Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4-7 2019 | Page 104

captured? It was my fault that we were caught by Zheng in the first place. I couldn’t bear the thought of Xiang being
killed by Chen because of my carelessness. These feelings of horror overwhelm me as I subconsciously curl my fingers
into a fist and dig my nails into my palm. My thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the first booms of a cannon. I
scurried to the main deck just in time to witness the shells fly well behind our ship, erupting into white columns of
water kilometres away. In spite of the fact that they missed their target, it unmistakably marked the start of a gruelling
battle.
The fighting lasted for two days and two nights. For forty eight hours straight, the firing of gunshots, fearless battle cries
and screams of agony echoed in the wind. The rain splattered against our raw faces like solid matter, but the battle went
on. The water seeped on deck was pale pink, a result of waves of seawater and the blood of my comrades. I hid inside
an empty barrel, fearing I’d be seen. Towards the dawn, as I was close to drifting off due to extreme fatigue, I was
awoken by a wave of cheering. I poked my head out of the barrel, and was instantly met by a terrorizing sight. Headless
corpses were scattered across ships and limbs can be seen floating on the surface. Despite the horrendous scene before
me, something caught my eye. It was Zheng, lifting up the head of Chen Zuyi. He was covered with bruises and
wounds, but he managed to speak in a steady tone. “Chen Zuyi is beheaded by my very own cutlass. More than 5000
pirates have been killed. The rest have surrendered. The seas of Southeast Asia will be peaceful once more.” Thousands
of survivors erupted into cheers, as we celebrate the end of Chen’s petrifying era.
The battle didn’t merely signify the end of Chen’s pirate fleet. It also marked the end of my past. Living in the shadows
of fear and having countless sleepless nights, wondering if I would be recaptured. The day after Chen’s death, the sun
came out once more, casting slanted beams of sunlight through the dispersing clouds. Every new day comes with new
hope. “Land! It’s an island which is unmarked on our world map!” As everyone rushed to the side of the boat to get a
closer look, I lingered back and smiled to myself. After all, when one door closes, another opens.