Chapter 1

In the beginning, everything was great. It was perfect actually. The society was peaceful, we had the lowest crime rate in the whole world and, our community always worked together as one. Everyone knew everyone and it was one happy and peaceful place. During the winter, everyone would contribute to make some plastic (waterproof and snow proof )flowers so we could put them on trees - just to make things a little less depressing. I remember there was this street where each family would make enough flowers to make 2 whole trees, one opposite the other. As you drive or walk down this street, different flowers would be found on the trees, each special in their own way because everyone had their own unique ways of crafting the flowers. In fact, we used to call it the rainbow street. 

The rainbow street was where all the parades were held. Like Regent street in London, if you like. All the festivals, new year celebrations and all of the joyful events will be held there. Everyone in our community would come together to celebrate these joyous occasions. The government would supply the food and drinks. As a community, I can say that we all cleared up after each other so that rainbow street would always be clean. It's our pride, it's what we were noticed around the world for - other than the fact that we had the lowest crime rate. It's where all families went to during the winter just to get that joyful feeling of the coming of spring.

Our community was so safe that we didn't need any policemen. there was mutual trust and we always welcomed strangers. Most of the people who came over usually didn't look forward to leave. We did have one rule though- outsiders, people who were not born in this community, did not have the right to stay for more than a month. Everyone gladly agreed with this rule because it gave us the security, knowing that nobody could sabotage us. 

I remember it like it was yesterday, to be honest. It was a happy and glorious day, as always. Until we heard the news. The horrible news that changed everything, forever... 

Emerald Tan 

Oxymoron

Cold, wet and windy, warm, dry and sunny. Over the border, two different worlds. One, struggling to bring dinner home, the other not struggling at all. All you have to do is peep over the border and *bam*. A whole new environment. If you're from "the dark side", you won't be able to cross the border. Even if you could, you wouldn't. Only because you know you would be treated differently, worse. Like a slave, if you like.

When I say sunny, what would you think of? Summer! Flowers everywhere, girls dressing sexier, convertible cars with their roofs down, etc. But, what comes with summer? Summer holidays! The beach gets warmer, the days get longer and of course, your skin colour gets darker. Cold, on the other hand makes you think of winter. Those cold days when you slip on the snow on your way to work, having cold and wet feet because of it. Looking at naked trees? It is not a nice sight at all.

Just imagine yourself, dressed up like it's summer but instead, it's winter. You would eventually put more layers on and light the fireplace up to keep yourself warm. That is how it feels like going to "the dark side". No one wants that because it's clearly horrible. Why would you want to go down to that level, like "them" unworthy people. They should not exist. They don't even do any good in society. We don't need these type of people. 

That's why we built the border. We don't want our children to… ... Wait...  

I'm probably not making sense. Let me start from the beginning. How all of it started in the first place …

Emerald Tan 

Jane

She stumbled towards the dim light, certain that it was her last chance at freedom. The light was beckoning, and though it appeared tainted, she knew it would bear the breath of fresh air she yearned for. Summoning her last ounce of strength,  she pulled herself towards the dusty door, dragging her limp body along.

I stood in a corner, amused by her pathetic efforts to escape. The fact that she believed she could be free never failed to bring a smirk to my face. She didn't notice me, absorbed by the sliver of sunlight that she so desperately clung on to. I knew the longer I left her, the more she thought she would be able to escape. I wanted her hopes to soar so high, only for it to come crashing down as she realised what I have done. Am I a sick person? Easily entertained by the suffering of others? Maybe I am, but the control I had over her was so overpowering, consistently urging me to play with her, push her to the limits. To break her.

It seemed like it was only yesterday when I noticed her. There wasn't anything unique about her features that caught my attention. Instead, it was how generally simple she seemed. She looked boring, caught in a life she no longer reigned over. She looked plain. Plain Jane. Since then, I constantly searched for her, considering it a challenge to identify her from the hoards of people swarming around. I always enjoyed a challenge. Soon, it became habit to look for that simple brown bob amidst the swirling crowd. 

I wanted more. I wanted her to know me, to understand the lengths I went through just to discover her. 

I decided to visit her at her favourite pub, 'The Sawmill', the one she goes to once a fortnight every Thursday. I sat on a table for two, situated south-east of where she was. I waited until she was mostly drunk, then walked up towards the bar to introduce myself. 

I knew that all she wanted was a one night stand, something to add interest to her dull, monotonous life. Certain that I wasn't a threat, she kissed me and we made our way back to my house, where I assisted her drunk self into my room.

That was when I told her that I've seen her before. Initially, she thought I was being romantic. I continued to explain to her how I observed her actions, for example how she always licks her lips when she gets nervous.

Just as I said that, she licked her lips and backed away. As confusion, tinged with fear, flooded into her eyes, she whispered,"I don't understand." Even after a few years, those three words ran a shiver down my spine...

I strided towards the door and stood myself in front of her. Memories never failed to make me feel sentimental, but I had to first crush the hopes of my flightless little bird. I leaned down and held her face in my hands.

"You're stuck with me, dear." I said lovingly, wiping away the tear that rolled down her cheek as she came to a realisation that she was nowhere near escape. The burden of that understanding, mixed with that of hunger and fear, proved too much for her. She fell limp in my arms and I brought her back into the room, placing her gently onto her bed.

Her foot caught onto the bottle of acid that I use every so often and it spilt, hissing as it kissed her broken skin. I retrieved the bottle and put it in my pocket, certain that I would make use of it again. I reached for the key that hung around my neck and locked her room. The action always gave me a sense of power. I relished every moment of it.

I walked down the stairs and made myself a cup of coffee, then sat on the dining table to read the daily newspaper. As I flipped through the papers, a particular article caught my eye. A black and white picture of her was featured in a page-long article. Her hair was shorter and she seemed younger, but I could recognise her nonetheless.

'THE NATION MOURNS FOR EMMA CHRISTINA ALEXANDER'S THIRD YEAR OF DISAPPEARANCE'

I shook my head in disgust while I read the article. Emma Christina Alexander? The name didn't suit her at all. She was more of a... Jane.

A plain Jane.

Written by Sabrina Tan Sue Yi

May~

Some of you may know, most of you don't know that on may 3rd (Friday) it was my birthday!! My godfather from Singapore came and visit me and my family. Again, some of you may know, most of you don't know that he was supposed to bring my phone with him <3 but the thing was, his luggage got stuck in Amsterdam. And, my PHONE was in there! 

A couple of days before he came, I told my mom 'I hope he doesn't make me wait' but I guess I didn't exactly have a choice. So we waited for a couple of days and in those two days, he (or we) went shopping because it was all under insurance (: 

When his luggage came, I obviously got my phone. So feeling happy and excited, etc. I found out that it needed a mini sim. My heart broke </3 then my sister got a phone call from my mom which was still in town with my dad. I decided to try my luck and ask if we could meet them in town and I could possibly go and change my SIM card. To my utmost surprise, she said yes and we instantly left the house. 

Went to the shop, got my SIM card and the worst thing was coming up next -> waiting for it to activate! That night, it finally did and my first text was from Sam asking what colour hair I had. Haha :') 

So all in all, it was a superb birthday and the best that I had since I can remember. Thank you so much godpa <3 I love you. 

Xoxo emerald 

Oh dear

I just realised that I didn't post anything at all during may.. I'm terribly sorry for that <3 I will be more committed to this. 

Xoxo Emerald 

Hey guys

Heyyy!! Really sorry for not being able to upload new stuff.. My sister has decided to take her iPad back which means it will be harder for me to upload posts. But I was busy with mock week and exams and then I went to Scotland with my Malaysian friends. And lately, I've been busy getting back to school. You obviously know the feeling of going back to school -not very nice.. 

I'm also planning to start a YouTube channel with my friend Sam and its gonna be called SAMERALD. Once the first post it up, I will defiantly post it on here with the link and more information. It would be good if I have support from you guys <3 will try and find more time to upload and think of other stories to tell you guys. 

Stay tuned xoxo Emerald.