The Ghosts of the Great Wall
Doris Lam, Group 4: Fiction, St. Margaret's Co-educational English Secondary & Primary School
’
ve always been good with swords.
Or should I say… everything that’s sharp and dangerous. I can easily spin knives in hundreds of ways,
making them gleam in the sunlight. I can hit a target a hundred feet away, or even catch a fish by throwing my
knives at them.
I don’t do anything bad with this ability, of course. I hardly even use a knife unless I need to help my
mom prepare the fish. Of course I show off my skills once in a while- Maybe I compete with my enemies and
friends with rounds of knife throwing. It isn’t that bad, is it? It’s a nice skill to show off. And a skill I am proud of.
Why I can do such things with a knife with no training leaves me wondering as well, but most of the time, I’m just
another 15 year old teenager like anyone else.
I did say most of the time right? Well they’re after me again. Shadows have been following me around ever
since last summer. That summer. Just because of me and my big mouth, I’ve created this mess. Sigh. What a mess.
“
Well class, we are going to visit our sister school in Beijing again during the weekend again! Remember to
pack your bags and tell your parents,” said Ms. Chan while rolling her eyes- as if it’s torture to spend more time
with our class.
I raised my hand.
“
Yes, Ryan?” Ms. Chan said.
My eyes were wide with fright. “Is it a must to go?”
“
Yes it is, Ryan. It is for the both of us,” Ms. Chan rolled her eyes so far back I thought she was having a mini
heart attack. And at the same time I realized my nightmares were going to come to life.
I felt a rush of cool wind as the airplane started to land at the sparkling new airport of Beijing. Yet I felt
the dark shadows that followed me around become closer, thicker and the air around me seemed cooler. It gave me
goose bumps and there was an uneasy feeling in my stomach.
I opened my eyes, and my headache pounded on my temple...And found the plane empty. Panic and fear
crept upon me…Am I dreaming? Did everyone leave me when I was still sleeping? Or am I in danger?
My hand instantly reached for my right pocket.
I hurried to gather my belongings, and rushed out of the plane. As I came onto the air bridge between the plane
and the airport, I found the terminal deserted as well. All was silent around me and not a single sound can be heard.
I was panicking and didn’t know where to go. “Where is everyone?” I cried out in desperation. My hand hit my
forehead and regretting such exertion.
Suddenly, a familiar voice behind me grumbled, “Took you long enough.”
I spun around as my hand reached into my right pocket again to pull out the one thing I trusted the most- my
knife.
Andrew stood before me. His long ancient hat covered his hair; his face was pink and pumped, with a long
gray beard covering his chin. Wearing a dark ancient silky Chinese gown with a golden dragon threaded on the
front, he blazed with power with a look who people would bow with respect.
“
Well, well, well. Nice to see you again, Ryan. I see you’ve got your knife out again….not that it can harm me
of course.” He waved his hand dismissingly and laughed loudly at his own joke. “…unless you’ve forgotten that
I’m a ghost.” His teeth gleamed at me, as if haunting me as well. “I’ve always admired your talent, of course. And I
can’t help but being in awe when you told me about that talent of yours last summer. You haven’t forgotten have
you?” He came closer with his face showing his amusement. “The things you can do with that knife of yours are
amazing. I’ve sent some spirits to look after you while you were back in Hong Kong. I know what you have been
doing for the last few months...And your knives skills are getting better and better…Eh?”
He started coming closer to me and that’s when I got my senses back. I took a step back and narrowed my eyes.
“
Where is everyone, Andrew?”
He laughed, “My real name i
s Qin Shi Huang.
That nickname, Andrew, that I gave you before is hilarious.
Maybe I’ll let you keep calling me that.”
Qin Shi Huang? The first emperor of China who built the Great Wall of China? I eyed Andrew carefully and
realized why he seemed different than the last time I saw him- He went from dressing as a homeless man to an
emperor who showed power in his every move and gesture. But that doesn’t explain why everyone disappeared.
“
Why did you lie to me last time we meet? Where is everyone?” I shouted angrily at him.
Andrew shook his head with slight laughter with his hand held up as if protesting against my outburst. “I
dressed as a homeless man because I wanted to explore this city where I used to rule over without being getting too
much attention. Your love and kindness to me is something I appreciate a lot and I didn’t mean to lie to you. As for
I