Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020 | Page 26

Fiction – Group 2
We were brought into the building. An angry policeman stood in the doorway, glaring
angrily at us. “Come in.” He said. I and Jack went in.
Inside, juries and the judge stood along with some policemen who had caught me,
chatting and muttering among themselves.
“Silence in the court!” the judge commanded. Everybody fell silent.
“The prosecutor states that the defendant stole a loaf of bread from the shop. Is this true?”
The policeman who caught me nodded.
“Prosecutor, may you restate what you told us?”
The policeman nodded again and, referring to his notebook said, “This boy was caught
in a store in Hong Kong at 14:26, local time. He was seen running away with a loaf of bread.
Three of my colleagues chased him but could not find him. I declare him guilty of stealing
and running from the police.”
The judge turned to me. “Is what the policeman said true?”
“Yes, but -” I was cut off by the judge. “Do you have anything to declare before I
sentence you?” He said.
I nodded. “I returned the bread to the shopkeeper.” I said.
“Do you have any proof?” The judge asked me.
“Yeah, you can ask the shopkeeper, or Jack - this man beside me.” I said.
“Witness, is what the defendant stated true?”
“Yes,” Jack replied.
They talked a bit more, but I could make neither head nor tail of what was being said.
At last, the judge cleared his throat again. “Silence! Order!” He called, even though there
were no noises being made.
“I have tried and found the defendant….” Here he paused dramatically, “Innocent!”
I cheered. Jack smiled at me. “It’s OK now, er, you’ve never told me your name!”
I laughed. “My name is Collin.” I said.
After we left the building, I asked Jack again, “Why did you help me?”
This time, Jack replied. He told me that when he was small, he had the exact same
problem as me. He used to steal sometimes. Once, he got caught, and there was no one to
help him. After being tried, he was found innocent, but he worried that some people might
be sentenced to jail even if they were innocent. So, he tried to help everyone he could.
After this, Jack always supported me financially and even adopted me. I never stole
anymore because I realised there are kind people who can help you. In return, all you have to
do is to pass down the kindness to others who may really need the help.
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