Fiction: Group 3
skyscraper. I relaxed, thankful for being tied to such a breath-taking place. I could hear the echo of laughter
ringing from the playground nearby. Out of nowhere, a gunshot rang out. The once carefree laughs turned
into stone cold screams as everyone scattered. Where had they come from? I had gotten too laid-back and
lost sight of my duty. I couldn’t think about that now, I had to focus. I could tell the shots came from a high
vantage point by the sound. I looked around, where would that be? The highest point I could see was the
ICC building. Then I remembered…
The window cleaners.
Turns out, they weren’t just cleaners. In fact, they were madmen who were shooting innocent
citizens. Question was;
how do I take them down?
I dashed towards the ICC, the tallest building in Hong
Kong, and walked in. Although this might not sound as cool as climbing up a skyscraper, I decided the most
practical way to get up there was the elevator. I clicked the top floor and stood there impatiently as it began
to rise. When the music started chiming in, that was when I decided I couldn’t take it. Luckily, the doors
opened before I began to freak out. I rushed to the open window and looked out. There were four men
below me. Three more shots rang out and my heartbeat quickened. I peered around, frantically searching for
ways to stop them.
The fire hydrant!
I wasn’t sure if it would work but Hong Kong was part of the Pearl
River Delta and if my suspicions were correct, it should. I closed my eyes and willed the fire hydrant to
explode. At first, nothing happened. Then the hydrant began to shudder. I opened my eyes to see the sorry
excuse of what was left of my plan. It was leaking and spurting water less than an arms width high. I
screamed in frustration and the men dressed in black looked up at me menacingly, moments before a rush of
water met their stares. There was another round of gunshots. When I dared to look again, they were gone.
I stretched upwards in victory oblivious to the striking red creeping onto my shirt. Suddenly, I crumpled to
the floor as the fiery pain washed over me like a rip tide. A single bullet lay beside me, now the same colour
as my clothing. Deep within me, I found the courage to smile. I was wounded but the city was safe. It was a
worthy sacrifice, one even the Elements would be proud of.
Before I knew it, the sky had begun to turn dark. The bright lights of buildings stood out,
contrasting the dying daylight. A blanket of clouds hung overhead like a protective barrier. Nevertheless,
Hong Kong still shone with a certain glimmer. It had a buzzing atmosphere, as if the city never slept. The
leaves rustled on nearby trees as a gentle breeze flew past. Brown leaves littered the floors and there were
flowers strewn everywhere like streamers after a party. The faint aroma drifted with the wind. This was my
city, this was Hong Kong. I took a deep breath as unbearable pain climbed further up my back. The
amplified noise of police sirens throbbed in my head but I could hardly concentrate. My eyelids grew heavy
and I found it extremely hard to hold on. I felt a distant pull, as if my life was trying to escape but I was too
tired to fight it. The night had grown closer and the luminous moon that usually kept the dark at bay had
begun to fade away… Then, there was a blinding light thrust at my face. Faraway voices pounded in my ears
but I still felt isolated and I knew I would feel the same even if I were surrounded by a sea of people.
“Hang on tight. We’ve got you. You’re Hong Kong’s hero, you know that?” The sense of
familiarity hit me like a bull. It was the woman from before, the one who told me about the Pearl River
Delta. She wore a long Greek-styled dress that flowed to the floor. She had a sort of glowing aura that
made me wonder if I was already in heaven. She radiated comfort and I started to let go. I could feel my life
force shifting just out of grasp. I grinned yet again, happy with what I had achieved… Then, I plunged into
pitch-darkness.
“No! Mum, I was in the best part!” I whined, setting down my controller in despair. I shot her a
glare that dripped with irritation. She waved the plug tauntingly and laughed.
“For the third time, Joe, dinner’s ready.” She shook her head and walked towards the kitchen. I
sighed in exasperation… Guess finishing my quest at the Pearl River Delta would have to wait. But I knew
the citizens would welcome me back with open arms. Treat me like their hero, their savior, their-
“Joe! Come eat dinner now!” I reluctantly got to my feet.
“Okay mum…” I trudged away, as the screen gave one last flicker of life.
