‘Knife-wielding mad-man! Shot dead by police!’
My heart gave a lurch and my eyes almost popped out of my sockets. I instantaneously flipped to another page but I was in no mood to read on. I gulped down a sigh and trembled with fear. My legs wobbled uncontrollably as the incident that almost cost my life flashed across my mind. I was soon deep in reverie, reminiscing the incident…
I was grinning from ear to ear and the grin was so wide that I could eat a banana sideways! Dad had finally promised us a trip to the beach! We had not been to the beach for ages already and this time it was not only a trip to one of Singapore’s beach, it was a trip to Bali’s beach!
Soon, we reached our destination which was just stones throw away from the hotel we just checked in to. The place was packed like sardines with people from all walks of life. Luck was with us as we found a shady spot under a coconut tree. I lay down together with my parents and sun-tanned. Soon, I fell asleep…
I was brought back to earth by an unpleasant cacophony of voices. Shouts of horror, stamping of feet and sinister laughter. I was forced to open my eyes and to my horror, there was a lunatic who was holding his parang and charging towards me. Responding to my instincts fast, I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. But soon, I could not gather enough strength to run anymore. I stood there, closed my eyes and waited for him to close up.
‘Bang!’ A gun shot resonated through the air. Help had finally arrived. I opened my eyes and saw the mad man groping his chest. He muttered his prayers and spluttered out blood profusely from his mouth. He fell and lay right in front of me.
I was too tired to move a bit and soon, I blacked out…
When I woke up, Mum told me that the lunatic had actually escaped from a mental hospital. He went berserk and tried to kill someone. But luckily, none was injured.
This incident left me badly shaken and it shall engrave an indelible mark in my memory eternally.