Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
Malaysia 2004
Another night, another burglary just like the other ten that he had done in the past week. The life of a criminal was not what he chose, he was a cop, the best that they could find. But due to a turn of events, he was now standing on the other side. He hated the life but he had to do it, to survive. The gunshots haunted his waking nightmare but he had to stay alert and keep moving with his group of thieves.
They started small at first, convenient stores and then small banks but to rob a jewelry store with high tech security and armed guards was ridiculous. In his hand was a bag of diamonds while he was being chased by five guys shooting at him. The group rushed into an abandoned manufacturing company, the perfect hideout with no one around and no lights but the moonlight. His breathing quickened when he heard footsteps, hiding behind a pillar would not guarantee his life and he knew it.
Stuffing the bag into his jacket; he whipped his body around and pointed the gun at the person stepping closer. The guy’s eyes widened “Kwok Sir.”
Christian was no longer a cop yet the guys that he trained and grew close like brothers still called him by his once captain’s stature “Joe, get the hell out of here!” he growled, the gun still raised.
“Sir, it’s not too late to turn yourself in. I know you don’t want to do this.” He lowered his gun.
Suddenly a fire was shot into his arm as he fell to the ground in pain “Christian, shoot him!” the leader of the pack instructed as he came back looking for his top thief.
“Kwok Sir…” Joe looked at him pleadingly.
Joe aimed for his heart and closed his eyes and let the fire ring in his ears. He didn’t turn back while he rushed off after his brothers. Sirens could be heard while they came rushing to the police’s help. The paramedics pushed Joe into a stretcher while they tried to revive him. He woke up minutes after arriving in the hospital “You were lucky you had your vest on, if not, you would have died.” The nurse advised, “Good thing they didn’t know you had it on.”
He touched the bruise Christian’s bullet caused “Yeah…good thing.”
************
The cigarette was burning slowly between his fingers, he didn’t puff it like he normally did. His mind was somewhere else as he looked outside the window to the rundown motel that stunk of piss and death. The guys were laughing and counting their shares to the diamonds they stole, but he didn’t care. He had long ago grown tired of the life style.
“Hey Christian, come over here and take your share.” Ah Lung waved over his top thief.
Turning slowly, he plastered on a smile and approached him slowly “Thanks.” He said casually when the guy tossed him the bag of diamonds.
“What’s the matter? It’s not enough?” he snapped angrily.
Christian shook his head vehemently “No, I didn’t stay that.”
The smile appeared as quick as his bark “I’m just shittin’ with you, man. I’d give you my share if you wanted.”
And then he was reminded to why he had joined the group. They were like family, brothers that watched out for each other. Ah Lung often gave up his share and dignity for the sake of his brothers. Christian admired that much about him and often declined his generous offer while some of the other guys would easily take on the offer. It was another reason why Ah Lung admired Christian, he was a man of his words.
“No, I don’t need it.” Christian shook his head.
Ah Lung frowned “Come outside, I want to talk to you.” He walked out and down to the corner deli. Christian sat down across from him “What’s the matter?” he read him like a book.
“I want out.” He had been debating those three words for months and never had the courage to tell Ah Lung but here he was blurting it out before he had a chance to rethink his decision.
“You know the consequences for that.” He warned him, trying to scare him from getting out.
“I don’t care if you have to cut my hand off, I want out.” Christian was determined.
Ah Lung nodded “Look, I wouldn’t do this for anyone but you. You’re the only guy I trust in this fuckin’ bunch of nimwads! I hate to see you go but if you have to, then you have to. I know how it goes especially for an ex cop.”
“Jesus! Do you have to say it so loud?” Christian muttered.
He only laughed at his concern “I could announce it to the underground world if I wanted. I can let you out…but you have to do one last deal for me.”
“Okay.” He answered without thinking.
Ah Lung raised his brows “This could kill you.”
“I don’t care.” Christian was determined.
“Fine, come with me to Hong Kong tomorrow.” Ah Lung got up and finished his beer.
Christian was concerned finally, he was a fugitive in his native country “Where are we going?”
“Lantau Island, I want you to meet someone. A monk. Damn, I never caught his name. But I heard he can read the future.” Ah Lung said mysteriously, hoping to capture more of his interest.
“Fuck man, I don’t believe in that crap.” Christian shook his head with a laugh.
“It’s not like that. He doesn’t just read your futures, he makes them come true. Anyways, I got an inside tip that he knows of this treasure hidden somewhere in the western part of the world. If we can get him to tell us, you can life in luxury for the rest of your life. Then you wouldn’t have to worry about killing your cop friends or turning on us.” Ah Lung added.
Christian snickered “I didn’t know you believed in tall tales.”
“It’s not.” Ah Lung replied solemnly, his eyes darkened as the night above “It’s not something we should mess with. That fuckin’ monk said my old woman was gonna die and she died the next day from a car accident. He said I would live a life of crime.”
“That’s obvious, look at your beard and clothes. Not to mention the gun you hide in your jeans and it’s not very hidden.” He flicked his brows up.
Ah Lung quickly adjusted his shirt to cover the gun “He said that fortune when I was twelve. My mom made me go with her one day and so I did, he read me my fortune and the next year, I found myself stealing things from stores and I didn’t get caught. It was invigorating and not to mention a natural high. I loved it so much that I made a living from it.”
Christian still refused to believe the nonsense “I don’t know man…”
“Look, just come with me tomorrow and you can judge for yourself.” He pressed.
“Fine.” He nodded in agreement.
**********
Kevin sat in her pale turquoise colored room, she was infatuated with the gem as well as its color. She even insisted on painting the room a lighter version of the shade. He sat on her beanbag looking bored “Are you done yet?!!” he groaned tiredly. They were going out to dinner with her parents that night and as usual, she was holding up the group.
Alexis twirled the last bunch of her long mane into her curler as she let it go and allowed the waves to surround her porcelain face. The makeup was perfect since she learned how to do that at the early age of thirteen. She only perfect it within age “Coming!” she yelled after he asked her for the tenth time. Adjusting her light blue chiffon dress as she emerged from her bathroom “Done! How do I look?”
He gave her a glance and a smile that was definitely forced “Beautiful, peachie. Now let’s go.”
She knew when he used her father’s nickname on her, it meant sarcasm “Some kind of boyfriend you turned out to be!” she huffed.
Kevin pushed himself from the seat with a laugh “I believe it was you that came to me begging for me to play the role of your boyfriend. But to be honest, I love the free dinners but sometimes I wonder if it’s worth all the pain and suffering.”
“What pain?” she linked his arm automatically and walked out of the room to join her parents downstairs.
“The questions, the compliments you make me say…you know the usual.” He replied nonchalantly.
Alex rolled her eyes with a hidden smile “Wow, that was almost funny.”
“Shh…they’re watching.” He whispered before putting on his perfect teeth practiced grin “Uncle, Auntie.” He greeted them with respect.
“Kevin.” The elder lady nodded with approval “Don’t you look handsome today.”
“Ahem!” Alex made it obvious she wanted attention.
Her father grinned as he leaned in to hug his girl “Peachie, you look breathtakingly gorgeous. I swear you took it after your mother.” He winked at his wife lovingly.
“How was Ireland?” Alex was pleased from the compliment “I hear it’s cold this time of year.”
They walked out to the limo together “It was a little icy but that country has one of the most beautiful ancient architectural wonders in this world. The castles are magnificent and the water is a beautiful blue. When you two get married, you should go there on your honeymoon.” The distinguished man suggested.
The two exchanged knowing smiles “Yes, maybe we will.” Alex nodded convincingly.
They rode out to Mountain Peak restaurant overlooking Hong Kong city. The sight was beautiful and they had the perfect view from their private booth seat. Classical music playing in the distant while the dimly lit restaurant gave a romantic hue would have been perfect for two couples in love.
Again, they were forced to make up stories about their early dating times. So far they had synchronized their stories so it would not clash or cause suspicion “So, are there any plans to wed my only daughter?” the man asked Kevin teasingly.
“Oh no, I think it’s too soon.” He shook his head with a slow laugh.
Mrs. So turned to the young man with a confused look “When do you think you will be ready? It has been five years since you two dated. My, if it was our time we would be married with two or three kids.” She laughed.
“Mother, you said if it was YOUR time. This is our time, we should have a say in when we want to get married.” She argued.
Her father quickly stopped the quarrel “Now, now, it’s a beautiful night and the food is delicious. Must we argue over this? Honey, they are not kids anymore, we should allow them to plan their own wedding.”
Alex turned to her friend with raised brows, her mother caught the gesture and she quickly pulled him up “It’s my favorite song! Let’s go dance.” He nodded hastily and followed her to the dance floor with only a couple of people dancing “Thank God!” She breathed with relief.
“Yeah, your mother is a persistent woman isn’t she?” he laughed.
“I told you not to say five years but you had to say five years, it couldn’t have been two months or even a year would be good. At least you can spare me my independence for another few years before they start hounding me to spit out those grandchildren.” She was using her scolding tone that he hated.
Kevin widened his eyes “Miss, I had no idea I was playing a role the same night you ran into me at that market. It was like hi Kevin, haven’t seen you in years. Come help me fool my parents by saying we have been dating.” He cracked “I was so close to running away but then I remembered you were always nice to me when we were in junior high.”
“And grade school!” Alex added “I gave you all my sandwiches at lunch time.”
He smiled with a distant look “Yeah, the good old days.” Her eyes moved away again and this time he noticed “Okay, who’s the guy? Is he staring at you?”
“No, it’s a girl.” She shook her head.
“A girl?” he turned to her direction and landed his eyes on a pretty girl with long hair, her smile was inviting.
“She’s staring at you.” Alex giggled, “Go say hi!” She practically pushed him. But he grounded his feet and shook his head “Don’t be shy! Come on!”
He shook his head again “I can’t Alex. Remember, your parents?” he reached for her hand again as they came into steps again with the music.
“Oh…yeah.” She sighed, “I forgot. Sorry, I’m holding you back aren’t I?”
He laughed, “It’s okay. If she and I have fate, we’ll meet again.”
“Pathetic.” Alex shook her head sadly. Her eyes moved towards a waiter carrying a flaming dish over his shoulder, he was cutting through the dance floor. She thought nothing of it but when she turned, they bumped into someone “Excuse me.”
It was the same girl that was smiling at Kevin earlier. Her eyes widened as she suddenly pulled the two aside dodging the waiter who had slipped on a small puddle of water as the dish came flying at them. It missed them by an inch as it flew on another couple’s table and flames ignited instantly from the crashed glass of wine. The alcohol fed to the fire as it spread quickly at the couple’s clothes.
“Oh my God…” Kevin whispered while his first reaction was look for water. He rushed to the neighboring tables and grabbed the glasses of water. A couple of the people as well as waiters caught on as they copied Kevin who was busy taking off the flames from the people before he got to the table.
Alex stood there dumbfounded and at shock as she turned to thank the girl but was disappointed when she was gone. Her eyes searched the restaurant but couldn’t find her. After the flame was contained, Kevin and Alex reunited with her parents “Darling, I’m so glad you’re alright. I was so scared!” Mrs. So hugged her daughter.
“What happened?” her father asked curiously.
She shook her head unable to speak. Instead Kevin explained what had happened. She couldn’t shake off the strange feeling she had growing inside. And then she recalled the monk’s words the first time she went with Kevin to Po Lin Temple ‘You will be saved six times in one week by six different people. Then you will believe my words and you will come back. For life will cheat you six times before it is your time to start your duty.’
“Did you thank that girl?” Kevin asked after they left the restaurant that night. She shook her head “You didn’t get her name, did you?”
“No, she was gone before I got a chance to.” Alex smiled after he looked at her with concern “I’m okay.”
“I know what your thinking about.” He said in a low voice, afraid he would scare her parents if they overheard them “Master’s words are very real, aren’t they? That’s two.”
“It’s just a coincidence.” She brushed it off lightly.
“Yeah, we’ll see.” He nodded unconvincingly before ushering her into the limo.