Grade 9 Phoenix Award Winners

Ceris

DECEMBER 9TH, 2003

02:49 a.m. I don’t remember what happened; it all happened so quickly that it was almost peaceful.

02:53 a.m. I made my way down the spiral staircase. I couldn’t see anything – it was so dark I couldn’t
make out my own shadow.

02:55 a.m. I finally made my way into the living room under the guidance of the eerie moonlight.

02:56 a.m. The old and worn sofa seemed so welcoming and inviting I couldn’t help but fall into its
cushion full of softness.

07:17 a.m. I woke up to the familiar scent of cinnamon pancakes. I lazily crawled away from the sofa and
stumbled into the kitchen like I always did.

07:18 a.m. My mom was lying helplessly on the floor – weeping. I cried out in shrill horror but she did
not look up.

07:20 a.m. I waited patiently and silently before I reached my hand out to touch my mother, only to find
out that I couldn’t feel her; I couldn’t feel the touch of anything.

07:21 a.m. I stared hopelessly at both of my hands. I did not understand; why couldn’t I feel anything?
Why couldn’t my mother hear me?

08:01 a.m. I mindlessly sat on the sofa I slept on earlier. The lingering question still haunts me: what has
happened to me?

09:05 a.m. There was a slight knock on the front door and I watched my mother helplessly push herself
up from the kitchen floor – where she was unmoved for over an hour – to answer the door.

09:07 a.m. I anxiously pulled my hair when I saw that there were three police officers standing in the
front door. I hid behind my mother like a little girl I used to be, nervously waiting to hear what the
officers had to say.

10:24 a.m. My mother’s face grew paler and paler every minute. I could barely hear what the officers had
to say anymore. My eyes were blurring, my hearings started to fade and I could remember – or see – was
last night’s event playing in the back of my mind.

DECEMBER 8TH, 2003

11.36 p.m. It was a cold winter night, colder than I had remembered from the previous years. The pool
was now frozen solid and the chirping birds had already flown away. I lied on my bed holding the book
Oliver Twist, while trying to juggle a cup of warm milk in my other hand.

01:59 a.m. The time did not discourage me into letting go of the book since I was determined to finish it
before the sunrise.

02:04 a.m. There was a soft but audible thud from downstairs which made me jump, causing the
untouched cup of milk to spill all over my blanket.

02:06 a.m. I cursed throughout the whole time I walked down the spiral staircase in search of a new
blanket to last me through the cold winter night.

02:11 a.m. Thud. I called out into the darkness, did father come home early from his business trip?

02:12 a.m. There was no reply, let alone a sound. It was probably Whiskers, playing with a ball of yarn in
the middle of the night. I bet that old cat couldn’t sleep either.

02:18 a.m. After I found an extra sheet of blanket, I crept up the stairs quietly in case everyone else in the
house was already asleep.

02:20 a.m. My bedroom door was swung open. I paused, not remembering leaving it opened. I shrugged,
figuring it was the lonely winter wind.

02.21 a.m. I-I couldn’t breathe -- two big hands grabbed me by the shoulders and I stifled a silent cry for
help but the hands gripped bones so tightly my knees went weak and I was unable to let out more than a
mere squeak.

02:22 a.m. I was a weak, weak man who lost an unknown battle.

02:32 a.m. The pain of having my hands tied behind my back was all I ever thought about at that
moment.

02:33 a.m. Stop, I scolded myself. Stop worrying so much about the pain and focus on what is going on.
My eyes were covered with what seemed to be a kitchen table cloth; I couldn’t see anything. But I could,
however, hear muffled voices in the background.

02:47 a.m. I began feeling sore all over. My back and arms were aching, and I just wanted to scream in
pain and agony. Instead, I let out a groan in defeat.

02:48 a.m. The voices… they were back. Please, I silently beg, please don’t hurt me.

02:49 a.m. There was a loud thwack and I fell into a deep sleep, never to wake again.

DECEMBER 9th, 2003

10:28 a.m. I wanted to reach out to her, tell her I was fine, that she should move on with her life. But I
couldn’t… because I was dead.

10:29 a.m. I was dead. Like the meat in the frozen solid in the refrigerator. I looked over to my mom,
who looked deader than I was.

10:30 a.m. One of the police officers now step forward which caught my attention. He spoke slowly and
with caution that the burglars were yet to be caught but he promised to keep my mother updated if they
found anything.

10:32 a.m. The police officers bid my mother good-bye and offered their sympathies before walking out
the door.

10:33 a.m. Part of me wanted to stay here with my mother and comfort her, but the other half… I was
furious. What had I done to deserve to be so brutally murdered?

10:34 a.m. I wanted my revenge.

10:35 a.m. I couldn’t… I can’t. I had to stay with my mother. I didn’t know how much longer I would be
able to stay with her.

10:44 a.m. I paced back and forth, watching my mother on the phone with my father. I listened to her
as she explained – lips trembling – how three burglars broke into the house in the middle of the night in
search of money but ended up leaving the house empty-handed… and ended my life.

10:51 a.m. The house phone rang and my mother spoke in rapid French with my father before she hung
up and answered the telephone.

10:56 a.m. My mother ended the call and dragged herself upstairs.

11:48 a.m. My mother – all dressed in black – managed maintained her balance as she walked down the
staircase slowly. She had decided that she did not want my body to be investigated and wanted a proper
Christian burial right now since my body was not in a, well, “good” condition.

12:45 p.m. I had always been curious who would show up to my funeral and ironically, my wish was
granted.

12:26 p.m. Polished town cars came to a stop in front of the church and out stepped my mother’s friends
in black pump heels holding sleek black leather bags. My father’s friends in black suits stepped out sports
car – they too, were looking sleek.

12:54 p.m. I was flustered not seeing any of my friends showing up. Then again, it was a school day. But
still, did I mean little importance to them? I couldn’t decide.

12:59 p.m. I was about to go inside the church to eavesdrop on some conversations when a silver
Mercedes Benz came to screeching stop. I froze.

01:00 p.m. Grandma.

01:01 p.m. I haven’t been in contact with Grandma for years. I often wondered if it was something I did
or if in a positive light, she was too busy. Right.

01:02 p.m. My hands were starting to get sweaty and I angrily stomped over to her. The woman had guts
I’m telling you. Of all the days in the past, she decided to visit me when I was dead.

01:03 p.m. The frail old woman held onto her driver – wait, make that bodyguard – to help her walk.
I observed her thoroughly: her white hair was expensively cut, her face was practically wrinkle-free
compared to woman her age and she had the new Hermès Birkin handbag. Life was so unfair.

01:05 p.m. I followed my Grandma into the church, surprised that all the seats were full. Huh, people did
care about me after all. When Grandma walked in, everyone fell silent; and all the men who were busy
typing on their Blackberry screens looked up and glanced at her nervously and all the women who were
busy gossiping smiled at her awkwardly.

01:06 p.m. I chuckled to myself; Grandma always had those kinds of affect on people. The priest finally
cleared his throat and began.

01:10 p.m. Four minutes into the ceremony, I started feeling lightheaded. I dismissed my sudden
dizziness by carefully survey the room. I noticed that people were starting to get bored; some were rolling
their eyes, while others just simply stared into outer space. I crossed my arms and gave them a death glare
but they didn’t seem to notice. Of course they didn’t.

01:11 p.m. In addition to my ongoing dizziness, the sunlight that poured through the church’s stained
glass window was blinding me. I stared at the light, mesmerized. The more I squinted my eyes, the more
beautiful and blinding it became until I-I couldn’t s-see anything.

01:12 p.m. I blocked out the light with my right hand and cast one last look at everyone. My mother
looked like an angel but without the halo. I wished my father a good health and blessed God to be with
my step brother. I touched my heart gently with my left hand and silently forgave Grandma for not being
here all these years. I blinked, not sure if whether I was hallucinating or not, but a tear slid down her
delicate cheeks. I shook my head and smiled, turning back to focus on the light.

01:13 p.m. With all the strength I had left, I opened my eyes one last time. The light was beautiful.

AFTERWORDLIGHT: In the end, my friends did show up. I watched the whole ceremony from

Heaven. It was beautiful gathering. Everyone had a white lily tied with a gold ribbon in their hands
which they happily kept in their houses to remember me by. My mother – always so thoughtful. She
did get better, although she would turn bitter once in a while, but at least she had my father and step
brother to help her get through. As for the burglars, I daresay they did not live a happy life. The ending
to Grandma’s chapter was not a happy one either. Grandma fell ill and was told that she was not going to
make it. I could see her struggling to stay alive but when she was ready, I will be here, waiting for her to
see the same light I did.



CRACKED
Done by: Nichakarn Ratanaphaithun (Jean)

“Someone answer the phone!” yelled Dawn Lucas from her spacious and modern-decorated

office. Her third assistant of the month frantically ran to the phone and answered it on time, afraid of

losing her job. Dawn was twenty-six when she earned her own private office. It was evening and

raining, and that is the worst that could happen in New York. The streets would be wet and most

importantly, traffic would be agony. Dawn stepped outside and tiny water droplets blew right into her

face. She quickly hailed a cab, too lazy to go to the parking lot.

The cab arrived at her Upper West Side apartment, overlooking Riverside Park, where the

leaves were turning into the shades of yellow and brown. Heaps of fallen leaves scattered around the

whole park (mood/imagery). She opened the door and Seth was preparing dinner. Dawn blushed at

the sight of her husband of three years. They met at Columbia a few years ago and Dawn knew right

on the spot that he was her soul mate. All friends gushed over their perfect lavender-colored wedding

and rapture that they were the sweetest and most flawless couple in America.

“ Hey, we got Chinese today,” said Seth as he took out the greasy cartons from Jin Jin, their

favorite Chinese restaurant. Dawn walked over and hugged Seth from behind, resting her chin on his

shoulders.

“Are we out of OJ?” Dawn whispered softly and he nodded slightly. She took a long look at the

myriad of picture frames including the photos of their honeymoon in Bora Bora. Clank

(Onomatopoeia). Dawn and Seth turned both of their faces around and looked at the picture of their

trip to India, now laying flat on the floor (foreshadowing).

“Uh, I’m going out to Whole Foods, want me to get something?” said Seth, across the room as

Dawn picked up the fallen picture. She took a look at the broken picture, the glass all cracked. She

quickly hid the broken frame behind her back, as she nervously waved, as Seth walked.

That night, Seth was found lying on the floor with a knife next to his body. Blood stained on his

shirt. Lying next to him was a spilled bottle of Florida’s Natural. His wallet was gone. Dawn’s life

was gone.
Dawn was the last to leave at the funeral. She sat there, like an abandon porcelain doll in a 13-

year-old girl’s room (simile), lonely and forsaken. Seth’s killer was easy to find and was put to jail.

But nothing could replace the fact that Seth was gone. Dawn cried till her eyes where swollen and

bloodshot as if they where stung by a bee (simile). Her office room is now piled with paperwork,

waiting to be cleared. A month later, Dawn shows up at work and everybody was horrified. Dawn

wore an oversized shirt with sweatpants (direct characterization). She looked completely lost.

“Dawn, you look like a total train wreck,”(indirect characterization) observed Veronica,

Dawn’s BFF from college

“I’m fine, trust me. I just need some time to think,” replied Dawn, while grabbing a cup of

coffee that early morning at the vendor down the street.

“I could recommend a psychiatrist. He’s amazing, like a younger and hotter version of Dr.

Phil,”(indirect characterization) Veronica said, suddenly daydreaming.

Dawn remained speechless throughout therapy. Her therapist, Aidan, was supportive and

understanding but Dawn didn’t know what to say. How was she to know if her therapist was only

telling her the things she wanted to hear. Although, Veronica was right, Aidan was good looking

(indirect characterization). But Dawn could not shake the image of Seth out her mind. She was

undeniably devoted to her spouse and nothing could’ve torn them apart. Every night, Dawn would

rest her hand on Seth’s side of the bed and pretend he was there, stroking her hair. She was desperate

to reconnect with him. But how?

Dawn found a way to connect with one of her dorm mates that was kicked out of college for

possession of drugs. Dawn knew the consequences but she was willing to risk it all. Dawn’s

addiction took off and before she knew it, she was snorting up cocaine in the morning, and smoking

pot by night. It was seductive and uncontrollable. One day, still high from the drugs, Dawn took a

walk down 87th street. Suddenly, she collapsed on the floor, her hands covering her gaping mouth.

Seth was standing there, in the middle of the walkway. He walked over to her and lifted her up.

Dawn was in awe, her eyes glimmering and tiny water droplets started forming in the corner of her

eyes (imagery). Dawn knew that was totally crazy, to suddenly form images of Seth up, but in a way

it was comforting and she felt closer and warmer.
Dawn kept making up excuses and didn’t turn up at work for a whole month. Her boss, Barry,

tried to understand Dawn’s circumstances, that she had just lost a loved one. However, this was going

too far. Veronica had to cover up for Dawn’s absence when she forgot to call the office, until one

day, enough was enough.

“ You two have been lying to me!” Barry yelled at Veronica.

“ Please understand, Barry. Dawn’s in a really tough position. Let her take some time off of

work. I’m sure that she’ll be able to come back in a few weeks.”

“A FEW WEEK?! I don’t have time. I’m running an internationally recognized professional

service firm here and I am suppose to put everything on hold while my employee grieves?!. I just lost

some of my biggest client because of Dawn’s absence. I am losing money here!”

“Barry?! All you care is you money don’t you. Don’t you care about Dawn? You can’t put a

ticking clock on grief! She needs some time!” argued Veronica

“You’re both fired!” slammed Barry, the whole office suddenly turned quiet.

“WHAT?!” wailed Veronica. “You can’t fire both of us! We did nothing wrong!”

“I know about drugs Dawn’s been taking. Everybody knows. It’s destroying my reputation.

She’s a pothead by now. GET OUT OF MY OFFICE, NOW!” Barry bellowed, as he shooed

Veronica out with his hands.

“With pleasure!” Veronica yelled and slammed the door shut behind her.

When Veronica told Dawn that both of them where fired, Dawn couldn’t careless. She was still

high and ignored any remarks Veronica gave her.
“Dawn, are you even listening to me! I got fired because I was covering for you. You should at

least be grateful. Now we’re both doomed” shrieked Veronica, her hands flying around the room.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever” Dawn said, dismissing Veronica with her hand gestures.

“Hey! I deserve some respect here. I stood up for you and now all you care about is yourself.

How can you be so selfish?!”

“Chill, Veronica. Everything will work out. I just met this totally awesome guy at the bar and

he said that I look smokin’ hot” chuckled Dawn, as she nervously bit her nails.

“You can’t keep this up, Dawn. You are clearly out of your mind” Veronica said, annoyed with

Dawn’s inattentive character.

“I’m fine. Absolutely fine. I’m fantabulous!” Dawn called out, cheerfully, throwing her hands

in the air as if she was throwing a party extravaganza (simile).

Veronica confronted Aidan about Dawn’s addiction. Despite their argument, this was the last

chance for Dawn to recover. Instead of being surprised, Aidan was collective and decided that he’s

going to take those drugs away from her.

“Oh noooo, you are not going to take my babies away from me” Dawn said, still woozy.

“Dawn, someday you have to let go. Seth wouldn’t be happy if he knew you where stuck on

drugs” Adrian said calmly.

Adrian took her hand and for the first time in years, he never felt such warmth. He looked into

her eyes and saw something he never saw before. It was love. However, Dawn had the complete

opposite feeling.

Dawn’s eyes suddenly turn wide and jerked her hands out of his. Her teeth clenched and her

fingers clutched into a fist. She sprung up from her chair, her fingers pointing at Aidan.

“How dare you! How dare to tell me what Seth would have thought. You didn’t know him. You

know nothing about him!” she yelled, her eyes growing hot and stormed out the door.

When Dawn arrived home, she broke down. She sat behind the door and hugged her knees, her

fingers gripping on her hair. She rummaged through her medicine compartment and found a bottle of

medicine that she had never seen before. She opened the bottle cap, gulped it in, and collapsed on the

floor. She wasn’t unconscious, yet. Her eyes bled of tears and her head seemed like it was about to

explode. How am I supposed to let go? Seth was a part of me and without him; I’m only half of me.

Only then, when the image of Seth arrived, once again. He was handsome, as always, in his favorite

white shirt and khakis (direct characterization). He smiled and she smiled. He got up and walked out

the door.

“Wait, where are you going?! Stay with me first!” pleaded Dawn to door. She scrambled to her

feet, barefooted and rushed out the door.

She raced down a street, until she was standing on the spot where her husband was killed.

Suddenly, a vision of the murder began. A mugger ran up to him and demanded all his money. He

had a knife to Seth stomach. Seth tried to calm him down, but within seconds, they where fighting.

Then it happened, the heartless mugger stabbed him in the stomach and ran away with his wallet. She

saw it. Seth curled on the floor, his hand on their wedding ring, and gasping for a breath (flashback).

Dawn stood there and witnessed the end of his life. Dawn. Seth was standing across the street. She

paced forward, stood in front of him in the middle of the street. He hugged her. Out of nowhere, a car

honked before her and before she could escape, the car crashed into her. She fell, hard. Her head was

bleeding and a pool of blood was starting to form around her. Seth knelt down, put his head on the

floor and stared into her eyes, until all she could see was black.

Aidan was the first to arrive. He rushed into the emergency room and Dawn looked at Aidan

like she didn’t know who he was. Her first words were “Who are you?” The doctor explained to him

that Dawn had severe head wounds and it is most likely that all her memories where lost. Dawn did

not recognize anybody who came through the door. By the next few months, Dawn was able to return

home and live her normal life. Aidan became her caretaker and looked after Dawn day by day. He

loved her, but he was sure that Dawn didn’t know who she was or whom she had ever loved.