Winning Essay - Secondary - 2009

Contest Date: 31-Mar-2009 to 31-Mar-2009
By Kenneth Nah, Raffles Institution (Secondary), 1J

He was ruined by glue sniffing, his addiction like a malignant tumor, always pushing, always urging. He used to value life, appreciate its advantages, and overlook its shortcomings. All this was put in a state of disarray, and what used to be a vivid, vibrant world immediately altered into a distorted, sick form, as the value of life depreciated swiftly.

Glue sniffing was first on his list of resorts, a method of hiding from the world when faced with adversity; a way to garner comfort from what he thought was an empty, bottomless void� life�

He swooped into the hardware store, signaling for the shopkeepers� attention. He requested for two cans of glue and showed his identity card. He footed the bill and retreated to his peaceful haven, the landing of the staircase, obscured from the sight of the public� obscured from life.

He forced open a can of glue. The colourless, placid substance looked innocent enough, but therein the looks betrayed the danger. His instincts told him to back off but something in that metallic can made it alluring, enticing� Like a bee drawn to pollen, he took a deep whiff, as the pleasurable odour rifted into his nostrils, sending deep shivers of thrill up his spine. He immediately felt lighter, as he flung his burdens to the back of his mind, temporarily removing any traces of these painful, despicable thoughts.

The aftereffect of the liquid treasure was amazing, forcing him to lose vigor in his legs. He slumped to the ground and momentarily had his sight fogged. He compelled himself to get up, forced his body to obey the orders of his feeble mind. His mind was no match for the effects of the drug, and his eyelids struggled to keep ajar.

It was this blinding sensation that kept him coming back for more. His vision turned sepia and his mind went blank, taking in the dawning realization of his unconsciousness.

As he woke up, his head felt heavy but this was just passing numbness compared to the pain he felt in his heart. He longed to lead a life comparatively problem free, less burdensome� normal� He urged himself to pick himself up and the lack of jingling of coins in his pocket felt conspicuous. He reached into his pocket and was only able to fish out a couple of crumpled bills.

He reasoned that if he wanted to continue his habit, further breadwinning would then have to be carried out.

He trudged through the alleyway, gravel crunching under his heels. He got to the rendezvous point. Before long, an ambiguous man approached in within a swift maneuver that, to an ignorant passerby, could not have been more rehearsed, the transaction was made, and he could feel the cold sachet within his clutch.

He made his way out of the alleyway and proceeded to the next avenue. Proceeding, he approached the second house on the lane, the green one, so he was told. Knocking repeatedly in a certain unmistakable pattern, he waited anxiously for a response. The door swung open an inch and a pale, roughened hand stuck out. He placed the sachet into the man�s clammy palm.

He swiveled his body, chagrined to bump into a piece of metal. He felt cold hard metal pressed against his wrists. He had been set up. Realizing his predicament, he screamed out in agony�