by A. H. Shinn
When Kellie moved toward his door, Lin blocked her way.
“I want to speak to Master Chen,” said Kellie.
“He’s sleeping,” said Lin.
If he was truly asleep, Kellie didn’t want to wake him. “Fine,” she said, and walked away.
Discussing a plan with him would have to wait until the morning. Maybe she could see Jake and Jory?
Standing by their quarters was a nun from the farm. She was one of those who’d doubled as a pillow when Kellie had fallen off the ladder. Kellie smiled at her, and the farming nun bowed her head in return.
It was apparent that Kellie and her friends were being watched again because Choden wasn’t pleased finding them in Sonam’s shrine, and she didn’t want them roaming around some more.
Kellie marched up to Jake and Jory’s door. All four guards became rigid.
“I’d like to speak to my friends,” said Kellie. “This might be the last night I ever see them…It’ll only be a moment.”
She hoped they were still awake. She had no idea what time it was. As a matter of fact, she hadn’t seen a clock since she’d been in Bhutan.
The nuns glanced at one another. Lin grunted as the two who were assigned to Kellie shrugged their shoulders. The farming nun made the call and moved aside.
Kellie knocked on the door before she opened it. Jake was lying on the bed, and Jory was sitting cross-legged on the floor on a blanket. Jake abruptly sat up, and they both looked worried before they realized who it was.
Once the door shut, Kellie whispered, “We have to get out of here! Our only chance is to run.”
“What happened to us leaving first and then getting you out after?” asked Jake.
“I don’t think I can do what they want by tomorrow!” said Kellie. “Desta tried to help me, but I’m not ready yet.” She shook her head. “If the bhikkhunı−s expect me to stop an arrow from hitting you,” she said to Jake, “or you,” she turned her head toward Jory, “they will be disappointed.”
“Disappointed?” cried Jory. “Who cares about their disappointment? We’ll be dead!”
“I’m not going to let anything happen to either of you,” said Kellie, unable to prevent the quiver in her voice.
“You saw Desta again?” asked Jake. “Can he help us? Maybe round up the troops? Mulin and Zurich can defeat the nuns with a paw or wing tied behind their backs.”
“No. He’s gone. And he’s made it clear that they don’t get directly involved.”
Jake threw his hands in the air. “What does that mean?”
“This is our battle, not theirs,” said Kellie. “And they need to be protected. They shouldn’t be exposed to so many people. Their purpose is to teach.”
“I guess…” said Jake.
Knowing that the mystical animals existed was an honor, an honor the Druk nuns did not deserve.
“What if you could show them what you were capable of tomorrow?” asked Jory. “Would that even be a good idea? I mean, yes, they believe you have some power, and the tracker saw you do something, but what would happen if they actually witnessed it? A superhero needs to conceal her identity and protect her abilities from the world.”
“I can’t believe this,” said Jake, “but I was thinking the same thing! Exposing what you could do might make you vulnerable. In an issue of Black Raven, she revealed her identity to save her friend. Her friend ended up getting killed anyway, and her enemy had her at her mercy.”
“That was my favorite issue!” said Jory.
“I’m not a superhero!” said Kellie. “And if I was able to stop an arrow from hurting either of you, I would…And that’s regardless of what happens after.” Her palms became sweaty and her chest tight.
“Here’s my idea,” she said, getting back to the subject. “We’re breaking out of here and we’re going to leave the way I came in. I found a way through the mountain that’s pretty isolated.”
“They’re not going to take their eyes off us,” said Jake. “I don’t even get any privacy when I’m using the bathroom.”
“Yeah,” Jory agreed. “We aren’t going to have a chance to sneak away with guards following us everywhere we go.”
Kellie paced around the confined room. With three people inside the tiny space, she could take only a couple of steps back and forth. “We’re probably not going to be able to sneak away. We’re going to have to fight.”
“Uh, we’re only purple belts?” mentioned Jake. “Maybe you and Master Chen can fight your way out, but Jory and me? Have you seen Jory’s double kick?”
“Hmph,” sniffed Jory.
“He just needs to work on it,” Kellie said sympathetically.
“I have been…” Jory muttered.
“The point is,” said Jake, “the nuns are great martial artists. Jory and I aren’t going to be able to take them on. We saw them fight you. We suck compared to you—and them.”
Kellie leaned on the wall, between the door and the bed. “You’re right.”
“We’re not that bad,” muttered Jory.
“No, I don’t mean that,” said Kellie. “These women are excellent fighters and they won’t hesitate to injure or maim…severely. It’ll have to be timed just right when we’re all together. Tomorrow at breakfast, we’ll tell Master Chen our plan. The people here get going with their day bright and early, and this area gets deserted pretty quickly. After we eat, we will each ask to come back to our rooms, but at different times, so it’s not obvious. Then when we’re all here, we’ll take on the nuns guarding us. They could be the same ones we have now or they could be different. I think we’ll be able to handle a small group.”
Jory wiped the sweat off his brow. “This is for real. It’s gonna be a real fight.”
Jake tapped Jory’s back. “Hey, we took on hundreds of monkeys last year? We can take on a handful of women.”
“Yeah, but those animals were obtuse,” Jory said.
“I have faith in you,” Kellie said to Jory. “Your kung fu is getting so much better. You just need to be confident. You’re the smartest person I know, and smarts is important in kung fu. I couldn’t ask for anyone more trustworthy to watch my back.”
Jory’s cheeks lifted as Jake cleared his throat.
“And you, too,” she said to Jake as she smiled at her two best friends. “I’m lucky to have both of you. Try to get some sleep tonight. Tomorrow is going to be an eventful day.”
Suddenly, the door swung open, and Lin eyed the three of them suspiciously. They had finished their plotting just in time.
“I was just about to leave,” Kellie said to Lin. “Good night, Jake. Good night, Jory.”
As she walked outside, Kellie bit her lower lip. I hope this works.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The Teacher
Master Chen was already in the dining hall, sipping a cup of tea, with his back to the wall and Jake and Jory on either side of him. He appeared calm, and Kellie guessed he was feigning an improvement in his health.
He gave her a deep nod when he saw her walk in. Jory gave her the thumbs-up, while Jake winked at her.
Kellie stopped herself from shaking her head. She wished she could tell her friends to be less obvious about their scheming. Luckily, they didn’t seem to have caught the attention of those around them. As a matter of fact, there weren’t very many nuns present. She assumed they had eaten and already had gone about their day.
She pulled the string around her waist to tighten her pants before she sat down. She wondered how much weight she had lost and was surprised how these women didn’t waste away on their unsubstantial diet.
The plate in front of Master Chen was empty. Jake had spinach, carrots, and radishes scattered on his dish. He asked someone if there was any salad dressing and received a glare for an answer. Jory was swirling his porridge with his spoon.
Kellie grabbed an
apple and bit into it.
“Are you feeling better?” she asked Master Chen. That was code for “Are you ready for the escape?”
“Much better,” he answered, without any expression. “Rested much.”
Was he simply answering her question or was he implying that he had knowledge of their scheme and was ready for it?
“I was stuck in room long time and could do nothing else,” Master Chen said in a lowered voice. “Nun always watching me too closely, so I couldn’t leave room…”
Oops, thought Kellie, refraining from telling him that that was her doing.
“But,” he continued loudly, “I must rest some more back in room after having tea…” He raised an eyebrow.
She was certain now that he was aware of the ploy.
“Me, too,” said Kellie. “I need to meditate in my room to prepare for my demonstration.” She said it loudly enough so the nuns around her heard.
“Not us!” said Jake, practically yelling. “We’ve been cooped up in that tiny room for too long. How about we take a tour of the place, since it may be our last day here?”
Jory’s face scrunched up. “But I think we need to be back in our—”
“I’d like to see the farm I’d heard about,” Jake said through his teeth, looking as if he was trying to use telepathy to convey a message to Jory. “Okay?”
“Uh, okay…” Jory said, obviously confused.
Kellie thought that they should have better worked out the details. She set down her apple core and poured herself some tea. As she lifted the drink to her lips, a voice startled her, and she almost spilled on herself.
“Are you ready?”
Kellie cranked her head back to see Choden towering over her, and she heard Master Chen firmly bang down his cup.
Kellie stood to face the bhikkhunı−. “I will be meditating in my room after energizing my body with your nutritious staple.” As she waved a hand toward the unappetizing food, she caught Master Chen raising an eyebrow. “The demonstration will be tonight.”
“There was no mention that it would be tonight,” said Choden. “You had ample time to meditate yesterday.”
“Are you questioning my authority?” asked Kellie. She heard Jory suck in his breath and felt all eyes in the room bore into her. “To reveal my power, I must prepare without interruption.”
Choden’s eyes bored through Kellie as well. She released her tensed jaw. “Very well. We will gather on the arena an hour before sunset.” She gave a quick, smug look to Jake, Master Chen, and Jory. “Your guests will be present in case you need motivation. Tomorrow, they will be escorted to the airport. And that is final.”
That was a close one, Kellie thought as she watched Choden leave. When Kellie sat back down, Master Chen smiled at her. Was he proud of her acting skills? She would have to ask him how her performance was when they were back in Milldale. Then the thought of being home again tugged at her. She couldn’t wait to be back in her bedroom, to take a hot shower, to eat a real meal, and especially to be training in their studio.
Master Chen stood and said to Lin, who sat a few seats away, “I must go lie down.” She set down her tea and followed him out.
The same chaperones were guarding them, which played to their advantage. Kellie suspected they were up most of the night and would be fatigued, making them less prepared for an ambush. She took a deep breath and looked to her friends. They were moments from freedom…or disaster.
“I need to go back to my room, too,” said Kellie, lifting an eyebrow. “See you guys later…”
“Sure thing, Kel,” Jake said as Jory nodded and wiped sweat from his forehead.
The same two nuns who had been tailing her since she’d stepped out of her room shadowed her again. Before she departed, she gave one last glance at her friends. She hoped they had an excuse prepared and would be at the meeting point quickly. Once she and Master Chen entered their rooms, they risked getting locked in.
Midway there, she slowed. She couldn’t get to her room too fast; she had to give Jake and Jory enough time to make it to the living quarters, but she also needed to get there before Master Chen went inside his room.
Kellie perked up when she heard Jake’s faint voice behind them. It sounded like he’d said something about being clumsy. They were close behind. Her heart began to thump as she prayed that no one gets hurt when they attempted to flee.
She almost forgot about the two women with her. She glimpsed over her shoulder. They were still there. When she turned her head forward, she saw that she was at her destination, and then gasped.
Master Chen was sprawled out on the dirt in front of the door to his room. Kellie sprinted toward him and cried, “What happened? Are you hurt?” She glared at Lin. “Did you do this?”
“He fell,” she said defensively.
Master Chen was facing downward, and he pushed himself up. “No worrying,” he said with a crack in his voice. Kellie crouched next to him, holding his arm. He turned his head toward her and exposed a grin on his face.
It’s another act, she thought, relieved. Boy, he is good. He had been stalling, and it had worked out perfectly. Jake’s voice became louder. (It sounded as if he had told a joke and was the only one laughing.) She and Master Chen exchanged glances.
“What happened?” Jory shouted as he ran to Kellie and Master Chen.
The first part of the plan had gone off without a hitch, and besides the four nuns, no other women were around. The next part was going to be the true test.
Jake joined them as Jory helped Kellie hoist up Master Chen. Master Chen wobbled around feebly, putting his weight against Jory. The sight was comical because anyone who knew this Taiping monk recognized him for his prowess.
Jory clung on to Master Chen’s arm. Jake, wearing a damp shirt, stood in front of them. Kellie now understood his mention of being clumsy and what their reason was for returning to their room.
The four of them were looking at each other when Master Chen gave a slight nod. He leaned off Jory and yelled, “NOW!”
Kellie’s stomach jumped and, by the look of Jake and Jory’s expressions, they were equally panicked.
The image of the frail, old man disappeared, and Master Chen leapt into action. He twirled around with agility and speed, targeting Lin and dropping her to the ground before she could let out a squeal. Kellie barely got a glimpse of her stunned expression before she hunched over and collapsed.
The other three nuns immediately got into their fighting stances and were poised for a brawl. One charged at Kellie, and one took Lin’s place to oppose Master Chen. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the other nun stomp toward the boys.
Kellie’s challenger was big and quick. The nun swung her arms in a blur, but Kellie was able to block every punch. The nun was a confident fighter, but Kellie spotted her flaw; she left vulnerable spots on her body open. At the opportune time, Kellie threw a heel palm at her opponent’s nose, causing her to stumble back. Blood dripped onto her shirt, and she stared down at the red stain with shock. During the distraction, Kellie aimed a thrust kick into her abdomen, effectively putting her down.
Kellie spun around. Master Chen’s second rival was in a fetal position next to Lin, but her friends still battled their single foe. Jake hung on her back, and the aggravated nun was trying to tear his arm away from her larynx.
Jory stood with his fists up in front of them. The nun finally pried Jake’s forearm away from her throat and elbowed him off. Jake landed on his back as the nun reached out for the boy in front of her. Jory launched himself up and threw out his left foot. The first kick grazed nothing but air, but the second kick hit its mark. The ball of his right foot landed perfectly under the nun’s chin. Jake scooted out of the way just in time to avoid being squashed underneath the woman when she fell.
“Let’s go!” ordered Master Chen.
“This w
ay!” said Kellie as she led them into the dense foliage.
They darted into the shady forest and zigzagged between tree trunks. Kellie didn’t hear any footfalls behind them, and they ran without pause. The path seemed familiar, and Kellie hoped she remembered the direction in reverse. The terrible thought of getting them lost rattled her mind, but being lost in the woods was better than being held captive at Druk Monastery.
“Great double kick!” shouted Jake.
“Thanks!” Jory yelled between his huffs.
As Kellie’s legs made long strides, a dark object suddenly fell from above and landed in front of her, abruptly halting everyone in their tracks.
A Druk nun leapt down from a tree, and many more came soaring down with her. Kellie’s heart nearly caught in her throat. The nuns had swords in their hands. With the sharp points, they pushed Kellie, Master Chen, Jory, and Jake into a tight circle.
There were at least thirty women brandishing weapons. Kellie couldn’t believe it. It was over.
Tsering appeared between two blades and smirked. “We expected you would try to run again,” she said. “This time we ensured that you would not be successful.”
“How did you know we would go this way?” asked Kellie. Last time she’d taken a different route and she expected that there were multiple points of exit. They had to take a gamble to position this many nuns at this section.
“Had your apple today?” Tsering asked sarcastically.
“What?” asked Kellie.
“We found the core of an apple here. We knew this was where you’d entered and predicted you would take the same path.”
Kellie looked at Master Chen apologetically. Stupid, she thought. How stupid could I be?
“Just let them go,” Kellie said to Tsering.
“No,” growled Master Chen.
“I’m the one you want,” Kellie continued. “You don’t need them here.”
The nun thought for a second and then looked at Jake and Jory. “I’m sure we will find use for them.”
“I won’t teach you anything,” said Kellie. “In fact, I’ll use my power to blast your head off!”