Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4567 | Page 156

Pandora nodded and we walked back home under the bright moonlight.
Pandora and I worked in our own fields separately after escaping from hell. We worked days and nights to
earn as much as we could in order to minimize our loan. We gathered together every night to count how much
we had earned and how much we should earn in the following days. Even when we got on well with each other
again, there was still an invisible barrier between us and none of us had the incentive to break through it.
Two girls lived frugal lives and we repaid all the debts to the usury after a year and half. Pandora and I
cheered loudly when we stepped out of the casino in Sipai Road. We both then decided to record this moment
by taking a photo in front of this casino. This is the first time and also the last time for us to take a photo
together.
Half a year later, Pandora disappeared when the Sino-Japanese War began. Her family and I looked for her
for several times but her disappearance remained a mystery. I survived by escaping to the refugee district of
Nanshi in the Northern part of Old Shanghai. I never saw Pandora again. Where did you go, my dearest friend?
***
I put the photo back into my drawer. Let it be placed inside the darkness and peacefulness. The sunshine
was still filling up my huge house with its warmth. I felt warm and embraced myself with my arms. I looked
through the window to find the shadow of Old Shanghai and the face of Pandora at the sunset.