The Order of Eternal Sleep by S.C. Mendes

Author:S.C. Mendes [Mendes, S.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blood Bound Books
Published: 2024-05-10T00:00:00+00:00

PART II

I

April 12th

Ming had found a cheap motel on the outskirts of town and purchased a two-night stay. Sleep had been terrible.

She forced down a light breakfast and coffee at a small diner. Upon returning to the room, Ming mapped out her choices the way she’d learned as a guide in The City. Evaluating people, calculating the risks and rewards. Skills she’d further honed under Shin Sho’s tutelage—skills and lessons she’d so quickly thrown out the minute a few extra dollars had been waved under her nose.

There was more to it now though. When she saw the serpent, a burning desire to know became more important than money. Or her safety. The kid further committed her. And even though Ming could still bail at this moment—and have more than two times her current expenses prepaid by the envelope she’d received—the idea of running hurt her heart.

Running will not change your problems.

Fear of the Mara’s connection to the kidnapping kept her indecisive on how to proceed. She didn’t feel she could do this on her own, but finding someone on the surface to first believe her, and then to assist her against the Mara, would be close to impossible. But.

McCloud was her first thought. He’d looked desperate enough to believe. If he did, it might mend the rift between them, help him understand.

You can’t stop the Mara. Just leave.

No. Shin was correct. Running would never solve her problems.

* * *

The front desk clerk allowed Ming to use the phone, but he didn’t step away for privacy. He stared at her, munching loudly on an apple as she waited for the operator to connect the call.

She turned away from him when the call was answered and asked for John.

“Detective McCloud is gone at the moment. Can I take a message?”

“Do you know when he’ll be back? It’s urgent I speak with him.”

“I’m not sure when he’ll return. Can I put you in touch with another detective?”

“No thanks.”

Ming hung up, went back to her room, and took out the envelope from her hire. Amidst the money and photos was the rendezvous address to collect the rest of the money. She hadn’t explored the option of returning and following up with the man who hired her—we? Would they know about the child? Surely not or they would have mentioned the possibility.

Everyone is expendable. Won’t affect your pay.

No, he couldn’t have meant a kid.

Contacting him seemed a worthy route, but there was one major problem. The time. If The City was involved, there was no telling how long the boy had left. He could be bound for the underground as early as tomorrow.

The sooner these men leave the planet the better.

Ming’s head pounded. Too many days in the woods. Too little sleep. She needed more rest to discern the most logical path.

Just a few hours, she thought. That would take the edge off and allow her to reassess.

Ming closed her eyes reminding herself that she would be more capable of helping the boy if she got a few hours of sleep rather than rushing a decision now.

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