Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 - 2 | Page 192

Slowly, the confidence that was there and kept my company for the past weeks I was onboard left me until I
was overwhelmed with self-doubt.That was what I was missing.A little self-doubt to fight my over-
inflated head and my fatal flaw:overconfidence.
A sharp voice broke my deep thoughts.
“Attention on deck!”Barked captain Ke.
“A pirate ship is coming towards us!We have to prepare all weapons!”Shouted Ke.
Whispers, shouts and murmurs broke out through the crowd as the captain announced this news. Seconds
later everyone scattered to find every weapon they could get their hands on.
When I got to my hammock, the only thing I did was write a letter to my mom.I did not want to die
leaving my mom nothing to remember me with.Then again, she would be dead if I did not steal the
money.I shoved those thoughts aside.I would live. So would my mom.
A deafening noise made me instinctively cover my now bleeding ears.An earthquake like tremble cracked
open the floor and caught me off balance.As I tried to regain my foothold, I stumbled across a sword.
Recalling that there was a attack, I grabbed it and ran into battle.But it was too late. Almost half the crew
were dead.The only good news was that it looked liked there was another ship helping us. Finally, we
destroyed the pirate captain. Their crew retreated back and sailed away into the vast ocean.
A chorus of cheers erupted from what remained of our crew and the other ship.To tired to move, I fell
asleep.
It has been two days since we made allies with the English people (that is what they called themselves). We
gave them lots of gold and treasure from our barrels.Today, we have found a new land with people that call
themselves “Arabians”.
I was on the deck when captain Ke pulled me aside.
“Wang, I know you stole the gold.I found a few pieces of gold in your hammock.That is why I need to kill
you.
My insides twisted and turned while my body was paralyzed with fear.My heart was pounding on my chest
so fast it could of been traveling at the speed of light for all I knew.
Overconfidence. My fatal flaw killing me.
“Please, my mother, she is sick in bed and I don’t have the money for the doctor!”I pleaded.
“I am sorry, Wang but you know what happens to thieves.”He said with a hint of sympathy.Ke then pulled
out a knife.
Strangely, the fear left me when he stabbed.I felt at peace, but sad knowing that my mistake cost the life of
another person, maybe more.
Somewhere, a mother was calling, not knowing that her son would never come back.