The Flood

• Andrew Tan, Grade 5
• Short Story
• 2021

A deafening splash resonated in my ears. I jolted wildly with surprise, dropped my video game controller, and dashed to the door so rapidly that I slammed into it with a loud ‘BANG!’ I rubbed my head as I steadied myself, moaning with pain. I noticed that the windows on each side of the door were nearly fulled up to the brim with water. Was I imagining this? However, when I peered further from the window, I could see the faint outlines of vehicles from the grey, debris-filled, swirling water trying by every means to drive off. Nevertheless, the tsunami stood as solid as a brick wall, keeping the vehicles where they were, even pushing them backwards. I gaped in disbelief. People shrieked and screamed loudly with fright, and I could almost imagine them huddled tightly in their vehicles, awaiting death.

A minute later, the clouds connected and became a dull grey, and rain began to pour heavily, gradually increasing the level of the swirling water. It had turned a murky grey, somewhere around the colour of a fully-used rubber. How could this be happening? Am I dreaming…? I thought, disbelievingly. No, it is real. I have to face it. I told my mind flatly. My parents were on business trips in Ecuador and Romania, leaving me at home for a week by myself. What will Mum and Dad say? What if the front garden is demolished? I questioned myself. My head clouded with questions and thoughts.

Swiftly, I checked that all the doors and windows were closed. “Phew!” I sighed, but that moment, I noticed water was seeping in between the floor and the front door. I ran and seized a towel, and neatly placed it between the door and the floor to temporarily stem the flowing water. I heard the sounds of alarms coming from nearby buildings, and blocked my ears with my hands. I took several deep breaths. The sound of the rain stopped, although I ran to my room, and in an attempt to protect myself, I slid myself under my bed, hitting its frame in my panic. I could hear someone screaming but could barely make out the words. I leaned forward and merely heard, “…CAREFUL! THEY’RE COMING, JUST WAIT!” a man yelled. What was coming? I questioned myself. In the distance, sirens sounded and I gradually filtered up with hope.