Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 1-2 | Page 168

An Adventurous Experience Diocesan Girls' Junior School, Fong, Hei Mn Tiffany - 9 “I hate you! Why won’t you help me?” Ellie hollered at the top of her lungs to her twin brother. “You fool! Do it yourself! The English class essay on New Journeys to the West won’t take long,” Conner screeched as he yanked her ponytail in frustration. Ellie begged him with all her might, but he still refused, which resulted in them pushing and chucking books at each other. At this moment, Dad stormed in and demanded, “What’s going on?” His amber eyes flashed furiously. “Go to your bedroom at once!” Ellie and Conner hung their heads low in shame. Frowning crossly at each other, they slammed the door and didn’t speak another word that night even though they struggled to sleep. Soon after they had finally drifted off, they were woken up by an unusual noise. They bolted upright in their cosy beds and scanned the room. All of a sudden, a strange glow shone through the windows that made them forget about the argument. Exchanging curious glances, they swiftly rushed out to investigate. As they raced into their backyard, Ellie and Conner spotted a sparkly, magical tree house that they had never seen before. They cautiously clambered up the ladder and noticed an old, dusty storybook glowing. Ellie’s jaw dropped and Conner’s eyes grew as round as coins. Shivering both from the cool night air and nervousness, they tiptoed towards it with trembling legs. Suddenly, the light grew brighter and seemed to be pulling them towards the book! They couldn’t move a single muscle and then… Snap! The light dragged them into the book! “Aaah! Help me!” shouted Ellie and Conner in unison. Whoosh! In the blink of an eye, they were transported to an unfamiliar place. They were standing at the edge of a forest covered in gingko trees that were various shades of yellow and green. Their branches were adorned with fan-shaped leaves and bulbous gingko fruit. As Ellie and Conner gaze around in bewilderment, they noticed a magnificent 4-story wooden pagoda that was decorated in gold and red dragons snaking along the pillars. Its corners gently curved upwards towards the sapphire-blue sky. Next to it was a Buddhist monastery with a golden statue of Bodhisattva that shone brightly. “El..Ellie,” Conner stuttered, “we have entered ancient China – just like in Journeys to the West!” “How can this be possible?” Ellie asked in disbelief. As a lovely fragrance of cherry blossoms wafted towards them, they caught sight of a tiny monkey wearing silk robes and a golden headband. It had a metal bar tucked inside its ear. Suddenly, a wicked-looking man captured it and locked it in a cage with a fat pig. When the man turned his back, the pig called Bajie asked the monkey, “Who are you? Why are you here?” “I’m Sun Wu Kong, king of Fruit and Flower Mountain,” answered the Wu Kong proudly. When the man heard those words, he shockingly transformed into the Bull Demon King. He had two massive pointed horns on top of his head. Cackling wickedly, he grinned and exclaimed, “A-ha! I’ve finally caught the Monkey King!” Ellie and Conner came to an agreement that it was their duty to help Sun Wu Kong and Bajie escape even though it meant they would put themselves in danger. After many hours of patiently waiting, the terrifying demon finally dozed off. “Pssst! It’s time,” whispered Ellie softly to Conner. He silently crawled towards the sleeping Bull Demon King, stealthily grabbed the key and tiptoed away. Sneaking up to the cage, Ellie whispered, “Don’t be afraid. We are here to help.” “Please let go!” Bajie begged. “Don’t be so dramatic!” snorted Sun Wu Kong as he looked down his nose at Bajie. Conner swiftly released them and they all heaved an immense sigh of relief. “Now what?” Bajie asked as he scratched his head. At that moment, Wu Kong waved his iron bar, did a quick spell, and they rose up in the pitch-black sky filled with twinkling stars above the gingko forest.