Word limit: 700 words
Dagger
We discovered this area by accident, and had lived here ever since. Having a ring of beach around a jungle, it was an uninhabited island, and had plenty of space. It was also off the map, perfect for Father's secret innovations.
One day, my parents went deep into the jungle to get supplies.
They never came back.
It had been a week since my identical twin brother, Len, and I last saw them. We lived on our own now, using whatever leftover equipment and food there was to survive. It was tough, but we lived a happy life.
"Let's explore the island," Len suggested one day. I was tentative. Mother used to say that there were big, fierce animals in the jungle. Besides, Len was always too adventurous for his own good.
"We do need to know our home, you know. Besides, we might find our parents - they may be alive," Len persuaded. I could see thirst for adventure in his clear blue eyes. I would have refused him, but I desperately wanted to find out the truth of our parent's disappearance. I had hoped that, somehow, they were still alive. I fingered my own yellow hair which I had inherited and agreed reluctantly.
We set off early in the morning after packing our things. I prepared an extra dagger, which was a gift from Mother, as well, just in case something happens.
We cut through thick, dark green foliage, and I was busy collecting berries and fruits along the way. Enough sunlight filtered in to let us see clearly ahead of us.
"Rin…look," Len whispered hoarsely. I turned towards him. In front of us, there was a rusty old steel warehouse, the door hanging ajar. I had a sudden premonition that our parents were in there and there was danger, waiting to pounce on us when we went in.
"Len, don't," I grabbed his arm. He should not just rush in like that. It was too dangerous. At around the same time, a voice sounded.
"We have visitors!" the voice announced in a singsong voice, gleeful. "Your children are here!" I tensed. Someone knew about us being here.
"Don't harm them, please." That was Father. Our parents were alive? I felt for the dagger, unsheathing it. I let go of Len's arm. The sound of chirping cicadas resounded in the otherwise silent jungle. I could not take the suspense any more and ran in, with Len following.
An old enemy of Father's was there - Xan. He had long, flowing gray hair and bloodshot eyes, the same as when we last saw him years ago. He had our parents trapped in transparent tubes, only wide enough for them to stand. As far as I can deduce, he had been torturing them to get trade secrets, and my parents were not speaking. Those thoughts flashed into my head in the second he took us by surprise and kept us in similar tubes. Apparently, this new method was to starve us enough to make us want to spill.
"Well, have fun!" he sang. He then left us alone in the warehouse.
I threw myself against the tube. It readily defended against my attacks. I sighed, leaning against the tube. It was then I realised that I was still gripping my dagger. In a crazed flash of creativity, I threw the dagger at the tube. Surprisingly, the dagger went through – and hit what I assumed was the control panel.
There was a metallic groan and the tube slowly slid open. I was free? I quickly ran out. My parents and Len were still stuck, but their faces were hopeful.
I ran over to the control panel. My dagger had embedded itself into a red button and there were three other identical buttons. I pushed all of them, extracted my dagger, and ran back. I hugged everyone. Freedom was delicious.
"Xan would not realise that we were gone until a day later," Father sobered. Running back, he packed our things and we left the island, off to a new start.
Until this day, I still have that dagger which set us free.