Roach War
Aria Yan, Group 2: Fiction, International Christian School
ip never thought much about life. He lived around the town the cockroaches built at the China side of
the Great Wall of China. At 14yrs old, he scurried faster than most adults. Because He was angry that
his mother Flip commanded the cockroach army against the mantis army, he stole from other
cockroaches against his mother wishes. For his entire life, his mother has no hold of him because; he
resented her for 12 years. The only good memory he has of her is the smell of lavender perfume she
puts on herself every morning. Rip went to the sleeping grounds at nighttime when he heard a
commotion. It was Frank, his mom’s deputy whom he hated, and his eyes were searching for someone. It’s
unusual for war officers to go to the black market, especially the high ranking ones. Finally, Frank spotted him,
“
Rip! I want to talk to you!” Rip didn’t reply. “Listen, your mom was captured and the plan to capture the
mantis’ army’s commander, Phantom, backfired.”
R
“
What! Did you even try to save her?”
“
I was right beside Flip. She thought Phantom was most likely to come if there were more commanders.”
Rip hung his head guilty beside him. “I know for sure she’s alive because our lookouts spotted them bringing
her to the mantis camp. I have a plan to save her.”
“
Tell me!” Rip asked desperately, “We need to send someone inside the base to rescue her. I want you to do
it. Find out where Flip is kept prisoner and try to get her out. If you are not back in 2 weeks, we’ll storm the
base. We’ll also have to give you a new name.” “I want my name to be Slash.” “Fine, meet me tomorrow at my
office for the preparations. Goodbye then…. Slash”
The next morning, they met at Frank’s office and started with the preparations. Rip took fake secret plans
and put some food inside a pouch, enough to feed him for several days. When Slash was about to leave, Frank
whispered in his ear, “When you’re climbing across the Great Wall between us and the mantis. I’ll tell the
archers to shoot near you, but miss on purpose. So he started climbing the Great Wall. The arrows whizzed past
him but he ignored them He ran as fast as his 6 legs could carry him. Soon, he was out of range of the archers
and sat down to rest. He ate some of the food he carried and when he looked up, he saw a mantis patrol look
down on him. “Please don’t kill me!” he said, “I bring information to the mantis!!!” The mantis looked down on
him and said, “Fine, I will bring you to Commander Phantom but if you don’t survive the meeting, I will
personally request to have you for breakfast.” Rip was brought to Phantom with his hands bound behind him.
“
So,” said Phantom, “A cockroach has come to bring us information. What do you want in exchange? ” “Well, I
was just hoping you will let me join you” “Done, now give me the plans.” Rip handed the fake plans over to him.
“
I see, so they
are
trying to put catapults on the trees to attack us…Kerman, bring him to our guest block.”
“
Fine” the mantis that caught him said. Rip could tell that Kerman was not happy about that. “Kerman,” Rip
began as he walked, and felt a sharp jab to the back. “You will always refer to me as
General
Kerman.” “Yes
General Kerman.” “Good, now what were you saying?” “I was wondering where the prisoners were kept.” “Ha!
You’ll find out soon enough. We’re training you to help us, and if you don’t do it, you will be thrown into
prison.” The next day, Rip was led to the Prison Block. “We practice our fighting. Prisoners are the targets.” Rip
said nothing but nodded as Kerman handed him a long needle.
“
Use this to fight. It is a very good saber,” Rip fought and was rewarded with better utility and the rank of a
general after 2 weeks. One day, Rip made his way to Phantom’s private chamber. Suddenly, pandemonium
broke out and everyone panicked. Frank had sent 1/3 of the cockroach army to storm the camp. A sharp javelin
stick wounded him and he, was now moving considerably slowly. At last, he saw Phantom’s private chamber
and went inside. Phantom was consulting some plans and turned toward him. In one fluid motion, he twirled
through the air and impaled his needle saber in Phantom’s chest. No one heard him inside the tent and his leg
hurt and couldn’t go anywhere. Still, he dragged himself behind the bed and blacked out. Rip opened his eyes
and found Frank looking down on him. “Did we win?” “Yes,” Frank replied “the troops were disorganized and a
mess when you killed Phantom.” “And my mom?” “She made it, but your leg was injured badly and lost a lot of
blood. I’m afraid you’ll have to walk with a limp for the rest of your life.” “May I see my mom?” “Yes, Rip.”
Frank helped Rip and he slowly went toward his mom’s chamber. “We’ll leave you two alone” Frank said and
left him. Rip slowly opened the door and inhaled a lung full of lavender perfume.
* * *