By Aurora
“Dear ladies and gentlemen, please fasten your seatbelts. I am Captain Joe. The weather is fine and we are expecting a smooth journey to Japan. Please sit back and enjoy the facilities provided. We are taking off now,” the Captain announced. The metallic flying plane slowly accelerated into the sky smoothly. The slight pressure created a high pitch in my eardrum. “I will surely have a lot of fun when I reached there,” I giggled, totally unaware of the danger lurking.
I peeped out of the window. The blazing sun was radiating in the sky with the wind blowing the clouds rhythmically. Suddenly, inky black clouds started to triumphant the sky and the weather changed rapidly, totally different from the forecast. Distant jabs of orange sparks struck the sky continuously, changing the colour of the sky from blue to orange and then to black. It was just like fireworks illuminating the sky at night. Then, a blanket of heavy rain pelted relentlessly on the plane like machine guns.
“We have to take a detour through a mountain pass. We apologise for the inconvenience caused,” Captain Joe said. The mountains were closely packed, making it complicated to pass through. The novice pilots were well trained in what books they had taught them to but had no experience passing through such mountains. Abruptly, a mountain appeared too close. Despite their attempts in swerving the plane, it took out a wing. Horrible screeching of twisted metals reached my ears. Sparks flew from its torn wing as the plane hurtled towards the ground at high velocity. Some passengers were flung off from their seats. “The plane is going to explode,” I muttered under my breath. Adrenaline was pumped through my entire system. Beads of perspiration started trickling down from my forehead.
There was no doubt that the plane was going to crash. The massive explosion rocked the plane. The whole iron monster broke into halves and was devoured by fiery flames. Red demons licked the plane, surrounding the people in it, as though they were celebrating the victory of a successful capture of their preys. Mushroom-shaped clouds of pewter grey smoke curled up into the air, vanishing into wisps of smoke. The acrid smoke was choking everyone upon every breath they inhaled. The inferno advanced inch by inch, devouring everything into its path. I crouched low, trying to get oxygen into my deprived lungs and concentrated on one thing –escaping from the plane. By now, I could feel the intense heat in the plane.
“Where is the exit?” I inquired, squinting in the smoke. The exit was nearby. My legs felt like lead but I forced them to carry me forward. “Few more steps,” I encouraged myself to carry on. “Finally!” I exclaimed. I reached the exit and got out from there safely. “Help me……” someone mumbled. I scanned around to find a man struggling to get out. I went towards him and pulled him along with me. Together, we got out of the plane to a safe area. When I was taking a breather, a loud explosion was heard. I wheeled around and saw that the plane had exploded. Tongues of flames were engulfing the entire plane. “Our chances of being rescued were slim. We might die here,” the man told me. “For now, the fire and smoke from the plane will help us attract attention,” I whispered to the man. However, we were not rescued that day and the fire from the plane died down after some time, along with the smoke.
The next day, both of us were growing weak from hunger and I knew I had to do something to attract attention to our plight. I rummaged through my pockets only to find a box of matchsticks. I remembered that I had stolen this box of matchsticks from my mother’s cupboard. Suddenly, an idea struck my mind. “Smoke signals!” I exclaimed. I went to gather some twigs and struck a matchstick against the box. I lit the twigs and smoke rise up.At around noon, a helicopter whizzed past us. “A helicopter! We are being rescued!” I exclaimed. My expression altered from loneliness to happiness as my eyes flickered with a gleam of hope. “You are right, we are being rescued!” the man exclaimed before whooping with joy. The helicopter slowly landed on the ground and we boarded it.
We were taken back to the airport. “Are you all right? Are you hurt?” my mother asked. Concerns and worries were all written on her face. “I am fine and not hurt at all,” I said with a grin. “What about the scratch on your leg,” my brother inquired. “That is just a small injury. Need not worry about that,” I assured them. I was indeed lucky to be one of the two only survivors of that flight.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Train Accident
By Amanda
“Give me back my toy gun!” shouted Tommy as he weaved in and out of the crowd, trying to catch Fienze. “I’ll give it to you over my dead body!” Fienze screamed over the hubbub. It was six o’clock, the peak and rush hour at the MRT station. Fienze and Tommy were waiting for their parents to arrive at the platform of the Yishun MRT station. Meanwhile, the energetic boys started playing a game of catch.
“Passengers, for your own safety, please stand behind the yellow line.” A voice droned over the speakers. Too engrossed in their game of ‘catch’ to heed the advice, Tommy continues chasing Fienze. Fienze too continued scrambling through the legs and bags of the passengers. Just as Tommy was about to pounce on Fienze, Fienze saw an opening in the crowd. He raced through it. At that moment, he felt weightless as if he was walking on the moon. He looked down and to his horror, he realized that he was air-borne. In an instant, he fell onto the tracks with a sickening thud.
“Fienze!” Tommy shouted, stricken with fear. Panic engulfed Tommy as he saw Fienze laying helplessly on the tracks. “Hold onto my hand!” screamed Tommy. Every time Fienze tried to catch hold of Tommy’s hands, he was short by a few inches.
The tracks began vibrating. The train had appeared around a bend. A gasp issued from the crowd. “Quick! Grab hold of my hand now!” exclaimed Tommy. Trembling, Fienze tried to reach for the hand that was right above him. More hands appeared as a few young men bent down to help him.There was a sudden blaring of a horn. The train thundered closer and closer. Fienze frantically tried to reach the hands above him but to no avail. The headlights of the train were now a sea of white. “Jump!” someone shouted from the crowd, but Fienze did not move a single inch. Bang! There was a deafening loud bang as the train hit Fienze. “AHHH” a scream erupted from Fienze. “Nooo!” screamed Tommy, “no! Not Fienze!”
As the train departed from the station, the body of Fienze lay on the tracks, as lifeless as a doll. Suddenly, sirens could be heard. One of the on-lookers had called for the ambulance. Fienze was sent to the hospital. Five minutes later, Tommy and Fienze’s parents were pacing up and down the corridor of the hospital anxiously, muttering prayers under their breath. A few hours later, the doctor came out of the surgery room. His face told it all-Fienze was dead. Tears streamed down Tommy‘s eyes. No words could express his agony.If only he had not played with Fienze…If only they had not waited at the MRT station. If only……
“Give me back my toy gun!” shouted Tommy as he weaved in and out of the crowd, trying to catch Fienze. “I’ll give it to you over my dead body!” Fienze screamed over the hubbub. It was six o’clock, the peak and rush hour at the MRT station. Fienze and Tommy were waiting for their parents to arrive at the platform of the Yishun MRT station. Meanwhile, the energetic boys started playing a game of catch.
“Passengers, for your own safety, please stand behind the yellow line.” A voice droned over the speakers. Too engrossed in their game of ‘catch’ to heed the advice, Tommy continues chasing Fienze. Fienze too continued scrambling through the legs and bags of the passengers. Just as Tommy was about to pounce on Fienze, Fienze saw an opening in the crowd. He raced through it. At that moment, he felt weightless as if he was walking on the moon. He looked down and to his horror, he realized that he was air-borne. In an instant, he fell onto the tracks with a sickening thud.
“Fienze!” Tommy shouted, stricken with fear. Panic engulfed Tommy as he saw Fienze laying helplessly on the tracks. “Hold onto my hand!” screamed Tommy. Every time Fienze tried to catch hold of Tommy’s hands, he was short by a few inches.
The tracks began vibrating. The train had appeared around a bend. A gasp issued from the crowd. “Quick! Grab hold of my hand now!” exclaimed Tommy. Trembling, Fienze tried to reach for the hand that was right above him. More hands appeared as a few young men bent down to help him.There was a sudden blaring of a horn. The train thundered closer and closer. Fienze frantically tried to reach the hands above him but to no avail. The headlights of the train were now a sea of white. “Jump!” someone shouted from the crowd, but Fienze did not move a single inch. Bang! There was a deafening loud bang as the train hit Fienze. “AHHH” a scream erupted from Fienze. “Nooo!” screamed Tommy, “no! Not Fienze!”
As the train departed from the station, the body of Fienze lay on the tracks, as lifeless as a doll. Suddenly, sirens could be heard. One of the on-lookers had called for the ambulance. Fienze was sent to the hospital. Five minutes later, Tommy and Fienze’s parents were pacing up and down the corridor of the hospital anxiously, muttering prayers under their breath. A few hours later, the doctor came out of the surgery room. His face told it all-Fienze was dead. Tears streamed down Tommy‘s eyes. No words could express his agony.If only he had not played with Fienze…If only they had not waited at the MRT station. If only……
A Mysterious Letter
By Amanda
“Mum, may I go to the park to try out my new skates?” I asked. “Please?” I added hurriedly. “Yeah, OK.” My mother replied. I walked to the nearby park in high spirits.
I reached my destination within a few minutes. “Finally, I can try out my brand new skates,” I muttered under my breath. As happy as a lark, I put on my skates and started in-line skating.. “Wee…” I shouted, unable to contain my joy. I started skating at breakneck speed. Suddenly, I saw a huge rock right in front of me. I swerved to my right to avoid the rock and fell onto the grass. Blood oozed out of my right knee and elbow. I gritted my teeth and tried to stand up, trying to bear with the excruciating pain. Then, my left leg hit onto something hard - a wallet. It was small and brown. “What does this contain?” I wondered aloud. Burning with curiosity, I opened the small wallet. The only object I found in the wallet was a piece of paper. It reads ‘Meet me at the warehouse that you would find at 22 Avenue. The usual thing and 200 dollars for it. 7pm’. The words ‘usual thing’, ‘200’ and ‘it’ were highlighted in blue.
Ware house? Money? Usual thing? My eyebrows kitted into a tight frown. I knew that warehouse. It was across the street where I lived. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw two men approaching me. Immediately, I smelt a rat. One was muscular with tattoos all over his body while the other was skinny and tall and had bloodshot eyes. ‘They must be coming to look for this.’ I thought. As fast as lightning, I threw the wallet onto the ground and pretend that nothing had happened. As expected, they asked, “Er… have you seen any brown wallet?” I shot them a quizzical look and shook my head. “Never mind!” the muscular man muttered.
The appearance of these two men made me more determined to look in into the matter. I checked my skates for damages. After confirming that everything was intact, I skated home.
After dinner that night, I ‘armed’ myself with a torchlight and a penknife. Then, I walked across street 21 and came into street 22. A dilapidated warehouse loomed into view. Although the sky had already darkened, light emitted from the warehouse.
As I was about to continue my way, a black cat’s meows startled me. I recalled my mother telling me that black cats were bad omens. My hair stood on ends and I started to feel uneasy. I gulped. “Don’t be silly. This is just superstition”, I reassured myself after pondering over it for a few minutes and decided to go ahead with my plans.
Once there, I crouched below the window and pressed my ears against the wall. I could make out some sounds, “Wow, I feel high!”
Curiosity burned in me. I peeped through the window and saw two muscular men and one skinny man. I stiffened with fear. What had I stumbled onto?
Suddenly, a strong of wind blew and I felt a strong urge to sneeze. “Haha…choo!” I sneezed. “Oh dear! Why must I sneeze now?” I cursed under my breath. “Intruders!” someone screamed.
Upon hearing that, I turned and ran helter-skelter no holds barred down 22 avenue. Soon, my chest heaved and I panted for breath from all the running. My legs felt like lead and my lungs burned as if pleading for me to stop but I was unrelenting. The shadows of the three man soon loomed over me as they closed the gap between us. Weeping in fear, I continued to run for my life.
In the distance, two figures appeared in my vision. I zeroed in my gaze at the two men. They were two policemen on patrol, I screamed frantically, “Help!” This alert the two policemen and they ran towards us like bullet trains. When the drug dealers saw the policemen, they attempted to turn around and disappear. But it was too late. The policemen brought the men down with flying tackles. Packets of drugs were found on them. As the drug dealers were brought away, they fixed their cold eyes on me and cursed under their breath.
The drug dealers were sentenced to life imprisonment for smuggling drugs into Singapore. From that day onwards, I swore that I would not let curiosity get the better of me. I learned a valuable lesson that day-curiosity kills the cat.
“Mum, may I go to the park to try out my new skates?” I asked. “Please?” I added hurriedly. “Yeah, OK.” My mother replied. I walked to the nearby park in high spirits.
I reached my destination within a few minutes. “Finally, I can try out my brand new skates,” I muttered under my breath. As happy as a lark, I put on my skates and started in-line skating.. “Wee…” I shouted, unable to contain my joy. I started skating at breakneck speed. Suddenly, I saw a huge rock right in front of me. I swerved to my right to avoid the rock and fell onto the grass. Blood oozed out of my right knee and elbow. I gritted my teeth and tried to stand up, trying to bear with the excruciating pain. Then, my left leg hit onto something hard - a wallet. It was small and brown. “What does this contain?” I wondered aloud. Burning with curiosity, I opened the small wallet. The only object I found in the wallet was a piece of paper. It reads ‘Meet me at the warehouse that you would find at 22 Avenue. The usual thing and 200 dollars for it. 7pm’. The words ‘usual thing’, ‘200’ and ‘it’ were highlighted in blue.
Ware house? Money? Usual thing? My eyebrows kitted into a tight frown. I knew that warehouse. It was across the street where I lived. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw two men approaching me. Immediately, I smelt a rat. One was muscular with tattoos all over his body while the other was skinny and tall and had bloodshot eyes. ‘They must be coming to look for this.’ I thought. As fast as lightning, I threw the wallet onto the ground and pretend that nothing had happened. As expected, they asked, “Er… have you seen any brown wallet?” I shot them a quizzical look and shook my head. “Never mind!” the muscular man muttered.
The appearance of these two men made me more determined to look in into the matter. I checked my skates for damages. After confirming that everything was intact, I skated home.
After dinner that night, I ‘armed’ myself with a torchlight and a penknife. Then, I walked across street 21 and came into street 22. A dilapidated warehouse loomed into view. Although the sky had already darkened, light emitted from the warehouse.
As I was about to continue my way, a black cat’s meows startled me. I recalled my mother telling me that black cats were bad omens. My hair stood on ends and I started to feel uneasy. I gulped. “Don’t be silly. This is just superstition”, I reassured myself after pondering over it for a few minutes and decided to go ahead with my plans.
Once there, I crouched below the window and pressed my ears against the wall. I could make out some sounds, “Wow, I feel high!”
Curiosity burned in me. I peeped through the window and saw two muscular men and one skinny man. I stiffened with fear. What had I stumbled onto?
Suddenly, a strong of wind blew and I felt a strong urge to sneeze. “Haha…choo!” I sneezed. “Oh dear! Why must I sneeze now?” I cursed under my breath. “Intruders!” someone screamed.
Upon hearing that, I turned and ran helter-skelter no holds barred down 22 avenue. Soon, my chest heaved and I panted for breath from all the running. My legs felt like lead and my lungs burned as if pleading for me to stop but I was unrelenting. The shadows of the three man soon loomed over me as they closed the gap between us. Weeping in fear, I continued to run for my life.
In the distance, two figures appeared in my vision. I zeroed in my gaze at the two men. They were two policemen on patrol, I screamed frantically, “Help!” This alert the two policemen and they ran towards us like bullet trains. When the drug dealers saw the policemen, they attempted to turn around and disappear. But it was too late. The policemen brought the men down with flying tackles. Packets of drugs were found on them. As the drug dealers were brought away, they fixed their cold eyes on me and cursed under their breath.
The drug dealers were sentenced to life imprisonment for smuggling drugs into Singapore. From that day onwards, I swore that I would not let curiosity get the better of me. I learned a valuable lesson that day-curiosity kills the cat.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
♥Noisy neighbour!♥
By Saung
“Photosynthesis only takes place…” Da Da Dee Da! My thought was disturbed by the loud music coming from the next door. It wasn’t the first time. My parents had gone overseas on a business trip, leaving me to suffer alone. There is a science test tomorrow but I have not even finished revising the first topic, not mentioning the sleepless nights I had.
My face turned to a deep shade of molten lava. I clenched my jaws and curled my hands into tight fists. “But what can I do? I am just a normal secondary schoolgirl,” I glared at the notes and sighed. “What I need now the most is a good night’s sleep. At least I won’t fall asleep during lessons.” With this thought, I went to bed and covered my ears with my pillow. I fell asleep with the thought that the music would stop soon.
At around 3 am, I was awoken by the loud blaring music from that house. ‘What wrong had I done in my past life to deserve such a neighbour?’ I wondered. Out of anger, I went straight to that house’s door and started singing all the songs I knew in my loudest voice. There was a momentary silence in the air. I went back to my room and sank onto the bed. Then, the music started again. “I will deal with him tomorrow. I will,” I murmured.
I plugged in my ear plugs and tried to get back to sleep. I woke up again at six when my alarm clock sounded. I got ready for school and waited for the school bus to arrive at my house. When I boarded the school bus, everyone pointed at me and started laughing. I walked to the seat beside my best friend in awe and anger. “Is there something wrong with me?” I asked. “See for yourself!” she replied with a giggle as she handed me a pocket mirror. I could not believe my eyes! My eyes were red and swollen with dark eye shadows below them. My face turned to a deep shade of red. Smoke seemed to billow out of my ears. Out of humiliation and anger, I went straight to the back of the bus and sat alone.
When we arrived at our destination, I went to the class, covering my face with a file. Soon, Ms Tan, our science teacher arrived. “Ok class, I am going to give out the science test papers,” she announced as she gave out the papers. The first question was easy. I got the answer in a few seconds. The second question wasn’t that hard either. But when it came to the third question, I could not even understand the question! “Never mind, just go on to the next question,” I encouraged myself. The fourth question was worse! My mind went blank! I really hated my neighbour. He was going to get it from me after school!
Soon, time was up and I handed in the paper reluctantly. Lessons went on as normal and soon it was time for dismissal. I went to my neighbour’s door and knocked on the door as hard as I could. A lady and a man came out. “Yes?” he asked. I told them about the problem and how it was affecting me. “Something is wrong! We work the night shift and are not at home every night, unless of course, our son is causing all these trouble! I am very sorry. I will scold my son and ensure that all this doesn’t repeat.”
The next day, I got back the science paper. I was not surprised that I had failed! When I returned home, my parents were sitting on the sofa with anger shown on their faces. “I just received a call from your Science teacher. What’s wrong with you?” she demanded. I explained everything to them and they forgave me.
It was not so bad after all. At least, from now on, I would be able to have peaceful nights.
“Photosynthesis only takes place…” Da Da Dee Da! My thought was disturbed by the loud music coming from the next door. It wasn’t the first time. My parents had gone overseas on a business trip, leaving me to suffer alone. There is a science test tomorrow but I have not even finished revising the first topic, not mentioning the sleepless nights I had.
My face turned to a deep shade of molten lava. I clenched my jaws and curled my hands into tight fists. “But what can I do? I am just a normal secondary schoolgirl,” I glared at the notes and sighed. “What I need now the most is a good night’s sleep. At least I won’t fall asleep during lessons.” With this thought, I went to bed and covered my ears with my pillow. I fell asleep with the thought that the music would stop soon.
At around 3 am, I was awoken by the loud blaring music from that house. ‘What wrong had I done in my past life to deserve such a neighbour?’ I wondered. Out of anger, I went straight to that house’s door and started singing all the songs I knew in my loudest voice. There was a momentary silence in the air. I went back to my room and sank onto the bed. Then, the music started again. “I will deal with him tomorrow. I will,” I murmured.
I plugged in my ear plugs and tried to get back to sleep. I woke up again at six when my alarm clock sounded. I got ready for school and waited for the school bus to arrive at my house. When I boarded the school bus, everyone pointed at me and started laughing. I walked to the seat beside my best friend in awe and anger. “Is there something wrong with me?” I asked. “See for yourself!” she replied with a giggle as she handed me a pocket mirror. I could not believe my eyes! My eyes were red and swollen with dark eye shadows below them. My face turned to a deep shade of red. Smoke seemed to billow out of my ears. Out of humiliation and anger, I went straight to the back of the bus and sat alone.
When we arrived at our destination, I went to the class, covering my face with a file. Soon, Ms Tan, our science teacher arrived. “Ok class, I am going to give out the science test papers,” she announced as she gave out the papers. The first question was easy. I got the answer in a few seconds. The second question wasn’t that hard either. But when it came to the third question, I could not even understand the question! “Never mind, just go on to the next question,” I encouraged myself. The fourth question was worse! My mind went blank! I really hated my neighbour. He was going to get it from me after school!
Soon, time was up and I handed in the paper reluctantly. Lessons went on as normal and soon it was time for dismissal. I went to my neighbour’s door and knocked on the door as hard as I could. A lady and a man came out. “Yes?” he asked. I told them about the problem and how it was affecting me. “Something is wrong! We work the night shift and are not at home every night, unless of course, our son is causing all these trouble! I am very sorry. I will scold my son and ensure that all this doesn’t repeat.”
The next day, I got back the science paper. I was not surprised that I had failed! When I returned home, my parents were sitting on the sofa with anger shown on their faces. “I just received a call from your Science teacher. What’s wrong with you?” she demanded. I explained everything to them and they forgave me.
It was not so bad after all. At least, from now on, I would be able to have peaceful nights.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Hijacked
By HLin
"Sir, what would you like to have for your dinner?" The hospitable air stewardess greeted me politely, handing me the menu. I flipped through the menu, unable to decide on which set of meal to choose. Lamb chop, steak, mutton, fish.... chicken! I smiled to myself as I imagine myself sinking my teeth into the tender skin of the chicken.. how nice it would be! "Sir?" I was jolted out of my reverie when the air stewardess asked again. "Roasted chicken please," I said, returning her the menu and continued to rest on my comfortable seat. I couldn't wait to reach America. I was the representative for Singapore for the annual Sky-diving competition, a highly dangerous yet exciting sport.
An aroma of roasted chicken wafted into my nose. The smell was heavenly. Minutes later, the air stewardess served my meal. The sight of it made me drool and I immediately grabbed my cutleries and started to eat. I savoured every moment in this 'business class' plane, but little did I know that danger was lurking in it.
"Excellent!" I muttered to myself, smacking my lips at the same time. I rubbed my belly. "How wonderful it is to be in this plane," I thought and drifted away to my dreamland.
"Aarrh! Aarh!" Incessant cries jolted me out of my dream. What happened? I scanned around. The full impact of what I was seeing hit me. A masked man was pointing a gun at a petite lady. Everyone's eyes were on them, fear written across their faces. An old man was quavering like a leaf. The lady beside me was stupified. I looked at the masked man and the petite lady again. I could see a glint of panic in her eyes although she looked very composed. "What are you trying to do?" She asked, her mouth quavering. " Oh girl, don't worry," the masked man paused, his eyes scanned around the plane and he pointed at the passengers in the plane,"but, if anyone of the people here follows us, that person would perish," he said and emphasized on the word 'perish' as if he enjoyed the word rolling over his tongue. What was happening and who was the masked man? Why was everybody afraid? Was he a murderer? A psycho? Or a homicide killer? Or... a hijacker? I shook in fear as the 9/11 incident flashed across my mind. What is the date today? "9,10...11..11!" Exactly 9/11! Oh no! Why did I board this plane today? I must be out of my mind! Why didn't I count the date before I bought this ticket? "Calm down, John, you might be just imagining things," I told myself. I asked the man in front of me what had happened. He stuttered, "He..He..He.. s..said..that..he..is..O..Osa...Osama!" I froze. Did I hear wrongly? Osama? The world's most wanted, most notorious terrorist? Wasn't he the one involved in the 9/11 incident? I couldn't believe my ears. Terrorists! Osama would definitely kill everyone in the plane. That would be horrible.
Suddenly,the plane began to shake violently, sending plates and cups flying in all directions. I was assaulted by the flying shrapnel of a plate and a deep cut seared across my leg instantly. The lights in the plane began flickering. What now? I knew I had to act fast if I wanted my life. However, I must save everybody's life too! Getting to my feet, I raced to the cockpit, only to see the petite lady shot in the heart. I looked around. The pilot and Osama were fighting for the control to steer the aeroplane. "Get away!" Osama shouted and pushed the pilot aside, but the latter was unrelenting. He got onto his feet and tried to regain control. Seeing this, I leapt onto Osama and shove him off the pilot's seat and he fell onto the ground. Taking advantage of his temporary disability, the pilot quickly steered the areoplane. Scrambling to his feet, Osama flung me a well-aimed punch and I fell backwards and hit the metal wall behind. "My spine!" I groaned as an excruciating pain coursed through my entire body. Osama also showed no mercy to the pilot too. He knocked the pilot down and steered the plane. I lunged at Osama again but he was not hurt. Instead he grinned. I could see a maniac glint in his eyes now. He began to rain punches on me but I ducked and quickly escaped from him.
The plane rocked even more violently now as the plane was descending. I knew everyone on the plane was doomed. Screams filled the plane and soon everything we saw outside the window became blurred. "Hahaha!" I could hear the laughter of Osama a few metres away. My eyes widened as I felt the plane plunging down with its nose pointing at the ground. Everything was thrown sideways in the plane. I gasped. I knew I had to escape right now. If not, I would die in this plane crash.
I struggled to open the main emergency exit. "Everyone, escape from here!" I shouted but my voice could not be heard over the screams and shouts. I must escape now or there would be no chance after this. I prayed hard as I was unsure if I would survive. I bit my lips and tied a long rope on a long sturdy pole in the plane. Using all my energy, I pushed the door wide open. The distance from where I was to the ground was quite short. I know I must jump know if not I would perish. Closing my eyes, I held the long rope and jumped out of the plane.
I did not dare to open my eyes but I climbed slowly down the rope. I looked downwards. About five more seconds and the plane was going to crash on the land! I quickly jumped to the ground and ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I looked behind. One more second and the plane would land and explode. Carrying my legs forward, I jumped into a pit.
Bomb! The plane exploded into fiery tongues of flames as it crashed into the ground. The flames licked the plane with a vengeance and devoured everything in its path. Pewter grey smoke curled up into the air like a huge ball, vanishing into wisps of smoke. I landed in a pit, a few metres away from the inferno. I hurried to my feet. I had to blink a few times as my vision was now blurred and the world seemed to be whirling around me. I knew it was because of the smoke. I staggered to move forward but I dropped to the ground as the last thin thread of consciousness slipped away and I was swept into oblivion.
I rubbed my eyes. Everything swam before I could open my eyes fully. I scanned the room. Everything around me was white. Where was I? In heaven? "John, you're awake! Don't sit up," my puffy-eyed mother hastily got up and pressed me back on the bed. "What happened, Mummy?" I asked, grinning. "John, I've got a terrible news to tell you. John, you..you can't ...sky-dive now because your spine is too badly hurt." Her sobs escalated into wails and she raced out of my room. It took me a moment to digest what my mother was saying. I shook my head, My mind was a complete blank. I couldn't believe my ears. This was not true! I shook my head. This couldn't be true! Tears cascaded down my cheeks. I couldn't skydive! How could that be? I couldn't give it up! Sky diving was part of my life. I did not want to live any more.
A few days later, this incident was reported in the headlines of the newspaper. I learnt that I was the sole survivor of this ordeal. Actually, the masked man was not Osama but one of his diehard supporters. He became insane later on but did not forget his yearning to become a terrorist like Osama and so hijacked a plane like him. He died in the explosion when the plane crashed.
After much counselling and encouragement from my parents and friends, I found the will to live and took up a hobby-collecting pictures of people skydiving. My love for sky-diving continued and I gained more knowledge of this sport through reading.
"Sir, what would you like to have for your dinner?" The hospitable air stewardess greeted me politely, handing me the menu. I flipped through the menu, unable to decide on which set of meal to choose. Lamb chop, steak, mutton, fish.... chicken! I smiled to myself as I imagine myself sinking my teeth into the tender skin of the chicken.. how nice it would be! "Sir?" I was jolted out of my reverie when the air stewardess asked again. "Roasted chicken please," I said, returning her the menu and continued to rest on my comfortable seat. I couldn't wait to reach America. I was the representative for Singapore for the annual Sky-diving competition, a highly dangerous yet exciting sport.
An aroma of roasted chicken wafted into my nose. The smell was heavenly. Minutes later, the air stewardess served my meal. The sight of it made me drool and I immediately grabbed my cutleries and started to eat. I savoured every moment in this 'business class' plane, but little did I know that danger was lurking in it.
"Excellent!" I muttered to myself, smacking my lips at the same time. I rubbed my belly. "How wonderful it is to be in this plane," I thought and drifted away to my dreamland.
"Aarrh! Aarh!" Incessant cries jolted me out of my dream. What happened? I scanned around. The full impact of what I was seeing hit me. A masked man was pointing a gun at a petite lady. Everyone's eyes were on them, fear written across their faces. An old man was quavering like a leaf. The lady beside me was stupified. I looked at the masked man and the petite lady again. I could see a glint of panic in her eyes although she looked very composed. "What are you trying to do?" She asked, her mouth quavering. " Oh girl, don't worry," the masked man paused, his eyes scanned around the plane and he pointed at the passengers in the plane,"but, if anyone of the people here follows us, that person would perish," he said and emphasized on the word 'perish' as if he enjoyed the word rolling over his tongue. What was happening and who was the masked man? Why was everybody afraid? Was he a murderer? A psycho? Or a homicide killer? Or... a hijacker? I shook in fear as the 9/11 incident flashed across my mind. What is the date today? "9,10...11..11!" Exactly 9/11! Oh no! Why did I board this plane today? I must be out of my mind! Why didn't I count the date before I bought this ticket? "Calm down, John, you might be just imagining things," I told myself. I asked the man in front of me what had happened. He stuttered, "He..He..He.. s..said..that..he..is..O..Osa...Osama!" I froze. Did I hear wrongly? Osama? The world's most wanted, most notorious terrorist? Wasn't he the one involved in the 9/11 incident? I couldn't believe my ears. Terrorists! Osama would definitely kill everyone in the plane. That would be horrible.
Suddenly,the plane began to shake violently, sending plates and cups flying in all directions. I was assaulted by the flying shrapnel of a plate and a deep cut seared across my leg instantly. The lights in the plane began flickering. What now? I knew I had to act fast if I wanted my life. However, I must save everybody's life too! Getting to my feet, I raced to the cockpit, only to see the petite lady shot in the heart. I looked around. The pilot and Osama were fighting for the control to steer the aeroplane. "Get away!" Osama shouted and pushed the pilot aside, but the latter was unrelenting. He got onto his feet and tried to regain control. Seeing this, I leapt onto Osama and shove him off the pilot's seat and he fell onto the ground. Taking advantage of his temporary disability, the pilot quickly steered the areoplane. Scrambling to his feet, Osama flung me a well-aimed punch and I fell backwards and hit the metal wall behind. "My spine!" I groaned as an excruciating pain coursed through my entire body. Osama also showed no mercy to the pilot too. He knocked the pilot down and steered the plane. I lunged at Osama again but he was not hurt. Instead he grinned. I could see a maniac glint in his eyes now. He began to rain punches on me but I ducked and quickly escaped from him.
The plane rocked even more violently now as the plane was descending. I knew everyone on the plane was doomed. Screams filled the plane and soon everything we saw outside the window became blurred. "Hahaha!" I could hear the laughter of Osama a few metres away. My eyes widened as I felt the plane plunging down with its nose pointing at the ground. Everything was thrown sideways in the plane. I gasped. I knew I had to escape right now. If not, I would die in this plane crash.
I struggled to open the main emergency exit. "Everyone, escape from here!" I shouted but my voice could not be heard over the screams and shouts. I must escape now or there would be no chance after this. I prayed hard as I was unsure if I would survive. I bit my lips and tied a long rope on a long sturdy pole in the plane. Using all my energy, I pushed the door wide open. The distance from where I was to the ground was quite short. I know I must jump know if not I would perish. Closing my eyes, I held the long rope and jumped out of the plane.
I did not dare to open my eyes but I climbed slowly down the rope. I looked downwards. About five more seconds and the plane was going to crash on the land! I quickly jumped to the ground and ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I looked behind. One more second and the plane would land and explode. Carrying my legs forward, I jumped into a pit.
Bomb! The plane exploded into fiery tongues of flames as it crashed into the ground. The flames licked the plane with a vengeance and devoured everything in its path. Pewter grey smoke curled up into the air like a huge ball, vanishing into wisps of smoke. I landed in a pit, a few metres away from the inferno. I hurried to my feet. I had to blink a few times as my vision was now blurred and the world seemed to be whirling around me. I knew it was because of the smoke. I staggered to move forward but I dropped to the ground as the last thin thread of consciousness slipped away and I was swept into oblivion.
I rubbed my eyes. Everything swam before I could open my eyes fully. I scanned the room. Everything around me was white. Where was I? In heaven? "John, you're awake! Don't sit up," my puffy-eyed mother hastily got up and pressed me back on the bed. "What happened, Mummy?" I asked, grinning. "John, I've got a terrible news to tell you. John, you..you can't ...sky-dive now because your spine is too badly hurt." Her sobs escalated into wails and she raced out of my room. It took me a moment to digest what my mother was saying. I shook my head, My mind was a complete blank. I couldn't believe my ears. This was not true! I shook my head. This couldn't be true! Tears cascaded down my cheeks. I couldn't skydive! How could that be? I couldn't give it up! Sky diving was part of my life. I did not want to live any more.
A few days later, this incident was reported in the headlines of the newspaper. I learnt that I was the sole survivor of this ordeal. Actually, the masked man was not Osama but one of his diehard supporters. He became insane later on but did not forget his yearning to become a terrorist like Osama and so hijacked a plane like him. He died in the explosion when the plane crashed.
After much counselling and encouragement from my parents and friends, I found the will to live and took up a hobby-collecting pictures of people skydiving. My love for sky-diving continued and I gained more knowledge of this sport through reading.
Mischievous Leo
By Mich
"Hey sis! Look here!" Leo shouted. He stood beside the plastic mannequin outside the clothing shop. Putting his hand on his hips and keeping a straight face, he imitated the mannequin. I groaned. "Leo, come back!" I shouted through gritted teeth. I always wished my brother was never born. He was such a thorn in my flesh! Leo rushed to my side and broke into laughter. I glared at him in displeasure and stomped into the McDonald's restaurant furiously. Leo caught up behind me. I went over to a vacant table and pointed to the chair. "Sit here and don't move!" I commanded. Leo saluted and said, "Yes Mam!" He sat on the chair and broke into another one of his irritating laughter, slapping his thighs at the same time. I gave an exasperated sigh and hurried to the counter.
I grabbed the tray of food from the counter and made my way to my table. As I walked close to the table, Leo's eyes widened and he stared at me. "What?" I barked, irritated. "Sis! Don't move! There's a large, gigantic, monstrous spider on your arm!" he stuttered, pointing to my arm with trembling hands. I let out a terrified scream and dropped the tray on the floor. All the fries, burgers and cokes toppled and splattered on the floor. I continued screaming and brushed my arms hurriedly, trembling like a leaf at the same time. All of a sudden, Leo burst into an enormous laughter. He clutched his stomach and he laughed so hard that tears filled his eyes. I stood trembling from head to toe, and said, scanning the floor at the same time, "Where's that spider, where are you spider!" Then, I looked up and saw Leo laughing. Finally, I realized what had happened. Leo continued laughing, and managed to say between his laughter, "Oh my god, sis! You're so funny!" By that time, all eyes in the restaraunt were on me. The room was filled with an awkward silence. My ears turned pink and I was burning with humiliation. One of the people working in that restaurant came out with a mop. I apologised to the people. The customers turned back and continued eating their food.
My eyebrows furrowed darkly. I threw my arms in the air carelessly. "I've had enough of you!" I cried. I stormed out of the restaurant in a towering rage. Leo really had the knack of getting under my skin! Why must he always needle me beyond endurance? He didn't seem to respect me, not at all!
I swung my house door open in rage. As I dropped onto the sofa, my dog, Precious, tried to snuggle up to me. I pushed it away. "Stupid dog," I snarled, carrying it and flinging it into the storeroom. I slammed the door shut. Then, the door bell rang. I grabbed the doorknob and flung the door open. My eyes glinted with anger at the sight of who it was - Leo. "I'm sorry, sis," Leo muttered. I crossed my arms angrily. "I'm going to tell Mum about what you did!" I fumed. "Please, sis, don't tell!" Leo was practically on his knees. I stomped away with a huff. Leo rushed to me, pulling my T-shirt. "I'm really sorry, sis! Please don't tell! I'm sincere!" He pleaded fervently, looking at me with puppy eyes. I crossed my arms again and held my head high, ignoring his pleas. "I will do anything! Anything! Just please don't tell!" Leo cried. I pondered his offer over for a while. A wide grin spread across my face as an idea formed in my mind. "Oh all right," I finally said. Leo jumped around in joy. Then, he kneeled beside me and said, "Leo at your service, your highness!" I laughed with joy and ordered, "Do all my household chores this month!" Leo's mouth hung open and he immediately stood up. "No way!" he shouted. "That means..." Leo cut me off in mid-sentence, "I can't believe I got off this easily! I thought you were going to tell me to do your homework or something!" he saluted and said, "Right away!" I giggled.
Leo was still as playful as ever, but he did not ever get in my hair ever again!
"Hey sis! Look here!" Leo shouted. He stood beside the plastic mannequin outside the clothing shop. Putting his hand on his hips and keeping a straight face, he imitated the mannequin. I groaned. "Leo, come back!" I shouted through gritted teeth. I always wished my brother was never born. He was such a thorn in my flesh! Leo rushed to my side and broke into laughter. I glared at him in displeasure and stomped into the McDonald's restaurant furiously. Leo caught up behind me. I went over to a vacant table and pointed to the chair. "Sit here and don't move!" I commanded. Leo saluted and said, "Yes Mam!" He sat on the chair and broke into another one of his irritating laughter, slapping his thighs at the same time. I gave an exasperated sigh and hurried to the counter.
I grabbed the tray of food from the counter and made my way to my table. As I walked close to the table, Leo's eyes widened and he stared at me. "What?" I barked, irritated. "Sis! Don't move! There's a large, gigantic, monstrous spider on your arm!" he stuttered, pointing to my arm with trembling hands. I let out a terrified scream and dropped the tray on the floor. All the fries, burgers and cokes toppled and splattered on the floor. I continued screaming and brushed my arms hurriedly, trembling like a leaf at the same time. All of a sudden, Leo burst into an enormous laughter. He clutched his stomach and he laughed so hard that tears filled his eyes. I stood trembling from head to toe, and said, scanning the floor at the same time, "Where's that spider, where are you spider!" Then, I looked up and saw Leo laughing. Finally, I realized what had happened. Leo continued laughing, and managed to say between his laughter, "Oh my god, sis! You're so funny!" By that time, all eyes in the restaraunt were on me. The room was filled with an awkward silence. My ears turned pink and I was burning with humiliation. One of the people working in that restaurant came out with a mop. I apologised to the people. The customers turned back and continued eating their food.
My eyebrows furrowed darkly. I threw my arms in the air carelessly. "I've had enough of you!" I cried. I stormed out of the restaurant in a towering rage. Leo really had the knack of getting under my skin! Why must he always needle me beyond endurance? He didn't seem to respect me, not at all!
I swung my house door open in rage. As I dropped onto the sofa, my dog, Precious, tried to snuggle up to me. I pushed it away. "Stupid dog," I snarled, carrying it and flinging it into the storeroom. I slammed the door shut. Then, the door bell rang. I grabbed the doorknob and flung the door open. My eyes glinted with anger at the sight of who it was - Leo. "I'm sorry, sis," Leo muttered. I crossed my arms angrily. "I'm going to tell Mum about what you did!" I fumed. "Please, sis, don't tell!" Leo was practically on his knees. I stomped away with a huff. Leo rushed to me, pulling my T-shirt. "I'm really sorry, sis! Please don't tell! I'm sincere!" He pleaded fervently, looking at me with puppy eyes. I crossed my arms again and held my head high, ignoring his pleas. "I will do anything! Anything! Just please don't tell!" Leo cried. I pondered his offer over for a while. A wide grin spread across my face as an idea formed in my mind. "Oh all right," I finally said. Leo jumped around in joy. Then, he kneeled beside me and said, "Leo at your service, your highness!" I laughed with joy and ordered, "Do all my household chores this month!" Leo's mouth hung open and he immediately stood up. "No way!" he shouted. "That means..." Leo cut me off in mid-sentence, "I can't believe I got off this easily! I thought you were going to tell me to do your homework or something!" he saluted and said, "Right away!" I giggled.
Leo was still as playful as ever, but he did not ever get in my hair ever again!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Lost in the Forest
By HLin
"Pupils, please follow your partners closely as we are now going for our evening walk. If you find your partner missing, please report to me immediately," our instructed commanded and added, "partners who fail to look after each other will be punished." All of us listened to him in rapt attention. "Okay, now, I want everyone to take their haversack and line up." Immediately, we formed two lines in front of our instructor.
I lined up grudgingly- not because I didn't like this expedition to the jungle, but because of my partner, John. John sat beside me in class and was my arch enemy. The sight of him makes my blood boil because he always gets me into hot soup by complaining to our teacher. In retaliation, I always complain about him too in front of our teacher.
I glared at him and he glared in return as though we were two strong armies engaged in a mighty battle. He seemed to have a trick up his sleeves today. Suddenly, he flung a well-aimed punch at my stomach. I groaned. He must be angry about the scolding he got from our teacher last Friday due to my complaint. Now he was seeking revenge! I clutched my stomach. "John, what are you doing?" Our instructor's voice thundered and everyone's eyes were fixed on us. "Oh nothing, instructor," John said, shrugging his shoulder, "I was just doing my warm-up exercises when I accidentally hit Lance. Are you alright, Lance?" He feigned concern for me and put his arms on my shoulder. "Ok, Pupils, let's go," our instructor turned his back towards us and led the pupils forward."Hey weakling, do you like my "stomach treat"? " John smirked and taunted me.
Anger welled up inside me and I "swore vengeance". Racking my brain, I tried to think of a trick to play on John that would make him feel scared and worried. My eyebrows furrowed as I discarded ideas after ideas in my mind until I found a feasible one. Act as a ghost and scare him? Absurd. Beat him up? Childish. Or.... A mischievous grin spread across my face as an ingenious plan to deal with John flashed across my mind--- I would have to disappear. That would get him into trouble, wouldn't it? Images of his angry face during the few times I managed to get his goat flashed across my mind. This idea was perfect since I had been in forests with our scoutmaster before and had a very good sense of direction. I was sure that the plan that I had devised would definitely work and so I proceeded to carry out my plan.
I began to walk very slowly and quietly, allowing John to walk forward without noticing me. Luckily, we were at the last row so the instructor could not see us. Lady Luck seemed to be on my side as my idea was working. I grinned. This would definitely teach John a lesson.Our group began to vanish from sight and I heaved a sigh of relief. Where should I go now? I wondered, scanning around the lush forest. I began to walk in the opposite direction. Little did I know that a nightmare was awaiting for me.
Darkness enveloped the place as I continued to venture into the forest. A sliver of the moon rose in the sky, illuminating the forest below dimly with its pale light. "My poor legs," I moaned and found a place to rest. I rummaged through my bag in search of my torchlight to see what the time was. My jaws dropped when I saw the time. Two hours had already passed since 6 p.m! Hunger was gnawing at my stomach and I rubbed my belly. I was famished and had to find the group soon.
Getting to my feet, I began to walk in the direction that I thought would bring me back to the group, oblivious to the fact that I was actually going further and furher into the jungle.The fallen and shrivelled leaves crunched under my foot as I hurried down the path. I wiped the endless trickle of perspiration and scanned around. The thick belt of jungle lying ahead looked more forbidden than ever. My heart sank. Where was I? I swat away the sinister flies that would not leave me alone. I scanned around the forest hastily again. It seemed alien. The branches of the trees crashed out towards the sky like bony fingers pointing at the heavens. I bit my lips as I fought my tears. "Why did I do this silly thing? Am I lost?" millions of questions raced through my mind, "Is there anyone here who can save me?" I strained my ears to hear something in the dead silence. Nothing. I prayed hard that someone would come and save me.
Suddenly, a loud growl jolted me out of my thoughts. What could it be? Could it be a bear? Or a lion? Or... a ferocious tiger? I stood rooted to the spot, fear engulfing me. I had never met a bear, a lion or a tiger! Shakily, I raised my torchlight. The full impact of what I was seeing hit me. There the striped beast stood, opening its jaws. My mind was a complete blank. What should I do? A tiger! I recoiled back in fear. I could hear the faint movement of the tiger as it advanced towards me. My heart palpitated. I knew I had to act fast. But my mind was just a blank.The tiger's breathing became more and more distinct, telling me that it was getting nearer.
Every nerve in my mind were screaming at me to run. RUN! These words kept flashing in my mind like a neon sign and without thinking, I took to my heels.I ran helter-skelter, no holds barred. I could imagine the tiger capturing me but I threw all these thoughts out of my mind and only concentrated on one thing- running! I ran as fast as my legs could carry me but they felt as heavy as lead. My lungs were burning, as if pleading me to stop but I forced myself to go on. Thick hanging branches lashed at me as I sped past them. I knew I would become dead meat if I stop running. At this moment, I was panting hard. "Ouch!" I screamed. The tiger pounced on me and I soon felt the tiger's teeth slashing through my legs but I ignored the excruciating pain and fought with all my might. The tiger held on to me. As I felt my last ounce of energy draining off me, I prayed hard that I would somehow survive this ordeal.
Almost instantly, a loud bang reverberated in the forest. I jumped. What happened? I turned back. The tiger, only an inch away from me, had collapsed beside me and laid in the growing pool of blood. "Are you alright, Lance?" A familiar voice spoke and I recognised it immediately. It was my instructor. Tears of joy and gratitude towards my instructor cascaded down my cheeks and I embraced him.
After relating the incident to my instructor, he reprimanded John and I and we were punished to sweep and clean our domitories in the forest.The harrowing incident was engraved in my mind forever and I could never forget day I was being hunted. Surprisingly, after that fateful day, John and I became the best of friends. I suppose that's a blessing in disguise.
"Pupils, please follow your partners closely as we are now going for our evening walk. If you find your partner missing, please report to me immediately," our instructed commanded and added, "partners who fail to look after each other will be punished." All of us listened to him in rapt attention. "Okay, now, I want everyone to take their haversack and line up." Immediately, we formed two lines in front of our instructor.
I lined up grudgingly- not because I didn't like this expedition to the jungle, but because of my partner, John. John sat beside me in class and was my arch enemy. The sight of him makes my blood boil because he always gets me into hot soup by complaining to our teacher. In retaliation, I always complain about him too in front of our teacher.
I glared at him and he glared in return as though we were two strong armies engaged in a mighty battle. He seemed to have a trick up his sleeves today. Suddenly, he flung a well-aimed punch at my stomach. I groaned. He must be angry about the scolding he got from our teacher last Friday due to my complaint. Now he was seeking revenge! I clutched my stomach. "John, what are you doing?" Our instructor's voice thundered and everyone's eyes were fixed on us. "Oh nothing, instructor," John said, shrugging his shoulder, "I was just doing my warm-up exercises when I accidentally hit Lance. Are you alright, Lance?" He feigned concern for me and put his arms on my shoulder. "Ok, Pupils, let's go," our instructor turned his back towards us and led the pupils forward."Hey weakling, do you like my "stomach treat"? " John smirked and taunted me.
Anger welled up inside me and I "swore vengeance". Racking my brain, I tried to think of a trick to play on John that would make him feel scared and worried. My eyebrows furrowed as I discarded ideas after ideas in my mind until I found a feasible one. Act as a ghost and scare him? Absurd. Beat him up? Childish. Or.... A mischievous grin spread across my face as an ingenious plan to deal with John flashed across my mind--- I would have to disappear. That would get him into trouble, wouldn't it? Images of his angry face during the few times I managed to get his goat flashed across my mind. This idea was perfect since I had been in forests with our scoutmaster before and had a very good sense of direction. I was sure that the plan that I had devised would definitely work and so I proceeded to carry out my plan.
I began to walk very slowly and quietly, allowing John to walk forward without noticing me. Luckily, we were at the last row so the instructor could not see us. Lady Luck seemed to be on my side as my idea was working. I grinned. This would definitely teach John a lesson.Our group began to vanish from sight and I heaved a sigh of relief. Where should I go now? I wondered, scanning around the lush forest. I began to walk in the opposite direction. Little did I know that a nightmare was awaiting for me.
Darkness enveloped the place as I continued to venture into the forest. A sliver of the moon rose in the sky, illuminating the forest below dimly with its pale light. "My poor legs," I moaned and found a place to rest. I rummaged through my bag in search of my torchlight to see what the time was. My jaws dropped when I saw the time. Two hours had already passed since 6 p.m! Hunger was gnawing at my stomach and I rubbed my belly. I was famished and had to find the group soon.
Getting to my feet, I began to walk in the direction that I thought would bring me back to the group, oblivious to the fact that I was actually going further and furher into the jungle.The fallen and shrivelled leaves crunched under my foot as I hurried down the path. I wiped the endless trickle of perspiration and scanned around. The thick belt of jungle lying ahead looked more forbidden than ever. My heart sank. Where was I? I swat away the sinister flies that would not leave me alone. I scanned around the forest hastily again. It seemed alien. The branches of the trees crashed out towards the sky like bony fingers pointing at the heavens. I bit my lips as I fought my tears. "Why did I do this silly thing? Am I lost?" millions of questions raced through my mind, "Is there anyone here who can save me?" I strained my ears to hear something in the dead silence. Nothing. I prayed hard that someone would come and save me.
Suddenly, a loud growl jolted me out of my thoughts. What could it be? Could it be a bear? Or a lion? Or... a ferocious tiger? I stood rooted to the spot, fear engulfing me. I had never met a bear, a lion or a tiger! Shakily, I raised my torchlight. The full impact of what I was seeing hit me. There the striped beast stood, opening its jaws. My mind was a complete blank. What should I do? A tiger! I recoiled back in fear. I could hear the faint movement of the tiger as it advanced towards me. My heart palpitated. I knew I had to act fast. But my mind was just a blank.The tiger's breathing became more and more distinct, telling me that it was getting nearer.
Every nerve in my mind were screaming at me to run. RUN! These words kept flashing in my mind like a neon sign and without thinking, I took to my heels.I ran helter-skelter, no holds barred. I could imagine the tiger capturing me but I threw all these thoughts out of my mind and only concentrated on one thing- running! I ran as fast as my legs could carry me but they felt as heavy as lead. My lungs were burning, as if pleading me to stop but I forced myself to go on. Thick hanging branches lashed at me as I sped past them. I knew I would become dead meat if I stop running. At this moment, I was panting hard. "Ouch!" I screamed. The tiger pounced on me and I soon felt the tiger's teeth slashing through my legs but I ignored the excruciating pain and fought with all my might. The tiger held on to me. As I felt my last ounce of energy draining off me, I prayed hard that I would somehow survive this ordeal.
Almost instantly, a loud bang reverberated in the forest. I jumped. What happened? I turned back. The tiger, only an inch away from me, had collapsed beside me and laid in the growing pool of blood. "Are you alright, Lance?" A familiar voice spoke and I recognised it immediately. It was my instructor. Tears of joy and gratitude towards my instructor cascaded down my cheeks and I embraced him.
After relating the incident to my instructor, he reprimanded John and I and we were punished to sweep and clean our domitories in the forest.The harrowing incident was engraved in my mind forever and I could never forget day I was being hunted. Surprisingly, after that fateful day, John and I became the best of friends. I suppose that's a blessing in disguise.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Caught Red-handed
By Sya22,
Tick Tock Tick Tock. The clock was ticking and time was nearly up. Sweat rolled down my forhead as I racked my brains for the steps to solve the problem. I was in my classroom, having the Mathematics exam. The atmosphere in there was really tensed. Being a weak student in Mathematics, I was having problems with the questions in there. After a few minutes of recalling every single thing my teacher had taught my class, I finally got the solution and scribbled furiously onto the paper. I was getting more and more frustrated as time flew and the end of the paper drew near. I turned the page and stopped to read the question. I tried to focus but my mind was blank. "Concentrate!!!" A small voice at the back of my head commanded. I clenched my fists and furrowed my eyebrows. I read the question a few times. I drew models to help myself, but found that I was probably getting the wrong concept.
I dug into my pencil case for my eraser. Suddenly, my hand touched something soft. I glanced into the pencil case. There, in my hands, was a piece of folded paper, all scrunched up. I wondered when I had put it in. I finally recalled sliding it into my pencil case after I wrote down the notes on what Ms Tan was teaching a few days ago. I stared at the paper for a while.
Then it hit me. Was it possible for me to use this piece of paper to solve the problems? I wonder if anyone was going to catch me. What if they managed to do so? I was having second thoughts about doing it. Should I? I wondered. I looked at the clock - only 10 minutes left! "Just do it!" I told myself. Since I was sitting at the back corner of the classroom, the chance of anyone seeing me was very low. I hid the paper under the table and unfolded it. I glanced around and looked at the notes. "Ahah!" I whispered to myself, scribbling away. I took another glance at the paper, then continued to finish solving the problem sum. I put the paper under my table.
Unfortunately for me, the fan above me made the paper fly onto the floor. Obviously, the invigilator, Mdm Lim, had noticed as she was already pacing towards me. Mdm Lim was looking at me with suspicious-looking eyes. She crouched over the paper and picked it up, then walking towards me and asking, "Is this paper yours, Syakirah?" I opened my mouth but not a sound came out. I felt as if there was a lump in my throat. After getting my voice, I stammered, "Y-y-yes..." I finally got a severe scolding and punishment and my parents were informed. I was caned and grounded for two weeks.
Now, a few days after that incident, I am looking out of the window, green with envy of the children playing outside, under the hot burning sun. "Well, I guess it's my fault too," I said, sighing. I really regretted what I had done and wished that I had never even thought of it.
Tick Tock Tick Tock. The clock was ticking and time was nearly up. Sweat rolled down my forhead as I racked my brains for the steps to solve the problem. I was in my classroom, having the Mathematics exam. The atmosphere in there was really tensed. Being a weak student in Mathematics, I was having problems with the questions in there. After a few minutes of recalling every single thing my teacher had taught my class, I finally got the solution and scribbled furiously onto the paper. I was getting more and more frustrated as time flew and the end of the paper drew near. I turned the page and stopped to read the question. I tried to focus but my mind was blank. "Concentrate!!!" A small voice at the back of my head commanded. I clenched my fists and furrowed my eyebrows. I read the question a few times. I drew models to help myself, but found that I was probably getting the wrong concept.
I dug into my pencil case for my eraser. Suddenly, my hand touched something soft. I glanced into the pencil case. There, in my hands, was a piece of folded paper, all scrunched up. I wondered when I had put it in. I finally recalled sliding it into my pencil case after I wrote down the notes on what Ms Tan was teaching a few days ago. I stared at the paper for a while.
Then it hit me. Was it possible for me to use this piece of paper to solve the problems? I wonder if anyone was going to catch me. What if they managed to do so? I was having second thoughts about doing it. Should I? I wondered. I looked at the clock - only 10 minutes left! "Just do it!" I told myself. Since I was sitting at the back corner of the classroom, the chance of anyone seeing me was very low. I hid the paper under the table and unfolded it. I glanced around and looked at the notes. "Ahah!" I whispered to myself, scribbling away. I took another glance at the paper, then continued to finish solving the problem sum. I put the paper under my table.
Unfortunately for me, the fan above me made the paper fly onto the floor. Obviously, the invigilator, Mdm Lim, had noticed as she was already pacing towards me. Mdm Lim was looking at me with suspicious-looking eyes. She crouched over the paper and picked it up, then walking towards me and asking, "Is this paper yours, Syakirah?" I opened my mouth but not a sound came out. I felt as if there was a lump in my throat. After getting my voice, I stammered, "Y-y-yes..." I finally got a severe scolding and punishment and my parents were informed. I was caned and grounded for two weeks.
Now, a few days after that incident, I am looking out of the window, green with envy of the children playing outside, under the hot burning sun. "Well, I guess it's my fault too," I said, sighing. I really regretted what I had done and wished that I had never even thought of it.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
A Chase
by Leong e. c.
" Finally a promotion for me,” Betty mumbled. The promotion she had been yearning for years had become a reality. Betty was a policewoman in charge of catching illegal immigrants. This was what earned her the promotion…
"How did the two illegal immigrants manage to escape?" Betty questioned herself. During a raid an hour before, Betty had let two illegal immigrants’ escape. Feeling tired and thirsty, Betty went to a nearby supermarket to buy some drinks. When Betty reached the supermarket, she started selecting her drink and some other groceries.
Suddenly, Betty noticed two men looking around frantically out of the corner of her eyes. Being a responsible policewoman, Betty felt that she had to investigate what was happening, so she walked towards the two men. As Betty walked nearer to the two men, she caught sight of familiar faces- the illegal immigrants who had slipped through her fingers just now! The six eyes met. In a split second, the illegal immigrants recognized Betty as the policewoman after them and took to their heels immediately. Betty, after regaining her senses immediately fished out her handphone from her handbag and called her colleagues for assistance before going after the two men.They rudely pushed away the customers who had gotten into their way. As a result, a few women fell on top of one another.
They ran down Second Avenue as fast as their legs could carry them. Betty's chest heaved and panted for breath as she struggled to lessen the gap between the two men and herself. Although Betty's legs felt like lead, she forced them to carry her forward. Her lungs were burning as though pleading for her to stop but she was unrelenting. Arms outstretched, Betty tried to catch hold of the two men. However, they seemed so near and were yet so frustrating out of reach every time Betty edged forward. The two men turned back to see whether Betty was still chasing them. They were surprised to see someone else other than Betty. It was Betty's colleague. He was informed by Betty about the illegal immigrants and arrived to help Betty. The two men were trying their best to widen the gap between the pursuers and themselves. Fear had seemed to lend wings to them. Betty quickened her pace, not daring to slow down and even rest for a second although her heart pulsated as if it would burst out of her ribcage anytime. One of the men accidentally tripped over a banana skin and fell back. Although he tried to get up but the pain in his head was ferocious enough to make him sit down for a second time. Betty's colleague took advantage of the situation and handcuffed him while Betty continued chasing the other man.
The other man came to a halt as the path diverged before him. He questioned himself, “which path should I take?” He debated within himself, taking the risk that Betty would catch up anytime. After deciding on one, the man turned into an alley with Betty hot on his heels. It was a dead end! The man was trapped like a rat in a barrel. Thinking that it was impossible for the man to escape, Betty heaved a huge sigh of relief and went to him, preparing to handcuff him. Little did she know that the man had got it all prepared. After an escape, he knew that he was in a dangerous situation and decided to carry a knife with him everywhere he went. The man flashed his knife and brandished it in front of Betty before walking towards her with a threatening snarl. Fingers of fear rose up Betty's back, threatening to strangle her. Choking on her own fear, Betty struggled to breath. Thousands of frightful scenarios clouded her mind. However, Betty could do nothing else but to pray for help to arrive.
At this moment, the wailing sirens of the police rent the air. The man looked very frantic. As the police turned into the alley, the man overpowered Betty and held her as a hostage.The police pointed their guns at the man. The man shouted, “If you want the hostage to be safe, prepare a boat withing the next half an hour for me. Do not play any tricks or I cannot guarantee what I will do to her.” The senior inspector said, “I know that you will not kill her. You came here illegally just to work and raise your family. Killing others is not what you want to do. Spare a thought for your family. They do not want you to get yourself into trouble, do they? Let's make a deal now. As long as you release the hostage, I will plead with the judge for leniency, is that okay?” Hearing that, the man sobbed loudly and he loosened his grip on Betty. Betty seized this golden opportunity to turn the tables around. Soon the man was overpowered by her and brought to the police station.
“Thank you for distracting the man,” Betty said to the senior inspector. Betty was then commended by her boss for her bravery and quick wits in catching the two illegal immigrants. They had decided to award Betty with a promotion and a pay rise.
"Madam, there is a new case for us to investigate,” said Betty's subordinate. Betty was then jotted out of her mind. Since then, Betty had decided to continue working hard so as to contribute to the society. After all, it is a blessing in disguise.
" Finally a promotion for me,” Betty mumbled. The promotion she had been yearning for years had become a reality. Betty was a policewoman in charge of catching illegal immigrants. This was what earned her the promotion…
"How did the two illegal immigrants manage to escape?" Betty questioned herself. During a raid an hour before, Betty had let two illegal immigrants’ escape. Feeling tired and thirsty, Betty went to a nearby supermarket to buy some drinks. When Betty reached the supermarket, she started selecting her drink and some other groceries.
Suddenly, Betty noticed two men looking around frantically out of the corner of her eyes. Being a responsible policewoman, Betty felt that she had to investigate what was happening, so she walked towards the two men. As Betty walked nearer to the two men, she caught sight of familiar faces- the illegal immigrants who had slipped through her fingers just now! The six eyes met. In a split second, the illegal immigrants recognized Betty as the policewoman after them and took to their heels immediately. Betty, after regaining her senses immediately fished out her handphone from her handbag and called her colleagues for assistance before going after the two men.They rudely pushed away the customers who had gotten into their way. As a result, a few women fell on top of one another.
They ran down Second Avenue as fast as their legs could carry them. Betty's chest heaved and panted for breath as she struggled to lessen the gap between the two men and herself. Although Betty's legs felt like lead, she forced them to carry her forward. Her lungs were burning as though pleading for her to stop but she was unrelenting. Arms outstretched, Betty tried to catch hold of the two men. However, they seemed so near and were yet so frustrating out of reach every time Betty edged forward. The two men turned back to see whether Betty was still chasing them. They were surprised to see someone else other than Betty. It was Betty's colleague. He was informed by Betty about the illegal immigrants and arrived to help Betty. The two men were trying their best to widen the gap between the pursuers and themselves. Fear had seemed to lend wings to them. Betty quickened her pace, not daring to slow down and even rest for a second although her heart pulsated as if it would burst out of her ribcage anytime. One of the men accidentally tripped over a banana skin and fell back. Although he tried to get up but the pain in his head was ferocious enough to make him sit down for a second time. Betty's colleague took advantage of the situation and handcuffed him while Betty continued chasing the other man.
The other man came to a halt as the path diverged before him. He questioned himself, “which path should I take?” He debated within himself, taking the risk that Betty would catch up anytime. After deciding on one, the man turned into an alley with Betty hot on his heels. It was a dead end! The man was trapped like a rat in a barrel. Thinking that it was impossible for the man to escape, Betty heaved a huge sigh of relief and went to him, preparing to handcuff him. Little did she know that the man had got it all prepared. After an escape, he knew that he was in a dangerous situation and decided to carry a knife with him everywhere he went. The man flashed his knife and brandished it in front of Betty before walking towards her with a threatening snarl. Fingers of fear rose up Betty's back, threatening to strangle her. Choking on her own fear, Betty struggled to breath. Thousands of frightful scenarios clouded her mind. However, Betty could do nothing else but to pray for help to arrive.
At this moment, the wailing sirens of the police rent the air. The man looked very frantic. As the police turned into the alley, the man overpowered Betty and held her as a hostage.The police pointed their guns at the man. The man shouted, “If you want the hostage to be safe, prepare a boat withing the next half an hour for me. Do not play any tricks or I cannot guarantee what I will do to her.” The senior inspector said, “I know that you will not kill her. You came here illegally just to work and raise your family. Killing others is not what you want to do. Spare a thought for your family. They do not want you to get yourself into trouble, do they? Let's make a deal now. As long as you release the hostage, I will plead with the judge for leniency, is that okay?” Hearing that, the man sobbed loudly and he loosened his grip on Betty. Betty seized this golden opportunity to turn the tables around. Soon the man was overpowered by her and brought to the police station.
“Thank you for distracting the man,” Betty said to the senior inspector. Betty was then commended by her boss for her bravery and quick wits in catching the two illegal immigrants. They had decided to award Betty with a promotion and a pay rise.
"Madam, there is a new case for us to investigate,” said Betty's subordinate. Betty was then jotted out of her mind. Since then, Betty had decided to continue working hard so as to contribute to the society. After all, it is a blessing in disguise.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Cheating
adapted from Hwee Lin's 'Cheating during examination' by Michelle
I stared at the question on my practice paper, racking my brains, trying to understand it. But it was of no use. It was ten minutes before the mathematics exam paper will be given out, and I was doing some last minute studying. My heart was now beating as fast as a bullet train and beads of perspiration was forming on my forehead. I regretted not listening to Mr Johnson's explanation on how to do this question. I was often known as the most popular girl in this class and I will not want my title to be stripped off by failing an exam paper!
"Everybody please put your bags outside the classroom now! No delay please!" The invigilator, Mdm Tan, shouted. My heart almost stopped. I had no choice. Glancing around, I ripped the paper with the question on it, folded it, and placed it in my pocket. I then proceeded outside with my bag.
I flipped through my mathematics paper, scribbling furiously. At the start of the exam, my handwriting had been neat and precise. Now, one hour later, it had deteriorated into an untidy scrawl. After scribbling the answer for the last question in 'Section B', I turned the page, revealing my worst section in the exam paper, Section C - a section filled with deadly problem sums with outstretched arms, waiting to pull down their victims into the death-pit. I read the first problem sum, ponder over it for quite some time, and work out the problem. I gave a sigh of relief as I finished the last step of the problem, and went on to the next question.
Half an hour later, I came to the last question in the section. I realized that the question was almost exactly the same as the question I was studying before the exam! I looked around frantically. "Everyone was too busy scribbling in their exam papers to notice," I thought. I slid my hand slowly into my pocket and pulled out the piece of paper I had placed in my pocket before the exam. I unfolded my 'savior', placed it on my lap, and scribbled as fast as I could, referring to the piece of paper at the same time. I hoped the marker could decipher my handwriting as I slid the paper back into my pocket. When I closed my exam paper, Mdm Tan came to me. My eyes darted towards Mdm Tan and my heart sank.
"Jane over there tells me that you have a little secret which you want to share with me," Mdm Tan says, her eyes narrowed into slits and her voice dangerously soft. My voice trembled as I tried to defend myself, "What are you talking about?" Mdm Tan stretched out her hand and shouted, "Give me your cheating device!" I shakily handed her the note in my pocket. Mdm Tan glared furiously at the note. She snatched my exam paper off my desk and immediately started tearing it into pieces. I watched in horror, my eyes wide open with tears threatening to spill out. "Get back to work!" Mdm Tan shouted, and instantly the rest of the class went back to their paper, except for Jane. My blood started boiling and I glared at Jane furiously, shooting eye-daggers to the side of her head. I swore vengeance on her and then nestled my head in my folded arms on my desk, sobbing.
Ring... The bell rang as Mdm Tan collected the last exam paper. I met up with my friends and stormed out of the class silently but angrily. "We have to get that little cheeky Jane!" I told my friends. My friends nodded in unison and we stormed towards Jane from behind. "Stop there, ugly stupid Jane!" my friends and I shouted at Jane. Jane wheeled around, her face pale. "Hello..." she said. "Get her!" I shouted and we all lunged at her, pushing her to the floor and raining punches on her. I landed a powerful punch on her face, and her spectacles flew from her face. Jane groped around, feeling for her glasses.
"Want your spectacles?" I said mockingly. I did not wait for her to answer. "Dream on!" I laughed with satisfaction as I stamped on her glasses. My friends slapped my back, giving me a thumbs-up sign. A wide smile spread across my face as I waited for Jane's reaction. Suddenly, Jane lunged at my legs and bit hard on my thigh. I let out a shriek. "Get off!" I shouted, kicking her away. "Pathetic move," I murmured to my friends, and they nodded in agreement. Then, Jane lunged at me again. I pushed her away and my friends and I started kicking Jane. Soon, Jane was covered with bruises. "Girls, let's go. I think she has learnt her lesson," I said, and with that, we tossed our hair and left Jane lying on the floor.
Ring... The bell rang, signalling the end of recess. My clique was sauntering into the hall when we heard an announcement, "Good morning. Kate, Ashley, Chelsea, Bernadette, Zoey and Kresha from Six Trust, I repeat, Kate, Ashley, Chelsea, Bernadette, Zoey and Kresha from Six Trust, please proceed to the Principal's Office now. Thank you." I stared wide-eyed at my friends. Everyone stared back at me and Zoey was biting her lip, forcing herself not to cry. We walked hurriedly to the Principal's office.
We stepped up to the Principal's door. Everyone pushed one another forward, not wanting to be the one to knock on the door. I rolled my eyes and lay my fist on the door. I glanced at my friends who were looking back at me with worried looks on their faces. I tapped on the door. Thump. Thump. Thump. The door knob turned and the door creaked open. A face peeped out from behind the door. It was Mr Reinhold, the school principal. The whole clique froze. "Come in," Mr Reinhold said gently. We shuffled into the room, gripping each other tightly. Zoey was digging her fingernails into my arm. "Have a seat," Mr Reinhold said, waving his hand towards a sofa. We sat down stiffly. Mr Reinhold clasped his hands together and laid them on his table. He looked at me with an accusing look in his eyes, waiting for me to confess. The silence hung in the air for a while until Mr Reinhold broke it, saying, "Explain yourselves. Explain Jane's condition. Explain." Mr Reinhold's voice was firm, so I had no choice but to explain. A string of words came out of my mouth and my friends occasionally backed me up. At the end of it, Mr Reinhold nodded. "Sorry Girls, but I'm afraid I have to expel you. Here's your letter of expulsion," Mr Reinhold said, handing us a few papers. The moment all of us heard this, we burst into tears. I regretted cheating in the exam. When we left the office, I turned to my friends and said, "I'm sorry I dragged you into this. I'm really sorry." My friends were too busy sobbing to reply.
At home, I was on my bed in my room, crying. My mother had just beaten me and cane marks were all over my arms. Tears of guilt glistened on my face. My heart was wrenched and I guess I would grow up an uneducated person. I won't be able to find a job, and... The list of possibilities filled my mind. I would never forgive myself for doing this. Never! Suddenly, a knock on the door jolted me out of my thoughts. "Go away!" I shouted, pulling the blanket over my head. "Great news!" I heard my mum say. She opened the door and came in. "What?!" I shouted. "You have been accepted into the school again!" My mother said, happiness obvious in her voice. "What?" I said, sitting up on my bed. I was sure I heard wrong! "You are going back to school next week!" she practically shouted with joy. Unbelievable! I hugged my mum tightly, tears of joy rolling down my cheeks, replacing my tears of guilt. "I am going back to school! I am going back to school!" I exclaimed.
I realized that Jane was the one who 'bailed us out' from being expelled. From the day I went back to school, my friends and I became the best of friends with Jane. We helped one another in times of need and never gave up on ourselves.
I stared at the question on my practice paper, racking my brains, trying to understand it. But it was of no use. It was ten minutes before the mathematics exam paper will be given out, and I was doing some last minute studying. My heart was now beating as fast as a bullet train and beads of perspiration was forming on my forehead. I regretted not listening to Mr Johnson's explanation on how to do this question. I was often known as the most popular girl in this class and I will not want my title to be stripped off by failing an exam paper!
"Everybody please put your bags outside the classroom now! No delay please!" The invigilator, Mdm Tan, shouted. My heart almost stopped. I had no choice. Glancing around, I ripped the paper with the question on it, folded it, and placed it in my pocket. I then proceeded outside with my bag.
I flipped through my mathematics paper, scribbling furiously. At the start of the exam, my handwriting had been neat and precise. Now, one hour later, it had deteriorated into an untidy scrawl. After scribbling the answer for the last question in 'Section B', I turned the page, revealing my worst section in the exam paper, Section C - a section filled with deadly problem sums with outstretched arms, waiting to pull down their victims into the death-pit. I read the first problem sum, ponder over it for quite some time, and work out the problem. I gave a sigh of relief as I finished the last step of the problem, and went on to the next question.
Half an hour later, I came to the last question in the section. I realized that the question was almost exactly the same as the question I was studying before the exam! I looked around frantically. "Everyone was too busy scribbling in their exam papers to notice," I thought. I slid my hand slowly into my pocket and pulled out the piece of paper I had placed in my pocket before the exam. I unfolded my 'savior', placed it on my lap, and scribbled as fast as I could, referring to the piece of paper at the same time. I hoped the marker could decipher my handwriting as I slid the paper back into my pocket. When I closed my exam paper, Mdm Tan came to me. My eyes darted towards Mdm Tan and my heart sank.
"Jane over there tells me that you have a little secret which you want to share with me," Mdm Tan says, her eyes narrowed into slits and her voice dangerously soft. My voice trembled as I tried to defend myself, "What are you talking about?" Mdm Tan stretched out her hand and shouted, "Give me your cheating device!" I shakily handed her the note in my pocket. Mdm Tan glared furiously at the note. She snatched my exam paper off my desk and immediately started tearing it into pieces. I watched in horror, my eyes wide open with tears threatening to spill out. "Get back to work!" Mdm Tan shouted, and instantly the rest of the class went back to their paper, except for Jane. My blood started boiling and I glared at Jane furiously, shooting eye-daggers to the side of her head. I swore vengeance on her and then nestled my head in my folded arms on my desk, sobbing.
Ring... The bell rang as Mdm Tan collected the last exam paper. I met up with my friends and stormed out of the class silently but angrily. "We have to get that little cheeky Jane!" I told my friends. My friends nodded in unison and we stormed towards Jane from behind. "Stop there, ugly stupid Jane!" my friends and I shouted at Jane. Jane wheeled around, her face pale. "Hello..." she said. "Get her!" I shouted and we all lunged at her, pushing her to the floor and raining punches on her. I landed a powerful punch on her face, and her spectacles flew from her face. Jane groped around, feeling for her glasses.
"Want your spectacles?" I said mockingly. I did not wait for her to answer. "Dream on!" I laughed with satisfaction as I stamped on her glasses. My friends slapped my back, giving me a thumbs-up sign. A wide smile spread across my face as I waited for Jane's reaction. Suddenly, Jane lunged at my legs and bit hard on my thigh. I let out a shriek. "Get off!" I shouted, kicking her away. "Pathetic move," I murmured to my friends, and they nodded in agreement. Then, Jane lunged at me again. I pushed her away and my friends and I started kicking Jane. Soon, Jane was covered with bruises. "Girls, let's go. I think she has learnt her lesson," I said, and with that, we tossed our hair and left Jane lying on the floor.
Ring... The bell rang, signalling the end of recess. My clique was sauntering into the hall when we heard an announcement, "Good morning. Kate, Ashley, Chelsea, Bernadette, Zoey and Kresha from Six Trust, I repeat, Kate, Ashley, Chelsea, Bernadette, Zoey and Kresha from Six Trust, please proceed to the Principal's Office now. Thank you." I stared wide-eyed at my friends. Everyone stared back at me and Zoey was biting her lip, forcing herself not to cry. We walked hurriedly to the Principal's office.
We stepped up to the Principal's door. Everyone pushed one another forward, not wanting to be the one to knock on the door. I rolled my eyes and lay my fist on the door. I glanced at my friends who were looking back at me with worried looks on their faces. I tapped on the door. Thump. Thump. Thump. The door knob turned and the door creaked open. A face peeped out from behind the door. It was Mr Reinhold, the school principal. The whole clique froze. "Come in," Mr Reinhold said gently. We shuffled into the room, gripping each other tightly. Zoey was digging her fingernails into my arm. "Have a seat," Mr Reinhold said, waving his hand towards a sofa. We sat down stiffly. Mr Reinhold clasped his hands together and laid them on his table. He looked at me with an accusing look in his eyes, waiting for me to confess. The silence hung in the air for a while until Mr Reinhold broke it, saying, "Explain yourselves. Explain Jane's condition. Explain." Mr Reinhold's voice was firm, so I had no choice but to explain. A string of words came out of my mouth and my friends occasionally backed me up. At the end of it, Mr Reinhold nodded. "Sorry Girls, but I'm afraid I have to expel you. Here's your letter of expulsion," Mr Reinhold said, handing us a few papers. The moment all of us heard this, we burst into tears. I regretted cheating in the exam. When we left the office, I turned to my friends and said, "I'm sorry I dragged you into this. I'm really sorry." My friends were too busy sobbing to reply.
At home, I was on my bed in my room, crying. My mother had just beaten me and cane marks were all over my arms. Tears of guilt glistened on my face. My heart was wrenched and I guess I would grow up an uneducated person. I won't be able to find a job, and... The list of possibilities filled my mind. I would never forgive myself for doing this. Never! Suddenly, a knock on the door jolted me out of my thoughts. "Go away!" I shouted, pulling the blanket over my head. "Great news!" I heard my mum say. She opened the door and came in. "What?!" I shouted. "You have been accepted into the school again!" My mother said, happiness obvious in her voice. "What?" I said, sitting up on my bed. I was sure I heard wrong! "You are going back to school next week!" she practically shouted with joy. Unbelievable! I hugged my mum tightly, tears of joy rolling down my cheeks, replacing my tears of guilt. "I am going back to school! I am going back to school!" I exclaimed.
I realized that Jane was the one who 'bailed us out' from being expelled. From the day I went back to school, my friends and I became the best of friends with Jane. We helped one another in times of need and never gave up on ourselves.
Blackout
by Michelle
"Bye Pam!" Dad and Mum shouted as they closed the door behind them. "Bye!" Pamela shouted back, waving at the door. Pamela pressed her ears against the closed door. When the sound of footsteps faded, she jumped onto the sofa and switched on the television. Her parents had left to attend a friend's wedding dinner and they won't be back till midnight. Her sister was in her friend's house for a sleepover, so nobody was at home to fight with me for the remote control. It was bliss.
It was already ten at night, and Pamela was sitting eagerly on the sofa, munching on popcorn while watching the late-night horror shows. Suddenly, the television went off. The lights also went out, plunging the whole room into darkness. Bright spots appeared before Pamela's eyes as the darkness came suddenly, cutting out every inch of bright light. Pamela clutched her popcorn bag tightly, her eyes darting around the room. Cold sweat dripped down her face, and she wiped them off with the back of her hand. Then, Pamela decided to do something, so she got up from her seat and stumbled blindly towards the kitchen.
Pamela groped around the kitchen as she headed for the emergency drawer. Everything that were needed during emergencies were in there. Grasping the drawer handle, Pamela pulled the drawer open. She rummaged through the things in drawer. Then, her hands touched the torchlight. She curled her fingers around the torchlight and pulled it out. Pamela immediately tried to switch the torchlight on but to no avail. She slapped her hand against her forehead, suddenly remembering that she had used the batteries in the torchlight for her Game boy. Pamela let out a groan and wished she had not been so playful.
Pamela rummaged through the drawer again and pulled a box of matchsticks and a candle out. She struck the first match. Fire danced on the matchstick as the matchstick was lit. Then, a gentle breeze brushed past the fire, causing the flame to sizzle away. Pamela gave a sigh of exasperation as she struck another matchstick. The matchstick 'came alive' and Pamela lit the candle hurriedly. When the flame touched the wick, it lit up instantly. Pamela gave a sigh of relief as the flame lit up the area around her.
Pamela walked out of the kitchen and sat on the living room sofa. What now?
Pamela then decided to read a book to calm herself down. She selected her favourite book, Twilight. Pulling the book out from the shelf, Pamela settled down on the sofa, reading and eating popcorn at the same time.
Suddenly, the lights came back on again. Pamela jumped in shock as the bright light flooded the room. As fast as the light came on, it went out again. Then, the light started flickering. Fear, raw and intense, swept through Pamela. Her thoughts ran wild and she was imagining all sorts of things. Was this place haunted? This month was the Hungry Ghost Festival. Pamela remembered that she was playful enough to pull out every candle which was used for praying from the ground earlier this morning with her friends. Was the ghost out for revenge? Pamela dropped to her knees, her hands clasped together. "I'm sorry, ghost, if I have offended you. Please forgive me and leave me alone," Pamela whispered fervently. Suddenly, suppressed giggles reached her ears. She knew that sound. Her face turned to the colour of molten lava as she stormed towards the door.
Peeping through the peephole in the door, Pamela saw her sister and her group of friends crowding around the main switch of the house. Pamela's suspicion was confirmed. Her sister and friends were behind all this. "They must have been bored enough to come here and tamper with the switch, scaring me!" Pamela thought. Then, Pamela decided to have her revenge.
Pamela draped a white cloth over her body and slowly opened the door. Good. Her sister and friends were too immersed in tampering with the switch to notice her! Creeping behind the group of friends, Pamela raised her hands and moaned, "How dare you... How dare you..." The whole group stopped giggling. Pamela's sister withdrew her hand from the main switch. Turning around, they stared wide-eyed at the 'ghost'. Screams reverberated down the corridor. Fear and horror was evident in their eyes.
Laughing uncontrollably, Pamela pulled off the white cloth.
"Sorry for scaring you!" Pamela said sarcastically as she walked back into the house. Her sister came running into her house and swore that she was going to tell Mum and Dad. "Let's see how they will take it when I too tell them that you were tampering with the main switch!" Pamela threatened, narrow-eyed. A smile spread across Pamela's face as she waited for her sister's answer. Pamela had her in a tight corner. Then, Pamela's sister threw in the towel and promised not to play such tricks ever again. She even made her friends promise to Pamela. Pamela laughed with satisfaction. She had won!
"Bye Pam!" Dad and Mum shouted as they closed the door behind them. "Bye!" Pamela shouted back, waving at the door. Pamela pressed her ears against the closed door. When the sound of footsteps faded, she jumped onto the sofa and switched on the television. Her parents had left to attend a friend's wedding dinner and they won't be back till midnight. Her sister was in her friend's house for a sleepover, so nobody was at home to fight with me for the remote control. It was bliss.
It was already ten at night, and Pamela was sitting eagerly on the sofa, munching on popcorn while watching the late-night horror shows. Suddenly, the television went off. The lights also went out, plunging the whole room into darkness. Bright spots appeared before Pamela's eyes as the darkness came suddenly, cutting out every inch of bright light. Pamela clutched her popcorn bag tightly, her eyes darting around the room. Cold sweat dripped down her face, and she wiped them off with the back of her hand. Then, Pamela decided to do something, so she got up from her seat and stumbled blindly towards the kitchen.
Pamela groped around the kitchen as she headed for the emergency drawer. Everything that were needed during emergencies were in there. Grasping the drawer handle, Pamela pulled the drawer open. She rummaged through the things in drawer. Then, her hands touched the torchlight. She curled her fingers around the torchlight and pulled it out. Pamela immediately tried to switch the torchlight on but to no avail. She slapped her hand against her forehead, suddenly remembering that she had used the batteries in the torchlight for her Game boy. Pamela let out a groan and wished she had not been so playful.
Pamela rummaged through the drawer again and pulled a box of matchsticks and a candle out. She struck the first match. Fire danced on the matchstick as the matchstick was lit. Then, a gentle breeze brushed past the fire, causing the flame to sizzle away. Pamela gave a sigh of exasperation as she struck another matchstick. The matchstick 'came alive' and Pamela lit the candle hurriedly. When the flame touched the wick, it lit up instantly. Pamela gave a sigh of relief as the flame lit up the area around her.
Pamela walked out of the kitchen and sat on the living room sofa. What now?
Pamela then decided to read a book to calm herself down. She selected her favourite book, Twilight. Pulling the book out from the shelf, Pamela settled down on the sofa, reading and eating popcorn at the same time.
Suddenly, the lights came back on again. Pamela jumped in shock as the bright light flooded the room. As fast as the light came on, it went out again. Then, the light started flickering. Fear, raw and intense, swept through Pamela. Her thoughts ran wild and she was imagining all sorts of things. Was this place haunted? This month was the Hungry Ghost Festival. Pamela remembered that she was playful enough to pull out every candle which was used for praying from the ground earlier this morning with her friends. Was the ghost out for revenge? Pamela dropped to her knees, her hands clasped together. "I'm sorry, ghost, if I have offended you. Please forgive me and leave me alone," Pamela whispered fervently. Suddenly, suppressed giggles reached her ears. She knew that sound. Her face turned to the colour of molten lava as she stormed towards the door.
Peeping through the peephole in the door, Pamela saw her sister and her group of friends crowding around the main switch of the house. Pamela's suspicion was confirmed. Her sister and friends were behind all this. "They must have been bored enough to come here and tamper with the switch, scaring me!" Pamela thought. Then, Pamela decided to have her revenge.
Pamela draped a white cloth over her body and slowly opened the door. Good. Her sister and friends were too immersed in tampering with the switch to notice her! Creeping behind the group of friends, Pamela raised her hands and moaned, "How dare you... How dare you..." The whole group stopped giggling. Pamela's sister withdrew her hand from the main switch. Turning around, they stared wide-eyed at the 'ghost'. Screams reverberated down the corridor. Fear and horror was evident in their eyes.
Laughing uncontrollably, Pamela pulled off the white cloth.
"Sorry for scaring you!" Pamela said sarcastically as she walked back into the house. Her sister came running into her house and swore that she was going to tell Mum and Dad. "Let's see how they will take it when I too tell them that you were tampering with the main switch!" Pamela threatened, narrow-eyed. A smile spread across Pamela's face as she waited for her sister's answer. Pamela had her in a tight corner. Then, Pamela's sister threw in the towel and promised not to play such tricks ever again. She even made her friends promise to Pamela. Pamela laughed with satisfaction. She had won!
Kidnap
by Andy
The full moon, a pale yellow, inched its way slowly up the nightsky past the tree branches and finally nestled itself comfortably among the stars. I was on my way home. The road I was walking on was remote. “I am going to be late! Mum will definitely scold me!” I grumbled. Not a car was in sight. Just at this moment, I heard a sound. I stood there motionless. “What that? Could it be a monster?” I said. Thousand of thoughts raced in my mind.“Ahh!” I heard the scream again.
Out of curiosity, I went to check out the source of the sound. What I saw was a woman crying. “What happened?” I said with concern. The next thing Iknew was that the woman cupped my mouth and dragged me into her car. When I was in the car, a man in the car knocked me unconscious with a metal rod. Darkness enveloped me…...
When I regained consciousness, I found myself lying in a gloomy and musty hut. I realized that I was gagged and tied to a chair. I struggled to get out of the chair but my attempts were in vain. The man who knocked me unconscious came in. “If you try to escape, this knife will pierce through your heart!” he threatened. Later, I was told that I was kidnapped! Panic engulfed me. Theman went outside and called my parents. “Hello Mr Low, your son is in our hands. To ensure his safety, you must bring ten thousand dollars to Yishun Park tomorrow!” He hung up with a loud bang. I knew I was in hot soup…Beads of perspiration rolled downmy cheeks. I knew my family was not rich and my parents could not raise so much money within one day.
Time passed quickly and the next day arrived. My dad arrived at noon, carrying a box in his hands. When, the kidnapper opened the box, he saw old newspapers in the box. He was about to shoot my dad when the policemen jumped out from their hiding place. The kidnappers tried to shoot the policemen but ran out of ammunitions. They surrendered as they soon found out that they were greatly outnumbered. My dad brought me home and I found out that the man and his accomplice, the lady who had tricked me, were sentenced to jail. Through this incident, I learned not to take shortcuts through desserted places.
The full moon, a pale yellow, inched its way slowly up the nightsky past the tree branches and finally nestled itself comfortably among the stars. I was on my way home. The road I was walking on was remote. “I am going to be late! Mum will definitely scold me!” I grumbled. Not a car was in sight. Just at this moment, I heard a sound. I stood there motionless. “What that? Could it be a monster?” I said. Thousand of thoughts raced in my mind.“Ahh!” I heard the scream again.
Out of curiosity, I went to check out the source of the sound. What I saw was a woman crying. “What happened?” I said with concern. The next thing Iknew was that the woman cupped my mouth and dragged me into her car. When I was in the car, a man in the car knocked me unconscious with a metal rod. Darkness enveloped me…...
When I regained consciousness, I found myself lying in a gloomy and musty hut. I realized that I was gagged and tied to a chair. I struggled to get out of the chair but my attempts were in vain. The man who knocked me unconscious came in. “If you try to escape, this knife will pierce through your heart!” he threatened. Later, I was told that I was kidnapped! Panic engulfed me. Theman went outside and called my parents. “Hello Mr Low, your son is in our hands. To ensure his safety, you must bring ten thousand dollars to Yishun Park tomorrow!” He hung up with a loud bang. I knew I was in hot soup…Beads of perspiration rolled downmy cheeks. I knew my family was not rich and my parents could not raise so much money within one day.
Time passed quickly and the next day arrived. My dad arrived at noon, carrying a box in his hands. When, the kidnapper opened the box, he saw old newspapers in the box. He was about to shoot my dad when the policemen jumped out from their hiding place. The kidnappers tried to shoot the policemen but ran out of ammunitions. They surrendered as they soon found out that they were greatly outnumbered. My dad brought me home and I found out that the man and his accomplice, the lady who had tricked me, were sentenced to jail. Through this incident, I learned not to take shortcuts through desserted places.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Pickpocket
By Aurora
A garlicky stench of sweat filled the platform as I pinched my nose, trying to prevent smelling the stench. Shafts of bronze light shone into the shelter as commuters, workers and students mingled around. Finally, the bus screeched to a halt beside us. I elbowed my way through the crowd of passengers.With much effort, I managed to board the sardine-packed and stuffy vehicle. Soon, the door shut and the bus moved on. I could hardly move an inch.
Then my eyes rested on a girl, searching her pockets frantically with an air of despair. Soon, tears trickled down her rosy cheeks.“Why did she cry? Has anything happened to her?” I muttered under my breath. I approached her and asked her what had happened. “I....I lost my wallet,” she sobbed.“Had you dropped it anywhere?” I inquired. “I don’t know,” she answered. I scanned around the bus and my gaze fell on a man who was fidgeting continuously and trying in vain to keep a wallet out of my sight. He was waiting impatiently at the door of the bus.
“Could he have taken the girl’s wallet?” I wondered.I mustered up my courage and approached him. “Sir, had you taken anything?” I asked. “It’s none of your business!” he shouted. All eyes soon turned to us as interest in the commotion heightened. “How do you explain this?” I challenged, pointing to the wallet in his hands. “This is mine!” he bellowed.
Losing his patience, he delivered a well-aimed punch at my stomach. “Ouch……” I doubled over in pain. Taking advantage of my temporary disadvantage, he rained blows after blows on me. I could not endure it anymore, so I collapsed onto the floor.At this moment, the door opened and the man took to his heels. “Chase him……He is a……a pickpocket,” I uttered, grimacing in pain. Almost instantly, dozens of people jumped out from their seats and ran after him at breakneck speed. Soon, I joined the chase. “Stopp…” one of us shouted. Our legs felt like lead and our chests heaved after a few minutes. Our lungs felt like they were on fire but all of us were unrelenting. Arms outstretched, we tried to catch hold of the pickpocket. However, he seemed so near and yet was frustrating out of reach each time we edged closer. The pickpocket was panting hard as well. Suddenly, a stone was flung from somewhere behind me. It ricocheted off the man’s back and he fell with a heavy thud. A few muscular men rushed forward and pinned him down while another whipped out his hand phone and dialed triple nines.
Within minutes, sirens of police cars rent the silent afternoon. The wallet was returned to the girl and the man was arrested. “Thank you so much. Thank you, “the girl thanked me profusely. She reached out for her wallet and took a fifty dollars note from it. What a rich girl she was to have so many fifty dollars notes in her wallet. However, I declined the reward politely. “Please, take it. You are such a brave boy to confront the man,” she said. I still refused to accept it.“All right then, I will tell my father to buy you a box of chocolates. Would that be all right?” she asked. I nodded with a grin. Chocolates are my favourite.
A garlicky stench of sweat filled the platform as I pinched my nose, trying to prevent smelling the stench. Shafts of bronze light shone into the shelter as commuters, workers and students mingled around. Finally, the bus screeched to a halt beside us. I elbowed my way through the crowd of passengers.With much effort, I managed to board the sardine-packed and stuffy vehicle. Soon, the door shut and the bus moved on. I could hardly move an inch.
Then my eyes rested on a girl, searching her pockets frantically with an air of despair. Soon, tears trickled down her rosy cheeks.“Why did she cry? Has anything happened to her?” I muttered under my breath. I approached her and asked her what had happened. “I....I lost my wallet,” she sobbed.“Had you dropped it anywhere?” I inquired. “I don’t know,” she answered. I scanned around the bus and my gaze fell on a man who was fidgeting continuously and trying in vain to keep a wallet out of my sight. He was waiting impatiently at the door of the bus.
“Could he have taken the girl’s wallet?” I wondered.I mustered up my courage and approached him. “Sir, had you taken anything?” I asked. “It’s none of your business!” he shouted. All eyes soon turned to us as interest in the commotion heightened. “How do you explain this?” I challenged, pointing to the wallet in his hands. “This is mine!” he bellowed.
Losing his patience, he delivered a well-aimed punch at my stomach. “Ouch……” I doubled over in pain. Taking advantage of my temporary disadvantage, he rained blows after blows on me. I could not endure it anymore, so I collapsed onto the floor.At this moment, the door opened and the man took to his heels. “Chase him……He is a……a pickpocket,” I uttered, grimacing in pain. Almost instantly, dozens of people jumped out from their seats and ran after him at breakneck speed. Soon, I joined the chase. “Stopp…” one of us shouted. Our legs felt like lead and our chests heaved after a few minutes. Our lungs felt like they were on fire but all of us were unrelenting. Arms outstretched, we tried to catch hold of the pickpocket. However, he seemed so near and yet was frustrating out of reach each time we edged closer. The pickpocket was panting hard as well. Suddenly, a stone was flung from somewhere behind me. It ricocheted off the man’s back and he fell with a heavy thud. A few muscular men rushed forward and pinned him down while another whipped out his hand phone and dialed triple nines.
Within minutes, sirens of police cars rent the silent afternoon. The wallet was returned to the girl and the man was arrested. “Thank you so much. Thank you, “the girl thanked me profusely. She reached out for her wallet and took a fifty dollars note from it. What a rich girl she was to have so many fifty dollars notes in her wallet. However, I declined the reward politely. “Please, take it. You are such a brave boy to confront the man,” she said. I still refused to accept it.“All right then, I will tell my father to buy you a box of chocolates. Would that be all right?” she asked. I nodded with a grin. Chocolates are my favourite.
Cheating during Examination
By HLin
My eyebrows furrowed as I tried to find a solution to the question. The question seemed to be mocking me, challenging me to answer it. My eyes were staring hard at the question but my mind was a complete blank. I narrowed my eyes and tried to concentrate on the question but I just couldn't find the answer. Beads of perspiration formed on my forehead as I racked my brain to recall all the solutions for the complicated sums. "This must be the most complicated sum in the exam paper," I reassured myself. "I wonder if the other pupils could do it," I muttered to myself and then scanned around the classroom. Everyone was scribbling furiously on their exam papers, oblivious to the whirling of the fan and the faint but audible ticking of the clock. My heart sank. It seemed that I was the only one in the class who did not know how to do this sum. I regretted drifting off to my dreamland during Mr Johnson's monotonous Mathematics lecture. Mathematics was my Achilles' heels, so I did not like it a lot. I heaved a sigh of resignation and was going to continue to do my work when somebody caught my attention.
A few rounds in front, Kate was looking around frantically as if she had done something wrong and did not want others to know. My eyes dropped to my exam papers. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Kate sliding her delicate hands into her pockets after she was sure that no one was watching her. My eyes were now fixed on her. She fished out a piece of note. Realisation hit me like a twenty-pound sledgehammer. Kate was cheating! How could it be? Popular Kate cheating? That was simply out of the question! I withdrew my gaze from her as I kept telling myself that my eyes were just playing a trick on me. I turned back to Kate who was scribbling furiously on her exam papers while referring to the piece of note nestled on her lap. I was in a dilemma. Should I tell the invigilator or not? If I did not, Kate would continue doing the wrong thing but if I did, then Kate would slaughter me. No! I must not go against my conscience.
With that thought, I raised my hands high up in the air. The invigilator, Mdm Tan, gave me a stern look but I knew I could not turn back now. Mdm Tan was notorious for being the fiercest teacher in school. The sight of her would send pupils running in the opposite direction. Her lips were so red that the new primary one pupils thought she was in the evil queen in a fairytale. Every pupil in the school was afraid of her when they did something wrong in front of her because her thunderous voice could travel several metres when she scolded them. Mdm Tan's heels clicked loudly in the dead silence as she walked towards me, her back ramrod straight.
Just as she came near to my table, I related what I had seen to her."Are you sure?" Mdm Tan asked me doubtfully. I nodded my head. Then, she strode across the classroom and reached Kate's table. "Jane, tell me that little secret which you should share with me," Mdm Tan spoke to Kate, her voice dangerously soft. I lowered my head and watched Mdm Tan and Kate out of the corner of my eyes, afraid to think of what might happen next. Kate handed the piece of note to Mdm Tan with shaky hands. Immediately, Mdm Tan snatched away Kate's exam paper. Everyone gasped when they saw Mdm Tan tearing Kate's exam papers into half. "Get back to your work!" She commanded, and instantly, all thirty-eight pupils quickly went back to do their work.
I took a peep at Kate, who was staring at me, a ferocious flame dancing in her eyes. If looks could kill, I would have withered there and then."Time's up!" Mdm Tan shouted and snatched everyone's exam papers. I reluctantly handed in my exam paper as it was only two-third done. "Ring....." The recess bell rang. I tried to avoid Kate and her friends who were the "superstars" in our school. Every boy drools when they see them and every girl admires them except for me.However, Lady Luck did not seem to be on my side. "Stop there, you ugly stupid Jane!" the girls screeched. I bit my lips as I turned around to face them. "Hello," I tried to be friendly with them but they started to rain punches on me. Soon, I laid spread-eagled on the floor and my spectacles was grabbed and flung away. I groped around, trying to feel for my spectacles."Want your spectacles?" Kate's voice was coated with mockery as she spoke to me. "Dream on!" Although my vision was now blurred, I could still make out a figure stepping on my spectacles. The glass cracked and Kate's friend broke the spectacles into pieces.
Anger began to build up in me. Didn't they have any respect for me? With that thought, I bit Kate's thigh and she let out a shriek, "Get away!" She shoved me and I fell backwards. I lunged again at Kate. It was such a bad move. I even had to suffer the dire consequences of it. Kate and her friends began to kick my body and my head. Soon, bruises covered all parts of my body. "Guys, let's go, I think she has learnt her lesson," Kate told her friends and they left, leaving me alone. Suddenly, the world began to whirl around me as the last thin thread of consciousness slipped away and I was swept into unconsciousness.
I rubbed my eyes. Everything swam when I opened my eyes fully. Where was I? In heaven? It was very soft there! "Hey Jane,how are you feeling now," our school's 'nurse' asked me. "I'm fine, thank you," I replied. "Jane, Kate and her friends were expelled from the school because of what they had done to you," the nurse said. I froze. Expelled? It took me a moment to digest what I was hearing. "No way!" I said. "I want them back! Although they had been nasty to me, I think they can be very pleasant people!" I drowned out the protests from the nurse. "Nurse, wait for me for a while. I'm going to the principal's office," I told her and sprinted to the principal's office. I explained to the principal why the errant girls should not be expelled from the school and after a few minutes, the principal finally relented after he made the girls promised that they would turn over a new leaf. I believed that Kate and her friends would change, and they did. From the day onwards, Kate and her friends return to school. We became the best of friends and helped one another in times of needs.
My eyebrows furrowed as I tried to find a solution to the question. The question seemed to be mocking me, challenging me to answer it. My eyes were staring hard at the question but my mind was a complete blank. I narrowed my eyes and tried to concentrate on the question but I just couldn't find the answer. Beads of perspiration formed on my forehead as I racked my brain to recall all the solutions for the complicated sums. "This must be the most complicated sum in the exam paper," I reassured myself. "I wonder if the other pupils could do it," I muttered to myself and then scanned around the classroom. Everyone was scribbling furiously on their exam papers, oblivious to the whirling of the fan and the faint but audible ticking of the clock. My heart sank. It seemed that I was the only one in the class who did not know how to do this sum. I regretted drifting off to my dreamland during Mr Johnson's monotonous Mathematics lecture. Mathematics was my Achilles' heels, so I did not like it a lot. I heaved a sigh of resignation and was going to continue to do my work when somebody caught my attention.
A few rounds in front, Kate was looking around frantically as if she had done something wrong and did not want others to know. My eyes dropped to my exam papers. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Kate sliding her delicate hands into her pockets after she was sure that no one was watching her. My eyes were now fixed on her. She fished out a piece of note. Realisation hit me like a twenty-pound sledgehammer. Kate was cheating! How could it be? Popular Kate cheating? That was simply out of the question! I withdrew my gaze from her as I kept telling myself that my eyes were just playing a trick on me. I turned back to Kate who was scribbling furiously on her exam papers while referring to the piece of note nestled on her lap. I was in a dilemma. Should I tell the invigilator or not? If I did not, Kate would continue doing the wrong thing but if I did, then Kate would slaughter me. No! I must not go against my conscience.
With that thought, I raised my hands high up in the air. The invigilator, Mdm Tan, gave me a stern look but I knew I could not turn back now. Mdm Tan was notorious for being the fiercest teacher in school. The sight of her would send pupils running in the opposite direction. Her lips were so red that the new primary one pupils thought she was in the evil queen in a fairytale. Every pupil in the school was afraid of her when they did something wrong in front of her because her thunderous voice could travel several metres when she scolded them. Mdm Tan's heels clicked loudly in the dead silence as she walked towards me, her back ramrod straight.
Just as she came near to my table, I related what I had seen to her."Are you sure?" Mdm Tan asked me doubtfully. I nodded my head. Then, she strode across the classroom and reached Kate's table. "Jane, tell me that little secret which you should share with me," Mdm Tan spoke to Kate, her voice dangerously soft. I lowered my head and watched Mdm Tan and Kate out of the corner of my eyes, afraid to think of what might happen next. Kate handed the piece of note to Mdm Tan with shaky hands. Immediately, Mdm Tan snatched away Kate's exam paper. Everyone gasped when they saw Mdm Tan tearing Kate's exam papers into half. "Get back to your work!" She commanded, and instantly, all thirty-eight pupils quickly went back to do their work.
I took a peep at Kate, who was staring at me, a ferocious flame dancing in her eyes. If looks could kill, I would have withered there and then."Time's up!" Mdm Tan shouted and snatched everyone's exam papers. I reluctantly handed in my exam paper as it was only two-third done. "Ring....." The recess bell rang. I tried to avoid Kate and her friends who were the "superstars" in our school. Every boy drools when they see them and every girl admires them except for me.However, Lady Luck did not seem to be on my side. "Stop there, you ugly stupid Jane!" the girls screeched. I bit my lips as I turned around to face them. "Hello," I tried to be friendly with them but they started to rain punches on me. Soon, I laid spread-eagled on the floor and my spectacles was grabbed and flung away. I groped around, trying to feel for my spectacles."Want your spectacles?" Kate's voice was coated with mockery as she spoke to me. "Dream on!" Although my vision was now blurred, I could still make out a figure stepping on my spectacles. The glass cracked and Kate's friend broke the spectacles into pieces.
Anger began to build up in me. Didn't they have any respect for me? With that thought, I bit Kate's thigh and she let out a shriek, "Get away!" She shoved me and I fell backwards. I lunged again at Kate. It was such a bad move. I even had to suffer the dire consequences of it. Kate and her friends began to kick my body and my head. Soon, bruises covered all parts of my body. "Guys, let's go, I think she has learnt her lesson," Kate told her friends and they left, leaving me alone. Suddenly, the world began to whirl around me as the last thin thread of consciousness slipped away and I was swept into unconsciousness.
I rubbed my eyes. Everything swam when I opened my eyes fully. Where was I? In heaven? It was very soft there! "Hey Jane,how are you feeling now," our school's 'nurse' asked me. "I'm fine, thank you," I replied. "Jane, Kate and her friends were expelled from the school because of what they had done to you," the nurse said. I froze. Expelled? It took me a moment to digest what I was hearing. "No way!" I said. "I want them back! Although they had been nasty to me, I think they can be very pleasant people!" I drowned out the protests from the nurse. "Nurse, wait for me for a while. I'm going to the principal's office," I told her and sprinted to the principal's office. I explained to the principal why the errant girls should not be expelled from the school and after a few minutes, the principal finally relented after he made the girls promised that they would turn over a new leaf. I believed that Kate and her friends would change, and they did. From the day onwards, Kate and her friends return to school. We became the best of friends and helped one another in times of needs.
Kidnapped!
By Reg
"Bye Jamie!" "Bye Regine!" I bade goodbye to Jamie as we walked out of the gate in different directions. "Sigh, Ms Tan has given us a pile of homework again. How am I going to finish them? " I said to myself. Just as I was walking towards Block '349', a red car stopped beside me. A man wearing a pair of sunglasses stepped out of the car and walked towards me. He patted on my shoulder and said calmly,"You must be Regine. Your father was knocked down in an accident and was sent to the hospital. I am here to bring you there." "What? Dad is at the hospital? Oh no!" Without any hesitation, I stepped into the car.
Inside the vehicle, my mind was filled with happy moments with Dad. What could have happened to him? As we were on the way, the driver drove past the hospital. "We've passed the hospital, aren't you going to stop?" I asked the driver but there was no response. Soon, I was driven to a deserted place. The car stopped when we reached a dilapidated house. I muttered," Aren't we supposed to be at the hospital, why are we......" Then, I felt an intense pain on my back and I closed my eyes as I felt my last thread of consciousness slip away.
After a few hours, I woke up, only to find myself in a dark room tied to a rocking chair and gagged. I tried to shout but my shouts were muffled. Suddenly, I heard someone talking on the phone. I could only make out the conversation vaguely. "Two million...tomorrow five a.m....Jalan Kapar...do not call the police..." and that's all. Oh no! I was kidnapped and the kidnappers were asking for a ransom of two million dollars. "Mum, Dad, I miss you!", I cried silently, tears streaming down my eyes. I must escape from this 'dungeon' and go back home.
Suddenly, a man walked into the room."Do you know who am I? I was once your father's employee and he fired me without giving a chance. Now, you are in this state and you can only blame him. This two million is what I deserve!" He shouted in my face. I could only shrink back into the chair. Then, that man picked up a beer bottle and started drinking. Soon, he was drunk and he threw the bottle onto the ground. The bottle was smashed into smithereens and a few pieces landed around me. As I saw the man float into dreamland, I knew my chance has come.
I rubbed my tied hands against the back of the rocking chair but it was unyielding. But I continued rubbing, refusing to give up. The knots loosened by the tiniest fraction, just enough for me to slip down a hand to pick up a broken piece of glass. I rubbed and scratched the rope, unmindful of the pain it caused. Snap. The rope was cut. I removed the gag from my mouth and untied the ropes on my leg. I was on my way to freedom. I cautiously opened the door which caused a little creak.
When I reached outside, I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I felt as if my lungs were burning but all I knew was to run and continue to live.After a few minutes of running, I saw a signboard saying,"You are at Jalan Kapar, Jalan Pesar is at the North and Jalan Kayu is at the West" Although I knew I must go to Jalan Kayu, I did not know where the West was. Looks like I might go on a wild goose chase, looking for the place I want to go. Just then I heard a shout. My kidnappers had caught up with me already. I ran as fast as I could, not caring where I was heading. Suddenly, a car with blue and red lights flashing on it drove towards me. I could not stop in time and I heard a loud screech and a sharp pain on my right side before I blacked out.
"Regine, wake up!" A familiar voice woke me up from my dreamland. "Huh, where am I? Is this heaven? Dad, Mum, is that you?" "Of course it's us silly. This is the hospital. The patrol car's side mirror had hit you and the police sent you to the hospital. The kidnappers who came running after you were apprehended by the police at the scene. The doctor said that you have to be hospitalised for further examination," Mum explained. I turned to Dad," Dad, why did you fire that man?" "He often took leave and when he reports for work, he was seldom punctual. If I continue to let him stay and give him free salary, I would make a loss!" Dad explained. After this horrible lesson, I learnt not to believe strangers and go to other places with them.
"Bye Jamie!" "Bye Regine!" I bade goodbye to Jamie as we walked out of the gate in different directions. "Sigh, Ms Tan has given us a pile of homework again. How am I going to finish them? " I said to myself. Just as I was walking towards Block '349', a red car stopped beside me. A man wearing a pair of sunglasses stepped out of the car and walked towards me. He patted on my shoulder and said calmly,"You must be Regine. Your father was knocked down in an accident and was sent to the hospital. I am here to bring you there." "What? Dad is at the hospital? Oh no!" Without any hesitation, I stepped into the car.
Inside the vehicle, my mind was filled with happy moments with Dad. What could have happened to him? As we were on the way, the driver drove past the hospital. "We've passed the hospital, aren't you going to stop?" I asked the driver but there was no response. Soon, I was driven to a deserted place. The car stopped when we reached a dilapidated house. I muttered," Aren't we supposed to be at the hospital, why are we......" Then, I felt an intense pain on my back and I closed my eyes as I felt my last thread of consciousness slip away.
After a few hours, I woke up, only to find myself in a dark room tied to a rocking chair and gagged. I tried to shout but my shouts were muffled. Suddenly, I heard someone talking on the phone. I could only make out the conversation vaguely. "Two million...tomorrow five a.m....Jalan Kapar...do not call the police..." and that's all. Oh no! I was kidnapped and the kidnappers were asking for a ransom of two million dollars. "Mum, Dad, I miss you!", I cried silently, tears streaming down my eyes. I must escape from this 'dungeon' and go back home.
Suddenly, a man walked into the room."Do you know who am I? I was once your father's employee and he fired me without giving a chance. Now, you are in this state and you can only blame him. This two million is what I deserve!" He shouted in my face. I could only shrink back into the chair. Then, that man picked up a beer bottle and started drinking. Soon, he was drunk and he threw the bottle onto the ground. The bottle was smashed into smithereens and a few pieces landed around me. As I saw the man float into dreamland, I knew my chance has come.
I rubbed my tied hands against the back of the rocking chair but it was unyielding. But I continued rubbing, refusing to give up. The knots loosened by the tiniest fraction, just enough for me to slip down a hand to pick up a broken piece of glass. I rubbed and scratched the rope, unmindful of the pain it caused. Snap. The rope was cut. I removed the gag from my mouth and untied the ropes on my leg. I was on my way to freedom. I cautiously opened the door which caused a little creak.
When I reached outside, I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I felt as if my lungs were burning but all I knew was to run and continue to live.After a few minutes of running, I saw a signboard saying,"You are at Jalan Kapar, Jalan Pesar is at the North and Jalan Kayu is at the West" Although I knew I must go to Jalan Kayu, I did not know where the West was. Looks like I might go on a wild goose chase, looking for the place I want to go. Just then I heard a shout. My kidnappers had caught up with me already. I ran as fast as I could, not caring where I was heading. Suddenly, a car with blue and red lights flashing on it drove towards me. I could not stop in time and I heard a loud screech and a sharp pain on my right side before I blacked out.
"Regine, wake up!" A familiar voice woke me up from my dreamland. "Huh, where am I? Is this heaven? Dad, Mum, is that you?" "Of course it's us silly. This is the hospital. The patrol car's side mirror had hit you and the police sent you to the hospital. The kidnappers who came running after you were apprehended by the police at the scene. The doctor said that you have to be hospitalised for further examination," Mum explained. I turned to Dad," Dad, why did you fire that man?" "He often took leave and when he reports for work, he was seldom punctual. If I continue to let him stay and give him free salary, I would make a loss!" Dad explained. After this horrible lesson, I learnt not to believe strangers and go to other places with them.
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