Fan Fiction |
by ~nO.9~
Perhaps some would remember her as their bubbly and cheerful classmate while others would have a vague memory of being served coffee by her. Yet all these were the past. Yesterday. History. Gone.
What was left now was a woman, a girl forced to grow up hastily, to take her place in society as an adult, someone capable of matured thoughts and actions.
And yet, she was never able to fully comprehend what had taken place that day.
All she knew was that he had left her.
The newspapers and television news had reported on the execution as though it was something detached from the rest of the real world, as though he was not a man, but an object of cruel fascination and warped interest. But Licen knew otherwise.
The national public had responded to the whole matter in a state of shock which had slowly morphed into anger and disgust. Else where around the world, people had slammed him so thoroughly that Licen could no longer bear to pick up the papers, where spiteful and mean comments were being published everyday in the few weeks following the arrest.
She had gone home.
Her parents knew nothing. They had scolded her for not continuing on with her education in Taipei and had made her promise to take night classes back in Gao Hsiong. Licen had numbly promised, not having an inkling of what her parents were saying. She didn’t know how to think, and she didn’t know how to live on. Everyday was just a pointless routine, an irritating reminder that she was still alive.
“I thought I would find you here.”
Licen remained standing there motionlessly. The tall and well-built man shook his head sadly, walking up to beside her.
“Licen, I know what happened. I know what happened that day. I know that you were responsible for one of the murders.”
Licen’s head jerked slightly, startled by the revelation.
“Yes. I know everything. Jay told me the day before the -” He swallowed painfully. “before the execution.”
Licen bowed her head, willing the tears to remain dormant, willing herself not to show any signs of weakness before the man who had signed the warrant for his arrest.
“Licen, look at me.” He commanded her, though without the mannerisms of a dictator. “Look at me.”
She turned her head very slowly until she was finally looking directly at him.
He sensed hatred and then, he thought he could sense loneliness.
She missed him.
“I missed him too you know.” He tucked his hands into his pants’ pockets. “After all, he was my godson. He called me inspector during work but outside of that, he knew me as godpa. He was very filial and respectful. All these while, I would never have guessed his other personality, of his other life.
The world may know him as a ruthless and evil person, they may know him as someone out of touch with humanity, only knowing revenge and bloodshed but I beg to differ. He was just a young man, someone who missed his family so dearly. How many of us have ever known how it feels like to lose your closest ones?
Licen, listen to me. Your brother did the right thing, he turned himself…”
“Then what about me?” Licen finally broke out of her self-imposed silence. “I killed someone too. You know that. That’s what you told me. So why can’t I turn myself in? You’re supposed to be an inspector. Here, arrest me.” Defiantly, she stuck out her hands.
“I won’t.” The inspector looked pained. “Not because you don’t deserved to be punished by the federal law. But because I believe that you have already been punished enough. By yourself, by your conscious. Now, it’s time for you to start living again. Jay took the rap for you. Don’t let him down. Don’t let him die for nothing.”
Licen said nothing.
“Here.” He fished out a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her.
Licen gingerly touched her cheeks. To her surprise, she found them wet.
Wet with tears she hadn’t shed for a long time.
“Thanks.”
“Let it go.”
“I’m alright.”
“No. I mean, let it go.”
She stopped wiping her eyes and stared at him.
“Let it go.” He repeated. “Just let it all go.”
“Let go.” She echoed after him, seemingly pondering over the words. “Let it all go.”
She shut her eyes.
And felt it all come back.
The murder, Geng Hong’s dead body, the hurried burial, the day at Father’s grave, the day Jay had confided in her, the day he had been executed…
The images just kept coming at her, all rushing at her in that single moment.
Then, nothing.
The memories stopped. The whirling stopped.
And everything was still.
“Thank you.” She turned to thank the inspector but all she saw was an empty space. Turning around, she watched as the retreating figure slowly diminish in size until he could no longer be seen. “Thank you Inspector Zhang.” She whispered to the bare air beside her. Then, “Thank you Godpa.”
This was it.
Everything was over.
She turned to the solemn headstone and smiled. A very faint imprint of a smile but nevertheless, a smile.
Licen was finally at peace.
On the second anniversary of her brother’s death, she was finally at peace.
.
.
.
.
.
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Wow. Another story completed. ^_^ Unlike my other fics where I felt like I couldn't bear to end the story, this one feels different. I feel happy...and satisfied. I really hope that every single one of my readers have enjoyed reading double crossing as much as I have enjoyed writing it.
Double Crossing is in fact, the fic closest to my heart other than Playing with fire. Firstly, the characters chosen are almost all artistes that I admire and secondly, the theme for both stories are less shallow (I hope! =P).
For those who are not happy with the ending, I’m really sorry about that. But I ended the story the way I, myself saw fit.
I would like to thank each and every single one of you who have so patiently sat through the entire story, especially those who have supported me throughout by leaving invaluable comments and feedback. Though I may not single you out here, you guys know who you are and I am sincerely grateful to you. =D
On a more somber note, this will most probably be my last fiction in winglin. There are a number of factors regarding this statement. As of now, I'm studying in vjc and if my results permit, I would like to stay on there. Meaning that school work and CCA would ensure that I will be kept busy. Secondly, I would like to do some self-reflections about my writing so that if I do start a new story in the future, it would be more worthy of your time. Finally, there's isn't any story theme that I am presently interested in exploring.
If I do start on a new fic, it will most definitely not be in the near future. ^_^
Some of my other fictions:
/icae1
Playing with Fire
GaoXing, Barbie(both from MVP Lover) and Jay Chou.
[A rebel, a rich girl and a silent nerd. How do they figure in the complicated web of love?]
/icae3
[S]ecrets.[H]ate.[E]nvy.
S.H.E., Vic Zhou, Tony Sun and Kunda
[The story of three girls. Each with their own story to tell.]
Yup. That's all.
Thanks so much for reading my story and if you haven't left a comment, please do! ^_^
~nO.9~
8th January 2005
8:21pm
icae_1312@hotmail.com