The White Bone Demon
Hong Kong International School ( HKIS ), Mak , Elana - 14
The chill wind whipped past Monkey ’ s face as he sped over the clouds . The tiger skin he wore created an orange-black blur as he flew across the azure sky . His teeth clenched when he remembered his master ’ s last words , “ I don ’ t need a murderer like you , Monkey ! Just leave !”
“ I am going back home ,” Monkey told himself , “ I ’ m finally free .” So why did he feel so alone , racing towards his happiness ?
He peered down at the mountains below , catching sight of a lake nearby a peach grove . Even for an Immortal , he had been travelling a long time and was beginning to feel exhausted . Perhaps he had fought too many battles with too many demons , or perhaps it was the weight of fending for fool friends too blind to protect themselves , or the constant questioning of his motives and character . Whatever the reason , Monkey felt too drained to continue his frenzied flight .
He flew down to the lake to take a drink . When he had quenched his thirst , he found a tree that provided fruit and shade . Resting his back against the tree trunk , he turned to ask his friend , Sandy , if he wanted to go for a swim together . He stopped himself when he realised that there was no one there . Monkey almost sighed , but he was not the sighing kind .
He closed his eyes . The setting sun ’ s rays warmed his cheeks and gently soothed him to sleep .
“ Monkey ...” A soft voice was calling him . Groggy with sleep , he woke to see a willowy figure drawing near . He tried to rouse himself but his weary limbs felt heavy and lifeless . He couldn ’ t be sure if he was awake or dreaming . His gazed cleared to meet the dark eyes of a beautiful girl . Her long , lustrous black hair was almost glowing under the moonlight . Her lips were cherry red against lily-white skin . Her sweet face seemed oddly familiar .
“ Where are you going ?” she asked .
Monkey struggled to his feet . Breathing heavily , he replied , “ I am going back home to Flower Fruit Mountain .”
“ Why are you going there ?” the girl inquired further .
“ To be reunited with my loyal monkey subjects … To have fun , get very drunk , and have the grandest celebrations in my honour … Lots of … fun ...” By now , Monkey ’ s senses were coming back to him and a vague feeling of disquiet prickled down the back of his neck .
“ Reunited ? Why ? Where have you been , Monkey ?”
This time , Monkey glared hard at the girl who smiled back most winsomely . She had now almost reached his side and was unmistakably lovely and out of place on the lonely mountainside . He gripped his cudgel tightly and spat out the words , “ I was helping my former master , Tripitaka , until we encountered a White Bone Demon . She was a cunning and wily one . But I saw through her devices …”
In a flash , Monkey lifted his trusted weapon , Jingu Bang , and shoved the iron cudgel at the throat of the young maiden . “ I know who you are ,” he growled , “ And I have killed you already … How can you be here ?”
“ Did you miss me , Monkey ?” Her girlish giggle deepened into a full-throated laugh that echoed down the mountainside . “ You remember this illusion , don ’ t you ,” she tossed back her silken locks and her deep laugh rang out again . She winked at him , her pretty mouth twisting into a leer , “ A shame that Tripitaka didn ’ t see through it and blamed you for slaughtering an innocent girl .” She moved suddenly as if to strike . Like lightning , Monkey twirled Jingu Bang and brought it down to crush the skull of the White Bone Demon . But she vanished and his cudgel smashed the ground in a cloud of dust .