The house in Bukit Timah

[angelle]

Wa I miss Jim and his chocolate milk gf

[ilikeoldchangke]

The armoury is bigger than it looks from the outside.
Most of us would have seen the insides of one when we are in the army.

Walls of bare concrete with racks and shelves of weapons clearly numbered and arranged.


Yiling’s armoury is stark contrast to the utilitarian nature of the armoury we Singaporean men who served before are used to.

Fully airconditioned and completed with a mini bar. The shelves and metals racks stocked not only guns, but knives, spears and even a medieval armour.
There is even a replica of the sword used by William Wallace in Braveheart.

Yiling said we’re only allowed to take the small ones for obvious reason.

A metal rack by the mini bar held a variety of handguns but the one it held the most was glock 19. Something we were all familiar with after spending so much time with Calvin at the range.

15 pieces of them rest at 45 degree angle in a neat row.


Yiling pulled 2 up at a time and handed them over.

Everyone took theirs and lined up at the 2 gun clearing chamber bolted to the ground. We cleared the weapon, squeezed off the trigger before grabbing a magazine each from another shelf.

The stacks of magazines were already filled with 9mm rounds.

I followed the rest of the guys, sliding the magazine into the pistol. A large box held a variety of holster and Kamal reached into it, picking and handing out ankle holster to each one of us.

Yiling : don’t fucking get caught with that…. Ever…. Get out fast if you need to use it….. it’s going to wake the whole fucking neighbourhood….

The armoury is about the size of 2 squash court. It’s big but the racks are not tightly packed.


The door is set in the middle and so far we’ve only stayed at the ‘small’ end of the armoury.

I looked at the other end of the armoury and it made me wonder how in the world did Yiling manage to get things like that.
I’m talking military grade stuff including anti-tank weapons.

There’s enough stuff in here to make sure none of us ever see the light of day again if we are caught.

There was no time to lose and the lot of us immediately went back to the panty to go through the plans.

Declan, Kamal & Seven will be heading to Pasir Ris while Hong, Aaron and I will head to Tampines.



We do not know where the men responsible for the attack are staying but logic dictates that they are already somewhere in the vicinity. Perhaps with a direct view of the childcare centre.

Any cars loitering around too early will draw suspicions.
With the strike happening at morning peak, he traffic alone would hamper all rescue efforts.
Everyone will be caught with the pants down.


Those good guys will be doing what they can with one hand tied behind their backs while Teng pulls the strings behind the scenes.

Yiling : I have gotten my hands on 2 taxis…. And you will park at the loading and unloading bay beside the childcare….

Only 2 of us are to be present by the taxi, the 3rd guy will have to drop one street away.
2 of us in each group will play the role of 2 cab drivers exchanging their shifts to start a day’s work. They can take their time cleaning the taxi, chat a little by the cab without drawing too much suspicions.
The attackers will likely also not flag 2 cab drivers as too much of a threat.

The 3rd guy will approach the neighbourhood on foot disguised as a jogger.

The childcare opens at 7am, staff starts coming in at 6.30am.

Yiling : At 7am, the attacks island wide will begin. ….. there is not stopping, there’s no turning back….

If the men’s aim is to plant an explosive device, they would surely strike early, leaving the device before moving to another area. If their aim is to take the teacher and student hostage, they will likely strike between 7-7.30am.

There is no way to know how long the men would take to have control of each centre.
We also do not know how many men will be there.

The only thing we know would be to stop them at all cost.

The small medical centre we have at the Castle will be activated and on standby. The private ambulance will be parked at the mid midpoint between the 2 childcare we are heading to in case anyone gets hurt.

It would have sense for the attackers to strike immediately when the childcare opens to overwhelm the staff but they would also likely end up with very little hostages.

If they waited too long, the amount of parents dropping their kids off might be hard to handle.


I’m not a parent.

I have no kids but is there is one thing I can be sure about, is that if you try to harm the kids in front of their parents. They would not hesitate to do everything in their power to protect them.

Even if it means sacrificing themselves.

Even if it means taking a life.



Yiling : Too many parents and kids, it will be too hard to handle. They will want to make sure they get a good number of staff and kids as hostages before shutting themselves in….so… it’s a fine balance …. And it’s entirely up to them…

Kamal : what do we do after we take care of all the attackers….. from all the centres…. If possible…

Yiling : Run… you run and you hide…over here…..

Yiling pointed to a map of Changi neighbourhood.

Yiling : …. I have a residential unit ready by the hawker centre….stay low for a while…. Everyone will be out for blood….we have multiple routes to leave the country from this spot….. ferry…. And if necessary, by air….

Yiling reminded us that we should assume all law enforcement to be against us as long as Teng is in charge.


Yiling : I don’t know how long his reach is, I don’t know who is with us and who is not…..but it would be prudent to assume that they are all against us… Teng only needs the ear of the top few commanders…..and once the orders get relayed….. the men and women are just doing their jobs….

As much as possible, Yiling wants us to avoid any direct confrontation with law enforcement.

Jackson : why can’t you share these information with the prime minister…. Surely with proof , he will see that he has the wrong person in his cabinet.

Yiling : someone is trying to handle that now…. but it might not happen in time….

Yiling kept quiet for a minute before adding under her breath.

Yiling : Besides…. Who would ever believe….. that this will happen in Singapore….

………………………………………



13th March 2017
Monday
1am



We hydrated ourselves thoroughly, almost everyone has a bottle of water in hand as we sipped it slowly while lost in our own thoughts. There’s no need for anyone to tell us it’s going to be a while before we get to eat or drink one this all starts.

Declan started making instant noodles for all of us.

Hong is microwaving some instant chicken wings and skewers while Aaron washed a jumbo bag of salad.

Walking over to Yiling who was sitting by herself on a armchair, I looked at the 2 old Nokia phones she was twirling in her hand.


Jackson : is there no one else to send…. To the childcare in Hougang… ?

Yiling : We’re stretched thin…. Really thin…. If I have a choice… I want all 6 of you at one location…

I lowered my voice a notch and asked her about the men at the roof top.

Jackson : What about them… those men that took care of the Malus…

Yiling : Everyone Jackson ….. everyone is stretched….

Yiling revealed that they are going to hit us so hard, that it would take years for the economy to recover and for the government to pick up all the pieces.


Declan called out to everyone that food is ready.

The 7 of us sat around the dining table filled with simple instant food.

Declan : alright…. Eat up everyone…

There was a solemn mood as we helped ourselves to the food on the table.
It felt a little like the last supper we are going to have and there is some truth in it.

There’s no telling who might not make it back if anything goes wrong.


3am

I took a final shower before looking at myself in the mirror.
I’ve lost weight, my cheeks are a little sunken compared to the time when I first joined La Bella Vita.

My hair has been cut short, not because I’m chasing trend or style.
I just don’t want anyone to grab my hair during life and death moment.



4am

A fresh pot of coffee and tea sat on the dining table. Those that were drinking sipped on their drink silently.

Yiling tapped vigorously into her Nokia phone before pushing the cover shut.

She walked around the room, talking privately to each of us.


When she finally came over to me, Yiling told me to stay calm and rational, always.

Yiling : Jackson ….. I know in the heat of the moment… it’s difficult to make decision…. I hope you keep one thing in mind…..

Jackson : what is it… ?

Yiling : don’t die…

[ilikeoldchangke]

I smiled and asked her if she said that to everyone.

Yiling smiled and nodded her head.

She gave me a hug before whispering softly by my ears.

Yiling : Watch your back Jackson….. always watch your back….


……………………………………………..

5am


Yiling gave us new phones with preloaded sim cards. She is on speed dial and the numbers for the rest of us has been stored into the contact list.

Yiling : The moment..... I repeat… the moment you start making your way to Changi…. Those phones must go…. Get rid of it…

I put the phone in my pocket and wrapped my axe with newspaper and put it under the car seat.

We loaded up into 2 cars and took a 5 minute drive to another private house within the large estate.

Covered with canvas by the porch are 2 blue taxis.


5.15am

We pulled out of the porch and started making our way to our respective site.
The roads are pretty empty at that time and I saw Hong close his eyes and spread his arms out on the back seat.


He’s not sleeping that’s for sure.

He’s trying to calm himself down.

I turned to look at Aaron, I’ve never been out on a job with him before. I don’t know how he is going to be like.

He kept opening and closing his fist while staring straight.

Jackson : Aaron… you ok… ?

Aaron : Yes….



It was a short reply but immediately after that, Aaron took offence at me asking him that question.

Aaron : just worry about yourself…. I have been working for Boss far longer than you….

He just started rattling on non stop about his accomplishment as if he was desperate to proof his worth.

Aaron : I have seen everything…. Everything…. Anything you cannot possibly imagine….i have seen it…. I moved more than a ton of drugs through our causeway….. I’ve moved weapons by Arab warlords….i’ve seen bloodied fights… everything…. You worry about yourself…. Just worry about yourself !!



I looked at Aaron who was obviously agitated. He literally snapped at me.

Jackson : Aaron…. I’m just asking….

Aaron : No need to ask… no need to ask !.... I’m ok…. I’m fine… better than fine….i have seen everything…. You have no idea the kind of things Boss send me for….. Money… Drugs…..receiving guest that should not even be on our shores…… exiled politicians…. Every fuck thing I have seen and done…. You should see man…. Am I ok ? … am I ok ? … of course the fuck I am ok….. you worry about yourself….

I stopped talking and Hong sat up from the backseat.

Hong : Aaron…calm down…

Aaron : Calm down ? …. I am calm…. You worry about yourself…. You hear me… you worry about yourself….

He raised his voice in the car significantly at Hong while gesturing for me to keep my eyes on the road.


Aaron : Drive properly… !!.. keep your eyes on the road… worry about yourself….

The road in front of me is practically empty with exception of another taxi cruising at 60kph on the left lane.

Aaron : Boss should have sent all those grunts by the entrance….don’t know why she keep so many of them for fuck… paying them money every month and making us do things like this….

Jackson : Aaron….

Aaron : Keep your eye on the road…. Don’t Aaron me… I am ok !!!

He is definitely not ok.

As we pulled into Tampines Estate, I could fee Aaron clenching his fist to stop himself from shaking.

He’s scared. So am i.


Everyone is.

Jackson : Aaron….

Aaron : Jackson !!! For Fuck SAKE !!

Jackson : I’m scared….

My admission of fear stopped his tirade. I slowed down the taxi and turned into the carpark 1 street away.
Hong will be playing the role of the jogger.


Jackson : I’m fucking scared Aaron….

Aaron : Well..err…..err.. don’t…. don’t be…

He didn’t sound convincing at all.

I stopped the car and Hong gave both our shoulders a tap before getting out.

Hong : See you later guys….

Hong stretched and did some warmup before heading onto the discussed route.

I put the taxi into drive again and I told Aaron that I’m scared.

I really am.


Jackson : It’s taking everything I have not to piss in my pants right now…

Aaron : Don’t patronise me !!! I am fine… you worry about yourself !!!

Turning to look at Aaron, I could see the perspiration on his forehead despite a comfortable 24 degree in the car.

I reversed into the loading and unloading bay facing the Childcare centre.

The bright and neon light of centre stood out in the sleepy estate. Pictures and paintings by the kids that attended the school lined the walls.

There’s even a small community garden plot maintained by the school by the side.

Aaron : We are meant for bigger things Jackson !! big things !! big things you know…..!! do you !!

I nodded.


Aaron : Things like this should be handled by the grunts… those uneducated people… !!! Those .. those yellow ribbon rejects that boss takes in by the dozen !!!.... you know how much is La Bella Vita’s operating overheads a month !!! ? paying so many men !!! do you know !!!

I nodded and I put up my hand trying to calm Aaron down.

Jackson : Aaron… Aaron… look.. look…

Aaron : We are educated people Jackson !!!! we go to school…!!! We are better than this !!!

Jackson : yes…yes.. I know… I know….


Aaron : You know what… let’s go back…. I can rally up at least 40 men and we will fucking swarm this place….. what do you think…. We will fucking kill those fuckers eh… eh… ? shall we…. It’s early… it’s still early…. We can head back!! There is still time…. I just need to wake them up !!!

I shut the engine of the taxi and I asked Aaron to calm down and breathe.

Aaron : Don’t tell me to calm down !!! I am calm !!

Jackson : Ok… fine… fine….


I looked around the empty estate, worried that Aaron might draw unnecessary attention to us.

Aaron : You know what, I think I’m right… we need help…. Boss is wrong…. We don’t have enough people….

Jackson : Aaron …. Aaron….! Look at me….


He stopped babbling for a second and directed his shifty eyes at mine.


Jackson : It’s ok if you want to sit this one out….

Aaron : what are you trying to say ??!! har ?? you think I no balls is it… ? is that what you think… ??

Jackson : Aaron … no I don’t mean that…. i…


I never expected Aaron to reach for his gun from his ankle holster. I was about to reach for mine but I knew I won’t make it in time.

Aaron pulled out the gun and he looked angry and on the verge of losing control.

No he did not point it at me but he was gesturing all over the place with he.


I’ve seen him shoot at the range. He’s a good shot. I was still thinking that if it came to a shootout, I would want Aaron by my side but looking at the state he is now, i only hope he doesn’t hurt me in a moment of anxiety.

Aaron : I can do better than this… !! I’ll show you…. Ok !! I’ll proof it to you…. Bloody hell…. Terrorist arhhh ?? where… where ??!! I’ll fucking shoot them !!


Jackson :Aaron … put that away… someone might see us…

Aaron : Why.. ? you scared….?? Is it… ? are you scared???

I nodded.


Jackson : Yes Aaron… I told you earlier… I’m scared… even more so now that you are waving that around….

I looked around the vicinity again, worried some passerby might see us in the taxi.

Aaron : Scare for what… you also have one right… take it out….come on Jackson…. MAN UP…. Grow some balls !!.. take it out… we’ll fucking end them….!! Get it over and done with….

[ilikeoldchangke]

I decided to change tack and told Aaron what he wanted to hear.

Jackson : I think maybe your idea of getting more men is not so bad after all…

Aaron took a couple of seconds to register my comment before reinforcing that he was right all along and if I had listened to him, we would be on our way back by now.

Aaron :We’re wasting precious time…. you are wasting time Jackson ….

Jackson : Yes…. I’m sorry…

Aaron : It’s ok… it’s ok…. We head back now…. I know which house has the most men who are ready to go at a moment’s notice…. I’ll settle the men… ok ?? ok ??

I nodded.

Jackson :Ok… put that away please….

Aaron, seeing that I’m coming around, took a moment to consider before stuffing the gun back into the holster.

I started then engine but before I pulled on my safety belt, I turned to Aaron.

Jackson : Aaron…. Hong is out there alone….

Aaron : What…. ?

Jackson : Hong…. He’s jogging out there alone…. I’ll go find him…

I could see he was about to reject my suggestion but I told him to go on ahead.

Jackson : You take the taxi back first ok…? Wake the men… I will find Hong… we will wait for you…. Ok ??

Aaron looked at me as he considered my proposal before nodding his head vigorously.


6am

I got out of the taxi and Aaron pulled out of the carpark before flooring the accelerator at the main road.

I cursed under my breath as I left my axe under the driver seat.

I called Yiling immediately and told her what happened.

She was quiet for a moment but she didn’t sounded surprised.

Yiling : Ok I understand…. I’ll deal with him…. Stay safe Jackson …. Tell Hong immediately after you hang up…

Jackson : Ok…

I was about to dial Hong’s number when I saw him coming round the bend on the pedestrian path. He saw me standing alone and he gestured a questioning wave.

Not wanting to show that we know each other in case anyone is watching, I dialled his phone and told him about Aaron’s panic attack.

Hong : Bloody hell…. Always like that….

Jackson : He did this before… ?

Hong told me Aaron is the type that will always have excuses if it comes to anything remotely violent or anything physical. He once bailed on Seven when they were suppose to change a car tyre in the middle of the expressway.

Hong : I went with him and Boss to a turf dispute once a few years ago against the Rajahs……. He fucking ran when a fight was about to break out….everything turned out ok in the end and he appeared again…. Saying that he got the men back in the castle to come and back us up….. Aiyah… better now then later…. Who knows, he might fucking shoot us before the terrorist come….

Jackson : ok…. I’ll hang around the area… you be careful…

Hong : Ok…. Check out the 2nd storey unit opposite the childcare unit…

Jackson : What about it… ? you see them… ? are you sure…?

I casually looked around and pretended to stretch.

Hong chuckled and said there’s a pretty babe smoking.

Hong : Chio bu… Chio bu….hahaha….

Jackson : Oh my god….. I don’t believe you Hong….

I hung up and took a stroll. People are starting to rouse from their slumber.

Real cab drivers are pulling out from the carparks to make their first trip of the day. Old aunties gathered in the void deck with their shopping baskets and trolleys while waiting for their wet market khakis.
They wiped their sweat with their handkerchief, their friendly banter will soon turn into one of extreme competition upon reaching the market. Each vying for the freshest produce not just for the family, but also bragging rights.
Weary eyed office workers started to appear, plugged into their headphones and a sweaty newspaper delivery man grabbed another bag of papers from his covered truck.

I saw a school bus rolled into the carpark and a mother sent her daughter up the bus, waving and reminding her to finish her water.

Another car pulled into the drop off area, tired parents got out of the car and dropped off the young son with a smiling grandmother before heading to work.



A mother came out of the lift with her teenage kids and separated ways, the kids off to take their own transport while she headed to her car.

Retiree walking his dog, perspiring auntie after her morning walk, students in uniforms playing games on their mobile phone, and even what looked like a couple in their honeymoon period holding hands coming out of the lift.


Town council workers were already hard at work, sweeping up the streets and corridors, one of them pushed a trash cart by the kerb and started sweeping up the offerings left by the residents. Fruits, baked goodies meant for the dead turned out to be a breakfast feast for the pigeons and sparrows.

I caught the metallic clink of a lighter and I turned, a kid in school uniforms walked casually and lit up a cigarette. He flicked his long fringe to the side and waved to his friends approaching from the other end of the block. Looks like they are planning to skip school that day.


7am


I felt my heart beat faster as I heart the squeaking of toddler’s shoes walk pass me towards the infant care centre attached to the side of the childcare. The little girl wobbled cautiously with a smiley smug look on her face as she turned to look at her mother, as if waiting for her praise.

The young tired mother clapped and in a high octave voice, praised her daughter’s accomplishment.

All of these mundane activities and happenings occur around us everyday. No one hardly notices it. The casual nod of acknowledgement when meeting neighbours, the discreet glance at the hot girl staying 2 floors below you, this is life.

A typical day.


I don’t know why but I could feel the hair on the back of my neck stand as the clocked ticked past 7am and approached 7.30am.

More parents streamed into the centre with their children.
Some are dressed in shirt and pants, busy replying emails while waving and hugging their child. A mother carried an infant in a harness while dropping off the elder sibling.

I could see Hong pretending to stretch and cool down at a bench barely 20 metres away.
Looking at my hand, I realised I started trembling. I’m scared.

I could not bear the thought of what would happen if we failed.

I wonder if everything is ok on Kamal’s end.

There was a sudden lull in the number of kids arriving and I saw a father arriving with his 2 daughter. He held their hands while carrying both their bags on one shoulder.


He looked tired but nevertheless, kept up a smile while talking to his kids, asking them to behave in school.

Teacher : Good morning Alicia, Ariel ….hello….

As the teacher checked the temperature of the girls before signing them into the centre, I noticed the father looking a little nervous.

After the girls waved their goodbyes, I overheard the father telling the teacher that he’s sorry about the late school fees.

Father : ehh.. Teacher…. The school fees…. I’m… I’m sorry ah… I try by this week…. This week….


Teacher : Ok…. But Ariel Daddy…. It’s 2 months overdue for both girls already….so…ermm.. my finance is chasing us also…

Father : Sorry about that…. This week… I try to get it sorted out by this week….

Teacher : ok… thank you…

I looked away as the father walked away after taking one last look at the centre where his kids are before walking away with his head hung low.
I don’t know his circumstances, his story, what he did, what happened, but it seemed life hasn’t been easy for him.


We are one of the richest country in the world, it’s unthinkable that some of us could not afford to pay for childcare fees.

Another happier father came along, sporting tattoos on both his calves, he looked like a body builder. He ran with his kid in his arms before giggling and dropping him off. Another kid came in a new continental car flanked by a helper and grandparent while munching on a pastry.

He met his classmate by the door, both exclaiming happily and curious about what the other is eating for breakfast. The slice of plain white bread his friend is eating must looked alien beside his Danish pastry.



My attention was quickly and sharply diverted. Like the flick of a switch my eyes went from the entrance of the childcare centre to the approaching men.

Heading purposefully towards the childcare about 50m away are 4 men.

I looked at Hong who was looking at the same direction as me.
He saw them too.


I exhaled and bend down to tie my shoe laces, blending into the crowd of parents at the door.

The 4 men looked around and their pace quickened.

I turned my backs towards them to avoid making eye contact while looking at their reflection on the notice board.



An internal heat wave flushed inside me as I saw them break into a sprint.

Hong started to walk briskly towards the entrance of the childcare before breaking into a run.

The teacher at the door was shocked beyond words and the 4 men charged and shove her into the childcare. Screams, shouts and curses were thrown around freely by the men that were all rushing to gain deeper access into the centre beyond the entrance lounge.


I sprung into action and so did Hong. I grabbed the hair of the man closest to me, yanking him backwards before striking him on his throat. Before his friend could lay his hands on my, Hong’s knuckle duster rearranged his nose, spilling first blood.

Just when I thought we took care of 50% of the threat, another 2 men started running towards us from a distance away.

There was no time to worry about threats 30m away when the 1st 2 into the childcare turned their attention to us.


The teacher was left crying on the floor and the commotion drew the attention of the other staff in the facility.

Kids and staff came running out and chaos erupted while Hong and I dealt with the other 2 man.
Amidst punches and kicks, I saw their concealed weapons. They were armed.

Hong headbutted his man while I smashed the one I was tussling with using a trophy left on a nearby shelf.

We managed to push them out the front door and Hong pulled the gate shut. The metallic catch of the door lock snapped into place, putting the metal gate in between the terrorists and us.


I helped the teacher who was crying and bleeding on her head up while a staring match ensured between us and the attackers.

The teacher ran into the childcare, shouting for the principal to call the police.


The principal came out, saw the commotion and did something nobody expected.
He looked at Hong and me, before turning to the men outside the door.

And he reached for the door release.


……………………………………………………………..

[hawkeye007]

Oh my gosh, I’m left with my balls hanging out at the cliffhanger...

Ugh the suspense is killing me...!!!! Gotta wait patiently for the next update...

[Tai_zi21]

U r killing me with this suspense my fav writer

Kill all the bloody fuckers NOW

[husky1shepherd4]

whatttttttttt

jackson and hong walk into a trap?

[Nelinda]

Superb story TS, please keep going...

[badboy]

Aaron the balless piece of shit!

Never liked him, maybe he's e mole. hope he gets caught n tortured by Yiling.

Seems like a 里应外合 with the principal..Fuck!

Jackson n Hong ji bai jia lat liao..


waiting with bated breath
Badboy

[otamay]

Omg so much suspense here, camping here for more updates.

[ilikeoldchangke]

Jackson : What are you doing !!!

My glare did no damage at all as I watched the principal unlocked the gate before quickly retreating into his office. The teacher by the door shouted at the principal but her screams were muted by one of the man that grabbed her and dragged her out of sight as we retreated.

The principal is in on this. He knows this is going to happen.

The release of the lock triggered the series of catastrophic event to follow.

The men charged into the childcare as Hong and I retreated deeper into the centre.

Shell shocked kids and teachers scream and shouted as I watch the men shut the door before chaining it together with a padlock. A lot of the kids were unaware of what is happening, many of them still at the table sipping their milo or playing with their Lego toys.

Hong and I pulled every kid we could get our hands on up off their seat and on the floor as the teacher by the door was thrown onto the floor.

A man was about to grab her leg when I rushed forward and kicked him away. I helped the teacher up and pulled her behind me. The teacher quickly helped to gather the kids.

The gate was locked and more men filed into the main hall.


I felt sick when the men came in and starting kicking the kids unlucky enough to be near them. A toddler barely 3 years old was kicked so hard that he literally flew up into the air before landing on a table filled with used cups.
Blood poured form his cut lips as he looked dazed and confused.

The teachers gathered as many kids as they can trying to form a protective barrier between the men and their ward.

One of the teacher was grabbed by one of the terrorist while holding onto a screaming toddler. Beside the hall we were in were a series of smaller classrooms and that teacher just walked out of it.

Hong charged forward, wrestling 2 men at a time while I went to the teacher’s aid.


I punched the man in his gut before going for his arm.

I broke his hold on the teacher with my elbow, went low and delivered 2 strikes to the insides of his knee. As he collapsed, I jumped and sent my knee to the side of his head, denting the dry wall of another classroom.

I backed up just as a kick sent Hong staggering backwards onto me.
It became clear that the damage I did was not hard enough as the man shook his head and stood back up.

The men formed up a line in the hall 4 abreast sealing us in.


The cumulative cries in the centre is deafening as confused teachers tried to protect the kids. Hong and I shouted for the kids to get behind us as a mad grab for hostages started.

We managed to get most of the kids in the hall behind us but there were a few stranded at the ends. The men laughed and made taunting strikes at us as our attention was divided with trying to keep them at bay and trying to keep the kids safe.

I wanted to reach for my gun and so did Hong but with kids stumbling and falling all around us while trying to deal with the approaching men, it was impossible to do so. A few of the toddlers were clinging onto our trousers as well.


With each step we retreated into the centre, Hong and I tried to pick as many kids up off the floor. Some ran in random directions, some ran to the teachers. I tried to stop a kid from running towards the terrorists.

A man tried to rush us, Hong and I immediately made him regret his decision. Hong smashed his head with his knuckle duster while I kicked him in his kidney before imprinting his bleeding head on a standing easel with scribbles of alphabets.

Jackson : stay back!!.. stay back… !!

I shouted to the teachers behind me, asking them to help bring the kids back.


A man grabbed a crying toddler before throwing him like a sack of rice to his friend. The large classroom about the size of a badminton court was immediately split into 2.

Horrified staff including the pantry lady were crying and trying to console the terrified children.


Hong and I grabbed as many kids as we could, putting them behind us and handing them to the teachers.

A 5m gap opened up between those we managed to save and those we didn’t.

As the lot of us retreated into the kitchen area, Hong and I pushed tables and threw chairs to block the advance of the terrorist. We did so with only one hand as we were carrying a crying child in the other.
Everything happened so fast there was no time to take stock of what is going on.

By the time the 1st wave of calm descended on us, the men regrouped and I could see between them, they have a total of about 8 kids.

The principal emerged and shouted at Hong and me.


Principal : Who are you !!! you are not parents… you should not be in here…. !!!!

He did not wait for our reply and he started scolding the terrorists. He shouted at them and said he was promised this will be fast and everything will be over soon.

Principal : why did you all screw this up !!!!


The teacher behind me shouted at the principal, condemning him for planning something like this only to get a fierce retort. It was the same one by the door that saw him open the door to let these men in.

Principal : You think it’s easy !!! you think it’s easy to run such a big centre. !!!! all the money….the finances… !! the complains !!!! the difficult parents. !!!! you think it’s easy !!! I’m so sick of the fucking whiny parents and the kids. !!!

Teacher: HOW COULD YOU!!!

I knelt down and pulled the handkerchief off another kid’s top and I used it to wrap a long scratch on one of the girl’s arm.

Jackson : It’s ok…. It’s ok….everything will be ok….

The principal ignored his staff and instead turned to the attackers.
He gestured angrily at them while shouting.


Principal : how could you screw this up !!! you said you will overpower everyone before anyone knows what is going on … NOW LOOK!!! Look!!! My staff knows I’m in on this !!!! HOW WILL You!!!

Before he could finish his sentence, one of the man covered the principal’s mouth and stabbed him several times in his stomach.

The kids screamed at the horrible sight as Hong asked all of them to turn away and close their eyes. One of the older teacher fainted and collapsed onto the floor. Several toddlers peed themselves and one of them vomited.

The principal collapsed onto the floor and blood started to spread outwards from his body as he clutched onto his stomach. He went into shock as his body curled into a ball. The spasms stopped barely a minute later as blood flowed freely from the open wound.


The man that stabbed him must be the leader of the group. He’s one of the 2 man that arrived at the 2nd wave.

Someone called the leader by his name and handed him a phone to look at a message.
The leader nodded and his men kept the phone.


Ray : I don’t know who you are…. But I assure you… you have already lost….

As Ray spoke, he grabbed a chair, set it down in the centre of the open space before grabbing a little girl by her hair.

He put the knife to the little girl’s throat and positioned her in front of himself.

There was no talking.

No offers, no demands.

Jackson : NOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Without warning, Ray just slit the little girl’s throat.


Blood poured from her slit veins as the confused girl’s hands went to her neck, feeling the surreal opening as blood pooled around her body. Her eyes teared but no sound came from her.

Her small hands just kept trying to stop blood from coming out of her small body as the horrifying image burnt itself into my head.

I don’t know if she registered the pain or if she was old enough to know what is happening.

A teacher screamed so loud that she too collapsed while the kids were all crying and trying to hold onto the adults closest to them.
Siblings sort comfort in each other as I felt as if someone had just ripped my heart out of my chest.

I recovered in time to pull my weapon out of my holster and Ray had grabbed another boy who was crying and rubbing his eyes.

The moment the group saw the gun, they took cover, scrambling to hide behind the walls and columns in the centre.

I took aim and started walking towards the men on the other end.

Ray : Who are you !!! ? Huh ??? you cops ?? didn’t you get the order??? HUH ??

I turned the corner and saw a man with his knife raised at me.


I didn’t hesitate, I shot him in his chest. The echo of the gunshot was so loud that the kids covered their ears and screamed louder.

Before I could squeeze off the trigger again, someone used the body of the man I just shot and shoved him against me.

He came for my weapon and the moment we started struggling for it, Hong got all the kids to lie down on the ground.

Hong : Everyone get on the ground !!!! lie DOWN… lie Down !!!

Ray shouted a command to his men, asking them to grab the kids and start stabbing them.

Ray : Alright… fuck the hostages…… Kill as many as we can… and let’s go to alternate site !!

I relaxed my grip on the weapon and let the man pull it towards himself. Using the momentum, I smashed it into his face and I hit the release for the magazine.

It didn’t fall out like the movies, but it came out enough for me to grab onto it. Separating it from the weapon, I jabbed the magazine into the man’s eye before slamming it against the side of his temple.

His momentary disorientation allowed me to disarm him.

Turning the gun around, I pointed it at his kneecap and squeeze off the round in the chamber.


Using the empty weapon like a hammer, I struck him several times on the head as he tried to hold onto me. I could see the large section of scalp I ripped off with the hammering as his grip loosened before sliding to the ground.

There’s a total of 6 men. The one Hong and I put down is still on the floor. Plus the one I shot and the one I just hammered, there’s still Ray and 2 others.

[ilikeoldchangke]

They had gone into a classroom from the other side of the hall and I could see them trying to gain access to Hong and the kids in the main area via a internal window.

I took the same route Ray and the men did and I was overwhelmed by emotions and I started crying. I could not control my emotions. Tears just started dropping.

I cried as I stepped over the bodies of the kids that Ray and his men had stabbed.

I screamed in agony as I stepped over not lifeless bodies, but bodies of toddlers still fighting for their lives, confused and lost as to why this must happen to them.

They clutched onto their wounds, some were twitching on the floor, another 2 held onto each other as blood spread outwards in a radial pattern from their small bodies.

I got to the room where Ray and his men had retreated to. Ray and another man has jumped out from the internal window to where Hong is. Before the last man could leap off, I grabbed him and yanked him backwards into the classroom. He landed on a plastic crate of lego tiles, spilling it’s content all over the floor.

He tried to stab me with a sharpened screwdriver and I barely ducked in time. The wild swing of the tool caught me twice in a row and I could feel the sting of pain in my forearms.

I caught him on his 4th attempt on the wrist, and I turned my body inwards, angling my back towards him. His teeth snapped too close to my ears for comfort as he tried to bite me.


I brought his weapon bearing arm low, shifting his centre of gravity, and waited for my opening.
I felt his hot breath behind my head and I snapped back, catching him on his nose. His gripped loosened and I grabbed his thumb, twisting and bending it hard enough I felt it pop out of it’s socket.

Man : ANGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

I wanted to grab the tool but it dropped.


I heard gunshots twice in a row from a few metres away.
That must be Hong.

I slammed my fist several times into the man’s eye socket before grabbing his hair and dunking it towards the floor with the lego tiles.

I stomped on the back of his neck once and he stopped moving.

I pulled myself up the internal window and I saw that Hong had shot one of the terrorist on his thigh. Ray was trying to wrestle the weapon from his hand. I dove straight for Ray, slamming both our bodies against a bookshelf.
We collapsed layers of framed photos and accreditations on the way down.

I pulled a inch long splinter from my cheek and Ray was trying to get up.


Hong was trying to stem the bleeding from a boy’s arm while a little girl clung onto him like a koala. With a free leg, Hong tried to hook the lifeless body of another child towards him.

A little boy picked up Hong’s gun for him and he quickly took it before thanking him for his help. Hong shouted for more bandages and another older crying girl ran into the kitchen before emerging with the first aid box.

The remaining conscious teacher was swarmed by the remaining kids, all desperate for her protection.


I kneed Ray on the side of his ribcage and I grabbed him by his collar before punching him with a wide swing that he staggered 2 steps before collapsing onto the floor.

Ray laughed.

He chuckled, spat blood onto the floor as he pushed himself off the ground.

Not wanting to give him a chance to recover, I grabbed his hair and slammed it repeatly against the leg of a toppled table.
The leg snapped, exposing angry sharp splinters attached to the table top.

Ray used his last burst of energy and shove me back, screaming and laughing like a mad man.


Ray : who do you think you are… ? ahahah… who do you think you are…. !! hahaha… you think you are a hero are you….hahah what do you think you are stopping… hahaha ???

I grabbed Ray’s hair and his collar before driving him against the concrete pillar.
I ripped the corner protective edge the school installed to protect the kids, exposing the close to 90 degree angle of the structural column.

Ray spit at me and swung a half hearted punch at me.
I grabbed his arm and pressed it against the side of the column, trying to bend it at an awkward angle.

Ray : argnhhhh!!! aRGHHHHHHHHH!!!..AEGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Then I punched him again.


Ray: you lost… ahhahaha… you already lost….ahhahaha.. hahaha….

Ray tried to kick me but I blocked it with my arm.

Ray : who do you think you are !!!!!! hahaha who do you think you are…. !!! hahaha

I smashed my fist into his teeth and I could feel the pain in my knuckles when going head to head with one of the hardest part of the human body.

I grabbed the table with the exposed sharp splinters. Before I slammed it against Ray’s face, I replied.


Jackson : right now…. I’m a monster… .


I buried the splinters into Ray’s cheeks and his screams were muted by 10% due to the table top.


I stabbed my leg down on the table, driving the splinters in whatever part of his face it didn’t reached the first time and Ray stopped moving.

Sirens could be heard a distance away, help must be coming.

Hong : We need to go Jackson …. ! ….


Hong exclaimed as he help another kid put on a cartoon plaster for a cut.

Jackson : Search the men for the key to the padlock… !...

I picked up my gun and the magazine and a little girl clung onto my pants.

I turned and saw that it was Ariel.


The little girl that I saw earlier with her dad.


She was crying and begging me not to go. She was looking at the still conscious man by the side which Hong had shot in the thigh. He’s bleeding profusely but he is still conscious. His face is pale and he looked half dead already.

Ariel : Uncle !!! Uncle…. No… no please… please don’t go away… please don’t go away… !! sobzz.. sobzz…


A couple of other kids wanted to run over but they were terrified of the blood on the floor and the bodies scattered throughout.

Ariel kept holding onto me, her hands reached up in a gesture as if she wanted me to carry her.

I lowered myself and told her I can’t stay.


Jackson : I’m sorry…. I’m sorry… Uncle has to go…. There are other kids who need help…. Ok ?

Ariel sobbed and cried harder but she nodded her head.

Hong : Jackson … here….

Hong yanked the key out of one of the men and a phone fell out as well.

The same phone I saw he showed Ray before.

I grabbed it and we went to the padlock.


I turned and looked at the crying kids. One of them waved goodbye and I told them help will be here soon.

I can’t stay. Not a second longer.

I knew if I did I would break down.


I would collapse onto the floor if I need to look at the lifeless bodies of the kids the attack left behind.

Opening the door, we were greeted with another surprise.


More bodies were scattered throughout the void deck leading to the childcare.

“ aRGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! “

Another man charged at Hong from round the corner and I felt a sharp pain on my shoulder as someone just stabbed me.

Jackson : aRGHHH!!!

I pushed him back and I touched the fresh wound near the back of my shoulder blade.

It’s not deep but I’m bleeding.

The attackers did not all enter the centre. Another wave of men were left outside to stop other parents from approaching. I could already see the lifeless body for a pregnant mother on the floor holding her toddler.

Another kid was shaking his father who was bleeding on the stomach.

I was attempting to duck the subsequent attacks when help came.

No, it was not Aaron returning with 40 men to swarm the centre, it was the man I saw earlier.

Alicia and Ariel’s father.

He grabbed and wrestled my attacker to the floor just in time when I saw a 3rd attacker charge straight at me.
I went low for his legs, wrestling him to the floor as I shouted like a mad man, delivering punch after punch into his face.

He pulled a knife and tried to stab me but I grabbed his hand, twisted it back before I pushed it against his chest.

Man : ARGHHHH!!!!!!aRGHHH!!!!!!

The tip went in a little but the ribcage is too hard to penetrate like this.

I grunted and I tried to put my body weight on the handle of the knife.

I slammed my palm onto the back of the knife several times but still it didn’t go in deep enough to deal fatal damage.


I hammered again and again, grunting as if I was trying to put a nail inside a vampire’s heart.

The pain I was dealing is enough to loosen the man’s grip
I tried to grab the knife but it slipped because of the blood on my palms.

[ilikeoldchangke]

I kneed the man in his groin before piling my elbow into his nose.

Alicia : DADDY !!!!


I turned around in time to see Alicia rushing out followed by her sister.

The man kicked and pushed his attacker away and tried to go towards his daughter.

Before he could hug both of them, the man he barely wrestled away tried to stab him on his back but he fell, plunging the knife low into the back of the father’s calf, dragging a 3 inch cut and splitting open the skin.

Father : aRGHHHHHHHH!!!

Alicia , Ariel : Daddy !!! DADDY!!!


I ran forward but was rugby tackled onto the ground by another man that appeared out of nowhere.

I moved and put a lock around the man who just tackled me as I watched the stabber tried to score another kill targeting the girls with the father nursing his wound.


He got up and was about to go for Ariel when her father fought the pain in his calf, stood up and grabbed the knife with his bare hands before punching the terrorist on his nose. His daughters screamed as the man I was trying to put a lock on struggled violently.

He’s a lot heavier and bigger and it took everything I had to keep him down.

I wrapped my legs around his body and I pulled my head back as I felt the muscles in my arms burn.

Jackson : ARGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!


I saw Hong collapse a shoe cabinet onto the guy who jumped him the same time the girl’s father took another slash across the chest.

A teacher from the childcare shouted for the girls to come in but they refused. Their tiny hands were up, waving and flailing helplessly for the man to stop hurting their father.

Hong grabbed the man attacking the father by his hair and lifted him off the ground with a roar before slamming him back down. He kicked him in his face before stomping on his head.

Jackson :aRGHHH!!!!!!!!

I felt the man in my arms go limp and I relaxed my grip the same time I saw the 2 girls run to their father.


Alicia was crying as she tried to stop the bleeding with her cartoon print handkerchief. The moment it touched the wound, it was soaked with blood.

I shove the man aside and I saw Candy running towards Hong and i.

She paused and her hands went to her mouth when she saw the carnage in front of her.

I went over to the father and he just hugged onto his daughters.

Jackson : Are you ok…. ?

He nodded at me as he patted his crying daughters’ back, trying to reassure them everything is ok.

Father : It’s ok girls… it’s ok… daddy is ok….


I’m not a father, perhaps I would never be but at that very moment, I felt as if life has taught me a valuable lesson.

There is nothing a parent would not do for their child.

Candy : I….I… Jackson ….Hong… I got your ride…. Follow me….

I saw several paramedics run towards the childcare from carpark on the opposite block.

It’s still not safe. Several of the men we put on the ground is starting to rouse.
They were regrouping and picking up their weapons to make their last stand.

Probably they wanted to kill as many as they can before they were stopped.

I shouted for the teachers to bring the children out of the centre.
They need to leave now.



Right about then I saw more people arriving.
No, not terrorist. Not attackers.
Several residents had gathered on the ground floor and they were all armed.

Hong : Jackson !!! we need to go !!! ..

Father : go… go… I asked…. I asked the neighbours for help….. go…

Ariel waved at me as I started running.

As I ran, I turned and saw not Singaporeans going about their everyday lives.

No longer do I see people going to work.


No longer do I see aunties going to market.

I saw everyday folks, of different ethnicity, different skin colour, neighbours, fathers, grandfathers and even foreign domestic worker charging into the scene and beating up the terrorist who attacked the child care.

The worker from India who cleaned the estate hammered one of the attackers with the metal dustpan when he tried to approach Alicia and Ariel with a knife raised.

A helper with a broom was crying and screaming as she waved it frantically in front of her while putting her body in front of the girls and the father.

A mother with a knife, and a grandmother with a meat chopper came down, apron around their bodies as the teacher brought out the first group of kids crying for their parents.


They too put themselves in between the kids and the gathered group of bloodied terrorists.

The kid I saw earlier in smoking in school uniforms ran in, flanked by his friends, some of them with blonde hair and tattoos covering entire arm and legs.

He was shouting for his little sister that goes to that childcare.


The bloodied terrorist charged towards the resident line while the paramedics tried to save whoever they can. Before they can reach the line, the school skipping teenager bulldozed in followed by his friends.

The town council worker, the foreign domestic helper, a half naked retiree, a delivery man unloading goods half way, even a fast food delivery man still holding his helmet.

Everyone rushed the attackers, providing cover and protection for the helpless kids.
More neighbours arrived in droves, each carrying a crying child and bringing them to safety.

Differences among neighbours were put aside, it didn’t matter where you come from. The colour of your skin didn’t matter, the name in which you call god didn’t matter.

Where you go and pray and how you conduct it, didn’t matter.
What mattered is the place they call home.

The very neighbourhood, the place where daily lives as they knew it is different now.


Everything seemed to be happening at breakneck speed, its like watching a horror movie unfold in fast forward.

Candy told us that the car is 2 streets away.

We sprinted all the way over. The moment we got in, Candy put the car into drive.

I looked at the clock on the dashboard.

It’s hard to imagine barely an hour has passed since it all began. It felt like a lifetime ago.



8.35am


Jackson : Hougang…. Go to Hougang !!!

Candy : Jackson …. ! there’s no time… !!

Jackson : Hougang !!! go please !!


Candy turned onto Tampines ave 10 before swerving left into old tampines road.

I held onto the handle as Candy overtook cars on the narrow road by going against in coming traffic whenever she could.

There’s still time.

I kept telling myself there’s still time.

There must be.


Hong handled a bottle of water to me from the back seat and I coated the exterior of the bottle with blood when I took it.

I drank it all in a go and I bit down on my teeth trying hard not to break down.

Tears flowed freely from my eyes and I kept wiping them away.

I kept looking at google map on my phone. The triangle arrow moved closer and closer to the childcare in Hougang.

I only prayed it’s not too late.

I used up all the tissues in Candy’s car and I tried to wipe myself down as much as I could.



9am


There was a queue to enter the carpark. Someone was having trouble with the gantry.

Not wanting to waste time, I opened the door and I started to run.

It was right there in front of me barely a hundred metres away. There are no widespread carnage on the outside. People are still dropping off their kids.

A cloak of fear so dark spread inside me as I quickened my pace. It there are no one taking hostages, it meant someone must have planted something inside the childcare.

I just need to warn everyone and get all the kids and teacher out. Within that split second, I was even considering pulling my gun out and threatening everyone so they would run.


Cutting across the landscape turfing would save valuable seconds even if it meant leaping over bushes and still burning offerings on the ground. I leapt over a burning heap of incense paper and a auntie shouted at me in dialect for being disrespectful to the dead.

As I got closer I could see a little girl running back to a waiting car while her father went on ahead to the childcare.

[ilikeoldchangke]

I’m on time.

Everything seemed normal.

I’m on time.


I was almost there, right across the dual lane carpark when I felt a shockwave hit me. It threw me backwards against a parked bike. I collapsed and set off a domino effect, toppling 3 bikes in a row.

I landed on my back and I felt the searing heat brush past my face before dissipating.
I turned off the bike and collapsed onto my arms.


I felt as if all the air in my lungs has been sucked out and I could not hear anything. There was just this buzzing sound in my ear.

I opened my eyes and all I could see was thick grey smoke.

My fingers clawed at the ground and I saw Hong and Candy running towards me. The checked that I’m ok before grabbing and pulling me off the ground.


They were speaking and shouting but I could not hear anything.

My eyes barely registered their presence as I looked helplessly at the childcare in front of me covered with smoke as flames licked the interior.

I wanted to scream but no voice came out.

Hong and Candy got me back into the car and I screamed to the point of exhaustion in the car as we raced down the road.

On the opposite direction, ambulance and police vehicles raced towards the site where the explosion just happened.


Hong buried his face in his hands while Candy kept wiping her tears with the back of her hand as she drove.

We pulled into the carpark at the residential unit and Candy asked us to stay in the car for a bit as she goes up to make sure the place is clear.

I pulled the phone I took from the attacker out from my pocket.

It’s a cheap disposable phone.

I opened the messages and I saw only 1 message that was sent that morning. The time stamp coincides with the time Ray read it.

“ Attempt to take lion’s den failed. Regroup and hit again on 15th “

I started scrolling through the other messages and I tried to piece together what is happening.


There were news on the radio about accidents and incidents where many were injured but authorities say they are still trying to piece together the details.

Candy turned up the volume and the authorities is asking everyone to stay at home.

We arrived at the residential unit at Changi. It was empty.
Kamal and the rest has yet to arrive.

Candy helped Hong and I remove our tops to check for wounds.

She brought out the first aid kit and started cleaning our wounds.

Candy : Seven was shot on the shoulder and Declan needed surgery to remove a metal rod that went through his calf….they’re all back at the castle….


Candy told Hong and I that the injuries are not serious and Kamal is more than capable of attending to them with the help of the medical crew back home.

Candy : I need to close your wound Jackson…. It’s going to hurt…

I felt the needle punctured my skin near my shoulder and the drag of the string sliding inch by inch as Candy pulled both sides of my split skin towards each other.

Hong turned on the TV and all the news channels are reporting wide spread chaos all over the country.


Foreign news media are fast to conclude that this is a terrorist attack.

“ Barely a couple of years after their 50th birthday, Singapore was hit hard by what appears to be a coordinated terrorist attack…..”

The news drone on in the background and I could not hear anything all of a sudden. It’s like someone pressed the mute button.

Candy went over to Hong after she was done with me. Hong had very bad abrasions and bruises including a long cut across the tummy. It’s not deep and it barely bled but you could clearly see the red and angry skin on the verge of splitting.


Hong drank water as Candy cleaned up a wound on his calf. Her tears never stopped and they kept falling on Hong’s leg.

Hong : Candy…. Can…. Can I touch your breast before I die…

She smacked Hong on a bruise and he squeezed the bottle he was holding, splashing water all over his own face.

Hong : arghhhh!!! Arhgh!! Arhg!!!

Candy went to the bathroom after she was done attending to us, giving us time to calm down.


I could hear her on the phone talking to Yiling, giving her an update of what happened while trying hard not to break down.

Candy came out of the bathroom and asked for our guns.

Candy : I need to get rid of them …. And the phones too…. Give them to me.

I pulled it out and I was about to hand it over when I stopped myself.

I dialled Yiling’s number and she picked up at the 1st ring.

Yiling : Jackson ….

Jackson : They’re going to hit the lion’s den again on the 15th …

Yiling : How do you know that….?

Jackson : I …. I overheard it from one of the terrorist….



Yiling : Ok I’ll handle it…

Jackson : Where is the lion’s den… ?

Yiling : Jackson…. The lion’s den is safe…

Jackson : Tell me… where is the lion’s den !!

Yiling : NO!!.. I’ll handle it… the lion’s den is fine !! give the phone to Candy and stop using this line !!

She hung up on me and Candy grabbed the phone from me.

Candy : Jackson…! Calm down… !!

Candy chugged the phone and guns into a bag and checked the corridor before leaving.

Candy : I’ll buy food back…. Don’t leave this place…


As the door shut, Hong turned his attention from the door over to me.

Hong : I don’t care what den it is…. If I get to have another go at those fuckers…. I’m in….. find out where it is….

I opened the phone and I saw hundreds of messages dating almost 2 weeks back.

I opened each one, trying to piece together what happened.

I finally saw what I’m looking for. An address.

Somewhere awfully close to where the castle is. Barely a 10 minute drive away.


It’s another childcare, privately operated.

Jackson : I got it….

Hong : Where…. ?

Jackson : Bukit Timah….


……………………………………………….

[HiddenJ]

Cried while reading...