Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 - 2 | Page 191

Pirates
Western Academy Beijing, Fu, Peter - 10
When someone mentions the word “Pirates”, usually you think of a foreign, water soaked, stinky breathed
man on an old ship looking for gold with a hook for a hand.You would think they have a cool name for the
ship, like the “Destroyer”, or “The Queens Revenge”.That’s the exact opposite of what my ship is and has
set sail for.
My name is Wang, and I am on “The Emperors ship”. Literally, I am onboard the emperors ship. We have
set sail to give gold out to other ships, and visit other countries while we’re at it.I joined because my mother
is sick , and has no money to go to the local doctor. I hope to steal some gold without the captain noticing
and go back home.
“Wang”! Shouted the Captain as he opened the barrels containing priceless treasures, the whole reason I
signed up for this journey.
“Coming, Captain Ke”! I replied. Captain Ke calling me at four in the morning? This was not going be a
happy day.
“Captain Ke, what’s the problem now?”I asked with a tired yawn.
“There is another coin missing.I think I know who stole them all. ”
I focused on my poker face as I tried to talk Ke into telling me who he suspected.
Sorry, but am not quite sure yet who is on whose team. I cannot tell a single soul yet, not until they prove
to me they are on my side.That was what I suspected he would say but all I got was:
“Go get some sleep”
What!? You called me up for that? I wanted to say, but I knew better than to provoke the ‘rhino’ (every one
called him that behind his back) at four in the morning.
When I got into my hammock, my heart was pounding as I pondered over the idea of me being caught. I
shuddered at the mere idea of it. I would not let myself get caught. No, my mother and family need me. I
would bring shame and disgrace on the whole family, not to mention I would be executed.
As I slowly drifted towards sleep, my mind was still burning with questions and ideas on who the captain
suspected. When I finally started snoozing, I dreamt that I was caught stealing gold and the emperor made
me watch my whole family being slaughtered in front of me. I went crazy and started to connect my fists
with anything that was in my way, scratching and clawing my way to the emperor. Suddenly, another army
of solders in full anti-crazy man armor appeared at doorway and pulled my toward the executioner.He
sung his gleaming sword at the sun and brought it down on my neck.After that, everything felt cold and
wet.Then I woke up.
“Wake up!” shouted Li, as he dumped another bucket of fresh seawater on me.
“Why are you dumping water on me?!I did nothing to you!”I replied.
“Wake up call”said Li.
“Disgusting”I muttered while spitting out water and wringing it out of my now soaked clothes.
I was changing when I realized the dream meant something. I now understood the terrible price that came
with stealing things that are not yours. Maybe I could wait one more day. Maybe two, or three…