主题：【原创】Treasure Island -- 颜赤城

“No, I didn’t. Something happened. That day, Shine was in our shop and I was buying some things in the street. A guy, who worked in the port with Trunk and me, ran all the way to me, yelling, ‘They are beating Trunk!’

I said, ‘Who is beating Trunk?’

‘Coah’s men are beating him.’

So I ran with the guy to Coah’s house. Coah was a ‘businessman’. He was actually a smuggler. He stole antiques from the mainland and sold them to other rich men.

I asked, ‘What happened?’

‘We were at the port waiting for a job. Trunk was also there. I don’t know why he was there. He’s always with you, isn’t he? But he was there. Coah came. He got a lot of boxes and hired some people. We carried the boxes to his house. But in his yard, Trunk stumbled and dropped the box. Oh, the box had a load of china in it. All broken. Coah got mad and his men started to beat Trunk, terribly. I don’t know if they’re ever going to stop. One guy went to call police, one guy went to call Shine, and I came to call you.’

When I got there, Trunk was lying on the ground outside Coah’s house. His head was in Shine’s arms. Shine was crying, saying quietly to him, ‘No, we don’t need money. We don’t need money.’ When she saw me, she said, ‘He thought he could make some money for us...They broke his leg. They broke his leg...’

Those bastards. They didn’t only break his leg, but his nose, too, and his ribs...I wasn’t sure if we were losing him. His face had swollen so badly that he could hardly see. But he managed to open one eye and gave me a smile, breathing heavily.

He said, ‘You’ll need another best man, bro.’ ”

The man stopped. Yakk knew, even many years after, the words still could tear his heart apart instantly. The man shook his head, biting his lips.

Yakk didn’t know how to console the man. Probably nothing could. He had a feeling that the story could explain the scar on the man’s chin and why he left the town. Yakk couldn’t help but ask, “What did you do?”

“I stood up and walked over to Coah’s house. Shine cried ‘Don’t go’ but I didn’t listen. I entered the house and saw Coah with four of his bodyguards. He was looking closely at his remaining antiques and didn’t see me.

I might have argued with him, or maybe I yelled, or maybe I didn’t do anything. I don’t really remember how things happened. But they felt threatened and two punks came at me. I knocked them down. Then the other two punks joined the fight, with knives. So I started to see blood. There was blood all over. Coah tried to run away. I caught him and beat him badly. I heard he lost one eye that day.

It was a mess. But in the end, I was very happy...I didn’t feel hurt.”

Yakk was thrilled.

Yakk knew the consequences of confronting a country gentleman. “Did you regret?” He asked. Obviously he didn’t mean to ask about Mr. Coah.

“No, I didn’t regret for a single second even when they caught me. I didn’t escape. This is an island. I had nowhere to go. They ‘arrested’ me. But I felt regret when Shine came to see me. I was sorry to her. I was so sorry. I wished everything didn’t end up this way. But I didn’t have any other choice. I guess I couldn’t complain too much. Maybe I was just a bad violent man.”

“No, you were not. I’m not blaming you.”

“You’re a very thoughtful boy.” The man laughed.

“They put me in a prison in a remote island. Shine tried to see me, but I refused. I knew that they’d let me rot in the prison. I’d never be able to walk out alive. The last time I saw Shine, I said to her, ‘You and your brother always got me into troubles. Now you got me here. What else do you want from me? Get the hell out of here.’ Yes, I said all those words.

She left, sobbing all the way, and never came again. I wished she had married a good guy. She was a good girl. She could take care of herself just like always. At least, it was good for her that she didn’t have to take care of me.”

“Did they release you when the new Republic was built?”

“Old government, new government. I guess my case didn’t make a difference to them. I was still a prisoner with a violent record. Anyway, they let me out early. That’s why I’m here.”

“You’re coming to see your girl?” Yakk asked excitedly.

“I can’t say that. Actually last year I got a letter from her. She knew I would get out this year. She sent a map to me, asking whether I’d like to play the game of Seek Treasure again just like when we were kids. I think, she might have something to tell me. If I didn’t care about her, I wouldn’t come at all. If I did, I would come and find out.”

“Of course you do!” Yakk confirmed loudly.

“Well, if she’s living a happy life, I’ll leave tomorrow.” The man spoke uncertainly.

“She loves you. She’s waiting for you! Where is your map? Why don’t you look for your treasure? Why are you wasting time talking to me?” Yakk hurried the man.

“Why am I talking to you?” The man smiled. “I really need a favor from you.”

“From me? I’ll do whatever I can!”

“I think my treasure is right under your feet. I’ll need you to move your trailer over so I can dig it up.” The man took a map out of his pocket and showed it to Yakk. “This is odd. On the big beach, the map says the spot is right at where we are.”

Yakk looked at the map. When he saw the signature on it, he was stunned. After a long time, he asked, “Shine’s real name is Shinallel?”

“Yes, she was my fiancée.” The man said gently.

“You left sixteen years ago?”

“Yes. How did you know?” The man was surprised.

Yakk raised his head and looked at the man, “Because now I know why she told you the treasure’s here. I’m sixteen years old. Shinallel is my mom. I’ve always wondered what kind of a person my father is.”

===== The End =====