World Mysteries and True Ghost Tales

A BEIJING HAUNTING

PART ONE

The following tale intertwines murder, mystery, love and a spectacular haunting. Told as part fiction - amidst a mysterious cover up surrounding the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing. (All names have been changed).

First of all please read the following news article, I wonder if the spectacular Beijing haunting had anything to do with it:

“China has added ghosts, monsters and other things that go bump in the night to its list of banned video and audio content in an intensified crackdown ahead of the Beijing Olympics.

Producers have around three weeks to look through their tapes for “horror” and report it to authorities, the General Administration of Press and Publications said in a statement posted on the government website.(http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN1442888920080214?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews)

THE STORY:

A tunnel of darkness stretched over thirty feet before the prisoner and the sound of heavy keys jangled above him. Suddenly, a roof door creaked open. In an instant, blinding sunlight spilled down and surrounded Chi Ling.

‘Kneel!’ the prison officer ordered - spitting his words like a viper about to strike.

Ling dropped to his knees. The officer then ripped Ling’s shirt from his back revealing a tattoo on his left shoulder. ‘Quod me nutrit me destruit’. What nourishes me also destroys me.

‘What’s this? Ming come look.’ The officer beckoned.

The fat officer marched over to his colleague and they both laughed. ‘Very appropriate,’ Ming said and then glared into Ling’s bulging eyes. ‘Do you know what I’ve got in store for you little man?’

Ling looked away from the fat man and down at the floor.

The fat man pulled a lighter from his pocket and lit a pile of papers screwed up in a metal bucket by Ling’s side.

Ling fell to the floor, as the flames suddenly came alive - dancing like tiny frenzied demons.

Ming brought his arm from behind his back. In his hand was the ‘Prod Of Chaoyang’, feared by all the prisoners.

Ling lifted his tethered hands and prayed to be saved - but deep down inside, he knew God could no longer help him…no-one could. 

         …

Shaun walked along the swinging San Li Tun Embassy district, towering over the little flower sellers and beggars who stood outside the array of restaurants. They all stared as this giant of a man with a mane of shoulder length golden hair, passed by them.

‘Ni hao, you like a drink?’ a Chinese waiter asked, rocking a metal chair outside Cafe Malongo.

‘Yes, a beer.’ Shaun pushed his suitcase under the table and sat down. He kicked off his trainers and pressed his hot feet against the shaded metal legs of the table.

A sweet syrupy scent drifted in the light breeze towards him. Shaun looked up to see a young Chinese woman, pushing a small, squeaking stall on wheels.

 The waiter soon returned with the beer. Shaun paid him and drank it down in one. He then put on his trainers, grabbed his luggage, and hurried after the little vendor.

‘Do those taste as good as they smell?’ He said pointing to the bright red balls attached to a long stick.

‘Ah, they are favourite snack in Beijing called, Tanghulu. You try?’ Her voice was soft and sweet. She pulled off one of the sticky balls and handed it to Shaun. He bit into the sugar-coated haws and suddenly realized how lovely she was.

 ‘You buy now? They only twenty-four Kuai’s.’

‘What are they?’    

‘They are haws, like cherries, which you put on bamboo skewer and then dip into boiling syrup. When cool, they harden and then ready to eat,’ she said. ‘Legend has it you know, that Tanghulu dates back to Song Dynasty.’

‘Is that so,’ he said, staring at her eyes which gleamed in the sunlight like carnelian gems. ‘You know, I only buy off people when I know their name.’

‘My name is Ma Lihua.’

 Shaun gave Lihua twenty-four Kuai’s and took the stick from her. ‘Nice… a first name usually means something in China doesn’t it?’

‘My first name Lihua, means beautiful and flourishing,’ she answered, lowering her eyes and biting her lip.

He smiled. ‘That doesn’t surprise me. Hey, can you imagine being ugly with a name like that?’

Lihua laughed. ‘I must go now,’ she said suddenly. ‘Nice to have met you.’ She then set off with quick steps up the road. After a few yards, she stopped and looked back.

‘You never asked me what my name was,’ Shaun called out.

 ‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘what is it?’

‘I’ll tell you next time.’ He then winked at her and turned to walk down the wide road towards his hotel.

The heat was stifling and the smell of exhaust fumes hung above him in a poisonous, quivering haze.

He walked into the Tai Yue Suites Hotel where his colleague was sitting in the busy foyer with a beer.

‘Alright there Red?’ Shaun said with a wide grin.    

Daniel jumped up from his chair. ‘Where have you been? Thought your flight got in ages ago.’ 

Shaun ran his hand over Daniels spiky hair. ‘Well, I’m here now Red. That beer for me?’

‘Ha! Go on then, you look like you need it.’

 Shaun gulped the beer back. ‘Let’s go to the Hou Hai, I wanna get wasted. What’d you say?’

Daniel nodded. ‘I’ll hail a taxi while you check in. Reception will keep your case down here till we get back.’

Shaun went over to the reception where an unusually tall Chinese man beamed at him.

‘You the other Olympic competitor?’

‘That’s me.’ Shaun picked up his luggage and put it on the desk. ‘Can I leave this here?’

‘Sure – sure, I keep it safe with your friend’s case.’

Shaun ran down the steps and to the waiting taxi outside. ‘Right, let’s go.’

The taxi took off like a formula one racer, weaving in and out of traffic in its way. Then after about forty seconds, he stopped dead and pulled the handbrake on.

‘What’s wrong?’ Shaun said, looking out of the window.

‘Nothing, we here already.’ The taxi driver turned and gave them his widest grin.

‘We could have walked, why didn’t you tell us it was so close?’ Shaun snapped.

‘I taxi driver, not tourist information guy.’ He then took the money and ushered them out before speeding off.                                                                            

‘***** tosser!’ Daniel yelled.

‘You’re not supposed to draw any attention. You can’t shout comments like that, you racist t***.’ Shaun pulled Daniel closer to him. ‘One day that mouth of yours will get you killed.’

Daniel pulled his arm out of Shaun’s grip. ‘Alright, alright! – easy man.’

Shaun shook his head. ‘Your like a wife, so f******’ high maintenance.’

‘Now who’s been racist…against wives?’

‘You’re not funny! Come on let’s get a beer and calm you down.’

As they walked by the shimmering man-made lake at the side of Hou Hai bar area, Daniel continually turned the conversation into finding the best place to pull a prostitute. Shaun ignored him; there was only one thing on his mind, getting a pint.

‘Come on this’ll do Red.’ He took hold of Daniels arm and guided him into the nearest bar, where Eagles music blasted out from an old jukebox.

Daniel leaned on the bar. ‘Had any contact yet?’ he blurted out.

‘Watch your mouth – keep a lid on it. Now is not the place to talk about it.’

‘Lighten up Shaun, nobody’s listenin’.’

Shaun’s muscles tensed as he thought of the desperate time ahead of him. He looked at the barman. ‘I’ll have a whisky chaser.’

…   

Early the next morning, Shaun left the hotel and wandered along the road, where red flags were poised on most of the rooftops. He stopped at a quiet café where he ordered a coffee and sat beside the window nursing his hangover.

Suddenly, there was tapping on the glass. He turned to see Lihua smiling at him.

‘Lihua,’ he said and beckoned her to join him.

Lihua walked into the café and sat opposite Shaun. ‘You OK?’

‘I feel a lot better now I’ve seen you.’

Lihua shuffled in her seat. ‘You look troubled?’

‘Could say that.’ His voice was low.

‘What is it?’ Without thinking, Lihua put her hand on his as though she had known him all her life.

Shaun felt a rush of exhilaration sweep through him. ‘It’s nothing really, my mate just got a bit out of hand last night.’

‘Oh, I am sorry,’ Lihua said. ‘It will be alright, you see.’

Shaun lifted his hand and ran his fingers over her rounded cheekbone and slowly down the side of her face.

Lihua thought her heart would burst through her chest if he didn’t stop. She carefully took his hand from her face. ‘I do not know your name.’

‘Nothin’ special like yours – just Shaun.’

‘Well, I like that name – very much.’

Shaun smiled. ‘Come on, let’s go for a walk.’ He gently pulled Lihua from her seat.

‘Oh, where Shaun?’

‘Wherever you like – you pick.’

‘What about the Forbidden City?’

Shaun grinned. ‘But it is forbidden Lihua.’

Lihua laughed. ‘It used to be a long time ago.’

‘This is where ancient Emperors of China used to live,’ Lihua said as they both stood outside the Forbidden City. ‘Those buildings were built between 1406 and 1420 during the Ming Dynasty.’ Lihua pointed to the vast complex of temples. ‘It is said there are 9,999 buildings.’

‘Look at that.’ Shaun pointed to a large, gold martial lion sitting in front of the gates of Supreme Harmony.

‘The lion has a ball under its paw, so it is male. If it had a cub under its paw it would be female,’ Lihua said proudly. ‘Oh, there is the red imperial dragon seal for tour of city.’

Shaun slid his hand into hers. ‘So when did this place open to the public?’

‘It was in 1950, by palace Museum.’

‘Is there anything you don’t know about this place?’ he said and reached for her other hand and pulled her close to him.

‘Oh, Shaun, what you doing?’

‘Doing what I now like to do best.’

‘And what is that?’ Lihua felt her heart pounding again.

‘Haven’t you noticed?’ Shaun smiled at Lihua’s blushes. ‘To look at you.’ Shaun then kissed her softly.

The huge sun was resting on the roof tops as they strolled towards the grid like Tiananmen Square area, where an orderly feel exuded all about the place.

‘I’m starving,’ Shaun said. ‘Let’s get outta here, I feel like I’m about to be arrested for somethin’.’

‘I take you to good restaurant, yes?’

‘Lead the way.’

They crossed the square and passed two avenues until they came to a dark street, where the only light was coming from the shimmering bright lights of the Guolizhuang restaurant.

Shaun rubbed his hands together as they entered. ‘Hey, quaint.’

‘Wait till you see the menu, it is Beijing surprise.’

‘What the hell –‘ Shaun curled his lip as he noticed the spread on the next table.

Lihua laughed. ‘It is Beijing surprise, like I told you.’

‘My appetite’s suddenly gone for a stroll outside.’ Shaun looked at the huge platter. An animal’s penis was draped awkwardly around a crocodiles head carved out of a carrot.

‘Russian dog,’ said the waitress, who was watching Shaun with growing amusement.

Shaun looked at Lihua who was giggling. ‘You gotta be kiddin’ right? that’s disgusting.’

Lihua took Shaun’s hand. ‘Don’t worry Shaun, she is joking, there are plenty other dishes.’

‘Would you like window seat?’ the waitress asked and pointed to a table. They both followed her and sat down.

‘Snake on menu tonight, it very unique – two penises,’ the waitress said.

Shaun smirked and waved his hand at her and leaned forward towards Lihua. ‘It’s more like an exotic spa in here than a restaurant.’

Lihua laughed. ‘I promise you, food is very good here.’

Shaun scanned the menu until he recognised a dish. ‘Ahh! Beijing duck, now we’re talkin’.’

They both ordered the duck and mini-lotus pancakes.

Shaun packed his pancake with duck and leek as he spoke. ‘Where do you live Lihua?’

‘Not far from here, above my uncle’s restaurant.’

‘We should have gone there.’

Lihua look stunned and shook her head. ‘No – not good.’

Shaun hovered the pancake in front of his mouth and looked at Lihua. ‘I take it…you don’t like him?’

Lihua looked away from Shaun’s eyes. ‘I have many problems with him since my parents died.’

‘Not serious I hope?’

‘Let’s change subject please.’ Lihua’s eyes dropped again and she looked out of the window at the people frolicking outside. She tried to hide the sudden surge of tears welling in her eyes.

‘Do you want to go Lihua?’

Lihua nodded and Shaun asked for the bill.

They made their way outside and into the cool welcoming breeze. The sky was now dark and dotted with stars around a full, silver moon. They walked in silence up the bustling narrow lane, curving its way to Tianamon Square.

‘Shall I walk you home?’

‘No, I get taxi.’

The pit of Shaun’s stomach suddenly felt like it had been hit with a cannon ball. ‘I hope I haven’t upset you in any way Lihua.’

‘No, it is not –‘ Suddenly, Lihua took a sharp breath.     

Shaun followed Lihua’s gaze to where a squat, Chinese man was standing outside his Audi, some thirty yards ahead of them.

‘My uncle – he…has seen me with you.’

‘What?’ Shaun took Lihua’s shoulders. ‘What is goin’ on with him Lihua?’

‘Shaun, please let me go. I have to go to him or there will be trouble.’

‘Lihua, nobody is about to hurt you while I’m with you.’

Lihua pulled herself away from Shaun. ‘You must go – he not good.’ Then she ran towards Chao, who immediately pushed her into the back seat of his car.

‘That Westerner is a dead man if I see you with him again.’ He then turned back to look at Shaun and drew his finger slowly across his throat.

Shaun’s thoughts were only of Lihua as he watched the car speed off into the distance…would he ever again look into the beautiful eyes of the woman he had just fallen in love with? 

Part two soon.

Further reading on true hauntings, read about the Enfield poltergeist – click on this

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By, J Reynolds (aka, eyepriestess) copyright, 2009, @ World Mysteries And True Ghost Tales. 

Pic by, (www.linkinn.com/newindex.php?choice=search&q=spooky)