Singapore Polytechnic

SC8112 Philosophy; Psychology & Society

Semester 1 2016/17

School of Communication, Arts and Social Sciences

Diploma in Creative Writing for TV and New Media
Continual Assessment 10

Short Story (Topic 2)

Nurul Iman Kamil (P1538740)
DTVM/FT/2A/02

Saint Nothing

Grace steps out of the travelling pod she was in for the past 40 minutes. It was 40 minutes filled with
a horrible realisation that the system you had complied to finally caught up to you. It had finally
found a way to hurt you.

Take me to my sister Graces voice quivered, she has not felt this way since her parents died.

Princess Isadora is away, your highness one of the guards that greeted her when she arrived
answered her.

Then take me to your General she demands firmly.

The guards brought Grace to the military base where General Id was working at. He stops work
immediately after seeing a Royal in camp.

Your Highness, what brings you here? General Id asks courteously after bowing, then tried to bring
Graces hand up to his lips for a kiss.

You removed Herelda, why? Grace asks him pointedly, yanking her hand away.

General Id sighs. Citizens always come begging for him to bring back the removed. He never thought
that one day his casual flirting partner would be doing the same.

Ask you siblings. Im only in charge of removal works, not the politics behind it General Id answers,
not the slightest bit alarmed or challenged by the Princess whom he is usually in tender terms with.

All of them arent replying

Because theyre doing their jobs unlike you, Princess General Id tries to joke with Grace but she
grits her teeth in annoyance.

She was not here for their usual flirting sessions. She was here because a lifelong friend she had
known since 2-years-old had been removed from the country for unknown reasons. Grace was here
to find out why.

What did Herelda do? I just need to know that Grace asks again.

We found her at the border of the Azure Sector smuggling out stolen RainDust to begging outland
children General Id answered her.
Her best friend was removed permanently just because she decided to share some RainDust to a
bunch of begging children? The whole world came crashing down for Grace. Everything that seemed
so perfect and easy-going about New Atlantis shattered.

They were just kids who wanted something to drink. Thats not removal worthy! Grace argues.

She stole the RainDust so yes, it is considered removal worthy General Id replies, maintaining his
calm demeanour.

No its not Grace argues.

Your highness, weve been doing it for many years to many people. There are children who had lost
their father or mother because he or she decided to break a rule in this country. Someones loving
grandma got removed for breaking a rule. So, why care now? General Id walks closer and closer to
Grace, as if trying to get a point across.

Because its wrong. Doing it for many years doesnt magically make it right

How can this be wrong if it has kept our country so safe and peaceful for so many years? General
Id tucks a piece of stray hair behind Graces ear.

Its peaceful because people are in fear Grace says in almost a whisper.

Realising this now does nothing for you. It doesnt exactly make you that much of a saint, youve let
so many people be removed already General Id says like as if it is a fact.

A sinner can repent Grace says, sounding helpless.

But nothing can be traded to gain back the lives lost General Id whips around and walks back to his
chair, leaving Grace to crumble under the sudden clarity of a flawed system.

(594 words)