Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 12 | Page 170

The Threatening Future
Glenealy School, Huang, Vincent – 10
I
t was a brisk, busy morning in Old Shanghai in the fall of 1837. Old Shanghai had just opened a new trading port.
People from foreign countries were trading in this port. The harbour was filled with American, British and
French ships being unloaded with “Fragile” and mysterious cargo. Carriage drivers shouted loudly, food stalls
crammed the streets, and people begged for money.
A twelve year old child called Yong Moon Peace got out of bed, got changed, and ran downstairs. For some reason,
even though Yong was Chinese, he had blue eyes. Everyone laughed at him because of the strange color in his eyes.
Everyday, he had to get water from the well. Yong always loathed this daily chore. Yong grabbed a bucket, ran
down the steps and crossed the road, heading towards the well. Along the way, he would always see hundreds of
people being punished, and even more begging for food. Even when the sun was scorching hot, Yong would always
shiver when he saw them. Arriving at the well, Yong tied the bucket on the hook and gradually brought it down,
filling it with water. Yong was about to pull the bucket up, when he thought he heard someone saying his name. His
eyes darted around suspiciously. Yong sensed something strange yet familiar, but could not quite put a finger on
where he had felt it before. Yong pulled the bucket up, turned around, and dashed back to his master. Yong did not
want to be in this mysterious place any longer.
When Yong got back, his master ordered, "Go to the market and fetch me some food."
Sprinting towards the market he heard a familiar, female voice whisper in his head. "Hello Yong Moon Peace.
Come to me." Yong felt his legs being controlled by the same, familiar tension that allowed him to hear the woman.
Yong thought, "Who are you? How can you control me?"
The voice in his mind laughed, "You are nearly here. Most of your questions will be answered when you arrive."
Suddenly, Yong’s controlled legs skidded to an abrupt stop.
"Hello," said the same voice he had heard in his head, "Yong Moon Pea