Chapter 16: The Idols
Chapter 16: The Idols
After leaving the building, Sun Jack and Song 6 got back into the stolen car and headed southeast.
Without a map, Sun Jack had to rely on Tapai’s verbal directions, realizing they were still wandering around the outskirts of the Metropolis.
About two hours later, they reached their destination.
Flicking his e-cigarette into the rain, Song 6 gestured ahead. “Here it is—Idol Street. Don’t let the shabby market vibe fool you. If you know the right people, you can find just about anything here.”
Through the car window, the most striking sight was the massive, decaying Buddha statue with closed eyes at the end of the street. Acid rain had eroded much of the statue, exposing its inner steel framework, leaving it in a state of disrepair.
The statue sat serenely in the rain, as if unbothered by the endless downpour. Back-to-back with it stood a similarly weathered statue of Jesus. The two idols leaned against each other for support, barely managing to stay upright.
Surrounding the statues was a cluttered circle of crowded shops of various sizes. Neon signs flickered above their entrances, each trying to outshine the others in eye-catching absurdity.
The shops sold everything imaginable, but one in particular caught Sun Jack’s eye. Its neon sign split into two contrasting halves: black, white, and yellow on one side advertising wreaths, funeral supplies, and coffins, while pink, purple, and black on the other side displayed an array of adult toys.