PSLE: House on Fire

The moonlight spilled into the living room as I watched the last episode of my favourite drama serial. My parents were out to attend a wedding while my younger brother, Jeyden, slept soundly like a baby in his room.

Strangely, there was a pungent smell invading my nostrils. Too absorbed into my show, I ignored the odour and continued watching. All of a sudden, there was a loud piercing scream. I spun around and realised that my brother's room was on fire! A horried gasp escaped from my throat. My face blanched in trepidation and my legs were literally manacled to the ground. Venomous and life-threatening flames were spilling out of the bedroom and debris was strewn everwhere. Jeyden's banshee-like shriek jolted me out of my trance.

I ran to my neighbour, Mr Johnson's house, pleading for help. He immediately took two buckets of water from his house and rushed to the scene of the raging inferno. It was a laborious task and perspiration glistened on his lined forehead. Sadly, the efforts were ineffectual and the amber flames continued licking the wall, melting the paint like wax.

“Jeyden, are you okay?” I screamed raucously.

Silence. There was no reply. A foreboding sense surged through me and made my hair stand. My thoughts spun into a whirlpool. Was Jeyden dead? A million thoughts hurtled through my mind and a woebegone emotion fell on me like a tsunami. A tight knot fisted in my stomach as I feared the worst.

“I have to save Jeyden, no matter what!” a voice richocheted in my head. Brushing the ominous thought aside, I regained equanimity and hatched a rescue plan for my brother. I ran to my parents' bedroom, grabbed the bedsheet and soaked it in water.

Just as I was about to charge into the room with the soaked cloak over me, Mr Johnson blocked the entrance and yelled, “Son, it is too dangerous!”

“I have to save my brother!” I beseeched him but it was to no avail.

Out of desperation, I thrust past him and dashed in. All around me was the flaming monster. Pungent smell and smoke besiged me and my skin felt the intense heat despite the soaked bedsheet. I crouched low to avoid the toxic fumes. As I searched, I spotted Jeyden easily as he was clad in a sunny-yellow pyjamas. He had blacked out so I heaved him into my arms. Boy, he was as heavy as a sack of potatoes!

I scrambled towards the entrance but it was blocked by the raging inferno. At this critical juncture, I spotted an alternative exit which was a broken window pane. Thick columns of choking fumes were escaping from it. Gingerly, I removed all the sharp, jagged edges.

Lady Luck was smiling at us! Below, the sight of a crimson red fire engine greeted me. A huge air mattress was beckoning for us to jump. I took a leapt of faith and threw Jeyden down. Thank goodness! He was safe! Next, I jumped too.

“Jeyden, Jeyden! Wake up!” I slapped his face lightly. Jeyden stirred and opened his dark marble eyes.

My brother was alive! Relief inundated me as hot tears welled up in my eyes and splashed downwards. Hapless sobs hitched in my dry throat for we have survived the ordeal unscathed!

Raeann Lee, P6