Deadly Laughter

DEADLY LAUGHTER

When four wealthy teenagers found themselves amongst the ruins of an old Chinese palace they were not impressed. What real significance could these old stones play in their lives?  It was ancient history and that was boring. Did they really care about Nui the Ox or Chikyo the monk both dead for centuries.  It is said that those who do not learn from history are destined to repeat it. If the legends were true then many people had said and done things that displeased Niu and paid a terrible price but that was then and this was now. Today things were different and no one thought that they were immortal.

It was all legend and superstition or so Justine and Rick thought until they heard that unearthly laughter. Who was it, where were they, and what had become of the two girls? A few foolish words spoken in haste and suddenly things changed. From nowhere a mist had descended and the smell of orange blossom filled the air, although it had been many months since the trees had been in bloom. Could it be that somehow Nui was still around watching, listening and laughing? When he laughed, the legend said, everyone laughed, but when he stopped someone was always dead?

They all knew about deadly substances like poisons and venomous snakes but was it possible that apart from those dangers there was another one that they could not see but only describe as deadly laughter.