Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4-7 2019 | Page 63

I reached into my jacket and took out the logbook of the ship of Zun. Every ship has their own logbook - the
most important item in the eyes of any captain. In it is future plans of the ship, details to everything that happened on
that day. If only father had listened, he would have known all the secrets to the ship of his sworn nemesis. I held the
worn-out book in my hands, the image of the kind smile on the Captain of Zun blurred my vision, the book weighed
like steel.
I shook off everything and steadily walked into the chaotic scene, crew members were holding onto the rails
for dear life, my sister grabbed my father tightly and father attempted to steer the boat through the aggressive waves.
“Need help?” I asked.
“Get away, you traitor!” “You brought this curse upon us by being with Zun!”
I said exasperatedly, “Well, good luck because the ship won’t last another storm, and currently, it has been
through 2. You know what they say, third time’s the charm, and you’d better find a way to get out of this storm fast.” I
tapped my wrist and walked across the ship without a hitch whilst possessions flung around the vessel.
My father and sister exchanged worrying glances as I sauntered to the mapping room. “You know it’s never
too late to ask for help.”
My sister snapped, “I don’t need no help, I have the power to do anything! Scoot, you monster!”
‘Monster, monster…’ the word echoed louder and louder in my head by the minute. I shakily let out a breath
and sat on a chair in the mapping room. The yelling could still be heard from the outside, the rain beat heavily onto the
windows and the sky let out another frustrating grumble.
I squinted at a device - a pointer was swinging wildly, malfunctioning. I stared and toyed with the ancient
mechanisms, visualizing how it was supposed to come together. I looked at it once again and the pointer steadied, the
storm was clearing up in the south, yet we were heading east.
I took out the clumped up paper that I’ve written at the start of the day, going through my plans. Then I took
out the logbook from Zun and skimmed through it. It read ‘fallout with Lee: he kicked me off Ming Treasure Fleet, he
was threatened, he didn’t like that I was intellectually better. I’m going to get my own fleet and sail the great sea to
fulfill my thirst for knowledge. I don’t want to be delivering treasures from one destination to another bided by the
orders from the emperor, I want to be free”
I recited a familiar line, “I’ve got no strings to hold me down, to make me fret or to make me frown. I will
not tolerate anymore of anyone’s doubt on my abilities, I must venture out.” I bit down on my lips and continued
reading, ‘day 210, Lee despised me, he told everyone I was a monster, and I was betrayed.’
The captain of Zun was never a monster - monsters were only what we perceived them to be. I’m the
monster, I’ve framed, I’ve stole, I’m unwanted , I’m no more than the monsters parents tell their children about at
night. My head spun at the realisation.
Every wobbly step I took to the deck seemed to mock me. “HOLD IT!” I screamed.
“I said I don’t need your help brother!” my sister sneered while gritting her teeth.
I sighed, utterly defeated. “This will not end well for us. Though I hate to give you the satisfaction of me once again
solving all your problems, I don’t wish to die in the storm because of your stubbornness.” I reasoned as salty tears mixed
with rain washed down my face.
“I can do this!” my sister panted with determination.
The sky let out another defying growl, the ship shook cowardly, and the sails of the ship were either badly torn or lost
at sea.
“Please listen,” I cried, my vision was fogging up from the tears and the roaring storm, “Clearly someone needs to be
the bigger person here,” guilt was eating me up, “I am sorry if you feel like you need to prove yourself to the society,
to battle against social norms. You are a strong woman like no other I’ve seen in the-”
“Stop-” my sister stuttered, her hair flying in all directions and soaked through, “you’re right,” she sobbed, clutching
on the steering wheel hysterically, “help us.”
I gave my sister a weak smile, finally seeing her caring eyes that were lost to the crave for power.
“Head south, stat!” I yelled, rain dripping down my face.
The moon rose, I was again hidden in the dark, away from the soft glow of the moon. Everything was calm
and silent. The last 24 hours were certainly like no other day I’ve experienced on board. Despite all turmoil, I had made
my decision.
Father suddenly proclaimed, “Me hearties, look alive and stay alive! We’ve survived another night, and it
couldn’t be done without my baobei’s bravery!” The crew mumbled praises, exhausted from the entire ordeal.
It was time.
I stood up, feeling the warm glow of the moon on me, “I’m done! I’m sick and tired. I’m not some treasure
that you lock up and deliver until you might have use for. I mustn’t stay, it’s not right.”
My sister stood, shading me from the moonlight, “You can’t go, what about everything that we’ve been
through?”