New Tales of Old Shanghai
The Independent Schools Foundation Academy , Cheung , Sum Ki Natalie – 10
L
ily , Togan , come on ! Tea is ready !” Annica Leung shouted as she sat behind her sewing machine , working on another elaborate gown . Moments later , two children burst into the living room . Annica gasped , shocked and Lily laughed and her jet-black hair swept over her filthy face , her hazel eyes lighting up with humor . Togan looked like the older , boy version of Lily , but his face was deadly serious , and he started recounting their astounding tale .
Lily and Togan were exploring on the old city wall , when they suddenly found a piece of flame colored marble . Lily curiously stroked it , and suddenly a doorway appeared . Lily stepped inside and found that she was actually inside the wall . Curiously , Lily began following the passage . Togan attempted to pull her back , but Lily dodged and tripped . She felt around and gripped a metal ring . She heaved at it , but it just wouldn ’ t budge . Togan joined her , and they both fell into darkness .
A few hours later , Lily woke up to a blinding brightness . She found herself and Togan in a study . She saw that a light bulb was shining slightly dimmer than the others . Lily climbed up and loosened the screw ; a battered leather notebook fell into her hands . She climbed back down and exclaimed , “ It ’ s a secret diary ! What ? A bomb ! To destroy Shanghai ! Only kills humans ! Togan , they ’ re planning to destroy Shanghai ! I don ’ t want it to go into history books ! Imagine , 1913 , a bomb destroyed Shanghai . We ’ ve got to do something !” Togan groaned , Lily turned to look at him , but then felt an iron grip on her shoulder . She turned instinctively , and gasped . “ Well , well , if it isn ’ t the Leung children , what are you doing here ?” General Ming drawled . “ Traitor !” Lily shouted . The general smiled cruelly . “ You didn ’ t know , all this time ? Do you know who I am ? I am the leader of the dwarf pirates . I have come back , mightier than ever , to destroy Shanghai once and for all !” Then , he tugged Lily and Togan into a dark , musty cell . He smiled , “ I think I ’ ll just leave you in here to rot !” And with that , he slammed the door .
Lily cried , “ What are we going to do ?” Togan thought , “ Maybe we can make something to let us fall down to that landing safely . Something that will let us descend slowly … I ’ ve got it ! We ’ ll have to make a harness , and a bag , but upside down ! The bag will fill with air so we can make our descent . But we need to make sure the general won ’ t be able to finish the bomb …” Lily crowed , “ You ’ re right ! I can unravel these threads from our blankets to make the harness ! And you can contribute by donating your trousers and coat for the project !” Togan gaped , “ No way ! I came up on the idea so I get to choose !” Lily whined , “ I ’ ll probably be doing most of the work anyway , you do it !” “ Fine !” Togan groaned , “ But you owe me a pair of pants !” So , he slowly took his pants and coat off and Lily chortled loudly . But she quickly got up and started unraveling the pieces of thread on the blanket and knotting them into sturdy brown harnesses . Togan attached some bags he made to the harnesses . And so , the object was finished . They jumped out of the window and descended slowly to the ground . Togan exclaimed , “ Cool , it works ! But we need to steal all of the extra ingredients !” “ But how do we know which step they are on ?” Murmured Lily . Togan smiled , “ I overheard that they were on step 9 , so now we need to get the last ingredients before they do !”
Lily and Togan began sprinting towards the entrance to the warehouse . They snuck in and saw shelves and shelves of ingredient . Togan began panicking , there were so many ingredients in this room , and how were they going to find the right one ? Besides , they couldn ’ t take all of the ingredients ! There wasn ’ t space in their object that they had decided to call a parachute . Lily hissed , “ I think there is some sort of riddle to get to the real ingredients !