Compo by Sharleyne (P5)

It was the last day of school. Friday the thirteenth.

There were numerous horror movies on television that day. I decided to catch a show as my parents went out together, leaving my younger brother and me along at home.

Feeling hungry, I cooked instant noodles for both of us and settled in front of the television to enjoy our noodles and the scary movie. We were tucking into our delicious noodles when we heard a knock. Our chopsticks were frozen in mid-air with noodles dangling down.

Fear and excitement was creeping into us. The horror movie we were watching was a show on ghosts and we started to suspect that there could be one just at our door! We plucked up courage and held hands to check out the ghost. We gingerly stepped over to the door, afraid that any sudden noise might cause the ghost to attack us.

Then, it was pitch black. We shivered at the thought of the ghost coming at us and started to grope around to our bedroom. Having learnt from the movies we watched, we started grabbing some equipments which made previously. The rice bag was to be used as a ghost catcher, trapping ghosts inside as when confined in a small area, they were unable to escape.

We took what we needed and headed towards the main door clumsily. This time, we were sure that we could catch the ghost. Taking in a deep breathe as if air gave me courage, I turned the knob and flung the door open.

It was there. Alone. A large box. Nicely wrapped with ribbons.

Puzzled, we dropped our equipments and stepped out of the house. As soon as we did so, two men emerged from the darkness and snatched my brother away! I ran as quickly as I could and pushed the man holding my brother but he was too strong. The other man pulled me back and pushed me into the house.

Back inside the house, they tied us up to the dining chairs and taped our mouths. Then, they started to raid the house for valuables. Afraid that my parents would blame us for opening the door to burglars, I started to brainstorm about how I could alert my neighbours for help.

Then it struck me. I started fidgetting. Rocking the chair to and fro. It slowly moved nearer to the wall. Then, in a desperate move, I throw myself with the chair against the wall to cause a loud crash. My shoulders ached as they hit the wall, then the floor. However, it was worth it.

Within a few minutes, my neighbour, Mr Lee, came over to check. He saw the door wide open and suspected that something was amiss. He came into the house and saw us tied up in the corner with the pale light streaming in from the corridor. Without hestitation, he walked stealthily over to us and hide in the darkness. He took out his mobile phone and sent a short message to his wife to inform the police while he kept watch on us.

The burglars were too engrossed in my parents' bedroom as they found the safe. They were making a such a ruckus that they did not hear the commotion in the living room.

Our brave saviours in blue arrived. Armed with batons and handcuffs, they were ready to arrest the burglars. We signalled which room they were in and the policemen hide outside out the door. Once the men appeared, the policemen pounced on them and pinned them to the ground.

Teeth clattering from the cold of the night and the fright we got, Mr Lee's wife wrapped us up in a thick blanket and took us to her house. She called our parents and they rushed home to comfort us.

Ever since then, our parents did not dare to leave us alone at home. We often head over to Mr and Mrs Lee's place for dinner and they would babysit us. A burglary helped us to discover such caring and helpful neighbours.