She didn't know where she was or where she was going... The signs said nothing to her and though she knew of a restaurant that had employees who spoke Chinese, they were long past closed now that it was one in the morning.

But she had to leave... She had to find a way out of the city before Phillip came back. If he found her, or even realized she was gone before she got too far away, he'd find her. He had the money, the power, that much she understood.

Pulling her jacket on tighter around her she sat down on a bench, looking at her feet. She didn't know where to go... Or even what to do. She was so hungry, but there wasn't any place open that she dared to go now.

Her English was so limited that she didn't even dare to go tot he McDonald's across the street. She might know how to order, as she knew how to count to ten in English, but when it came to money? She hadn't really been taught even basic math at home and of course Phillip wouldn't teach her.

The Business park was empty but for a few cars that were driving by in the darkness.

What was she going to do? She didn't have enough money to go back to China, that much she knew.

Maybe... Maybe tonight she would find a place to sleep, then go to the restaurant people she knew and maybe they could help her.

Wiping away a tear, sniffling slightly, she lay down on the bench, pulling the hood up over her head, covering her black hair pulled back in a bun. She could find someone to help her tomorrow...

Chi was outside, after all why wouldn't she be, it was a beautiful night. A little chilly yes, but a most beautiful and perfect night. She wasn't truly paying attention to her surroundings. She was used to acting this way, after all why pay attention to your surroundings when you could pay attention with your mind instead of your eyes. She found that it opened up so much more of her world, much more.

She finally resigned herself to actually pay attention and did a small twirl, allowing the black, silver stared skirt to billow up before it settled back down. She let out a smile that lit up her young face. She tugged her black sweater down and enjoyed the cool air on her open face. To any predator she would be the perfect target, but if one ever tried to attack her, she would show them who was the predator was. None could out maneuver her, she seemed small, defenseless yet even ancient vampires steered clear of her. After all she was the oldest one in this city.

Her telepathy rang out a clear note in her mind, informing her that someone was out here and they shouldn't be. Her eyes narrowed and her vision cleared quickly. She found her target almost immediately. She was young and not much older then her physically. She could make sense of what she was thinking, a chinese patriot. She went to her, making sure that the other heard her coming, before kneeling at the bench.

"Are you alright?" Her voice spoke out clearly in Chinese. She hadn't been alive when the language had been created, yet she had learned the language. What was she suppose to do with her spare time, she had so much of it.

She was drifting off as she heard footsteps. She froze, fearful that it would be a cop, or someone wondering what she was doing out here.

But her eyes opened as she heard such an unfamiliar voice, speaking words she understood. "Alright? I... I don't know." She said with a lost look as she sat up, looking at the girl. She was about the same age, Ling figured, maybe a little younger or so. But she was Chinese, or at least one of the many different ethnicities in the country. She knew there were many, but she'd only seen a few in her little town.

"So you know Chinese? Is your family from there?" She asked curious of how she knew Chinese. "I... I came here a few months ago. I don't know any English. Could you maybe help me find a place to stay?" She asked softly.

Chi watched the small girl. She doesn't know english? How did she come here, she would have to know or be learning English. Unless she had come here illegally, which wouldn't surprise Chi, she herself was here illegally, though she had legal papers. that was the only reason why she hadn't been deported yet. Then again she doubted they could deport a vampire of her age, yet it could be possible.

She shook her head, her long silver hair shining in the moonlight. "No my parents were born in China and so was I, yet they travel a lot and asked me where I wanted to live. I chose here." She had come up with the idea so long ago that now it stuck. She was the child of rich business parents and they traveled a lot leaving her on her own and had bought her a place to stay. He beloved penthouse.

She beamed at the girl that was sleeping on the bench. "You could stay with me! I have a lot of room and you could stay in the guest bedroom. I'm sure I have some food in the freezer too." She didn't eat, yet she had a few mortal friends and it was better to be prepared then not. Besides they helped her with grocery shopping and this one if she lived with Chi could help her out. To Chi it seemed like a win-win situation. Chi would offer a place to stay, food to eat and would teach her how to speak English and read it. In exchange, she would get some food for herself.

"I'm Chi"

Ling nodded as the girl explained, smiling at the warmth the familiarity brought by the language.

Her eyes brightened slightly at the offer of the girl but she frowned a moment later. "Yes... It would be nice to stay for the night. But I have to leave town tomorrow if possible." She said softly as she sat up. "I want to go back home... But I have to leave this city before my husband gets back." She bit her lip slightly, wondering what this girl would think about her running from her sworn duties.

"I'm Ling... But yes. If I could stay the night, I would be grateful. I know of some others who speak Chinese as well, but their restaurant is closed now." She said as she pushed back the hood to her coat.

So that's what she was hiding from, a spouse. She was very young to be married and Chi thought that any proper husband should have taught her the language of the country they were staying in. Chi shook her head. "You can't leave you don't speak the language. At the least allow me to teach you. I can guarantee your safety."

Chi could more than guarantee her safety. She could build her a haven where no one would touch her, unless given permission by either Chi or Ling here. "You were forced to marry. Leaving a place that held no future and here you thought that you and your family would be safe and happy. Life can be cruel. You want to choose your own path, that I can understand. Don't worry you won't have to go back if you don't want to."

She helped the younger mortal up. "Besides perhaps that you can help me. I have a unique skin condition and I could use a messenger of sorts. I teach you English and how to read. You help me in turn." It would be profitable to both of them to do this. Chi could do it herself but it ended up happening at night and it wasn't always easy. This way it would be easier and it would be good practice for Ling.

Guarantee her safety? From Phillip? No, he could find her, if she stayed to long in the city he would be bound to find her and there would be nothing the girl wold be able to do, even if she did have rich parents.

Ling shook her head as she spoke next. "No, you're wrong. I was not forced to marry him. I loved him, and he loved me. At one point that must have been true." She argued, even if it had been only physical for him... "I just don't understand why he changed so. He was so loving, so kind and caring. I can't explain it, but he did love me, I am sure of it."

Her eyes looked down, into the grass off of the path. "He just changed so quickly that I thought I had done something to offend him. I have to go back to my family... I came here to care for them, but I don't even know if they're still alive."

Ling could only shake her head at the girl's offer. "No... No, I cannot. Thank you for caring so, but I must leave this city. When he comes back... He will find me Chi. He has money and power here, and when he finds out I've ran away... I fear what he will do. If there is one thing I learned about this country is that money can do many things." And she longed to go home, to see her family again and find out if they were safe. her father had been so ill when she left for Hong Kong...

Maybe... Maybe she should go back. Go back and beg him to care for her family. She would do anything... And it wasn't as if she wasn't choosing to go back to him. Maybe if he hadn't returned yet, she could pretend as if she had never left. "I... I don't know what to do..." She whispered, the fear and confusion clear in her face. "Part of me says to run... But another is telling me to go back. Saying I should go back to him. But I'm so afraid to..."

Chi shook her head, disagreeing with the girl. Money could buy many things, but how could you find someone that seemed to have vanished from the face of the Earth? How could you find someone that no one had ever seen? " You did what you thought was right. Listen Ling, you can't go back. If he didn't care for your family before, do you think that he will now? I can protect you, there is more to this city then simply money. My parents are rich business people but they don't walk in the conventional circles. I know people that will do whatever I tell them and if that includes keeping your husband away from you then they will do that."

Chi had so much at her fingertips. Her next comment was logical. "I would suggest that you leave the country but to do that, you need papers, which I don't think you have. So you can't even go back home, no matter how much you want to. Stay with me for a bit, I can get you the papers and you can get back home." She looked at the girl, her eyes hinting at worry. "Though he will probably eventually find out that you have gone back. You will be safe with me, I can guarantee that. Once you leave this city, I can't promise that."

She snorted, her eyes rolling. He had power and money, was she supposed to quake in fear in her new, stylish shoes? There was only one reason she would fear and that was when an older vampire then herself decided to kill her. Yet so far, she had been very lucky. "I can promise safety, a roof and a place to eat. You are willing to throw that away? Don't be foolish Ling, I've been through the city's underground and I know that he won't find us. If he does, he'll be sorry he did." Perhaps not the best thing to say to a girl that loved the man, but she had to understand the extent of the safety that Chi was offering. Not only that, but the chance to learn the language to be able comfortable in moving around.

Again the Chi promised that her husband would never see her, would never come near her again... But was it a promise that could be kept? She wasn't sure, as she didn't know what exactly the girl was capable of.

"Papers?" She asked, frowning with puzzlement. "I didn't need papers to come here, so why would I need them to go home?" She had had a private cabin on a ship for her voyage over and had hardly left it for sea sickness. But he had been there to greet her on the docks and had brought her to this city after a very long drive. "What sort of papers would I need? Are... Are they easy to get?" She asked.

More than anything though, even going home... Ling wished that Phillip hadn't changed since when they first met. She didn't understand how he had changed so quickly, or at all. She was angry that he hadn't provided for her family as he promised... But why couldn't he? He had so much money that even she knew that a couple hundred dollars a month would help them.

She missed the man he really was... The man he had been when they met.

Ling listened with fear as Chi said that he would be sorry if he ever found her... "Okay... I will come, but if I want to I may leave right? And I don't want Phillip hurt. I know the mane he can be, he's not like this usually. And I hope that he will realize when I'm gone that he was too harsh." It was a fools hope really, but a hope none the less. She wanted him back to the way he had been.

Chi shook her head. The girl was lucky that Chi herself was part of the vampire underground, if she wasn't there would be a lot of trouble to get the papers that were needed. "First of all, we will have to get illegal papers, because for any sort of papers we would need your birth certificate and I don't believe that you have it with you."

Chi rolled her eyes. She wasn't a woman of the world, not the way that Chi was that was for sure. "Ling, you husband has money. You didn't need papers because he paid for your way over and paid under the table. Theoretically you're an illegal immigrant. You could get into a lot of shit, simply being in the country. I'm offering you a place where you will be safe, a place where you can do whatever you want and no one will be able to touch. Not without your personal consent." She could probably get the girl a student or work visa until the other papers came through. It would be easier.

She motioned to the girl to follow her. "Now come on, let's get out of the cold and get your somewhere warm with some blankets and some comfortable clothes. I have another room and you can bunk there until you decide what you want to do. You're lucky that it's getting warm." If she was staying outside she would have been lucky. Yet know she was going to be warm.

She... She didn't have papers? What that why he said that he could call the police and have her arrested for a very long time? But why... Why hadn't he gotten her proper papers? If he had the money, why couldn't he go through the right places to bring her here?

Ling bit her lip, her eyes on the sidewalk. But if I were to go to them, and tell someone what happened... Wouldn't you think they would allow me to be sent back? If I am not supposed to be here... Why won't they send me back even when I want to go?" She asked curiously.

But she followed Chi as she beckoned, not knowing really what was going to happen to her.

Could she really keep Phillip from finding her? Could she keep him away and get her back to China?

Ling nearly cried out in surprise and alarm as a noise sounded and her eyes widened as she realized that the cell phone that Phillip had given her was still in her pocket. She looked at the number for a moment but then answered it, her voice shaking slightly. "Hello?"

"Ling... Is everything alright? I called the house but you didn't pick up. Why not? I told you you were to stay at home didn't I?" His voice was warm, but carried something in it that wasn't quite loving. "You haven't left have you Ling-Mie?"

"No Phillip... I... I was simply asleep and did not hear it... I am sorry." She lied.

"Oh. Well then, if that is so... I'll be leaving on the late night flight tomorrow. My plain should be arriving around seven in the morning, be sure to have a taxi there for me. Goodnight Ling, and I'll see you in two days." He said before hanging up, leaving Ling to hold her cell phone in her trembling hand.

Two days... Would she really be able to stay hidden and safe? What if someone found her?

Chi watched her and winced. "It's not quite that easy. You'll be considered a trespasser, they would eventually send you back, but only after they have arrested you and put you in prison." Was that the truth? Hell if Chi knew, she simply tried to find the easiest and least painful way for her to get back home, though it would take a while.

She snatched the phone out of her hand. She opened it and pulled out the battery. She glared at the offending contraption and looked. "I'm sorry but you will not be able to answer this phone ever again. He could track you with it and if you don't want to be found then I'll have to keep it. You can use my home phone." It wasn't like she ever used it. Besides she wasn't worried about cost either.

She watched the woman and took her gently by the arm. "Let's get out of the streets, the longer we stay here, the better chance there is of someone recognizing you, later." She paused and continued on her pace quickly. "How long do we have until he gets back."

"No!" Ling gasped, reaching for her cell phone as Chi snatched it away from her.

"If I don't answer it when he calls, he'll know I'm gone! He-" But she fell silent, her dark eyes going wide as she said that he would be able to track her phone. Was that possible? Could such things be done? But there was so much that she didn't know. It would be easy for something like that to exist without her learning about it.

So her hand fell away, and she meekly followed the girl who now lead her by the arm. She was so lost in this world, and there was so much that she didn't know. So much that she was unaware of and could get her caught, or in trouble....

Alone in this new world now, Ling was beginning to get frightened, scared of what was going to happen to her. She only had a little money... And now without Phillip to help her survive... Would this girl be able to help her and still take care of herself?

She looked up almost absently as Chi asked her question.

"How long? Two days... He will not be back tomorrow morning... but the morning after..."

Chi quickly understood that the girl had no idea of the technology these days. If they truly wanted to find you they could, yet most vampires had protection against that. Chi was one of those. Her entire life was centered in the vampire world, with a few outward connection in the mortal realm. "I know that it seems impossible but the world outside a house is different, very different. If he controls you, then I'm surprised that you are even able to leave the house at all." He obviously didn't expect her or want her to.

They had two days. It wasn't much time, but more than enough to get set up. Chi would make sure that she had enough food and a few papers. She needed to find the people that had given hers quickly and put them up to the test to at least get her a health card. Of course Chi could always pay the expenses, but why bother when free health services were offered? Then perhaps a fake birth certificate and then a legal passport. It would be based on illegal information, but at least it would be legal. They had to make sure they wouldn't get caught with fraud either. It could be a pain.

She smiled at Ling. "You don't have to worry everything will be just fine. I can promise you that."

"I know it's different! I'm not a fool Chi.... I just... Just didn't know about what the phones could do. I never had them back in China... And Phillip never told me that they could be traced. And I did leave the house... But only to go to a few places... Some Markets and Restaurants... I could go there without a problem. But I had to be home soon because I could get lost and I... The first time I got lost I cried for days I was so scared."

She didn't go out mostly because she didn't want to, and Phillip came to expect that as the norm, which it was.

They walked along in silence for the most part as the girl seemed to be thinking of a plan... Did she actually have something? Was there something that could be done to help her.

"Worry? I can't help but to worry Chi... He is my husband by law... I am neglecting my duties by running away from him. If... If I return home, what can I tell them? They wouldn't understand. And if he finds me Chi? Or if the police do? What then? We cannot fight them can we?"

Chi rolled her eyes. Ling needed to learn independence and not bow down to the whim of a man simply because he is her husband. If Chi was married, she would give her husband a piece of her mind of course Chi had powers that would freak out almost anyone. "There is a reason why he never told you that they could be traced. It's a way for him to know where you are in case you leave the house. How you are willing to stay in the house for days on end, I have no idea."

She snorted. "Your husband by law? Which law the Chinese or the Canadian? Do you have a wedding certificate that you signed or was it organized by men? You aren't even legally allowed to be in this country, he won't go for the police, because he had broken the law by bringing you here." Chi gave her a soft smile. "I have people that owe me quite a bit in favors, we'll be fine."

They came to a nice apartment and Chi brought her inside, swiping the a remote control over the system to unlock the magnetically locked door. She gently pulled the woman in and waved to the concierge, before dragging her into the elevator and up to the top floor. It wasn't long before they were inside her apartment and Chi put away the cellphone in a locked drawer. She didn't want Ling to feel tempted to try to put it back together. "Welcome to my home, Ling. Is there anything that I can get for you? Food, maybe some water?" Chi would make sure that she felt at home.

"I... I get lost easily. I only came here less than a year ago. And this city is so very big Chi... I am afraid to go out if I don't know where I am going. I do not have a job, I take care of the house... There is hardly ever reason for me to leave."

Ling frowned though as Chi basically asked if their marriage was a sham. "We had a Christian wedding. In Hong Kong." She said simply. "There was a paper I signed.. Maybe several. He came back here to get all of my paperwork in order while I stayed in Hong Kong for near three months while he took care of it." Why else would he have made her stay in Hong Kong that long? "I was afraid to fly, so I took a ship here when he said I could come." Why would he lie about something simply like papers and documents.

But... Chi had made her wonder... Was her marriage a lie? Had he ever really loved her?

The thought made her heart seem to twist in her chest...

Things passed in a blur and she only followed where Chi had led. When she next was aware, they were in an elevator, stepping out and then into an apartment.

Looking up almost helplessly, Ling shook her head. "No... I am fine." Well that wasn't the truth... But there wasn't anything that she needed at the moment. "I... I should probably sleep if anything." She said quietly.

Chi watched the woman and then smiled. "Then I will have to help you. I will make sure that you don't get lost and will also teach you English so that you can find your way around and ask for directions, in case you get lost. And that way you will never be lost again." Chi had never been lost, but then again she was a vampire and she had an amazing sense of directions.

Chi could feel the woman's doubt and could feel her pain. "I didn't mean to make you doubt your wedding. Not all you men are as kind as you may think, many of them only search for their own happiness and desires. What the woman wants, they don't care about." Chi felt cold for saying that but Ling had to understand. It was the only way she could be safe.

Chi led her to one of the two guest rooms that she had organized. The other was a total disaster, she was still clearing it up and turning it slowly into a bedroom, though it took time and effort to do so. She opened the door and the room was beautifully decorated. The bed was a dark mahogany and had furniture to match. The bed spread was a sky blue with cream coloured pillows. The curtains were a dark blue and quite good at keeping the sunlight out. "You can sleep here and there are some clothes in the drawers. There should be some pyjamas, you are welcome to take what ever you want. If you need anything i'll be in the living room or in the room with the red door. That's my room." She hoped that Ling would get some sleep.

She might have known her pain... But... She didn't understand the pain... How could she. To know the only love she'd known to be all a lie? All a sham?He couldn't have hated her... He loved her didn't he? Why would have brought her all the way there if he didn't love her. Only wanted her for a moment.

It may not have been her itnent to doubt all she knew, but that was what had happened.

"Yes. Thank you Chi... I appreciate all that you have done for me. You are very kind..." She said softly, looking at her. "But I am very tired... I shall sleep now... And I suppose we shall talk in the morning." She said puting a false smile on. But it was a warm smile, one that could pass for a true smile. "Goodnight Chi." Her voice was still soft as she spoke, closing the door behind her as she went into the room.

She found the clothing easily enough and exchanged her slightly dirty ones for the clean clothing that Chi offered. The girl was about the same size really, so it worked out well.

Once she had changed, Ling sat on the bed, alowing herself to feel all the pain that was in her mind, her heart. Tears began to roll down her face quickly and she lay back on the bed, burying her face in the pillow. She was used to keeping her tears hidden... Was used to keeping a smile on her face....

Chi watched Ling close the door to her room and she could smell the tears as she cried, yet she did nothing. Ling needed to be alone to heal, needed to figure out what to do with herself now that she was free to do what she wished. Chi would allow her to heal and let her find her own way for now.

Chi couldn't understand this kind of pain, but Ling was so young she would have time to find another to take care of her and one that truly cared not pretended to or who abused her. She sat down on the sofa in the living room and looked at the knives and daggers that covered the far wall. She had collected so much over her undead life that she knew eventually she would have to give some away. Perhaps a museum would enjoy some of those things.

Her gaze went to the window and she saw the drapes were closed, she wouldn't have to worry as the sun came up. She wasn't tired and she knew that the sun wouldn't make her drowsy as it rose. She glanced at the guest door and murmured quietly. "Sleep well little mortal, things will look up I can promise you that."

She fell asleep shortly after she lay down, to exhausted and to terrified to stay awake any longer.

When she woke in the morning, she opened the heavy curtains, letting the light in.

Her face was streaked with tears as she looked out at the daylight. She would never be free... She would never have her own life now. She would always be running from someone, hiding somewhere because she would be imprisoned or worse.

Ling sat there as she watched the day turn into evening and slowly into night again.

A whole manner of things were running through her mind... Her husband... Her want for a family... And love. How she would never be trusted again by any man for what she was doing now....

Her stomach rolled as the fear rose again. What of her family... What of her father and siblings? What had become of them?

She felt the need to shower... But Ling hadn't the heart to leave the room.

Chi had spent the entire day in the living room reading her book for part of the day and then going over a small inventory deciding at the end that she needed a computer, it would have to be small, but she would definitely need one, going over sheets and sheets of what she had was ridiculous and besides it would be easy to add or remove objects that she got rid off.

She turned her head towards the door where Ling was and knew that she was awake, the sun was peeking from under the door and Chi prayed to whatever god was out there that Ling wouldn't open the door. It was around nine at night when Chi finally decided to get her some food. She hesitated for the moment and found some thick Udon noodles and some veggies. She cooked it and went to the door with a gentle knock. "Ling? You need to eat something." She opened the door cautiously, allowing the smell to slip inside, hoping to pull her out of the room.

It did smell delicious, even if Chi hadn't tried it. It had a garlicky smell with a bit of terriyaki sauce. She did hope that Ling would have some. "I was hoping you'd have some of this food that I made."

As the sun went down, Ling crawled back into bed. It felt as if she were a prisoner here, but of course she knew she wasn't... She was holding a part of her back, but it was a part that she told herself was wrong. Wrong because he was not the man he had tried to be...

Had he failed her as a husband though?

No... He had provided for her, he kept her safe and made it so that she never wanted for anything. It was she who had failed in her duties.

She was startled as she heard a knock on the door, and after looking smiled lightly as she saw Chi there.

The smell of food wafted towards her and her smile widened slightly. "Thank you for your kindness Chi..." She said as she bowed her head in thanks. "But... I'm afraid I am not that hungry. But perhaps later? I am sorry... But I'm not hungry... Maybe after I wash? Would you mind if I used your shower Chi?"

Chi could feel the emotions in Ling. It was almost that of a tormented soul and it was getting to Chi. Her telepathy was strong and even before her telepathy, she had always been empathic. Her kindness and generosity overruling even the basic hunger and instincts of a vampire.

At least Ling was answering Chi and she seemed a lot better, if not mentally at least she made an effort. "Of course you may. The guest bathroom is right next to your room. There is a shower and a separate bath. Anything else you may need should be there." That meant soap, loofah and shampoo. It wasn't a large bathroom, but more than comfortable enough for one person. It wasn't Chi's personal bathroom, she tended to be anal about more personal spaces. Anything that she had dubbed guest or a common living center, Ling could use.

Chi returned to the kitchen, covered the bowl and placed it in the fridge, she then set herself to clean the dishes. She didn't do it often and besides using the dishwashed would be a waste.

"Yes, thank you very much Chi." She said with a smile, the smile faded though as she left. With a sigh, Ling stood and made her way to the door. Slipping out she found the bathroom where Chi had said, and undressed. She wanted to take a bath... But she felt as if she shouldn't take advantage of her hostess.

After showering the braided her hair, wrapping the braid into a bun at the base of her neck. It was a very matronly look, and combined with her near woeful expression made her seem much older than she was.

With a towel around her body, she change into clean pajamas since it was night again. Phillip would be home soon... In only a few hours he would be home and would know she was missing...

"Chi?" She said softly as she made her way into the living room. "I'm sorry... But may I use your phone? I.. I must call a ride for Phillip... He comes into the airport in the morning... In a place a few hours from here. If I do not... He will know something is wrong."

Chi had finished cleaning up in the kitchen and had stored away the dishes while Ling showered. She had then moved to the living room and decided to clean the daggers and swords that covered the far wall of the room. She took the lower ones down and set them on the cloth covered coffee table. It would be easier if she did them in a bunch at a time. Once she had ten on the table she took one and set it in her lap and proceeded to polish it.

She stopped only once, when Ling asked if she could use the phone. She hesitated and then nodded. It would be fine, besides Chi's phone was on a protected line so it couldn't be trace. She mused how her place felt like a secret lab and no one could reach her, unless she wanted to be reached. "Of course Ling, go right ahead."

Ling eyed the pieces almost nervously as Chi polished them. Were they simply for decoration? Or were they... used?

But she moved away without a word, only a bow of her head, as Chi said that she could use the phone.

Calling the cab service she always did, she smiled at hearing a familiar voice. It was a young man who was a college student here in the country who's family came over from china when he was twelve. He spoke fluent Chinese and he was always so kind to her.

She told him that her husband was coming home tomorrow morning at he would need a ride from the same airport as usual.

"Ling... Is something wrong? You do not seem yourself at the moment. You are usually far more delighted when your husband comes home." He said concerned.

"No. Nothing is wrong at all. I'm simply a bit distracted right now, trying to get everything ready for his return. I almost forgot to call you." She said with a fake little laugh. "Okay then Ling. We'll make sure we have one of our finest there tomorrow for him. Goodnight Ling."

After saying her goodbyes she hung up the phone, not sure what to do next. Surely she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. After all... Tomorrow would see if Chi could keep up with her promise.

Chi listened, her ears much sharper than the average vampire. She could hear the concern in the guy's voice and he seemed truly sincere. That was a man for Ling, not some man that bought her and controlled her. She needed someone that would let her be in control of her own life, not what she was doing now.

Chi's hands continued their polishing movement and she set it down once she deemed it back to it's original sparkle and picked up the following weapon. Some of them had been used in their past though nowadays they were mostly just for show and nice decorative pieces. Some she had designed and others she had picked up on her endless trek across the world. She had finished with a lot more than the ones that furnished the wall of her living room. Some of them were still the boxes that she had used to transport them into the new continent.

Chi could protect her, that was one thing that she could promise over and over again knowing that she could. She doubted that her husband would find them but if he did, then the daggers and swords would come to good use.

Hesitantly she moved back out into the living room from the kitchen. her arms folded tightly across her chest. She was so afraid...

"Chi... Why do I feel so bad... Why does it hurt to leave him?" She asked softly, moving to one of the windows and brushing aside the heavy curtain. She looked down on the unfamiliar street, making a soft noise of distress. "When he came home from his trips... He would always greet me so lovingly, make such wonderful love to me. How could it all be such a lie? Could every touch be a deception? Every kiss and loving look he gave me was false?"

She fell silent then, looking to Chi almost helplessly.

It wasn't possible that it was all a lie was it? That couldn't be. He had loved her for far too long for it to be a lie the whole time. And if he lied about his love... What else could he lie about?

"I know he is not the husband I thought him to be... But I cannot help blaming myself for this."

Chi looked up from the sword on her lap and watched Ling at the window. "Because love can hurt Ling. Because even though love is suppose to be wonderful and everything people imagine, it can also destroy and cause unbearable pain. Sometimes worst then the feeling we had when in love." It wasn't an answer that made much sense, but it was the only answer that Chi had. Love was not easy to understand, but it was the best feeling in the world.

She set the sword aside and went to Ling and looked at the window. "Humans are masters at being deceitful. He knew what you wanted and knew that eventually you would depend on him. So he promised to be whatever you wanted until he had total control on you. Now what you want doesn't matter to him, you are an object to him and belong solely to him."

She paused wanting to tell her about a tradition in the Americas. "Ling, sometimes a man that wants a bride that he can ultimately control, will go look for one in poorer countries or communities, especially those that don't speak English. They pay someone for that and you have no rights except in your husband's house and even their it is limited." Chi all of a sudden got an idea. She could ask for asylum, she doesn't know how that would work, but she would definitely have to do some research on that.

Lies... It had to be lies. Ling shook her head in disbelief of Chi's words. Phillip would have never done anything like that to her... He wouldn't have done that. He hadn't married her to control her, he had married her because he found her beautiful, because he wanted her for his wife. He had never tried to control her, he had let her do as she pleased. She didn't go outside because she knew she would be lost. She stayed in the house because she was happy there.

And... And he hadn't paid for her. He had bought her way to Hong Kong so they could meet, and then he had paid for her to stay there as he got everything set up for her to come over. Why would he have told her that if it wasn't true? What else could he have been doing?

A tear trickled down her face and she wiped it away, closing the curtain once more over the window. "That cannot be true Chi... He couldn't have done that. I know he loved me. I could feel it in my heart." If it hadn't been love, what else had it been? His fingers running through her hair... His hands touching her body, admiring her beauty. The way he smiled so softy as he looked at her, making her heart beat faster.

Just remembering these little things she longed to go back to him. She wanted to run home, tell him what had happened and how she was afraid. Maybe... Maybe if she talked to him, everything would be able to work out. Maybe she would be able to make him see how he had changed and he would realize his errors.

She sank into a soft chair, burying her face in a pillow. "I want to go back Chi... It hurts to think about leaving him. Maybe if I talk to him... maybe there is something I can do to make him see." She was nearly sobbing, holding tears back as she clutched the pillow to her.

Chi's dark eyes followed her as she sat down, clutching the pillow like it was her lifeline and Chi thought that it might as well be. Everything the girl knew was slowly falling apart. She was lucky though, Chi was there to help her. "Men are interesting people, Ling, but they can be deceitful, like any human being can be." She sat down next to Ling and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her and gently held her, giving her the shoulder she needed to cry on.

She felt sorry for her and tried to reassure her as much as she could. "you are young Ling, you don't even know what love is. You have time to find someone of your age to love you. Someone who would teach you how to survive on your own if ever the need arose, someone who would never leave you, someone who wouldn't hurt you, someone who would trust you and that you can trust back. Love is based on trust and if he expects to stay in the house, that doesn't show trust." Chi had been in a few relationship, that lasted a few months, years at a time. Every time it ended with heartbreak, yet she came out stronger on top, but she knew what Ling was feeling, she understood it.

Chi finally just sighed. She still tried to comfort the girl, yet it was loose. [i]"If you want to go, you can go Ling. I don't hold people against there will, but be aware that once you leave, I can't protect you. If you leave it will be your decision. If you decides to beat you, there is nothing I can do. You would be under his control again and i will be defenseless to help you." As long as Ling stayed away from Philip, Chi could protect her. If he came after them, she would show him who was boss in this city.

She didn't know what love was?

"And you do Chi? You now what love is? How can you! You are no older than I!" She exclaimed looking up to the girl. "How can you possibly know that Phillip has done everything that you have said? How do you know he bought me from another just so he would have someone who was so dependent on him? A wife is supposed to be humble before her husband, is supposed to do as he asks loyally and without question Chi." She said as she slipped off of the chair.

Ling moved away from Chi, her eyes avoiding the girl. "I have made a mistake accepting your help." She whispered biting her lip. "I should try to make amends with Phillip... I... I should never have left him."

This girl was only poisoning her mind against her husband. Phillip was not the man he had been but if she spoke to him she was sure that he could change.

"You have no proof of what you say. You don't know that you speak the truth about him!" Angry tears were falling now, but she wasn't sure why they were falling. Was she hoping that Chi would agree with her? Was she hoping that Phillip would change if she spoke to him. Or was it that she knew that Chi was right... And was only tying to hang on to a thread of hope...

Chi smiled a sad smile. "I'm a lot older than you can even imagine and about Philip, how do I know? I will tell you, because I have seen the websites, seen the publicity and know that older men want a young wife that will do whatever they say without questions, without comments and simply agree. You are like that, aren't you?"

Chi shook her head. Ling had to understand. "Ling, he won't change because you ask him to. He might even be angry that you even thought of that. You can hope all you want, but that doesn't change the reality." She wanted to convince Ling otherwise, but how could she when she knew that to give her hope that would only be destroyed in the future by Philip. "I know a lot more than you may think. How do you think that I will manage to get you fake papers? I know the underground of this city and you will get back home. I'll find a way."

Website? What was a website? She had no clue what the girl was talking about and it confused her also when she said that she was older than she could imagine. That didn't make sense either! Nothing this girl sad was making any sense! And she was supposed to believe Chi as opposed to her husband?

"No!" She said sharply as Chi accused her of being docile. "I do make decisions! I do not take every order from him and I think for myself! I simply know what I should do! I love him and.... You... You don't understand!" She broke down then, nearly collapsing onto another chair.

She said he wouldn't listen. That nothing would change even after she spoke to him.

How was that possible? If he loved her, if he truly wanted to be with her, why would he do such horrible things? Why wouldn't he be kind and gentle? Why wouldn't he... Why wouldn't he listen to her and love her as he once did?

"I love him so much! I want to see him again Chi!" It wasn't so much sadness or sorrow, but frustration... Not understanding what was going on around her...

Chi could feel Ling's confusion and she couldn't truly blame her. "There is a world that you have never seen. It lives in the shadows and hides when light rises." There was only one way to prove to the girl what Chi meant. She watched Ling a single moment and went to grab her open laptop. She may not have a television, but a computer was a useful tool for cataloging.

It was already turned on and she quickly flicked to a website and clicked a tab. A picture of a young Chinese girl on that looked eerily like Ling. "Is that not you? Is that a look alike?" That would probably jolt her and under the pictures were stats, such as age, name and other tidbits for men to choose as they pleased. Chi looked at Ling her eyes sorrowful. "I'm sorry that I had to show you this, but you have to understand that people for the city aren't the same as other places and rich men think they control everything. Sadly it sometimes is the case."

Chi eyed her, she was frustrated and then Chi decided to show her. "You want to know what i mean by being older than I seem. Fine, I'll show you, but first you are going to get something to eat and get dressed. Then we are going out."

Only curiosity drew Ling's eyes to the small television like screen. Oh... Yes, one of those. Phillip had one. He often worked on it after dinner and when he came home. He... He had tried to explain it to her, but it had been far to complicated to understand. As he told her what it could do, she had only shook her head with puzzlement.

But what Ling saw.... it made her stomach lurch. She wanted to deny the pictures... But... But she couldn't. They... They were the very same that the man had taken of her that day she had feared for her life. He had touched her... Kissed her and had asked to take pictures of her....

She shook her head, trying to hold back a flood of emotion. She couldn't read the text because it was in English... But... But how else would her picture be on the computer?

Ling stood and moved quickly to her door, shutting it behind her. She didn't want to see those pictures anymore. She didn't want to see the truth.... Throwing herself on the bed, she buried her face in her pillow, wishing for death. Everything she knew was destroyed... She was half a world away from home... And there was nothing she could do. Death would be far kinder than this hell.

Chi watched her puzzled look change to one of being clearly upset. Chi hadn't wanted to be brutal or even cold, but Ling had to understand and it had worked, well Chi hoped so, with the way she stormed off it wouldn't have been easy for her and Chi could feel her emotions. Chi didn't need to read her mind, her empathy was strong enough to capt any emotions nor matter how small they were and well what Ling felt was overwhelming.

Chi looked at the door that Ling had gone through and caught the gist of death. Well Chi couldn't have that in her condo, it simply wouldn't do. She got up and strode up to the door and opened it without bothering to knock. Ling needed to get over it and Chi was going to help her. "I know that it isn't easy, I know what it is like to be lied to and to find out that what you believed was a lie. That the life you lived was a total lie. You are not the only one in this position." Chi could remember clearly when her sire had finally told her what they were. They were not Goddesses, but monsters of the night.

Chi sat on the edge of the bed. Ling was beyond distraught and Chi wanted to help her. "Ling you can't give up on life, there is so much out there for people our age. We are both so young, we have all the time in the world." Chi had all the time in the world and much more, but Ling was young. "Come get something to eat, I don't want you to die on me. If i have to I'll force feed you and that won't be pleasant for either of us."

"But what am I to do Chi!" She nearly sobbed, only her confusion and helplessness kept her tears at bay.

"I am in a foreign land where I know nothing... There will be people looking for me, and now I have no one but you who can help me! You say that there are options for me… But I cannot see these options you speak of! What can I do? I do not know English so there are few that I can talk to! There are people at a restaurant that I know. And there is James, the one I talked to before.”

She sat up and moved agitatedly to the window.

“Even if I were to find love again… What man would want me? What man would want a woman who would leave a husband… And… And I am no longer a virgin. A man is not going to want me when he knows that I am not pure as I should be.” And that was probably what agitated her most. What made her the most frightened.

“I gave myself to him because I thought he loved me… And I was wrong… What… What if I am wrong again Chi?” She asked fearfully.

Chi wanted to roll her eyes, were all Chinese girls so dramatic? She hadn't been dramatic, not that she could remember anyways. She had always been so sure of herself. "That's why I'm here. I can help you, teach you english, show you how to use a map. It won't be difficult. That's why I am here. I can help you or else I wouldn't have offered."

As a vampire Chi had sometimes found it difficult to adapt but she had fought to adapt and to survive in a world where none knew that they even existed. chi wanted to bash her head against something. She didn't have all the answers, but she had some. "He would understand that you wanted love and not some cheap knockoff. It also doesn't matter if you are not a virgin, people here think differently. People here experiment with their sexuality." Chi hoped that she would understand though wasn't quite sure.

Chi stood next to her and smiled. "You won't be wrong again, because you will be careful and will have people watching out for you, making sure that the man feels the same way about you. Everything will work out, don't worry, now come get something to eat. I don't cook all that often and I would hate to see the food go to waste."