CHINESE ASCHENPUTTEL

BO first noticed the woman in black when she stopped at the spice bootj to buy salt and soya sauce. The market was packed with people. They crowded the narrow asiles between the stalls, jostling each other and bargaining for the best value. Children raced around, playing hide-and-seek along the cramped passageways, while stallholders called out to passersby, waving their merchandise in the air and shouting out prices.

In all the noise and bustle, BO couldn't be sure how long the woman had been watching her. As soon as their boat had docked in the river town of Fenghwang, Grandma Li had sent her and Aries on shore to pick up essential supplies. They had been told that Fenghwang was safe, but it was impossible to be sure in these dangerous times.

"Look out for one another but try not to appear as if you're together" Grandma Li had said as she handed each of them a straw basket and some money.

"Don't talk to anyone unless you have to, and of course don't breathe a word about the American pilots hidden on our boat. Eventhough Fenghwang is ruled by our President Wang Yibo, Japanese secret agents and collaborators lurk everywhere and we're in constant danger until we get the airmen. Their safety depends on your silence."

BO paid for her purchases and packed them into the basket at her feet. As she straightened up she saw the woman in white staring intently at her. Quickly, BO moved away, but she couldn't resist glancing back. The woman was following her, heading in the same direction. She quickened her steps and turned the corner. The woman also turned but maintained a certain distance. Now BO had no doubt, the woman was after her, for sure. But why?

She looked around for Aries, but he was nowhere to be seen. Her heart quickened and she felt the first trickle of panic. Trying to behave naturally, she continue to buy the foods on Grandma Li's list: Eggs, vegetables, sesame oil, tofu, sugar, rice, flour and fresh fruits. She glanced nervously over her shoulder, hoping against hope that the woman would be gone. But no! There she was, peering furtively from behind a stack of dried cabbage, as if not quite certain that BO was the one she was looking for. But almost sure . . .

Should she make a run for it? No -- better behave calmly. Was this woman a Japanese spy? Surely not. She looked so kind, almost motherly. But maybe that was only a disguise. What is she approached BO and starred a conversation? Then perhaps suddenly -- WHAT! A hand around the arm. Come with me! Japanese secret police! BO shuddered.

The woman did not look Japanese, but she could be a Chinese collaborator. Did she know about the American pilots hidden on the boat, only a few hundred feet away? Grandma Li and Master Li had listened for news on the radio every day since they had rescued the Americans, but they had heard nothing. So they assumed that nobody was searching for them.

"Keep calm, BO. Behave normally," she muttered to herself. But the woman was inching slowly toward her. Their eyes met briefly. BO immediately looked away. She felt her heart racing and a cold sweat running down her back. How scary! What did the woman want? BO braced herself.

All at once the woman was right in front of her, blocking the way! BO stared, paralyzed with fear. Would she arrest her? How many years in jail for helping American pilots to escape from the Japanese.

"Excuse me. Are you the niece of Zhao Mia Ling?"

So the woman had recognized her. But how? There must be a millions of twelve-year-old girls in China who looked like her. But the woman had said Zhao Mia Ling, which was her aunt maiden name before her disastrous arranged marriage. What else did this woman know? Would BO be taken away and tortured for information about the airmen? She parted her lips to speak, but no words came. Her mouth was dry. She had only one desparate, agonizing thought: she must say nothing, because, back on that boat, the Americans' lives depended on her silence! She needed to get away from this woman as fast as possible.

She threw her basket of groceries at the woman, and ran -- brushing past a meat-vendor's stall and knocking over a vegetable stand.

"Stop her!" the angry merchant's yelled, but BO was too quick for them. She had no idea where she was going. She only knew she had. escape -- fast! The sound of her feet mingled with the pounding of blood in her ears, blocking everything with fear. Suddenly she was hurtling down steep stone steps toward the pier, taking them two at a time. But, halfway down, she was blocked by a group of workmen carrying a large boxes balanced on shoulder-poles. The woman in white would surely catch her now.

It had started to rain and the light was fading. People were yelling and pushing behind her. She needed to get away, but how? Bodies in front, terror behind.

Beside her was a drainpipe leading up to the roof of a building. Out of desperation, BO grabbed onto it and clambered to the top. She had a momentary sense of exhilaration as she looked down at her pursuers. Without kung fu training, they would never be able to catch her. Then, just as she felt as if she might actually get away, her feet slipped on the wet roof shingles and her body plunged into the void ...