by Art Collins
The next haunting laugh and words that echoed out from the other side of the thick wall of rock left little doubt that Jockabeb’s clairvoyant dream had accurately foretold the future. “Gau mengh ā! Gau mengh ā!”
“See!” Jockabeb yelled triumphantly, “Those are the exact words I told you about this morning.”
Since she grew up roaming the abandoned subway tunnels below New York City, Willow had no fear of being in dark, cramped, underground spaces. And even though she believed Jockabeb had probably dreamed something similar to what was happening now, she had no qualms about crawling through the dark hole to help the person who was apparently trapped in the shadows on the other side. So in a desperate voice, she pleaded, “Come on, we have to help whoever is in there.”
“How do you know it’s a person?” Jockabeb asked, remembering the rest of his dream.
“Well, there’s only one way to find out,” Archibald said, reaching for May’s flashlight.
Pulling the flashlight back, May responded with steely finality, “I understand the language that he or it is speaking, so I’m going in first, thank you.”
“And not without me,” Robert Liu added, looking at the hole in the massive rock wall and wondering just how he was going to squeeze his body through it.
The decision became final when Archibald announced, “Okay, we can’t see what’s going on in there from out here, so we’re all going in together.”
An Ancient Legend Re-emerges
May was the first to climb up and disappear through the shadowy hole in the wall. Since she’d finally agreed to give Archibald the flashlight so he could illuminate the opening while the others crawled through it, May couldn’t see exactly what she’d entered, and wouldn’t until Archibald finally arrived. However, even though she couldn’t see anything in the dark after she lowered herself hand-first to the rock floor on the other side, she could smell a rank odor similar to the smell Jockabeb had described in his dream.
Jockabeb was the second one through the hole. Once he hit the ground on the other side, he felt May’s hand take his and guide him several steps away from the dimly lit opening where the others would soon emerge. Standing in the dark, Jockabeb whispered, “It’s just like I dreamed. Exactly the same sounds, the same smell, the same creepy feeling.”
“Don’t worry, Jockabeb,” May whispered back. “We’ll be alright. Remember, we’re here to rescue someone who needs our help.”
Willow was the third person to land on the other side. As her sensitive eyes adjusted to the dark, she turned in a circle, scanning the perimeter walls. Then, in a hushed voice, she whispered, “There’s something moving over by the far wall, but I can’t make out exactly who or what it is.”
The dim light that flickered through the hole was suddenly extinguished as Robert Liu’s rotund frame completely filled the opening. With great effort, he somehow squeezed through the hole and literally rolled onto the rock floor on the other side of the wall, eliciting a bout of laughter from whatever was lurking in the darkness.
“Over here, Robert,” May said, extending her hand.
“Thank you, Miss May,” he answered, leaning his bruised body up against a wall of damp, cold rock.
Seconds later, Archibald’s head poked out of the hole. As he pulled the rest of his body forward and lowered himself hands-first to the ground, the small space that he had just entered was washed in light.
Willow gasped, “What is that?”
As Archibald trained the flashlight’s beam on the far wall of the twenty-foot wide, eight-foot high square cave, his mind shot back to the book he’d studied in his Chinese Literature class.
Jutting eighteen inches out from the wall was a narrow outcropping of jagged rock. Literally embedded in the outcropping, from the top of its hips down, was a human-sized monkey. It was wearing an ornate armored vest, and the round hat perched on top of its head looked like a crown. The monkey’s large round eyes sunk in its orbital sockets were like nothing any of them had ever seen before. The sinister eyes were glowing yellow, with not a trace of an iris or pupil.
The monkey’s head slowly turned and its unearthly pair of eyes stared down at the astonished group. The Monkey King’s left arm appeared to be lodged securely in the rock.
As the monkey cocked its round hairy head, Archibald looked at Willow in complete amazement and whispered, “It’s the Monkey King! This is impossible! The Monkey King is just an old Chinese legend. It’s make-believe. This can’t be real, except . . . well . . . I guess it is because we’re looking at it.”
Before anyone could utter another word, the monkey began to speak!
As it did, May whispered, “This monkey is speaking in a language similar to Cantonese. It’s not exactly Cantonese, but I can still understand it.”
For the next several minutes, the monkey spoke excitedly in a nonstop monologue. May listened intently, translating out loud the essence of what she heard. Occasionally, she asked the monkey to repeat itself so she could better understand. While the monkey’s account of what had happened centuries ago seemed unbelievable, it was somewhat consistent with what Archibald had read in Monkey.
The monkey explained that the day its host and master, the Monkey King, had been freed after the five hundred years of captivity imposed by Buddha, something terrible had happened. When the Monkey King had jumped off the outcropping while leaving the mountain dungeon—the same dungeon in which they were all now standing—one of the hairs on his body fell into a crack in the rock and was left behind.
Minutes later, that hair was magically transformed into a clone of the Monkey King. As the clone grew, its body and left arm became trapped in the rock. Even though the clone was immortal like its departed host, it lacked most of the Monkey King’s other powers. With no way to escape, the Monkey Clone was forced to remain a captive for centuries, waiting in desperate solitude for someone to finally free it.
When the Monkey Clone had finished its fantastic tale, May asked how it could be freed. The Monkey Clone smiled coyly. In a friendly voice, it then laughed and told her to come closer so they could better hear each other.
As May stepped forward, the Monkey Clone’s right arm suddenly shot forward, growing longer as it did. Once the Monkey Clone had a vice-like grip around May’s neck, its hairy arm quickly withdrew, dragging her with it, kicking and screaming.
Monkey Clone
Seeing May struggling and in mortal danger, Jockabeb’s instincts immediately took over. As he ran toward her, he yelled, “Let her go, you stinking ape!”
Surprised and somewhat caught off guard, the Monkey Clone dropped May in order to make a fist. As the Monkey Clone swung its right arm forward, May saw her opening and scampered away.
The Monkey Clone’s aim was good, striking Jockabeb squarely on his left cheek, knocking him to the ground. With lightning speed, the simian beast then grabbed its new victim by the throat and drew him to its chest, laughing loudly as it did.
Although relieved that May had escaped, Robert Liu was horrified to see the young American struggling for his life. Knowing he had to act fast if he was to free the boy, Robert clenched his fists and dashed forward.
There was little doubt in the Monkey Clone’s mind that there was no way the overweight human running toward it could match its own supernatural strength. The evil clone was also determined not to let the boy get away like the girl had done just moments before. After biting down on Jockabeb’s T-shirt so escape was impossible, the Monkey Clone swung its powerful right fist forward with lightning speed.
The sound of Robert Liu’s glasses breaking and his skull cracking turned May’s stomach. Seconds later, Robert staggered backward, collapsing at Archibald’s feet. Seeing Robert bleeding from a large gash in the middle of his forehead and lying motionless on the ground, it wasn’t clear to the remaining members of the group whether or not he was still alive. Whatever the case, there was no doubt in May’s mind that her father’s bodyguard wouldn’t be guarding anyone for a long ti
me, if ever at all!
Capturing a hostage
After again placing its right arm securely around Jockabeb’s throat, the Monkey Clone spoke. This time, however, there was no trace of kindness or humor in its voice. Spitting out words with vile hatred that had mounted over the centuries, the Monkey Clone issued an ultimatum to May.
May’s voice trembled when she said, “The Monkey Clone says that we have to leave now and come back tomorrow with an elixir that will dissolve the rock surrounding the lower half of its body. If we do that, the Monkey Clone promises to let us all go as a reward for setting it free. If we don’t come back alone with the elixir, or if we tell anyone what happened here, Jockabeb and Robert will both die a slow and very painful death.”
“How are we supposed to find an elixir that can dissolve the rock?” Archibald asked in an exasperated voice.
When May asked the Monkey Clone what the elixir was made out of and where to find it, the hairy beast tightened its grip on Jockabeb, snarling back that it was their responsibility to figure that out. Then, to give the three teens a taste of what was in store for their friend if they failed in their mission, The Monkey Clone leaned its head down and bit off the tip of Jockabeb’s right earlobe!
Jockabeb’s scream was still echoing off the walls of the dark dungeon when a tiny piece of bloody flesh was spit toward the three startled teenagers who could hardly believe what they’d just seen.
Even though every bone in his body wanted to remain and fight rather than leave, Archibald instinctively knew what Simtu had known when he left Haktu alone with the Black Raven warriors at the underground lake—staying behind wouldn’t save his brother. Returning with help, or at least something to destroy the Monkey Clone, was their only hope.
With that painful decision made, the main question in Archibald’s mind was whether he could return with what he needed in time. If not, he feared Jockabeb faced a fate far worse than Haktu did centuries ago. Also knowing that without the car keys, they wouldn’t be able to drive the Mercedes back to Jade Place, Archibald slowly reached down and retrieved the keys from Robert’s coat pocket while the Monkey Clone was giving final instructions to May.
The Rescue Mission Begins
The moment they were dismissed, May, Archibald, and Willow quickly departed the same way they’d arrived, running through the rocky passageway as fast as they could. Thankfully, by the time all three of them squeezed back out through the crack in the mountainside, the cloudy mist had lifted.
Before heading back the pier, May took a roll of white athletic tape out of her backpack. Handing it to Archibald, she said, “Rip off a piece of tape and attach it to the branch of a tree or a bush as we make our way to the stone steps. That way we’ll be able to find our way back even if a cloud is covering the mountain top when we return.”
After the three teenagers found the stone steps, they descended Lantau Peak in record time. Fortunately, they arrived at the ferry with just seconds to spare before the gangway was retracted at six o’clock.
Standing in stunned silence on the fantail of the ferry as it pulled away from the pier and turned toward Hong Kong Island, each of the three felt a terrible knot in their stomach. With a clear view of the towering mountain where Jockabeb and Robert Lui were being held captive, two facts were certain: Robert Lui was close to death if not dead already, and Jockabeb was scared, bleeding, and alone in the dark—well, not quite alone!
As Lantau Peak faded from view, May suggested they walk inside to find a quiet spot in the passengers’ lounge. Minutes later, she was the first to break the awkward silence when she said, “We have some decisions to make.”
“Yeah,” Archibald replied, “Like how are we going to find this magic elixir that we can trade for my brother’s life?”
Sensing Archibald’s fear and frustration, May answered, “I’m going to call Wu Feng as soon as we get home. Besides being a Ninth Degree Grandmaster, he is also an expert in ancient Chinese legends, and the story of the Monkey King and its clones certainly falls into that category.”
Remembering what the Monkey Clone had said about not telling anyone what happened inside the cave on Lantau Island, May added, “Wu Feng is very trustworthy. I know he won’t tell a soul, and I also know he’ll be willing to help us. And speaking of home, we have to decide what we’re going to tell my mother about Jockabeb and Robert. She will obviously notice that they’re not with us, and we need to keep her from calling the police.”
“Okay, I’ve got an idea,” Archibald said quietly, leaning forward. “Let’s tell her that Jockabeb tripped and fell while we were climbing Lantau Peak. We can say that he twisted his ankle and hit his head on one of the stone steps. We passed by a clinic on our way to the trailhead, so let’s just tell her we took him there to be examined.”
“Then why aren’t Jockabeb and Robert with us now?” Willow asked, not at all sure that her boyfriend had come up with a plausible explanation.
“Well, the doctor who examined Jockabeb thought he should stay off his ankle for a while,” Archibald began, filling in the details as he spoke. “Even though the doctor didn’t think Jockabeb had a concussion, he wanted to observe him for at least twelve hours. Since that meant we would all miss the last ferry back to Central, Robert said that he’d spend the night with Jockabeb and then bring him home the next day.”
“So, where will they spend the night?” Willow pressed.
“You remember that little hotel we passed on the way to Lantau Peak?” Archibald replied, now fairly sure that his story held together.
“No, but keep talking” Willow said, knowing what was probably coming next.
Fairly sure that he had concocted a story of what could have happened, Archibald concluded his tall tale, saying, “Jockabeb will stay at the clinic, and Robert will get a room at the hotel. It all fits perfectly, don’t you think?”
“How did you think all that up,” Willow asked, shaking her head in amazement.
“Well, I’ve had some practice over the years,” Archibald answered, cracking a humorless smile. “Listen,” he continued, “I have my driver’s license, so I think I can handle the Mercedes and get us back to Jade Place. From then on, May, you’re taking the lead with your mother and with Wu Feng. Okay?”
Even though she knew that everything was far from being okay, May answered as confidently as she could, “Okay, if you say so.”
A Plan for the Night Takes Shape
With more than a bit of difficulty driving on the right hand side of the road, and after narrowly avoiding several crashes while May navigated, Archibald let out a sigh of relief when he finally parked the Mercedes in the Jade Place garage at a quarter to eight that night. Not surprisingly, May’s mother was waiting patiently in the living room for her daughter and guests to return.
“Where is your brother?” Mrs. Chen immediately asked Archibald.
“He fell when we were climbing Lantau Peak,” May quickly answered. “Even though he twisted his ankle and bumped his head, he’s fine.” She then proceeded to tell her mother the story Archibald had fabricated on the ferry.
When May had finished, Mrs. Chen looked both worried and a bit skeptical when she asked, “Should we call the clinic and talk to him now?”
“No,” May replied calmly. “The doctor was very specific that he didn’t want Jockabeb disturbed until tomorrow morning.”
“Perhaps I should call the doctor and speak with him,” Mrs. Chen continued, clearly concerned.
“Mother, I don’t think you need to do that,” May quickly answered. “Robert is with Jockabeb. He said he would call us if anything else happens. From the way everything sounded when we left, they’ll probably be home tomorrow morning, or by midday at the latest.”
“Well, the three of you should go back to Lantau Island first thing in the morning so you can accompany Robert and Jockabeb back here. I’d join you, but I am hosting a luncheon for twenty patrons of the Museum of History tomorrow.”
Knowing that they’d
need to be back on the ferry tomorrow anyway, with or without the elixir, May said, “You’re absolutely right, Mother. We’ll definitely do that.” Then she added, “I think we’d all like to freshen up a bit before dinner, so if you’ll excuse us, we’ll go to our rooms now.”
“Certainly,” Mrs. Chen said. “I’ll tell Kuang Jianguo that we’ll dine at half past eight.”
When May, Willow, and Archibald reached the top of the stairs, May stopped and whispered, “Come with me to my father’s study. He has a private phone line that my mother can’t access from downstairs. We can use it to call Wu Feng.”
Ten minutes later, May hung up the phone. Smiling, she told Willow and Archibald that Wu Feng had agreed to help, and that he was going to make a call to someone he thought just might have a solution to their problem. Since time was short, he had asked if May and her friends could be outside Jade Place at a little after midnight. If so, he said he would pick them up in his car. May told Archibald and Willow that she had agreed and that she had a plan.
Explaining what would happen next, May said, “After dinner, we’ll immediately go to our rooms. I’ll set my alarm clock to ten minutes before midnight. Once I’m up, I’ll come to your rooms and get you. Mother takes a sleeping pill every night, so she won’t wake up until morning.”
“Perfect,” Archibald replied, hopeful that Wu Feng would pull the proverbial rabbit out his hat to save Jockabeb.
“Not perfect,” May said, “but at least it’s a plan.”
Respecting Willow’s request to retire early because of jet lag, Mrs. Chen instructed Ahlam to serve dinner at a brisker pace than normal. When Kung Pao chicken, braised baby cabbage in broth, and fried rice had been rapidly consumed, the three teenagers passed on dessert after saying they were exhausted from the day’s hike.
When May asked her mother if they all could be excused from the table to go to bed, Mrs. Chen answered, “Of course.” Then she patted Willow’s hand and added, “I know you’ll probably want to sleep late. If you don’t want to go back to Lantau Island tomorrow morning with May and Archibald, then that is perfectly alright.”