The footsteps were getting closer and louder.
I placed a foot on the sill and made sure that I got a good platform before bringing my other leg up and squeezing through the window.
At this point, my body was out of the window and both my feet were hanging off awkwardly.
I grabbed onto the side of the windows tightly and swung my feet around to get stable footing.
I listened attentively to what was going on on the other side.
Are you sure that you received the
telegram?
Yes, I am sure! Look at the door, it’s obviously been smashed. Someone’s been in here.
Maybe it’s just rotten. We haven’t been up here in, what, seven years?
We’re already here so we might as well just check it out.
I frowned at those familiar voices.
Wait, the intruder might still be in there.
I’ll open the door. The four of you block the exit.
Alright.
Four to block the exit and one to open the door?
The five Fathers.
The door creaked loudly and I turned my head a little in an attempt to get a glimpse inside.
The five of them dashed into the room with their mobile and torch lights. Father Big Beard took the lead while Father Dahai brought up the rear. They stood in a row, shining their lights at every corner of the room.
No one’s here.
They must’ve run away already. Dawu, did you really
receive a telegram?
Yes! Five short rings coming from here and the door’s been smashed, too! What other evidence do you need?
Who’s on duty today?
Luqiao, I think. The door wasn’t locked when I came in.
Who has that damned child’s number?
Dahai must have it.
I’ll give him a call, hold on,
Dahai said.
I freed one hand and reached into my pocket to press both the lock and volume buttons together to shut the phone down.
I didn’t dare take my phone out for the fear that they’d see the light on the screen.
My life literally depended on my phone.
10 seconds, 20 seconds…
How is it?
Can’t connect.
Could something have happened to him?
Do you think he’s been kidnapped? He should be off work by now.
Did it finally happen? What our ancestor was worried about?
Did you guys see any suspicious character coming into the church recently?
No, all familiar faces.
Open them up and see what’s missing. We’ll be in trouble if something’s been taken out of this room.
The five of them got to work in opening the four wooden tables.
The clothes have been fiddled with.
Dahai and I will stay here. The three of you, go down and see if anyone’s hiding in the church.
I heard their footsteps fading as they left the attic.
Only Father Big Beard and Dahai were left inside.
Look at this, Dahai. Someone’s touched it. The dust on the telegraph button has been rubbed off.
That’s right! Don’t move and don’t touch anything else.
Why?
The footprints left on the dust might get us some information,
You’re right.
Their light shone over to the window a few times and I had to duck my head all the way down.
Did the intruder went over to the window?
Seems like it. More than once. The three of them did not go there earlier, did they?
You wait here. I’ll go have a look.
Wait, I’ll go. I don’t know how this telegraph works. You can check if it’s still working.
I was certain that it was Dahai who said that.
Alright. Just do a rough check and don’t poke your head out of the window. We mustn’t act blindly. There might be people watching us from below.
I did not know what the Fathers were worried about, but it seemed that other people were also interested in the attic.
Typewriter? Telegraph? Army uniform and nation flag?
I was baffled.
Father Dahai’s footsteps approached and I could sense his presence just a wall away from me.
Anything?
Father Big Beard asked.
My arms were aching badly, but the only other option was to let go and break every bone in my body.
Yeah, no.
Dahai stuck his face to the window and we made eye contact.
My heart stopped.
He looked at me and raised his index finger up to his lips.
Nothing,
he said.
Probably just wanted to note his location from the top,
Father Big Beard rationalized.
Nothing’s missing or spoiled so let’s go join the others,
Dahai proposed.
Do you think it’s Luqiao, Dahai?
What?
He’s always so quiet. Do you think he has a problem?
You’re overthinking this. I watched him grow up and I know his character well; he’s biddable.
He might’ve been bribed.
Why are you suspecting him now?
Dahai asked defensively.
I know you have a soft spot for him. We agreed for him to stay with each of us on different days and not to tell him the secret if he behaves abnormally. Instead, we would make him the successor. He was doing a great job, but who decided to keep the secret until later on? Who wanted him to live as a normal being? Wasn’t it you, Dahai?
We have no right to seize his freedom. He has no obligation to inherit our secret.
Were we given a choice by our ancestors? Did our five families guard this church for generations by choice?
Footsteps.
What are you two arguing about this time?
There’s no one around, we’ve checked.
We’re not arguing. It’s about Luqiao. At the start, Dahai vowed for Luqiao to take over the church, but when Luqiao turned 18, Dahai decided that he was an outsider and shouldn’t be restricted by us. There’s an attachment, Dahai. You overdid your part.
Didn’t we agree to let it go? Why mention it again? Luqiao is missing. He’s not the one behind this.
It was said previously that the next-of-kin will do it. We said nothing to Luqiao and now we don’t know if they’re here for him.
What do we do next?
Four of us can go home, but someone has to stay here tonight. No sleeping. We’ll get the door fixed and reinforced tomorrow. Let’s choose one to stay the night.
I’ll stay,
Dahai volunteered.
My daughter’s already in graduate school. I’ll just give my wife a call.
Sorry to trouble you. We’ll come earlier tomorrow to settle the repair. If someone really has Luqiao and asks us to choose between the secret of his life, we have no choice but to sacrifice him. I hope you understand.
After their exit, Dahai quickly opened the window and reached for my wrist.
My arms were practically jellies at this time so I simply let him pull me back into the room.
Ask. I know you have questions,
Dahai panted.
