Journey to the West
Shanghai American School-Pudong Middle School , Lou , Nelson - 12
The red light peered into the cave , illuminating the red letters of the notebook . Bound in red leather , cracked with age , and barely held together with stitching , the faint scent of wood lifted off pages that were graced with sacred words . Calligraphy , barely visible on the inside cover , revealed the name Wukong , one of the legendary celestials . The first page began in the middle of a sentence , suggesting that pages were missing . I opened the book and glided my fingers across the pages , fearful my grip would crush the paper .
… not fun . In the beginning there was nothing . Earthlings believed I burst out of a boulder . I was different , a small toddler only disguised in cocoa brown fur . Looking at my hirsute coat , I squealed delightfully . Soon , other animals joined me in a wild cacophony . The deep groans of frogs syncing with the high pitched chirps of grasshoppers appealed to my ears . I was happy . Something piqued my interest ; a structure towered over the grasslands . The appearance suggested it could connect to the sky . The object featured dozens of extremities reaching for handouts . Mossy pines darkened the path . Every tree glowed virescent hues , a biological halo that introduced me to a soothing happiness I longed for . The roots extended for miles , creating a bumpy texture on the grassland . Stroking the stump , I caressed the wrinkled , serrated strips of brown . Intrigue . My legs tensed . I could feel them urging me to climb ; it was my destiny . Energy flowed through me , muscles pumping with adrenaline . I ascended , gasping for air . From above the grassland was just a green blanket swaying with the gentle breeze . Suddenly my grip slipped on a measly twig and snapped unexpectedly ; I toppled backwards screaming . I swung my arms in circles to grab on , but instead a branch sliced my palm ; blood drizzled like rain as my feet slammed into the wood ripping chunks of fur . My coat was dyed crimson red . Soon the grassland came darting toward me at light speed . I closed my eyes , covered my face , and whispered a prayer . I expected darkness , but … I was dangling in midair , arms flailing and legs hanging . Was I flying ? No . I had a long furry muscle wrapped around a branch . Rocking back and forth , testing it ’ s abilities , I discovered I possessed the ultimate gadget . A tail . I swung between branches with fluidity , and soared with ease . In the distance , my vision spied an orchard . I dashed through the jungle like a ninja . Within seconds , I was drenched in sweat but the refreshing breeze relinquished my frantic thoughts . The sweet aroma wafted through the air as I sniffed greedily , and my stomach was growling in pain . Earthlings were picking off peaches one by one , and filled baskets and baskets . If I don ’ t act fast , there will be none . Scrambling lightning fast , I leap toward the grassland , tumbling on impact . Heh ! Earthling gymnasts were no match for my agility . Then , I arrived face to face to an Earthling . His eyes bulged in terror screaming . I stuck out my tongue and made a high pitched chattering noise before swinging away . Pop ! The peach shone vivaciously in a fiery blend of red and yellow with a tinge of pink . Wet and crisp as I bit into it , it broke between my teeth with a soft crunch , letting the juices run down my chin satisfying my thirst . The lingering pop drifted around , filling my heart with pleasure . Icy sweetness filled my mouth , all fell still , as if a wave of content had floated past . I kept on chewing , devouring all until there was only a decimated core . Then went to get another . Soon , overflowing barrels of cores lulled me to sleep . I woke up drowsily in the middle of cobbled streets , as the houses swayed vibrantly portraying a warped look , like the inside of a fun house . After only several staggering paces , I doubled over , vomit splashing on the stones and spraying my cleansed fur . I wake up to the odor of fumes seeping into my nose . My body fought for control only restrained from metallic chains bounded to a tree . I screech for help , but no reply arrives . Instead , an elderly villager limped toward me , leaning on a thin chipped off crane . He had a fringe of greyhair around his moulding scalp and with each movement there was a creak of bones , and synced with the shrieks of pain . He had a wizened face , decorated with wrinkles and a hunched back like a camel . Then , he croaks , “ We ’ re going to sacrifice you ,” as other cackles from the villagers join . In this heat I ' m actually shaking . The canopy of green are now lifeless sticks of charcoal . The smoldering fire licked the bottom of the post , showering blazing sparks at me , as plumes of black grey smoke , wound itself around the post like a hungry serpent , devouring everything . My mind clouded , as I held the manacles over the greedy flames ; vanished to shreds of nothing . Now ! I rushed out as I bounced around in pain . The heat stung me but I still sprinted for safety .