Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 - 2017 | Page 309

I have no idea where I am, or how long it has been since I have left. I have been travelling across the whole of China to
find a place where people would accept me for who I am, including my ability to tell the future. I think if I was feeling
more positive I would have congratulated myself for the wondrous feat I have accomplished. Instead, I continue my
schedule as if it was any other day.
Should I continue travelling? At least then I could talk to someone. I had grown tired of silence. I start preparing for
leaving by packing up what little possessions I have taken from the village. A comb, which I had neglected and somehow
just became a souvenir of my childhood. A bunch of arrows which my father had taught me to make if somehow we were
forced to leave, which was likely considering the circumstances we were in before I had gone.
I collected some water from the stream and started my never-ending voyage once again.
After an hour or so later, I managed to get out of the woods, and I was greeted by a large plain. I walked and started to make
my way. About seventy li later I finally reached a small town with people. I let out an exasperated sigh and checked my
pouch. I still had lots of money, as I had been living alone for quite a while now.
I went to the local market and bought some fruit to last me for a while. I did not want to spend my money too much now,
as I needed to get a job before I could spend all of it. It’s quite hard to get one, since I am a girl and girls are not meant to
have jobs.
I was very preoccupied in trying to find a job when I reached a meal store. I went inside, and inquired if they needed
someone to work for them. The person I met was called Jin, and she was very kind. She allowed me to work there and she
also gave me a place to stay until I found somewhere else.
I worked hard for the next few months and things started to look positive. Jin and I became good friends over time as well.
One day, I told her about where I came from and my voyage. I also told her about my powers. I trusted her. Her reaction
was better than I expected. She told me that I was a very lucky person.
Shanghai, 1930.
After wondering a couple of bu later, I found this village which made me slightly nostalgic since it was similar to where
my parents lived. I had not given them much thought, and wondered now if they still lived there. Where they ever worried
about me? The answer to t hese questions I could never find out, so there was no use pondering over them.
All the villagers here accepted me for who I am, even though I could see the future. Even when I brought misfortune to
them by accident.