CHAPTER 24
Crimson Tower – Rooftop Balcony, 23:12
Three days later
The night was sharp and windy, the kind that carried the smell of rain long before the first drop fell. Washington's lights glittered below like scattered dice.
Li Xuefang's hand was in the pocket of her long black coat, as the other had a cigarette unlit between its fingers (old habit, never indulged anymore). Moonlight cut across her cheekbones like a blade, . She didn't turn when the balcony door slid open.
Dr. Stephanie: I knew you'd come up here eventually. You always did when the world got too loud. Twelve years, Leah.
General Li: Don't call me that.
The correction was soft, almost polite. Still, it landed like a slap.
Dr. Stephanie smiled sadly and then leaned against the railing.
Dr. Stephanie: Right. General Li now. Or Re-Agent Li. Or Iron Lotus. You collected names the way other people collect scars.
Li Xuefang didn't respond.
Dr. Stephanie: You've changed. Even more closed off.
Li didn't blink.
General Li: Emotions compromise efficiency.
Stephanie turned, studying her face.
The dim rooftop lights flickered across Li's expressionless features.
Dr. Stephanie: I'm not trying to weaken you. I'm trying to remind you you're human.
Another silence.
Li finally turned her head slightly—barely—and looked at Stephanie with those cold, sharp eyes.
General Li: Being human never benefitted me.
The words sliced the air.
Stephanie looked down at her hands… then back at Li, softer this time.
Dr. Stephanie: Then let the people who care about you handle that part.
Li didn't respond.
Li finally lit the cigarette, and just about taking a drag, Dr. Stephanie continued.
Dr. Stephanie: Do you ever miss it? The old days, when we were just two stupid youths breaking into biolabs for candy cases and intel.
Li stared straight ahead at the city, unmoving.
General Li: You survived. But the other youth died in Macedonia.
Dr. Stephanie flinched.
Dr. Stephanie: I know what happened in Skopje fifteen years ago. I know what you did.
A pause.
Dr. Stephanie: I also know you didn't mean to wipe out the Black Echo Unit.
Li remained unmoved.
General Li: I did what I had to do.
Dr. Stephanie: Yes, you did. Without flinching!
Dr Stephanie turned fully now, eyes pleading.
Dr. Stephanie: Leah… Xuefang… talk to me. I'm not your enemy. I'm just Steph. The girl whose Pal taught how to pick a lock with a hairpin.
Li finally looked at her. For a heartbeat the wind caught the shorter strands of her hair. Then, she crushed the cigarette out with her hand as she concluded:
General Li: Your hopelessness is caused by your imagination. (Emotionless) Especially when you caused the very death of your pal.
Dr. Stephanie's hands on the railing, trembled.
General Li: Good night Doc.
Dr. Stephanie's voice cracked, barely above the wind.
Dr. Stephanie: You can bury her all you want. She's still screaming.
Li paused at the threshold, fingers curled around the door handle. The city lights reflected in her eyes like distant artillery fire as she slightly tilted her head back to look at Dr. Stephanie.
General Li: Then let her scream where no one can hear.
The door closed with a soft click.
Dr. Stephanie stayed on the balcony a long time.
Inside, Li Xuefang walked the empty corridor, boots echoing like explosions in her own chest.
General Li: Deploy classicals. Now.
She said, her voice cold and lethal that even Xynra flickered within.
Xynra: Command acknowledged, General.
She kept walking.
But the scream followed anyway.
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