Zeyang woke up when the sun was already high. It took him a few seconds to remember what had happened, then he turned and saw Lu Shen, still sitting on the chair beside him. One elbow resting on the mattress and his head supported by his hand. His eyelids were closed and his hair slightly tousled.
His face, even in sleep, looked slightly tense.
As if he had felt Zeyang's gaze on him, the wizard's eyes opened. "How do you feel?"
"Fine." Zeyang sat up and Lu Shen straightened. "I think you should wait for the doctor."
"I want to go home," the detective said, pulling the sheets aside and swinging his legs off the bed.
As soon as he realized he was not wearing his own clothes, however, he stopped.
"Can you wait outside?" he asked with a smile.
"Zeyang…" But the detective did not let him finish and pushed him out.
When he opened the door again, Lu Shen was waiting together with a nurse.
"Sir, wait," the woman said, trying to stop him.
"Don't worry, I'll sign the form at reception. Thank you, you've all been very kind," and, grabbing Lu Shen by the arm, he left.
Once outside, Lu Shen stopped him and grabbed his arm, making him turn around. "Why didn't you let her check you?"
"I'm fine, wizard, don't worry about me. I just need a good sleep in my own bed, and you too… in yours." The smile that accompanied the sentence had a hint of mischief.
Then he reached the car. "I'll take you home."
Lu Shen showed him the keys. "I'm driving."
Zeyang laughed and got into the car.
Lu Shen hung his jacket at the entrance. The tension of the attack and the sleepless night at the hospital with Zeyang had taken their toll on him. He went to the bathroom to take a shower and then sleep. His hands, however, stopped as he was taking off his shirt. The fingers of his right hand ran over the scar on his left pectoral. He looked at the mirror, without seeing his own reflection. In his mind he saw again the men falling at his side, heard again the sound of gunfire, the smell and taste of blood… He clenched his jaw and turned away from the mirror.
His eyes blazing with anger and frustration.
He took a shower. Then he went out.