Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020 | Page 11

Hong Kong Young Writers Awards 2020
Follow Your Own Path
Chinese International School, Larard, Lilly – 10
Tall skyscrapers, lots of buildings, delicious dim sum… that’s all I knew about Hong
Kong. Where was Hong Kong, though? As I was wandering in the public library early one
morning, I came across the restricted section. I got as curious as a toddler in a new house, and
I couldn’t help pushing open the door to take a peek. I’ll just get a quick look at what’s inside,
I thought. I stepped into the pitch-black room, which smelled of old wood and pine trees.
It seemed like nobody has been here for a while.
I found a book with a navy cover and foxed pages lying in a corner. I turned on my light-
up shirt and started reading.
An envelope dropped from the book onto the floor. I opened it and placed the letter on
my lap. It was hard to make out what the words were, because they were so tiny and the font
was cursive, which made it even harder to read. I squinted at the tiny words, not willing to
admit to myself what the letter meant.
Dear Chantelle,
Wherever you are, take the kids and run. Launch a new city, and don’t come back.
Love,
Davin.
--
I borrowed the book quickly, using the scanner, hoping no one would notice that the
book was from the restricted area. Davin and Chantelle were my great-great-grandparents.
I knew it all along. With trembling fingers, I picked up the book. I flipped through the pages,
but there were no words. The pages were all blank. I squeezed my eyes and opened them.
Your mind can play tricks on you. But still, no words. That did it. I stormed out of my house,
ignoring the people who were bowing and presenting me with gold and diamonds. I ran like
a deer being chased by a tiger towards the seashore.
Soon, I found what I wanted. A boat. My boat. The one that dad gave me before he
disappeared. It was a gold, open, flat-bottomed boat with a rainbow flag, shimmering in
the sunlight.
Without hesitation, I jumped aboard the boat, and shouted at the top of my lungs,
“SHIP AHOY!”
I was bored of this perfect beautiful city. I wanted to go somewhere else. To Hong Kong.
I opened the book my sweaty palms were clasped on. A map fell out, onto the pavement.
I quickly grabbed it and scurried onto the boat. As I sat down, with people screaming all
around me, I carefully studied the map. I saw the words I dreamt to see. Hong Kong. Marked
clearly on the map with big, bold letters. Next to Hong Kong, across the sea marked Greater
Bay Area, our horribly perfect city.
I started the engines of my electric boat.
“To Hong Kong.”
The boat immediately started rumbling, and soon it started moving. To my dream
destination.
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