Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 | Page 21

As we boarded the ships, each person was shown to their sleeping chambers. The room was tiny and consisted of a chest of drawers and a low mattress. I placed my heavy trunk, which I have been lugging around all morning, in an empty corner of the room. We had five minutes to be unpacked and changed into the wardrobe we were given as we entered the boat. I put the sheets that were in one of the drawers on the mattress. We weren’t given a pillow. We were instructed to bring our empty bags with us as we would be keeping them in a room all together. The sea was rough as we headed out. The wind was strong and the sails were filled with all the breeze. Our boat was the last to leave and we were at the back of the long trail. It was rough learning all the new skills that would be needed for the next few years, but I got through it strong. The sky was filled with crazy colors during the sunset. Taking time while I was admiring the sky was the moment where all my hope came rushing back. I could be something. I can make an impact. The next few weeks were difficult. They were full of hard work and disappointment, but we were not giving up. The clouds were building up during the day and it began to rain moments before it became dark. We were prepared for the storm. We tied everything down and had everything put inside. The waves were big and the rain was strong. People were screaming and yelling orders, but everyone was too stressed. The waves grew bigger and people began to say we weren't going to make it. The boats ahead of us were much larger than our small boat. People kept yelling, but everyone went silent when we saw the wave in front of us. The wave crashed down on us hard and that was that. I woke up with bruises and cuts all over. I was alone. I got up and my vision adjusted to the dark. I was in some sort of cave on the water. I was scared and worried about what would happen to me. I made my way to the edge of the water and could see parts of the destroyed boat. I could see the shapes of my fellow sailors at the bottom of the sea. I stepped back with terror. How could this happen? What have I done to deserve this? I was stuck in the middle of nowhere, with no one. I sat down on the cold rocks and began to cry. 'I should've just stayed with my father.' I thought to myself. I knew anything was better than being there though. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep. I couldn't deal with everything. I woke up a little while later and it was still dark outside. I sat in silence for a little while before I heard footsteps. I followed the sound deeper into the cave. I was shocked to see a man beating a woman on the floor. The man turned around and looked me in the eyes. It was my father. I was shocked and yelled "No!" as I dived into the two people to stop the beating. I landed hard on the ground. There was no one there. I felt insane.