Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4567 | Page 131

overwhelmed with happiness , because this was the only time that anyone has ever noticed me and said such kind words . I was in a state of happiness , free from my worries and anxiety . In that moment , time stopped .
I fell straight down and then I blacked out . When I came back into my senses , I was already facing down the stream , I saw the bridge , the fort , the soldiers on the bridge , the sergeant . The captain drew his gun , but he did not fire .
Suddenly , I heard a sharp command and saw something strike the water within a few inches to my head , splattering my face with spray . I heard a second command , “ Ready ! . . . Aim ! . . . Fire !”. I dived as deep as I could . The water roared in my ears , I saw metal balls flying past me , almost hitting me . Some touched my on my face , it was uncomfortable and warm , then I felt the burn .
I lay , with a blanket of deathly calmness over me . Sheltering me from the cold , keeping me safe . Shots rang in my ears . I jerked and shoke . My body afloat in the black water . I clenched my fists , my eyes wide open . I gulped as much water as I can , wanting this moment to finally be over . It filled my lungs , searching for other pathways to end this torture , then I felt my soul slip away from the ends of my fingertips .
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The sergeant backed out from under the bridge , and blew out a deep breath . The straight face had disappeared out of his face quite suddenly and turned quite pale . He glanced at his pocket watch and said to the crowd . “ Eight minutes past eleven . Well , that ’ s all for today .”
A day later , the sergeant disappeared and the whole army was looking for him . They found his body resting at the bank , next to the boy , a gun in his hand and a bullet in his head .