13
FOR MOTHER YAP SHI QUAN
The clouds cleared up, Percy’s tense expression loomed through the spare mist, sending chills
down Gary’s spine. He stumbled towards Percy, stopping right beside him and looked fown into
the hole. The moonlight shone mercilessly on the dead body within the hole, its legs broken and
bent at unnatural angles, its face buried into the soil. Gary stared at the scene silentl, until Percy
retched and clutched his stomach, trying not to vomit, the sound shooting through him like a
bullet and causing him to flinch.
What...how? Gary asked, how did you find this? His voice was surprisingly steady.
Is that really the question you should be asking? Oh god, we should call the police now. Percy
fumbled for his phone, sweat beading down his forehead.
Wait, wait. Is this even a real body? Have you examined?
Percy stared blankly at Gary. The heck? Are you asking me to go down and touch it?
Gary gulped. Yea, I mean, what if it’s just a prank? Then we would get in trouble calling the police,
wouldn’t we?
i think the police would be just as concerned as we are in investigating this.
Please! Percy, come on. I, I can’t stand this brutal stuff as well. I think this looks too fake for me.
Just go down and check, please?
Gary’s pleas turned up a notch, his voice getting higher and higher with every word. Percy
widened his eyes and acceded quickly, his head bobbing in broken nods. Dragging his feet
slowly, he dug his sole into the soft soil, and made his way down the deep hole. Gary didn’t take
his eyes off Percy as he inspected the dead body from a distance, careful not to touch it.
Definitely a dead body, Percy said, his words choked in his mouth. Hey, this guy’s wearing the
same shirt your father wears. In fact, his build kind of looks like his. No offence Gary, he actually
looks like your —
But Percy never finished the sentence.