Fiction: Group 4
stage flooded with blood. Then, the routine punishment started with the ‘airplane’ posture. Obviously, he
was overwhelmed by agony. His head was still hanging down, but now, on the stage, he noticed Lou’s
presence. With all his might and will, he muttered, ‘Lou, here…’ and was instantly snapped by a Red Guard
beside him.
‘Wait! Do you all hear?’ The Red Guard bellowed at the public. ‘He has an accomplice! A dog!’
The Guard poked his finger at Wen. ‘May I ask, what is he called?’ He tilted his head and questioned him in
a soft but dangerous voice.
Wen felt a surge of nervousness running through his body, mixed with hatred.
A snap. ‘Answer me!’
Wen decided to remain silent. He would never give away his brother for snaps.
Another snap. Blood and tears rushed down across Wen’s cheeks. He had forgotten all his fortune in Hong
Kong. The pain reached a peak, as drops of liquid dripped onto the ground.
A third snap. ‘Find him, everyone!’ the Guard ordered.
It was ominous. Lou knew something would happen. He imagined himself being recognised and brought to
the stage. He could nearly see himself being tortured in the same way Wen did. Yet, he remained dead
silent.
‘Where is he?’ Then came the fourth snap. The crowd showed no response. They had not even a clue.
They exchanged glimpses and stared blankly at the young Red Guard on the stage. To Lou’s relief, no one
pointed at him.
Snaps came like thunder and lightning to Wen. Strands of fresh blood flowed down his face swiftly like
paint. Wen was at the mercy of the Guard, and it was to a point that Lou’s eyes became watery. Tears
gradually formed and he was at the verge of snivelling. He tried to swallow and prevent the crowd from
finding him weeping. The Guard acted like sniffing at everyone and did not have the patience of spotting
the accomplice.
Suddenly, Lou could not help sobbing. It broke the horrible silence of the enchanted crowd. He knew for
certain this would give his identity away, but he could not stand watching the torture…
‘And you are crying for this evil?’ burst out the Red Guard. ‘Lift him up to the stage!’ He barked.
Lou was emotionless – his mind was occupied by scenes of whipping and beating. They beamed in flashes.
He paid no attention to the ones bringing him to stage. He had anticipated the moment when Wen and he
would be executed together. The man behind him shoved his head downwards.
‘The accomplice is here!’
Lou felt a rush of adrenaline.
The Guard offered him two choices, either to be punished like Wen or ‘correct’ Wen’s wrongdoings by
denouncing him.
Now Lou was caught in a dilemma. Thousands of voices were shouting in his mind. On the one hand, the
ego-centred side whispered, ‘Just say “Defeat the evil dog! Chang Wen the traitor!” You are safe!’ On the
other hand, his conscience had him retreated from the selfish thought. He hated himself now for his failure
to stop weeping.
