Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 3 2018 | Page 179

wishes to speak with you.” the headmistress beckoned Topher over and apologized to the class for
interrupting. His curiosity piqued, Topher stood up and followed the strange man and the headmistress to
the office.
“I’m afraid that a very ancient scripture might be in your possession.” started the monk calmly. Topher
nodded with wide eyes and confessed what had happened the day he discovered the book. “Ah well, I’m
very sorry with the misfortune that has brought. Fortunately no one is harmed. Once I perform a ritual, all
will be well. Might it be possible for me to perform it at your home?” the monk enquired, careful to keep
from sounding agitated, which was exactly what he was feeling right now. Was this the boy who has the
scripture in his possession? Will he be willing to give it back? Topher gave a hesitant nod. The man seemed
sincere enough, and there wasn’t anything particularly scary about him anyway.
After school ends, accompanied by the monk, Topher used his usual route back home. Once they got back,
the monk eagerly strode in and up the stairs. “ The sacred scripture.” The monk breathed, his whisper barely
audible as Topher reached his bedroom. “Come now, we must perform the ritual!” The monk exclaimed
with enthusiasm. “Lucky my parents are visiting some friends…” muttered Topher. All of a sudden, a pool
of light expanded from the mysterious black scripture and spreaded all over the room. It consumed
everything in white, silvery light. “May the sacred scripture return to se-”
“My pants!”Topher suddenly yelled. “I forgot to wash them! My mum’s gonna kill me!”
“NO, No!” The monk cried in despair as the scripture glowed and with a sudden explosion of more
blinding white light, disappeared again.
In the middle of the pacific ocean. “Goodness me what on earth is that?” A tourist grumbled and turned to
his companion. “My, oh my! Is that a pair of undies ? In the middle of the ocean?!” exclaimed the other man
as he pointed towards a rather indistinct object rising and diving to the swell of the waves. A thick, black
tome bobbed in sight, on it a rather precariously hanging pair of purple underwear. “How strange. Maybe
someone made a mistake and left those here.” stated the tourist. Little did the tourist know how close to the
truth he was.