Lin 1

Kar Shin Lin

Ms. Thompson
AP Language and Composition
16 May 2015
The List
Only one more. For there was a goal, and it has come for the crossroads of my destiny.
For a long time, people have disgraced this village in attempts of notorious social acceptance and
wealth. The victimization of families have left this village scared and divided. People must pay,
and my crusade is to rid this world of fear and inferiority of those who killed, bought, and bribed
their way to wealth.
Long days have been spent cautiously calculating every takedown, every sense of mutiny,
and every method of sabotage. The execution of my plan must be flawless, giving closure to
those most affected by people like Thomas Jones, Adam Lawson, and Korek Futurdo. These men
take pleasure and willingness to cower behind the loopholes of the law and fear that dominate
and possess our lives. I have personally felt the effects of this tyranny. This oligarchy is
methodical picking out the most vulnerable of the group and singling them out. The operation
of their terror has existed for decades, but no one has the power to nullify such acts.
For the majority of this decade, I was thought to have disappeared from this universe.
People said it was a fishing accident out at sea; a tragedy during a storm. But I knew it wasnt.
Rise of mutiny within this group was quickly expunged, and I was not the first. Cunning, the
group saw my quick rise and took action. I was one of them; I had no mercy in rising from other
peoples misery and despair. Destruction of homes and families had no place in my mind. The
only obsession I had was to be on top. I was greedy for power and kept doing unthinkable, rash

Lin 2
actions. Inexcusable actions brought me to this state, this mindset, and these conditions. My
troubles and hardships are what it took for me to realize my destiny and goals toward this world
and its inhabitants.
Returning from such a prison, the relationship with my sister especially continued as if I
was always home.
What did you think about? She would interrogate.
You, mom, and dad mostly. That island was a prison, you know? The ultimate punisher
was survival; the will to live was the most excruciating, I announce. Every day on that island, I
plotted my revenge against this village and vowed everyday to make things right: to bring back
the original life in the village where the people lived freely and governed themselves, not those
who cheat their way to power. To restore its original balance and peace, I must go beyond what I
am and become the person I need to be. The day my father died on that island, my crucible
started. No where could I go to obtain help. He always used to say, Where ever you are,
whenever it is, things will never go so far that you cant fix them. After talking with my sister,
she left, unable to respond to the kind of torture I endured on that island. Left scarred and
broken, my only purpose in this world is to bring them down.
For months, slowly, I have taken out the members, one by one. The groups largest threat,
right under their noses but undiscoverable, was succeeding. Sabotage was working; the group
became cowards and started to run. As a result, takedowns became harder, and those highest in
the hierarchy would be near impossible to track down. Though time consuming, my work paid
off. The group dwindled in size and strength until every member was either dead or cruelly
punished. Their effects of this city have been effaced from our minds. Now, as I near end in the
search from balance, only one man stands between us, Adam Lawson. This man was no ordinary

Lin 3
person; he was powerful, well resourced, and protected at all times. Lawson would be the most
challenging to end, but a necessary milestone in declaring oppression over and social equality
declared.
Apart from my vigilante-like persona, which fuels my drive to fulfill my destiny, I, too,
am a man who has social appearances and friends in my village. None other is more important
than Tommy Buford. Weve known each other since birth. I trust him with my life, and only he
could truly understand me before this whole mess.
Lets go! The boats wont be there forever. Once the hunters go fishing, who knows
how long wed have to wait, Tommy insisted as I treaded along the thick forests of our villages
backyard. Tommy, a long childhood friend, was the one person so far I could be with that didnt
bring me back to the days of torture.
Simmer down! The Hunters dont leave till dusk; they wont be a problem. All were
doing is riding them. Itll be okay.
Just you wait. We not allowed to be here, everyone knows that, Tommy persisted as we
reached near the coast of our metropolis village.
As we launched ourselves from the docks we laughed out of joy. My mind had succumbs
to the darkest of thoughts that joy had almost become an unknown feeling to me. Tommy
reminded me of the joy I had before any of this, when I was a teenager, just finding my place and
identity.
First one to that boulder wins, he exclaimed has he plummeted into the water in an
effort to the boulder.
Oh well see, I teased as I tore off my shirt and also inclined into the water.

Lin 4
On the boulder, Tommy and I laughed and wrestled to claim victory. Thats when he saw.
All he did was stare flabbergasted. It was something I got quite frequently. Lines of red
descended down my back. Pools of blood encase by body from the inside. Once it began, I
immediately understood what was coming. The forecast was sympathy. They think they know
what its like to be stranded on an island for years. Not knowing if I would live or die; each day
was a mystery. What happened in the past cannot be fixed. It can only be made better by
resolutions in the future.
I never knew, why didnt you tell me? Tommy instantly declares in an apologetic
manner as he is just in shock to see me in such condition.
Its in the past; we dont need that kind of talk here. Im fine, I reassured him, after
long countless conversations where each one tried so hard to rip open my emotions.
That island changed you. We used to do so many daunting things before; now youre
just colorlessnot paying attention to anything, giving no input, or giving the luxury of letting
people know what you went through and how you had to survive,
You dont understand! This isnt what I wanted. I didnt ask for 7 years of isolation.
Everything was so simple on that island. Not having any responsibilities, I could think clearly
about the world and my life. I didnt have to care or worry about anything. I didnt have anything
to live for until I came back, I poured out as I tried to hold back the tears flooding my eyes.
People can help, Eric. We understand what you went through wasnt easy, and you need
time to adapt to your original ways. Its not,
Stop! Youre wrong! It was easy. For the first time in my life, days on that island felt
like freedom. No one expected anything from me. I didnt have anyone to prove anything to
anyone. I could do whatever, however, I interrupted.

Lin 5
The night went quiet as Tommy and I stopped talking. All I wanted to do was go home
and forget this day for the better. Beams of light flaming above us guided our strokes through the
water. The boat and had long drifted away in the pull of the tides. Our bodies shivered and
twitched as we retained fears in the water from affecting us. Crashes of tides on the rocky shore
gave us a clue as to how much farther we had to continue gliding along the water. Sounds
echoing from the forest, with the moon illuminating our shadows along the water horizon, gave
an ominous feel for the shoreline.
The following day, my plans for Adam Lawson were finally in sights. The day I yearned
for since my rescue on that island had finally arrived. Since the first attacks on the group, I have
adapted to use one weapon to balance the world. A hand-carved wooden piece of art that deals a
deadly arrow towards its opposition arms me with protection but also with confidence. Leader of
the group, Adam Lawson, will have people to sacrifice and wont think twice about ever
betraying those closest to him. This final act of restoration must be swift and fulfillingfor he
must know he failed this village, and he will not be shown mercy.
Two guards, four people, and Adam Lawson. These people stand in my way in achieving
the end to my crusade. Owls hoot in the distance as the full moon casts a thin blanket of light
over the village. Leaves rustle and blow in the wind from tree to tree. The full duration of my
takeover must be decisive and curt. As the night gets weary, the guards slouch in position, tilting
their heads in the most efficient method of getting some rest. My opportunity has come. Stealthy
like, I scrabble along the wall inching closer and closer. The unaware guards, oblivious to their
downfall, are dismayed when I only my slightest movements impair their ability to even lift their
backs from the dirt surface outside the building. Once inside, I continue on with intent, going
straight for the secret doorway to the underground levels of the infrastructure. Musty and barren,

Lin 6
the long tunnel at the bottom of the staircase gives me a sense of assurance and suspense. The
walk to victory; I ponder a quick second to assess my situation. All that is left is my
confrontation with Lawson. Torches line themselves along the walls of the tunnel. Almost
implausible to penetrate, the wooden double doors at the end contain a dark, dingy room with no
one in sight. This isnt it. Months of careful surveillance does not explain an empty room.
There must be another room. There must be another room. There must be another
room, I say over and over. Doubt cannot poison my mind. Carefully, without detection, I lay
waste to the room searching even the most bizarre places. Finally, under the desk in the far
corner, a rug covers a cellar. This has to be it.
As I crash down the cellar latch, people astonished threw themselves to the ground. The
mere satisfaction of seeing the dumbfounded faces of criminals gave me a jolt of energy.
Adam Lawson! Where are you? I exclaimed hoping for a panicked reaction from the
crowd. The torch which I grabbed from the tunnel brightened the room and the faces which just
stare in pure fear. The superiority I possessed seemed the perfect kind of irony as I searched the
cluster of people. The fire made things congested. I dodged and pushed my way to the back,
where a person stood, with the least bit of fear. Here was Adam Lawson. Here was the man who
watched peoples destruction for much of his life. Here is the man who took money from
families barely able to sustain a living or feed their children. Here is the man who took me
prisoner and threw me on an island to rot. I will show this man no mercy as he is executed to the
upmost justice.
Do you remember me? I asked, as I removed my hood and stood proudly in front of
him. His eyes were unflinching. They were colder than the ocean on an arctic day. He refused to
look at me, and I quickly grew tired of this game he thinks we play. DO YOU REMEMBER

Lin 7
ME? I exclaim one more time. His neck in my arms on the cold stone wall, he stubbornly
answers.
Yes, he responds coldly. The tone of his voice gave me no satisfaction.
Do you know what you put me through? I got out of my mouth before I realized my
lacking of time. Do you know what that island is? I asked as his eyes return to the continuous
stare at the wall. He showed a restraint I had never seen. I finally realized my options. Adam
Lawson, you have failed this city, I proclaimed as I extended my arrow back on the string of the
bow. Carefully, the arrow reeled back. Not more than a second later, it was over. Blood
splattered all over the walls, and those nearest gasped. Each one calcified. Adam, hanging from
the wall, was dead. This world is now balanced. The oppression of those most powerful is gone
and this village can restore this era with an era of peace.
Looking back, I recall different facts of that day. The trouble I endured in my crusade for
equality and vengeance for those who lost their lives to these people was significant and worth it.
People live without fear of others, and they all possess a luxury much of this generation never
experiencedfree will.