MYAA 2022 (Senior) 1st Prize
Leong Yuen - Han Chiang High School
Title: Inhuman
Mila was prepared.
It was 11pm on a Saturday night, her parents were asleep, and her brother Ansel went out clubbing with his girlfriend Alexis, he won’t be back for the whole night. Most people sleep early in Paris, except for those cheesy romantic couples that are still walking down a park talking about their feelings, and Paris was full of them. It is the city of love after all.
Meanwhile, in Mila’s room, she prepared everything: a flashlight, extra batteries, a notepad and pen, a camera and a hairpin.
Mila looked at her phone
11:02 p.m.
She sighed.
She knew that if she went, there was no going back, especially if something happened to her, good OR bad.
Mila took one last look of her room, before climbing out of her window, grabbing her bike and making her way into the abyss. She regrets nothing and everything.
—------------------------------------------------
Mila Keepins, reader of books, geekest of geeks, 4-time school literature champion and sassy dork is nothing more than a perfectly average teenager with an over-obsession with books, but tonight, she wanted something different.
A few weeks ago, Mila heard of a rumour going around her town for a while: People on social media have been getting footage of this weird figure stumbling around Le Musée Français de l'Art Perdu, which in English, it was ‘The French Museum of Lost Art’. There was footage of it running from something, hiding, walking or just standing. These footages have been going viral EVERYWHERE, her friends and Ansel’s friends were constantly talking about it and Mila could not scroll past her feed without getting a nosy news article about this weird figure.
The figure didn’t really have a proper name, because they didn't know what to name it.
Mila didn’t really care about all of this at first, but it was so popular and eventually got onto Mila’s back and she was hooked up ever since.
Ever since she was hooked up, she has been doing her research about all of it. It looked human, a human boy, but there was no footage of his face. The people who caught these footages describe him as ‘too quick for the human eye, or a camera’.
The longer this went, the more interested Mila became, and that brings us to this morning, when Mila actually went to the museum herself to look around.
People say that this ‘figure’ only comes out at night, but Mila didn’t go there to look for him, yet.
Mila went there to look for vents and exit doors, she had a plan, but we’ll get to that later.
At first, Mila was just scoping around, she did her thing and drew a map of every vent and exit door she saw, but then she heard cheering. It bothered her mildly at first, but when she looked up to see what it was, it lured her like a snake to it.
A boy was sitting lifelessly in a glass cage. He had jet black hair, which was smooth and straight, it laid perfect under the brown fedora on his head and above his dark brown eyes. He was wearing a beige coloured Henly shirt with a pair of brown pants with suspenders attached to them. His leather shoes seem to be not polished for a while and the fedora with a single bluejay feather on it.
There was a crowd before it, taking pictures and chattering about it, like he’s the hottest celebrity in the city right now, like the figure.
Mila was mesmerised, but she didn’t know why. There was just something about him that made him…alluring.
Mila stepped closer to him. She read the label on his glass case:
‘Star art for today: Charlie the Dummy!
Charlie Augutus the Talking Dummy is a dummy created by Sir Robert Gewington in 1896, the golden age of ventriloquism. Charlie was very popular for many reasons, but the most extraordinary one is he can talk by himself! And no one knows why then, until scientists found out he just had a voice box that can change dialogue. He now remains here as a remembrance of his greatness.’
Mila must admit, she was a little disappointed that he was fake. If this dummy was walking down a street, she would have totally believed he was a real boy.
Mila didn’t understand, but there was just something, something about this dummy that trapped her
in his charm.
Mila wasn’t convinced he’s fake, she just knows it.
Mila now had 2 objectives for her plan, she wasn’t sure about it, but she was willing to take the risk. Mila took one last glance at the dummy.
This won’t be the last time she sees Charlie.
—------------------------------------------------------
The museum was not far off from her home. It was 20 minutes from her house to the museum.
When she reached there, there was no one. No security guards, no cops. Just the echoing sounds of nothing.
During the visit, in that very same room she saw Charlie, Mila noticed a small vent on ground level. It was an open vent and it led to the outside world. The only problem is that it’s very small and cramped. It was only big enough to fit a very small and very slim child.
A small, slim child like Mila.
Mila found the vent and crawled through it. But then she saw something.
The figure.
The figure was crawling out of its glass cage, picking up the glass cage slowly and setting it down on the ground. The figure carefully got off the platform and placed the glass back on the platform. It stood up straight.
Mila peeked out from the vent, there were no security cameras.
Mila would start taking photos of it, but it would be useless, it was too dark.
Mila silently crawled out of the vent to take a closer look, but when the moonlight showed on his back by the glass rooftop, she was shocked
“Charlie?”
The figure perked his head up and started sprinting for his life, Mila tried her best to keep up with him.
He was fast, light on his feet, he dashed through the halls and was cautious of the display cases around the museum. Mila was nowhere near Charlie, but she can still see him from a distance.
She wasn’t sure where he went, but it was definitely the forbidden part of the museum.
Mila saw Charlie ‘flew’ into a room, she followed him.
When she entered, she saw Charlie squatted in a corner. He had his arms wrapped around his head, he looked like he was hiding, crying, he was afraid.
Mila didn’t know what to do. She just hesitantly stood by the doorway.
“...Charlie?”
Charlie looked up to Mila.
“...Oh…it’s …you.”
Charlie’s voice sounded like an angel, and Mila was now convinced that he was actually real.
“Charlie…you’re real…”
“Well, I’m not…real, I just…I…i-it’s…complicated…”
Mila looked at Charlie curiously, she was amused.
She got a little closer to Charlie, then squatted in front of him. She gently patted his hair, then felt his skin.
Charlie didn’t flinch back for some reason, Mila’s touch was…comforting to him. He hasn’t been touched by a human since god knows when.
“You feel so real, so inhuman.”
Mila was lost in her discovery, but then she realised something.
“Wait…you said… ‘it’s me.’ …do you know me?”
“Of course! You were the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen, I will never forget your face, or that day when you came up to my glass, I saw an angel then.”
Mila blushed, she was not one to flirt a lot, or been flirted with
“I-umm…thank you?”
Charlie didn’t say anything. He just got up and sat beside Mila, their faces were now dangerously close.
Mila didn’t realise it, but she was now talking to Charlie Augutus, both of them chatting about each other. “I’m not actually human.” Charlie started, “Just think of me as a Franktinstein, Father George brought me to life, before he was a ventriloquist, he was a scientist.”. Charlie then went on about
how he could breathe but not eat, and this is the first time he came alive since his last show. Mila had to tell him that he was the talk of her town.
Both of them were instant friends, but then they made a risky decision: To escape.
Charlie always wanted to see the outside world, he was bored out of his life just watching people in the museum come and go. He wanted to be…human.
Mila suggested the idea first, after all, there was no going back.
Mila quietly leads Charlie to the nearest, safest exit. There was no way that he was going to fit the vent she crawled through. Then, they hear footsteps: security guards.
They didn’t think, they just sprinted, Mila literally being dragged by Charlie because of their speed difference, they got to that nearest exit and just blasted, not caring to look back. They weren’t even sure if the security guards even caught up to them.
They went into the woods, finally tripping on the soft grass completely out of breath, they looked at each other and the museum in the distance.
Mila has completely forgotten about her objectives, but she didn’t care.
“We did it...” She said, her eyes twinkling to the stars. Charlie smiled.
“We’re free.”
- END-
(This story is unedited)
Comment from Judges
As a reader, this story was very fulfilling to read as it had it all – a brave risktaker as a protagonist, a mystery brought to light, and to top it all off, the formation of a new and solid friendship. These elements made the plot appear cohesive and well put-together. In addition, the bold and daring nature of Mila as a character complements Charlie’s innocence and curiosity well, and as a reader, I look forward to seeing how their friendship develops further down the line.
MYAA 2022 Senior - 2nd Prize
Nur Aminah Hessa Binti Mohd Ashik - SMK King George V
Title: Shadows of Monarchy
Chapter 1:
Avery darted between buildings, her knives tucked and arranged neatly on her belt. Her target was in a carriage, heading to the Underground, a place where illicit dealings take place. She waited until the carriage entered a deserted alleyway before sending a knife flying in the direction of the driver's chest. The carriage skidded sideways, causing the passengers to scream in a panic. Avery quickly concealed her face with a black cloth, but left her eyes uncovered. She headed to the crashed carriage, and freed the horses. There were 3 people inside the carriage, all of them trembling as she opened the door. There was a middle aged man and woman, along with a palace officer. "Finally. My target," she spoke. " You" she pointed to the middle aged man. "Step out of the carriage, please,". The man quaked in fear. " You-you're the Black Assasin. You have no right to do this! I-I'm a friend of the king!" he stuttered. Avery narrowed her eyes. " The king has no merit to me. He is the source of Calania's suffering," She threw another knife, barely missing the man's ear. "And besides, a slaver like you can't possibly be a friend of the king," she smiled cruelly. "But the man who employs you is," she flicked her wrist, sending a knife straight into his heart. His face contorted in pain and surprise before he collapsed to the ground, blood pooling around his body.
The woman shrieked. The officer tried to attack Avery with his sword, but he was nowhere fast enough. Before three strides, he was already dead, a knife in his throat. Avery faced the woman. " You were his wife weren't you? Tell me, how do you live knowing you sold the freedom of countless lives? Do you tell yourself that it's your husband's fault? Are all the jewels and embroidery worth the guilt? Or do you even feel guilty?" Avery spoke softly. The woman whimpered. Her eyes were shining with tears. Avery left.
Chapter 2:
The door creaked as she entered her house. She took off her veil and took a deep breath. Another one down. The slaver's blood was stark against her white coloured socks. An oversight. She peeled the them off her feet and tossed it in the trash. Her house was only two rooms big, a toilet and a living room. Avery headed to the window. Her house was located at the attic of a building. The attic was often cold, but it provided a magnificent view of Serran, the city she lived in. More often than not, this view was much needed by her, especially after a mission.
Killing a person is never easy, no matter how vile they were. Even so, she will continue executing her mission, to rid Calania of corruption. For her parents, for the people of Calania and for her mentor, Castor, who had taught her how to survive in this cruel world. "It's a food chain, Avery. To be at the top, you have to get your hands dirty. And someone has to. To protect the ones below". Avery gazed at the city sorrowfully. "Someone has to get their hands dirty" she whispered. "And it's me,"
Chapter 3:
“His Majesty, May He Live Long Hereafter, King Nashir Dramond, The Torch of Calania!”. Generous applause followed the announcement as the king crossed the room to the throne, a monstrosity of gold and diamonds, most likely enough to feed a village for years. “His Highness, Prince Eucharis Dramond, The Crown Prince of Calania!”. Noting the muted applause, he strode to the stage, standing at the edge of it, emphasising the different of power between him and the king. The court had always been predators, keen on gaining luxury and novelty, willing to resort to any method to do so. All they needed was a monarch who permitted them to execute their devious tactics.
Eucharis had always chosen a more…benevolent path. This would restrict their movements to expand their influence and exploitation of weaknesses in the law. Ultimately, their natural move is to support Nashir. Notwithstanding, Eucharis did have supporters among the noble houses. However, it was far too few. Additionally, none of them could openly support him, lest they risk the attention of the king. Smarter than he let on, the king was very skilled in manipulation. He could destroy a noble house overnight. Nevertheless, he will dethrone his father, along with his tyranny one day. All he needed was an opportune moment.
Chapter 4:
The fog curled around her, shrouding her from prying eyes as she moved swiftly through the city. In the dead of the night, the city was tranquil, shops closed and strangely, the houses barred. News of the Black’s Assasin’s murder had spread. Trepidation had taken root. It was amusing that people thought mere logs of wood would thwart her. Smilling, she continued her her journey to Graysteel Palace.
The window was guarded. Avery shot the guard with a sleeping dart. The guard gasped as the dart hit him, and collapsed. She infiltrated the window, heading towards her target’s room. The door was decorated intricately, gold intertwined with it’s frame .Avery picked the lock and opened the door softly. The room was pitch black. In the gloom, she could make out a figure standing behind near a window. She reacted quickly. Her knife whirled through the air, hitting the target with an audible rustle. She narrowed her eyes. The figure came into focus, revealing a statue made of hay. A decoy. She hissed and turned to flee, but a net fell down from the ceiling, effectively trapping her. A man came out of the shadows, assessing her silently. “The Black Assasin. We need to talk,”
Chapter 5:
“Let me go,” the assasin hissed. “I only wish to speak to you,” Eucharis replied. Softening his voice, he said “Please,”. The assassin nodded tersely. Eucharis lifted the net warily, acutely aware of the knife concealed inside his coat, as a precaution. “May I know your name?”. Chuckling coldly, she asked, “Tell me why I shouldn’t kill you,”. He could tell she was serious. “I could’ve killed you. Since I refrained, you could translate that as payment for your time,” Eucharis replied. “I’ve also noticed a….pattern in your murders. You see yourself as a symbol of justice. You don’t kill innocents,”.
Avery tilted her head. “What makes you think you’re innocent? You’re a scion of the Dramond family. You deserve death,” she said, rage rising inside her. “You caused my parents’ death. In your effort to destroy a mine!” she hissed in anger. Quietly, he said “I was never aware that there were people inhabiting the mine. Blowing up that mine is one of my biggest regrets,”. “I know it’s too late, and I’m sorry,”. Avery sucked in a breath. Why does he sound sincere? He deserves death. “You can either help and trust me to save Calania. Or you can betray your principles for your revenge and throw the country into chaos,”. Avery controlled her emotions and weighed her decisions. She knew what she needed to do.
Chapter 6:
“The room ahead of us,” Eucharis said, tension clearly displayed on his face. Avery continued walking smoothly, giving no indication that she was about to kill the king. Moments ago, Eucharis had explained his plan to her. “I’ll lead you to my father’s chambers. This is where you come in. Once we’re there, you’ll kill him. I can’t do it myself. Patricide would destroy any support for my ascent to the throne. You need to run once the alarm sounds. I’ve already prepared you a house in the edge of the city. I trust it’ll be enough for your services,”.
Avery let out a breath. I’m going to kill the king. With the help of the crown prince. Avery glanced at Eucharis. I hope I can trust him. Shaking the thoughts off, she faced the imposing door to the king’s chamber. Eucharis knocked the door. “Come,” Eucharis entered the room. Avery followed suit. “Oh it’s you- Who is this?” the king broke off mid sentence. “You should have listened to mother. I’m sorry it’s come to this,” Eucharis replied sorrowfully. The king narrowed his eyes. His eyes glinted when he saw the knife in Avery’s belt. He barked out a laugh. “You’ll never leave alive,”. He scrambled to his desk. Avery leaped after him, cursing. The king pulled out an explosive. Avery threw a knife in his back. She turned to see the fuse of the explosive lit. She grabbed Eucharis’ arm and threw both of them out of the open window into the lake down below. The king’s chamber exploded seconds after they jumped. Eucharis and Avery swam to shore. “You need to run,” Eucharis wheezed. “They’ll be looking for you. I’ll head back to the palace,” Avery turned to leave. “Wait. Thank you for your help,” Eucharis said. He bowed his head. Avery studied him. “Take care of the country, Your Majesty,”. She left without another word.
Epilogue:
Peace. With the money she got from selling Eucharis’ house, she was able and to afford building a small hut in the mountains. Disappearing without a trace, she was able to sit back and watch as Serran transformed into a better place, thanks to Eucharis.
3 years passed by. On a beautiful, gray morning, she could make out a familiar figure. The figure walked over to her. “Found you,” he said grinning. Avery smiled. “I’d like to hear how you found me, Your Majesty,”
- END-
(This story is unedited)
Comment from Judges
The story is brilliant and enthralling, keeping the readers on edge with the writer’s exemplary use of language and thrilling plot. Great world and character building. Avery especially was an enthralling main character with an aura of mystery. The way tension is used also brought up the stakes of danger. The epilogue was a nice touch to leave readers wanting for more.
MYAA 2022 (Senior) 3rd Prize
Cho Yujin - Austin Heights International School
Title: A Flower for a Grave
Noah wasn’t sure what to feel about the tombstone standing in front of him.
Hesitantly, he knelt on the ground and laid a hand on the slab of grey stone. The surface was coarse and hard, the edges sharp and rough. He brushed his thumb across the words etched on the stela, feeling the unpolished surface scratch his skin.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
NATASHA MICHAELSON
19XX – XXXX
Mother, he thought faintly, the word sounding strange in his mind.
He hadn’t thought of his mother in a long time. In fact, he hadn’t even seen her since she’d left him and his dad ten years ago.
Noah’s father still kept their last family photo together, taken on Noah’s fifth birthday – Noah flashing a childish grin at the camera, one of his teeth missing; his dad ruffling his light brown curls, the man’s eyes full of good cheer as always; his mother smiling gently, betraying none of her plans to leave them that very night.
Noah had always hated the picture. Now, he wasn’t sure.
He pushed himself to his feet and gazed around the graveyard – a lonely place where the unidentified, the homeless, and the lost all came to rest after their death. He harbored no love for his mother, but somehow it didn’t seem right that she should be laid to rest here, among the dead who died unloved and alone.
His eyes drifted over to the small bouquet held in his hand. White carnations – his mother’s old favorite.
Noah remembered giving them to her on Mother’s Day as a toddler, stretching out his arms just to reach her hands. Now, he bent down and laid the flowers on her grave, knowing that, no matter how far he stretched his arms this time, he would never reach her hands again.
A person behind him asked, “You knew her?”
Noah tensed at the unexpected voice, and turned to see who it was.
The owner of the voice was a boy, about the same age as Noah. He wore a friendly smile, and his eyes were full of good cheer. A wicker basket swayed gently from his arm, full of neatly trimmed branches with small white star-shaped flowers growing from them – asphodels.
Noah’s palms turned sweaty. The boy didn’t look threatening or bad-tempered, but Noah still felt anxious – as he always felt around people. His heart hammered against his chest. His mouth was agape, but words refused to come out from it.
“It’s not often relatives show up in this cemetery,” the boy continued, happily oblivious to Noah’s anxiety, taking a branch from his basket. Carefully avoiding bumping into Noah, he made his way to Natasha’s grave and laid the flower there, right next to the bouquet of carnations.
Noah stared at the boy in confusion for a moment. As far as he knew, his mother had no living relative other than him. Then he noticed a branch of asphodels placed on top of every grave the boy must have passed by earlier.
The boy turned back and caught Noah staring at the other graves. Noah hurriedly looked away, flustered, but the boy simply grinned.
“Thought it was a little sad that no one was giving them flowers,” he said, rising to his feet and brushing the dirt off his jeans. Then, after a quick glance at the grave next to them, he added, “But I guess Natasha here has someone else to give her flowers now, huh?”
Noah opened his mouth to reply, but all he managed to do was nod.
“Didn’t know she liked carnations,” the boy remarked. “Actually, I don’t know what kind of flowers any of the people here like, so I settle for one kind.” He tapped his basket with his index finger. “Asphodels. Dunno if they would appreciate it, though.”
They would, Noah wanted to tell him. After all, this boy was the only one bothering to remember the forgotten dead. But, as usual, his voice failed him.
“By the way…” The boy offered his hand to Noah. “Name’s Cedric. You?”
Noah hesitated for a moment, rubbing his sweaty fingers together. Swallowing hard, his arm trembling slightly, he accepted Cedric’s hand in the end. “Noah,” he managed, which was a big step from the utter silence he would normally give people.
Cedric shook his hand. “Noah. That’s a nice name.” He grinned, his eyes sparkling in the dim evening light. “Hey, would you mind walking with me while I lay down the rest of those flowers? It’s been a long while since I had someone my age to talk to.”
If it had been anyone else, Noah would have tried his best to decline politely and run out of there in an instant. Being around crowds, who were all completely ignorant of the fact that he even existed, made him nervous enough. But being alone with someone whose attention was focused on him and only him? That was his worst nightmare.
Still… Noah actually felt relaxed around Cedric. His voice was still failing him miserably, yes, but his eyes weren’t searching for the quickest exit route. His hands weren’t rubbing each other that much anymore. His heartbeat was surprisingly steady.
He smiled, and nodded. He could handle a walk with this boy just fine.
Cedric beamed. “Awesome. I promise it won’t be boring.”
And it wasn’t. It truly wasn’t. Noah and Cedric walked side by side for hours, laying down a flower for each grave, not skipping a single one. And, even though all the dead here must have been a stranger to him during their lifetime, Cedric didn’t forget to murmur a few friendly words for everyone.
Noah’s lips stayed sealed all along, but his ears stayed open. There was genuineness in each of Cedric’s greetings, and he remembered to address each dead by their name. It was those tiny details that touched Noah the most.
By the late evening, Cedric’s flower basket was empty, and there was a flower for every grave. Noah managed multiple smiles over the hours. Cedric hadn’t minded his silence at all. Instead, he’d kept the mood light and cheerful with his voice alone.
“That was fun,” Cedric told Noah as they exited the cemetery’s gates, a grin stretched across his face. “Thanks for coming with me today. It was nice having company, for once.”
Noah moistened his lips, running through the question once in his head before saying it out loud. “How… long have you been doing this?”
“I don’t know – maybe a couple years.” Cedric shrugged. “It doesn’t really matter, though. I like this job. It’s fulfilling, knowing I’m doing something for these folks.”
“Will you be here next weekend?” Noah blurted out, startling himself. He scratched his head awkwardly, feeling his cheeks flush up. “I mean – I want to see my mom again, anyway, and… today was pretty nice, so…”
Cedric seemed surprised, but pleasantly so. He flashed Noah a smile. “I’m always gonna be here,” he promised, starting to walk away. “Next week, then, Noah.”
Noah waved at him, smiling back. “Next week.”
Cedric didn’t show up next week.
Noah waited for hours in front of his mother’s grave, but the friendly boy from last week was nowhere to be seen. There were no flowers on the graves – any of the graves. A bouquet of carnations was laid on Natasha’s, but it felt empty without Cedric’s asphodels.
Noah managed to stay until the late evening, but he knew he had to go back home sooner or later, Sighing, crestfallen that he hadn’t been able to meet Cedric again, he began to head out of the cemetery, towards where the newer tombs were.
As he passed those graves, Noah was strangely pleased that he could recognize all the names from last week. Michael, Lily, Daniel, William, Charlotte, and…
Noah skidded to an abrupt stop when he noticed a grave – newly added, from the looks of it.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
CEDRIC WHITE
20XX – XXXX
His legs going limp, Noah dropped to his knees on the ground. With a trembling hand, he reached out for the headstone. It was rough and unpolished – hurriedly made with little to no care for the dead, just like the rest.
Noah gripped the corner of Cedric’s gravestone, feeling the prickly surface scratch his palm. His mind slowly came to terms with reality. Cedric, the sweet boy who’d been kind to even the dead, was now one of the countless corpses buried in this cemetery. And no one had laid a flower for him, either, even though it was the least he deserved.
Noah bit his lips, then rose to his feet, a firm decision forming in his mind as he walked away from Cedric’s grave for the day.
Tomorrow, he returned, the handle of a basket clutched tightly in his hand. The basket was full of asphodels – the same flowers Cedric used to lay for the dead.
Noah knelt in front of the boy’s grave, plucking a wilted leaf off the ground, and managed a smile at Cedric’s gravestone.
“Don’t worry about the folks here,” he said, hoping the boy would hear him. “I’m going to keep this tradition – job, whatever this is – going. I’m going to make sure there’s always a flower for a grave. Including yours.”
With that, Noah laid a flower on the ground, right by the foot of Cedric’s grave.
Noah smiled one last time before rising to his feet. And, as he turned to leave, he thought he saw Cedric’s ghost smiling back at him.
--- END ---
(This story is unedited)
Comment from Judges
This story was absolutely heart-warming, and I loved how it explores the lasting influence kindness and friendship can have on others. The mystery surrounding Cedric especially in relation to the protagonist shows the way in which even strangers can bring warmth and companionship, especially in a somber and depressing setting like a cemetery. The dialogue and the events that took place were well written, and I enjoyed how the plot came full-circle to leave strong character development on the protagonist.
MYAA 2022 (Junior) 1st prize
Woo Gin Lynn - SJK(C) Kuen Cheng 2
Title: The Locket
It was a rainy night. The loud thunder echoed through the house, lightning illuminating the room, a symphony of raindrops pelting hard at the windows.
Sophie, an eleven-year-old orphan, had lived at Miss Penelope’s Home for Children ever since she could remember. She curled up on her narrow single bed, hugging her favourite teddy bear tightly. Miss Penelope told her it was a gift from her parents. Sophie always pestered her for more details, but the warden only gazed at her wistfully, never saying another word.
Closing her eyes, Sophie drifted off to sleep, her thoughts slowly fading away….
* * *
Sophie sat down at an empty table in the school cafeteria by herself. She wished her best friend at the orphanage, Alice, was there, but Alice was a year older than Sophie. They had different breaktimes.
Sophie looked around nervously, spotting a bunch of girls at a table, whispering to each other and pointing at her.
She lowered her head in embarrassment, finishing her food as fast as she could. Sophie ran to the school playground and hid in a dark corner. She pulled her hoodie over her head.
Suddenly, someone pushed her hard from behind. Sophie fell flat on her face, scraping her cheek.
“Well, well, well. Who do we have here?”
Sophie looked up to see the school bully, Eris, and her minions.
“The poor little orphan,” snorted one of the girls.
Eris pulled off Sophie’s hood, yanking her hair. “You act like a pig, you dress like a pig, do you live in a pigsty too?”
The girls laughed like maniacs, Sophie’s eyes brimming with tears. She pushed Eris aside, fleeing into the school building, the mean jeers of “orphan girl”, “weakling” and “cry-baby” ringing in her ears as she ran.
* * *
After school, Sophie went to the park. She sat down on a swing in the garden. Tall hedges surrounded the garden like walls. There was a luscious flowerbed of both exotic and common plants. In the middle of the flowerbed was a stone fountain with a dolphin statue spewing water.
The rustle of the leaves, the warm rays of sunlight shining down, the light breeze on a warm afternoon brought promises of wonderful summer days ahead. The merry laughs of the children in the playground, the calming rush of the water in the fountain, the minty aroma of the plants brought an aura of calmness to Sophie’s mind. Sophie drifted off into another world, thinking about Eris and her minions. She wished she could just have a normal, peaceful life, where no one would ever bother her again. Her heart sank, dreading going back to school the next day. She couldn’t face those bullies anymore. She wished she had a mother and often wondered what her mother looked like. She wanted to know what it felt like to be held in her mother’s arms when she was sad, what it felt like to hear her sweet voice comforting her after a hard day at school.
She began swinging back, forth, back, forth, back, forth, and before she knew it, the sun was setting. Vibrant hues of oranges, yellows, reds and pinks spilled across the sky in a colourful haze, clouds floating slowly, like paint spilled across a blank canvas and then brought to life. Sophie got off the swing reluctantly, and hurriedly jogged back to the orphanage.
When she reached the orphanage, the windows were dark. Sophie pressed her nose to the windowpane.
Huh. Weird, the lights are off.
She opened the door cautiously.
The moment she entered, the lights sprung to life.
A dozen people jumped out, shouting, “SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SOPH!” She almost fell back in shock.
Alice came over and handed her a gift box. Sophie tugged at the ribbon and opening the lid. Inside was a beautiful scrapbook of all their happy memories together. A small smile crept on to Sophie’s face, growing bigger and bigger as she flipped through the pages. She hugged her best friend, grateful for her gift.
The younger kids greeted her with cheery smiles, holding up handmade, paint-splattered birthday cards. Sophie felt a warmth in her chest, a kind of happiness that couldn’t be compared to anything else in the world.
The younger children may be messy at mealtimes, but they were truly adorable.
Everyone had dinner, then Miss Penelope brought out a little chocolate cake. She lit the candle, and everyone sang Happy Birthday.
“Make a wish!” said Miss Penelope.
Sophie squeezed her eyes shut, her hands pressed together, whispering under her breath: “I wish I had a family.”
With a huff, she blew out the candles and the kids all cheered. When Sophie finished her slice of cake, Miss Penelope called her over in a low voice. “Sophie, I have something for you. Follow me.”
Curious, Sophie followed the warden.
Miss Penelope sat down, and Sophie sat opposite her.
“Sophie, you are twelve today,” Miss Penelope began. “I’ve raised you since you were a baby. I think you are now old enough to know the truth. Your parents placed you on our doorstep when you were just two weeks old. You were wrapped in a blanket, with a teddy bear next to you along with a locket. There was also a note.” Miss Penelope handed her an old, tattered piece of paper.
Sophie felt puzzled and confused. She read the note.
It said:
Dear Miss Penelope, 7th July
I can no longer take care of my child, so I now put her in your care. Her name is Sophie, and she was born on the 23rd of June. This is her favourite teddy bear, and a locket. Give the locket to her when she turns twelve. Please take good care of Sophie.
Thank you
Miss Penelope handed her a locket. It was grey, seemingly made of stone, with a diamond in the centre, and runes carved around it. “This is your locket, darling. And I’m sure your mother had her reasons for leaving you with us. I hope you think of us as your family, because we think of you as ours. Happy birthday, my dear, and goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Miss Penelope.”
Sophie went to her room and lay down on her bed. She looked down at her locket, her mind full of questions about her past.
She opened the locket. A ray of blinding white light shone out of it. Sophie shielded her eyes, and suddenly she felt a tug. The light had enveloped her entire body, and she was being sucked into the locket! Sophie’s mind was whirling, her body paralysed with fear, her limbs flailing in panic.
Sophie. Sophie. Sophie. A soft voice called her name from inside the locket.
Sophie let out a scream-
Everything went black.
To be continued
--- END ---
(This story is unedited)
Comment from Judges
The first paragraph already brought me in. Nice use of vocabulary, nice sentence structure, it has everything someone would want in a story. The pacing is well structured, not too slow, not too fast. Besides, the ending allows reader to imagine what happens next. I am excited for the longer version if it. All in all, very, very good story.
MYAA 2022 (Junior) - 2nd Prize
Eunice Wong Yun Xi - SJK(C) Kai Ming, Bintulu
Title: The Lunar Cat
The full moon shined brightly on the bustling city of Catvil. Catvil city was lively with cats hustling about, with the smell of fish pie wafting through the streets. Every cat was preparing for the Full Moon Festival that will last through the night. But little did they know, evil was lurking in the darkness.
As the clock struck midnight, howls filled the air. Music stopped, cats froze where they stood and fear filled their eyes. The dark wolves were coming. Menacing Silhouettes appeared atop the cliff surrounding the city.
“Listen up you filthy cats, eternal darkness will befall this land. The light of the day will be wiped away, and the light of the moon will never be seen again,” shouted the leader of the pack with a malicious grin. “Three days from now, we will burn this place down and take over this city, prepare yourselves to welcome us!” he said and laughed.
The sinister laugh rang through city and chaos broke out. Cats rushed towards paths leading outside of town only to see them being blocked off by giant wall of darkness. Nothing could get past it, all who tried were swallowed by the wall and never to be seen again.
Amidst the chaos, a white furry cat peered towards the cliff behind barrels of milk beer, her teal-blue eyes glinted in darkness. The crowd soon moved far away from the dark wall. The white cat murmured “Light” and a dim pearlescent light twirled out from her heart and spread to her entire body. Cautiously, she crawled toward the dark wall.
As her skin touched the wall, darkness lashed out attempting to absorb her, only to be deflected. As soon as she passed the dark wall, the light twirl back into her heart. The forest outside was eerily silent, with no trace of life. Pearl swiftly dashed into the forest as silent as she can.
Crack, her ears pick up on a noise just beyond the trees ahead of her. Two wolves were sprinting towards the mountains. Pearl quickly decided to tail them, hoping they would lead her towards their encampment.
They soon reached a cleared area next to a cliff with tents dotting around, encircling a huge campfire in the centre. Pearl halted and hide behind the bush as she saw the two wolves strutted toward the campfire.
A throne made of obsidian was placed next to the campfire beside the biggest tent of all and wolves gathered in front of it. Dark mist appeared from the tent and a large wolf with a scar streaking across its face slowly emerged.
Pearl recognised the scar, how could she ever forget? The scar belonged to her parents’ killer. Her parents were the Moonlight Cats, a lineage of magical cats with the task to exterminate dark wolves. Pearl’s parents fought with Black, fighting fearlessly to the very end and left that scar. Black was too powerful and killed them without mercy. However, Black took no notice of her as she looked helpless. Since then, not a day passed by that she did not regret her helplessness. She trained her Moonlight power every day, hoping to avenge her parents one day.
Anger boiled within Pearl and she fought it down. She had to remain calm and waited for the right moment to strike. “Welcome my brothers,” said Black. “We shall burn down that rancid cats’ village expand our territory!” All the wolves raised their heads and answered with ear-piercing howls. “The night that we will reign over this entire land is near. Now go, prepare yourselves to strike in 2 days!”
All the wolves dispersed, leaving Black alone in the camp. Suddenly, Black disappeared. Pearl looked around frantically. “Boo!” she heard from behind her. Jumping away as fast as she could, she felt a sharp pain on her back. Black appeared behind her with claws stained with blood.
“It’s you,” Black said with a sly smile, “Oh how you’ve grown.” “What do you want!” said Pearl, tensing herself ready to strike. “That’s quite rude, eh? No greeting to an old friend?” Blacked scowl while strutting around her. Pearl summoned her Moonlight power and as the lights engulfed her body, Black backed away and yelped in surprise. “You are the Lunar Cat that I have been searching for!” Black pounced and Pearl gathered all the lights into her paw and shoot it toward Black. Black tried to summon his dark mist to shield against the beam but the beam broke through and pierced through him.
Black howled angrily, summoning his subordinates. Appearing out of nowhere, they attack Pearl but she fought back, using the pearlescent lights that covered her skin to deflect their sharp claws. She twirled her lunar powers with her paws and create a barrier, surrounding Black and his wolves.
“You think that this can defeat me?” Black said with a grin while engulfing his wolves with his mist of darkness. A deadly aura emanated from Black while the wolves evaporated into the mist. The thicker mist overpowered the barrier of light and turned into dark needles, shooting towards Pearl. Needles pierced through Pearl’s leg and immobilised her.
Black pounced towards Pearl. “Is this the end?” wondered Pearl, unready to accept her fate and wished strongly that she can continue to fight back. Suddenly, her heart glowed brightly and a field of light formed around her. “What? A Shard of Moon? How could that be?” Black growled, backing away. The light created a bright forcefield, trapping Black inside. Black lashed out at the barrier but it was futile.
The barrier encased Black in a sphere and slowly shrink around him. “I guess the one ending up dead today is you!” Pearl said weakly. She used her leftover power to recreate a beam of light and shot it towards Black. It hit him at the heart and his body started to evaporate. “I’m going to die here but I’ll bring you down with me!” he said unwillingly, using a last whip of darkness to push Pearl off the edge of the cliff beside the encampment.
The night dissipated, turning into a bright and beautiful morning, as if all is well. The crowd below gaped at the scene as Pearl disappears mysteriously. Pearl was never to be seen again, but she had become the hero of light, bringing peace back to the lands.
--- END ---
(This story is unedited)
Comment from Judges
I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS STORY! The tension, climax, ending and the characters. Everything was amazing.
MYAA 2022 (Junior) - 3rd Prize
Lim Tinh Jet - SJK(C) Lick Hung
Title: Curse Of Unwinding
“Faster! What’s taking so long!” A loud voice echoed throughout the halls. All the maids and butlers heard it and sighed, as they were used to the voice. “I have to get to school by 8 and this is the speed you guys serve me? A young man yelled at 4 maids who were running around the kitchen preparing a dish for their young master. Soon, the 4 arrived in front of the young man and presented the dish they had prepared. It was a Lobster Frittata that was served in perfection, the aroma filled the room with the word exquisite. The young man took a bite of the food and immediately spat it out. “Are you trying to poison me? This is NOT food!” The young man said. “You know what? I’m not even going to eat! I will eat again once you people know how to serve real food.” He said as he stormed out of the mansion, leaving everyone in disbelief.
“Why the heck are you driving so slow? Faster, faster!” The boy called Alan shouted at his chauffeur. “But young master, the maximum here is 60, I can’t drive any faster!” The chauffeur said. “I don’t care! If I shed a single tear, you’d lose your job by the next hour.” Alan threatened the chauffeur. The chauffeur knew this broke every single law but couldn’t disobey his master. The chauffeur stepped on the gas and went over the speed limit. “That’s more like it,” Alan smirked. “I’m sorry but I can’t do this, I’m slowing the car.” The chauffeur said as he slowed down the gas. But it didn’t slow down, it continued to be a 90. The chauffeur tried to hit the brakes but it didn’t do anything. “I-I can’t slow down! We’re going to die! NO! NO!” The chauffeur panicked. Suddenly, the car drove right into a tree, Alan’s life flashed before his eyes……
“AHHHHHH” Alan screamed in horror as he got up from bed. ‘Wait what the hell? Why am I in my bed?’ He looked around and could confirm where he was. ‘That was a horrible dream, it almost felt real…’ He thought. The doors immediately slammed open and many people were worried as they heard a scream. “Young master, what happened!” A butler asked Alan. “Nothing, it was just a nightmare,” Alan said. The people sighed in relief as they thought something bad happened. Once everyone left the room, Alan looked around his room in silence. Alan looked down at his hand to find the number ‘2’. He didn’t know what it meant but didn’t care much. Alan went downstairs to find the same 4 maids hurriedly running around the kitchen preparing something. “What’s happening here?” He asked. “I’m so sorry, but we forgot to prepare your breakfast, we’re doing it now.” One of the maids said. “Oh, it’s fine, I’m not that hungry. I’ll just be heading to school.” Alan said. The 4 maids looked at him weirdly. “Thank you, young master!” The 4 maids thanked Alan.
Soon, Alan reached school and was met with unpleasant looks everywhere. Usually, he would feel superior but he didn’t know why but he felt kind of sad. As the day went on, Alan realized that everything was going on the same as in his dream. In the end, Alan was near the time his dream ended. Alan got into his chauffeur’s car before the car started driving. “Afternoon, Adam.” Alan greeted. The chauffeur looked at Adam with a weird expression. “Afternoon to you as well, young master.” Adam greeted back. “You should start calling me Alan too, you know,” Alan suggested. “Oh well, I’ll be glad to, you- Alan.” Adam smiled at him. As the drive went on, Adam suddenly spoke “You know, Alan. I think you should speak more like this. It makes me happy, so I think it’ll make others too.” Adam chuckled. “I may take up your suggestion, Adam.” Alan smiled as he hasn’t been complimented in a long time. In an instance, the car across them had lost control and was heading right toward them. The two immediately screamed in terror.
“AHHHHH” Alan screamed in horror as he got up from his bed once again. “What the hell? Was that a dream again? But there’s no way it is!” Alan said. The doors immediately slammed open and many people were worried as they heard a scream. “Young master, what happened!” A butler asked Alan. “Nothing, it was just a nightmare,” Alan said. The people sighed in relief as they thought something bad happened. Once everyone left the room, Alan finally knew what was happening, he was in a time loop. ‘But why is it on the day I die?’ Alan thought. Alan looked at his hand but was met in shock. His palms now showed the number ‘1’. Alan teared up as he was beginning to understand what was happening. He got up to get his phone, he dialed a number on it. Alan got out of bed and went into the main hall. The 4 maids were running around preparing something. “You don’t have to prepare anything for me, I’m fine for today. For the rest of the maids and butlers, you can take the day off. You have done more than enough for me.” Alan said. Everyone was shocked but thanked Alan wholeheartedly. Alan got into Adam’s car and greeted him. “You don’t have to pick me up after school, I’ll be going back by foot,” Alan said. “Are you sure? It’s dangerous outside.” Adam worriedly said. “It’ll be fine.”
Alan heard as the final bell rang, signaling it was the end of school. Alan heard the cheers of the other students, he wondered if he could ever feel that feeling. Alan began his walk and walked by the side of the road. Alan walked to the bridge he had died in his past two loops. A huge Ferrari had pulled up behind him and out came a man that looked busy. “Sorry Alan but I’m in a rush, why did you call me to meet up here?” The man was Alan’s father. “Nothing, I just wanted to give you this,” Alan said before rushing toward his father to give him something. A hug, a warm hug that could warm anyone’s heart. “Thank you for everything dad, the kid that received your love shouldn’t have been me but I appreciate everything you have done for me. I love you so much.” Alan thanked. Alan’s father was shocked but could only smile at his son.
Alan waved to his father as he drove off. It was almost time. Alan saw a nearby tree and decided to lay down other it. “Life is really beautiful, huh?” Alan looked around him. Alan saw the time and smiled one last time before accepting his fate. Nothing happened, just pure silence. Just one final smile as life let go of the boy who changed, named Alan.
The Curse of Unwinding is placed on people who don’t treasure whatever they have. Life is something small and short but it’s filled with things that we need to cherish and treasure forever.
--- END ---
(This story is unedited)
Comment from Judges
Storyline kept readers on their toes – at first, I simply thought it was a nightmare, but the next paragraph retcons it as a time loop, so I was surprised. I was rooting for Alan to change, but the ending was unexpected. Yet, it was executed well, with Alan finally being happy and accepting his fate. Vocabulary could be better, but not bad. Plot line isn’t very original as it has been used before a lot, but the way this story was executed was nice.
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