Li Mei's eyes fluttered open, a rasping laugh escaping her. "Silly," she whispered in a dry voice. "I'm not dead yet." She raised her left hand and patted Leon's chest.
Leon's eyes rolled in their sockets. His mind scrambled, trying to piece the horrific puzzle of her words together. 'Not dead yet? What does she mean?'
Then deliberate footsteps echoed in the hallway behind him. He didn't turn to check, but felt a great pressure slam down on his shoulders.
Behind him, Mr. Lee and Feng stood at the doorway, blocking the hall's light from entering the room. "It's time," Mr. Lee said in a low voice that left no room for argument.
On the bed, Li Mei's grip on Leon's hand loosened. But she gave his index finger one last squeeze, then let go. "Go," she said in a soft command, followed by a calm smile.
Leon stared at her, his eyes tilting from the slope of her nose, to her mouth, and finally to the blind white eyes that seemed to see straight through his soul.
