Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4 - 7 2018 | Page 4

“I believe that this is our future. Distant, but not distant enough. I conferenced with the Jade Emperor
before I woke here. I think he’s still a bit mad at me, but he said, ‘The respect for the world and nature is
fading. Restore it.’ Since I arrived here, that is what I have tried to do.” He swiped his hand across his
forehead, as if wiping away sweat. “I already was the head of this organization when I woke up, so I’ve used
that position to find out as much as I can about this world and what the people here are doing.”
“Aside from India, where am I going tomorrow?”
Wukong took a map from a drawer in his desk. “This map will look very strange to you, but there are lands
further west than India. You will be assessing the environment there. You may see some old friends along
the way. Try to act normal.” He said with a smile.
“I’ll be fine. I just don’t understand why I’m supposed to do this.”
“You need to trust me and see the damage I speak of. You can stay in the hotel down the street until
tomorrow. There will be a packed bag prepared for you. You’ll have to relinquish your sacred robes until
you return. I want you to blend in as much as possible.”
Xuanzang nodded and stepped into the corridor. While he did not know how to navigate this strange
incarnation of Peking, he could clearly see the hotel down the street. He stepped away from the window
and left the building.
While he waited in the lobby of the hotel, he stood awkwardly, unsure of how to proceed. In moments, a
smiling man made his way over to Xuanzang. He wore a pressed jacket over a formal looking tunic, giving
him an authoritative air.
“You must be Xuanzang! I can take you to your room. Follow me.” The man strode off at a quick clip.
Xuanzang followed him into a strange metal room, trying not to look unsettled when it began to rise. When
the strange contraption stopped rising, the doors opened again. He was led down the corridor to a door with
the number 1502 on a metal plaque above the doorknob. He thanked the manager and went inside.
He woke up the next morning to a rapping sound. He didn’t even remember falling asleep, so he assumed
he just fell into bed from sheer exhaustion. Xuanzang rushed to the door, pulling it open. Li Meiwen stood
in front of the door, a small smile playing at her lips.
“Sir! I see that you are already dressed.” He glanced down at his attire, which was similar to that of the hotel
manager. When had he changed? “I have your bag in the car, so we can leave now if you are ready.”
He nodded, an image of the metal carts popping into his head at the word car. He followed her down the
corridor and back into the metal room. They descended into the lobby and walked right out the door to the
car. At their approach, the driver got out to open the doors to the backseat.
Soon, the car was speeding down the road, and he took in the strange city. All too soon, they were in front
of a metal building filled with people and luggage. Li Meiwen led them straight past the entry area to stand
in a line, handing him his bag in the process.
“This is the security line, we’ll only be here a moment. Where’s your passport?” At his blank look, she took
his bag and fished a slim booklet out of the front pocket. “This is how we travel between countries. Do not
lose this.” She put a piece of paper between the pages and handed the passport back to him. “That piece of
paper is your boarding pass. Don’t lose that either.”
They made their way through the line quickly, and he passed through an arch that made beeping noises.
They both passed through without incident, and he put his passport bag in his back. He tried to focus on
getting to India to prevent becoming overwhelmed.