Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 - 2 | Page 46

“Get in a cabin! Faster!” Someone shouted at us. I scurried into the closest cabin, stumbling a bit as it was
nightfall already. There were already 5 people inside. These were the new people I would share a room with
for the next few years. I stared at a rat outside our cabin with disgust. I hoped I wouldn’t be on the bottom
bunk. “I’m Yang Bi Ming,” I said anxiously. We all introduced ourselves simply. The other people in the
cabin were called Li Ming, Chang Yi, Ying Di Qi and Tang Li Yong. I shared a bunk with Li Yong. I guess
he was nice enough. But I was still a bit disappointed that they were all strangers in my room.
The boat rocked side to side as it continued on with its journey, even in the dark of the night. I tossed and
turned on the top bunk, not able to fall asleep. After a while, I could tell that the others were asleep.
Although asleep, I could sense they were all restless. I couldn’t see Tang Li Yong, but I could feel
movement beneath me, so I knew he must be awake. In the dark of the night, he crept out our cabin. I
followed silently, but only to the door. I peered out the crack of the door, moonlight shining onto the sea.
Our boat headed swiftly forward. Li Yong was staring hard at something. Staring at someone . Who was he
staring at? Suddenly, a shrill shout echoed around the boat, startling everyone on it. A sailor’s nightmare.
“Pirates!”