Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 - 2017 | Page 17

Get the Job Done and Over With
British International School, Shanghai, Puxi (BISS Puxi), Woo, Lara - 13
March 1934 AD
Juan Fu District, Shanghai
N
eon lights pulsed in time to the city’s electric heartbeat. The cobbled roads were paved with gold and
radiance, gleaming with greed and pleasure, accompanied with swirling clouds of purple smoke that loitered
around. Take a turn and down an abandoned alleyway, a man sat in his wooden rocking chair flipping
through a collection of papers, clipped together into a smooth, leather file. He stopped turning, pulled out a
crumpled piece of paper, and brought it closer. “Fool,” he muttered, closing the file and throwing it under the
chair.
He removed the coins from his pocket, and replaced them with a set of knives. Took off is hat, and replaced is with
a black bandana. Get the job done and over with, a motto he lived by, and this job was no exception. He bent
down to tie his laces, stood up, and scaled the wall into the gloom.
Shu had always liked Shanghai in the late hours. Everything seemed at peace, even though he knew, more than
anyone, how much of a lie that was. But for now, he could pretend everything was perfect, and let his body soften.
Above the roofs, there were no angry traders, nobody to bother him. Just the moon, his beating heart, and his
thoughts.
The refreshing journey never felt long enough. Shu leaped off his favourite territory and landed gracefully in front
of a typical commoner’s house. 499 Blk, 23C. Yes, that was correct. There would be a father and his two daughters
sleeping peacefully inside.
Shu climbed through an open window to find himself in the master bedroom. Perfect. He set up a noose from the
ceiling lights and put his gloves and mask on. Carefully kneeling on the bed, Shu tied the unsuspecting man’s hands
and gagged him, then grinned and pinched his face. The prisoner awoke abruptly, pulling against his restraints.
“Mr. Zhou, what a pleasure to meet you. Now, I’m going to take the gag off, but if you scream, I’ll slice your
throat without a second thought. Keyi? ”
The man stayed rigid, before nodding reluctantly. Slowly, Shu pulled the cloth out of his mouth.
“Now tell me Mr Zhou, who will miss you when you’re gone?”