Playing Dangerously

Taking a deep breath she stepped out of the kitchen and behind the counter. "Who's there?" she demanded, forcing her voice to stay steady. "Wang Zi?"

It was YaLun who stepped out of the shadows, one hand resting on the seat back of the first booth, a strange grin on his face.

GuiGui froze, gripping the edge of the counter.

Why was he grinning at her like that?

His face was covered in shadow, but she could still see his gleaming, dark eyes and the evil leer on his face.

"YaLun--- what do you want?" GuiGui cried, feeling tighten in fear.

Stepping toward her, he looked so big. So dangerous.

He took a step nearer, then another. His dark eyes, she saw, were watery. His normally pale face was flushed.

He giggled.

Is he trying to frighten me? she wondered.

IF so, he's doing a good job on it.

She reached a hand under her apron into her jeans pocket and searched the pocket until she felt Agent Calvin's card.

"YaLun, are you okay?"

He giggled again, a high-pitched sound, almost an animal sound. He took an unsteady step toward the counter.

"Come here," he said, his eyes staring into hers but not quite focusing.

"YaLun--- you've been drinking," GuiGui accused, backing up till she hit the wall.

"A few beers," he said with an awkward shrug. "Come here. Be friendly."

"No. Go away," she insisted. "I mean it, YaLun."

He shook his head. His expression became angry. "Hey, give me a break," he said, leaning against a counter stool. "I can tell you like me."

staring at YaLun, wondering what he planned to do, GuiGui thought of Agent Calvin's warning. She remembered the look on the FBI agent's face when she asked if YaLun was dangerous.

Yes, he's dangerous. Very dangerous.

What has he done? What crimes has he committed? They must be really horrible if the FBI is after him, she decided.

"Hey--- come here," YaLun repeated more forcefully. As he leaned over the counter toward her, she could see that his forehead was covered with drops of perspiration.

"YaLun, please---" she started.

A grin spread across his face. He dived toward her, clumsily bumping into the counter.

"Ernie!" she screamed. But the fry cook wasn't there.

Gripped with panic, GuiGui turned and ran toward the kitchen. Just past the doorway she stopped and turned around.

YaLun was shaking his head as if confused, as if trying to clear his mind. "Hey--- I'm just playing!" he called. "Just kidding around. Come here!"

Ignoring his plea and gripped with fear, GuiGui ran, sliding on the long, black rubber floor mat that ran the length of the kitchen. She headed toward the back door. Once out in the alley, she could run around to the front o the building and find help. It was still early, a little before seven-thirty, and the street of the Old Village should have people on them.

"Hey, give me a break!" YaLun cried, stopping at the kitchen door, raising his powerful arms, pressing his hands against the doorframe, blocking the door. His eyes quickly surveyed the room.

"Go away! Leave me alone!" GuiGui screamed.

She grabbed the back door and pulled. It didn't move.

Her eyes went down to the heavy metal bolt. It was latched and locked. She was trapped.

"Hey, I won't hurt you," YaLun said, moving unsteadily toward her. "I'm just playing. Don't you want to play?"

"YaLun--- please--- go away!" GuiGui pleaded. She tore off the apron and tossed it to the floor. My only way out of here is to run right past him, she decided. He seems so unsteady, maybe it won't be too hard.

She took a deep breath and ran right at YaLun.

His eyes went wide. His grin grew wider. He reached out, intending to tackle her.

GuiGui dodged away from him, nearly banging into the still-sizzling grill.

Laughing loudly, he dived for her.

She made it past him.

Then she heard a thud, followed by a loud hiss.

She turned and saw that he had landed up against the steaming hot grill, his hand flat against the top surface.

He opened his mouth in a silent scream. Then finally the sound came, and he howled like a wild animal.

"My hand! My hand!" he shrieked and dropped to his knees in pain.

GuiGui stopped at the doorway.

"My hand! Oh--- the grease! It's killing me!" YaLun howled. He rolled into a ball on the floor.

I've got to help him, GuiGui decided, hurrying back into the kitchen. I've got to help him--- then call the FBI.

She got him to his feet and pushed him to the sink. "Here, YaLun," she said, turning on the faucet. "Cold water. Keep the hand in cold water. I'll call nine-one-one. I'll get an ambulance."

Uttering a low moan, his eyes shut tight from the pain, he obediently held the burned hand under the cold water. "Huh? Where are you going? " he managed to ask.

"To call an ambulance. I'll be right back."

GuiGui ran to the front, picked up the phone on the end of the counter, and reached for the card in her pocket.

I'll call Agent Calvin first, she decided. Then I'll call 911.

Her hands trembling, GuiGui pushed in the numbers of the card. Pressing the receiver to her ear, she glanced back through the kitchen door.

YaLun was still at the sink, cradling his burned hand in his other hand, his face twisted in agony.

The phone rang once. Twice.

"Come on! Pick up!" GuiGui pleaded aloud, watching YaLun.

"Agent Jiro," a deep voice on the other end of the line said.

"Is--- uh--- Agent Calvin there?" GuiGui whispered, cupping her hands over the mouthpiece so that YaLun couldn't hear.

"No, he's out," was the brusque reply. "Can I help you?"

"Yes. This is GuiGui Wu. At the All-Star Cafe. Please---"

Holding his hand, YaLun stepped up behind her.

"Oh!" GuiGui cried out, startled.

Had he heard?

"Did you reach them? Are they sending an ambulance?" he asked, his voice weak, his face twisted in pain, sweat pouring down his face.

"YaLun--- go back and put cold water on your burn," GuiGui said, speaking into the phone so the FBI agent could hear YaLun's name. "I'm getting you an ambulance, YaLun."

There was a brief silence on the other end. Then Agent Jiro said, "We'll be right there. Keep him there. We'll bring an ambulance too. Are you in danger?"

"I don't think so," GuiGui replied uncertainly.

"We'll be right there."

The line went dead.