Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4567 | Page 366

The Collection
Maryknoll Convent School ( Secondary Section ), Tse , Rie – 16

S hutting the door after some words with the man behind it , I lugged the groceries he delivered to the kitchen . Mankind has surely reached the pinnacle of technology with online ordering and delivery , I thought to myself as I put away the groceries . Making sure the pantry and fridge were well organized enough , I shut myself back into my study once again , where I now spend most of my days .

The study itself is a work of wonder by itself , if I must admit . My collection of figures , maps and scrolls , all accounting for varying periods of history line the walls and shelves , being my very own miniature museum right in the comfort of my home . As I viewed my own hoard with astonishment , my gaze fell upon one of my most treasured possessions . Captured by its beauty per usual , I found myself picking it up and admiring it as I ’ ve done countless times , feeling hypnotized by its craftsmanship . A small-scale figure of a terracotta warrior , its artisanship could compare to that of its brethren in the actual chamber . I could barely believe I found this treasure in a humble street stall , buying it without a thought as it stood out amongst the rest of the junk there . Each time I look at it , I realized , I discover another bit of detail put into the figure , finding myself more and more bewildered at the creator and his unprecedented handiwork , from the wrinkles of its face down to the creases on his hand . With such attention to detail on such a small sculpture , I couldn ’ t help but be captivated by its allure .
With the figure still in hand , I turned towards my current undergoing project , which may challenge the warrior for the title of my proudest possession . Taking up most of the floor , a small-scale model of the city of Old Shanghai lies before me . I couldn ’ t help but crack a smile at my work ; modelled clay buildings , markings where the rivers would be , and of course the clay walls surrounding the city , making for a near perfect replica of the city ’ s old layout . It was quite comforting to know all those months of work were absolutely worth the effort . Staring at the model for a while , I mindlessly crouched and put the terracotta warrior at the wall , right outside the city . Realizing what I ’ d done , I chuckled to myself . The figure seemed like a giant next to the city , perhaps the fearsome titan warrior has come to terrorize the citizens of Old Shanghai , I amused myself . Historically inaccurate , but amusing nonetheless .
I decided I should finish my project as soon as possible considering it ’ s close to completion , albeit it needing some polishing up and final touches . Tiptoeing around the city to make sure nothing gets knocked over , I pulled up the chair at my desk and sat down to finish up the sculpture of the front gate of the city . Just as I picked up my modelling spatula to resume my work , an impatient pounding at my front door caught me by surprise , causing me to nearly drop my tools onto the unfinished gate . Scowling at the possibility of the details I worked hard on being smudged , I turned my glare towards the sound , checking off in my mind a list of potential unwanted guests . It couldn ’ t be the mailman , he ’ d leave letters at my mailbox and be off on his way , and I just had my groceries delivered . I settled for ignoring the person in hopes that they ’ d go away after they came to the conclusion no one was home , although the incessant knocking and doorbell ringing was incredibly frustrating . What sensible person would even make such a ruckus ?
A short while later , the obnoxious noise from the surprise visitor stopped all at once , and I breathed a sigh of relief . That is , until I heard the click of the front door unlocking and a familiar voice .