Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4-7 2019 | Page 240

Finally the sweeping man asked, “Will we fall off the edge of the world?”
The leader laughed, “Don’t be two hundred and fifty! Don’t be stupid! Now shut up and get to
work! Load the vessel!”
The men started to take away our food and loaded them onto the vessel. Sister and I hung back at
the dark corner with great sadness and heavy hearts. Again, our food was taken away. A few days later, the
storeroom was empty.
After two days, Brother had finally arrived with our cousins.
“Where’s the food? I’m hungry!” Wailed our cousin Xiao Mei.
“We travelled all the way here for food, yet there is nothing here?” Whined our cousin Ya Ya.
“Food was here! I swear! They’ve just been taken. We followed where the food went, I know
where they are!” I said.
We went onto the docks. Our cousins gaped at the ships in awe, like we did.
Before I could even move, Sister, the most timid one leapt onto the rope leading to the ship.
“Everyone, follow me! We shall hunt after our food and voyage through the seas!” She said
gleefully.
I looked at her and stuttered, “What- What are you doing?”
Sister turned her head around, her beady eyes gleamed with joy and she spoke with a high-pitched
squeak, “Weren’t you the one who said to follow the food?”
I smiled delightfully and felt proud of her as she continued walking steadily, using her tail to help
balance, her claws gripping the rope. Her dark black fur on her back stood upright in her enthusiasm. From
the back I can see her whiskers quiver with excitement. Brother, with the rest of our family, vaulted onto
the rope, following her lead.
Feeling an irritating itch on my back, I used a back claw and scratched behind my neck as hard as I
could. “Darn fleas!”, I cursed. Then I pounced onto the rope and crossed into the ship.