Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 3 2018 | Page 374

“Well, Ms. Canie Lee, I would first like to compliment how great you are at polishing your nails.
And now, perhaps you would consider giving me the very nice-looking jade around your neck for me to
look at,” Master flattered her.
“Never!” Canie exclaimed, shocked, the flattery shrugged off immediately. “I would never, ever
take it off. It gives me such youth and beauty,” she murmurs admiring her jade.
“Doesn’t it? It also grants eternal life. That is why I must have it back, or else the Heavens, the
Gods themselves may not live much longer, and the world will collapse in chaos!” Master ShiFu slowly
explained.
“Eternal life, huh?” Canie smiles smugly, “Well, I can’t give away eternal life.”
“Just 10 minutes without the Jade and all will be well. Please,” the Master begged.
“No, never”, laughed Ms. Canie. She then suddenly yelled, “NEVER WILL I GIVE IT TO
YOU!” The commotion which erupted led Ashley and the three warriors to burst out of the kitchen.
Ashley spluttered and tried to pull her mom away. Monkey, infuriated, jumped towards Canie and tried to
grab the Jade. Canie screamed and hit out while Monkey dodged. Then Ashley was gone with Canie.
“Please go”, came Ashley’s voice from the bedroom, pleading. Master ShiFu nodded and the Big
Four trudged out of the apartment.
19 hours, 32 minutes and 50 seconds left
The four were back at the mansion pacing around. As Monkey had tried to snatch the Jade, they
wouldn’t ever be thought of as peacemakers anymore. Tension filled the air and even Master ShiFu, who
appeared calm almost everywhere, was munching on his bread nervously.
“We won’t just be failing the mission, we would be failing ourselves. We need that Jade to live…”
Sandy trailed off, his mouth grew hard and his hands felt heavy, like the centuries they had lived through
already. Exhausted, they all slumped on the couch, then fell sound asleep, their snoring deafening.
2 hours, 12 minutes and 37 seconds left
“Hi.” A whispering sound came from the vents.
“What?” Monkey muttered, still half asleep.
A girl crept down hesitantly from the vent in the ceiling and held out the Jade in front of the Big
Four. They all snapped to, and colour returned to their faces, all exhaustion gone.
“I got this from my mom while she was sleeping,” Ashley murmured.
“Wow, thanks. How did you get in?” Monkey asked.
“I hacked through the security system and climbed through the vents above”, Ashley explained.
The Big Fours’ jaws dropped. Ashley smirked as Master ShiFu snatched the Jade held out.