| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
Jacky realizes that she’s smiling and smiles too. “Miss Meng, you have a pretty smile.”
Joey puts on her serious expression again. “Cork it. We’re already late.”
“Okay.” He puts up his hands in surrender but mumbles to himself, “At least Gallen’s there.”
“I’m not there!” Joey blurted out.
Jacky turns to look at her. “You can still hear me?”
“You’re in my car.”
Jacky scans his eyes around in one circular motion to inspect the car. “You’re freaky, Miss Meng. Or should I call you Detective Meng?”
Joey ignores him since she finds that he’s annoying again with his smart aleck nature.
“Are we calling for backup?” Jacky asked, his voice serious again.
“I’ll just call Kenneth,” Joey said.
“I thought he’s working on the kidnapped case.”
“He’s near here right now.”
“Okay. You’re the detective.”
Joey ignores him again. She takes out her cell phone and calls Kenneth to meet her at Constant Comfort.
“I wonder how Gallen’s holding up.”
“You don’t have to wonder anymore.”
She doesn’t have to say that. Jacky knows that they’re at the apartment building. But he guesses that she’s trying to tell him to shut up.
They both get out at the same time after Joey parks.
Jacky gets out his phone while he’s walking into the lobby. “You got it?”
“No,” Gallen said. “We need you to come in here and save the day. Of course we got it.”
“'Tim', you’re learning. That’s it, man. Take it easy.” He could see Joey giving him an annoyed look. “Detective Meng and I are coming. Wait for us.” He pauses. “And Lieutenant Ma is arriving.”
“We’re on the 3rd floor. Take the stairs.”
“I know. I was there last night, okay? It’s our opportunity, man. Everyone have to use the stairs anyway.” He shuts off the phone after that.
Joey and Kenneth are walking side-by-side with him now.
“Kenny, how’s it going?” He asked Kenneth.
Kenneth smiles. “Been busy. Especially with this building.”
“It’s an interesting place.”
“Why are we going in the tunnels through the 3rd floor?” Joey asked. “Wallace said that last time you guys were trapped on the 6th floor that first time and last night was 1st floor.”
“The 3rd level is the loosest area.”
“Loose?” Kenneth asked, confused.
“Those two geniuses, Bryan and Derrick told me.”
“And you believed them just like that?” Joey asked.
“Gallen checked.”
“Okay,” Kenneth said. “I guess we’re set to go.”
“Yea.”
They walk the rest of the next two set of stairs in silence.
Jacky pushes the door open on Level 3 and waits for the others to go past before he lets go of the door. Gallen is waiting for them. But what’s more surprising is that Kevin and Ray are there also.
“Hey, how’s it going Gal…” Kenneth began.
“'Tim', why are they here?” Jacky asked, cutting Kenneth off on purpose and pointing to Kevin and Ray.
“We can’t be here?” Ray asked.
“You’re supposed to stay with the girls until we get back.”
“Charmaine took them out shopping.”
“Assets to the target,” Jacky and Kenneth said at the same time.
“What?!?”
“Call them back,” Kenneth said. “We need them here.”
Jacky could see Ray’s expression. “He’s kidding. They’re in the hospital with Mr. Huo.”
Ray’s mouth opens wide. “How did you know that?”
“Cop detector.”
“How come he didn’t catch on as fast? Or her?” He points at Joey.
“He doesn’t know you. Detective Meng doesn’t like to talk much.”
“Just call them to make sure they’re safe,” Kenneth urged.
Kevin gets his cell phone out and calls. After the call, he hangs up.
“Okay, now we can do this without worries,” Jacky said. “Kenny, why don’t you lead us?”
“You know more about this case than I do.,” Kenneth said. “Why don’t you lead?”
Jacky looks at Joey.
“Go ahead,” Joey said, annoyed. “Since you didn’t fill me in at all.”
Jacky smiles. “I tried but there wasn’t enough time before.”
Jacky goes into the serious mode since Joey gives him “the look” again. Ray is supposed to guard the way in case they have to get back out or be alerted of something. The rest of them enter the tunnel, which is at the back of the elevators. It’s one of the false doors like the one that Kevin fell through couple weeks ago.
“Turn off your cell phones,” Jacky told the other four. Then he turns to Ray. “I’m the only one that’s got it on now. So whatever happens, call me. I’ll tell you when I’m out of battery and then you can call the next person who volunteers.”
Jacky goes into the elevator on the right, the side they were trapped in last night. Gallen is the last one in, so he closes the elevator door carefully behind him.
“Okay, who wants to crawl in first?” Jacky asked.
“Let Joey go first,” Kenneth suggested.
“What if something happens?”
“I’ll go,” Joey said quickly.
Jacky sees the threatening look on her face so he decides to stay quiet. He just smiles.
“I only trust Kenneth,” Joey added.
“I guess I’m third then,” Jacky said, still smiling.
“I’ll go last,” Gallen said.
“Okay, Kevin. That means you’re behind me. Ready?”
“Are you singling me out because I’m the only one here that doesn’t know martial arts?” Kevin asked.
“No. Just means that you’ll have to be extra careful since I fidget a lot. Just to let you know.”
“Jack, stop it,” Joey threatened, giving him an annoyed look.
Jacky smiles. “Okay, Detective Meng.”
She gives him a look again. Then she turns towards the back of the elevator and reaches her hands to remove the metallic square piece so it reveals an opening. She places it on the floor to her left before reaching into her pocket to get a penlight. They crawl through the tunnel for about five feet before the tunnel becomes more comfortable, both horizontally and vertically. They have to stop twice before going on again.
When they jump out to the pathway, Jacky stretches and looks around, not going on like others.
“Jack, which way are we taking?” Joey asked impatiently.
“I’m trying to see here,” Jacky said. He aims his penlight around in the dark, scanning the area with the ray of light in his hand. “Take the left one.”
“You’re sure?”
“Come on, Jo. Don’t you trust me?”
“Let’s not argue,” Kenneth interfered.
“I’m being cautious,” Joey said. “What if he’s wrong? Or Bryan and Derrick gave him the wrong direction on purpose? Or they’re so dumb, they get it mixed up?”
“Let’s split up then,” Gallen suggested.
“Okay,” Jacky agreed. “Either way is fine but it’s more dangerous on the right.”
“I’m going to the right then,” Joey said.
Jacky shrugs. “Okay, then. I’ll go with you.”
“I thought you want left.”
Jacky smiles. “I would rather go right since it’s more challenging.”
“Guys, we don’t have time,” Gallen reminded them.
“I’m serious. I’m going right with Jo. Kevin can go with you and Kenneth.”
“I want to go with Joey,” Kenneth said, abandoning his peacemaker position altogether.
Jacky turns to look at him. “You don’t trust me?”
“No, it’s not that. I’m used to working with her.”
“Kevin needs you.”
“Don’t bring me in into it, man,” Kevin said, looking at his watch with the little light they have. “Look. We only have about an hour before the other two come so we better find the other three fast. Let’s not argue, okay?”
“He’s right,” Kenneth said. “Sorry.”
“Okay, let’s go then,” Jacky said.
“Kenneth, go with them,” Joey said.
Kenneth nods his head.
Although it’s dark but the others can still see him nod.
They split up without protesting any further, going into their own path.
© Friday, June 8th, 2007
Re-posted: Sunday, October 11th, 2009