Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 - 2 | Page 65

The Mad Storm Singapore International School, Lin, Xiyao - 11 Zheng He looked out across the sea where his fleet of ships would soon be sailing to Africa. He swore inwardly, “God, these Eunuch are so slow, taking all the goods. I need to be at sea in three days time!” He cast an anxious glance at the sky. He could see a storm brewing in the not too far distance. “Admiral Zheng He,” bowed a young Eunuch, “His majesty, the Emperor would like to speak to you.” The Eunuch stepped aside politely and Zheng He walked towards the Emperor, Xuande. He kneeled down and asked, “Yes, your majesty?” The Emperor rose from his throne, above Zheng He. “Admiral Zheng He, this is a very important mission. You have to bring the African ambassador, Johannes Mahlangu to China. I have great trust in you, so do not fail me.” he barked loudly. “Fail me, fail me, fail me….” echoed the stony wall. Three days later, the whole sea was swamped with ships. “There is a boy on the ship, Admiral Zheng He!” an Eunuch said loudly,” Hey boy, get out of here! Stop hiding.” He dragged the boy out, and brought him to Admiral Zheng He. Admiral Zheng He stared at the boy, eyebrows furrowed. The frightened boy looked down at his shoes timidly and scared of what Zheng He was going to do to him. “Throw him overboard.” Admiral Zheng He spoke quietly. “We have no time for a stowaway.” “No, no, please spare me.” begged the boy with fear and panic in his limpid eyes. Suddenly, a wave several storeys high crashed against the starboard of the ship, sending it lurching to one side. Admiral Zheng He stumbled across the cabin. The sky had turned ominously dark with heavy black clouds. It was as if someone from high above had turned on a switch for the downpour. The rain and wind lashed out violently on the unsuspecting naval men. “Bring the mast down!” yelled the second captain, blinded by the bitingly cold rain. Several men climbed up, but were flung into the sea by strong winds. The lower decks had been flooded. Everyone rushed to the top deck. Admiral Zheng He could see a violent tornado was aiming in their directions. The ship was swaying precariously like a seesaw, as the sea threw its cold spray across the threshold. The men staggered across the deck, fighting to keep their balance. The tornado caught up with them, taking the whole ship and men swirling in mid-air. Other men were shouting and struggling in the waters. The ships were gone, only left with furniture floating on the surface of the waters. Vium!!! Everyone were caught in the storm, as if they were flying in mid-air. “Where are we?” asked one of the Eunuch. “ I don’t know.” Admiral Zheng He said slowly, quietly observing the surroundings. All the men blinked in the bright sunshine taking in their strange surroundings. They were nervous and unfamiliar to the surroundings and were all just frozen there, not knowing what they were going to do. A mom and a boy walked past them and looked at Zheng He and his men strangely. “Mom, are the men shooting a movie?” a modern boy tugged the corner of his mom’s shirt curiously.