✧ 39 ✧

"Huh?" Xiao Mei Zhi who does not understand the words that Doctor Frei said just massages the sides of her bridge.

Doctor Frei stood up and his eyes were still gazing at the door, "Xiao Mei, you go eat dinner with them," He then diverted his attention at Mister Shirong who was also looking at there angle.

"I need to breath some fresh air, Mister Shirong. I hope you would not mind." Doctor Frei told Mister Shirong then he left. Making Xiao Mei Zhi be the same as how Jingyi was now, upsetting their composure of looking at the ground, with their heads eased down.

Mister Shirong comprehends Doctor Freis gesture so he did not extend more of his time. He knew that he must protect the children and that includes Xiao Mei Zhi.

"Do not worry Miss Zhi. Doctor Frei will be back. He just needed a breath of fresh air." Xiao Mei Zhi who can not leave and do anything just remained placid.

Even if there was no wrong with breathing of fresh air, there could be a hidden message to it.

Eerie silence went by on the dining area as they prayed before putting up with the meal. Afterwards, the kids were happily eating up their food, the sound of forks and spoons were clashing.

Except for one child, it was no other than Jingyi. While Xiao Mei Zhi was taking a chunk to munch on, Jingyi pushed her plate away. It seems she does not like the food nor have an appetite.

"Can I go up first?" Jingyi obviously asked Mister Shirong steadily without looking at him.

"Yes you can. But you have to eat your dinner. I will your assigned caretaker to change your food. Alright?"

With an engaging tone from Mister Shirong, Jingyi nodded before she vacated her chair and deported herself from the hall. Mister Shirong knows how to bargain with kids well that are comparable to Jingyi.

As for Xiao Mei Zhi who was contemplating the conversation, she chose to let Jingyi do what she wanted. So she did not stop Jingyi in leaving the table and the room.

Who was she anyway to stop and let Jingyi stay for some time in the room?

Doctor Frei was also back, him and Jingyi passed by from each other without knowing.

With Doctor Freis beyond mood that can not be describe, ineffable. Mister Shirong gawked at Doctor Frei and wiped a white cloth on the lips before speaking, "You are back and it seems you are going to leave with Xiao Mei Zhi now?" Mister Shirong then tilted his head on the side to where Xiao Mei Zhi was eating, "Are you almost done with your food?" Doctor Frei asked, she feed herself with a last chunk and bobbed.

"Now, I am finished with my share."

Doctor Frei then decently excused himself together with Xiao Mei Zhi.

"Let's go now." It would not be a good night for them. Mister Shirong agreed with a smile. Mister Shirong who was one of those trusted people that can be sure of Doctor Frei would not ask further questions to why it happened and why it was an urgent business for them to leave the place like that. And Bai Biao who was listening just continued on eating, he knows his limit.

"You have to wear this watch. It has a gps (Global Positioning System) chip underneath." Doctor Frei told Xiao Mei Zhi as calm as he can be to make her understand his words without a hint of panic or nervousness.

'What did Doctor Frei saw outside the orphanage? Why is he acting like this?' A question coming from Xiao Mei Zhis mind. She stared at the watch while putting it on the left side of her wrist. However, Doctor Frei without any statement harshly clutched her arm as they got out from the room. Gladly, she finished putting the watch on herself.

"There is a path that connects to a forest. Just go straight and turn to the right side. When you see a tree house just climbed up there. We will meet there."

"But --"

"Now go run, they are coming."

"Who is showing up?"

Xiao Mei Zhi persisted to ask Doctor Frei. But He pushed her, making her fall in the ground. "Do not turn your face around," Xiao Mei Zhi then find the moment similar to how she left her mother. Would she do the same to Doctor Frei? No.

She was about to turn around but a loud growl obviously coming from a huge wolf made her wobbled up to stand up and run as far as she can in the path that Doctor Frei instructed her to go.

She held a arm on her side stomach, 'For the sake of running, I forgot I just finished dinner.' Despite the darkness, Xiao Mei Zhi has a good sight and it did not obstructed her vision away.

She snapped off some branch that were blocking her face, there was no time for her to lay down and take a break. The last thing she needed was to ignore what has happened. Doctor Frei was fighting back to protect her just like what Misses Zhi did. And with the same choice, she left them behind.

Then in the other side of the woods a black figure shows up in Xiao Mei Zhi peripheral viewpoint. Because she was frightened, her camouflage scent got activated. It was an ability that protects her. A gift from the deceased moon goddess. Still, it only last when she stays frightened or have a fear of something before if wore off. The gift that she has was unknown to her. Who would have thought? Only Doctor Frei knows.

Xiao Mei Zhi needed to find that tree house Doctor Frei told her, and get out in this situation with a strange figure that was chasing her.

She was running.

Fast!

But not that fast. . .

A recent sharped claws gripped one of her ankle. Xiao Mei Zhi was half kneeling on the dirty, rocky ground of the woods.

She was trying to kick off the person or creature or whatever that being was. In pain she screamed as she felt a knife digs under her skin.

"What do you want from me!" She yelled out in irritation.

"Death." A dreadful voice responded.

Fear become tangible, the living force that crept over Xiao Mei Zhi was like some hungry beast, immobilizing her ; her brain, holding her captive.