Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020 | Page 100

Fiction – Group 5
to be true; and most of all, he was scared of the consequences that would unfold, for any
move he made now could change his fate forever.
Could he make a life for himself and his mother in the Hub? Would he climb to the top
of the ladder and stay there? Would he be trampled over and pushed to the bottom, his hands
pinned and his cheek pressed to the ground? He didn’t even know if he’d rather sink or swim.
He couldn’t stand the thought of becoming someone who constantly mistreated others for his
own benefit. If he agreed to be a part of that society, he wouldn’t be any different from them.
Was it worse to be the oppressor or the oppressed?
He had to change that somehow. Even if something happened to him… no, nothing
would happen to him. He still had his mother to care for, and the thought of her crying
over a dead son sent chills down his spine. Should he just go back to the villages, go back to
how things used to be? Back to running down dirt paths and collecting polluted river water?
It might have been terrible, but it was his home.
But was there a way he could help these marginalized people who only wanted the best
for others, and keep his internship in the Hub so he could take care of his mom?
‘Tell you what. I’ll go back to the city. I’ll continue working as an intern and try to
blend in. But I want to make a change in the system from within. I don’t want this cycle to
continue. People can’t feel worthless just because someone tells them they are. I want to help
you. But you need to tell me everything you know about the Hub.’
It was a beautiful moment, when her eyes lit up with the smallest spark of hope. It was
small and flickering, but nonetheless shone bright. His chest swelled with pride, and he was
touched at the fact that she seemed to have faith in him.
‘How do you plan to do that, though?’
‘We can work together. I read in my introductory manual that the Hub will have its
annual Gathering later. The whole city will be there, and we can expose the government
for how they’ve treated you, and why this system is wrong. There’s no way everyone can
think this is right once we lay out the facts. This could be the beginning of something much
bigger than us. The Greater Bay Area was a chance for opportunity for all. Let’s make that
dream a reality.’
She thought for a while, biting her lip. Finally, she lifted her chin and shook his hand.
‘I’m in.’
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