The Edge of Frozen Memories

Chapter 2

“Kid?”

A flat, faint tone penetrated into my ears, kicked me out of uneasy sleep, and jerked me backwards. A sting thumped at the back of my head as I collided on the pillar steel. My eyes flung open while a rush of pulse leapt around my ribs. The sight of a hand resting on my shoulder made me shrink in horror.

My eyeballs explored the person from bottom to top. A middle-aged man in a security uniform was crouching beside me. “Where are your parents?”

I froze with my mouth hung open. To decipher his words wasn’t supposed to be difficult. Neither his portly frame nor his question gave me lurch. But kid?

“Why you’re here?” he cast his attention around and back to me. “Are you lost?”

The way he spoke was authoritative and calm. His stare observed me, long enough, until a compassionate look was written all over his face. “Let’s go along with me. I’ll find your parents.”

His words was hard to discern while the freezing cold blasted me in the face. I held a breath for a second and rubbed my temple.

“It’s 11:20 p.m.” He took a glance at his watch.

At no time was I able to contain my silence a minute longer; words slipped out of my dry lips.

“Excuse me sir. I—”

“You shouldn’t sleep here.” A deep huff expanded through his mouth, and then he leapt to his feet. “Come on.”

It was already late in the night. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to spend the rest of the night sleeping in the security office. It was odd. Besides, I had made a promise through the calls a while ago.

“What’s wrong?” he dropped into a crouch and touched me by the shoulder.

To deal with him and reassure that I wasn’t underage, was going to take a long time. I could have showed him my passport but it wasn’t a must unless he insisted.

“Would you like to tell me where the taxi area is?” I changed the subject in hope of evading the question.

“It’s over there.” He pointed out his index finger to the right side of the hallway. “Down the elevator, then turn left. You will catch a sign of the taxi...” He trailed off; his pupils grew wide with curiosity. “You’re going in the midnight?”

Despite pins and needles in my legs, I scrambled to my feet and reached out the pillar to sustain myself. “I’m afraid I have to go now.”

“Wait!” he rose; then at the same time he intercepted me before I headed off.

My feet shifted to one side in an attempt to escape from him. “Excuse me.”

A couple of thumping steps from a distance seemed to be following me on my way of heading to the different direction. My footsteps quickened in long strides. But halfway before I passed the food court, a sudden tap jolted me sideways.

“Wait.” A familiar voice croacked, hands twisting my shoulder around.

“Yes, sir?”

“Are you sure you’re not lost?”

“Sure. I’m... Not.” My heartbeat erratic, I steeled myself for what the officer might do this time. “I—I’m about to go home.”

His face creased into an uncertain look, an eyebrow raised. “Let me—”

“I’m sorry, sir. My family’s waiting for me. It’s getting late.”

In immediate strides, I walked away, not bothering to peep through my shoulder in case he run after me.