Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 | Page 114

the raging sea, and my eyes land on a fleet of ships, almost twice the size of ours. About 15 sails are strung
across the masts of each ship, catching as much wind as possible. They glide across the water as smoothly and
quickly as a cheetah sprinting across land. Each extra ten seconds I stare, they are a couple hundred metres
closer to our ship. What could be going on? What are the sailors so afraid about? Why are… suddenly, my
tutor’s voice rings in my head, clear as a bell. “ The dangers of the sea…” Pirates...? Uh-oh.
Right at that moment, I feel a hand grasp my shoulder. I whirl around and find myself face-to-face with an
angry sailor.
“What do YOU think you’re doing here?!” He whisper-shouts in my ear.
“I-I’m sorry, I was j-just trying to s-see…”
He throws me back to my bedroom and locks the door behind him. I hastily scramble to my feet and lunge
for the ship wall. I press my face against the glass of a small window, and from there, I can just barely make
out what’s happening outside. The big sails of the pirate ships are looming closer and closer. There are
hundreds of men on the ships. One of them is tying a rope to a small boat. He lowers the boat down the
side of the ship. It bobs up and down like a cork floating in water. A large man jumps from the deck and
lands into the boat, followed by two men. Someone from the big ship tosses three oars down. They are
jabbed into the water in sync. Here they come . Quick as lightning, they streak across the stormy, frothy
water. A large man jumps on deck and grabs my father’s collar. He is carrying a gleaming sword. A fight
breaks out. Screaming. Shouting. I can’t watch. I sink into my bed and bury my face in my hands. What
would happen if they killed my father?
Suddenly, all goes quiet. I creep back to the window. The pirate it holding his hands up. He surrendered?
He jumps back onto his boat and drifts off, back into the ocean. We haven’t been harmed! I can’t believe
any pirate would just let go so easily! I slump back down into my bed, relieved. I am about to try pry open
the door when something catches my eye. The small pirate boat is coming towards us again. My eyes widen.
No way. It couldn’t be a trick. I start banging on the door to alert the sailors, but it is too late. They’re right
next to us now. My father jumps back in surprise when he notices the pirates. The whole fleet is here. A
determined look forms on his face. He picks up his sword, and the ship fills with chaos. Blood. Screaming.
Stabbing. I watch as my father and the trained sailors fight the pirates, sinking ship after ship, and killing
thousands.
The fight lasts for three days, and each day I am locked up inside my room. Many sailors are injured. Some
are dead. Some valuables are stolen, but the Vietnamese goods were well protected. It isn’t a very happy
party that travels back to China. Even the sea looks upset, now. So lifeless and grey.
At last, the familiar surroundings alight in my eyes again. The bay, the temple, the sun. I must say, the
emperor was very impressed with our work and tactics. My father is planning another trip soon, maybe
venture farther out this time. I may skip this journey, though. I feel the excitement is just too much for me
to handle. I think I’ll just stay home, stroll around the bay, stare out at the water, and continue to let my
mind dream.