THE GATE KEEPER (6 page)

6

The
old man in black removes his hat as he pursues his hallucinating vision of the
past. Dense growth limits the density of the blazing sun shine. He was no
longer hot as before. The undergrowth and the tall trees ventilate warm air as
he heads further down the pathway.

They
were no longer dense as he walks deeper along the path. There were gaps in
between them. Then the tree line came to an end. He moves further down to where
the path comes to an end. It all ends to an open ground he had been before.
Where the trees no longer grown, except for the grass which covers and stretch
over the fertile soil.

He
slowly walks out of the pathway and expose himself to the wonderful weather.
The sky was literally blue.
After all the land has an edge,
he warned
himself. He could see the edges and decide to stand still halfway through. A chill
of fear knocked down his confidence for headway.

Decades
had gone by since when he last saw this place. The man in black slowly went to
his knees. He then rests his butt on his calves and heel bones. He slowly lays
his frail and old wrinkle hands on his thighs. He set his mind in a meditating
state and thoroughly searched for the past. The day when he was in that similar
place.

Old
memories of when he was riding the bicycle down that same pathway. Riddles of
flashbacks appears and gone. He could hear them screaming like hooligans behind
him. Then it all comes back to life. The surreal memories feel as if it was
real. It felt as if it was fresh from yesterday. He saw them as he turned
backwards to see how far the gang of bullies were.

He
experienced blackness as his memory flickers and fought to retrieve the old
ones. He focused harder and he saw them but this time he was on the ground.
I
must have missed something important.
He fought his old mind for facts.

They
are coming… coming for me… I need to get away…

The
kid’s faces were filled with anger. They rode at an uncontrollable speed though
the path was quite bumpy. The memory faded again. Then it came back to haunt
him. He could see a young version of himself crawling backward as they head for
him. He got to his feet in no time and waited. 

Quickly
their leader, who was a tall and muscular teenage boy, trapped in an adult body
dart towards him. Then he furiously jumped off his bike. The old man saw his
young self, side stepping the bicycle and avoiding the collision. At the corner
of his left eye he had seen the young body builder lunging himself with a
powerful punch for his face.

There
was no time for negotiation he had to act. He carried on into another side step
while he seized his enemy’s wrist. Immediately he moved his nemesis in the same
momentum. This allowed the body builder to pick up more speed while his wrist
got twisted into three hundred and sixty degrees.

The
big body builder’s body went off the ground by the momentum of his own body force
and applied technique. He found himself moving with the same angle of his
diverted wrist. The body builder felt the full impact of the land. His back
struck the sun baked grass and the hard surface which lay underneath it.

In
pain and shock he laid still while acknowledging the fall with a quick outburst
of cry.
Unbelievable,
he thought. Confused he was. He must have reminded
himself how strong he was and yet a boy half his size had managed to
overpowered him. Incapacitate with shame and agony glued him to the ground.

One
of the big bully’s friends dressed up in a black gothic suit aggressively threw
a right hook in his young face. Automatically the old man’s teenage elbow went
up at a ninety degree angle with his hands open and living a safety space in
between his head. The block fully absorbed the blow. His opponent’s fingers
cracked as his punch hit the elbow.

From
there he knew that the gothic teenager must have been an inexperience fighter.
A
good
punch does not crack
; he still praised himself how he thought
and responds that day. He saw himself stepping outside the arc of fire allowing
his opponent to move in the same direction he was heading. Immediately his
young self, delivered two powerful kicks at the left side of his opponent’s rib
cage. He went down on his knees by holding his stomach and puffing for air.

The
old memories disappeared and the old man opened his eyes. He rolled up the left
side of his suit and search for a particular mark underneath his arm. It was
still there and yet he still couldn’t retrieve that part where he got it from.
Slightly three centimetres above his wrist an old stitched scar stretched
horizontally towards the edge of the elbow.

He
rolled his sleeve back down and sat in the same position. He closed his eyes
while listening to the background of birds chanting away. The dried and crunchy
leaves swirl by with the forces of the gusting wind flowing by. He inhales
deeply to realise that what he was taking in and releasing, was in fact the
moist of the sea breeze. The sound of breaking waves splashing out rough tunes
on the rocky coast brought the memories back.

He
slept into the world of meditation. He saw them rushing towards him like a
hungry pack of wolves. The three boys were angry and they barked words which he
could not remember. His mind was getting too old to keep up with the sharp and
small details of more than four decades old.

All
three teenagers furiously charged at him at the same time. Two punches headed
for his face while one came for his chest. The old man found himself eluding
the punches by quickly moving backward and made a move to the one closer to his
face by seizing it by the wrist. At the same time he made half a turn while he
put immense power in pulling the wrist in the same direction it was meant to
go.

His
nemesis body picked up an abnormal speed which slightly upset its own momentum.
In those days the old man was at his peak of his youth. He witnessed himself
releasing his nemesis wrist. Without delay he generated a powerful blow from
his open palm to his enemy’s solar plexus. This immediately changed the course
of his aggressor’s fall. The blow at the pressure point sent him sideways and
backwards onto his two friends. All three went down and end up on top of each
other.

At
his peripheral view he had seen something coming. He had sense danger. He
turned right towards it and the muscular boy had recovered. Something headed
his way. The massive teenager had thrown it at him and there was no time to
run.

It
was heading for his face. He raised both hands towards his face to absorb and
block the impact. Confused by the strong impact which had upset his balance he
was forced backward. Next he was falling as the ground seems to crack
underneath him.

Nearby
the rotten log which he realised that the big teenager had thrown at him
perished. Adrenaline rush of fear conquered his bravery. Frightened memories of
that fall kick him out of the meditation. Awaken, he turn to the edge of the
plateau. The old man remembered how dangerous it had been to go over the edge. 

The
limit of the plateau abuts with empty ground. It was dangerously suspended from
sea level at an enormous height. He was afraid that he might meet his destiny
if he moves closer. ‘
Curiosity kills
the cat,’
his mother had
always warned.

The
frail man closed his eyes and focus on the sound of the sea birds diving and
hunting for fish. His mind fell back into the trance. His body was present but
his mind was absent and back in time. He could felt the phobia of falling. He
came to his senses and caught hold of something at the edge.

Dangling
and staring at his feet was a scary experience. The cliffs that lay feet below
brought uncontrollable and shivering fears of madness throughout his body.
Volatile waves splashed on the hard surface of the sharp edges of the deform
cliffs from below. Frothy sea water which came in and out from the Atlantic
Ocean was all, an unpleasant sight of scenery.

Frightening
experience of being trapped and falling to his death overpowered his mind.
Shock was for certain but he held on to whatever he was holding firmly. Sweat
of fear rolled from his forehead, drips on his shoe and disappeared at the
fall. Further down, underneath his dangling feet, the waves conquered the
robust cliff with a roaring sound of splash and retrieving to the ocean.

The
monotone sound of the continuous motion of the waves made him realised that he
had to do something. Help wasn’t coming and indeed if it was to come he knew
that he would not last long. He noticed that the dripping sweat was no longer colourless,
but rather a mixture of thick blood red with dirt.

Overlooking
at the top to where his left hand has got hold of, he noticed that he was
suspended to the protruded roots of a nearby tree from the footpath. He
remembered how he thought the roots might not be able to cope any longer with
his weight. His reflex action had automatically take control of the situation
by allowing his survival instinct to react.  On his way down his hands had
fidgeted wildly, closing and locking down at anything it could during his
fall.  The continuous sliding and dragging effects made their mark.
 It had slashed opened a gash which spread from his left arm from the
wrist up near the elbow.

He
knew that it took a while to feel the sharp agony when his blood was still warm.
He used his right hand as it was still hanging and awaiting to get hold to the
rest of the roots. Protrude roots which spread outwards from the disintegrated
edge of the plateau became a vital natural ladder. He used his upper body
strength to climb the upright edge.

‘Where
is he?’ he hear a young voice said.

‘Yes
where is he? Does anybody see him?’ He heard a different one asked.

‘Do
not move!’ One of the boys said.

‘Shouldn’t
we all head back and let him be? After all, the edge of the plateau is not safe
for us.’ Someone else said.

‘Yes,
perhaps we should leave in case if he is down there? ….And the Police?’

‘What
about the police? There’s no murder here. There was no motive here instead just
an accident. We need to make an anonymous call about a rescue mission though.’
He could remember the voice of the bully’s main man.

‘I
assumed that it’s 911.’ He heard the latter voice responded again.

‘Involuntary
manslaughter and voluntary manslaughter are both murders. We should hope and
pray that his holding on to something. Make an anonymous call and give the
exact location while we make a run. We better pray that he’s not dead and
perhaps holding on to something.’ Somebody exhorted to their attention in a
curious and scary manner.

He
waited for a while though he could not hear them. He wanted to fake his own
death. The old man then saw his young self slowly climbing up in pain with the
help of the protrude roots. Once he was up he threw himself onto the plateau’s
surface and then crawled on his right uninjured side, far away from its edge.

‘You
think that you’re Mr Nice Guy.’ Tony said.

‘Now,
what’s the problem Tony?’ I asked unafraid.

‘You’re
the problem. It seems that you’re deaf.’ 

Tony
had brought his rough terrain bicycle to a halt. Armed with shock absorbers at
the front and back, accommodates by the rough terrain wheels. He keeps one leg
on the pedal which was up and one leg on the ground as if he was waiting for me
to make a run. Behind him a group of four bullies had also anticipate my moves.
They mimic and adopt the emergency posture in case I made a run.

They
stare at me with a wild mean face as if waiting for retaliation to the action
they were about to commit against me. An excuse was what they were after just
to find a reason to start a fight. I was determine not to be push around.

‘It’s
about time we showed him what we’re made of!’ Joey said.

‘Not
yet Joey, he needs to be educated about not talking to other people’s
girlfriend!’ Tony responds angrily. 

‘What
do you mean Tony?’ I asked.

‘Tony?
Dude, am I your friend that you have to call me by my name? Have we become
close buddies lately? Refresh my mind, as it seems that I must have been
suffering from amnesia or maybe psychosis? I don’t know which one it is but
which one do you thing? You must know the answer but as far I’m concern I had
not been diagnose by a shrink.’ Tony responds in a wry cowboy wit.

His
boys zealously tittered.

‘Listen
I don’t have time for this non sense.’ I retaliated.

‘You
listen very carefully.’ Tony said as he points his finger in my face.

‘Come
on Tony let’s take him.’ One of his boys backs him up.

Wicked
mind
,
I thought.

‘Not
yet!’ He responds and then said, ‘You’re already in trouble for chatting with
my girlfriend. So from now on you shall call me Mr Smart.’

Startle
I grin at him as I fold both of my arms. Then deep in my mind I could hear Tony
repeating the same non sense. I put one hand on my mouth to hide the
uncontrollable grin. I wonder if he knew how ridiculous he sounds. There was no
way I could hide the funny expression on my face as I rewind the same thing in
my head.

Playing
hard but not being smart
I thought to myself
…and beside if only
he could see himself saying that garbage, he would have realised how stupid it
was to say something like that.

‘What?
Am I a clown now? Do I look like a clown to you?!’ He asked flying into a rage
as he glares at me.

‘You’re
either joking or crazy.’ I sarcastically said as I tap his shoulder.

‘Beat
him up!’ Joey exhorted his desire.

‘Do
you hear the demand of my boys? Give me a reason why I shouldn’t let them play?
Beside they are dying to play kick your butt! Ever heard that game? No worries
once you’re on the ground with your pretty face smash then you’ll know that
game.’ Tony diplomatically extolled his colleague’s request.

‘Why
don’t you ask your demonic clown to stop hiding and talking in your shadows. He
should come out in the light to fulfil his demand by himself.’ I said as I walk
backward, keeping eye contacts with the gang and bowing in a ridicule manner
while I grin at them. 

‘Tony,
he’s taking the piss. Let’s get him.’ Allen who was also part of the gang
whispered.

‘Yes
it’s about high time we shut that big mouth of his before he get away.’

Joey
agitatedly hissed out.    

At
the back of my mind I knew what was waiting for me. I smell trouble. It was
trouble I could neither prevent from occurring nor defuse before it escalates.
It was a well laid out plan which they were determined to succeed.
After all
Michael had stood up against Tony’s oppression and it turn out to be
embarrassing for the gang.

‘I
totally agree with my boys.’ Tony Responds.

‘What?’

‘You’re
taking us for a ride.’

‘Am
I?’

‘You
know what? Since I’m a gentleman I shall give you sixty seconds to disappear
and then we’ll come for you. When we found you your pretty girlfriend won’t be
able to recognise you. We shall practice disfigurement surgery on your face
with our knuckles. Beside, my boys are hungry for some training as we’ve got
doctor’s wannabe in our team. As my old man said,
training and practice is
the definition of perfectionism.
’ Tony said
.

After
standing mute at her front door Samantha intervenes, ‘what’s your problem?’

Tony
and his gang glance at her.

‘Stay
away nothing to do with you,’ Tony growled.

Samantha
frowns at me. I nod for her to get in. She worriedly stares at me but
miraculously understand what I meant. She walks inside.

Tony
was looking at his watch and taking a peek at me while holding his pack.

After
all someone in his family wasn’t dumb,
I thought thoroughly after his
last warning. I increase the speed of my steps which I took backward and said
ridiculously while I bow to them, ‘Good luck on your hunt and I shall be
looking forward for our future acquaintance.’

‘On
my timing, your sixty seconds start now!’ Tony cried out aloud.

‘You’re
mad. Are you trying to let him get away?’ Joey whispered underneath his breath as
he bump and push himself through Tony’s back shoulder.

I
could still hear both of them though.
Faster
I could hear my inner self
talking. I wasn’t afraid of them but I just wanted to avoid a fight. Tony stand
firm where he was standing keeping his right arm up in front of Joey, blocking
his way.

Then
he turn to Joey and said, ‘Trust me, this shall be fun.’

I
turn around and run.

‘Forty
Seconds!’ Tony shouts out angrily.

‘Run
as fast as you can! You can’t outrun us!’ Joey screams out to praise his friend’s
claim.   

I
ran as fast as I could. I wanted to beat them though out number. I could outrun
them. The path I chose ten years ago, way of a
Bushido
had given me
strength of loyalty, discipline and a sense of security. Self-defence is the
core value of a last resort which I had learned to use only when my life is
under threat. My
Sensei
will expel any student who disobeys the rules of
the martial art’s school. 

Under
the Japanese martial art tradition my teacher aka
sensei
had taught me
how to control my temper. Way of the warrior aka the
bushido
had allowed
me to accept others for who they are. Love, respect for others and myself was
the driving force to seek peace. I had to find peace in all circumstances even
at that difficult instance.

Ahead
a few metres down the junction a few pedestrians queued to response with the
traffic light. I dart among two old ladies and a shop keeper, who was sorting
the fruits outside of his sole business. Out of nowhere a cyclist comes out
from a nearby cyclist path on my left in between two shops. He was on the
pavement and blocking my way.

‘Thirty
Seconds, Phil! Shit.... I’ve forgotten to tell you that I’ve lie about the
timing! Here we come!’ Tony shouts sardonically.

I
was planning to dart the cyclist but everything was just way too fast. 
She sees me heading towards her that she cried out while she presses the break.
To avoid falling down I throw myself in the air to accommodate a front summer
sault. I land on my leg follows by a front roll to break the fall. I end up
losing my balance while I struggle to stand and fall flat on the floor in a
press up position. My face was inches from being smash to the pavement. 

Pure
Luck,
I thought.

‘Are
you ok Sir?’ A young lady’s voice said from the back.

Sweat
from my face drops on the pavements. I quickly stand up and at the same time,
somebody pull me off from the pavement from my elbow. It was a blond girl with
a familiar face which I fail to notice where I had seen her. Perhaps one of the
beautiful faces I had seen at school.

‘Phil,
Sorry I didn’t see you. You were too fast.’ She said.

I
look behind her and see them pedalling fiercely for me. I had no choice but to
react in order to avoid them. The fight was inevitable.

‘Hi,
umm, no problem, it was my fault.’ I said as I watch Tony and his gang behind
her riding furiously as mad men.

‘Excuse
me have we met?’ I asked her.

They
got closer.

‘Yes,
I’m Tania and my science class is just across yours.’

‘Of
course you are, Tania indeed. Sorry I knew I’ve seen you somewhere but just
misplace your face for some reason.’ I respond nervously as I watch the circus
getting closer to us.

‘Good
run this morning. Never knew you had it in you.’ Tania said in a flattery and
complimentary manner.

By
the electrical pole was her sport’s bicycle.

‘Is
it yours?’ I instantly asked.

‘Yes
it is,’ Tania said.

I
noticed that she was gear up in her bicycle suit and shoes but I had no choice.
I jump on her bicycle and ride out without her approval, ‘Sorry, I’m in
trouble. I’ll lend it and I shall bring it back in ten minutes.’

‘You’re
mine Phil!’ Tony said as he rides with more effort to catch me.

I
glance at Tony and Tania. She was gaping at me in shock.

Tania
glances at Tony and instantly realise that I was in need of her help. She nods
at me, ‘Ok, I live three streets down the road through the alley I came from at
two
Olion
Road.’ 

I
glance at her at the back and nod to acknowledge the quick agreement. I made my
move. The gang had caught up with me. Now the getaway was a challenge. I move
ahead towards the crowds at the traffic light who was crossing the road. With
the front of my shoes inserts in the pedal lock I was able to exert a powerful
momentum.

I
felt a big hand trying to grab me by my shoulder. Then I heard, ‘You aren’t
going anywhere! We’ve got you!’

The
Traffic light changes from green to amber for the pedestrians and
cyclist.  I was moving fast that Tony’s grip slip off my shoulder. I
quickly glance at the opposite direction of the road as I concentrate of not
colliding with the oncoming vehicle.

The
traffic light turns red. Tyres of my sport’s bicycle were already over the road
on the crossing. I put more effort and I was gone, straight through the next
alley. I heard loud horns coming from behind. Without delay I heard several
screeching sound of braking tyres and a loud bang of metal bashing into metal.

‘We’re
coming for you Phil!’ Tony fumingly said.

I
slowed down a bit and notice that Tony and Joey managed to cross through. They were
waiting for the other three. It seems one of them hit at the side of a green
car. Behind that car a tail gating black car seems to have a near miss. The
drivers had stop and was arguing with them. Somehow they said something to
convince the drivers not to take it further and all three was back on their
bicycle.

The
alley I was in was a back road for cyclist and pedestrians. A short cut which
connect to another main road a few metres ahead. In between was blocks of flats
but the road was rarely occupied.

I
felt uncontrollable anger arousing. It was reaching its boiling point.
Enough
was enough something had to be done… I need to put an end to it. They need to
understand that I’m not afraid of them. The only thing that stood in my way was
the bushido’s code of conduct which I’m supposed to abide by…

I
put the bicycle aside to the wall of a block of flat near a waste bin. I got
off the bicycle and wait for them. The light becomes green and the other three
somehow got away and regroup. Tony leads them towards me while the rest
follows.

‘Brave boy!’
Tony
shouts as his voice echoes the alley of tall flats.

‘We
can’t wait to smash the living out of you!’ Joey responds aggressively and
aloud.

They
stop near me, dump their bicycle and race towards me. The team of bullies
encircle me. Defenceless and powerless was how I felt for a moment.

‘Ryan,
why don’t you let him know how much our little operation cost us just to catch
him?’ Tony said.

‘Luckily,
the car which I and my buddy Allen smashed into, belong to my neighbour.’ Ryan
said.

‘Right
now you’ve piece off my boys really bad. Let me introduce you to Allen and by
the way you owe him a bicycle.’

‘I
don’t owe anything to you and your tugs,’ I respond calmly.

‘You
will be liable to our cost!’ Another gang member answers furiously.

‘And
you are?’ I ask sarcastically as I grin at him.

‘Oh,
meet Harley. After today you shall know all of us by our names.’ Joey said with
a jovial smile.