A Horror / Tragic Story

by Jun Li - Norway

I opened the door, to my horror, a few skeletons lay there, chained on the wall.

Okay, time to recap. I and my friends, Jack and Peter, were playing around an old, abandoned mansion. We were told that no
one was allowed to enter. However, curiosity overcame us and we picked the lock, granting us entrance into the sacred lair of
the unknown.

At the sight of the skeletons, the three of us were completely stunned. Our jaw hung wide open for a few minutes before we
came back to our senses. My sixth sense told me that something was about to go wrong, so I urged the other two to back out of
the mansion.

Dont be such a chicken, said Jack, with a shaky voice.

Arent you scared too? I challenged him.

Yes, but we might never get the chance to explore here again if we leave now.

All right, but we leave as soon as the first sign of danger shows.

We ventured deeper into the mansion. The design looked like some sort of torture room, or a prison. Even though I was afraid,
I was eager to discover more. Throughout the lair, we did not lose sight of skeletons or spider webs. These were at every
corner, at every turn. The occasional howls from a distance made the hair on our backs stand up straight. We finally arrived at a
long hallway. Jack picked up a piece of wood and lighted it up with his lighter. The flame seared at first, but after it simmered
down, I was able to see the walls clearly. There were ancient writings, the kind we usually see in an Egyptian grave robber
movie. As the expert in history, Jack tried his best to decipher the carvings. Meanwhile, Peter leaned towards the wall to catch
his breath. At that very moment, a cold chill went down my spine.

Watch out! I shouted.

Before he could react, that portion of the wall he was leaning against flipped, trapping him on the other side. All he could let
out was a loud shriek and he vanished behind the walls. I pounded against the wall, shouting his name. Only then did I know
what real terror felt like. However, the chance of rescuing him was bleak. I sank to the ground, desolated and hopeless.

Lets get out of here, we have to inform the adults! suggested Jack.

I got to my feet swiftly and both of us sped through the building. My heart was racing. I knew that danger may be waiting at
the next corner. I could hear blood pounding in my ears. Wait, was that a creak I heard? Uh-oh, I thought to myself. The
ceiling began to crumble. My sub-consciousness took over. I sprang forward and tackled Jack. Both of us fell to the ground.
Just as I thought that trouble was out of the way, the burning piece of wood slipped out of his hand and landed in a pile of
grease. Fire started spreading like mad. I struggled to get up.

Come on, theres not much time left! I screamed as I turned towards the exit.

Aahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

In a split second, my head turned 180 degrees. A gigantic marble pillar fell on Jack. I mustered all the strength from every
single cell in my body, trying to lift it up, to no avail. My eyes were watery. I was completely out of ideas.

Save yourself, leave me, please, muttered Jack, with a weak tone.

This was certainly a tough decision for me. All the moments we had spent together flashed through my mind. How could I
leave him now? As the fire was close to sealing my only exit, I knew that I had to be rational. I dived for my escape route.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as the mansion erupted into flames behind me.
Im home
By Lin Mei Thong - Vietnam
In 1998, a civil war broke out around the district of Mai Chau in Vietnam and Luang Prabang in Laos.
Both sides respective leaders had a conflict regarding the goal of uniting these two countries under
a communist rule ruled by the Army of Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). Instead of discussing the current
issue together, both sides decided to become juvenile and resort to violence instead.

Almost all districts of Hanoi were severely disrupted. Historical buildings and residential compounds
collapsed and destroyed by the tanks and military armies. The town suffered a rash of arson attacks.
Dead corpses lying on the ground, children crying and screaming everywhere, terrifying sounds of
gun shots and bombs. It was an utter mess.

Before the war was getting much more chaotic than it already is, my family and I decided to flee from
Vietnam. We packed all the necessary things and sneaked out of Hanoi using an overnight train that
lead us to the city of Bac Ninh. Upon our arrival, we rushed to the International Airport of Bac Ninh.
Luckily, with the help of our cousin, Vrinh who worked as an officer there, we were able to bypass the
strict airport checkups and landed ourselves in Minnesota, USA.

Things were complicated when we first started our new lives in the United States of America. My
parents and older siblings were trying their hardest to make ends meet in order to support the
family. Being a naive 10 years old I was back then, I could only sit there and watch. After awhile, my
family was finally financially stable; we were able to buy a comfortable ranch-styled house big
enough for us to live in and I was enrolled to an Asian American private school. 15 years later, I find
myself working as a music teacher in a public school.

Every time I played the piano, I always reminisce the memories during my time in Vietnam. So, me
and my brother decided to pay a visit to our home in Vietnam. Both of us flew to Mai Chau to witness
the current condition of the area.

As I stepped forward to the isolated and deserted place, cold air around me slowly dissipated as the
sudden warmth enveloped around me to the core of my spine.

This is the place where I grew my wings. This is the place whom I shared memories with my
deceased grandmother. This is the place where I used to run around with my dear friends, Ming and
Cho. This is the place in which I developed my interest for music after listening my former neighbor
played the violin and piano. My childhood memories are still vividly attached to this place.

As I squad down feeling the dusty ground with my bare hand, tears pierced through my eyes and
rolled down my cheeks. I braved a smile and whispered

Home.
 FIND AS MANY AS POSSIBLE ALL THE ANIMALS IN THE PICTURE ABOVE

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