Student Choice Award

Winner of January 2012 Contest

VILLANS by Hannah-Jamie ‘Hannie’ Duncombe

The screams spread across the land in one continuous wave. Individually, they were piercing wails of terror that could not be mimicked by even the best of actors, and could only be born during times of true fear.

Mothers and fathers panicked and searched without method for their children. They shouted their names, and called for their babies to come home, but there were so many places for them to play.

Those too young to understand tried to hide; frightened of whatever this impending horror was. They could only sense that something was to come, and there were none who didn’t cry.

Among the old there was almost a feeling of peace, knowing their time had come. They ignored the abuse shouted at them when they did not run, instead sitting silently in the sun for their last moments. Old couples held onto each other, and thought with sorrow of their grandchildren.

As the initial drops of lethal rain fell, none were safe. The first casualties dropped as stones, and the noxious raindrops continued their descent, burning the bodies beyond recognition. Whether they were someone’s partner, someone’s daughter, or someone’s grandfather, no matter what circumstances they had been facing during life, they all lay together as the rain fell, united by tragedy.

There were still those who hoped that they would be saved, but no miracle came, and it was not long until the ground was paved with bodies. Corpses lay as litter, and no family remained together. Eventually, no limb stirred. They had burnt. The battle was lost.

‘Pesky greenfly,’ said the gardener as he used the pesticide spray, before turning his back on the roses.

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For entries of previous months’ winners, visit our Student Choice Contest Winner’s Archive