Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 3 2018 | Page 53

“A journey is a teaching in disguise. It isn’t just an attempt to receive a prize; rather, a rite of passage that can allow you to gain so many things. “A journey forces you to grow up, to deal with problems that you’re not comfortable with. It helps you mature into a better being.” Xuan explained, in the calm tone that Sun had learned to appreciate. Xuan had a nice way of putting things. “Not every journey must end in success; for the journey itself is the real success, the real reward.” “I guess so.” Sun agreed, realizing that what Xuan was telling him was true. He suddenly noticed the deep gentleness in Xuan’s eyes, worn away with weariness, but still inspiring as ever. He was struck with how far they’d come since the beginning of the journey. He and Zhu had detested each other at first; after a few months, they became the best of friends, even calling each other ‘brother’-- and now they were here, having this conversation, reminiscing about the past. It was like one of Xuan’s teachings: life had a way of making things turn out in unexpected little ways. Not always good ways. But always unexpected. “Ready to go home, brother?” Zhu asked, offering his hand to Sun. Sun nodded. With a wide grin on his face, Zhu comfortingly placed his bulky arm around Sun’s shoulders. He took Xuan’s bony hand in his own as the three of them strolled towards the rising sun on the horizon. As they walked, Sun recalled fondly his first days in the police force: when he was cheerful and naive, bumbling about without a care in the world. Those days were long gone by now, but he knew that he had changed for the better. He decided to use a technique that Xua n had taught him to relieve his stress. With a deep breath, Sun summoned all the rage, frustration, and anxiety that had plagued him over the past few weeks. He recalled what it felt like to fail, and to know that he had failed. He brought together all the terrible thoughts, feelings, and memories that had haunted him for so long. And in a single exhale, he let the past go, moving forwards towards a brighter future. *** What is a journey? That’s for each one of us to answer.