This short story was written for the Hong Kong Young Writer’s Awards Competition. This year’s theme is about the Silk Road.

Camels’ braying, sounds of footsteps filled the air. Tom Liu, who wore an orange jumper, fell on the sand and said, “Wow, why am I here?”

Tom saw a weird stranger wearing flowing, layered robes, wide sleeves and crossed lapels stood on a hill and looked at him kindly and asked, “Hey child, are you lost?”

Tom went to that man and asked to borrow his phone. The man scratched his head and asked, “What is a phone?”

He was shocked and thought, “Huh, he doesn’t know what a phone is?”

Earlier that night, Tom saw a mysterious purple star-shaped mark on the floor. He was curious and stepped on it and it turned into a swirling vortex of colors and lights. Then, he was in a tunnel that was filled with purples, blues, hints of pink and with images of historical events. Then, he fell down and landed on the sand.

As the kind stranger left him, Tom thought, “Why am I in the desert?”

Tom found a special rock that emitted a holy aura next to him and pocketed it. He walked alone in the desert; his lips were as dry as rocks. He screamed in despair, “Where is the water? I want to go home!” Tom fainted.

Two scavengers, one looked very tall and skinny and the other looked short but full of muscles, spotted him and came over. One of them said, “Hey! You are finally here. We are your great-ancestors. Did you see that special rock? It controls time.”

Tom decided not to say anything because he didn’t trust him.

The tall and skinny one said, “You can call me John. I was the one who pulled you back. This is my buddy, Charlie.”

“Why did you pull me back here and how did you do it?” Tom asked them.

John answered, “I need you to help me get the Warp Stone. I want to see what the future looks like. And I used the Warp Stone to pull you back.”

John told Tom, “While Nu Wa was busy mending the sky with her incredible powers, she skillfully shaped a special rock known as the Warp Stone, a magical object that could transport people through space and time.”

John was sweating and avoiding eye contact. Something felt wrong, but Tom had no clue what it could be.

They felt very tired so they decided to rest in an inn.

Charlie was acting very suspicious. He was always not with Tom and John and he always looked at Tom greedily.

The next day, when Tom woke up, he discovered that he was robbed. He moaned, “Oh my gosh! My wallet and my watch. But luckily my stone wasn’t stolen.”

Tom found a bracelet near him, the one that Charlie wore earlier today.

“Did Charlie drop his bracelet?” Tom thought. He woke John up and went to Charlie’s room together to question Charlie.

Tom stormed into Charlie's room and shouted, “Hey Charlie, why did you steal my wallet and watch?”

Charlie froze for a moment, his eyes darted nervously. He smashed the window with his elbow, grabbed a bag stuffed with belongings, and leapt out, disappearing into the night.

Confused and angry, Tom turned around and saw John standing nearby. Narrowing his eyes, Tom demanded, “You were the one who planned this, weren’t you? You stole my things, right?”

John’s face went pale. He stood stunned, struggling to find words. He stammered, “What… do… you… mean?”

“I suspected something was wrong. First, when you were telling me about the Warp Stone and wanting to see the future, you were very nervous. Second, your bag is very full. I bet it’s stolen goods, including my wallet and watch.”

John laughed, “Very clever. I admit that I was the one who stole your property. I want to travel to the future to sell the Silk Road’s goods I’ve been “collecting” as antiques. I will make twenty times its value.”

Tom asked, “Why did you pull me back to the past?”

John continued, “There’s a price for a person to travel to the future. To travel to the future, someone from that person’s bloodline will be returned to the past. One for one. In a moment, the Gate of Time will open for one person to pass through… Me!”

As John let out an evil cackle, the Gate of Time began to glow and open.

John laughed loudly, sounding wild, “That little child is going to stay here forever.”

Tom knew he had only seconds before the glowing portal closed. Just as John stepped forward, Tom dashed and threw himself at him with all his strength.

Both of them crashed to the ground, rolling in a messy tangle of arms and legs. John shouted angrily and reached for Tom’s neck but Tom twisted away just in time. He kicked John hard on his leg.

“Argh!” John cried, clutching his leg. But he wasn’t finished. John swung his fist at Tom, who dodged it quickly. The punch missed, hitting the floor with a loud thud.

Tom jumped back to his feet, breathing hard. John scrambled up too, his eyes blazing with fury. He charged at Tom like a bull. Tom sidestepped and shoved John’s shoulder, making him stumble.

John growled again, this time tackling Tom to the ground. Thud！John pinned him down, but Tom wriggled free and pushed John in the side.

Both of them stood again, breathing hard, sweat dripped down their faces. The portal behind them flickered, glowing brighter and simmered like it was alive. Tom knew he had to end this fight quickly—or they would both be dragged into the unknown.

He quickly feinted him and without wasting a second, Tom rushed and leapt through the Gate of Time. Bright light surrounded him, and suddenly he landed on his own bed, back in 2026.

Tom laid there, breathing hard but smiling, “I am glad it's finally over.” he whispered, feeling safe at last.

The Gate of Time (HKYWA 2025)