Kneesocks 2017-18

Excerpt from No Escape: The Taiping Rebellion Has Begun By Emily Zhao 6C

March 9, 1853

Father brought us bad news. We are moving to a foreign land. The boat leaves the day after tomorrow. I only have one day to change their minds. My plan worked. Mother saw my pitiful state of tears and sadness, so Father agreed to let us stay a few days. He says, “It leaves me with time as well, so I can finish some needed tasks.” I will put off packing until later. The city is quite odd right now, no one goes out, and when they do, they scurry around like frightened rats. It is quite comical because you can see the great Lord Zhen walking around, arms swinging, looking just like a large gray rat with his gray wig.

March 10, 1853

I had just finished packing when I heard an explosion ring through the air. The sound of gunshots and canons were echoing through the night, one after another. Father burst into my room, eyes wide but steely. He told me to go to the docks. “What?” I asked. “The docks are far away!”

“Just go!” he said harshly. This is the first time he has been so brutal.

“I’m going to need someone to take my bags,” I proclaimed, pointing to the seven bags in the corner.

“Well, you’re only taking one,” he muttered angrily, picking the largest one off the pile and throwing it to me. “You’ll meet Mother by the doorway.” Tears began to drip down my face as I ran to the doorway. Sniffling, I saw Mother, Sister Xing, and Sister Xun through a haze of tears. Mother ushered us out the door and we ran and ran, all the way down to the docks, the sounds of battle in my ears. We boarded the ship, Father bringing in the rear. Gasping, he breathed out, “Food in the bottom. Make it last. No money,“ before collapsing to the ground in a dead faint. I leaned over and saw the bloom of red upon his shirt before I fully understood what had happened.

10  HAVERGAL COLLEGE