Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 -1 2019 | Page 88

New Tales of the Ming Treasure Voayages
Diocesan Preparatory School, Yip, Chi Ching Andrea - 11
Work, work, and work. That’s what we all do these days. The timbers of our ship creaked underneath his
feet as our captain paced on the deck. “You! You, you and you, get it MOVING!” Mianhao yelled. We
hastily scuttled to do our tasks. As I scrubbed the dirt-caked seat of the toilet, I couldn’t help but think…
How much more exciting it would be if something would actually happen…
All of a sudden, the whole ship tilted to one side as if struck by a giant wave. The clattering of feet pounded
the deck as everyone rushed up to see what was happening. As I crawled up from the head, something
heavy flew towards me and struck me in the skull. The next thing I could recall was darkness.
I woke up to find Mianhao leaning over me, as well as the worried faces of my crew members.
“Are you okay? For a second I thought that you had lost the number of your mess.” This came from
Zheng, the son of Mianhao and his ever-loyal second in command.
“Zheng!” Mianhao snapped. “It isn’t proper to talk about such things aboard ship!” He straightened and
pulled his robe closer around him, shivering. “Ghosts may hear you!” Zheng stood, red-faced.
“I’m sorry... It won’t happen again.”
“It better not.”
Their little exchange was interrupted by Yui, our ship’s lookout, shouting, “Land in front of us, and
incoming!” Mianhao quickly scurried forward and peered out.
“It appears that you are right. Crew, prepare for landing.”
The ship docked at a mysterious port, which had faded into view from the distance. Everybody slowly
disembarked, me feeling a bit queasy. We walked onto the earth, hair waving and clothes flapping in the
wind. Looking around, I could see a plain stretching out beyond my field of vision, and the faint silhouette
of houses and towers not a kilometre away.
Mianhao seemed to have noticed the same thing. He commanded us to go towards the town. When we
were fairly close to the buildings, I noticed something odd. There was no friendly chatter drifting around
the buildings. No gleaming candlelight in the windows, welcoming travellers to their shelters. No animals
– not even a single chicken feather. Unlike my village back home, this town seemed utterly deserted.
Our footsteps echoed on the stone cobbles of the streets. The heels of our shoes made clicking noises. This
normal sound seemed weirdly eerie in such a place like this... Maybe Mianhao was right? Did ghosts really
exist?
Suddenly, an old woman stepped out behind the remnants of a crumbling farmhouse. In her left hand, she
carried a meat cleaver dripping with fresh blood, and in her right, held a glistening butcher’s knife. Her eyes
were gleaming with joy.
The faces of my crew paled immediately. We were about to turn tail and flee, when the old woman
exclaimed in a delighted voice, “It’s very, very nice to meet you!” She noticed the horrified and startled
looks on our faces, whose eyes were not straying from her hands.
“Oh my goodness! I’m really sorry!” She quickly dropped the weapons, which let out a resounding smash
as they connected with the floor. “My name is Maria... It’s an absolute pleasure to meet you, travellers!”
Zheng quickly stepped in front of her. “You have heard of me, of course. My name is Zheng He, and I’m
the best sailor that the seven seas have ever seen!” I rolled my eyes. Surely Zheng would never miss the
opportunity to show off even with surroundings like this.
The rest of our crew exchanged looks. They seemed to be on the same wavelength as I was on.
Hsssssssss! Everyone swung around to look at the old lady, who had to be the one making that strange
noise.
But this time...she was not alone.
Snakes had twined up her arms and legs, wrapping around her torso and head. They had completely
covered her body and facial features, leaving only her eyes exposed. Mianhao asked in a shaky voice, “Are
you alright?”
“Don’t worry, dearies… This is a very normal occurrence for me…”
Her eyes had started to glow green.
The crew screamed and scattered off in all directions. Snakes uncoiled from the lady and sped off towards
them, chasing them off to the back streets and alleyways. Only I stood my ground.
She turned her face towards me. “Aren’t you scared?”