"Are you done yet? When you were drugged, weren't the seizures more painful than this? I didn't even hear you shouting! Are you doing this on purpose?!"
"No, Uncle Dom. Go ahead. I won't scream anymore!" Austin lowered his head and bit the towel, trying to stifle a sound. This pain was unlike the previous virus attack; it was explosive, as if his cells were splitting and detonating simultaneously. Though silent, it felt as though his body were being torn apart. All his strength was consumed by the cellular disruption, leaving no energy for screams.
The old man's acupuncture, however, was a different kind of pain—continuous and slow. It seeped into his bones, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.
Seeing Austin's state, Dominic sighed and shook his head. He held the needle, gently pressing the acupuncture point several times with his other hand. He knew the pain wasn't from the acupuncture itself, but from the interaction between the medicine on the needle and its absorption into the acupoints. It was unavoidable, though. The poison had to be removed quickly to maximize the medicine's effect. It was the only way.
Just then, a servant announced, "Sir, the child is here."
"Lily is here?" Dominic was surprised. She hadn't called beforehand. Isn't she swamped these days? How did she find time to come? Why bring her son?
His delight caused him to momentarily forget the needle, inadvertently jabbing it deeper into Austin's flesh. Austin winced silently, also pleased by the news. If Lily's here, maybe she can take over, and it won't hurt so much.
His hope was quickly dashed. "No, Mr. Russell brought the boy," the servant corrected. For Galen's sake, the servant hadn't stopped him; they were now waiting in the living room.
"Him?!" Dominic was even more startled. Why didn't Lily come? Why send her husband and son instead? Alexander has never visited alone before. A bad feeling settled in his stomach. He frowned. "Where are they?"
"In the living room."
"I'll be right there!"
Alexander sat in the living room with Galen, who seemed perfectly at ease. The boy went straight to a toy corner, climbed in, and began playing. Alexander initially tried to stop him, but seeing the area was clearly designed for a child, and Galen's adept maneuvering within it, he realized it was intended for him. He raised an eyebrow, remembering the gate incident. They'd been stopped, but the gatekeeper had admitted them immediately upon seeing Alexander. It was a surprise; he never imagined needing his son to gain access to certain places.
Watching Galen happily playing, Alexander felt a wave of relief. He understood why Lily had left Galen here while she went to find him. It was reassuring, indeed. As he mused, he heard footsteps. Turning, he saw Dominic emerging from the backyard.