Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve Helpless Search

Bobby woke up very late.The strong sunlight shot into the bedroom, blinding him so much that he couldn't open his eyes. He turned over in pain, trying not to let the sunlight shine on his body, only then did he remember that it was a dream.He felt heavy and stiff all over, and felt a little uncomfortable. After sitting up, his head was dizzy and heavy. Lex's melancholy and confused eyes still lingered in Babi's mind. He couldn't forget the feeling at that moment: soft skin, hard skin. The hard tendons and the musculature of the throat were completely torn apart the moment his sharp canines bit it.He collected himself, looked around the crowded and narrow bedroom, and he was relieved that there were no traces of canine-toothed tigers.

With stiff legs and his head on his hands, he staggered into the bathroom, turned the water on the shower head to the hottest, rinsed vigorously, then turned the water to the coldest, flushed vigorously, to wash away the pain in his body It's clean.Then, take a spoonful of soda, make a glass of soda water, and suppress the discomfort in your stomach. But when he raised his eyes to look in the mirror, Babi was startled: his face was bloodless and haggard, his eyes were red and sunken, and his eyes glowed with fluorescence from time to time.He grinned and wanted to smile, his pale lips parted, revealing a sneer, not much better than before, a typical mental patient, not bad at all.

Babi stretched out his hand to adjust the mirror, maybe the angle was wrong.Looking at myself in the mirror again, it is not optimistic, not much has changed. His pale face was too haggard, and his skull was too protruding. He should take more vitamins, he told himself uneasily, and drink less alcohol.A good shave might do the trick, but don't shave too hard. Before he finished shaving, the phone rang. "Willie? I'm Nora Quinn." Nora's voice cracked. "Hold on, Willy. Sam just called me from the Foundation, where he stayed all night. He told me about Lex.Remember I told you he drove us to State University last night.Either he was too nervous or he was driving too fast, the car flipped over on Sardis Hill and Lex died. "

The receiver fell from Babi's hand to the ground, and he slumped on the floor weakly, groping for the receiver with trembling hands, and continued to listen to what Nora had to say. "--terrible." Nora's low, hoarse voice was very sad. "Fortunately, he stopped breathing on the spot, so the state police told Sam. Lex's head was almost cut off. The cops said it was the windshield, which was horrible. I—I blame myself, you know, the car had bad brakes—but I didn't think to tell Lex." Babi nodded to the receiver, unable to speak. Nora didn't know the tragedy.Babi really wanted to yell, but his eyes were dry and he couldn't make any sound.He closed his aching eyes from the harsh sunlight that streamed in through the cracks in the window, and Lex Sturt's gaunt but handsome face loomed before him, brown eyes still full of fear and condemnation.

Babi realized that the receiver was still "buzzing", and hurriedly continued to listen. "—all of you, I think you're his best friend, Willie." Nora continued with a trembling voice, "the old man has been guarding that kiosk for two years, waiting for Lex to come back. How heartbroken it will be. I think you're trying to pass on the sad news, don't you think?" Babi swallowed hard and said reluctantly, "Okay, I'll go." He hung up the phone, went back to the bathroom, and drank three gulps of whiskey into the mouth of the bottle. Only then did he regain his composure, his hands stopped shaking, and after shaving hastily, he drove to the city.

The old man Ben Ster lived in two small houses facing the street. Babi parked his car on the side of the road and saw that the old man was already open for business and was busy sorting out the magazines on the stall outside the door. He grinned happily when he saw Babi coming over Say hello with a smile. "Hey Willie! What's new?" Babi shook his head, but couldn't speak the idiot. "Are you busy today, Willy?" The old man didn't notice Bobby's gloomy face at all, he simply crossed the street, wanting to chat with Bobby, he took out a pipe from his bulging belt, and smiled. Say, "You know why I'm asking, I'm going to make Lex something nice this afternoon."

Babi stood there, feeling dizzy, cold, and churning in his stomach, and he watched the old man cheerfully strike a match and light his pipe. "I haven't seen Lex much since they came back from overseas," Ben still gushed, "I guess he's busy with work and can't come back, he wants to come back, I know, he likes me the most Make him beef stew with hot cakes and honey, which he loved since he was a kid. Remember you often come to eat together.How about it?bring it on?I'll give Lex a call right now—" Babi Shijie coughed and said, "Ben, I have something to tell you."

The old man stopped his smile, sighed, and stared at Babi. Then, his hands began to shake uncontrollably, the pipe fell from his callused hands to the ground, and the cigarette holder fell on the cement road and broke. "Is that Lex?" His voice was barely audible. Babi swallowed again and nodded. "bad news?" "Bad news," Babi said. "Last night, the foundation sent Lex on an errand to drive across the winding road to Sardis Mountain and the car lost control. Lex died, and he—he didn't suffer. .” Ben Ster stared wide-eyed, staring blankly at Bobby, for a long, long time, without any reaction: his eyes were very similar to Lex's, and they were also brown. The moment his dull eyes passed by Bobby, Bobby suddenly I felt that those were Lex's eyes, like in a dream, he unconsciously glanced backwards at the tiger Babi lying on the rear bumper of the car, eyes covered with fear and tension, Babi quickly turned his eyes to the side, unable to control Shaking all the time.

"I've been worried." Babi heard the old man murmuring hoarsely, "They don't look right,—something is wrong, I've felt that way since they came back. I asked him a few times, but he just wouldn't tell, and I'm worried, Willie—" The old man looked very painful. He stopped talking halfway, bent down to pick up the pipe and the broken cigarette holder on the ground, his fingers trembling, and put the broken pipe back together. "I'm worried," said Ben again. "I think they dug up something in the desert that they shouldn't. You see, Willy, Lex told me before he left that they were going to Dr. Monrick The 'true Garden of Eden,' the birthplace of man. I reckon they must have found it, Willie. But I reckon they shouldn't be looking,"

Ben seemed to be tired, so he put the broken pipe in his belt. "Lex won't be the last, someone else will die," The bewildered and dull expression in Ben's eyes disappeared, and he turned to look at Babi.He suddenly realized that he was crying, so he raised his sleeves and wiped away the tears fiercely. He shook his head, walked back to the kiosk, picked up the magazines he had just laid out, and put them back in the room. Babi stood there blankly, watching the old man's every move, and didn't even have the strength to go over to help. "Lex always liked my beef stew," murmured the old man. "Especially with hot butter cakes and honey, remember, Willie? He loved it when he was little."

The old man was out of his mind, so he locked the door anyway, and Babi drove him to the morgue.The ambulance hadn't brought back Lex's body—Babbi heaved a sigh of relief, and handed the dumb old man over to the care of the local police officer Pike. Pike was a very kind man, and he went straight to the Mint Bar. After two glasses of strong whiskey, his head still hurt like it was going to burst. The sun was too strong, and the churn in his stomach started again. He couldn't forget Lex's confused and terrified eyes. Creepy. Babi tried to get rid of this feeling of terror. He deliberately moved his body and smiled exaggeratedly at another customer.It didn't work, and the man ignored him and moved to a seat further away from him.The hostess at the bar also stared at him strangely.Babi paid the bill and staggered out of the bar. The sun was still strong. He knew he was too drunk to drive, so he left the car in the parking lot and hailed a taxi to Troy Gardens. The front door that Apuru had easily slipped out in the dream was now wide open.He still staggered into the gate and walked straight towards the stairs, but the guard couldn't stop him. 2-c There was a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door, but Babi ignored it and knocked hard on the door.He laughed to himself, if the boss Tey is still there, give him some time and get under the bed quickly. Ai Pulu Bell is wearing a transparent blue-green gown, which is similar to the one she saw in the dream. She has a tall and beautiful figure; her long hair is combed together and draped over her shoulders, forming a smooth and slightly pale oval shape. Her face and lips were pale without lipstick; when she saw Babi, her green eyes lit up unconsciously. "Willie - come in!" Babi stepped into the door, thankful that the waiter did not catch up, and sat down on the seat pointed out by Ai Pulu, a big armchair with a desk lamp.Although there is no trace of Teyi, this big armchair must not be the one he often sits in—look, it is impossible for Ai Pulu to have much interest in the "Financial Forum" on the small table, let alone.It is also impossible for her to smoke a large cigar, and the solid gold cigarette case containing the cigars seems to have been seen somewhere. Babi took his eyes away from these objects, as if feeling guilty-these things stirred him up with a burning, irrational resentment, of course, he did not come to fight with Ai Pulu, her behavior like a dream. With feline dexterity and grace, sat on the sofa opposite Babi.Babi imagined how she straddled the tiger Babi, with her naked, snow-white, beautiful body, her red hair fluttering in the wind—the agile movements like a cat, but her legs were a little limp... "You showed up at last, Babi?" Her tone was soothing and melodious, "I'm still wondering why you don't call anymore." Babi pressed his thigh hard to keep his leg from shaking, and wanted to ask Ai Pulu for another glass of wine, but he knew that he had already drunk a lot, and the wine would not be of much help.he "hoo" He quickly got up from Tei's big armchair, and walked to the other side of the sofa where Ai Pulu was sitting.Ai Pulu's eyes followed Babi's actions, revealing a hint of complacency. "Ai Pulu," Babi said in a hoarse voice, "you told me that you were a witch at Noble Mountain." Ai Pulu smiled casually, showing her white teeth. "That's because you sold me too many cocktails." Babi clenched his fists to keep himself from trembling. "Last night I had a dream..." It was difficult to go on. Babi squinted at the luxurious furnishings in the room, and a framed portrait attracted him. It was a frail, old but resolute woman who must be Ai Pulu's mother; Forum, and that solid gold cigar tray, Babi's throat is really going to smoke. "I had a dream." His eyes returned to Ai Pulu; she smiled silently and remained calm. This situation reminded Babi of the white she-wolf in the first dream. "I dreamed I was a tiger." He managed to get the words out, quickly and rudely, "dreamed of you—well—yes, with me. We were in Sadie Si Shan killed Lex Sturt." Ai Pulu raised her eyebrows, her eyebrows were painted black. "Who's Lex Sturt?" She blinked her green eyes innocently, "Oh, you told me—he's your friend, the guy who brought back the mysterious crate from Asia. The long A guy who has to look like a Hollywood star." Babi's body was stiff, and he was very indignant at Ai Pulu's indifference. "I dreamed we killed him." He almost yelled, "He's really dead." "It's really strange." Ai Pulu nodded briskly, "I remember the night my grandfather died, I also dreamed about him." Her voice was somewhat emotional, silky and smooth, and melodious like a bell, But Babi listened to it, but felt that there was a kind of secret ridicule in it.He carefully observed her eyes, but Ai Pulu's big green eyes were as clear and flawless as a lake on a snow mountain. "The road men should fix that bend in Sadith Hill," she said casually, interrupting Babimon's conversation. "The waiter said that you called me yesterday." As she spoke, she lazily shook her head, throwing her shiny red hair behind her, "Sorry, I haven't gotten up yet." Babi took a hard breath, he really wanted to pinch Ai Bolu's shoulders with his fingers and shake the truth out of her body—or, her indifference, ease and sarcasm were purely his own imagination?He was a little frightened of her, and it made him go cold and stiff—or was the fear the work of some hidden devil in himself?He stood up again "huh", trying not to let himself tremble. "Ai Pulu, I bring you something." Ai Pulu blinked her eyes eagerly, she didn't seem to notice that Babi's hands were shaking, the jade brooch was still in his coat pocket, Babi put it Holding the cold brooch in his hand, he fixed his eyes on Ai Pulu, and then slowly put the brooch into Ai Pulu's open hand. "Oh, Babi!" Ai Pulu saw the brooch, and the doubt in his eyes immediately turned into innocent joy, "My precious brooch—a family heirloom given to me by Aunt Agatha, I am so happy to have found it again." She caressed the running little wolf in her palm, and Babi felt that the little wolf was winking at him secretly, just like Ai Pulu's secretive eyes in his imagination.Ai Pu was panting excitedly. "Where did you find it?" "It's in the handbag you threw away." Babi replied immediately, "inserted into the kitten's heart." Ai Pulu shivered, as if on purpose. "It's scary!" Her voice was still so low and extremely melodious, "Babi, why are you so bad-tempered today." Her bright eyes looked at Babi, "Really, you don't look too good Well, I'm afraid I've had too much to drink, and it's not good for you." Babi nodded viciously, if Ai Pulu was playing a game with him, then he was the loser so far.He still kept his eyes on Ai Pulu, trying to see the flaws in her seemingly innocent expression, and continued a new round of offensive, "Where did your Aunt Agatha go today?" "Let's go." She shrugged her beautiful shoulders and said casually, "She said that her joints were not good in the winter in Clarendon, and she went back to California. I sent her on the plane last night." Babi nodded helplessly, but still failed to turn the situation around—it was unclear whether Aunt Agatha was a fictional character created by Ai Pulu.Babi stood there, shaking constantly.Ai Pulu ran up very concerned, and asked urgently, "Really, Babi, should you see a doctor? I know Dr. Glenn. He is a good doctor for excessive alcohol--for excessive drinking There's a way." "Go on," said Babi angrily. "Call me a drunk—I'm a drunk." He staggered toward the door. "You may be right." He nodded painfully. "You can say that about everything. Too much alcohol. Maybe I should see Dr. Gran." "Don't go yet." Ai Pulu rushed in front of Babi, twisting her body gracefully like a python - Babi noticed again that her legs were a little limp when she walked.In the dream, she also injured the ankle bone. "I hope you're not mad at me," she said softly. "It was just a friend's suggestion." Babi stood staggeringly, facing Ai Pulu, and smelled the faint scent of perfume floating from her body - the refreshing fragrance, like the smell of the pine forest in the dream, the cruel power of the tiger Babi It turned into a fever and spread through him: the dark, lifeless real world irritated him, and the mystery of Ai Pulu was so incomprehensible that even her concern was like a mocking sneer. I really want to leave now. "Come to the kitchen," Epurue urged, "I'll get you a cup of coffee—and some omelets, if you want some breakfast, Bobby, really, coffee will help you .” Babi shook her head resolutely—if she won the secret contest, she would hide her evil deeds, pretending not to know how the white wolf encouraged the gray wolf, Babi, to attack the blind Rochina Monrique, And partnered to kill Lester again, he didn't want to see her making fun of him now, gloating. "No," he said, "I'm leaving." Ai Pulu must have seen Babi's angry eyes.Glaring at the "Financial Forum" and the cigarette case, they belong to Tei. "Anyway, have a cigar," she said imploringly. "It's for friends." The solid gold cigarette case was heavy, but she handled it with ease; and at the same time Barbie noticed her limp again, and blurted out mercilessly, "How did you hurt your ankle?" "Send Aunt Agatha back, twisted on the stairs." She shrugged easily, and handed the cigar to Babi, "It's nothing." Of course there is anything.Looking at the cigarette case, Babi's hands began to tremble.Ai Pulu took out a cigar and stuck it between his fingers.He mumbled a thank you from his throat, and staggered towards the door... Although Babi was very emotional, he still clearly saw the two initials "PT" on the solid gold cigarette case.And the black cigar inside, thick and waxed on the tip. The special cigar box in Tey's office also contained the same cigars, which were imported, and he gave Babi one as a gift yesterday.Babi opened the door tremblingly, trying to restrain his agitation and excitement, not to embarrass himself too much in front of Ai Pulu. Ai Pulu couldn't breathe, and stared blankly at Babi, his eyes might be sympathetic, but Babi thought it was a fake gloating.Her long fir was split, revealing her white neck.Facing the elusive beauty, Babi suffered like a knife cutting out his heart.Ai Bolu slightly opened her pale lips and smiled at Babi. "Wait a minute, Babe! Just a moment, please—" Babi didn't wait, he couldn't bear Ai Pulu's pity for him, or the ridicule of his own imagination.This dark and ruthless world is full of suspicion, mistrust, failure and pain. He really can't bear it, and really longs to have the ruthless power of the tiger again. He closed the door forcefully with a "bang", threw the cigar on the ground, and stomped it hard with his heel a few times.Painful, but hold on, Babi shook his spirits and strode towards the stairs.Don't be depressed, he told himself secretly.Even if Tee was old enough to be her father, so what?Two million dollars would have easily bridged a twenty-year generation gap; and, anyway, Tey had met her first. Babi, full of depression, walked slowly down the stairs, not caring whether the waiter saw him at all, and staggered out of the hall.Maybe she's right, he said to himself, maybe it's time to see Dr. Grann. How to return to the happy and unrestrained tiger and bull dream, the daylight destroys the network of free thought, and only at night can he escape this unbearable half-life state, such unbearable torture of fear, sorrow, and pain, trance, Physical fatigue, manic desire, uneasy torment, and heart-breaking pain. Yes, Bobby decided to see Dr. Gran. He didn't like mental institutions, but Glenhaven was the best in the country.Dr. Asher Grand, like his father, was renowned in the new field of psychotherapy.Barbie remembers that "Time" magazine used three columns to introduce his research results, including the relationship between physical and psychological disorders, and new explorations in related fields.At that time, Asher Grand was serving in the navy. In terms of physiotherapy, he also proposed the use of comprehensive anesthesia, which was very innovative. Barbie also knew that Asher Gran, like his father, was a staunch materialist.Old Gran was once a friend of the famous magician Houdini. Everyone knows that Old Gran has a hobby. He is keen on researching and exposing astrologers, fortune-tellers and all activities that use mysterious means to predict the future, life and death, and the afterlife. .Little Glan, on the other hand, inherited his father's legacy and continued this protracted war of resistance; Babi had conducted exclusive interviews on these issues, and published a special lecture on "The Star", attacking various pseudo-religious hypotheses based on pseudo-science.Gran's famous quote: The mind is, fully, and only, an integral part of bodily functions. Possibly a better ally for Barbie?