"No! If we're going to leave, then we are leaving together. Alexander still needs to attend his wounds, and we need to bring you to treat our friend. We need to make it out of here alive!" Chen Nan refused as he looked back at Qian Ling.
"By now, you two have no choice. Ariana needs rest and clearly this is not the right environment for her and the child in her stomach. As her husband and your child's father, you need to put them as your priority. If I follow you, I will definitely be tracked down by them easily. If Alexander went with you guys, he would also burden your way. How many arms do you have after carrying her?"
Qian Ling made it clear as she spared a minute to explain to him their situation. "As for your friend, I've already given Ariana a pouch that is secured to her belt. Inside of it is three pills. Make sure your friend takes one pill every six months, I promise after this is over, I will find you guys. Hurry and go. We don't have time."
Chen Nan pondered as his sight landed on Ariana. Ariana whispered, "Listen to her..I've promised her already."
Qian Ling nodded, "Before we executed with the plan to save you and Alexander, I made her promise me that you guys would listen to my arrangements. There's no time for you to second think your choices. Follow this path, and it'll lead you to safety. If you keep delaying it, we will all get caught and die in this place."
Before she could close the entrance to the passageway, Chen Nan hugged Ariana in one arm and took out containers in the other. "This is Alexander's blood. Carry it. We will wait for you in Lin Hospital. Come back safely." When he said that, his eyes met Alexander's.
Alexander smiled weakly and mouthed, "Take care of her."
She nodded and used her bloody fingertip to close the entrance. Once they made sure the passage was closed, Alexander stopped holding back the coughs in his throat. Ever since they've left the cell, he has been itching to cough. There were a few times where he forcibly swallowed mouthfuls of blood that rushed up his throat. The strong iron taste swirled in his stomach, making him want to vomit everything out.
The moment his body relaxed from Ariana and Chen Nan's absence, his coughs escaped his mouth and blood splattered on the ground. Some blood leaked from the corners of his mouth and down his neck. He messily wiped it away and took deep breaths. Qian Ling took his pulse and shook her head. "Your body drained the energy I transferred to you earlier. Let me-"
Before she could continue, Alexander held onto her wrist tightly. "No. Don't waste any more energy on me. Leave it for yourself to escape. I can still walk, so let's go. I've rested enough." Clearly, his expression showed otherwise and he was not in a good condition.
"But you" She wanted to stop him from making reckless decisions. He obviously needed more time to rest, but he strongly objected that thought.
"You're the doctor. Your diagnosis should be clear by now. My body can't go on any longer. Don't waste any more energy on me. You need it to cure the venom from your bloodstream." Using the wall as support, he slowly got up.
Qian Ling continued supporting him s they walked. "So, you saw everything..." Instead of roaming through the halls, Alexander showed her a hidden route that leads them to his room. He said, "I need to take something with me. Please."
She nodded in agreement as she checked to make sure nobody was ready to ambush them around the area. They safely travelled to his room where he dragged his body to his hidden drawer and retrieved the fur ball he had treasured dearly. Even though his blood tainted the fur ball, he smiled longingly at it.
"Sorry, I dirtied you at the end. I can't leave without you." Stuffing the fur ball into his pocket, he exited his room. This time, they took cautious steps as they walked because guards could find them anytime.
"Auntie Ling, I know a route that could reach outside. Your room is too far from here. My route should be the safest. Take my suggestion for once, okay?" He said weakly as he tried his best in balancing his steps to put less weight on her.
"Okay." Since she didn't have better plans, she listened to him and followed his lead. The hallways seemed dimmer than usual with some lights switched off. The air stiffened as if it could suck out the oxygen from one's body in a matter of second. Extending his arm to the side, Alexander stopped her from continuing further.
Comprehending his signal, she kept her mouth shut and slipped out the needle from her sleeves. She purposely saved the venom from earlier for a reason. Now, it was a great time to make sure of it. If anyone dares to attack, she was prepared to die with them!
Footsteps approached from the other end of the hallway. For some reason, only one person's breathing could be heard, yet there were at least two people coming from that side. With one guess, Alexander's fist tightened. It was Shi Kow Wan and the boney old man.
After a while, the footsteps stopped midway. Everywhere and everything seemed to have muted. Chills spread through their body as they waited for the two to make their first move. They waited and waited, but nothing happened.
'Did they leave?' Alexander and Qian Ling looked at each other and nodded as they took a peek from their hidden corner. Once they angled their body forward, their eyes widened in deep shock. Their mouth dangled open subconsciously.
"Who's there?!" Shi Kow Wan's voice rang their ears as they quickly retreated. There was no way of escaping. If they made one move, it would confirm his suspicions. They held their breath and hoped their existence wouldn't be discovered.
"It's you!" Shi Kow Wan's voice echoed deeply in their ears.