Epidemic

CHAPTER 51.

            The sea felt like ice to Son Li Yatsen’s fevered body as they lowered him into it and began to rope him to a wooden post not far from a strange headless cluster of bones that had once been Mu Lok’s.  These would soon fall to the sea-bed to join others that had been executed there.  Desperate to speak - to beg mercy - to call on his brother to kill him now and be done with it - not let him suffer, was a crying need.  His fear of the dreadful onslaught of the reef sharks screamed for recognition and filled his mind with stark terror but his empty mouth could only slaver blood and the weird mumbling sounds that emerged were ignored by Son Li Hung.

            It was, after all, a fair exchange, thought Hung.  One life for another, one might say, for as idiotic and thoughtless at times though he could be, Mu Lok had been his first-born son and Yatsen had taken his life without a moment’s remorse.  So be it.  The Gods demanded their tribute for such a deed.  So many bodies had ended up here; one more would go the way of the others.  He felt no pity for his brother he realised, or even familial love.  Yatsen had driven that away a long time ago.

            Hung stood looking out to sea, waiting for the first fin to cut the water, heading for the body that now hung limply in its bindings.  He hoped Yatsen had not fainted and walked over to make sure.

            “Your life is as nothing, Yatsen.  Your house has gone and soon you too will be gone.  Have you a last wish, dear brother?”  He watched as his brother turned eyes filled with hatred towards him.

            “No?  Oh dear what a pity, Yatsen.  I shall have to make sure I spend the rest of your money most unwisely.  I should hate to do something you would like.”  He paused as a half groan rising almost to a shriek cut across his words.  The feeding frenzy that went on below his feet was most exhilarating.