Opium Warfare

by Justin Bienvenue

  Then, Shin and his new found friends lay in the field of daffodils. Shin, realizing the whole reason he was here, turned the daffodils into poppies. Soon enough, the field was covered in them and the men began making poppy angels. Then, they looked up at the sky and began discussing what types of things they see within the clouds. Shin pointed up and said that he sees a cloud in the shape of Confucius. Genghis Khan said that he sees a cloud in the shape of a beautiful Mongolian woman to what Shin responded that only in the clouds. Attila the Hun saw a cloud in the shape of a giant throne similar to the one he had back home. Hannibal, not to be blatantly predictable, claimed to see a cloud in the shape of an elephant. The clouds then became animated and started floating around the men. Shin sat across from the Confucius cloud and they began meditating together while Genghis Khan took his Mongolian cloud woman into his arms and stuck his tongue down the cloud’s head and began kissing her. Attila sat on his cloud throne, which he swore to be even comfier than the one he actually had. Hannibal sat on top of his cloud elephant, reaching up to feed it cloud peanuts.

  After a while, the clouds dissipated, leaving the men amongst themselves. Genghis Khan still in an embrace like state didn’t realize the cloud was gone and that he was now kissing the air. Everyone began laughing at him, and he opened his eyes and realized that the cloud was gone. He got angry and took out his sword and began threatening everyone else. Shortly, he threw his sword down and burst out laughing himself.

  Soon, Genghis Khan and the rest of the crew expressed that they have to go and they said goodbye to Shin Shaojin. Afterwards, they all disappeared into nothingness. Shin all alone now began thinking, asking himself if he should stay here or go back to the real world. Seeing that he had nothing of dire importance to do for the day, he decided to stick around for a little bit longer.

  Shin opened his eyes for a brief moment, then closed them again and found himself in a room full of ninja. He realized he was in a dojo and that the ninja were training. He looked around and saw many of them training by fighting in combat with one another. As he took a closer look at them, he noticed that some landed punches and kicks, which seemed to break off limbs of the other fighters, however, they reappeared immediately after being knocked off. Some even get their head knocked off only to have it reappear seconds later.

  Shin got up to walk around, taking in all the action. The ninja seemed oblivious to him being there and were too focused on their training. He wanted to see if they could see him, so he tried to punch one of them, but his whole arm went right through the ninja, and he fell to the ground. Shin realized that he had fabricated a ninja mirage and while he could see them, he couldn’t interact with them. He focused on one particular group training and watched intently, taking in their moves and sequences.

  He was remembering the days when he used to be a great fighter. He felt that he still, was but not like he used to be. He was lost in thought watching them train and almost missed something odd. As he glanced down at the mat, he noticed a light silhouette, which only meant that something or someone was behind him. As he turned around, he saw that no one was there. As he turned back, he was punched square in the face and fell backwards. He looked up and saw nothing but the ninja still training.

  As he got up, he still felt as though someone was poking him and felt sharp pains in his stomach. He fell to his knees and had his arms around his waist, and as he looked up, still seeing the ninja train, he noticed a cloaked figure hiding behind them. He kept looking around like a cat watching its prey. Then he felt someone strike the back of his head. Feeling slightly venerable and embarrassed, despite being the only one actually in the room, Shin began sliding himself backward until his back was against the wall. He then looked all around the room and focuses his eyes and mind at each group of ninja. At every glance on each of the groups, the ninja began to disappear. He did this over and over again until he finally saw one figure remaining in the room with him.

  The blue and white mats turned into water and the figure jumped out and landed on the side of one of the walls. He began walking along the side of the wall while Shin watched him wide eyed. A giant wave came out and tried to take out the black cloaked figure, but he evaded and was now standing on the ceiling. The figure began walking on the ceiling towards Shin’s direction. Shin focused his mind to warp and morph the ceiling, so that it would collapse, but it was only drooping behind the figure whose steps were precisely ahead of the drips. Upon reaching Shin, he jumped off the ceiling twisting his body until he landed in front of him. The figure now stood before Shin saying nothing. He was dressed in a black cloak and seemed faceless as the darkness concealed his identity.

  The look on Shin’s face changed from fear to relief as soon as he realized that he knows the cloaked phantom standing before him. The figure extended his hand out for Shin to help him up. Shin shook his head as if in disagreement before an echoing cackle within a deep breath escaped the cloaked figure. Shin wiped the virtual sweat off his head and looked down at his hand to find it bloody. He let out a yell and, again, the figure let out another echoing cackle, which rang in Shin’s ears. The figure then raised his arms and levitated off the ground and started floating backwards as Shin began walking toward him. Both stopped in the middle of the room.

  “WAAAKE UPPPPP SHAOJIN!”

  Shin woke up and realized he was back in the opium den. However, he noticed that the figure was there as well with him. He remembered being in the room with a bunch of people before. He now knew that his vision of the ninja mirage was his representation of the other people within the room, and he could not touch them because he could not get into their thoughts. He looked up at the figure who, for some reason, was still around.

  “Charon...I should have known it was you,” he said to the figure.

  “ALWAYYS LOSSST IN CONSCIOUSNESS.”

  “Cut your intimidation act. You got me back into reality.”

  “It’s always entertaining infiltrating your mind Shaojin.”

  “I’d still like to know how you’re able to do that.”

  “Ancient Chinese secret.”

  “My secretary told me you wanted to speak with me. I take it must be important if you’re paying me a visit and pulling me out of my state of mind, yes?”

  “I wanted to inform you that the job you wanted done has been completed and taken care of.”

  “And there is no trace of foul play or you ever being there?”

  “Is there ever?”

  “No, I suppose not, that’s why you’re the best man for the job. This is good news.”

  “What was the reason for my service anyway? I don’t normally get summoned to go to a dock.”

  “The guy there was a real arrogant pain in the neck. He opened his mouth and bit off a bit more then he could chew. I’d have done it myself, but my men and I had a little business of our own the other day to take care of. I couldn’t be pinned for two crimes in the span of a week.”

  The figure known as Charon laughed.

  “I take it you’re referring to that old man Chao?”

  “Yes, what a foolish, foolish man.”

  “Well good to hear you can hold your own, and I am glad I could be of service to you.”

  “Yes, thank you Charon. I will have Rezel deliver your payment in a few days.”

  “That would be fine, I am a patient man.”

  Charon began to walk out the den door before stopping in the doorway to speak. “Oh by the way, I thought you were a samurai type of guy?”

  “I am...you implanted the ninja in my head.”

  “I may be able to infiltrate thoughts Shaojin, but I cannot manipulate them. It seems that you have changed your stripes.”

  Charon then left while Shin stood there alone. Shin thought to himself for a moment and shook his head in disbelief before leaving the opium den.

  Chapter 7 - Revelation

  When they pulled Rafael’s body out of the water, he was attached to the hook of the ship, which was embedded i
nto his chest. They said it was a one in a million freak accident. He was apparently by himself when it all happened. I was shocked at what I was witnessing. A few of my co-workers had arrived and they tried to get through as I did to see what was going on, but just like me, they were ordered to turn around. The docks for the most part were completely blocked off. The guy who’s usually the first to arrive after Rafael was the one who contacted the authorities. He told us that the lights were still on in his office along with his belongings intact. When he went aboard the ship, he noticed the hook was in the water. Normally, any time a ship is near the docks, the hook is supposed to be on the ship and only when there are numerous people on board, is it lowered into the water.

  Our co-worker said he’d never seen a dead body until today. When they pulled him out of the water, it was a sight you’d never want to see. He said Rafael’s skin was like an unripe blueberry, and he had no idea how long he’d been down there for. I had to sit down as I couldn’t take it all in. Rafael was so good to me, so genuine and kind to me since I got the job. I looked up to him and now, just like that, he was gone. The authorities told us to go home and that there would be no unloading at the docks today. I felt that it really wasn’t their call to make, but I guess work would still be there tomorrow, so we all agreed to leave in the end. As everyone started to leave, I walked past the ship down to the deeper part of the docks where there was no commotion. I noticed a small rock just by my feet and picked it up.

  “I’ll miss you my friend,” I said out loud while looking out into the water. I said a prayer in my head and then tossed the rock into the water. It was my way of paying my respects to Rafael and saying my goodbye to him.

  I then walked back and decided to head home. One of authorities told us we could come back to work as soon as the investigation was wrapped up. What was there to wrap up? It was a freak accident. That’s what I didn’t understand. Rafael was so careful; I mean, he’d been on the docks longer than all of us combined. He always told us to never board a ship alone and yet, there he was found dead at the bottom of the sea with a goddamn hook in his chest. I was definitely interested in knowing if they would find anything else attributed to his death, because for the life of me, it just did not make any sense. I had just left the docks when I saw some of the authorities taking off. Hmm...I wonder what could be more important than this. As I crossed the street, I saw more police officers going down the block. Now, I was curious, but I figured I shouldn’t even bother following them as I was already kicked out of one crime scene, plus one crime was enough for me for the day.

  I decided I knew just the thing to take my mind off of Rafael’s death; I’d go to Chao’s. Surely he had to be back by now. As I approached the building, I felt a knot in my stomach tightening. Still closed. To make matters even more uneasy, I noticed that waiting outside the door was the man who I had seen at the deli. I decided to approach him and demand some answers; I had a feeling he knew something.

  “Hey, you there!”

  He turned to acknowledge me.

  “Yeah? Oh...it’s you.”

  “Yeah, me again. What do you know about Chao’s being closed? He hasn’t been open in days now and it’s very unlike him, and now I see you standing in front of his place.”

  “You’re quite a curious guy. You know what curiosity did to the cat?”

  “Excuse me? Is that a threat?”

  “A threat? Are you kidding me? No not at all, I’m merely saying that sometimes curiosity gets the best of people or animals in the case of my analogy.”

  “Well, I’m a loyal customer and a friend of Chao’s, and I’d just like to know what happened to him.”

  “Well, I’m afraid I got nothing to tell you. Now, I suggest you beat it or things are gonna get ugly for you.”

  “Oh yeah? Try me.”

  The man then pulled out what appeared to be a gold pistol with a blade attached to it. So that’s the weapon he’s been hiding. I took another quick glance at it and it looked like a small saber with a handle and a trigger on it. Seeing this rather unusual weapon, but a weapon nonetheless, I decided to back up slowly.

  “Whoa, take it easy. I don’t want any trouble, I just want to know if you know anything about Chao’s whereabouts.”

  “First of all buddy, you just got in my face, so I think you were looking for trouble. Secondly, you back away the minute I pull this weapon from my jacket like a coward and thirdly, it’s like I told you before, I’m afraid I got nothing to tell you.”

  “Alright, alright, I’m sorry. I’m gonna back up slowly and walk away. Can I walk away?”

  “Walk away? No, you may not walk away, because you pissed me off with your nose in my business. So just for that, I say I take you out right here in front of your beloved deli. Better yet, I say we fight. I wanna see if you even have what it takes or you’re just some young punk who doesn’t know when he’s in too deep.”

  He removed his saber pistol from his hand or whatever the heck that thing was, and then puts his hands down. He then motioned towards me as if he wanted me to come at him. I merely stood there in confusion and bewilderment. Is this guy serious? He wants to fight right here out in the open? I started glaring down at him like he was staring at me. Suddenly he began charging at me and with his shoulder, thrusted me onto the ground. He then picked me up by the hair and dragged me over to the alley. I managed to free myself, and I swept one of my legs under his feet, sending him flying into a garbage heap by the wall adjacent to the side door of the deli. He got up and wiped himself off and then charged at me. He shoved his head into my stomach.

  “What was that, huh? That was a cheap move only punks make. I was right; you’re nothing but a coward. I bet your father is a coward too. I bet that’s where you get it from,” Kazar said.

  As I was on the ground holding my stomach, I heard what he said and suddenly, I felt a rage rising within me. I was by no means a coward, but to call my father one, well, that was something I just wouldn’t stand for. I got up and to the best of my ability punched him on his right cheek. I sent him tumbling a few steps back. After he stopped rubbing his cheek for a moment, he lifted his foot off the ground.

  “You’re no fighter kid, you’re a no good punk. If we cross paths one more time, I’m gonna shoot you with this pistol, and you can rest assured we won’t be crossing paths anymore.”

  I lay on the ground a bit dazed after he kicked me in the face, but I heard him loud and clear. He said if we crossed paths again he’d shoot me. I just hope we don’t, because I don’t want to deal with him anymore. As I slowly got back up, I looked around the alley for the man, but noticed he was gone. Well, I guess that’s that. I wiped the blood from my lip and walked out of the alley. I suddenly thought about Mia and how I should probably meet up with her. I was sure she had a more fruitful encounter than I just did. Maybe she had some news for me from her latest meeting with Shin Shaojin.

  * * * * * *

  Mia Morgan had been in Shaojin’s office for the last five minutes. They made small talk at first she even managed to get the less gripping questions out of the way, but now it was time to get down to business.

  “Mr. Shaojin, is it true that you were trying to buy out Chao’s deli, so that you could build your illustrious business building of the future?”

  “Yes, but before that, I was using his back room as an opium den!” he laughed hysterically.

  Mia laughed slightly, unsure of what to make of his joke.

  “So then, you weren’t trying to buy him out?”

  “Miss Morgan, I already owned Chao’s deli. I’ve owned it for quite some time now. The only reason Mr. Chao was still open was because I felt he could use some extra money for his retirement, plus I know it means a lot to him, hence I gave him some time so he could gradually adjust to the change.”

  “Was still open?”

  “Hmm?”

  “You said ‘was’ as if the place has already closed. Forgive my curiosity Mr. Shaojin, but a man like Chao woul
d surely have held a big going away party or would at least tell his loyal customers and townspeople of Shanghai that he was closing. So, did you immediately tell him to close down?”

  “Ah, a slip of the tongue. What I meant to say is that Chao has another month before he closes.”

  “So the reason it’s already closed now would be...?”

  Sensing that her questions were now being flung at him with some serious heat, Shin realized he has to be more precise with his words.

  “I was not aware that he was closed; this is news to me. Perhaps he closed for a moment to see what retirement life was going to be like.”

  “You said ‘was’ again Mr. Shaojin.”

  “Ah...again a slip-”

  “I don’t think so. Not two times in a row. You see what I think Mr. Shaojin is that Chao had a change of heart and decided not to sell his deli to you, only you didn’t want to hear that, so you did something to him, which would explain why he’s been closed for the last few days.”

  “Well Miss Morgan, you’re lucky the people you work for pay you for your reportage and not your assumptions and ridiculous theories.”

  “I don’t think it’s a theory, I think-”

  “You think wrong Miss Morgan, and you are way out of line. I assure you, I have no knowledge of why Mr. Chao is closed, however as I said before, I think perhaps he is taking some time to see how he adjusts to his retirement.”

  Mia felt her heart beating faster than usual. Normally, she would never be so up front with her questions or make such accusations, but she couldn’t help it.