The New Tales of Old Shanghai
Heep Yunn Primary School , Chan , Michelle - 11
C larisse is a typical child . What I mean is , that she lives in a well-off family , and lets her housemaid do all the housework . She is a pretty spoilt girl , but is also unsatisfied all the time . This story happened on a regular school day , when she was daydreaming at school and making the teachers furious . It wasn ’ t a regular day , after all .
‘ Please turn to page thirty . Let ’ s talk about Shanghai history . You see , this place had a city called the Old City of Shanghai . It ...’ Clarisse stiffled a yawn . She tapped her fingers on her table impatiently . She hated these lessons . She quietly slipped off her chair , and while the teacher was facing the blackboard , she raced out of the classroom , proud that she had escaped from this lesson . Skipping classes was her talent . She took out her mobile phone .
Suddenly , behind the stairs moved a shadow , and she heard someone . She crept towards the shadow , and found herself face-to-face with a girl identical to herself ; it was like looking into a mirror , but she was in old-styled clothes . She was about to open her mouth when the girl faded into mist and entered her body . She felt her body shudder , and her vision blurred . Then , she saw nothing .
When she was finally conscious , she found herself sitting next to a boy with curly blond hair and blue eyes , saying ,‘ I can ’ t believe it !’ She frowned . ‘ What is it “ you don ’ t believe ?” ’ she asked , finding her voice strange . It was softer and higher . The boy muttered and said , ‘ You just said you wanted to go to the Chinese City - I mean the Old City of Shanghai . The only reason I ’ m here is that the people here know about this place ! It has borders and high walls which mostly blocks everything from view . And now you say you want me to go with you to an only-Chinese territory ?! ’
Clarisse breathed deeply . She asked , ‘ Who am I ?’ The boy ’ s eyes bulged and nearly crashed down onto the floor . ‘ Seriously ? Okay ,’ the boy sat up straight . ‘ Hi ! I ’ m Steve Lucas . You are Cheng Mei , I call you Natasha . Well , everyone does . We ’ re best friends , and you just technically suggested an impossible plan . Hallo ? Remember now ?’ Clarisse ’ s expression was blank . She shook her head . ‘ No ?’ Steve sighed .‘ You ’ re being seriously weird but you don ’ t seem to be lying . Whatever you remember or not , let ’ s go to that bloody place . If we don ’ t , someone in our village will , too .’
The next day , the two teenagers left and headed towards the Old City of Shanghai . It was a long journey . When they reached the enormous walls , it was already afternoon . Guards were armed with spears and armour , and whenever someone wanted to go inside , they would check their identity carefully . Suddenly some armour-clad people , with blood and bruises over their bodies , walked out of the city with defeated faces . They were talking to the guards . Clarisse slowly took out her phone and leaned closer to them , and started recording , and at the same time , running into the city , with Steve following behind . ‘ What ’ s happened there ? Who do you think they were ?’ Steve hissed . ‘ Shh … Listen ,’ Clarisse replied . She started to listen to her phone ’ s recorder . ‘ Guards ! We are the jail guards . Reporting to team one , no . 60-70 jailers have broken out from the city . The prisoners are those known to control the power of evil . The general has ordered all troops to warn the citizens to leave , otherwise they will be in danger ! We …’ Clarisse tapped her phone , and shrugged .‘ That ’ s it .’ ‘ The power of evil … What do you think that could be ?’ Steven shivered . ‘ I don ’ t know , but it must be bad . Let ’ s warn the citizens first .’ Clarisse casually slipped her phone into her pocket . ‘ If I were one of the citizens , I would certainly NOT believe you . Maybe we can find those people with the evil power ,’ Steven argued .
‘ Perhaps you ’ re right … yes ! Look ! Just over there , the jail , the metal building … Wow . Have you ever seen anything like this in Hong Kong before ?’ Clarisse ’ s jaws dropped . The streets were peaceful , with Chinese-styled buildings and temples erected on them . Some cyclists rode past , and the green hills and clear skies matched the quiet city .