Fiction: Group 3
The Pearl of the Pearl River Delta
Marymount Secondary School, Rippon, June - 12, Fiction: Group 3
Prologue
he squinted into the mist but saw nothing. However, she was sure there was something there,
watching her, following her. She heard shuffling, moving closer and closer. She stepped back and
pressed herself against the stone cold wall. She could hear her heart beating faster and faster. A foul
smell and strange noises filled her surroundings. She started to move along the wall, trying to get away, but
she slipped on the mossy stone floor and scratched her hands and knees badly. She felt her blood trickle onto
the floor. It was no use, it was over. She sat there and wept silently. Something towered over her. It’s low,
gruff voice shook the chamber. “Do you give up?” it asked. The girl shivered in fear, “No, I do not. You
will never succeed, you foul beast!” She answered strongly. The voice grunted, lightning flashed, the girl let
out a terrifying scream, and all was silent.
1
“Get up! It’s 5am and past your morning call.” Abigail Lin pulled the covers over her head yet again as
her instructor tried to yank her out of bed. With a strong pull, she pulled Abigail out of bed. Abigail glared
at her instructor and sighed, “Fine, I’ll be ready in 5 minutes.” The instructor looked at her watch, “Nope,
sorry kid. I’m afraid you have only 2 minutes max. We’ll be waiting for you in the Lounge.”
Abigail got ready in 3 minutes, which was a new record. She rushed down the flight of creaking stairs and
raced across the grass to get to the Lounge.
“…will begin.” The head instructor said, just as Abigail rushed through the doors. She wiped her hair out
of her face and steadied her breath. At least 30 pairs of eyes were on her, she suddenly felt very self-
conscious. “Why, may I ask, are you late?” demanded the head instructor. “Sorry sir.…” Before she could
finish explaining, another girl burst through the door. The head instructor raised his eyebrows, clearly
unimpressed. “Back to where we left off.”
“Welcome to the Cross-strait Education Camp. This is not just any ordinary camp, everything around
you is highly secret. Nobody knows of this camp’s existence in Hong Kong. We take in students from Hong
Kong and Macau. Our instructors will train you to face life-threatening moments, hunt treasures and solve
mysteries. Besides all that fun, we will also train you to behave with the utmost propriety and proper
decorum. And so, each and every one of you will be having lessons on good ethics with me. Those who do
not reach my expectations, will be asked to have more lessons. Have I made myself clear?”
As everyone got up to leave, he added, “If you don’t behave yourselves, there will be heavy punishment.
Just a kind reminder.” Then he left the room with a cold smile.
Abigail was dreading introducing herself to people, she would much rather stay in a corner, all by herself.
“Little girl,” her group’s instructor said gently, “It’s your turn. Go ahead.” Abigail stood up slowly, took a
deep breath and looked at the ceiling. Silently she mumbled, “Hi guys I’m Abigail Lin, I’m 15 and I’m a
local resident. I’m pretty sure you have all the information necessary.” With that, she slumped back into her
chair.
After what seemed like forever, the last kid introduced herself as Gabby Huey from Macau. She dronedon
about how her parents spoil her with all sorts of gifts because she is their ‘princess’. Abigail rolled her eyes,
she hated materialistic people as she thought they were shallow.
It wasn’t long before an argument broke out between the two. Abigail was queueing up for her lunch
one morning when Gabby jumped the queue. Voices were raised and all eyes were on them. Without
thinking, Abigail dug her hand into the bowl of mashed potatoes and chucked it at Gabby. Everyone gasped
in surprise. Gabby shook her head in disbelief, “You didn’t just do that.” Abigail laughed, “Oh yes I did.
For your information, I would like to do it again!” Before Abigail did anything stupid, an instructor grabbed
her wrist. “Oh no,” he said, “You two are in BIG trouble.”
2
Their punishment was to clean up after the evening party. That alone was already bad enough but having
to listen to Gabby’s non-stop complaining was a pure nightmare. Abigail restrained herself from saying
something insulting as much as she could. While cleaning up, Abigail saw a beautiful white pearl in the
grass. Stunned with amazement, she carefully put it in her pocket.
S
