By: Qianmo Tu

It feels good to finally smell the fresh spring air. I walk around our front yard, taking in the beautiful tulips I planted. I crouch low in the weeds as a shadow in the house moves and says, “Su Ming? Where are you?” Oh! Right, I forgot to tell Su Jing I want to get some fresh air! I crawl across the damp ground and creep into the house through an open window.

“Su Jing, I’m right here, don’t worry,” I said, tucking the thick mattress tightly around my shy sister. She smiled at me and then fell asleep again. It doesn’t matter that she’s 9 already, she’ll always be my little sister. Of course, it’s not like I myself am very old, only 11. Su Jing and I are both orphans since our parents died when I was 4, and I’ve been caring for her ever since. Mrs. Liu, my mom’s friend, helps us a lot.

“Su Ming, it’s only six in the morning, don’t wake up your sister, she still has school,” said Mrs. Liu. She stands at her doorway, smiling at me as she holds Su Jing’s lunch in her hands. Her house is opposite mine, so she can always see me through her window.

“Thanks Mrs. Liu, how could we ever do without you?” I say, bounding out of our window and across the dirt road to Mrs. Liu.

“Don’t mention it, my dear, you are certainly a lot smarter than Su Jing, both of you should go to school,” she says as she hands me the food. “I can pay for your expenses and everything.” I shake my head as always, my ponytail swishing black hair around my face.

Although working for China’s Secret Associate of Ninja’s isn’t the best job, it pays enough for Su Jing and me to live well. “See you later, Mrs. Liu!” I say before I head back into my house. I go into the closet and take out Su Jing’s school uniform. “Wake up Su Jing, time for school.” I push her into a sitting position and braid her hair. Then I drop her off at school before heading to the training area. Beep beep beep, beep beep beep. Oh! The alarm! I rush into the changing room to put on my mask before checking out the problem. Hmm, it’s a burglar at the bank!

I run to the bank to find a man in black pulling out wads of money from a safe. I sneak closer and hide behind a box. The man gets to his feet and that’s when I attack him. I kick him in the legs and tie him up for the police. Easy. Then I hurry to go pick up my little sister.