Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 | Página 175

Alternating Between Two Centuries: A Voyage to the Ming
Dynasty
Munsang College, Lam, Tsing Cherry - 13
A boat was left in limbo and sandwiched between two different centuries. It was a time warp. Bizarre
as it was.
Earlier that night, a navigator reported that their route to Brisbane was merely a few miles away
from the intersection of the International Date Line and the Equator. Captain Philips made sure the boat
would exactly lie on his mark at midnight, helped by the said navigator.
Zhi and his friend Kenneth snuck out of the wheelhouse to drink beer on the roof of the
superstructure. The view there was quite a sight. The sky was so clear you could see the stars sparkling, and
the sea was so tranquil.
“Within ten minutes, we would be in a different century,” said Zhi. “Do you have any plans for
it?”
“College. When I earn enough money, I will finish my study.” Kenneth turned to Zhi, “What
about you?”
“My only plan is to get my stomach filled.” Zhi had been following his brother from a voyage to
another since he was a lad. To him, the whole concept of having an ambition seemed mad.
“I know you will find something worthier than your next meal.”
Silence.
Downstairs, the sudden outburst of cheers indicated the crew’s success. Upstairs, Kenneth and Zhi
clinked their bottles together as a gesture of celebration.
They crossed the Equator and the International Date Line at exactly midnight on 31 st December 1899.
With its bow in the Southern Hemisphere, which was in summer, and its stern in the Northern
Hemisphere, which was in winter, SS Warrimoo was not only in two different days, two different months,
two different seasons and two different years, but in two different centuries!
It was supposed to be something memorable. Yet all Zhi could think about was if he would get any
extra money for this accomplishment.
*
Zhi could only stare in shock.
The ladder broke before sliding to the side. Kenneth slipped off the broken ladder and hit the
gunwale. A splash was followed by an agonized wail.
Panicking, Zhi noticed a man on the deck. “Get the rope!” He yelled, before jumping into the
Pacific.
In the chilly water, Zhi touched something soft and warm. Drawing it closer, he held it against his
own form. The surface somehow seemed to be much brighter, maybe he had got used to the dark. He
searched for the rope and held onto it tightly.
He was soon pulled up to the deck. Panting, he released the body in his arms. The odd faces he
saw got him alarmed.