“Music in the Night” by Olivia 9Z

“There will come soft rains and the smell of the ground, And swallows circling with their shimmering sound; And frogs in the pools singing at night, And wild plum trees in tremulous white, Robins will wear their feathery fire, Whistling their whims on a low fence-wire ”

“Continue the song, Grandma,” I implored excitedly, my eyes bright with curiosity In my head, I was imagining the robins. What colour could they possibly be? Grandma's soft voice floated in the stillness of the dusk. So soft, almost a whisper, yet the beautiful words were crystal clear

“And not one will know of the war, not one, Will care at last when it's done Not one would mind, neither bird nor tree, If mankind perished utterly…”

Grandma's voice came to an abrupt halt. Her face was scrunched up, her eyes were squinted-close, trying her best to recall the rest of the song.

“Is that it?” I tried my best to mask my disappointment.

“Sorry, Aaisha, I cannot remember how the song ends it was so long ago when my mother sang it to me Like you, I was excited and in awe of the story , ” her normally calm soothing voice was now laced with uncontained elation

In the huddled corner of her small bedroom, I didn't hesitate to ask, “Please, Grandma, tell me ...about those women “

“These women came and sang in the night. No one knew where they came from. They didn't belong to any tribes Many were unwanted disowned some were widowed Outcasts Women whom society would not normally notice... But they came together... and sang...music and words, from poems, from folklores.” It was Grandma’s eyes that now sparkled with excitement

“They took off their veils, revealing their faces. They wore beautiful coloured cloaks. Green… red... blue...not the blue that you know, but beautiful royal blue Bright colours ”

“Bright colours?!” I gasped, half-covering my mouth, at the disbelief that women were allowed to wear anything, but black or navy blue Unconsciously I stared at my own garb, and Grandma’s We only wore a dark monochrome. Plain. Loose. One design.

“They let their hair loose, to fly freely behind them, as they sang and danced Mama said some even played the instruments. Tambourines and lutes, as accompaniment to their music.”

“Where did this take place, Grandma? Were all these allowed?” my curious voice interrupted her I was astounded to hear of such a place where women were permitted outside on their own, and could strip off their veils Surely it was a different world Women singing? Their faces showing? Hair flowing long? Music? Colours? Surely this could not be true Even now, I was staring at a long, black cloth that half-shielded Grandma’s face; the thin, opaque material concealing all forms of emotion.

She reached over to stroke the fabric which covered my head, and whispered gently, “Aaisha, you are right It was done secretly. At night. When the men were away. Mama sneaked out a few times. That was how she returned and told me I was about your age Some women went with food, to be shared with others Many danced and sang along. Mama was so happy and she wished she could bring me along”

My eyes widened with disbelievement I could imagine the exhilaration these few courageous women must have experienced in this clandestine meeting.

“Mama told me that these were the most magical moments of her life She talked about how they sang of freedom. Freedom for women. Freedom from conflicts. That our men didn't have to go to war. A world where women were accepted And their finale was the song I just sang This happened in a little building which was once a primary school, on the other side of the village it was so long ago ”

“Grandma, what happened to them?”

In a hushed tone, Grandma replied, “Aaisha, no one knows ” , she cleared her throat, and continued, “They left as suddenly as they appeared Some said they were caught by the authorities Others were told that they left for another village.” Grandma paused, closed her eyes momentarily, and then whispered; her voice now quivery, ”Yet, a few have claimed that they were not real Not humans Phantoms perhaps some claimed that they can still hear the music in the night ” her voice trailed off She looked away there was no disguising the sadness in her face, perhaps the heartache of her own mother’s, despite the thin veil.

That night, I tossed and turned in bed Grandma’s words kept replaying in my head Songs and music floating...with instruments and dances.... Colours... vibrant colours ...colours of the blue sky, red hues of the bright morning sun, dashes of green from spring intertwined in the background of my subconscious As I drifted in and out of sleep, unconcealed faces smiles and laughter women dancing perhaps with their bare feet showing... joyous faces of women who dared to venture... watching these outcasts... doing what they couldn't do rocked me into a long sweet slumber

The next night, when darkness had crept in, I trudged off, on that familiar route down to the other side of the village Despite the trepidation of being caught, the burning determination to search for the place where joy was once present on this part of earth overcame my fear I knew there was an area behind the old station, where kids were forbidden to go near. Trees and thick bushes hid the place from view. Even in the frosty stillness of the night, I could feel cold sweat forming on my brow; my heartbeat echoing my every step

... the old, cracked, wooden doors groaned as I pushed them open. I took a small hesitant step in... a spacious hall greeted me Cracks of moonlight peered through the irregular slits in the roof, illuminating bars of dust that danced to the midnight breeze A large platform was at the other end of the hall Was this the place where the women danced and sang? On my right, were a few broken chairs and tables, strewn on the dusty wooden floor.

I could imagine the spread of delicious shir-pira and qatlama on the tables Then, I heard it Soft but the words were eerily familiar

There will come soft rains and the smell of the ground, And swallows circling with their shimmering sound,

I looked around and only saw cracked walls, with vines growing in its crevices On my left were rows of derelict benches...the song continued...

Robins will wear their feathery fire, Whistling their whims on a low fence-wire,

Then, I saw visions of women in black cloaks and veils, laughing and chatting freely; some with their veils down, others dancing merrily. In the stillness of the gripping silence, the sweet singing continued, as I stood entranced

Not one would mind, neither bird nor tree, If mankind perished utterly,

I stared at the platform; silhouettes of figures in a myriad of bright colours floated gorgeous exquisite colours, just as I had imagined One with a tambourine in her hand; another with a lute No veils Faces Smiles Unmistakable joy. They danced. Sang.

Enchanted I watched, and heard

And Spring herself, she woke up at dawn Who would notice that we were gone?

AHHHHH! Dr Allen heard a scream of terror behind him. Soon, the monster will disintegrate him as well. After him, the citizens of Okledo will be next

Inside a classroom at Okledo middle, a 12-year-old boy called Mike sat at his desk, staring at the clock. Tick. Tock Tick Tock 9:58 Just two more minutes He could hear his twin sister Millie answering complicated equations he couldn’t understand Suddenly, there was a loud ring and he heard the principal’s voice boom through the loudspeaker.

“Attention students and teachers. We were informed by the city officials to evacuate Okledo. We have to evacuate to the evacuation centre Please follow your teachers to the sports hall This is an emergency,” the principal said through the loudspeaker

Evacuation? Emergency? What is happening? Mike didn’t have time to process this as everyone suddenly rushed to the door into the hallway The teacher ran after them, leaving him alone He heard papers rustling It was Millie.

He stared at her, “Are you serious right now? There’s been an emergency evacuation, and you’re worried about homework?”

His sister rolled her eyes, “C’mon! We don’t want to be left behind.”

They dashed toward the sports hall Everyone was gathered there, lining up according to their classes They rushed to their class and sat down, just in time for their names to be called in attendance. They followed their class as they walked until they reached the bus area His classmates were just getting on the bus when Mike realised he had left his phone He might not come back if there has been an emergency Without thinking, he raced back to his classroom and retrieved his phone. He sprinted back to the bus area, only to find out everyone had left All the buses were gone Mike’s heart dropped How was he supposed to reach the evacuation centre if the buses left? There was no way he could catch up. It was impossible.

He was thinking of running when he heard a loud crash He turned around Behind him, he could see a giant monster. It was around 3 storeys tall and looked like the alien from ET, just 20 times bigger. It took a car and gobbled it down Mike screamed That was a huge mistake as the monster grabbed another car, and threw it at him Mike dodged the car and began sprinting away The monster started to walk He was never going to make it by running. He looked around and saw the car that got thrown at him. The windows were smashed, and one door was missing, but it was upright He went inside the car and climbed into the driver’s seat Mike was twelve, so he didn’t know how to drive a car, but he saw his parents drive every day He slammed the accelerator and surprisingly, the car moved forward.

He took a glance at the rearview mirror and found the monster walking towards him, crushing the ground below with every step He was closing in fast A lamppost speared the concrete, missing by a couple of centimetres Another car got thrown at him Mike took a sharp left around a corner to dodge it when he heard a screeching sound inside his head. It was pain, unlike anything he ever experienced. He wanted to put his hands on his head to stop the pain somehow, but he knew it wouldn’t make a difference Then suddenly, the pain stopped He looked at the mirror again but he couldn’t see the monster It was like it just vanished

He turned his head to make sure the monster wasn’t there anymore, but he didn’t dare stop and step outside to see He didn’t slow down until 10 minutes later when he stopped at a gas station to rest, check his surroundings, and maybe ask someone for help. If anyone was here. He headed to the convenience store to see if anyone was there that could help him “Hello?” he called out, but no response came He called out again, louder this time Still, no response He walked around No one was there He took some gum and headed out He called his parents. No response from either of them. He was about to call 911 when his phone went pitch black No This can’t be happening His phone died He turned and was about to walk towards the fractured car when the monster appeared once again.

This time, he didn’t scream There was no point Instead, he shouted, “Why? Why did you chase me? What’s so special about me?” He didn’t expect an answer. He wasn’t even sure if it could talk. He was about to get in the car when he heard a voice He looked at the monster It wasn’t talking It was like he could hear it in his head You humans have made me mad I do not leave anyone unpunished I have been locked away for eternity, tested on like some lab rat. Every human deserves to die. Finally, I can have my revenge. Starting with you, and this time, you will not escape! Mike looked up to see a car coming his way He dodged out of the way Another car came Mike narrowly dodged that one as well He was feeling good about himself when he heard a familiar scream. He squinted his eyes so he could see who it was that screamed. His face paled. It was Millie.

The monster was grabbing her and threw her at Mike. This time, he didn’t try to dodge. He tried to catch her. Of course, that was a dumb idea Millie crashed into Mike and they both fell Millie was unconscious, but still breathing Mike wondered how the monster knew about Millie when a memory popped up in his head His mind, being tortured. The monster read his mind.

“Mike,” Mike turned around It was Millie She was pointing at something “You have to poison it The petrol ”

Mike looked at the petrol nozzle It wasn’t going to reach

“Hey idiot! Come and get me!” he shouted. His plan was simple. Try to lure the monster toward him so the petrol nozzle can reach the monster, so he can inject it into its leg Do all that while trying not to get eaten See? Simple. Sure enough, after the threat, the monster came towards Mike. The monster was closing in fast. It swung its arm at him He ran for his life He took the nearest nozzle and started running towards the monster Mike closed his eyes shut and held the nozzle in front of him He felt something and pressed on the handle Mike heard a screech of pain and opened his eyes. He had injected the monster’s ankle. Yellow goo was coming out of it Mike ran away just in time The monster gave one last shriek and exploded into tiny bits

He jogged to his sister, who was unconscious again. He half carried, half dragged her into the car and drove to the emergency centre As they headed there, Mike couldn’t help but wonder, who would notice that we were gone?