Tracking her father proved to be more difficult than antic.i.p.ated. However, it was not impossible. Hu Lei followed his route along the border of Argentina and Chile to a small market. Like other places in the rural setting, she could not fit in though she did make efforts to avoid sticking out. Since she had come this far, she could not back down.She immediately started inquiring about her father from the people in the market. Currently, she had no hope of remaining incognito. Therefore, her hope was to find information as soon as possible and plan her next steps. She approached most of the shopkeepers and a couple of roadside vendors, but none of them knew about Hu Ming. She could not think where else to look because there was no hotel in this small place.
While she was feeling distressed, she noticed a church. She almost smiled at her foolishness. If there was one thing she had understood over the years about churches in rural areas, it was their convenience in times of trouble. Most, except for the relatively high-profile churches, would remain unlocked or at least unsecured. They were perfect for spending the night when one had no choice. Even if there was someone in the church, they would have to be welcoming if only for outward appearance.
If her father had been here, he would have definitely have gone to the church in place of a hotel. Feeling reenergised, the dusty Hu Lei walked fast to the church. When she entered the sanctuary, her body immediately felt cooler. Riding a bicycle for the better half of the day in the hot sun was overwhelming even under her wide-brimmed hat.
She approached the front of the church before seating on one of the poorly made benches which served as pews. She knew that it would not be long before someone comes. In small places like these, news about strangers travelled faster than the wind.
After about half an hour, a middle aged man walked into the church. Hu Lei had already rested enough and centred herself. She felt that her journey across the globe was coming to an end. It would be a relief to finally return home. Her thoughts drifted to a handsome evil emperor. Soon, she would see him.
"Are you seeking for spiritual guidance or directions, my child?" the Reverend of the church spoke with good humour, approaching Hu Lei.
"I am sorry for intruding so discourteously. I am actually looking for my father. He is not well in the mind. We were on a tour and he just disappeared. I tried to find him, and I ended up here." She stood up and explained tearfully.
The man seemed to sympathise with her, especially looking at how weary she looked. There was not an inch of her clothes which was not covered in a layer of dust. In addition, her short stature made her look like a lost little lamb. She offered a worn out photo of her father with desperate hope.
"I have not seen a foreigner in this market for a long time." He responded with a shake of his head.
Hu Lei sensed that the Reverend was not telling her everything. There was something that flickered in his eyes though he really didn"t seem to know Hu Ming. She broke out into the sob of a daughter regretting failing her father. Anyone hearing these cries would be moved.
"Do not cry, child. All hope is not lost." The man continued after a moment.
"What do you mean?" She looked up in fearful antic.i.p.ation.
"I heard that there was a foreigner who was found collapsed on the road. He was taken to the hospital for treatment. Perhaps, it might be your father." The man sounded hesitant.
Hu Lei looked at this religious figure with critical eyes behind her tearful gratefulness. During her a.s.sociations with churches in her travels, she had also learnt that no man should be trusted based on their presence in a religious building. After all, one of the best places to hide evil was in a place that people deemed sacred.
She felt that the revelation of the information had been too deliberate. It was as if he wanted her to think that he was not willing to share the news. If he had truly wanted to help, he would have provided the details immediately without waiting for a photo or prompting.
However, Hu Lei did not have any leads except this questionable person. She had no choice but to dance to the tune played.
"Can you help me find this hospital? I do not know the area, and I can"t waste any more time." She begged with reddened eyes.
The Reverend seemed to think about it for a moment before nodding. As Hu Lei thought, this person"s actions seemed a little too deliberate, which meant that he knew something. But the question was simple: what was his goal? Judging from his appearance and accent, he was definitely a local. Why did he look like he was leading her to a trap?
Regardless of his motivations, she would not let go of him until she found her father.
Not long after, they set off on foot. Hu Lei had left her bicycle on the other side of the market. She did not have time to retrieve it. And even if she could, it would be an additional burden if the Reverend did not have his own.
After about forty five minutes, Hu Lei could see an old hospital sign. Her heart beat a little faster in excitement before she calmed down. She did not know what was waiting for her in that place. She could not be too hopeful or relax until her father was safe.
When they entered the hospital, Hu Lei immediately realised that it was not operational. There was no one inside. No doctors, patients or even cleaners, judging from the thick layer of dust and the cobwebs. Her eyes became darker. She shook her hands subtly and released two daggers from her arm holsters and into her hands discretely.
"Reverend, this place does not look like a real hospital." She spoke fearfully.
"Don"t worry about it, my child. The person who told me about your father is an old friend who runs a small clinic at the back. He is not approved by the government, but he helps treat people for free." The religious man explained but showed some discomfort. He did not even realise that he had said something wrong.
Hu Lei chose to ignore the slip-up in favour of checking out her surroundings. The abandoned hospital looked like an outpatient clinic, and it was built in the shape of a large square, with rooms forming a perimeter. At the middle of the structure, there was an open s.p.a.ce. Originally, this area must have been left open for growing flowers or as a natural resting area. Now, it was hard earth with a few sprouting weeds.
When they reached the open s.p.a.ce, Hu Lei felt an impending sense of danger looked around vigilantly. Before she had a moment to examine her surroundings further, she saw a fast projectile rushing toward her from one of the surrounding rooms. Without hesitation in her steps, she quickly dodged.