Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020complete | Page 502

Future Adventures of The Greater Bay Area Yew Chung International School Secondary, Ma, Ashlynn Grace - 14 Ellie Yuen gripped her silver dagger, Yehua, tightly in her hands as the monster Nian bared its teeth, circling dangerously close to her. Ellie retreated, but her back smacked against the alleyway walls. She was trapped. Nian lunged. Ellie swung her dagger, but the beast disarmed her. The blade flew out of her hands and landed meters away. Ellie gasped for breath, trying to remember how to defeat Nian. She sieved through the Traditional Chinese Myths that Delta Bay School had always taught. Ellie’s old school had always insisted that she learn about these silly myths and carry that dagger with her at all times. Ellie only listened to the second piece of advice, and now it was too late. She was about to get eaten alive at 13 years old. Ellie squeezed her eyes shut as Nian pounced toward her, its mouth wide open. She didn’t mind dying. Ellie never fit in this world anyway. All her life, she tried to be like everyone else, but her ADHD and dyslexia kept her from doing that. She never was accepted. It was time for Ellie to leave this world. Ellie waited to be slaughtered. Instead, she heard a metallic sound, then Nian screeching in pain. Ellie opened her eyes. She found a pile of gold dust where the monster had once stood and a boy that looked to be about 17 standing there with a glowing 3 foot long bronze sword. He had tousled black hair and a pair of stormy-grey eyes. The boy was wearing a bright orange t-shirt. He was also wearing a pair of white shorts and some turquoise sneakers. “Are you okay?” the boy inquired, sheathing his sword. “Yes.. but… who are you?” Ellie questioned, feeling bewildered. “Don’t worry about me. You don’t know how to use this, right?” the boy picked up Yehua by its hilt and handed it to Ellie. She shook her head. “Nobody taught me.” Ellie replied. “Oh.” said the boy. “Well, will you come with me? I can teach you!” Ellie sighed. “I guess I can. My parents disowned me since I can’t keep up with school at all - I have ADHD and dyslexia.” The boy looked shocked. “What?” he exclaimed. “I understand that they’d be upset, but they can’t just leave you on the streets like this! That’s against the law!” Ellie sighed. “Well, nobody knows that my parents threw me out. I can’t do anything to prove it.” The boy grimaced. He offered his hand out to Ellie. “Come on. Let’s go-” He was suddenly cut off by a loud screech. Ellie immediately knew that they had to leave the alleyway. “It’s a Daji! Come on, we have to get out of here!” Ellie grabbed the boy’s hand and raced off. The boy started to protest loudly. “No!” he cried. “We have to make a plan! ” Ellie ignored him and continued on, but suddenly stopped. The boy stopped too. “What’s wrong….. oh no.” They’d reached a dead end. “Oh noooo.” Ellie turned to the boy. “What do we do now? If the Daji captures us, she’ll torture us!”