Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 12 | Page 99

“And now, I pass it to you,” Leader Yang whispered. She smiled and walked away. Lian stared after her
mother as she registered what had just happened, she had no time to think anything else except for gratitude before
a hand grasped her shoulder. Dread forced it’s way into Lian’s stomach, overtaking her pride. She slowly turned
around and came face to face with a man dressed all in black. “Where the others, kid?” The man growled, shaking
Lian roughly. “Where the others?”
All Lian could do was squeak and give an hasty shrug.
“I know you know where they are, kid. Tell me, else die you.” The man drew out a sword and pressed it
to Lian’s throat. A fat drop of blood rolled down from the wound, collecting on Lian’s lap.
“I’m telling you! I don’t know where they are. I… came to find this place deserted!” Lian yelped
The man turned around to glance at a another man behind him. They talked to each other in a language
Lian did not understand, when finally the first man turned around. “You lie? You die.” With that, the sword reared
into the air and came slashing down, accompanied by a terrified scream. The sword stabbed Lian viciously in the
chest and silence came, footsteps faded and doors opened. Wary eyes glinted and suddenly someone shouted, “The
Japanese soldiers are gone! The army saved us!”
“No,” someone answered back, “ Lian saved us.”
A cracked amulet shifted into sight and the hero twitched…