#7

  photo courtesy of New York Times

The Ten Plush Cat Dolls

          Sasha hums as she picked up a box of old toys with ease. Dust danced in the warm rays of the morning sun shining through the glass windows in the dusty attic. Sasha and her mother are cleaning out the attic in their house to make room for other storage. As Sasha enter back into the attic, she sees her mother sitting on the floor, legs crossed as she stares at something in her hands that Sasha couldn’t see. Sasha peeks over her mother’s shoulder. “What’re you looking at Mama?”

          Her mother’s train of thought is broken by the sound of her daughter’s voice and her head snaps up to face Sasha. “Oh, it’s nothing my dear. It’s just a set of plush cat dolls your grandmother gave me when I was a child.” Sasha’s eyes brightens up like the stars. “Can I see?” She asks sweetly. Her mother laugh and hands the a doll to Sasha. It is a beautiful cat wearing a long dainty dress and a pearl necklace that glints in the morning light, attached at the end is a sunflower. Hanging from the cat’s small pointy ears are long earrings. The cat is also carrying a flower basket. “ Oh my! This is so lovely Mama! May I have it? May I have it? Please??” Sasha gives her mother her infamous puppy-dog eyes. Her mother smiles and gives her the box, and she squeals in obvious delight.

           Ten cat dolls all line up neatly in a row on her shelf. Some cats wear a fancy black suit as if they are going to a wedding. Only one fancy black suit cat wore a white brooch on it, as if he is the groom. Some wear long dresses with pearl necklaces hanging around their little, fluffy cat necks. One cat, though, wear a beautiful bride’s dress with the white veil hanging over its face. It is as if all of the cat had attended a cat wedding. Sasha giggles at the thought of it. Oh I wish I could attend a cat wedding! It would be so much fun! Seeing as it is getting late, she climbs in bed and falls asleep before her head hits the pillow.

          Sasha hears scuffling, like something is moving. Her first thought is to scream for her parents, thinking that it is a burglar! But, she has been too deep in her slumber and is trapped in sticky web of unconsciousness. She could not open her heavy eyelids. Eventually, she drowns in her deep slumber.

          The moment Sasha sense sunlight, she immediately snap her eyes open and sit up faster than lightning. She looks around and realize everything is normal. Nothing changed. She jumps off her bed and inspects her cat dolls. Everything seems as usual. Till she realizes something. The Bride Cat is next to The Groom Cat! Her eyes widen and she rushes to get her parents and inform them about the discovery. Sasha’s mother once again laugh and say, “Oh don’t panic. I went to your room and shifted them! They looked so cute together!” Sasha heaves a sigh of relief, nothing happened that night. But where had she heard that scuffling sound? That question etch in her mind for a few seconds before she is called to have pancakes for breakfast.

          Sasha stands in front of her cat dolls, inspecting them one by one. She climbs in bed and pulls the covers over her head, eyes still glued at the dolls. “Okay!” She turns off the lamp and sleep.

          Scuffling sounds. Again. Sasha is able to force her tired eyes open and saw a small blurred object moving into the wall. Wait what, the wall!? Her eyes immediately snap open and the blurred object came into focus.

          I-it is a cat! No wait, not any cat. Her cat doll! The cat doll turns around and catches Sasha staring. It smiles at her, and scurries into a tiny hole in the wall Sasha never notice. Sasha timidly step out of bed and tip-toes toward the hole. She wiggles a finger in there. Suddenly, she begins to shrink and shrink, till she is smaller than the hole. Sasha runs inside, terrified but eager to find out what is going on.

          She sees cats! The Groom Cat and The Bride Cat stands a few feet from the entrance of the hole and smile simultaneously when they make eye contact with Sasha. “Come in my child.” The Bride Cat says in a honey-suckle voice. She moves cautiously towards the pair and murmured, “Am I dreaming?” A little cat peeks behind them and rush up to Sasha and pinch her. Sasha yelps and pulls her hand away. “Nope. You’re not!” The trio laugh and led me to a paradise. Cat paradise. It’s the best night Sasha ever has and make new cat friends. She is so tired by the time the party end. The Bride Cat takes Sasha’s hand in her soft hand(or paw), and led Sasha to the hole. She slips something on Sasha’s wrist but by the time The Bride Cat carries Sasha to the hole, Sasha has fell asleep.

          Sasha wakes up in the morning rays as she slowly sit up and rub her eyes. Had last night been a dream? She shrugs to herself and feel something on her right wrist. She lift up her wrist and saw......

A sparkly bracelet with the words: The Ten Plush Cat Dolls

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 One sentence summary: Sasha had a set of plush cat dolls that came alive at night and one night, brought Sasha to their world.

One paragraph summary: Sasha’s mother and Sasha were cleaning up the attic when they found a beautiful set of plush cat dolls. Sasha took the dolls to her room. What she did not know, that these cute plush cat dolls come alive at night as Sasha is in her slumber. One night however, Sasha is brought to a whole new world. By who? Well of course, the plush cat dolls!

Photo courtesy of New York Times

“Happy Birthday Sabrina.”

          “Remember! No peeking!” Amber said playfully, “You don’t want to ruin the surprise, do you?” Sabrina shook her head vigorously, sending her pigtails into her friend’s face behind her. The trio giggled and they continued leading Sabrina, who was blindfolded, to the ‘surprise’.

          It was Sabrina’s birthday, and she was blindfolded the moment she woke up. She knew her friends were around and she could not wait to see what surprise they were going to give her. Her friends were the most sweetest people Sabrina had ever met, and they always gave her birthday gifts and a shoulder to cry on during Sabrina’s bad days. Ooh what’s the surprise, what’s the surprise! Sabrina was bursting with excitement.

          She heard the opening of a door, and one of her friends gently pushed her in. The she heard Amber’s honey sweet voice as if she ate honey every morning, “Alright. Sabrina, please turn around.” Sabrina did as she was told, biting her lip to hold back the screams of excitement that were building inside of her throat. “Okay! Now, take off your blindfold!” 

          As soon as Sabrina ripped off her blindfold, she felt a shove, fell backwards and as soon as she hit something, tiny, colourful things flew into the air at her sides. No way. Could it be......

          “SPRINKLES! Thank you! You know me so much!” Sabrina wiggle her arms and legs in the swimming pool of sprinkles, her favourite topping! Her friends laughed in front of her at her funny antics. “Hey, come join me!” Sabrina looked up just as she heard the click of the door......followed by silence......

          “Umm...... Amber? Helen? Penny? Come on! Stop playing with me! Come out!” Sabrina called out to her friends, first playfully, then she became a bit uneasy. Where have they gone? Maybe they went to get my birthday present? Sabrina got up to find them.

          Suddenly, something locked around her ankle and lifted her leg up, making her fall again into the sprinkles. Sabrina proceeded to stand up but something locked around her other ankle, tighter than ever. Sabrina looked down to see a bunch of sprinkles forming around her ankles, connecting to the pool of sprinkles.....

          Before Sabrina could even process this madness, sprinkles locked themselves around her wrists, forcing her into the pool. The Sabrina widened her eyes in horror and realization. “HELP! HELP ME! SOMEONE HELP!” Sabrina screamed her throat raw as she try to fight against the iron grip of the sprinkles. Sprinkles started to gather around her stomach, forcing her down even more, it was as if they were trying to drown her. Tears of horror ran down her cheeks as her life flashed through her eyes. She had no strength left and gave up. Sprinkles covered her vision and she was gasping for breath. Her lungs burned for oxygen as she was slipping into unconsciousness. The last bit of light was gone and all she saw was pitch darkness. As her vision went blurry, she heard a girl’s faint whisper,

“Happy Birthday Sabrina.”

          Sabrina’s eyes widened and cold sweat trickled down her forehead. She slowed her breathing when she realized where she was. “Oh. It’s just a stupid dream.” She glanced at the calendar hanging on the opposite wall and smiled gleefully. “Oh yeah! It’s my birthday!” She jumped out of bed and began dancing happily. Then, out of her window, she caught something. She peered out of the window and saw......

There, in the backyard, was a pool filled of colourful sprinkles.

“Happy Birthday Sabrina.” And then everything went black.

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One sentence summary: Sabrina got pushed into a swimming pool of sprinkles, her favourite topping, but something pulled her deeper, and it seems like sprinkles wasn’t so pleasant anymore.

One paragraph summary: Sabrina got pushed into a swimming pool of sprinkles! It was her most favourite topping for anything, and now she was swimming in a swimming pool full of it! On her birthday! She was about to thank her friends when something tugs from below, suddenly, it seems like sprinkles wasn’t so pleasant anymore.

#2

My Friends

I have friends in my head. I’m sure everybody has them.

They can be good, they can be bad, or maybe even both. It also depends on how you handle them.

I have many friends in my head, but I can only introduce a few of them. I’ll be very glad to introduce them to whoever is reading this!

Joyce is one of my best friends. She was always there to make me smile, and remind me of the wonderful things that happened to me. She always tell me things like, “You can do it!” Or “Good job!”. She allows me to look at the positive side of things.

But sometimes, when I don’t handle Joyce well, sometimes people will call me selfish. When people play tricks on me that I don’t like, she will tell me to go along and smile, to not be mad at them. I don’t like that, so I will have to handle Joyce well.

Sam is another friend I have who lives in my head. I don’t quite like him, since he is quite the opposite of Joyce. He reminds me of the bad memories I had, like the time I was in a competition and lost, and I cry. He makes me cry. And I don’t like it. People will call me a ‘crybaby’.

But Sam can also be nice. Sometimes Sam will motivate me to do better, and because of that, I will be happy with the result.

Joyce and Sam work together from time to time. Sometimes they remind me of a memory which both sad and happy. Remember the memory I told you about that competition I lost? Well even though I was sad, Joyce told me that at least I had fun! Which looking back, I did have fun. Which makes me happy. Even though I was sad that I lost, I was happy that I had fun preparing for the competition.

I want to introduce one last friend: Fran

Fran is helpful sometimes. Sometimes my friends urge me to go on a scary roller coaster ride. But Fran tells me not to, as it is scary. I listen to her no matter what my friends say. In the end, my friends might come out crying or sick. Fran helps me avoid these situations from getting me into trouble.

Somethings though, when I listen to Fran, people will make fun of me, taunting me and calling me a ‘scaredy-cat’. I don’t like that. So I will tell Fran that I can do it. Though she might urge me to stop, I won’t listen to her and will face my fears. There may be good and bad outcomes, but at least I have the experience.

Well that’s all the friends I’m able to introduce you to. I would love to introduce the rest of my friends, but their not ready yet. For now, you will now know Sam, Joyce and Fran. Thanks for reading!

Photo courtesy of New York Times

Shining in Misty Sea......

          “The diamond was said to be still in the deepest depths of Misty Sea. Waiting, to be discovered.”

          Ethan Brown loved hearing fantasy stories and myths from his grandparents. He couldn’t get enough and always persuaded for more. Like this time.

          “I’m sorry Ethan but it’s way past your bedtime. Maybe some other time. Remember, you’re going scuba diving in Misty Sea tomorrow, you don’t want to oversleep, do you?” Ethan’s grandmother said in a soothing voice and gave a toothless smile. Ethan’s eyes lit up at the sound of his upcoming trip to Misty Sea and jumped of the couch without a moments hesitation, and rushed to his bedroom faster than the speed of lightning. 

          Ethan looked like he ate a whole jar of sugar the next day. He could not stop talking about all the fun things he might see in Misty Sea, could not keep still in the car and chattered all the way to Misty Bay. There the Brown family put on scuba diving gear. Ethan the first one to finish preparing, unsurprisingly. After a few minutes, they were all ready. The Brown family stood with scuba diving instructors at the age of Misty Bay and together...                                                                              ...they jumped in to the cold and sparkling waters of Misty Sea.

          Ethan’s breath had been taken away as soon as he plunged into the water. Colourful fish were swimming by and there were beautiful corals standing upright on the sea grounds, showing off their outstanding colours in the morning rays penetrating into the water. There was also anemones swaying with the gentle water current. This was not expected by Ethan at all. This was so much more breath-taking and astounding.

          They swam around, passing by colourful fish and even took picture with a turtle with an underwater camera. It was such an amazing experience. Just then, a clown-fish passed by, which wasn’t unusual if the clown-fish didn’t stop to take a look at Ethan. Ethan caught it staring and stopped to stare back at its black eyes. The fish’s mouth was gaping open and close repeatedly, almost as if it was saying something but no words were formed. The clown-fish then turned its orange head around to face the back, and turned back to face Ethan, mouth still gaping open and close, as if it was saying, “Come with me.” The clown-fish suddenly turned its orange striped body to the back and started swimming deeper into the ocean. And of course, Ethan had to follow, but by doing so he had broken one rule: Always stick together.

          Ethan swam curiously with the clown-fish as a guide. He didn’t realize that he had strayed away from the group. Then he sensed light. It was different from the morning rays. No, it was brighter and whiter. Curiosity burned inside of him like a bushfire that just pushed him to find out what the strange light was. And he saw it.

          There was a huge and sparkling diamond sitting in the middle of the waters. Light reflected of the beautiful diamond and it was gorgeous. Ethan remembered the myth his grandmother told him the previous night, was it actually true? The sparkling diamond standing right in front of his eyes, could it be actually true?

          “Ethan! There you are! Where have you been?” Ethan’s head whipped around and saw his mother and father swimming after him. They stopped when they saw the outstanding beauty of the diamond. One of the scuba diving instructors giggled and said, “Looks like your son has found the amazing work of art in the sea.” Ethan widened his eyes. “So it’s not from a giant’s diamond ring?” The same instructor laughed again and said between laughter, “Of course not! It was just a myth the town made up.” Ethan felt very ridiculous and stupid right then. He thought it was from a giant’s ring when it was just an amazing work of art in Misty Sea.

          Nevertheless, it didn’t ruin his day and brought back memories and photos of the scuba diving trip in Misty Sea.

          And, who knows, maybe there is a sparkling diamond that fell from a giant’s ring, somewhere deep in Misty Sea, still waiting to be found, shining its beautiful light......                                                                                                      ________________________________________________________________

One sentence summary: A myth in which a diamond from a giant’s diamond ring fell in to the sparkling water of Misty Sea, or was it just a myth?

One paragraph summary: A  myth in which a diamond from a giant’s diamond ring fell in to the sparkling water of Misty Sea, or was it just a myth? Ethan finds out the truth as he scuba dives into the sparkling waters of Misty Sea.

#5

An Unusual Emergency Call

I had been working as a police officer for quite long. One of my jobs was to respond to the emergency calls. I would respond to the call, and send help where necessary. Everything had been going quite smoothly. But I still do remember one very unusual emergency call.

As usual I picked up the phone.

Me: 999, what’s your emergency?

Unexpectedly a little girl’s voice responded on the other side of the phone.

Caller: H-Hi. Um, my mummy collapsed. And she’s not waking up.

Me: Your mom collapsed! Is she breathing?

Caller: I’m gonna check.... She is breathing. She is breathing! When are you going to come?

Smart kid. I thought.

Me: Help is on the way, don’t worry! Could you tell me where you live.

Caller: I-I don’t know...

Oh no... what was I going to do... no location at all. Then I remembered that this was a really small town so I asked:

Me: Sweetie, could you please go outside for me? There should be a sign there showing your street. Could you please tell us the street and describe your house?

I didn’t quite hear much but I now knew she was on Queen’s Street, and she had a wind chime on the front door. Thank god. I hope I could locate the right house.

Me: Thank you! We are very near it’ll only take us about 3 minutes. What’s your name dear? How old are you?

Madison: Madison. I’m 6 years old. Is mummy gonna be okay?

Me: Okay Madison. Your mummy is gonna be just fine be calm my dear. Help is on the way! What’s your mummy’s name? What happened to her?

Madison: I-I don’t know what happened. Just heard a loud sound. And then I saw her on the floor sleeping with some blood on her head.

Me: Your mummy is going to be just fine. What’s your mummy’s name Madison?

Madison: Um.. Mika.

Me: Okay. You are taking care of mummy right? When you hear the police sirens please tell me okay Madison dear?

Madison: O-okay. Oh! I hear sirens!

Just like that, the line went dead. All heard was the beeping of the phone. I thought since she said the police arrived, I assumed that they would be fine, I hoped.

The next day, the news about Mika was shown on television. Thank god she was okay. But I never got to see Madison. I asked my friend about it. She was confused. She said, “There was no little girl in the house, we only saw Mika.” I told her, surprised, that the person who picked up the phone was a 6 year old girl named Madison. My friend suggested we go visit Mika, see if she was able to tell us anything about Madison. I told her maybe it was just her neighbour. My friend raised her eyebrow. I sighed.

My friend and I visited Mika in the hospital. After some small talk to make Mika comfortable. My friend went straight to the point. “Mika, do you have a daughter name Madison?” Mika froze at that question. She smiled sadly. “Yes I do have a daughter. Madison died at the age of six. I miss her so, so much.” Wait what. “But Mika, I just heard your daughter call for help when you were unconscious.”

Mika smiled even more. “Madison may have passed away. But she will always be there to protect me, like my own little guardian angel.”

End~

Photo courtesy of New York Times

Hope

                   I met Hope in the rescue center for dogs. He was placed in a cage between two well groomed and beautiful dogs. He was very different from them. When I first saw him, I was shocked! He barely had any hair and he was skinny to the bone. While other dogs pressed their pretty faces onto their cage doors. He sat in a corner, away from the light. So I had to take a second look at the cage.

         When I first looked at him, I felt pity. I thought that the reason he stayed at a corner is that he had no hope on people adopting him. That was why I adopted him. And that was why I named him ‘Hope’.

         Hope was skeptical of me at first. He avoided me for the first few days. But I gave him space and time. Slowly, he warmed up to me after a week. He started to sit on my lap and lick my face. I gave him the adequate amount of food he needed, and if he wanted more I would give him. He was a sweet dog overall. But more time passed, and his hair or size didn’t seem to grow. The veterinarian said that it was harmless and he would be fine.

         Hope was a sweet dog. On bad days, he would snuggle at my neck and lick my tears away. On rare days, where I wanted to be alone in my room, Hope would wait outside the door till I got better. He was a patient dog and would be there to help me when I got hurt. Like a time where I fell and broke my leg and couldn’t move. Fortunately, Hope was there. Even for his small size, he managed to bark loudly enough to get my neighbor’s attention to get help. So I consider him my savior and comforter.

         Most of my friends favored him despite his appearance. Of course some still despised him. But still, I hosted a party at my house and sent invitations to all my friends. I smiled after I sent the last invite. This is going to change on how some would view my dear Hope. I then started getting ready for the party.

         When my friends arrived, I could tell by their faces that I’d succeeded. I had placed paper moon and stars all around the living room. The walls were covered with wallpaper that were black and starry. Like a night sky or space. There, sitting at a table, was Hope wearing a small but majestic cape, sitting behind a sparkling crescent with the words: There is hope in every living creature.  I then turned to my gawking visitors and calmly said, “I don’t think I got into the origin on why I named Hope, ‘Hope’. He looked so helpless at the center. Like many people had rejected and made fun of him. I gave him hope when he had none left. I gave him food and shelter and love. And hope.” I took a deep breath. “Give him a chance. He may not be beautiful. But he needs love and hope. So give him a chance. Hope.”

         My friends all stared at me with tear-filled eyes...

Photo courtesy of New York Times

The Secret Room

          When Janice turned eight, she was at the age where she was curious and adventurous. She loved to run around and poke around with her sister and brother. Out of her 4 siblings if you ask them who was the most active and curious they would simultaneously point to Janice. She was also very clumsy, often tripping over her own feet, tripping over invisible rocks on the ground. She had gotten use to the pain of scratches and bruises on her legs and arms. Her mother always thought that her curiosity would be put into good use in the near future so she encouraged Janice to be more curious. Her father said otherwise. Janice did not care, she continued being curious and adventurous just like what her mother said.

         One day, the family decided to move into a new house about a state away. Janice wasn’t particularly happy about it but she also saw it as a chance to explore the house and neighborhood. As soon as they stepped into the new house, Janice rushed around, opening doors and exploring them. Her father rolled his eyes playfully while her mother giggled at Janice’s reaction to every room she opened up to. 

          But nothing could compare when Janice opened a door to what seem like heaven itself.

          Shelves and shelves of books filled the room. There were two bean bags, a table and chairs and even a window seat! It was like a paradise to Janice. One look at the books, the warm and inviting room and the sweet smell of books, she knew that she was meant to be in this house. Janice rushed up to her mother and father, who were unpacking their luggage, gave them a big hug and screamed, “THANK YOU! THANK YOU!” Her four siblings came up and wondered what the commotion was all about.

          A few months later, when the clock strike twelve, Janice immediately threw down her pencils and raced to the ‘Library’. She shut the ‘Library’ door behind her and roamed the shelves, looking for the perfect book to transport her to a wonderland. As her eyes roamed from title to title, her eyes glued to one captivating title. ‘The Secret Room’. It sounded like the book ‘The Secret Garden’ which was Janice’s all time favorite books. Her eyes lit up and she reached out a hand to take the book out.

          It wouldn’t budge. Janice raised an eyebrow and tugged at it. It still wouldn’t budge. Janice forehead wrinkled in confusion. Is this book glued to the wall? She gripped the book with both hands, took a deep breath and tugged hard at the stubborn book.

          CLICK!

          The book tilted abruptly but stopped all of a sudden, sending Janice stumbling back and falling on her butt. “Ow...” She got up and dusted herself just in time to see something extraordinary.

          The bookshelf with the tilted book swung open to her very slowly. Like a door. Janice’s eyes widened in both fear and excitement. She took a tentative step towards it and peered inside and gasped.

          It was a room! It had a blue bed and a picture of cherry blossoms on the wall. Janice couldn’t breathe. She stepped inside and swung her head wildly. There was a desk at the end of the room. She tiptoed towards the room and found a purple velvet book with a rusty key next to it. She picked up the purple book and blew the dust on it away. Janice started to open it but realize there was a strange lock on it, the same colour as the key......

          Janice sat on the blue bed and flipped to the first page. “The Secret Room. Wait, it’s that book!” Janice exclaimed excitedly, just as her mother called her for lunch. Janice reluctantly got up and turned the key, locking the book. After putting the book back at where it belonged, she stepped into the familiar ‘Library’ and shut the bookshelf. Janice grinned.

          No one will ever find that room. No one will ever enter the room. No one will find out what is hidden. Because it is mine. And mine only.

1. One sentence summary: Janice was a thirteen year old girl who found a secret room behind a bookshelf in her new house.

One paragraph summary: Janice was a clumsy, adventurous and curious thirteen year old girl who unintentionally stumbled upon a secret room behind a bookshelf a few days after she moved in her new house. She decided that this room would be hers and no one should find out about it.

#10

Stupid

ALYSSA smiles sadly with downcast eyes.

Alyssa: Stupid. You’re so stupid

Points to head.

Alyssa: You think bandages can fix this wound? No. Of course not. Are you that naive? Or do you think I’m just that dumb?

ALYSSA throws her head back and starts laughing.

Alyssa: (Mocking sweet voice) Omg yesss let’s be besties, I soooo forgive you ahahaha. (Returns to normal voice) (frowns) Seriously? Stop wasting your time on me, idiot. Haven’t you learnt that?! Stop leeching off me. Go away.

ALYSSA turns away and sits on the floor, clutching her knees to her chest.

Alyssa: What do you want? Could you just leave me alone. You’ve done enough damage… (sniffs)

After a while of tense silence, ALYSSA gets up and turns around. Her expression has changed to anger.

Alyssa: (sneers) WHAT DO YOU WANT SO BAD, HUH?! YOU’RE JUST GONNA COME BACK, TRY TO MAKE ME YOUR LITTLE TOY AGAIN! WATCH ME SUFFER AND CRY. I HAVE KNOWN BETTER, DON’T EXPECT ME TO FORGIVE YOU WHEN YOU COME PATHETICALLY CRAWLING BACK TO ME.

ALYSSA is out of breath. She calms down, and turns around. After a while, she turns her head to the side and looks down.

Alyssa: I can never forgive you. I’m not going to sympathise with you ever. I’m better now, but I shouldn’t have been friends with you ever. Find someone else to give you a second chance. But...

ALYSSA looks back in front of her.

Alyssa: You don’t deserve one.

ALYSSA walks away.

End~

Photo courtesy of New York Times

A Cold Autumn Night

          “ I sat at my favorite blue, wooden table, arms folded, a small red teacup filled with warm milk tea sat in front of my folded arms. Though I was at home, it was still surprisingly cold, and I liked it.

          It was a cold autumn night, 11.34 p.m. Soon it would strike 12 midnight, and I would had to dive under the warm covers in bed. I looked up at the bright crescent hanging in the night sky. It was shining especially bright that night, beaming at me. Outside, a bare tree stood lonely at the sidewalk. Around it were leaves that were once green and lush, growing on the strongest branches of the tree were now falling and dead. Soon winter would come and snow would cover them.

          Then, I spotted a lone star shining in the ink-black sky. I smiled at the star, and shifted my long, red hair, out of my eyes. To watch the star. Outside was silent. Everyone had went to bed. ‘Misty neighborhood’ was silent, and I immersed myself in it. I sipped my milk tea but felt nothing. My house was dark and quiet, the only light that shone was the moonlight. 

          I looked at my watch. 11.55 p.m. 5 more minutes. Might as well finish the tea. I picked up my red teacup and drank the rest of the tea and set it down on the cold table. Tomorrow at 8.30 a.m, the kids would be coming to listen stories. Again. I smiled at the thought. I glimpsed at my watch, 11,59 p.m. Time to sleep. I put my cup in the sink and went up the green staircase.

          As I heard the clock strike 12 midnight, I heard the bark of the three legged dog, leading my neighbor for his usual walk.”

          Jewel closed the book with a thud and looked down at 20 curious faces staring back at her. “But Miss Jewel? I did not see anyone next door.” Jewel smiled at Thomas. “You just didn’t look harder enough. He’s always at home in the mornings.” Thomas beamed at Jewel. Then someone knocked on the door. And soon, all the kids were sent back home.

          Jewel sat at her blue table, arms folded, a red teacup set in front of her. She sighed. If only the kids knew the truth. A newspaper clipping was being carried by the wind. And on the newspaper clipping read the headlines:

Poisonous Gas Released in ‘Misty Neighborhood’ At 12 Midnight. Residents Died In Their Sleep!

#3

Headphones

Ah! Such sweet music, flowing through my ears! Nothing was more amazing than such beautiful music. Free from the dreadful city noises that gave me horrible anxiety. Music is awesome.

I recently got a shiny new headphones, which was great. The headphones help me avoid daily gossip, news from strangers I don’t care about. If I didn’t get headphones anytime soon, I might’d lost my mind! Once I put them on, I was immediately in heaven, any noise around me would be muted, and the only noise I would hear is my own.

I brought it everywhere. The train, on the streets, in school. Everywhere. Especially in places that were always crowded.

My headphones saved my life. No one could take it away from me. No one.

I was a loner in school, which immediately made me a target by bullies. Music always made me happy though. During recess and breaks, I would go up to the school roof with my headphones and listen to music. No one goes up there for some reason. It may be dusty, but the view was breathtaking. No people, no bullies, means sweet silence except for my own music.

I was always up there, alone. No one went to the school roof. Yet.

It was like any other day. During the lunch break, I sneaked up to the school roof to listen to music and enjoy the fabulous view. Like usual. Except...

They found me.

“Hey twig!” I heard a far off voice which could be covered up by my music if I turned up the volume a bit higher. I froze. I recognised that voice, and it was the last thing I wanted to hear. I didn’t know what to do! I continued standing still, pretending not to hear him. Maybe they’d think I’m another person, maybe they’d walk away-

Suddenly, my beloved headphones were yanked off my head. All the sweet sound was gone. I was hysterical. In an instant, I turned towards Randy and kicked him, screaming over and over again, “GIVE IT BACK. GIVE IT BACK!” My headphones were in his grubby hands, they were screaming for help! I have to save them, I needed them. Randy smirked evilly, he shoved me aside and walked forward to the edge of the roof. I screeched and tried to run after him, but his friends held me back.

Randy stood at the edge of the roof. He turned towards me, laughing at my struggle. He had the nerve to laugh. I screamed at him again to return my headphones.

And then, he did the worst thing that broke me.

Randy stretched his hand over school roof fence... AND DROPPED MY HEADPHONES!

“NOOOOO!!!” I kicked and punched Randy’s friends, and I was finally free. I rushed forward, screaming like a maniac. I pushed Randy aside and without thinking. I jumped off the roof after my headphones.

Everything was in slow-motion. Everything around me blurred. I grabbed my headphone. I felt the leather of my precious headphone. I put them on. I smiled.

No one can take my headphones away anymore.

End~