Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 3 2018 | Page 54

The Game of Life
German Swiss International School, Fan, Tifany - 14
“C
an we take a snack break?” Penny pleaded.
The Flower, an ancient artifact, was in sight mere meters away. A single sun ray caught the
glistening blossom, pure heaven against the mulch we hastily trudged through to get here.
We shall make the millions of inhabitants of China proud. We had been selected by the King, the best
gamers in China to compete. We would win the holy title of ‘Gamers of the Century’, the highest rank a
mortal could attain, since no one can rival the ‘One True God’: one with everything, creator of the laws we
must all abide by-- and I believe he’s watching over us somehow. I can feel it.
Sun, our team’s strongest, was dashing ahead; then always hungry little sister Penny and mature longtime
friend Deus; with least fit me lugging behind, sprinting with all my measly might, centimeters ahead of the
American team. Death games are not ideal, but the aim is to get The Flower and return it to the country we
represent. Only us and the American team remained, a fierce and merciless battle.
The ground was rocky and uneven, but within an arm's reach, then… splat . Something firm grasped my
neck. The opposing team had a hold of me, about to eliminate me… “Help!” I manage to squeak.
My team rushed to my aid, Deus securely grasping The Flower, anxiety written on their hesitant faces. “If
you want her back alive, give us The Flower,” a rival member negotiated.
“Not a chance,” Sun spoke whilst simultaneously completely annihilating the opposing team.
They didn’t stand a chance. A kick there and a punch at another’s chin. People were flung all over the place,
and despite the man tugging at my neck with as much force as he could muster, I breathed easily. Magic?
Penny kicked him in a very painful spot; I almost felt sorry for him.
Euphoric was an understatement. We had The Flower and were the only team standing, but there was still
this tugging feeling that something was out of place, something that felt too much for us, a feeling I had for
a long time... perhaps since I met Deus.
I see the end, the glory of the finish. We did it! Sun and I hang around, basking in the limelight created by
surrounding proud citizens of China, whilst Deus simply observed the situation, looking wise. After all, we
beat out the other countries for the our glory. I felt as proud as a mother seeing her newborn, as we were
about to present The Flower to the King, cementing our achievement in history. He entered the scene,
perching himself upon the high stage.
Hushed silence fell upon the people. The four of us piled onto the stage: falling, pushing, pulling. Deus
gracefully eased his way to where the King stood-- I swear I saw a look of greed in the King’s eyes.
Definitely my imagination. The Flower almost reached the King’s hands when… crack , leaving a shattered
mess, the King’s fiery stare bore into our skin.
“Why did you slap the flower out of Deus’s hand, Sun?!” Penny shrieked.
“Sun, I don’t know what to say,” I added, dismayed and confused. He couldn't have done this on purpose,
surely. I looked to Deus, unfazed, but almost happy. Very odd.
“No, I-uh,” Sun stuttered, then he stormed off, his face unreadable, almost teary.