The Dark Fortune (13/02/24)-Short Story

Once upon a time, there lived a man named Song. He was an ordinary guy, working as an air con repairman, leading a simple life with his young family. One fateful night, while driving along the bendy and quiet South Buona Vista Road, Song stumbled upon a mysterious scene.

There, parked on the side of the road, under lamp post no. 44 was a van with its headlights lighted and  engine still running. Bewildered, Song approached the van cautiously. To his shock, he discovered the lifeless body of the van's driver, slumped over the wheel. A sense of unease washed over him as he noticed a massive bag filled to the brim with money in the back of the van.

Song's heart raced with conflicting emotions. Temptation tugged at him, and he couldn't resist the allure of the bag of money. In a moment of weakness, he made the impulsive decision to take the bag and hide it in his own van. However, his conscience tells him he has to do the right thing, so he immediately called the police to report the dead body he had found....but not the bag of money.

The police arrived swiftly, investigating the scene and taking statements from Song. He played his part convincingly, acting as a concerned citizen who stumbled upon the grim discovery. Once the police has concluded their investigation and left, Song was left alone with the bag of ill-gotten money.

As he sat in his van, staring at the bag, a mix of excitement and guilt consumed him. He couldn't help but think about all the things he could do with such a substantial amount of money. His mind wandered to luxurious vacations, fancy cars, and a life beyond his wildest dreams.

However, little did Song know that trouble was brewing just around the corner. The money he now possessed had a dark history, and its rightful owners would stop at nothing to retrieve it. 

In the depths of his soul, Song knew that he couldn't ignore the probably dark origins of the ill-gotten wealth he now possessed. The weight of guilt pressed heavily upon him, urging him to take action and uncover the truth. With a heavy heart, he decided to seek help from a trusted friend, Ah Huat, who happened to work in law enforcement.

Knowing that admitting his dishonesty would only bring shame and consequences, Song masked his true intentions and approached Ah Huat under the guise of curiosity. They met at a local coffee shop, where the aroma of freshly brewed kopi mingled with the warmth of their friendship.

Over cups of kopi, soft boiled eggs and toast, Song cautiously broached the topic of the dead van driver, careful not to reveal his involvement. Ah Huat, with his sharp intuition, sensed something amiss but played along, awaiting for Song's revelation.

As they delved further into their conversation, Ah Huat began sharing bits of information. His words painted a chilling picture of the money's origins. He revealed that the bag of money was linked to a notorious criminal organisation engaged in multi-million dollar laundering activities. The disappearance of such a significant amount, totaling over S$20 million, would undoubtedly catch the attention of those who operated within the shadows.

Ah Huat's voice lowered as he spoke of the criminal organisation's reputation. They were wanted by Interpol, known for their ruthlessness and brutality in both China and Macau. Their enemies trembled at the mere mention of their name, and their reach extended far beyond the borders of any one country.

Song's heart sank as the gravity of his situation sank in. He realised that he had unwittingly become entangled in a treacherous web of deceit, crime, and danger. The money he had once seen as an opportunity for a better life now appeared as a curse, a magnet for violence and retribution.

Fear and desperation coursed through Song's veins as he contemplated his next move. He knew he couldn't keep the money, nor could he simply walk away unscathed. The only path forward was to confront the truth, face the consequences, and find a way to make amends.

With a heavy heart and a newfound determination, Song made the difficult decision to come clean about the ill-gotten wealth he had obtained. He mustered the courage to call Ah Huat once again &  pouring out the entire story of his involvement and his plan to meet and hand over the money to the authorities and face the consequences.

The night of their meeting arrived, filled with anticipation and anxiety. Song's conscience urged him forward, knowing that this was the right path to take. But fate had other plans in store.

As the clock ticked towards the appointed time, tragedy struck. The police, conducting routine patrols, stumbled upon a chilling scene at South Buona Vista Road. Under the dim illumination of lamp post 44, a van sat with its engine running and headlights piercing through the darkness. Inside the van, slumped in the driver's seat, was Song's lifeless body. An obvious deja vu.

Authorities descended upon the scene, launching a thorough investigation into the untimely death of Song.

The investigation revealed a complex web of deceit, involving not only the criminal organization behind the money but also individuals within law enforcement who had succumbed to temptation. Song's death was no accident, but a calculated move to eliminate him as retribution.

The tale of Song serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers that lie within the pursuit of ill-gotten wealth. It underscores the importance of integrity and the inherent risks of entangling oneself in a world of crime and deceit. Through his untimely death, Song's legacy lives on as a cautionary tale, urging all to choose the path of honesty, resist temptation and 

face the consequences of our actions, no matter how difficult they may be.