FOR MOTHER YAP SHI QUAN
14
Like a puppet with its lifeliness cut, his body fell flat on top of the other body in the hole, a loud
thud echoing through the forest. The sweat on Gary’s temple gleamed as the moon shifted as he
panted. He gripped the brick in his hand tighter, and slid down further into the hole, dealing one
more blow on Percy’s head, splattering blood across the soil. He eyed his friend’s immobile body,
his breathing coming in irregular gasps and puffs. The brick had a fresh new layer of blood
slathered on it.
For the next few minutes, the moon being his only witness, Gary worked effeciently.
Gary dropped the brick and scampered out of the hole, his knees giving way, falling onto the soil
hard. Gagging, he choked out copious amounts of saliva, the clear liquid dripping out onto the
soil alongside with his tears. He sobbed quietly, his fingers digging into the soil. Taking several
deep breaths, he resisted the urge to take one final look in the hole and ran.
*
I need to go back and cover up the hole. Gary told himself as he opened the door, aware that his
mother was still awake and watching the television.
I’m back, Ma.
Gary’s mother looked back and smiled, Where’s Percy?
He went back home.
Oh, that’s sad. Your father and I still had some leftover turkey in the fridge. Was wondering if
wanted to bring back some. His mother said, while laying her head on the silhouette in her arms.
Gary gulped and hugged his mother from behind suddenly, pushing the dummy figure away.
The doll, dressed in his father’s clothes and with a wig that looked exactly like his father’s previous
hairstyle, slumped on the sofa, lifeless.
Don’t worry, Ma. No one will ever find out you killed Pa. Nobody. Gary thought. The doll, its legs
and arms sprawled at unnatural angles, stared at the pair with its soulless eyeballs.