Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4-7 2019 | Page 223

blurry but at the same time, my vision seemed to become sharp like a hawk’s. Colours mixed and burst in an
iridescent kaleidoscope. It was as if life itself accelerated before my eyes.
Mrs. Chiu’s menacing voice blended into the background as Yu and I hid, panting behind stacks of cargo.
“I think we managed to lose that crazy woman,” Yu peeped at the crowd, “What are you gonna do now?”
The realisation struck me, “She is so going to kill me if I go back.” This has been a double-edged sword
since the start, I was doomed no matter what I chose to do. I trembled. “Can you possibly…” What was I
thinking? “Take me with you?” Was I crazy when I thought of this?
“You what?” Yu’s father was beyond bewildered upon hearing my plea.
“I swear I won’t get into any trouble, I will do anything you ask of! Oh please, please bring me with you!” I
was on the verge of breaking down as I spoke.
What if they think I would be a burden to them?
Yu’s mother went up to her husband and whispered something indecipherable to Yu and I. Sounds of waves
splashing on the side of the boat filled the cabin. Every second seemed to pass at a snail’s pace while my
heart raced. I could not bear to look at the couple further in fear of getting rejected.
No, please don’t leave me alone.
Please don’t leave me alone.
“Now that’s more like it! Ah, I almost forgot, my dad told me to teach you so of the stuff that we do and
show you around so you won’t get lost. But I don’t really want to today because it’s getting near night
anyway.”
“Good. Let’s just call it a day then!” I was tired anyway, both mentally and physically.
It totally was not because we were trying to slack off or anything.
I could not sleep despite the relaxing rocking from the waves. Night had fallen upon the fleet when we
reunited with the rest. The majority of the crew seemed to be sound asleep, retreating into a private little
world that solely belonged to themselves. Some were put on night duty, making sure nothing was in the
wrong place or if we were ambushed by pirates or enemies alike.
The smell of salt that was brought to my face was even stronger as I went out of the cabin, I could have
sworn I felt it crystalise on my skin. The view in front of me was nothing less of a revelation.
Hundreds of ships of all sizes lined up in the middle of the ocean with no land in sight. Lit oil paper lanterns
adorned the sides of the ships which outlined them in the dark. I was greeted by the same flickering light no
matter which direction I turned as if I was in a never-ending garden of fireflies. Their glow faintly reflected
on the saltwater, glimmering along the movement of the waves. The lights were also like stars that fell from
the heavens. Being surrounded by them made me feel like I was in a magical tale parents tell their young
children who threw a tantrum when the subject of sleep was brought up.
It was beyond fascinating, I had never seen so many set sail together ever in my entire life. In addition, these
were huge boats. I had to make sure this was not just another wild dream of mine.