Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 3 2018 | Page 85

New Journeys to the West
Harrow International School Beijing, Xiao, Michael - 11
A
t night, a shadow moved on a hill that overlooked the city. The city looked even larger at this
point, with the streetlights, car headlights and the lights in buildings, the whole city looked like it
was glowing.
‘No monsters had ever really stopped us, but this city, the eightieth challenge we need to pass, it had
blocked us. We have been discovered, so the police might come here at any moment. We have to go across
this city, even if it is filled with cameras and policemen that think three of us are dangerous beasts and will
shoot us with guns.’ the shadow thought.
At the same time, Sam and his sister Annie, two students, were at home. It was summer holiday. Their
parents were watching the news on TV. Suddenly, Sam and Annie glimpsed something on the TV. ’Three
dangerous unknown beasts and a man wearing odd clothes were discovered on a hill near our city today.’
The reporter said, ’The police are now fully prepared and will shoot at these beasts if they appear again.’
‘Isn’t it strange?’ said Annie. ’Yeah…’ wondered Sam, ’This also reminds me of something familiar, but I
just can’t recall it.’
The next day, the two children turned on the TV, and went straight to the news channel, they were
desperate to know more about it.
‘Today we had some breaking news about the strange beasts!’ the reporter said, ‘They were discovered by a
policeman called Dan at Booker Street.’ The TV then showed an interview with Dan, who was a tall and
strong looking man. ‘How did you find these beasts?’ ‘Well, I was just patrolling the street, when I saw four
men walking past me. Then, something strange caught my eye, lots of brown fur poked out from the small
gaps between one of the stranger’s pants and his feet! Something was definitely wrong about that person, so I
shouted, ’Stop! Stop!’ But the four people, instead of stopping, ran away at top speed. I knew that they were
the beasts, so I fired one shot after them, it hit right on the leg of one of the four! But the shot didn’t slow
them down too much, as they still escaped.’
‘It comes to me!’ cried Sam. ‘The news reminds me of the Journey to the West! You must have known that
story! It’s about the adventure of Tang Monk, Monkey King, Pigsy and Sandy.’ ’So they are on a new
journey to the west?’ asked Annie, amazed by the possibility. ’I’m not really sure about it,’ said Sam.
The next day, their family went to the park. It was a sunny day, so the children decided to kick football
before lunch. While they played, they talked to each other about the four travelers in the new journey to
the west, and how unlucky they were to be shot by the police.
They had no idea that there were pair of eyes looking at them from behind. Sam kicked at the ball hard so
that it flew over Annie’s head with a whiz, and landed right in front of the bush with spies. Sam and Annie
both turned towards the ball, and caught sight of the eyes just before they vanished. ’Oh my goodness!
We’re being spied on!’ gasped Annie in surprise, she nearly screamed. They walked around the bush and
looked around immediately on the other side. Nobody.
’Come over here, Annie, I have something to show you,’ called Sam. Annie came and was stunned. There
were a lot of leaves on the grass. They seemed to be normal. But when Annie looked at them closely, she
realized they formed letters! Not only letters, but a clear message! ’Meet at your attic at 11, don’t be scared,
you know who we are.’
’It’s so weird!’ said Sam. A breeze suddenly went by and all the leaves were blown apart. ‘Who sent this
message?’ wondered Sam. ‘It must be the people that spied on us,’ said Annie. ‘I think the travelers sent this
message,’ said Sam, ’They must have heard what we said while playing football, and trusted us. They didn’t
say their names because the police are hunting them. It makes sense now!’