It was late in the evening when Minghao finally left the school. The air was chilly and there weren’t a lot of people still out and about on the streets. Minghao pulled his hoodie tighter around him, zipping it up to the top, as he made his way out of the school compound.

It was the last day of school and Minghao’s class had decided to hold a class party which has yet to end. Minghao was never fond of such rowdy gatherings and so, chose to leave earlier than the others. It was probably the smartest decision he ever made — considering how few people there were on the streets now, it’ll be completely empty by the time the rest of the class decide to leave. And while that was never a good thing, it was especially so right now.

As he strolled leisurely down the street, Minghao pulled on his headphones and pressed ‘play’ on his handphone’s radio. He was just in time for the evening news and Minghao absent-mindedly listened to the radio broadcaster speak.

“... The increasing rate of missing teenagers are beginning to alarm the government.” The female broadcaster informed the listeners, her voice scratchy from poor reception. “As of now, there have been over four hundred missing teenagers since the beginning of this year — a startling jump from last year’s two hundred.”

That’s a lot, Minghao noted subconsciously as he made a turn round a corner. The street before him was practically empty, with only one or two people hurrying home. Even though this district was one of the less populated ones in the country, it was still surprising to see so few people.

Everyone’s worrying about the missing teenagers. Minghao thought nonchalantly as he pulled his hood up. He rubbed his palms together, shivering. And is it just me or is the weather getting colder?

“Experts believe that a large proportion of the missing teenagers are simply runaways,” the radio broadcaster continued, “and that only a few are victims of human trafficking. Nonetheless, the government hopes that parents will keep an eye on their children and communicate with them properly...”

Why is my house so near to school that I don’t have to take the bus, but so far that walking home takes half an hour? Minghao grumbled in annoyance to himself as he came to a standstill at a junction. Normally, Minghao would cross the road and continue down the street but it was way too time-consuming and it was so cold then.

“... Parents should also advise their children to refrain from walking alone or in deserted areas but stick to crowded places where there is a smaller chance of them...”

I’ll just take the shortcut today. Minghao abruptly decided, turning on his heel to go into an alley on his right. People rarely walk here because of the numerous bags of trash blocking the path and the many, confusing routes but it was a much shorter way home for Minghao.

The air was silent except for Minghao’s lone footsteps and the radio broadcaster’s voice, announcing some other news. Deftly, the Chinese boy sidestepped a trash bag and continued on his way where there were the unmistakable sounds of scuffling and muffled yells, penetrating the headphones.

Hold on. What was that? Minghao jolted out of his thoughts as he hastily stopped in the middle of the alley, pulling his headphones off to hear properly. There was silence and Minghao unconsciously walked forward, his curiosity getting the better of him, until he was peeking over to the other side.

There was a group of men, dressed entirely in black clothing and paired with masks, with a teenaged boy in their midst. The boy was struggling with all his might, fighting back at the men. One of the men had his hand over the boy’s mouth, which explained the muffled shouts, and another was holding the boy’s hands behind him, locked together in a tight grip. The other two men were trying to grab the boy’s legs but he was flailing wildly, striking and kicking at them that both of them couldn't even grab hold of them.

All of the sudden, the broadcaster’s words came flooding to Minghao’s head. Missing teenagers — victims — human trafficking — deserted areas.

“Oh, no.” Minghao breathed out in growing shock and terror, and he took an automatic step backwards. Run or help? Run or help? Thoughts raced across his mind as Minghao debated between fleeing and aiding.

At this moment, the man covering the boy’s mouth raised his head and their eyes met. Minghao watched in stunned silence as the man’s eyes widened in surprise. Then, he was pointing his finger directly at Minghao and yelling at his accomplices.

Run. Definitely run. Minghao promptly decided before spinning around to flee. To his utmost horror, he tripped over an abandoned trash bag and down he went like a bag of flour. On instincts, Minghao broke the fall with his hands, saving himself from a broken nose and landing stomach down, but he was still in a daze from the sudden change in balance.

Then, Minghao felt hands groping and grabbing hold of his legs and he freaked out, a burst of adrenaline shooting throughout his body and he kicked blindly at his captor.

“No, no, no!” Minghao yelled frantically as he was dragged backwards by his legs. The hard ground scratched at his stomach, tearing his thin hoodie and school shirt, and Minghao tried to kick at his apprehender but the lack of sight made it extra difficult for him to land a single hit.

“Quick, shut him up.” One of them hissed under his breath and Minghao was suddenly flipped onto his back, his breath knocked out of him and two men looming menacing above him.

Running on fear and adrenaline, Minghao didn’t think. As quick as lightning, Minghao relied on his b-boying skills and twisted one of the men’s legs with his own. The man fell and Minghao kicked at his head with all the strength he had, knocking him unconscious.

“You — What?” The other man was taken aback and he didn’t take long to recover his composure. Growling fiercely, the man advanced on Minghao and clenched his fist before letting it fly.

“No!” Minghao sprayed out his hands in a defensive action when the man’s fist slammed against a barrier. The impact sent the man recoiling and he flew backwards, hitting the brick wall and then collapsing to the ground.

For a moment, there was complete radio silence as everyone else watched the translucent, glowing force field, that surrounded and had protected Minghao from the man’s fist, simmered and then disappeared without a trace.

What — What was that? Minghao wondered, half in awe and half in shock, as he let his arms drop to his sides.

“Mutant. Another bloody one.” The man who was gripping the boy’s hands growled lowly, his eyes full of hatred and disgust.

Minghao jerked at the harsh tone and words before frantic words were spilling out of his lips, pleading and desperate. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Just let me go and I won’t tell anyone.”

“Do you think we’re fools?” The other man snapped, taking a step forward towards Minghao who flinched. Then, he laughed without humor as he muttered bitterly. “You mutants are all the same, aren’t you? Crazy freaks, that’s what you all are!”

“Oh, shut up.” There was a new voice and Minghao watched with bated breath as the boy knocked the man apprehending him with his head.

The man let out a shout of pain as he released his grip on the boy in favour of clutching his head. The second man hissed furiously, “don’t let him go!” but he was a second too late and the boy vanished from sight.

I’m going crazy, aren’t I? Minghao asked himself, panic rising within him at the sudden change in events. That boy literally disappeared into thin air!

“Hey,” there was voice by his ear and Minghao flinched again. The boy was now beside him, squatting down, and his voice was urgent. He grabbed Minghao’s hand and pulled him to his feet easily.

“You — You were there — Now you’re here — You —” Minghao stammered eloquently, his eyes wide as saucers as his brain tried to keep up but failing miserably. “I’m crazy, aren’t I?”

The boy tilted his head at Minghao, almost curiously, before hissing. “Run!”

“Get them!” One of the still conscious men ordered in pure fury but Minghao and the boy were already off and running for their lives.

His heart pounding in his chest, Minghao ran with the boy as fast as his legs could carry him. Adrenaline was pumping in his veins and the threat of the men behind them made Minghao ran even faster but he was tiring, the earlier events having already sapped most of his energy.

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