Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4567 | Page 98

As her dress shifts into a crimson purple, I approach. Love and Dignity Of strangers? Her name disappears. I shift to a different part of town. I shift to an incalculable amount of places. All at the same time. Death is everywhere, even at times you are not aware of it. Next name: 强刚志 ( Qiang Gangzhi ). Strong indomitable will They called him “Iron fist” Gang. Once one of the most powerful man in Shanghai, who now has fallen. At the age of 13, he killed 2 triad captains at the cost of his hand. His parents feared him. His peers worshipped him. They left school and joined the same triad. He listened. He learned. At age 15, he killed the entire gang by setting fire to their hideout. He started his own gang. With a bit of tweaking, he turned cuffs he found into flails. At the age of 26, he was in control of half of Shanghai. At age 35 he had most of the police force bribed and in control. 2 years later, with the arrival firearms, he considered them weak and cowardly. Gang Wars after gang wars power slipped through his unbreakable chains, and in the end, his strength was his downfall. With no friends, nor family, he turned to opium. Eventually, his sole purpose was opium. Doing anything to reach it. His pride was gone. His will as rusted as his flail. “Iron fist” Gang was no more. Now he crunches in a dark alleyway, clutching the only thing that reminded him of his past. He looks up and a strange image appears in his mind. A girl in blue. Why? He wondered. “I’m so pathetic” he whispers. As his face drains of color, I approach. Power and Satisfaction Gained from fear. Was it worth it? His name disappears. I am here. I was here. I will be here. No matter what year, what century, what millenia is it is, Death is, was and shall be constant. 張仁生 ( Zhang Rensheng ) is a officer in the Shanghai Municipal Police force. Born and raised in Hong Kong, his father work in the police force, and thus wanted to become one himself. At age 16 he joined the academy, and after half a year finally became an officer. He and his partner, both held a righteous belief, and would patrol the streets, never taking bribes. People hated him. When usually a small bribe was enough, they were now fined. Eventually