CHAPTER ONE

"Miss Brightman?" Sunshine turned toward the unfamiliar voice questioning her.

In the corridor of her office building, Sunshine faced a medium built man. Dressed in full police uniform, the officer looked directly into her eyes. She'd never seen him before, never really seen any officer up close and personal. Sadness lingered in his copper brown eyes. Sunshine's sharp sense of intuition told her he didn't want directions to the nearest donut shop. Something bad must have happened, very bad.

"You are Miss Sunshine Brightman, correct?"

"Yes?" she answered and noted he looked a little lost as to what to say next. With her heart striking up a faster pace, Sunshine pressed him for more detail. "What can I do for you, Officer?"

"Just a moment, Miss." He turned toward a suited man following about ten paces behind. This man quickly closed the distance between them, quite frosty in his expression. His tailored eyebrows touched together with a frown. Large build, trim, tailored suit--looking like he had a purpose, not just to get to her, for his whole existence.

"This is Miss Brightman, Sir," the officer stated simply.

"Very good, Harris. I'll take it from here," the suited man replied.

"Miss Brightman, is there a place we can talk ... privately?" his mouth smiled, his eyes didn't reflect humor. Sunshine felt under examination, the way she thought a lab rat would feel. Despite his cool looking demeanor, she knew he instantly assessed everything about her on the spot.

"Yes, of course. Just go into my office." Sunshine extended her arm to indicating the wide oak door across the hall. The pace of her heart slipped into a higher gear, her moist palms clinging to her fingers, now curled into a tight bunch. Closing the door behind her, and walking past him to flick a switch, which blocked all calls. Sunshine made eye contact with him once more. His steely blue eyes never blinked. His square jaw set firmly, he spoke very deliberately.

"My name is Larson ... Detective Sergeant Larson, Hollowbrook City Police Department. Miss Brightman, I'm afraid there has been an accident. A very tragic accident."

"Just tell me," Sunshine replied, bluntly. The look in his eyes softened a little. If Sunshine wasn't mistaken, she recognized a hint of admiration in them.

"Would you like to sit down?" he offered, running his hand through his floppy dark fringe.

"Just tell me ... please." Sitting down not an option in these situations, Sunshine remained upright. Lord knew she stood too short now, the last thing she needed was a surly, suited up cop standing over her. No, on second thought, he is anything but surly. Still, she wanted to feel in control. Pulling herself up to her full five foot four height, Sunshine squared her petite shoulders. Her Chinese genes did nothing to help her look formidable, but her attitude projection could stop a bus. Having learned how to harness her inner-self, from years of Kung-Fu and Tai Chi Chuan study, would hold her in good stead now.

"Miss Brightman ... your family ... has been murdered," he exhaled slowly and audibly. Sunshine knew his eyes watched carefully, gleaning every scrap of reaction he could from her face. She tried to hold her expression poker-face straight.

The trembling started deep inside, but she fought back the tears stinging her eyes. This shocking news stunned Sunshine, maybe a heart attack or traffic accident, but murder? Who would do such a thing, and why? Aunt Viv and Uncle Tom, arguably, the gentlest people she'd ever known. They wouldn't even kill a spider; they just scooped it up with some newspaper and popped it outside. The garden reeked of Tansy, Basil, and Chamomile, to name a few of the herbs grown to repel flies and other pesky insects. So why would anyone kill her family?

Now she sat down abruptly, but not stooped or slouched over the desk racked with sobs. Sunshine kept her shoulders squared and sat upright, fighting her urge to lose control.

"How?" Not knowing if she could even handle this information, but the question begged asking anyway. Noting the way his eye contact dropped and the definite fidget he displayed, not good, she thought, not good at all. Her intuition never failed her.

"How?" her voice showed the signs of the smouldering anger bubbling deep inside.

"Extremely bad, I'm afraid. Your Aunt and Uncle had been held and beaten, but it seems a sword made the fatal blow. According to the neighbours, the daughter-in-law and two grandchildren visited at the time. They recognised the car but heard nothing," he added, studying her as he stated that piece of information.

This exact moment, something inside Sunshine snapped. A force of anger, greater than any she had ever felt, seethed in her veins. Although she knew this feeling went against all the teachings of her Sifu and Grandmaster, the fury steadily built inside her. Sunshine remained determined not to lose her cool outwardly.

Her training taught her the ways of honor. It also gave her a level of strength and independence seldom seen in women. Family business stayed within the family. It was a matter of honor. Inside she quaked, outside she sat as still as stillness itself.

"Go on" she requested quietly.

"All dead, I'm sorry to say. Those poor kiddies. It's enough to break a man. At least the assassin murdered them and their mother swiftly. It seems they died first. Your Aunt and Uncle fought for their lives. Whoever did this would not have come out of it unscathed. The bloodied swords found at the scene only had your Aunt and Uncle's prints on them." Detective Sergeant Larson stared at the floor as he relayed the morbid information.

"Swords? Aunt and Uncle used swords? Do you know who could have done this, or why?" None of this made sense to Sunshine, no sense at all.

"No idea, at this stage, Miss. All we can ascertain is that whoever did this was looking for something. The contents of the house have been turned upside down, even cushions and mattresses have been slashed and the insides torn out. Do you have any idea what they could have wanted, Miss Brightman?" The detective asked it as if the answer had a great importance to him. "Can you think of anything at all?"

Her thoughts whirred over to no avail. She'd been raised by her Chinese born Aunt and Uncle, in America, upholding many Chinese traditions. Peace, love and self-worth, Sunshine learned it all from them. She had no other family, not in America anyway. Sunshine attended Chinese lessons, to learn of traditions and the language, but for the most part she was raised American.

China would be the only place to find relatives now and she didn't know them from a bar of soap. That her family should meet with such a violent end felt abhorrent to her. Sunshine vowed to avenge them, there and then, and promised herself she would find the responsible people and kill them.

A voice in her head reminded her of the ten laws she vowed to uphold in her martial art training. Before her family had been murdered, everything seemed straightforward

"No, nothing. And their son ... Frank?" Sunshine and Frank agreed to disagree and avoided each other when younger. After he married, they'd shared a closer relationship. He would be devastated at his family's demise.

"He's missing. I was hoping you may know where he is. Seems he never made work this morning, which by all accounts is extremely unusual," he said.

"Yes, it is unheard of. Frank would go to work even if he were on his deathbed," Sunshine observed, thinking aloud. Her mind searched for a possible connection to the murderers search.

"So you don't know where he might be?" he asked.

"No Detective. I have no idea, I can only hope he is safe."

"We thought about the idea of him being kidnapped for information, or murdered elsewhere. These people aren't playing around, Miss Brightman. We feel you may need protection until we apprehend the perpetrators."

The thought of police in her everyday life did not appeal to her at all. Sunshine valued privacy. Her past a veritable mystery, she certainly did not want to sacrifice her quiet life for close police surveillance. Not unless it became absolutely necessary. How to find these disgusting murderers she did not know. Yet, something deep inside the anger told her help would be at hand when needed.

"No, Detective Larson, that will not be necessary. I will be fine," Sunshine adamantly said.

"Your life could be in danger, Miss," he added.

"Nothing in my life will ever be the same, Detective, and I'm damned sure I will not live in fear of these monsters. If they are to come for me, then let them. I will die honourably, not hiding in fear like a coward. Thank you for coming. I think I need some time alone now." Sunshine's tone dismissed him.

She could defend herself from attack, having attained the highest order in Kung Fu. Self defence was not her primary motivation for practising martial arts. Inner peace became the major factor. Lately, her interest lies in Tai Chi Chuan. The health and spiritual aspects proved of greatest benefit. It was said immortality could be achieved, a warrior status to guide and teach. The road to spiritual attainment may be a little rockier now. Sunshine battled her thoughts of revenge versus forgiveness. "Yes, of course. We may need to ask you further questions, so let us know where you are staying."

"I will be at home, Detective."

"I very much doubt that, Miss Brightman. That place is out of bounds for now and not the prettiest sight. I would strongly advise you to stay away from there altogether. There are firms who do that sort of clean-up. Anyhow, forensics will want it for the next week or so, maybe more," he closed his notepad and slid it into his top pocket inside the suit coat.

"I will take care of my own accommodation, Detective. Where can I reach you?" Sunshine decided it may be better for her to lay low at a motel for a while. Nothing would get solved if she made herself a sitting duck.

Detective Larson pulled a card from his wallet, "this is my private line, otherwise you'll be all over the precinct before you reach me. Call me anytime, day or night. Take care," he handed her the card. His sky blue eyes in a fixed gaze, trying to penetrate her resolve. Sunshine made sure her brick wall expression remained untouched, but in his eyes she saw something beyond the police training. She experienced a sensation that he knew she would not stand still on this matter.

"Thank you, Detective Larson. You can be assured I will be careful."

The funeral would be simple, her family uncomplicated and loving folk. Sunshine decided uncomplicated and loving to be the perfect combination for the service. The police released the bodies after forensics went over them with a fine tooth comb. A week passed and Frank still made no contact. He couldn't even attend his parent's funeral. The fact did not comfort Sunshine in the least.

The police parked outside, supposedly undercover, she guessed in the hope the killer may turn up from some sort of morbid satisfaction. Walking slowly along a grey and black marbled path, snow white daisy lining each side, Sunshine spotted the bogus van immediately. Choosing to ignore their presence completely, using quiet steps she entered the cosy, intimate chapel.

Along with a handful of friends, and the family's Chinese Priest, Sunshine farewelled the gentle elderly folk, the children cut down in cold blood and their young Mother, a source of joy and strength as a friend. Sunshine allowed a few tears to fall, her head drooped, and her eyes squeezed shut. She steeled her emotions against losing control. The hatred burned within like a fiery ball. Someone must pay. She felt the tightening of her stomach, the only thing wholly possessing her mind was revenge. Sunshine never thought herself capable of ... murder, but someone needed to avenge the unnecessary deaths.

The hairs on the back of her neck prickled. Someone stood behind her now. What felt like a burning hand barely caressed her elbow. Her heart hammered. Could this be the killer? A low male voice with a distinct Chinese accent whispered into her ear.

"It is you, Li Yáng Guang ... it is you..."

The breath of the man warmed her lobe and neck. Sunshine did not move a muscle. A reverberation of energy roiled through her. Inside, she felt the unfamiliar stirring of sexual arousal. A most unusual, yet strangely familiar feeling. She opened her eyes and turned quickly ... nothing. No one stood near her. Sunshine rubbed her tingling elbow. She thought she had felt something. All this strain must be making my mind addled, and yet the prickling sensation remained. Someone touched her ... but who? Why is he using my Chinese name?

Her tweak of arousal surprised her; no man interested her of late. Plenty of men showed attraction to her tinted porcelain complexion with a hint of dusty pink rose color around her cheeks. Her jet black hair reflected light like a mirror. Sunshine occasionally stared at her face in the mirror wondering about her unique looks. The wide almond shape of her, almost ink black colored eyes held a fascination for her. Apparently for everyone else as well. Often Sunshine fended off questions about her heritage. No other person, in her experience had eyes quite shaped like hers.

Maybe the stress caused her imagination to run riot. Perhaps, her mind conjured up a dream man, not that Sunshine could fathom why. But those words, played on her mind. What did you mean? What am I? She silently pleaded for more answers. The ache in her lower abdomen took a long time to leave. Making no moves to leave the Chapel, Sunshine sat and closed her eyes once more.

Sunshine was no virgin and certainly no stranger to the pleasures of a man. The emotional hollow left afterwards became less desirable than the brief highs of sexual intercourse.

Her last explosive sex happened with a stranger. Well, a blind date set up by Frank. Frank needed to attend an important business dinner, his colleague Lee needed someone to accompany him. His stay in town being brief, so Sunshine agreed. Sunshine found herself instantly attracted to Lee Chang. Of Asian origin, Lee Chang's tight, hard body demanded attention. Through his emerald green body shirt, Sunshine could see his lithe outline His complexion's warm glow matched the golden highlights streaked into ebony black hair. A cascading pony tail held it away from his delicately chiseled facial features. She knew the body of a practiced martial arts master. When he told her of Tai Chi Chuan, Sunshine found herself inexplicably drawn to him.

For reasons unknown to her, she wantonly seduced him. The ensuing sex became wildly abandoned and out of control. Waking early the next morning, Sunshine panicked at the intensity, and left Lee's hotel room while he slept. Frank mentioned Lee only once and Sunshine cut the conversation short saying she had no interest in seeing Lee again. She didn't need any relationship and her sudden attraction to him scared her. It felt like her mind lost control leaving her body in charge. Often in the lonely, early morning hours Sunshine wondered if Lee might have the capacity to be her one true love.

Since then, she turned to Tai Chi Chuan training and never looked back. Inner peace filled the growing void inside her. As Sunshine practised and trained, the lingering feeling of having an important role to play in this lifetime badgered her. Revenge and anger went against the grain of all her training. For some reason Sunshine just couldn't shake the negative feelings she harboured for the killer.

Sunshine suddenly realised she still sat in the service Chapel. Deep in thought, she hadn't noticed anyone leave. But, obviously, everyone took her deep silence as mourning and politely left her to it. If only I could mourn.

Getting up and walking outside, the bright daylight hurt her eyes, she squinted momentarily. Sunshine walked over to the white van. The obvious business decoy sticker amused her. Her knuckles rapped sharply on the side. A door slid open and Detective Larson smiled out at her. Placing his audio gear on a hook, he nodded to his associates while stepping from the van.

"How'd you know it was us?" he asked with a wide smile. The man looked a whole lot more agreeable when he smiled. Sunshine thought he may be about thirty-seven, three years her senior.

"I am no idiot, Detective Larson," Sunshine spoke defensively.

"I never meant to imply you were, and please, call me Pete," he offered. Sunshine considered for a moment he seemed trustworthy enough, perhaps a first name basis would help her enquiries.

"Very well ... Pete. Please call me Sunshine," she allowed him a little smile.

"Sunshine is such a unique name and suits you. Is that the name your Mom and Dad gave you?"

He fished for information, she knew that.

"Not exactly, but in a way I guess so, it is the English equivalent of my Chinese name Li Yáng Guang. My Aunt and Uncle insisted I take on an English form of name. I haven't used my Chinese one since I was five."

"Is that when you came to America?" Walking beside her, they strolled the neatly landscaped grassed area, Sunshine felt comfortable, sensing an aura of protection from Pete, her intuition again. "Yes, my parents were killed and I was sent out here." Sunshine noticed the flicker of concern in his eyes. "Your parents were killed as well?" he looked surprised and a more than a little sympathetic. Sunshine feared the concern may be more than professional.

She changed the subject rapidly, the last thing she needed was a mooning detective, not even one with the rugged good looks of Pete Larson. "Did you see anyone unusual enter the service?" she asked.

"No, not really." Pete's eyes narrowed with a suspicious look.

"There wasn't a Chinese man?"

Pete looked curious now, "No, you can check the footage of all the folk who entered the chapel if you like ... What's going on, Sunshine?"

"Nothing ... it was just a strange feeling. Must be my mind playing tricks."

"If you feel like you are in any danger you let me know immediately." Caring showed in his eyes.

"Do you know who did this yet?"

"No, but it would not be out of place to assume they may come after you." Pete stated.

The distinct Chinese voice still played at her mind. But the genuine look in Pete's eyes gave her a warm, protected feeling. Her attention moved to his shoulders, broad and muscled, the outline showing through his shirt. Again the urge of arousal formed in her centre. What is wrong with me?

"I'm fine, Pete, your men could tell you that." Trying to deflect his attention to the fact she recognized the surveillance outside her hotel. "Not my men ... me. I am concerned, Sunshine. I wish you would reconsider protection."

"No thanks ... I'm being careful. I am taking leave from my company. My Senior Editor can play chief for a while. My magazine, Jaded Beasts, will survive without me." Sunshine informed him. The knowledge of him watching her movements thrilled her. She broke eye contact, but perhaps her gaze lingered a little too long for him not to assume she felt some personal interest in him. Damn!

"Very well, I won't be far away and the view is pretty good from where I sit," Pete smiled again and Sunshine warmed to his sincerity, despite herself. Her gut told her this man could be trusted in this whole mess. Welcoming the slight flirting tone he used worried her. Coupled with the strange feeling inside, it could be an emotionally dangerous combination. I'm sure it's just the situation.

"Please let me know of any developments, Pete. I must go now." Sunshine waited for his nod of affirmation and walked off. Better be careful there, she thought, I don't really want to encourage a personal relationship.

She briefly wondered if she may be scared of her feelings. But it just didn't seem reasonable to be attracted to, not only Pete, but a phantom voice. The low ache resurfaced as the voice came back to her, along with the tingling skin. Something defied all logic.

Sunshine headed for the nearest library needing to expend some nervous energy. Maybe a genealogy search would reveal something in the family history. With each step her memories of her first time in a new country occupied her mind.

Without her Aunt and Uncle ... Sunshine grimaced at the idea of being raised in an orphanage in China. She owed them her life, loving them as she did her parents. A small memory egged at the edge of her thoughts.

A key, a small silver key, her mother gave to her the very last day she saw her. At that time a key was the least of her worries; a five year old with more important things to do with her favorite teddy, thought a key much less exciting. Sunshine returned from school one day to find her parents gone. That memory permanently burned into her subconscious. Her life turned upside down and a child had no choice but to be bundled around by total strangers.

Now, where had she put that key? Her mother's sweet voice carried on the breeze. "Keep it safe, my child." Terrified at five years old, being pushed onto a boat by an obscure family member, Sunshine clung to her one friend and confidante. Wang, her tiny pink teddy bear. Daddy won him for her at the fair. Wang had a little hole in his side and Sunshine poked the key far inside him and up into his head cavity. She remembered it clearly now. How strange she had forgotten. Now, where is Wang?

Sunshine racked her brain, trying to remember the last time she saw Wang ... could the key have something to do with all this? So long since she looked at her box of treasures from her life in China. Treasures! That's it. Changing direction, Sunshine knew she must return to the house. Her home, the library would have to wait.

Gathering her strength, she quickened her step. The family home, a place of love, now violated by heinous crimes. Sunshine disappeared into the sea of faces on the street. Her intuition and peripheral vision told her two men trailed her and neither of them were Pete Larson. Silently, she prayed for police and not assassins. Police will be so much easier to lose.

The weekend crowd increased to attend the weekly market, perfect, she thought. Taking off the tomato red scarf, she shoved it into her jacket pocket, too easy to pick out in a crowd, her resourcefulness surprised her. Letting down her hair, its coolness spread around her shoulders and face. Sunshine slipped her dark glasses on to complete the camouflage. Now she would blend in with the crowd.

Detective Larson must not know she returned to the house. If they rushed a report back to him he'd guess where she went. Sunshine's mind still nagged her not to trust him completely. Old habits die hard when your whole support base is ripped away from you. Besides, something more solid would give a lead. This key must hold the secret, one apparently worth killing for.

Sunshine weaved and surged with the crowd, careful to work her way toward the end alley. She travelled this city for a lot of years, knew the hidden shortcuts like the back of her hand. Hoping they'd lost sight of her momentarily, Sunshine slipped into the alley way and squeezed her tiny frame through the gap in the hard bricks. Her followers wouldn't see her, but she could see them.

After waiting ten minutes, the two suited men strutted past, craning their necks to spot her. One had a phone to his ear, the other looked terribly distressed. She smiled, extracted herself and continued walking the long alley. It seemed a dead end blocked off with a high wire fence. Sunshine knew better, scaling the wire she dropped with a thud landing on her feet.

Knowing that Detective Larson ... Pete, may guess where she headed, Sunshine chose to go directly to her house. Time was of the essence. She knew the shortcut through the alleys would bring her to the back brick wall of her home. It stood too high to scale, but a large hole, hidden by the shrubs underneath she should still accommodate her squeezing through.

The roof of the old home now in sight, her heart pounded in anticipation. Perspiration beaded. This would take the strength of a warrior to face. Stopping, she inhaled deeply, held her breath and exhaled slowly. Momentarily Sunshine fought the urge to just turn and run. She gathered her inner strength, looked around to make sure she was alone and disappeared into the thicket of shrubs.

Dragging herself through the dirt, she came up under the bushes in the corner of the yard. Hah! Still fit! Scrambling out, she brushed the dried dust off her jeans. Placing one foot deliberately in front of the other, she crept alongside the house, edging ever closer to the door.

Her sweaty hands and beating blood flow did not deter her. Peeking out around the corner of the house, she looked around; she could see nothing, sense no-one. Quickly, she stole inside and came to a dead stop in the rear of the passageway. The oriental style carpet runner looked just normal. The gravity of the murders hit her; just over a week ago she laughed and sang in this house with her family. Now an eerie silence possessed the once happy home.

The wind chimes tinkled, just as always, and then stopped. She could even see the large aquarium glistening, the tank sat in the kitchen directly opposite the doorway from the hall she walked along. The brightly colored fish swam lazily around. The normalcy stopped, broken shards of ornaments, vases and plates littered the kitchen floor. Ripped materials and stuffing lay around, making the place an absolute mess. Whoever searched the place, did it very thoroughly. Sunshine focused her energy back to the job at hand and stared at the aquarium hoping the swimming fish might transfer some calmness to her.

She had forgotten the fish. Who has cared for them in the last week? Sunshine guessed Pete. He would do that type of thing, judging by his level of concern for her. A noise sounded just before she stepped around the corner into the kitchen. Stopped her in her tracks, back pressed to the wall, Sunshine fought for self-control. Stinging began as her nails dug into the palms of her hands. Taking a couple of deep breaths and calling on her Tai Chi Chuan skills to bring a sense of calm throughout her body. Sunshine pushed herself silently forward. You can do this.

Another noise, stepping forward, she took a quick glance around the door frame. It felt like a ball of fire roiled inside her as she prepared to meet a possible attacker. It took all her concentration to bring peace over her body. Sunshine prepared for the possibility of meeting the assassins, and the possibility of becoming a murderer.

Her fury seemed to know no bounds. A pair of non-human eyes stared back and relief swept over her. She felt the sweat prickle on her forehead and roll over her temple. Swiping the droplets with the back of her hand, she grinned.

Cosmos, her family's black cat, with shining, golden yellow eyes, sat perched up at the tank looking longingly at the swimming inhabitants. A sigh of emotion overcame Sunshine, Cosmos now the only link to her previous life. She softly stepped forward and pulled the cat into her arms. "Oh Cosmos, you scared me half to death!" she whispered and hugged him to her. If he felt pleased to see her, he never let it show, aloof as always. Cosmos just jumped from her arms and headed for his food bowl, mewling all the while.

"Same old Cosmos!" Sunshine grabbed the container of kibble from the shelf and filled his bowl. Even the packages in the cupboards scattered in disarray. Her mood really plummeted when she first entered the house, but Cosmos made her feel a little better.

Everything strewn out of place, it smelt of intrusion. Apart from Cosmos crunching, silence reigned supreme. It had never been a quiet home, peaceful yes, but not quiet. The indoor fountain didn't babble in the background, the Chinese music didn't quietly calm the atmosphere and no chattering voices could be heard. The total destruction of everything her family held dear fueled her anger.

Stepping further into the main area of the open plan kitchen and sitting room, Sunshine felt her throat constrict as three chalked outlines came into view. The black slate tiles on the floor could have been laid just for chalk drawings. Two smaller outlines and one larger, Sunshine collapsed, she rested on her knees rocking back and forth. Silently, the pain surfaced. Tears streamed down her face as she allowed herself the luxury of mourning the deaths of her dear little niece and nephew, and the sister-in-law she loved.

Recalling the last time the rosy, chubby faced, two-year-old, twins ran up to her, both vied for position to reach her first. Their arms wide, faces grinning and little fat legs going as fast as they could. "Aunty Sunny, Aunty Sunny!" They screamed and giggled as she fell to her knees to greet them in a big hug. Such loving children, innocent, loving children. What sort of monster can do this sort of thing? Shaking uncontrollably, Sunshine knew she needed to compose herself. Time was not on her side.

Forcing her mind to steel against the hurt once more, willing her tears to dry, Sunshine promised to avenge them. Careful not to touch anything, she moved outside, into the white cobbled courtyard. Here Aunt and Uncle died. All the garden urns and statues had been smashed and remained in pieces on the ground. The same chalk marks mapped the outlines of two bodies, most of the blood looked cleaned up, but the dark stains remained.

Sunshine gulped for air, she tried to stay calm and remember why she was here ... Wang. Her secret spot in the garden where she hid him from Frank one day remained undiscovered. He'd been in a mood and tried to destroy her bear. She loved Wang so much, the only reminder she had of her parents, and she hid him. Wang should still be hidden and the key must have some meaning. She forced her eyes to look away from the murder scene and headed carefully for the objective.

On her knees in front of the bushy patch of Tansy, Sunshine reached into its thickness and lifted a rock up. Feeling around inside the small hole previously hidden by the rock, she felt the plastic bag she had wrapped around Wang ten years ago. Her own buried treasure she called Wang as she'd placed him there.

"Come on, Wang, it's time you came out." Sunshine spoke quietly. She automatically looked around as she unwrapped him and smiled at the pink glowing fur he still possessed. She hugged the small bear to her and could still smell her mother's Jasmine scent on him. Her eyes prickled with tears. If ever Sunshine needed a friend, it was now.

Stuffing him into her pocket, Sunshine prayed for the dead and went to leave the same way she had entered No need to take any silly chances now, she thought, I must find what this key belongs to. Scrambling under the unruly shrubs toward her exit gap, when another noise sounded, Oh no, what about poor Cosmos. I can't leave him here. Sunshine shifted around to try and see the cat, maybe she could grab him, but the sound of footsteps made her withdraw in under the protection of the low lying branches ... She waited in the dirt, it might be Pete.

She did not budge an inch for fear of making a noise. Knowing if she remained silent, whoever walked around wouldn't see her tucked away down here. Just a glance, might give her a clue as to where to start looking, that was all she required. A reasonable range of sight available, despite the density of the low branches, Sunshine waited. Lying down did not offer her a position she could easily protect herself from. She scrunched up on her haunches, branches scraping the back of her head painfully.

The footsteps came a little closer, and Cosmos mewled. The obvious thud of a kick sounded and the cat meowed loudly. Cruel asshole, Sunshine felt her heated anger rise.

Shhhhhhhhhh ... The calming rustle of leaves in the breeze sounded in her mind. It occurred to Sunshine this spot should be sheltered. One thing seemed sure, this wasn't Pete Larson, he would never kick a cat.

A pair of trousered legs moved back and forth the feet moved ever closer to her hiding place. She still couldn't quite see an upper body. She heard a familiar voice in a loud whisper, "No, there's no one here. I'm sure, yes. I know I have to find her. Well, I can't make her fucking appear out of nowhere, can I? If you hadn't stuffed up we would have Sunshine now."

Frank? It was Frank alright. What the hell is he saying and who is he talking to? Sunshine's mind worked overtime as a sick realization hit her. Frank knew about everything and he looked for her.

Sunshine felt the need to leap from under the shrubs and tighten her hands around his throat until he stopped breathing. She tried to move her body, it did not budge. A burning presence on her arms held her fast, that hot breath in her ear once, "Stay Yáng Guang, sssstay..."

The hot whisper prickled the hairs on the back of her neck. "Danger ... listen."

The pounding pulse of her body now centred lower. This time it felt more like a dire warning bell than arousal. Mentally picturing a power-ball of white hot energy inside her. Sunshine listened again to the one sided conversation going on above her.

"Hey, I know what I am doing, if they find me here I can just plead the broken-hearted husband? I have just lost my wife and kids. Not to mention my parents," Frank's cold-hearted chuckle and sarcastic tone made her blood run cold. Nausea played in Sunshine's stomach. Frank left no doubt what his words meant, or the way he spoke them.

"What the fuck would you know? It wouldn't have looked authentic if they'd lived, no one will suspect me now. My next ritual will give me the exact whereabouts of the key in a dream. I want that key. Then I'll find the talisman. Once I have both, I just need her on the night.." Frank's feet moved away from her and Sunshine shook from anger, sorrow, fear and almost every other emotion that a human could experience. Still confused about what he meant exactly, Sunshine knew he would soon track the key and her.

The fury built behind the dam wall inside her brain, she mentally gathered it into the white hot power-ball. Her heart pounded so hard she would not be surprised if it gave her away. It was Frank! He even let his own little children be slaughtered. Sunshine couldn't help but vomit quietly on the ground. A flame burned inside her and now she knew exactly where to direct that flame. Frank must die.