Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 | Page 66

I trailed behind him as he made his way onto the boat, my guts churning with dread. I could’ve
left, I could’ve ran back, but something stopped me in my tracks. I caught a glimpse of familiar words which
were imprinted on the wooden deck below me. The voice of caution whispered softly not to look, but it
couldn’t break through the scream of curiosity. I crouched down, each move attentive with caution. I’ve
never came across these symbols before, but the suspicion hidden behind my mask told me they were there
for a reason. I brushed my fingers across each and every symbol, the wood rubbing against my skin.
“A star… ” The first thing that caught my sight were those beautiful eyes, those which sparkled
like the stars in the midnight sky. Him.
“A dagger… ” A weapon. Death.
“A circle… ” Endless.
I froze as my finger landed on the very last letters.
You.
A rush of horror washed through me as every puzzle pieced together perfectly in my mind. I slowly
backed away from the wall, my eyes locked in an unblinking stare. The logical side of me refused to believe
in this nonsense, but deep inside I knew all too clearly that this nonsense was indeed true. Despite having
known this, I was still deeply skeptical. Suddenly, a deafening roar broke the silence. Horrific screams and
haunting cries echoed around me as the unsettling madness seeped into my thoughts. Voices in my head
screamed at me to run, but I couldn’t. I just stood there, unable to move a single muscle in my body.
Frozen. Bloody scenes blurred across my vision, one after another pouring into my sight without a single
break. I shut my eyes, allowing myself to be absorbed into the darkness.
I heard a scream. I heard a cry. But then there was silence. A part of me believed that everything
would be okay when I opened my eyes, but my heart sank as I caught a glimpse of what had happened.
Zheng He was lying there on the cold, wooden deck. Nothing was left in me except for the fear creeping
into my heart once again. I clenched my fist, praying for him to wake up, to tell me none of this was true.
But he didn’t. I held my breath as I shook him lightly, my fingers trembling. I was hoping he would move,
or at least twitch, but he stayed still. Very still. Blood was seeping through his wound, staining his clothes
with a dark red. There was a lump in my throat as I tried to fight back my tears, my eyes aching with pain.
My vision blurred as I looked up into the midnight sky. Stars. I dropped my gaze and caught a glimpse of a
sharp weapon lying on the floor, dripping with blood. A dagger. The red stains on the floor were shaped in
a specific way. A circle. There was a daring glint in the eyes of fate, and I knew the next step lies within my
own hands. If I die, everything will restart. I desperately needed another chance to change my fate, to save
Zheng He. My fingers trembled as I reached for the dagger, pushing it closer towards me. Without a
hesitation, I pushed the dagger straight through my chest, knowing that the pain I’d feel is nothing
compared to the sorrow in my heart. As I laid my head against Zheng He’s chest, I heard my fragile heart
beat for one last painful time. I allowed the end of this world to carry me into a cooling rest, where I lay
benumbed of all sufferings and horrors of the living world as the ticking of my clock came to a stop.
I woke up, and found myself lying helplessly in the middle of a deserted street, fear and panic
pouring into my heart. I couldn’t recall a thing. My memories were like broken pieces of glass scattered into
the darkness. They gradually blurred and dimmed. But then there was none.
Who am I?