Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 12 | Page 270

New Tales of Old Shanghai
Kennedy School , Von Hausswolf , Alicia – 9

O nce there were 2 children called Ava and Sara . They were sisters . Their family was going from Australia to

Shanghai for a holiday . Once they had arrived , they checked into the famous Peace Hotel . The Peace Hotel is one of the historical buildings located along the Bund area . It was built in the 1920s . After checking in , they went to the Shanghai Museum to explore and learn about Shanghai . But , they didn ’ t know that they would soon be going somewhere different .
When they got to the museum , Mum said , “ How about we go look at some ancient Chinese paintings !” They all agreed , and went to look at the paintings . A lot of them were about nature . There were some paintings that were painted with ink . While Mum was busy appreciating the paintings , something caught Ava ’ s eye . When she looked at it closely , she saw the words “ TIME MACHINE ” written on it . She quietly whispered to Sara , “ Look Sara , it ’ s a time machine !” When Sara saw it , she immediately went inside the time machine . “ Hey , wait for me !” cried Ava as she ran in to join Sara . But , when Ava ran inside , she accidentally pressed a button , and the 2 sisters started spinning faster and faster , until they were no longer in the museum .
Ava and Sara fell on the ground . Everything looked so different . They must have gone back in time ! Behind them , the time machine was disappearing . “ No , wait ! Come back !” cried the 2 girls . But it was too late . They were stuck in the past .
Ava quickly went to the security guard . “ Excuse me , what year is it ?” The security guard gave her a funny look before answering . “ It ’ s 1946 , of course . The war has just ended . You should know that ! The Japanese are finally retreating back to Japan !” Ava was in shock , but she quickly walked back to Sara . Sara had heard the conversation , so Ava didn ’ t need to tell her anything . “ Let ’ s get a map ,” said Sara . “ I read somewhere that there are time machines all over Shanghai . We just need to find the closest one .” Ava walked over to the information desk and took a map from the table . She supposed that was how you obtained information , since the lady at the desk hadn ’ t looked up when Ava introduced herself . For some reason , all the time machines were marked with little red dots on the map . “ The closest time machine is in the Peace hotel , which is where we ’ re staying !” said Ava . “ So all we need to do is go to the hotel , get in the time machine , and get out of here !” cried Sara . Ava nodded , and the girls quickly ran outside to get a taxi .
Ava saw a taxi driving by , and quickly flagged it . The taxi stopped for the girls to get in . “ Please take us to the Peace hotel , Mr . Taxi man ,” said Sara . The driver drove off . “ You know , 2 little girls shouldn ’ t be walking around the city on their own ,” said the driver . They nodded , but didn ’ t speak . They were both worried about how they would get to the time machine .
When they arrived at the hotel , the girls used the small amount of money their parents had given them to pay the fare . “ What are you giving me ?” the driver asked . “ This is Chinese money ! You know , RMB !” replied Ava . “ No , we don ’ t use RMB . What is RMB anyway ? Oh well , I ’ ll let you girls off this time . You ’ re just little girls ,” said the taxi driver , and the girls quickly got out . They walked inside , but were stopped by the security guard . “ Where do you think you ’ re going ?” he asked angrily . “ Just up to our room . We ’ re guests , you know ,” replied Ava coolly . His expression softened , and he led them inside . “ Well , enjoy your stay ladies ,” he bowed . They nodded , and quickly walked inside . “ That was close ,” whispered Sara . Ava nodded , and the 2 girls headed towards the elevator . “ You 2 girls better be able to prove that you ’ re guests , otherwise I ’ m calling the cops !” shouted a voice behind them . The girls turned around to see the lady from the check-in desk they had seen back in 2016 , except she looked about 20 now , while in 2016 she looked about 90 . Ava took out her room key . “ This is our room key ! We are guests , but if you keep treating us like that , we won ’ t be guests anymore !” she threatened . The lady hung