welcome mat

Monday, February 14, 2011

Becoming a Singaporean

Note: The following story is completely fiction.

“What are you doing?!” the Japanese soldier demanded. He was a tall, dark, burly man built along the lines of a professional wrestler. The otherwise handsome face was twisted into an ugly snarl of hatred and rage. His breath smelt of alcohol and cigarette smoke. But it was his uniform that distinguished him from any other military man. This was no ordinary soldier of the Japanese Imperial Army; this was one of their military police and secret service, the Kempeitai. “S-sir, I was merely giving that man some bread.” The Japanese leaned in closer, and his foul breath filled the space between us. “That man is an enemy of the Emperor and our army. Surely you would know better than to aid one of our enemies, boy?” I gulped and nodded. “You know what happens to traitors, don’t you?” He sneered. “Y-yes,” I stuttered. Those who committed the slightest offence were subjected to terrible torture or decapitation at the Kempeitai centre. “Now don’t ever let me catch you around here again, or I’ll skin you alive!” I hurriedly picked up my basket and trotted off down the alley.

“Stop!” the Kempeitai suddenly ordered. I froze. “Turn around slowly.” I did as ordered. The soldier frowned. “Are you Chinese, boy?” he growled. I felt as though an ice-cold claw had grasped my heart in an iron grip. “Me, sir?” I squeaked. “I sell and deliver bread. No harm to anybody!” The soldier grunted. “What’s your name?” “I’m, uh, Ali. Yeah, Ali.” “Ali… hmm…” The soldier rolled the name around in his mouth. My heart pounded madly. “I’ve never heard of you. Now get out of here and never let me see you again!” He finally snarled. “Yes, sir.” I picked up the basket and ran out of the alley. The soldier walked off in the opposite direction. I waited around the corner until I was sure he had gone. Then I turned and ran toward the crippled Chinese soldier in tattered clothes whom I had offered bread to. “I’m-…” “Xiaoshu, yes. I know you. Done a few undercover jobs for us, eh?” I offered him a canteen of cool water from the basket, and a loaf of bread. After he finished drinking, he continued, “The location you are seeking is not too far ahead. Just continue going straight, and then take a left turn until you reach a dilapidated old hut set on a hill. From there, turn right until you reach a wire fence, which marks the boundary of the place you seek. Good luck, comrade.” I stood up, and was about to leave, but then I turned, helped the man up, and supported him, limping to a deserted shop house. “Don’t bother about me,” he said urgently. “What is the life of one compared to millions?” “We’re all in this together,” I told him. “Never leave a man behind. The Kempeitai would torture you if they knew what you have done. Besides,” I grinned. “What have we got to lose?”

The soldier’s directions proved to be accurate. I walked straight, and then reached a junction where I took the left turn I was told to. Every time a saw the Kempeitai I crouched and hoped with all my might that they didn’t find me. The path slowly faded to the more ruralised country areas where shrubbery and trees grew untamed. Somewhere on the way, I suddenly realized that I was trekking uphill. The hut that the soldier had described appeared as a tiny brown dot on the horizon. When I reached the top, I groaned and flopped to the ground, gasping. Then a loud creak made me spring to attention. Then I realized with horror what I was really looking at.

The inside of the hut was splattered with blood and bits of flesh and what looked like brains. The dwelling was invaded with the putrid smell of decomposition, and on the floor lay a British soldier, his face still locked in a death scream, intestines spilling out onto the floor beside him. His eyes were open, glazed with fear, and a neat hole in his chest and the bloodstains on his mouth and chest were evidence enough that his lungs had been punctured and he had gagged on his own blood. With a trembling hand, I closed both his eyes. Now, he looked almost asleep… except for the entrails spilling out of his torso. A sense of fury overcame me, and I rode that wave of hatred and righteous anger until it threatened to burn out my heart. This Japanese scourge must be wiped from our lands at once! Too many have died at their hands and more soon will! I brushed my hands on my trousers and walked on.

At last I reached my destination. I poked my eye through one of the holes in the fence, and saw a huge, sprawling military compound. A grin broke across my face. This was the secret military base we were looking for! The radio transmitter used by the Japanese to intercept Allied messages was located in there. To seize control of the base meant to seize control of their access to Allied communications. We could use the transmitter to call for help! It was the key to our freedom. I removed a small two-way radio from my pocket and pressed a button. At first it there was a long burst of static, then I cleared my throat and spoke. “Force 136, do you read me? This is operative codename Little Mouse. Our target has been confirmed.” There was silence on the other end. Then… “Mouse, we read you loud and clear. This is agent Lim Bo Seng. We will deploy military units to that specific area immediately. Roger out.”

As I put down the two-way radio, I felt a sense of honour and loyalty for what I had done for my country. I was proud to be a Singaporean.

3 comments:

  1. James, great story as it gives a clear impression and a vivid image of what life was like during the japanese occupation and how they used fear and threatens to rule us in the past. perhaps you could add in a little more details or maybe work on the plot, there is still room for improvements. Anyway, a great story

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi JAmes, this is a magnificent story and I like your way that you described the soldiers and the main character's fear.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great description of Japanese soldier, the persona's fear and also the body of the dead British soldier. I felt so excited the moment I started reading the story. I wanted to know what happened to the persona. Also I loved your description of the dead British Soldier. Overall a great story. Thumbs Up!

    Rixin

    ReplyDelete