Shortlisted
A Young Survivor
German Swiss International School, Jade Li, Fiction: Group 2
I
sat in the cave with its dank, darkness. I was in the middle of nowhere; a desert known as
Gobi to the local people. I looked around into the threatening blackness, alone and afraid.
I had no idea if the cave was safe from Genghis Khan’s men. I could hear nothing, and the
silence echoed around the chamber bouncing off the invisible walls. I wondered what it
would be like to be home; to experience joy and a moment’s rest. For two years of my life, I had
been fleeing from place to place, trying to hide from the dangers even you would be afraid of,
from an evil uncle to being the servant of Genghis Khan. Most of the time being a fugitive led to
sneaking and stealing but with luck I found my own food.
Many people wonder how I survive. Well, if you ask me, it comes with the hunger, the
determination for food and water and the desire to go home. I am now an orphan and I’m nine. I
used to live in Imgur oasis and my dad was the tribal chief. Every year he travels to Ulaan Bator
to trade our finest camels.
My misfortune began when my father ordered all my cousins, uncles, aunties, grandpa,
grandma and friends from all around town to dine with me and to keep me company as he
travelled to Ulaan Bator to trade camels. The lines of guests were endless and from all classes,
both the rich and the poor. There was one person I begged my dad not to invite; I pleaded but it
was too late. The invitations were already sent. On the guest list I saw uncle Enkhtuya. His name
means “Ray of peace” which definitely doesn’t suit his personality. He made me drop dad’s most
prized vase, he captured my brother who is now wondering far, far beyond where eyes can see and
my father thought he went for an adventure.
My uncle led me to the garden and asked me to look down at the beach imagining everyone
was joyfully playing. Whilst I was imagining, he deftly pulled a sack over my body; I found
myself trapped in the sack and he swiped it over his shoulder. I was frightened and went
unconscious.
When I was released from the sack, I realized ropes were secured around my wrists. I looked
around and beyond me was a crowd full of loud-mouthed adults and warriors, all shoving
themselves to the front of the crowd. Without a warning a black horse strutted to the front. His
rider had a string moustache that started from his upper lip and dropped down to his chest and
it poked out like spikes on a porcupine. Just glaring at him sent a cold shiver down my back. On
his right hand he carried a magnificent bird. An eagle, I think. It squawked louder than a lion
and quieted everyone down. As this man slowly dismounted his horse, he walked to where I was
standing. He circled around me and inspected my teeth.
“This boy’s father is a Tribal leader. I traded a camel with him. He used to be a free boy but
now he is my servant.”
The horse reared up in the air and arrived back on the ground as graceful as a swan. The
strange man ordered his soldiers to tie a cloth over my mouth and put me on a camel. The
travelling seemed to go on forever as the days became months. We arrived at our destination
and before me stood two vast red doors. In the middle was carved a pure gold dragon face. In
its mouth a glimmering gold ring flashed almost as bright as the sun. This man has high regard
in this village for everyone bowed, I thought. Unexpectedly, a short thin man pulled me off the
