Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020complete | Page 107

The Protectors of the Greater Bay Area
Diocesan Girls' Junior School, Yeh, Celeste Juan Ying - 12
50 years in the future-10 th January, 2070
In the Greater Bay Area, also known as the Pearl River Delta, a land with lush trees, clear waters,
unimaginable technology, there were three girls who were the best of friends. There was Wanda, who was
very observant; Sophie, who always tried to help, and Anna, who was open-minded and had parents who
were brilliant scientists. They lived in Macau, and enjoyed the food, the scenery and especially their own
school. They were planning a fun daytrip around the GBA, as the road system was so efficient that they
were confident they could cover everything on their itinerary in one day. Not to mention that they would
use hover bikes, which were one of Anna’s parents’ inventions and the fastest way of getting around. First,
they would go to Guangzhou for a traditional Chinese opera, then they would go to Shenzhen for a
technology exhibition. Last they would go to Hong Kong to see the Great Buddha.
When they were at Guangzhou, they saw that all the concrete sidewalks around the industrial buildings had
given way to green parks with fresh air. It was very different from the polluted Guangzhou they visited as
kids. ‘Wow, said Wanda, ‘After seeing the beautiful scenery, my expectation for the Chinese opera is even
higher!’ The opera did not disappoint, rather, it exceeded their expectations as the singers both had lovely
voices.
Next, they went to the technology exhibition at Shenzhen where they took notes and came up with
inventions that they wanted Anna’s parents to build.
However, when they arrived in Hong Kong, something in the newspaper caught their eyes-
Breaking News
Hundreds of trees near Hong Kong’s Great Buddha are withering, leaving scientists baffled.
‘Hey! Since we’re going there, let’s investigate the situation.’ The scene at the great Buddha was worse
than they thought. There was not a single bird in sight, and the trees were crumbling to dust beneath their
feet. However, they saw a trail in the woods that was well worn and had fresh footprints, they followed it
until Wanda found a trapdoor half- covered by a bush. They decided to go in. Cautiously, they made their
descent and edged along the corridor. Suddenly, they heard voices arguing.
‘I want to build my beach- house somewhere here in the mountains.’
‘No Josh, I wanted to build my manor here, after all, the poison was my product and idea. I’ll poison each
city one by one. Once everyone realizes they cannot live here and move out, I’ll restore the land with my
special antidote and make the whole Greater Bay Area ours.’ ‘Besides, China has many beautiful beaches,
shouldn’t your beach house be near a beach?’
‘Good point Donovan, then who should own Macau? The food there is simply superb.’
The girls, hearing the voices, had crouched behind a large cupboard. ‘So that’s why the trees are dying,’ said
Wanda ‘those two are trying to take over the whole Greater Bay Area!’ ‘If we could only get our hands on
that antidote.’ ‘Look out! They’re coming our way!’ When they finally heard Josh and Donovan’s voices
fade away, they leapt into action. Wanda replayed the moment Donovan had revealed his plan. She
remembered seeing his eyes flicker towards an odd guitar with no strings. She stuck her hand in the guitar
and felt a vial taped to the wood. With growing anticipation, Anna and Sophie crowded around Wanda as
she pulled out a vial of amber liquid. ‘The antidote!’ they shouted in unison. ‘Quick,’ said Anna ‘let’s get
this to my parents.’
They ran out to their hover bikes and were about to leave when they heard a voice ‘Well, well, what do we
have here?’ They spun around to find Donovan leering at them ‘We were telling these trees that we would
help them.’ lied Sophie. Unfortunately, Josh, who had been eyeing them, noticed the top of the antidote
peeking out of Wanda’s pocket. ‘Look Donovan, those girls stole the antidote!’ Wanda, Sophie and Anna
quickly turned on their hover bikes and sped towards the bridge, but Josh held their hover bikes while
Donovan bound their hands tightly with rope.
Within minutes, the girls were sitting on the damp, wooden floor, bound and gagged. While they were
wondering whether anybody would find them, Sophie came across a jagged pebble and began sawing at her