had to cover our face with a cloth and goggles to protect our eyes. For a second, I saw a shadow in
the storm but then Peter fell back. He kept on rolling over and over. Max, John and I reached out
for him. I caught him by a finger. I suggested to wait for the storm to end.
Everyone agreed with nods. I looked back to where the shadow was but it had disappeared.
The sky was clear when the sandstorm passed. We found our camels. Just then we found out that
we lost directions. We walked aimlessly for the next 4 hours. We were praying that we could find
some campers before nightfall. There were eagles and vultures soaring above us as they wanted
us for dinner. Luckily, Max found some smoke from the West and we found the Ger camp, just
as the sun was about to set down. We entered the tourist camp. There were a couple of tourists
chatting. We joined them too. That night we had chicken for dinner. It was really delicious.
After the other tourists went to have a walk, Max, Peter, John and I decided to make a symbol to
represent or relationship. We took a knife and make a scar on our left hands. It was painful but
cool. When the tourists came back, everybody danced around a camp fire and sang. We talked
stories about the myths and mysteries of the Gobi Desert. The Mongolia Death Worm was the one
that caught my ears.
Let me tell you the Mongolia Death Worm is not a harmless, tiny worm, but a dangerous
creature. It is described a shape similar to the gastrointestinal tract of a cow, plump body, is
bright red and poisonous without visible eyes. It lives in the desert dunes and valleys of the Gobi
Desert. Its venom can corrode metal and can kill a camel in a blink of an eye. Although, there
were not witnesses, the Mongolians believe that this creature exists somewhere along the border
of Mongolia.
The next day, we planned on going back to Hong Kong after the long journey. On our way
back, we found a little hut in the middle of nowhere. We were curious and went inside. We heard
voices Crush! Crush! It was the sound of something eating. We peeked over and we saw an
enormous worm feeding on an animal. Suddenly, Max accidentally dropped a vase onto the floor.
The worm turned to us and roared. We rushed out of the hut. But the worm was faster. John cried
out ‘Help! The worm is biting my leg.’ We pulled him back. His leg had a bite mark on it and I
screamed ‘It’s the death worm!’ Then everything moved so fast. The worm came out of its hole and
spat some liquid at us. I thought we were dead meat. Max popped out from behind and blocked the
liquid from hurting us. HE fell down on my arms. I saw that his skin was burning. I poured the
last drop of water but it was too late. The poison was killing him. The worm was chasing us. I put
Max at my back and climbed on the camel. Peter and John were riding in front of me, while the
worm was slowing down behind us. Finally, it gave up and returned to its hole. We rode towards
the nearest hospital in Mongolia. We called for a doctor immediately. After a long surgery. The
doctor came out of the surgery room. He shook his head. We rushed in and cried ‘Please wake up, I
promise you to do your housework for you.’ But there was no respond.
‘Hey! Hey! It’s your turn to bow.’ I woke up from my memories. I touched the scar on my hand.
I walked towards the coffin and bowed. Tons of tears rolled down my cheek. People always say the
desert is cold- blooded. It changes every moment. It has no mercy on everyone. No one has the
power over a desert. I don’t believe it. After this journey, I lost my friend, Max, I’m out of control.
I cannot prevent it from happening. Fate already paved the way for us.
