Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020complete | Page 162

“Cheryl, I’m wearing three sweaters! Good lord, are you trying to mould me into an ice sculpture?” said
Mum accusingly.
“No.”
“Then don’t bother me about the temperature. Now, in a few hours, you will need to go to bed, Best by
nine.”
“But-” stammered Cheryl
“Follow the instructions; or else you won’t get the surprise tomorrow.” threatened Mum determinedly.
“If YOU say so” muttered Cheryl, before returning to her daily unpacking schedule.
Chapter 2
Sitting at the back of their car, Cheryl swung her head out to the window, her view enclosing a scene
where to kids were in awe of a hulking tower, an endless bridge cowering over the busy streets of cars and
buses.
“Mum, what is that significant structure?” Cheryl asked, before hastily adding-
“Just want to know the place a bit”
Mum eyed Cheryl suspiciously, then replying-
“Honestly, I have no clue either. Just… check back home okay?”
“Then how come we’re heading towards it huh? Shouldn’t you know the name?”
“Google map dear, Google map,” replied Mum.
Shaking her head, Cheryl looked down towards her purse, where her tissue packets were bumping during
the car ride. As her car entered the carpark, Cheryl felt a sudden chill run down her spine.
“Come on Cheryl, stop daydreaming and get out.” Mum scolded harshly, before slamming the driver’s
door. Slumping out of the back seat like a slug, Cheryl silently wondered-
‘Why is this place creeping me out?’
“Cheryl, I have checked the internet about the place, and it said that-
“AHH!,” squealed Cheryl loudly, her voice echoing. “Can you please tap me next time?”
“Jeez,” sighed Mum, before continuing her unfinished sentence. “ I was saying, I did some research on this
place and Google said this place is called ‘Time Square’.”
Nodding encouragingly, Cheryl raced towards the glass doors, which had a barely visible sign saying ‘ B4’.
‘ Have a holly, jolly Christmas…’ sang the radio, which blasted Cheryls’ eardrums.
Mum was at the back of the lift, staring out to Starbucks.
‘DING!’ cried the lift, slamming the doors as Cheryl and Mum left the lift. Well, at least that was what
Cheryl thought. As she looked behind, Mum seemed nowhere in sight.
“ Mum, this isn’t funny! Come out now!” demanded Cheryl resolutely, her palms started to sweat.
Mist started to linger in the air, making Cheryl feel spacious. Walking backwards, her eyes darting left and
right; Cheryl bumped into a sturdy structure before the structure whisked into the cool air. Slowly but
surely, Cheryl turned around, paranoid of what could happen next. Cheryl opened her eyes, expecting to
see jaws, but all she saw was a shadow in the distance, with white dots for eyes.
“I-I come in peace’’ stammered Cheryl, the shadow slightly moving. It’s head twisted
“ Mmmhmm.” sang the shadow creepily.
The shadow cowered closer, as Cheryl took a step back.
Looking backwards, Cheryl saw a dim light, which seems to be coming from a lift.
‘My escape!’ realized Cheryl, dashing towards it. As she reached the lift, she looked back, before teleporting
away into the overworld.