Wang Yibo's POV:

"Detective Wang" a subordinate runs into my office "code red".

Code Red: Tip or information regarding a murder.

Checking for the guns and my gear strapped around me, I walk out of my office donning my leather jacket and quickly move towards the Police SUV.

"Wang" Adrian greets me at the driver seat and I take the seat beside him.

I nod and quickly tune the hand held receiver to the frequency of our police channel.

"Everyone ready" I hear a chorus of affirmation and we zip out.

"Fill me in" I look at Adrian and his solemn look from before looms around him.

"We received a call few minutes ago insinuating about a murder" his knuckles around the wheels tightens.

I nod.

"Drew" I look at the junior officer sitting behind us "call for the security footage around the area from where the address has been tapped".

"Yes sir" he replies and follows it up with a call.

I turn to give another instruction when my phone rings.

Wang Huan - Calling

My brother? He never calls me when I am on duty. I quickly answer him.

"Brother?"

"Wangji, I need your help" his voice is distant and worried.

"Tell me"

"I need you to track a patient of mine" his voice is muffled.

"Brother, I am in a middle of... something, I'll ask one of my junior in charge to help you out" I look at Sean sitting beside Drew and he nods, taking his phone ou, ready for my orders.

"Wangji, it's some one important to me..." he says as his phone line cracks due to some disturbance.

"Hello, brother?" I am unable to hear him "Hello?"

"... Xiao Zhan is... his name" his voice cracks but I hear the name.

Xiao Zhan!!!

No... It could not be my Xiao Zhan! Could it?

"Brother, hello did you say Xiao Zhan?" My voice raises and Adrian quickly looks at me.

"... messaged Jiang Cheng... he has gone to 74th street. Xin Sea Road. Blue black old shack no. 55. He informed Jiang Cheng of a Child being there" the last part of the conversation clears up and my heart sinks.

No. No. No.

"Did you say 74th street. Xin Sea Road. Blue Black Old Shack No. 55?" I turn to look at  Adrian again and his eyebrows shoot up.

"Yes! Why?" My brother questions at the other end in panic.

"I am on my way. I'll call you soon" I hang up and I turn towards Drew "What was the informants phone number?" my heart dreads the answer.

"Sir" drew shows me the number on the information sheet and my heart falters.

It's his number.

He's our informant.

No.

He's gone to save a child!

We swarm around the old dilapidated shack. All eyes are on me but mine is for the man inside, hopefully safe. Using heat sensory device, we figure out how many people could be residing inside.

"Sir, one is warm and the other is cold" Sean looks at me for futher direction.

Cold? Taking a deep breath, I pray for Xiao Zhan's safety.

"Team A, go around the shack and quietly report what you witness" I turn towards Sean "Call Dr. Wang Huan once we enter the shack and also call for an ambulance, we do not know the status of casualties inside" and he nods.

"Drew, what's the status on the security footage?"

"I'll be receiving them in few minutes sir"

"Alright, everyone be safe. The informant might still be inside. No one shoot unless absolutely necessary" I pause "is that clear?"

"Yes Sir" they answer in chorus.

With a nod, the teams take their position and we swiftly use the main entrance.

"Sir, one is unconscious and the other one seems dead" there is a pause "no one else inside the premise, Sir" a voice resonates through my earpiece.

I look at Jun, another junior officer and signal him to break the door down. We barge in and I hear Jun giving his usual command. As Jun moves aside for me to see the man on the floor, time stops for me. Those eyes are the ones that I would never forget.

Never expected that our first meet after all these years would be under such grave circumstances.

"Be careful" but before I could warn Jun, he taps Xiao Zhan's shoulders seeking him to drop the knife he had a hold off. The next moment was totally unexpected.  Xiao Zhan froze and suddenly fell unconscious.

But just before he blacked out, our eyes met and I can say with absolute conviction, he whispered my name "Lan Zhan".

My heart falters.

"Move" I push Jun aside and quickly kneel next to Xiao Zhan. Placing his head gently on my lap, I feel for any injuries on him. His head is bleeding "Adrian, check on the  ambulance, quick" feeling for Xiao Zhan's pulse, I order Sean "Call Dr. Wang Huan" I don't wait for their reply, I try to find a piece of clean cloth on me, when Adrian hands his "Wang, use this".

Using the clean cloth, I apply subtle pressure to minimize the bleeding.

Xiao Zhan. 

Watching his pale face resting on my lap, I loose focus of my surroundings. Only when Adrian taps my shoulders do I realise, the para medics are here.

Moving away, I watch them like a hawk. "Wang" I hear my name being called.

"Hm?"

"Your brother is here" I immediately turn to see my brother's frantic gestures to gain my attention.     

"Let him in" I command the junior and brother enters the premise. His gaze falls on Xiao Zhan and his face pales.

"Do you know him?" I enquire and he nods.

"He's my patient" his voice is solemn "what is wrong?"

"He was attacked, the para medics are taking him to the hospital, to check up on his injuries" I try to assure my brother but he looks even more disturbed.

I watch him walk upto the paramedics "I am Dr. Wang Huan and this is my patient Mr. Xiao Zhan" he hands his card to them "Please take him to St. Martins Memorial, I work there and they're aware of his case" few more words are exchanged and they agree.

What is going on? Why is Xiao Zhan seeking my brother's help?

"Sir?" Drew enquires for my next command.

"I'll follow the paramedics. Adrian will drive me there. Get the forensic reports to me ASAP. Also work on that security footage, I haven't received that yet. For any help either call me or Adrian and wait for my further instructions" with that I walk away and Adrian follows my footstep.

Riding back to the hospital, Adrian I am sure is very curious, but knowing him, he will wait patiently for me to share the events of tonight with him. He's one person like my brother, who would never push me for answers.

"We're here, why don't you accompany them and I'll find you soon" he smiles and I nod. Leaving him behind, I follow the medics.

Quickly wheeling Xiao Zhan in, they take him to the Intensive Care Unit and I wait for him outside. Watching him being tubed in, reminds me of a time similiar in our past.

Only back then, we both were just kids.

"Ever heard of Red String of Fate?" I ask the boy next to me, who is bruised and bloodied. He shakes his head in denial. Finding a piece of an old tattered ribbon, I draw out its tassels and tie one around the other kids fingers and one against mine.

"My brother told me, when we tie a string around eachother's fingers, we will never get lost. I will never allow that man to break this. Do you promise never to break this?" I ask with hope.

I hope he agrees. I don't want to be locked alone in this dark room. Atleast if he is here, I would have someone beside me. The weight at the other end, is my assurance in this dark time.

His bloodied smile eases my fear "I promise".

But the string did break. It was cut. When he was wheeled away from me, the memories he had of us, was wiped out. Maybe it was for the best. Only I remember what happened that night.

I was glad to be scarred. I was glad it was not him.

(Would like to thank Preetx for the amazing banner)

Red String of Fate, such an important mythological reference. The fated ones always would find eachother, no matter what. I hope in this case, it should not end in tragedy for these two.