PSLE Composition Practice 1

This story is an edited plot of the previous story. Checked- iced is a verb.

Q2:

My heart palpitated and did a somersault. Faster and faster. Louder and louder. I glanced to the left. Nothing. I glanced to the right. Nothing. What had happened? The next thing I knew was that Jake, who was sitting next to me, was laughing mirthfully at me.

Jake and I were travelling back home in a bus. All of a sudden, the bus made an abrupt brake. “Boom!” an ear-piercing screech pierced through the tranquil ambience of the bus.

It was then I found out that an accident had happened to a car that was travelling in front of the bus. I heaved a sigh of relief.

“Haha. You are so funny and timid. It really reminds me of the time you was scared by a mouse in the class room. It was humorous you know?” Jake teased me.

“Hey I am not timid! How can you say I am?!” I retorted, incensed with rage.

“Ok, let us see! Meet at the Moosely Pub later in the evening!” Jake challenged me with a smirk on his face. Unwilling to admit that I was timid, I agreed. However, I was not warned of the danger that lurked.

That evening, I arrived at my destination punctually. Lights of various colours shined through the pub, creating the ideal ambience for relaxation. I spotted Jake at a corner, enjoying his alcoholic drink. I swallowed a gulp of air and strolled to him.

“Hey, you are here already. Sit, I have got something to offer you,” Jake beckoned me over, sinisterly.

As requested, I sat next to him. He took out a packet of pills and gulped it down, accompanied by his beverage. It was easily comprehended; Drugs. A chill of apprehension was like a finger of ice, running up and down my spine. How could it be, Jake taking drugs? My eyes grew as wide as saucepans. I was utterly taken aback, flabbergasted! No, it could not be! It could not be true! I tried to deny what I saw but to no avail.

“Take this, coward. Only if you dare,” Jake whispered to me, with a glint in his eyes.

“I am not one and stop saying I am one! I will prove to you!” I hollered, contorted with rage.

I snatched the pills from Jake’s hand and gulped it down with a surge of anger. Instantaneously, the drug took effect. I felt as if I was on cloud nine. Worries in my mind dispersed with each passing second. Suddenly, an earth-shattering shriek pierced through the atmosphere. Our eyes were clouded with fear. Blood drained from my face. My pulse raced. My body iced. I came to my senses; A drug raid! Would I get caught? Would my future be ruined? Would I be sent to a rehabilitation centre? Horrifying thoughts circled in my mind. What should I do? There was no route for escape! A haze of fear surrounded me and left me frantic with trepidation. My face turned as white as sheet. I was desperate. I did not want to be caught!

Reacting to pure impulsivity, I lighted a match stick and threw it onto the curtains. Only a diversion could help me escape. The curtains erupted into a hellish ball of fire. The smell of acrid smoke wafted into my nostrils. Curtains after curtains, screams after screams, I knew my plan was working splendidly. A giant mushroom of smoke billowed. Soon after, the whole pub was an ocean of fire. Everyone was running helter-skelter out of the pub. In addition to the pandemonium, a massive blast ripped through the pub.

Without hesitation, I bolted in a streak of lightning out of the pub. Glistening bead of perspiration peppered my forehead. All of a sudden, the ceiling came crashing down. I glanced back; Jake! Should I save him? He was the one who caused all the trouble. By then, torrents of tears were already streaming down his cheeks. His tearful and pitiful eyes seemed to be telling me to save him. I was on the brink of hysteria. My heart felt torn. Guilt. I knew it would be overwhelming if I had not saved him. Making my final decision, I dash back into the inferno to save Jake.

I knew the ceiling could not hold anymore. Rubble was raining painfully on my body. Pieces by pieces, bigger and bigger, the rubble was impeding my movement. Fear gripped me in an inescapable bear hug. My throat felt parched. My eyes were tearing. Ironically, tears helped to lubricate my eyes. Emerging one by one, larger and larger, I could not control them! I knew there was no way to save him. I knew the ceiling could not hold anymore. Remorse. Anger. I was choked by these overwhelming emotions. I was dragged by people out of the fiery drama.

The fire brigade soon arrived and put out the fire. Charred bodies were being dragged out. I trudged over, hoping not to see Jake’s body. Tears were flowing down, stinging my eyes. I identified one body. Hysterically, I kneeled down and held his hand. No, it was not him! How I hoped it was not him! However, I knew it was.

Drugs ruined my life. Drugs ruined Jake’s life. Drugs caused a precious life to be lost. Drugs caused everything to be lost! Oh why, why had I agreed to Jake’s request? I tried to calm myself, sooth myself. The cold hand I held, how I hoped it could be warm like before. I knew, this would never be the bravest act I had done. It would be the most timid one.

Composition Practice 1

My eyes grew almost as wide as saucepans. How could it be? Was my imagination working overtime? I tried to comprehend the situation again. I could not believe my eyes.

It was after school as I trudged home due to the overpowering exhaust from school work. I was making my way home through an alley. Suddenly, I heard an earth-shattering shriek. My body froze. My heart palpitated. I glanced around apprehensively. To my utter disbelief, I saw my best friend, John, extorting money from a young boy. He was accompanied by two of his fellow secondary school classmates, Sam and Ken. How could it be, John?

They had a dishevelled jet-black hair and a pimply sun-tanned complexion. The gloomy alley that filled with cobwebs made an ideal ambience for John’s extortion of money.

“Hand over all the money you have,” John bellowed with an evil smirk.

I felt indignant for the child as he cowered in fear. I mustered all my courage and confronted them.

“Stop it John! You are the head prefect in the school! How could you? Why will you need money from this young boy? “I hollered, incensed with rage.

“Oh, it’s you, Dave. Tell all you want about me. No one will believe you, Mummy’s boy! If you still treat me as your best friend, meet me tonight at the Karaoke near Spring Mall and I will introduce you something you will love! I am treating you as a best friend, telling you this. Go there if you are not a Mummy’s boy!” John challenged me as his voice raised several decibels.

I agreed without hesitation as I wanted to figure out what had happened to John. I wanted to end the name-calling. Fortunately, the young boy was let off.

I arrived at a Karaoke. Light of various colours illuminated the place and lit up its ambience. I spotted John and advanced towards him.

“Try this if you are not a Mummy’s boy! I bet you will understand what happened previously,” John sneered.

He popped a few pills into his mouth and it was easily comprehended: Drugs. He must have extorted money in order to buy them! Cold perspiration peppered my forehead. I was troubled my John’s challenge. Should I, or should I not? I was not a Mummy's boy! Plucking all my courage, I snatched it from John’s hands and swallowed it instantaneously. As the drug took effect, I felt as if I was on cloud nine. Troubles and worries dispersed without waiting for a second.

All of a sudden, shrieks of horror pierced through the atmosphere. A group of people rushed into the Karaoke. My eyes were clouded with fear. Blood drained from my face. I pulse raced. It was a drug raid! A haze of fear surrounded me and left me frantic with trepidation. Would I get caught? Would my life be ruined? My train of thoughts screeched to an abrupt halt as John dragged me to the toilet stealthily. I was on the brink of hysteria!

Agilely, John pushed me through the window. While I was halfway through, narcotics officers barged in like a bull. One of them gripped John’s hand like a vice and pulled him back.

He was dragged back with tremendous force. The atmosphere was extremely tense. I knew that my life was also hanging on a bare thread if John was caught. Tears welled up in his eyes. It emerged, one by one, dripping and dripping. My heart seemed to be tearing apart at the plight of John. My mind was hatching a plan to save him! In a streak of lightning, I grabbed a beer bottle by the side. My courage seemed to melt at the sight of the police. Nevertheless, I had to try! I knew I had to! With a mighty stroke, I threw a beer bottle at the narcotics officer holding on to John with pin-point accuracy. I struck him and there was a loud sound of shattering glass. He collapsed in a heap, grimacing in pain. However, other narcotics officers got hold of John.

My lips were pulled back into a strangled scream. My lips parted but not sound came out. My hands became clammy as I cowered in fear. I had no more chances. I escaped while looking at the sight of John and the narcotics officer lying in a pool of blood.

I stopped to take a rest when I had finally shaken them off. I recalled the narcotics officer lying in a pool of crimson red blood; John, he was dragged back with his face creased with sorrow and fear. Guilt. Trepidation. I did not have to kill the narcotics officer! I did not have to! John, I could have saved you. Tears stung my eyes.

I choked with emotions. My face etched with sorrow. Why!? Why!? Drug ruined my life. It ruined John’s perfect life. It ruined his title in school. It ruined everything! There was too much price to pay! Too much!

Chapter 6

Lost for eternity...

Plane collapsed on the ground in a heap, moaning in pain. The knife was already planted in his chest. Blood squirted out like a faulty fountain. He lay beside her, in peace.

I stood quite still, my eyes full of tears, my mouth open, drawing great shuddering gulps of air. All I wanted to do was to howl and suddenly I could not stop it. Sorrow pierced through my heart. The memories of them were cutting into me lke a knife. Slicing deep into me. The happy moments we had together. However, at the last moment, I could not save both of you.

The familiar blasting of sirens pierced through the air. The police pinned Plane down like a tailor would pin a stubborn crease. Plane struggled like a captured worm but to no avail. He was given an armlock that made him squeal in acute agony. Justice had once again prevailed. I then knew the shadow was Plane, looking for the pen.

I was sent to my aunt, Aunt Mary. She took good care of me. She took me as her own child.

Standing on a cliff, I watched the sunset. Memories. Memories. Mum. Dad. I would never forget the days we had. Rest in peace. I watched as I threw the pen far away. It sparkled. To end all of this ordeal. To never be brought up again. The pen was to be lost. Together with the bad memories. Deep into the sea. Deep into the ocean. Deep. Deep. Deep. And never to be found...

Chapter 5

The struggle; The dilemma; The tragedy

As if fear had lent me a pair of wings, I alerted the police. I sprinted like a strike of lightning towards Warehouse 29. I pushed the door open, experiencing the tense atmosphere.

"David! Why are you here? Get out now!" she ordered me desperately.

"No. NO! I already knew your affair long ago. I know what situation you and Dad are in now. I cannot leave both of you behind in a lurch!" I retorted. My heart was wrenched upon seeing the scene.

Mr.Plane was grabbing Mum by her hair, with a knife inching closer and closer towards her neck with each passing second. I froze. Beads of perspiration peppered my forehead and my hands became clammy. Dad, on the other side of the warehouse, shot me with a look of despair.

"So, a family reunion eh? Since all of you are here, this must be your grave today. Who called you to be a busybody, David? Who called you not to put the pen in your bag? You are the cause of everything! You and your long-dead grandpa!" Mr.Plane snarled with an evil smirk.

I was on the brink of hysteria. The memories of grandpa flooded my mind once again. Suddenly, I remembered the last words of grandpa before he left. To never let the pen fall into the wrong hands. What should I do?

"Quick, hand over the pen! I know it is with you now, David. You resorted me into this," he sneered. I could sense danger. Nevertheless, I did not know he actually..

"NO. Please don't! NO, MUM!" I pleaded in misery.

"Sorry, darlings. I did not do my full responsibility as a mother and a wife. Please forgive me. I should not have taken this step.." Mum wept.

That was the final words. I stood rooted to the ground, immobilised by horror. My heart nearly stopped at the sight of the glimmering knife. Plane drove it into Mum's neck maliciously. Crimson blood splattered everywhere. NO! Big drops of tears emerged from my eyes. The pain was inexplicable.

"Noo! Darling! Don't leave us!" Dad hollered. He dashed at breakneck seed towards the motionless Mum. That lifeless body lay peacefully on the ground.

"Now. Do you want to hand over the pen?" Plane bellowed in a thunderous voice.

I was in a dilemma. I wanted to break down. Choked with emotions, my face creased with sorrow as I started to bawl.

"David, no. Don't hand over the pen! Since father passed it to you, it is your responsibility to take good care of it," Dad commanded in a harsh, yet miserable tone.

Plane jabbed a finger in the hollow of Dad's shoulder. Plane clenched his fists and drove it deep into Dad's stomach, knocking him far away. I was teetering on the threshold of fear. However, Dad kept on going towards him. Dad gripped Plane's hand like a vice and gave it a wrench that made Plane almost faint in pain. Plane gritted his teeth and grimaced in pain.

Plane grabbed the knife that was flinged onto the floor after Mum was stabbed. The surrounding was alive with panic. I was shuddering in fear. Every step Plane took, invited death. Gooseflesh rose on my arms. I knew that my life was also hanging on a thin thread as I would be the next victim. I had to save Dad!

My mind was hatching a plot to save Dad. However, my mind was blank. My lips were pulled back into a strangled scream. My lips parted but no sound came out. Dad's legs were cramped and drawn up. He could not escape! With little time to spare, I made a last ditch attempt to save him.

I grabbed a beer bottle nearby and sneaked behind Plane gingerly. The knife was inching nearer and nearer to Dad with the time that seemed to be passing faster and faster. Plane lifted the knife with a mighty stroke. Without wasting another precious second, I hit Plane on the head repeatedly with the beer bottle. There was a sudden standstill. A thousand pieces of shattered glass rained onto the ground. I could only hear the heavy breath of mine...

Chapter 4

The unfolding of the evil plan

I breathed heavily. Who was he? I had to wait for Mum and Dad to reach home. Meanwhile, I checked the living room. It was in a mess. However, nothing was stolen. I furrowed my eyebrows.

"It is not a sign of burglary," I hushed to myself, muttering between breaths.

Nevertheless, I had to clear up the mess.

I put away the last magazine and swept the last splinter off. Done. Coincidentally, Mum and Dad opened the door. Swiftly, I dashed towards them. The scenes of the shadow flashed past my mind. I acted the whole scene to them while explaining.

"You are simulating aren't you? That couldn't have happened. Look! Nothing was stolen! Nothing's wrong here! You are trying to find an excuse for sleeping late aren't you? Go back to your bed now!" Dad demanded as his voice raised by several decibels. There was a note of finality in his voice.

"Dad! I am not.."

"A no is a no. Unless the dictionary defines it as a yes," his words were charged with exasperation and incense.

Upon hearing that, I concluded that I could not talk back at him. It would result in a slap. I retreated back to my room and finished with a loud bang. What was happening to my life? Why was Dad giving me that attitude? He was never like that. My anger grew as I seethed with rage. For the past few days, things were not going smoothly for me. I already knew, Lady Luck was not smiling at me. I sighed in despair...

It was another day of Mr. Plane's lessons. Or should I say, that guy's lessons. However, everything was going well for me in Mr.Plane's class. It had been a week. I could sense that he was somehow biase towards me. Every of my classmates hated me. He always grinned upon seeing me, baring his white teeth. Was it because of the secret? However, each time after recess, my bag seemed as if it had been searched. A quizzical look appeared on my face.

Suddenly, Mr Plane announced that he was going to resign after that day's lesson. We were taken astounded and disbelief.

"You guys have been really nice kids to me. However, my Dad in America is sick. Too, I intend to stay there since I could take care of my Mum. Kids, you sure must take care," Mr. Plane exclaimed. I could sense a smirk however. He gave us some goodbye cards each and left. We looked at his back as he leaved the classroom. Some were sniffing and some were wailing hysterically. However, I was in a daze. Another teacher came in and took the next few hours of lessons.

When, I reached home, no one was there. I was puzzled. Mum said she would be at home the whole day. How bizarre? I looked on the floor just to note a piece of letter. I brought it to my room. Upon seeing the mess in my room, my eyes grew as wide as saucepans. There was an incredulous look on my face. I was completely bewildered. My room looked as if there was a tornado. It seemed as if it was pulverized.

The table was flipped over. The cupboards were ransacked. My clothes were everywhere. Without hesitation, I put down my bag and looked into the letter:

By now, you should have noticed that your wife is missing, George. I guess you have already knew the relationship between me and her. But, sad to say, I only want the pen. The very pen your father gave it to your son! Once I have it, I can obtain the Golden Crown and create my own dimension according to the book my father had.

The pen belongs to the Plane family and not you! The years when our fathers were looking for the pen. Your father took the pen and ran away, saying that he knew the evil plan of my father. But now, I am going to accede to his request although he is dead.

I will give you 24 hours to reach Billyson Road's Warehouse 29. Your wife is on my hands. Too, you must bring along the pen in order to see your wife living!

-Willy Plane

That was Mr.Plane's name! Finally, I understood the whole incident. Finally. I was outraged. Luckily, I had kept the pen in my pocket at all times. WAIT! I had to save Mum and Dad now. I was the only hope. The pen was with me!

I sprinted to the nearest taxi stand and waited for a taxi. When I reach Billyson Road, I heard a scream from afar. A finger of ice ran up and down the length of my spine. It was Mum!

Chapter 3

The secret behind the magical pen

At home, I was in a delirium. How could the guy be my form teacher? Wild thoughts swirled in my mind. My mind was in a daze. NO.

I took out the pen again. I wanted to get my mind off that event. Or, to escape from it in other words. I wanted to be away from that incident. However hard I tried to forget the incident, its unpleasant memories kept flooding back into my mind. Frustration. Anger. Confusion. A mixed feeling of emotions rose within me. I wanted to scream. But nothing came out. Tears stung my eyes. I wanted to draw something. However, my mind was blank.

There it went again. The scene. My mum and that guy were actually together. Should I tell Dad? Or should I keep silent, pretending I saw nothing. I was in an awful dilemma. This time, the pain came again. But, I was used to it already. At least a thing I could take away from my trouble.

In a fit of anger, I threw the pen aside. Beside the antique drawers. Finally, tranquil. I took a deep breath in and out. Soon after, I pacified myself. Remembering the pen, the pen my grandfather gave me. The happy memories started filling my mind. The time I spent with grandpa. It was donkeys' years since I last felt it. Apparently, it was after I saw the scene.

I walked towards the direction I threw the pen, trying to retrieve the pen. Finally, I saw it. Suddenly, I saw something glittering. I tried to grope it. It was a book. A dusty one. It seemed as if it had been there a decade. Piqued with curiosity, I blew away the dust on it and flipped to a page. The next thing that happened was beyond my imagination. It wrote:

14th July 1945

They are still hunting for the pen. I am a wanted man now. Not by the police. But, by them. Fortunately, the pen is still intact with me. Or else, they could have gotten the Golden Crown by now. This key to find it. The pen. I have to keep it safe somewhere. With the two items, the world can come to an end already.

To date, my son George, must be still waiting for me. I have to get to them, quick.

-Michael

Hey. Michael was grandfather's name. George is the name of Dad. This must be the diary of grandpa. But, what's the golden crown? Why was grandpa a wanted man? My train of thoughts screeched to an abrupt halt as an inexplicable sound rang out from the living room.

Who was it? Mum and Dad would be working overtime today. Horrifying thoughts raced through my mind. Swiftly, I drew a bat with the pen. I got out of the room. Tension mounted.

I glanced around. At the corner of my eye, I noted a shadow. Suddenly, it jumped out of the window. I ran at breakneck speed towards it, just to find it disappear. Who was he? Why was he here? ...

Chapter 2

The First Impression

Another day in school. But, the scene still remains indelible. I still cannot believe what I saw. The day I saw them. Mother and that guy. They were.. The pain came again. This time the pain was different. It was awfully worse. The deeper I thought, the greater the pain. This was the hypothesis. My eyes were still stinging with tears. What's more? Our form teacher had left us. The new teacher was coming in the next few minutes.

What did he look like? How would he treat us? These questions were ringing around the classroom among the people.

Finally, he stepped into the class. Dead silence. There was a sudden standstill. I could not believe my eyes. It was that guy. A sudden surge of fury rose within me. I was incensed. A mixed feeling of misery and anger. It was inexplicable.

Instead of writing his name on the board, he wrote down ours. He pointed to each of us and called out each particular name. He was unbelievably accurate. He wanted us to guess his name instead. He was different. Much different from the other teachers. The first impression. Soon, it was my turn.

"Mr Plane," I muttered reluctantly.

He grinned mirthfully.

"Let us give a round of applause for David, he has got my name correctly," he said.

I was taken aback. How could this possibly be? Was God playing a prank on me? For the first time, I was beginning to like him. He was different. There it came again, the scene. It flashed through my mind a million times. No. I could not. I could not like him. The pain. It worsen. I bore it, trying to hide the expression from everyone. I did not want others to know about the secret. I cannot let him know. Dad.