Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020complete | Page 539

A Ki Orb.
“Now I can make my wings,” Cata whispered and let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding and
reached out. She seemed to forget what she was doing for a second in the last moment and shut the lid,
throwing it into a backpack that wasn’t there a second before and turned around, her gaze sharp and
expectant.
“Impressive, you snapped out of it this time, thief,” came a man’s voice in the shadows. Cata swore and ran,
jumping onto the window and leaping out just before the claws reached her.
“I’m not done with you, thief. Chaos is here, watch your back tonight.” the voice spoke again but this time
with a tone of warning.
“Adios!” Cata tipped her imaginary tophat and turned, running back towards the light of the festival.
Rule 3: only do it if you can escape.
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2340 {GMT+8) . 31-12-2022
Blue flames, they were everywhere. From the market to the stage. Ki flames. People were running,
screaming as soldiers carrying Ki weapons mauled them down. They have the GBA insignia on their
uniform, why are they using Ki weapons? And to kill innocents?
What happened? What happened to the Great Bay Area that promised peace and wealth?
Cata has forotton all about the drone as she glided from the ground to rooftops. Drops of sweat dried on her
brow as she continued to dive into the fires. Clenching her teeth, she brought a crying child to safety and
slumped down, at the break of exhaustion. She leaned onto the roof’s ledge, watching the fire burn brighter
and brighter.
“Nononononononononono,” Cata sniffled and buried her head in her hands. But everything was a whisper
against the wailing of the people still burning.
[blank.unrocovered footage]
2355 {GMT+8) . 31-12-2022
“Hey, are you alright?” the voice was from a boy around Cata’s age, a bit older, maybe. With dark hair
sticking out from under his hood.
2356 {GMT+8) . 31-12-2022
Cata was silent for a minute and stood up, facing the burning city, her home.
2357 {GMT+8) . 31-12-2022
“This is not ok,” she said.
2358 {GMT+8) . 31-12-2022
“Do you like gliding?” asked the boy.
“Very much” said Cata.