Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020complete | Page 267

The Greater Bay Area Adventure
Singapore International School, Xu, Ruofan Paul - 11
I gasped for breath as I wiped my brow. I had been running from the police for the last three hours. As I hid
behind the large bin, I gathered my thoughts. Yes, I had stolen some food from the local store, and I had
been caught in the act, but did the police really have to chase me from Hong Kong all the way to
Shenzhen? I peered out from behind the bin. To my relief, I saw that the police had run past me without
noticing my hiding spot.
Ever since the Greater Bay Area had been created, more and more people had become rich. Unfortunately
for me, this category did not include me, since I was an orphan. My hand tightened on the loaf of bread that
I had stolen. I heard a sound behind me and spun around, finding myself face to face with a tall man. The
man eyed me, and asked, “Were you the one running from the police?”
I did not move. The man sighed. “Look, if you tell me the truth, I may be able to help you.”
Thinking that this man was tricking me, I got up and slowly moved backwards.
The man sighed again. “If you need me, just find me at this address, OK?” He handed me a business card. I
considered, then shook my head.
“I’ll come with you,” I decided, “You don’t seem like someone who would lie.”
As we started walking towards where the man lived, I told him my story. The man then introduced himself
as Jack. Jack told me that he studied law before, and now as long as I returned the food would be fine.
“Really?” I asked. I was glad that I would not have to worry about going to prison. “Let’s go return the
food, then!”
I told Jack the address and Jack hailed a taxi. He told the taxi driver the address, and we got in the car. I
thanked Jack profusely. “But why would you do this for me?” I asked. Jack just shrugged and looked away.
The journey took much less time, according to Jack, because now all of the cities were connected. “Before,
it took us nearly a day. Now, it only takes you an hour. You’re so lucky.” Jack said. I, though, secretly
hoped there would be more time so I could prepare for the coming event.
Once they had returned to the shop, I immediately hopped out of the taxi and raised my hands. Then,
slowly approaching the shopkeeper, I held out the bread to the shopkeeper. “I’m sorry for stealing your
bread.”
The shopkeeper looked at me angrily and took the bread from me. Before he could say anything, a police
officer appeared out of nowhere and grabbed me by my hands. In a blink of an eye, the police officer had
locked handcuffs around my wrists.
A few minutes later, Jack and I were riding in the police car. I was trying not to cry and Jack was trying to
comfort me. “It’s going to be OK, remember? You returned the bread to shopkeeper.”
After half an hour of riding, the car suddenly braked and the driver unbuckled his seat belt.
“Get out,” a police officer told me. I did so obediently and we were brought to a large building with the
words “THE HIGH COURT OF THE GREATER BAY AREA” printed in large letters. I gulped.
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.