Shortlisted
The Great Mystery
Alyssia Yuan
he sun had just risen above distant mountains as class G9 of British High School arrived at Badaling
station to visit the Great Wall of China. Mrs Chan, the school Mandarin teacher stood in the carriage
explaining “The Great wall is almost 9,000km long which is about 9,000 times as long as Hong Kong
Island”. Gemma slammed down her iPad on the table in a temper because she was almost out of
batteries after playing a popular game, Minecraft, for the whole journey rather than paying attention. Mr Fizzle
shouted “We have arrived, remember to take all your belongings. Gemma you are partnering with Abby today
and I am responsible for you both”.
-
Pritchard, Group 2: Fiction, Peak School
T
Gemma and Abby are worst enemies at school because they are poles apart in everything; money, looks,
popularity, clothes and their families. Except one thing - they both like playing Minecraft, a virtual world game
that allows the imagination of players to run wild, building houses, growing animals and finding diamonds.
There was an excited mood throughout the train as children rushed to get off and at the same time Mrs Chan
quizzed Mr Fizzle “I hope this is a good decision because you know that Gemma and Abby don’t get along! Can
you manage those two without any trouble?” Deep down Mr Fizzle knew that it was a bad decision so he
decided to bring along his daughter, Lucy. “Mr Fizzle do you know what you are doing?” snapped Mrs Chan.
There were dark rain clouds overhead and a chilling wind when the children started to climb the enormously
steep steps of the Wall. Most children were listening carefully to the tour guide explain the history of the wall
that was built during the Ming Dynasty over 2,500 years ago. Gemma cheekily asked Mr Fizzle “Were you alive
then?” Droplets of rain began to fall before Mr Fizzle could answer and there was a large deafening clap of
thunder followed by a bright flash of lightning. Gemma and Abby started to run for cover but all they could see
was a whirl of iPads going around them. Gemma shouted at Abby “Do you know what is happening?” “Yes! It’s
an electrical storm full of flying iPads!!” and just then Abby got hit on the head and fell to the ground.
Two minutes later the weather returned to normal but something strange had happened. They were in a
different world full of blocks, monsters, animals and there in front of them stood an unfinished Great Wall of
China, looking like a wobbly dragons back. Staggering to her feet Abby grew increasingly alarmed “This is
MINECRAFT! We are inside a game! We have gone back in time! OMG!”
Back in the real world Mr Fizzle was panicking and Lucy picked an iPad off the ground and she was
horrified to see both girls were trapped inside the game.
Gemma and Abby looked up when they heard stomping noises approaching them and it was a large fat man
in red silk robes, holding a golden shaft and wearing a strange looking hat. In a polite voice, the man said “I am
the Emperor and you must be my new servants. For your first task you must continue building the wall because I
need it finished so I can defend against Mongols and other invaders. You need to start at sunrise and my guards
will watch over you while I get my architectural plans finished for the Forbidden City!” The emperor swiftly
turned around and left.
Lucy had a really bad feeling about this mess especially because she knew Gemma was not the servant type.
She muttered under her breath “I need to get the girls out and I know just the thing that can help!”
It was a wet misty morning and both girls had been working on the wall for two hours. Gemma whispered
“
Let’s be honest, I am not the brains but I might have a plan. If you keep working here I will try to find a way
out and I promise I will not be seen by the guards. I do not want to be a servant or a warrior who fights with
those thingy sticks”. Abby nodded and said “Alright. I have to say that is a good idea. But under one condition:
we have to work together because I don’t want to be one of the million people that died building this wall”.
Gemma escaped down the side of the wall and into a dark woodland with a small pond but was startled by a
furry creature who looked cute, with big eyes, light blue fur and purple polka dots. The creature said “Don’t be
afraid. Lucy has sent me to help. Just come to this place tonight and jump in the pond, shout the magic word
‘
Codfish’ and close your eyes to get out of this world”. Gemma was happy but worried because she had to
escape without being noticed.
That night the girls went to the pond but Abby was not convinced about jumping in a cold, stinking and
muddy pond - how ridiculous! Gemma begged Abby “You said we had to work together, just trust me. I am
sorry for everything that has happened in the past”. Abby reluctantly agreed and they launched themselves into
the pond, tightly closing their eyes and shouting “Codfish!”