Chapter 929 - Master Hollow (7) (1/2)
~ Close to the border of China with Kazakhstan ~
Monday morning…
Master Hollow is irritated that Haru interrupted his morning routine. What can be so important? And why is he not telling him what is going on? What does Haru mean by 'you have to see this to believe it' ?
Master Hollow's mood got darker when he realized that Haru is leading him toward the cabin used for storage. He knew that this is about Aiden. 'Rascal! He escaped again to spoil that girl who is too kind to chase him away!'
The old man paused at the doorway of the cabin while observing the scene inside: Aiden is in a half-seated position on top of sacks of rice, cradling in his arms Sarah whose legs are curled on his lap and her head rests on his shoulder. Both of them are sleeping.
Master Hollow shook his head, exhaled and walked away.
”Master, should we punish him?”, Haru was one step behind him.
”For what?” The old man stopped and looked at his overenthusiastic disciple. How can Haru be so petty? Maybe he should give him more squats as a punishment so that he reflects on himself.
Haru was speechless. Is it possible that Master does not want to punish Aiden? Maybe they are fully clothed, but he is sleeping with a girl again!
Master Hollow could read Haru's thoughts like an open book.
”I told that rascal to sleep here and not go to Sarah. I never told her what to do.”, the old man said before walking away, leaving behind confused Haru.
”Don't be too harsh on judging them, Master.”, Jesse told old man.
”Oh, it seems you have a story to tell.” Master Hollow loves listening to stories.
He is in the middle of nowhere with his four disciples, and they don't talk much. It's been years since last person wondered this way, and he finds that these three newcomers are disturbing and refreshing at the same time.
After listening to Sarah and Aiden, he spent quite some time recollecting his past related to Lebedev and Voronin families. He didn't interact with their members much, but he remembers how ruthless they are. Always craving for more. More money, more members, more territory, more power. Both of those families have the same greedy attitudes passed from one generation to another with a belief that they are better than anyone else and the only thing preventing them from expanding uncontrollably is that they are rivals. Those two ruthless organizations are involved in many illegal and immoral dealings and they don't care who gets hurt as long as they can grow. Lucky thing in all that mess is that they are controlling each other's growth. He does not want to think what would happen if the balance of power between families shifts one way or the other.
Many years ago, he decided to distance himself from them, and he would make the same decision if he gets a chance for a do over.
He is curious what Jesse's story is.
Jesse and Master Hollow had breakfast together while Jesse shared his experiences with Sarah and Aiden: How they saved kids from the diamond mine and took him in… Helped him get rid of the tracker in his tooth… How they are giving him and those kids a chance for a new life.