Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 12 | Page 139

The New Tales of Old Shanghai
Dulwich College Beijing, Halter, Viktoria – 11
Q
uickly! Let’s get off this boat before anyone else does,” urged my dad as we scrambled off carefully trying not
to get into anyone’s way. We had travelled on the “Horizon” for nearly three weeks coming to Shanghai to
open my dad’s trading company here and I was exhausted. The sea air was rushing through the crowded streets
and as we got closer into the crowd I heard the shouting’s of people trading big things with small things and
valuable things with non-valuable things. “Get a book for a necklace!” or “Get a pearl for a diamond!” Suddenly,
something weird hit my eye. I saw that a lot of the houses had English writing on it. Chinese ladies, with
umbrellas, to protect them from the sun, wore beautiful silk qipaos but the short haircut, I noticed was the latest
fashion from Paris.
Slowly, but excitedly, we continued walking into the horde. Only a few cars were to be seen, but I caught a
glimpse of bikes cycling through the streets. Rickshaw drivers were pulling rich people around the city. They
were very thin and their faces didn’t look as if they enjoyed doing this job. We kept on walking and soon we were
in a place that didn’t look really welcoming. It was the entrance to the one of the many hutongs that were
scattered all over Shanghai. Everywhere shadows danced around on the bare brick walls. I noticed that my hand
was shivering. “It is OK.” My mom said, but even still, I realized that she also had a nervous look on her face.
“Stay close to us, Vicky.” My dad took hold of my bony hand and led me in front of him. My heart was
thumping as loud as giant feet crashing to the ground. I tightened my grip on his hands.
There were very few people in the next few streets and I began to get suspicious. There was no sound at all,
except for the quiet thuds of our feet touching the ground. In the far distance, I saw two old ladies coming our
way. As they grew closer, I noticed that they were one of these street vendors you could see everywhere who sold
holding fans. In a few moments, they were standing right in front of us. One of the women began to talk. “Would
you like a fan?” Her voice was a hoarse whisper and my parents had to lean forwards to hear what she was saying.
“Yes please.” Answered my mom. It was very hot on that day and the sun shone merciless on the shade less street.
“That will be 20 Fen please.”
While all the commotion with money and paying went on, I wandered around behind my parents backs.
Suddenly, The second woman appeared in front of me. I held my breath. Why was she looking at me in that way?
“I have some really delicious chocolates and sweets at home.” She paused and stared at me. Then she continued,”
Come home with me and I will give you four packs of each.” I stopped to think. I didn’t really trust this lady,
mainly because it was already curious that she was selling roses, but also of the way she looked at me. It made me
feel very uncomfortable. But then another thought came to my head. Four packs of chocolates and sweets! I
started nervously,” Um, sure.”
Follow me then, follow me.” We started walking. My parents were finally done paying and turned around to get
me. “Vicky, lets…”
“ Vicky, where are you?”
It was too late though. I was already around the corner
I didn’t know what was happening to me until I came to a house with a tiny wooden shed next to it, where I
thought the chocolate was being kept. So, I strolled into it to look for it. It was musty and dark inside. All of a
sudden, the door banged shut and a key turned in the lock. I was trapped. I heard the lady walk away still laughing.
I don’t know how long I had been sitting in here but while I was sobbing away I didn’t hear a soft gentle whisper
coming from outside the shed. After it had been saying” I will help you get out” for a dozen times already I finally
heard the voice.) Then a key turned in the lock and the door slowly opened. I saw an old, skinny man dressed in
shaggy clothes. His face was all wrinkles. “I have come to help you. I know where your parents are. I saw
everything happen.” He smiled. I trusted this old man. He looked friendly and I had a good feeling that he would