Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 - 2 | Page 199

Life on Board
Western Academy Beijing, Lahteenmaki, Elsa - 11
Day 1
It was a normal day when all of a sudden I heard gagging coming from my mom’s room. At first, I did not
notice it but after twenty minutes of that same noise my brother, Samuel went to investigate. “Sonya, come
quickly!” Samuel said in a shaky voice. I ran as fast as my little legs could take me. When I arrived Samuel
had a look of shock on his face. “What is it?” I panted. I came closer and peered over my brother’s shoulder.
I gasped in disbelief “is Mom d..dead?” I managed to say. My mother was laying on her bed as pale as a
ghost. “No...she is not dead. She is just sick, it’s the virus going around town.” Explained Samuel. “Go to
sea, within you will find great treasure.” Whispered Mom. “There is a boat leaving tomorrow morning to
give treasures and trade. Maybe we could find the medicine mom needs?” Exclaims Samuel. “All we have to
do is hide in one of the large shipping boxes and sneak on board!”
Day 2
That is how I ended up stuffed in a box the size of a chair. The boat turned from side to side and would not
stop moving. Suddenly after about three hours at sea, muffled voices come near our direction. “Okay dad!”
One of the voices said “I’ll get the food” I heard a creak. “Oh no!” I thought as they were opening our
box! “AHH!” Screamed two people wearing striped uniforms. “Who are you guys?”
“ This is my brother and I, we are here to try and find some medicine for our mother.” I explained. The
two people in uniforms showed us around the boat and believe it or not their dad was the captain of the
ship! They asked their dad if it was okay that Samuel and I could work on board, he said yes. The two
people in uniforms were called Cherry and Caleb, they were also twins just like me and Samuel. Cherry and
Caleb helped us find our uniforms. So from now on we also worked on board. Most days we found people
that were friendly so we gave them some of our treasure to make friends around the globe. We would give
them gold, expensive silk or silverware. We also had a few enemies at hand, one or two people would get
hurt from the enemies but not a big fight.
Day 3
Today started like a normal day but ended in tragedy! We traded with three other countries before we met
our biggest enemies.
It was evening, the sun was going down and we were down to our last island for the day. We spot the island
and did our ritual call “friend or foe?” Samuel called out. “Friend...” a faint voice said. We came closer to
the island preparing our gold and silk to give. We see a group of people lined up on shore. We arrive on
shore and the people seem quite nice, so we give them one stack of gold. “More...” said the chief of the
island, so we give them another stack and some silk. “More...” he said again. At this rate we would run out
of gold and treasure to give. Suddenly they don’t seem to friendly... Some take out harpoons and start
shooting at us. Cherry pulls me to safety but I can’t see Samuel anywhere! I had to split apart from Samuel
and Caleb, I just hope they find shelter.
Day 4
I woke up not knowing where I was or what time it was. I looked out of the hide out and immediately
regretted it. The hot blazing sun was pouring on the boat’s deck, I could make out bodies laying there on
the floor. I prayed that Samuel was not one of the victims of this deadly sight. I wake up Cherry and showed
her the awful sight. We went to investigate and found no sign of our brothers. In the distance we hear faint
screams come from the jungle, me and Cherry went to see what was going on. The screams got closer and
closer the deeper we went. I could see two heads poking out both with black hair, I turn to Cherry but
before I could, she told me something “those meanies over there are pirates they want our treasure so that
they can be rich.” I could hardly believe what she said, pirates were supposed to be mythical creatures
weren’t they?
“Pirates are not real! People just say that to scare you!” I screamed. “Who is that?” Someone called from the