Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 | Page 145
The Dreadful Life
Korean International School, Lai, Alpha - 14
People thought of me as a disgusting little dwarf. Everyone on the ship teased me as I swept the deck
multiple times a day. I was smaller than average people and half the weight of an average man. Not only was
I the one who would scrub the deck, but also the one who did everything not related to fighting. Nobody
could understand the pain I went through.
A whole fleet was sent by the Emperor to give away gold and fine precious items. I mean why would you
not keep it to yourself and share it the villagers and the poor people like me. Then no one would die of
starvation and it could rebuild our economy. But instead, give it to other places? What a laugh!
We went around the world and some scenes were astonishing! The landscape in other places was different
than home. Large amounts of water falling off cliffs. People back at home said waterfalls they were. It was
supposedly the most beautiful scenery in the world. What fortune I had to see all this, they said. But to me,
even looking at this would never get me happy or excited
I have been on this ship for at least 2 years now since they put “Wanted people to join the army” posters all
around the village. I immediately applied for the job and they accepted me without putting me to the test.
“That was strange.” I thought. Everyone said that it was really hard to get in and you’ll have a luxurious life
there. But
As a young man at the age of almost 20, I have already experienced many things normal people with a
normal life would not have. The experience of life and death has changed me a lot. Seeing blood is common
for me and it doesn't freak me out as it used to. People say watching your loved ones die is the worst thing
that can happen to you and it is true. I watched my wife and children die in front of me and the feeling back
then 5 years ago was dreadful and the pain...unbearable.
But not every day was as lucky as the day we saw the waterfall. We have received many messages that
unwanted pirates could come to us any minute whilst the sky was dark and everyone was unprepared and it
said to rush back as soon as possible.
I didn't mind dying, but at that moment, all I thought of was my loved ones. My wife and children waiting
for me and the feeling I had was so uncomfortable.
The atmosphere today was gloomy and the pirate spirit was down, unlike other days, the pirates would be
chugging down their beer and having fun. But today, everyone knew what was going to happen and no one
was in the mood. Today is the last day.
I see the backs of the pirates, slaughtering each other. I run as fast as I could with my hands on my head
screaming and it felt like my lungs were about to burst. I feel the blood rushing through my brain as more
red slimy liquid squirts on my hands. I hear my name angrily called out multiple times but too scared to
reply, I rush in the toilet locking myself in. I came out when my name was not called out anymore. I knew
it was over.