Locked in the attic 

Dad had just left on a business trip, and I was left to pack in my room. College, I can't wait! As I packed in my room, Niang went into a fit of rage, when she heard the news. She started to grab all my clothes and threw them around the room. Then she grabbed me by my hair and dragged me up the creaking stairs. After what felt like an eternity, we reached the top of the staircase. As I was thrown inside the attic, the smell of mould and rotting wood lingered in the room and filled my nostrils. I could see the orange hue of the sunset seep through the cracks in the walls, painting a fiery artwork in the attic. As I listened closely, I could hear mice feet scatter across the floorboard. I went to explore the attic and heard the floorboards creak beneath me.

As I stood there processing this, I could feel one teardrop fall onto my face. I out the window, I could see the grey clouds fill the sky, as I looked around to see if I could find cover, I then spotted in the corner of the room, a box with the word “trash” written on it. I quickly ran to the box, so I could empty it and use it to cover me, during the storm. When I open the worn-down cardboard box, I saw some old vintage Chinese clothes that were for my mother? As I shuffled around the clothes, there were photos of my mum and dad, that I've never seen before. As I stared at my mum, thinking to myself ‘’she was so beautiful’’, I could feel all my emotions pour out, and the rain came down like hail. I quickly went to cover all the pictures, of my mother.

As I sat there in the attic, drenched in water, and my tears I asked: Shàngdì 天主 (meaning "Heavenly Master" or "Lord of Heaven)" ‘’why me, why did I have to be locked up in this dirty old smelly attic, why did I have to be the reason my mother is Dead’’. I wiped away my tears and thought to myself ‘’I cannot stay here forever, I need to get out of here, and go to college, because that's what my mum would've wanted!”

After a while, the rain had finally stopped, and I could see the stars glisten in the sky. As I laid there, gazing at the starry night, thinking about my mum, and if she were still alive, how much she would love me. I knew in that moment, that I had to escape from this life. As I sat there thinking of ways I could escape I must have fell asleep, because I found myself waking up, to the morning sun shining bright in my face, and the sound of birds chirping in the trees. Then an idea hit me, like nothing before I can escape when step mum takes me downstairs to the toilet. Soon after,I yelled for Niang to come take me to the bathroom, she then unlocked the door we walked down the old creaking stairs. I tried to slip my hand into Niang pocket, to where the key was, but I almost got caught. I had to be very careful, on how I wanted to get this key. But soon enough, we were already back up the stairs, and I was getting locked up again.

I've been wearing these stinky old Chinese clothes, for three days, and step mum hasn’t been feeding me too much, I would've been lucky, if little sister Rembers to tell step mum to feed me. as I sat in the corner of the attic, picking at the cobwebs. my nose then drifted off into one of the cracks to reveal all my favourite foods being prepared. As I peeped down at the dinner table, I could see everyone eating their food, as I imagined myself sitting at the table eating, the delicious Kung Pao Chicken that has a Savory and sweet taste to it with a mild spicy kick to it, paired with some homemade pork soup dumplings on the side. But instead, I am eating what looks like Jackies food sloped onto a plate.

I waited for everyone to finish their food, I watched and waited for the sunset go down, and the room fill with colour, I then shouted for step mum to take me bathroom, unexpectedly little sister came running up the stairs, to tell me that step mum went grocery shopping, and she will not be gone for long. I then thought to myself ‘’this is my perfect chance to escape’’. I asked little sister to unlock the door, so I can show the beautiful sunset that is happening in here, she did as I asked and when she looked inside the room, while she was amazed at all the colours.

I took that chance to run to Niang's room to take some money, and some new clothes, and get out of there. but what I found was horrifying. I found out that step mum had written letters to my father saying that I was going to college, and I was having so much fun. I was furious at the fact that she would lie to my father. Just as I was about to run out of the house step mum pulled into the driveway, I quickly hid behind the bushes until I saw her go inside. Then without thinking I ran; I ran as fast as my legs could take me. By the time, I realised I was still running it was night-time and it was pitch black outside. The only thing that was leading my way is the dim streetlamps. it was so cold that you feel as if you are in a freezer.

As I looked down at my hands and feet, they looked as if they were going to turn blue. I saw in the distance a bright blue and red park, I decided to have a rest there. As I made my way to the park, I could feel my legs tremble from all the running.

I finally reached the park and collapsed onto the playground and fell asleep. As I woke up the next morning to little kids stepping, on my face I said I was determined to let my father know what a big mistake he made when marrying this witch. I got up and asked one of the ladies there ‘’ do you have a pen and paper’’ she gave me that and I poured my heart out writing this letter to my father telling him what a mistake he made and how he didn’t even care about his own children and he was blinded at how Niang was treating us so badly.

One day, I’ll have the courage. One day.

The End