Poison City

 

Mick was going to make it, so was his arm, according to the doctors in the urgent care. The explanation given by the doctor was that it was probably an intense muscle cramp and muscle tension. It was relatively rare but could still happen. Both Marcus and Mick just concluded that the doctors might have jocked this idea down because they could not find anything wrong. So they ended up just prescribing him with some painkillers and muscle relaxants.

 

“Go home, Mick.” After leaving the urgent care center, Marcus shook his head at Mick: “You can’t function like this.”

 

“I - I am sorry, detective.” Mick was barely able to walk straight, even though the sharp energy was melting away and was still dormant in his arm.

 

“Not a problem.” Taking advantage of the fact that he was holding Mick, Marcus slowly pushed more Qi into Mick’s body to help dissolve the energy faster. He tried to do so more discreetly while still neutralizing the energy as fast as possible. Though the energy is dormant, there was no telling how it would affect Mick if it stayed in his body for a prolonged period of time. “I’ll take you home.”

 

“Nonono, please, detective, just let me take a taxi. I don’t want to trouble you - ”

 

“Nonsense.” Marcus shook his head as he pushed Mick into the passenger seat of their squad car: “I’ll drive you. How far can it be? You’re at the precinct early all the time.”

 

“I - ssss…” Mick tried to protest once again, but the pain just stopped him from speaking.

 

“Okay, tell me your address.” Marcus sat in the driver’s seat: “I have your original contact address, do you want me to drop you off there?”

 

“No, no. It’s actually another place - ” Mick laid on the back of his seat and grunted again.

 

After seeing the address, Marcus frowned lightly - it was just a few blocks away from the precinct. An old apartment complex, which thanks to its being close to the precinct was still relatively safe. But it did not change the fact that it was old, small and slightly run down, compared to other places to live nearby. He was under the impression that Mick was a rich kid with a background and connections trying to experience life more, but was not expecting him to go full out like this.

 

“Okay, good, not far.” Marcus nodded and started the car.

 

“How you’re feeling?” When Marcus helped Mick go up to his apartment door, he asked before taking Mick’s keys and opened the door. “Is the pain better now? Can you move your arm? Do you need more painkillers?”

 

“I - maybe later.” Mick shook his head: “This prescription stuff - too much of it and I can get into trouble if I give a pee test.”

 

“Relax, it’s a few months till our next examination.” Marcus practically carried Mick into his apartment. “And I’ll report this to the captain so you won’t get into trouble.”

 

It was as small as he expected. But clean - as clean as an apartment like this could be. Everything was tidy, and instead of a TV, there was a big board on the wall. On the board, there were several drawn-on sections with sticky notes filled in them. And one of the sections was named “cases on hand”, and the sticky notes were referencing the cases Mick was assigned as well as the ones he took. And there was another section named “Learning abt. Dets.” The sticky notes on there each had the detectives’ names on it.

 

“You’re pretty dedicated to getting to know us, huh?” Marcus joked as he laid Mick down on his chair.

 

“I - it’s the first thing my father taught me.” Mick answered with a soft tone and a strange smile on his face: “You know what, Detective Cai? I think I’ve really learned a lot in our precinct. And a lot of it was thanks to you…”

 

“Alright, that’s the painkillers talking, you should go to bed.” Marcus put the paper bags with medicines inside on a small table at the corner of the living room: “I’m serious.”

 

“Nah, I’m good here.” Mick laid on a soft pillow and giggled: “You know, I thought the ‘real actions’ would be dangerous and - and exciting. But it’s actually much more gritty - and nuanced, and frustrating - you know? And I truly think that’s a good thing - a very good thing. Because I am making a difference, and not just resolving some random bullshit dispute between rich families about their wine cabins and dog poops.”

 

“I know, I know, I’ve been there before and everything sounds very passive aggressive.” Marcus went to the closet to grab a blanket.

 

“But this is still a bit too much for me! I’m afraid I’m getting isolated!” Mick grabbed Marcus’ sleeves when Marcus handed him the blanket: “Something changed in the precinct today, and I don’t know why! How can I convince everyone I’m not just some random rich brat showered with family money?”

 

“Sleep well.” Marcus put the blanket on Mick and checked his arm one more time.

 

“Detective! I’m gonna make it!” Before Marcus closed the door, Mick yelled behind him.

 

“Sure, sure, but when you’re sober and no longer hurting.” Marcus smiled before closing the door.

 

Time was already late - after everything, it would be just another 20 minutes before the day shift officers could call it a day. After dropping off the squad car, he rushed over to a popular deli nearby to pick up some food.

 

When he got home, his father was cooking, just that not as excited as the few times before Marcus caught him. He seemed worried, and bothered.

 

“Hey Dad, I brought some takeout. ” Marcus put the bags on the dining table: “Something from a popular deli near my precinct, thought you might enjoy it - ”

 

“Ah, good, good.” Elvin turned around, nodded and forced a smile: “Didn’t think that you’d be home early. Hope you’re hungry.”

 

“Starving. Long day.” Marcus sat down by the dining table.

 

The food was good, especially when it was fresh and needed no reheat. His father cooked stir fry pork kidney, which would take no small amount of effort and time to prepare. It was yet another childhood dish, one he did not like too much when he was very young but gradually came to appreciate as he grew up.

 

“How is it? Do you like it? It’s not easy to find fresh kidneys these days - I had to go to three markets.” Elvin shook his head and sighed: “If not, I can switch to a different market next time.”

 

“It’s good, I like it.” Marcus nodded, then chuckled: “A bit too heavy on the soy sauce though.”

 

“Really? Damn. I’ll try to be lighter with it next time.” Elvin chuckled as well: “You know the trouble with kidneys, hard to get the marinate right.”

 

“And today’s pigs are different from before as well - they’re fatter, but somehow their meat gets looser, so no need to marinate as long.” Marcus shrugged: “Don’t ask me, I don’t know what happened either. Maybe it’s because the pigs are better fed. Or it’s something with what they’re fed today.”

 

“Or the hormones.” Elvin laughed out loud.

 

“Dad?” When they were done, Marcus asked after he proactively put the dishes away into the sink: “You seem worried, what happened?”

 

Elvin hesitated and stammered for a brief moment, then shook his head: “I -  well, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it - ”

 

“You stopped seeing mom.” Marcus interrupted his father.

 

Elvin almost dropped his cup of tea, but he eventually laid it down on the table: “Yes - how did you know? Did you - did you see her?”

 

“Yes.” Marcus poured himself a cup of tea, then sat down by his father: “I saw her, actually just last night.”

 

“Oh? Oh? What did she say? Did she tell you something?” Elvin immediately looked his son in the eyes.

 

“No - not that much actually. She told me that she did not have a lot of time - I think whatever power that brought her to us, it’s running out.” Marcus sighed: “And she told me that she’s worried she would not have the chance to say goodbye to you. And - she asked me to say goodbye to you if she doesn’t get the chance. ”

 

“Huh.” Elvin took a deep breath, then wiped the corners of his eyes and sniffled: “What  - what else did she say?”

 

“Nothing much, just asked me how I am doing. I told her I am doing fine.” Marcus held his father’s trembling hand: “I think she was happy all this time as well. So, dad, I hope you can  - maybe be happy as well.”

 

“... I see. ” Elvin sighed: “You’re a good son, Marcus, you always have.”

 

“Thank you dad.” Marcus debated whether he should tell his father more, like he had many times before.

 

“And, uh - did she tell you anything else?” Elvin took another deep breath, sniffled and asked: “Did she - did she tell you about the book? Your favorite childhood book?”