Lights Out

by Stopforth, W. J.

  Lily looked back toward the wooden carved Gods, all brightly painted and intricately carved. She recognized one as the God of the Sea, and another as the Goddess of Mercy. Lily smiled to herself. Just like her Grandmother, she was named after the God of Mercy. Lily saw it as a good omen for the ceremony and relaxed a little.

  Lily’s Grandmother represented the head of the Society in Hong Kong, and with her were eight other senior members, all with the designation of Master. Lily recognized them all; she had grown up oblivious to everything and everyone around her, now it all started to make sense.

  One of her Uncles was to carry out the ceremony.

  Lily noticed that by his feet, he had a bamboo cage with a rooster inside, it was a tiny cage, hardly enough room for the bird to turn in a circle and it had started to squawk and fidget, trying to fluff it’s wings, but unable to do so.

  Each of the eight members stood in a circle inside the four Gods with Lily in the centre. They each held a bunch of incense sticks, which her Uncle proceeded to light with a single wooden burning stick. Once the incense was burning well and the smoke started to ascend, the Masters began to chant whilst fanning the incense around Lily, shaking their sticks up and down, chanting low under their breaths.

  Lily watched as her Uncle took the rooster from its cage holding the wriggling animal upside down with its feet. The bird flapped and squawked it’s way to the stone alter. With one hand he pressed his arm and hand across the bird keep it down, and with the other withdrew a long sharp sword that glistened in the dark smoky room. The chanting increased in volume, whilst Lily remained in the circle, she found the smell was over whelming, slowly engulfing her in incense smoke.

  The chanting grew louder still until it reached a high pitch, then her uncle swiftly brought down the knife slicing the roosters throat in one powerful sweep. The body of the rooster twitched and shuddered. He held it down until it subsided. Lily stood rooted to the floor as she watched the dark red blood form a pool in the basin of the stone. Her uncle filled a narrow glass with some of the warm sticky blood. He held the blood up to the two gods and bowed a deep bow. The circle had now broken, and a gap had been made for her Uncle to bring the glass to her. He took a step down into the centre and when he reached Lily he looked straight at her.

  “Are you ready?” he asked simply.

  Lily’s heart was racing. The loud chanting and incense smoke had bewitched her. She felt light headed and strange. She hadn’t expected any of this. It was never spoken of, and she would never be allowed to speak of it after this evening, not even with her Grandmother.

  She nodded numbly at her uncle.

  He dipped one finger into the blood and drew a symbol onto her forehead. Lily could smell the blood. It smelled of metal to Lily. The feeling of him drawing on her forehead was an odd sensation. His finger felt hot and the pressure in the centre of her forehead made her head buzz. She tried to keep her focus on her uncle and stood still whilst he finished his task. Next, he lifted the small glass to Lily’s lips and said quietly to her; “now drink”.

  Lily closed her eyes and drew the liquid into her mouth. She tried to block off her nose. The thick warm red blood swirled around her mouth and she almost gagged. She screwed her eyes up tighter and drank some more, her Uncle each time raising the glass to let the contents slip into Lily’s mouth.

  Lily took a last gulp and opened her eyes and blinked. She felt flushed and a little unsteady. She looked around at all of the nine faces surrounding her. Her Uncle took away the glass, placing it back onto the stone alter, and opened a black wooden box; he withdrew a small book from inside.

  He walked back to the centre of the circle where Lily stood and gave her the book. The book was covered in red silk, the colour faded with age. It was slightly dog-eared on the corners and Lily wondered how many times it had been used over the years. She tried to imagine her father doing the same rituals, but couldn’t picture him.

  “Now read the Good Fortune Harmony oath’, her uncle said to her gently. ”There are thirteen in total.”

  Lily cleared her throat, wishing desperately that she could drink some water to free her mouth from the metallic taste that was still so pungent. But she knew better than to ask.

  She looked around her. All members were now silently waiting for her to begin.

  She opened the book, and taking a deep breath, she proceeded to recite the contents to her audience.

  “The thirteen Oaths of the Good Fortune Harmony Society”, Lily read out loud, her voice echoing slightly around the temple. She continued.

  “1. After entering the Good Fortune Harmony Society I must treat the parents and relatives of my sworn brothers and sisters as my own kin. I shall suffer death by five swords if I do not keep this oath.

  2. When my sworn brothers and sisters visit my house, I shall provide them with board and lodging. I shall be killed by myriads of knives if I treat them as strangers.

  3. I shall not disclose the secrets of the Good Fortune Harmony Society, not even to my parents, brothers, sisters, husband or wife. I shall never disclose the secrets for money. I will be killed by myriads of swords if I do so.

  4. I shall never betray my sworn brothers and sisters. If this oath is broken, I will be treated as a traitor to the society and will receive one hundred cuts to my body.

  5. I must never commit any assaults on my sworn brothers and sisters, or the family of my kin. I shall be killed by five swords if I break this oath.

  6. I shall never embezzle cash or property from my sworn brothers and sisters. If I break this oath I will be killed by myriads of swords.

  7. I will take good care of the family of my sworn brothers and sisters entrusted to my keeping. If I do not I will be killed by five swords.

  8. If I am arrested after committing an offence I must accept my punishment and not try to place blame on my sworn brothers and sisters. If I do so, I will be killed by five swords.

  9. If any of my sworn brothers or sisters are killed, or arrested, or have departed to some other place, I will assist their family who may be in need. If I pretend to have no knowledge of their difficulties, I will be killed by five swords.

  10. If it comes to my knowledge that the Government is seeking any of my sworn brothers or sisters. I shall inform him in order that he may make his escape. If I break this oath, I will be killed by five swords.

  11. I shall not appoint myself as Deputy Mountain Master without authority. After serving the Good Fortune Harmony Society for five years the loyal and faithful ones may be promoted by the Mountain Master with the support of his sworn brothers and sisters. I shall be killed by five swords if I make any unauthorized promotion myself.

  12. I must not take advantage of the Good Fortune Harmony Society in order to oppress or take violent or unreasonable advantage of others. I must be content and honest. If I break this oath, I will be killed by five swords.

  13. I must never reveal the secrets or signs of the Good Fortune Harmony Society when speaking to outsiders. If I do so I will be killed by a myriad of swords.”

  Lily finished the last oath and looked towards her Uncle.

  “Now just the last paragraph.” He nodded to Lily and indicated that she must finish in full.

  Lily turned to the last page and continued to read.

  “After entering the realms of the Good Fortune Harmony Society I shall be a loyal, faithful and true member. I promise to follow the path of the Society and I endeavour to keep true to the Oaths that I have spoken.

  I will worship our precious God; Guan Gong and will incorporate the six qualities of the humble man into my life.

  Humanity. Righteousness. Ritual Obedience. Wisdom. Loyalty and Trust.”

  Lily closed the book and passed it back to her Uncle, who, for the first time since starting the ceremony, smiled at her. Lily looked around her. All of the members were nodding in acknowledgement. She turned to her Grandmother who reached forwards with her hands to take Lily’s. Lily stepped forwards quickl
y closing the gap between them and held her hands out.

  “Congratulations Lillian”, she said looking up at Lily.

  She withdrew her hands and carefully twisted off a gold and jade ring from her bent finger.

  She took Lily’s hand and slipped the ring onto the middle finger of her right hand, it was too big and swung around loosely.

  “What’s this”, Lily whispered rubbing the cool jade stone with her fingertips.

  “It shows that you are a member. Only members of our society can wear them. It’s one of our signs. This one is over thirty years old. A good piece of Jade.” Her Grandmother said.

  “But what about yours?” Lily asked, “Shouldn’t you still wear one?’

  “I have one.” She stated and touched Lily’s cheeked with her old fingers.

  “This was your fathers, you can have it made smaller to fit you. But it’s very much yours now.”

  Lily smiled at her Grandmother and looked around the temple. It was such a surreal setting; the lighting was low, mostly candles surrounding the stone altars. Smoke still poured out of the incense tips and twisted and spiraled above their heads causing a haze. The walls were all painted a deep red, making it feel like they were inside a cave. This was truly a life changing moment for her. She had read the Oaths, and knew how important they were. She would honour them all and learn from her elders, and when the time was right, she would avenge her parents’ death.

  “Time to eat.” Lily’s Uncle clapped his hands together breaking the moment. He guided them all to the exit and they stepped out onto the quiet Hong Kong street.

  Chapter 26

  Sarah was sitting at her desk when the call came in. At first she didn’t register, the voice was talking so quickly it made it hard for her to understand.

  “Who is this”, she asked, squinting as she tried to push the phone closer to her ear so that she could hear properly.

  “He’s dead, they killed him, they had him and killed him, he’s dead, and I have his blood all over me. He’s dead.” Ryan panted as he spoke.

  Sarah recognized the voice of Ryan Harper, it was clearer now.

  “Ryan, is that you? Where are you?” She asked standing up. With her free hand she grabbed her suit jacket off the back of her swivel office chair and started toward the door.

  “Ryan what happened, talk to me. Who’s dead?" She asked, striding now down the corridor toward the exit, trying to keep Ryan engaged and talking at the same time.

  “I’m in Chai Wan,” He said. This time his voice sounded calmer.

  “My battery is low, I might get cut off.” He said.

  “OK, tell me the road name and I’ll come and get you right now”.

  “Shing To Road” Ryan managed to say just before his phone battery died.

  Ryan slumped down onto the floor. He had hidden himself down a narrow side street and would just wait. He knew that it would take Lam about twenty minutes to get there, so he would just sit tight until then.

  His head was swimming. He didn’t know what to think anymore. His world in the last week had been turned completely on its head, and his life was clearly in real danger. He thought back to the shooting. He could see vividly Rob’s face explode in front of him. It happened so fast, one second his friend was there, pushing him out of the way. The next he was twitching and squirming on the floor, blood pouring out of his head and face.

  Ryan looked down at his clothes. They were covered in speckles of blood and flesh. Ryan gagged; he leaned over to his right and vomited. Supporting his weight on his hands and knees he continued to heave, even though there was nothing left in his stomach. He coughed until his throat was raw, and then shaking, he moved himself back into a sitting position slightly further down the alleyway, away from his mess on the floor.

  Ryan wiped his mouth with the back of his shirt. He wanted to claw his clothes off and shower, but he couldn’t, he had nothing else to wear. He would have to wait.

  He was suddenly so thirsty. His mouth dry from vomiting, he desperately wanted to drink some water. His head was throbbing so hard now that he could do nothing except press his palms against his forehead and close his eyes tight.

  He was still in this position when he felt a hand gently touch his shoulder.

  It gave Ryan a start, and he jumped to his feet unsteadily.

  “It’s OK Ryan”, Lam said softly taking in the man before her. Even in the dim alleyway she could see that he looked so disheveled and pale. His unshaven stubble had particles of what looked like vomit, and his shirt was covered in what was clearly blood. He smelt terrible, she thought.

  “Thanks for coming,” Ryan said, his throat husky and dry, realizing for the first time in days how relieved he actually was to see her.

  “Before you ask, I’m not coming in.” Ryan stated as they walked slowly back down the alleyway. “I’m innocent.”

  “I won’t force you to Ryan, but to clear your name, you are going to have to be interviewed. Your prints are all over the bank. You ran Ryan. It’s a clear sign to us that you have a reason to run.” Lam said. She wanted nothing more than to bring him in, but in her experience she could see that he was frightened of something and she needed to know what that was.

  They walked together slowly down the dark narrow alleyway and stepped onto the pavement. It was bathed in bright sunlight making Ryan squint and shade his eyes. They continued a few more steps until they arrived at Lam’s car. She’d driven her 1985 Porsche and parked it on double yellow lines close to the alleyway where she had found Ryan.

  “Whose blood is that?” Lam asked, testing the water and nodding towards his shirt.

  “It’s Rob’s, he’s dead.” Ryan said matter of factly, as though she’d asked him what aftershave he wore.

  “I can tell you everything that you want to know, but I’m not coming in yet. I will, I’ll promise you that. But if you force me to come in now, I’ll be dead within twenty-four hours. They have people everywhere. Even part of the Police force.” Ryan said, brushing down his shirt in an attempt to get rid of the drying debris.

  “You need a change of clothes.” Lam said. Looking at him now in the bright sunshine, his appearance was even worse than she initially thought.

  “I know. Can you drive me somewhere. I can run in and quickly buy something, then we can talk.’ Ryan said.

  Lam thought things through for a moment. If she insisted that she bring him in, he would most probably run again, and she really didn’t want to shoot him in the leg or have to bring him down. What she wanted was to find out what happened. She wanted to nail the bank robbery and find out why Rob had been killed.

  Lam turned to Ryan.

  “OK, here’s the deal. I’ll get you cleaned up, and then we’re going to find a place to talk. You are going to tell me everything that has happened, from the beginning, nothing left out. I want names, places, everything.” She said. “and I want it on tape. It needs to be submissible.” Lam continued. “I can forcefully bring you in, but I’m not going to do that. I can see that you are scared, and I believe that you don’t trust anyone right now, including the police, so I appreciate that you want to talk to me. But once I have everything secure at the station, I’ll ask you to come in, and I’ll need you to make another statement and be interviewed by another detective, not just me. I do have just one other question.” Lam said.

  “Are you completely innocent in this Ryan?” She looked at him. His eyes had dark circles around them and his lips were cracked and dry.

  “Yes.” He said, his voice ragged and tired. “Yes, I am.”

  Lam nodded.

  “No more questions for now. Let’s get you some clean clothes.” Lam looked at her car interior and then at Ryan, and for a second contemplated what she should do.

  “Luckily it’s leather.” Lam said with a sigh.

  Ryan forced an apologetic smile and climbed in to the passenger seat. For the first time in a few days he felt safe. He sat in silence as Lam pulled the car into gear and sped off
leaving the empty warehouse behind them.

  Twenty minutes later Lam eased the Porsche into an underground parking lot and found a space in the far corner away from all the other cars.

  She turned to Ryan.

  “Give me your sizes, you can’t go out in public looking like that, you look like you’ve just killed someone.” She said.

  Ryan looked at Lam, taken aback by how accommodating she’d been since arriving in Chai Wan. He thought she may try to coax him in, or force him, but she had been patient and seemed to understand. He wondered how much she knew already.

  “OK, well I’m a size Large top, 42” chest, and 34” Waist and 34” Long on the leg for the pants. My shoes are fine. But I could do with some deodorant, shampoo, and a toothbrush if you don’t mind.” He said, feeling a little awkward.

  “And, thanks.” He said before she climbed out of the car.

  “Give me 30 minutes. You look as though you’re about to crash. Why don’t you sleep? I’ll be back soon.” Lam said as she stepped out of the car, trying not to worry about her leather interior, and how she would get rid of the smell afterwards. She looked in one more time at Ryan, his eyes were already heavy and closed. She locked the car and pushed the key deep into her pants pocket and quickly made her way to the shopping mall entrance.

  When Ryan finally opened his eyes, he didn’t know where he was. He quickly glanced to the side and saw Lam driving. She glanced sideways and smiled at his expression of horror.

  “It’s OK”. She laughed. “I’m not taking you in. I’m taking you somewhere where you can get cleaned up.” She told him reassuringly.