As I'm sitting peacefully on the porch bench, I remember about the camera my grandfather gave me. Turning my face to the left, my eyes wander upon the black object I've known to have for 3 years. I pick it up gently, as if it was a harmless baby and observe the shiny lens, the many functional buttons and the ebony exterior.
"I want you to remember all the best things in life." Grandfather's words echo in my mind again and again, much like a broken record.
Raising the camera up to my eyes, I look through it and observe the town. The vivid flowers bloom their colors clearly, the fountain, in the center of the large road, flows crystal clear sky blue water drinkable by many and the concrete shines voluntarily under citizen's feet.
I make a couple of pictures by pressing the distinguishable button on top of the camera. After taking the snapshots, I drop the object down on my knees and glance upwards to the other side of the road to a cream bridge.
Suddenly, a loud noise erupts from a distant moving vehicle. It nears and stops abruptly next to the footpath where I am resting my feet.
The doors flung open and a dynamic foot extends. Then, the whole body shows and there, is the rich and famous leader of the Army Force's Edgar Leavers - Choi Maxi.
I gaze at him, quite surprised actually. His styled navy blue hair with slightly green endings hangs over his right eye like a shadow, the golden-formed black suit he's wearing illuminates his almost pale skin and his dark brown eyes match his tailored, insulated dark brown shoes.
Quickly peeking around his surroundings, Maxi lets his eyes wander on me. He straightens himself out and opens his mouth to break the silence.
"Do you know of a young lady bearing the name Jiu Xin-Ma?" His voice is rough yet soft as if he were a kind, hardworking father, speaking to his children.
"Yes. I am that young lady you speak of." I answer politely - I have always been told to use manners when speaking to a person of a higher authority, or anyone as a matter of fact.
"I was told to escort you...to my house of residence...for an important meeting with...my father." Maxi says carefully, almost like he wasn't entirely sure he was telling the truth.
"I understand. I give you permission to escort me." I stand up, clutching the strip, holding the camera, in my left hand.
"This way please." Maxi steps aside to allow me to enter into the carriage.
Inside the automobile are cherry colored walls and dark grey seats made from the finest cotton a rich person can afford. The floor is strangely marble and the windows are tinted so no one can see whoever is inside here.
As I take my seat, I am fully visible to three middle-aged women that are sitting opposite to me. The first woman, on the left, looks as if she hasn't blinked in a while. Her eyes are red and wide with anticipation. Her hair is a messy, pond weed green that's tied up in a bun and her red, knitted cardigan is stitched onto her baby pink top and dull grey skirt that reaches all the way to her toes - where old slippers grab her feet tightly.
The second woman, who has a smile as if she has completed a thousand deeds, looks at me with kindness. Her appearance is even better than the first woman's. She has dark lavender hair that is neatly placed in a single knot behind her back, her strange golden, winter coat is draped freely on top of her light blue vest and creamy shorts sit comfortably above her legs which reach as far as her knees.
The last and final woman looks more of a mysterious nightmare. Her black hair makes a waterfall in front of her face and her matching black long sleeved top and baggy trousers emit a depressing feeling.
As I finish pondering over the women's details, I feel the vehicle move. I glance to my right and see Choi Maxi tapping on the handle of the side window, as if he was impatient.
"You are a very beautiful young lady." I hear the woman, in the middle, say.
"Thank you very much." I answer.
"My name is Zhen Tsui and here on my right is my sister, Zhen Ya-Shi." She points to the woman with the messy hair.
"And on my left is my other sister, Zhen Lau-Ha." She points to the mysterious woman, who seems to be clutching a tatty, dark grey bag of leather.
"We are formerly most known in the suburbs as The Zhen Witches."
You mean to say you're the Witches of Zhen Tu Bao-La? The famous mountain of thieves, bounty hunters and gold diggers?" I say, surprised at the information that is presented before me.
"That's right. Then you must know about our history." Tsui says whilst still having her smile fixed on her face.
"More or less. My grandfather used to talk about you quite a lot. He told me that the Zhen Witches used to help people with extreme injuries while the War was on. He also told me you worked with people who have special abilities and can make anyone's dream come true. However, I doubt he was serious about that, possibly he was just spreading the old rumour the town folk had at the time."
Tsui's smile spreads further across her face.
"Your grandfather sure knew his facts. It is no secret what we, as the Zhen Witches, do. However, people who have not seen what they have heard know not what to believe in real life. Nevertheless, I can safely say that whatever rumours you have heard from friends, family or the other are purely factual…Anyway, we shall take our leave now. We hope to see you again in the near future." The carriage stops as Tsui finishes her sentence and the door, on my right, jitters open.
The 3 sisters walk out, one by one, and close the door behind them once Tsui gives me one last beam.
When the door closes and the carriage starts on its journey again, I am left in silence with Choi Maxi. I peek at him for a second and catch his gaze looking straight back at my face. Turning my head back to my knees, I fiddle with the green dress I am wearing.
I am thinking of commenting about Maxi's brave work on the Edgar Leavers but the carriage stops yet again and this time Maxi opens the door himself. He slips out and I follow behind.
As soon as I have landed my feet securely on the firm ground, I observe my surroundings and the first thing I perceive is a dead body.