smile but didn't get the chance to say anything. The receptionist was already waving at someone.

He turned to see Nie Mingjue walking toward him followed by five other men. Three of them in full riot gear.

"Inspector Nie! I thought you were headed to the station?" Xichen asked slightly confused.

"We were but we're trapped here. Between protesters and Beiing traffic, things are at a stand still over a large portion of this area. We've been assigned to the hospital. I wanted you to know and to introduce me to the head of your security. If we work together, the hospital should be safer." Nie Mingjue explained.

"Of course. Follow me." Dr. Lan said.

Nie Mingjue turned to the receptionist and smiled again. "Thank you for your help."

"Any time, sir." she whispered. A sigh escaped her as the two men turned and began to walk away.

"Delicious" she whispered before going back to work with a smile.

"Our head of security is Steve Cheng**. He's very involved in the security system without being a micro manager. He's been with us for a decade and made vast improvements. This will be our first riot however." Lan Xichen told Nie Mingue as they headed for the security offices.

Steve Cheng was a slightly pudgy man with a quirky grin and an easy manner. It took all of five minutes with him for the Inspector to realize the man knew his stuff.

"Here, here, here and here are all quality long angle surveillance cameras. We'll see them coming at least. The bitch will be keeping rioters out but allowing patients in." Steve said as he tapped his hospital map with security positions laid out on it.

"If it gets bad, I can lock us down. Grates similar to those used by shopkeepers can drop down. There's a high chance of injury, however. I would prefer that to be a last option."

"Agreed." Nie Mingjue rubbed his chin as he paced staring at the map. "Are there windows that can open here? I'd prefer the second floor but nothing higher than the fourth. Same for these locations."

Steve was pacing as well now."In these five areas, yes. By the ER, it would have to be the fourth floor. But, be aware, the windows are small. About a foot high and eighteen inches long. You can't get out them."

Nie Mingjue gave him a tight grin.

"We aren't climbing out. How many bullhorns do you have?"
---

Wei Ying looked at his son and Sizhui. They had fallen asleep playing their game. Lan Zhan had gently rearranged them so they were in a more comfortable position. Sizhui was on his side with his legs pulled up. A'Yuan tucked in behind him and had his head pillowed on Sizhui's calf. Both boys looked exhausted.

It had been an hellacious day.

Lan Zhan was moving quietly around the room making sure everything was off. It eased Wei Ying's soul to watch him.

He didn't want to sleep. It came with memories, nightmares and fear. He had had enough fear for a lifetime.

"You should rest." Lan Zhan's deep voice murmured softly as he pulled the covers higher on Wei Ying's chest.

Wei Ying couldn't control the shudder.

"I- uh... Can you - umm. Yeah, I'm okay." he stumbled over the few words.

Large hands cradled is face.

"Wei Ying is terrible at lying." A curve at the edge his lips revealed his smile. Delicately, he traced Wei Ying's face with a finger tip. "What do you need? Please tell me."

"Scared to sleep." His voice was tiny.

"Would it help if I held you?" Lan Zhan asked just as quietly.

Wei Ying's shoulders slumped with relief.

"Sorry. Being silly I know. Just... umm -"

Lan Zhan interrupted him.

"Wei Ying is not silly. He is brave and kind and strong. Part of being strong is knowing when to ask for help. I am always here for Wei Ying. To support as you need." Lan Zhan held Wei Ying's eyes as he spoke. He didn't know why but he knew the man before him with starlight in his eyes held his heart.

As straight forward in affection as in the rest of his life, Lan Zhan didn't want to hide. It might be too early to mention love but he would leave no doubts for Wei Ying to mull and over think.

"If holding you will soothe your heart, then I will hold you as you sleep and chase the monsters away." Lan Zhan said still just as quiet as Wei Ying.

A nod and a tremulous smile.

Lan Zhan carefully crawled into the bed on Wei Ying's right to avoid the incision. A soft kiss to warm their lips.

With his head against Lan Zhan's chest, Wei Ying could hear the steady beat of his heart. Calming. Secure.

It felt like home to be in his arms.

"I like coffee on cold Fall days while walking in the park." he whispered.

"I like lotus blossom tea when I am sad." Lan Zhan whispered back.

"I can never keep track of my socks." Wei Ying replied.

"I tuck the ties for each suit in the pockets so I don't have as hard a time choosing." Lan Zhhan confessed.

"I like showers hot enough to steam the whole bathroom."

"I prefer hot baths."

"I like to paint at midnight in the quiet of the night."

"I go to bed at nine o'clock when given the chance."

Slowly, piece by piece, they unfolded themselves in the quiet of the hospital room. Content and secure in each other's arms.
-----

He was angry. A lifetime of attempts that went nowhere despite his honest efforts. Being looked over. Ignored. Dismissed.

Parents screaming about his grades when he was a solid B student. He put in the time. Studied. Testing was a nightmare. He simply didn't test well even though he functionally knew more than his classmates.

But who cared what you could use and apply if there wasn't an A on your report card?

College was no different. An endless round of studying, tests, parental screaming. In perpetuity ad nauseum.

He had graduated and gotten an entry level position in a company. He slowly reached mid-management long after his peers. Instead of a flashy race horse, he was a work horse. Unappreciated and ignored.

Somewhere along the way, as he sat doggedly eating while his mother screamed about how unfilial he was for not giving her grandchildren, he realized he was missing pieces of himself. Chewed away, broken off, cracked into shards.

He honestly couldn't remember the last time someone had said something nice to him.

When he had seen the news concerning Jin Guangshan, it had been the last straw. The one thing he thought he had done right was his participation in his country. Carefully researching the candidates before choosing those he thought would best serve the people.

He had voted for Jin Guangshan.

He hadn't even gotten that right.

With the pieces of himself he could gather, he left his apartment to join the masses. Somehow, the anger pressing in on him helped him. Strengthened the bits that remained.

Here, in this moment, he wasn't less than. All the brittle pieces that crumbled away didn't matter. The grinding knowledge he wasn't good enough was eclipsed by the flame where his heart should have been.

Pain. Tears. Anger. All combusted into an inferno.

He didn't care anymore. The fire would reform his shattered self. None of it mattered. He wouldn't take another moment of his screaming mother or his father's silent disapproval. His work being claimed by others. The endless nothing in his almost empty apartment.

"No more."

The words leaked from his lips as uncontrollable has his breath.

"No more."

Louder as the surge of heat demanded acknowledgment.

"No More."

Louder still as he shambled with the masses headed to City Hall.

"NO More."

Those around him began to notice his insistent cry of defiance. With a stumbling start, they took up the two words.

"NO MORE!"

He was yelling now. His rebellion spread. Soon, hundreds were chanting the words.

"NO MORE! NO MORE! NO MORE!"

How he ended up in the front of the crowd facing the police riot line, he didn't know.

It didn't matter.

The flames were becoming incandescent. Re-creating his existence for this moment alone.

There was a second of silence. A sliver of time when all the hurt of his life crashed into him like a tidal wave threatening the blaze flickering through his bones.

It wasn't enough to quench the internal inferno.

Staring at the police, he realized he just wanted it to be over. Done and laid to silence.

"NO MORE!!!" he roared and charged.
~♡~♡~♡~

Steve Cheng was the director of The Untamed. 😊

I can't even begin to thank you all.This is the 100th update! Hard to believe what was planned to be a little 3K word response to a challenge from BozBozo would turn into the intricate monster this has become!
Red Light has over 49K reads and over 6K likes. There are so many comments that have touched my heart. Recommendations of Red Light by authors I love and respect. The support of my wonderful and extraordinary writing group. A special thanks to NebulusCharlie and edzooc8r for creating it and inviting me. Another special thanks for the patience of my lovely test readers:
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Y'all are AMAZING and have truly changed my life in ways I could never have anticipated for which I am so grateful.

With Love and Humility,
T
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