TRAP

Demons! Demons! Big and small. Demons! Everywhere. Flying above me. Slowly I walk down the narrow path. One on the bamboo trees give shelter and, almost, a barrier that protects me from the sheer rock-face, on the other side, well, there is a nice view of Shantung valley. Isn't it lovely, so picturesque. To take your breath away. Really, it does. The cold mountain stream cascades from the granite stone and in to a fountain far bellow it goes, after that it continues to the statue of Amida Budwa, where the properties of the water are changed.

But enough of that, we have a more important task. I need to be on the other side of this narrow pathway. It would be easier if the demons would stop laughing. It would be to much to ask.

I lowered my head, looked at the tree that danced in the wind, it was bright and full of life in this above place. The leaves were ideally proportioned, which was strange. Nothing grows like in this place. It was a illusion. Somebody had intentionally placed it here, but why? What's its purpose?

So many question, so little answers. I place a trap of my own, to even the playing field. And I waited.

Time slowly passed.

The wind howls.

Behind me strange rays of light appeared, so the person who prepared the trap has returned. Finally, I can see who it is.

He was a strangely dress man with mismatching pieces of clothes, large square jaw, with big fish eyes, bushy eyebrows and with a overall dumb expression.

"What are you doing 'ere? he asked.

"Passing by," I replied.

"Passing by?"

"Yes. The weather is spectacular and the view is nice."

He looked at me with all fishiness he could muster:

"You have to pay a tax if you wanna pass."

"A tax?" I looked shocked. "What tax?"

"Yes, my tax for allowing you to pass."

"You don't say."

"I do."

My trap activated.

"What is this?" he tried to free himself.

"That's my payment."

And with that I crossed to the other side.