IGCSE Paper 2 Writing Practices

The Shortcut (Narrative)

'Ringggggg!' The school bell exclaimed the end of school aloud as Aki bursts out of the front doors on a vivid-colored skateboard. Air blew in blossoming brilliant arcs within the afternoon sun rays, playing with the strands of her short, reddish hair as she zig-zags out the front gate.

'Darn it, Kenshi's new song will be airing in 5 minutes!' She murmured desperately, her eyes burning in frustration; until she caught sight of a garden guarded with a red, perilous-looking sign: 'NO ENTERING.'

"Ha! A shortcut!" She chuckled and tilted her body in a perfect arc, twirling skillfully past the sign into the garden; then her eyes widened before the emerging scenery. It is extraordinary. Amid each greenest leaf and mildest petal, there are the exotic birds and the blue squirrels that dart across the petite bushes. She rides through on a stoney route that lies above the grass that is the shade of every dreamer's meadow ー until a cat blocks the way.

"M-meow! Get away!" But the cat still stood stationary as if it wasn't scared of the impending crashー then a loud screech tears through the air as Aki tumbles to the ground.

"Whatー" before Aki could even finish, a tall shadow shrouded her; then she locked eyes with a big pair of golden, glowing eyes....

The cat's eyes.

"M-monsー"

"Monster, you mean?" The cat leaned back and stood up straight; except that it's almost nothing like a cat.  He's attired in a silken, black tailcoat, covering its orange-patterned fur. He then adjusts its gentleman hat; his slight movement leaving his pince-nez glass chain to dangle playfully.

"My name is Romaku" the cat spoke again, "humans like you always trespasses here, but some make it out, and some don't."

"Huh?" Aki gradually stands on her feet, "but I have to leave now!"

"Answer this riddle, and it'll be as you wish."

Then there was a swirl of light;  forming into distinct letters hovering in the air: 'how far can a cat run into the woods?'

"Uhh...10 meters?"

"No,"

"20 meters?"

"No,"

"Then 30 meters?"

"Think slowly, human girl." 

"I just couldn'tー"

"It's halfway," suddenly, a sound whispered beside Aki's ear. Aki's eyes widened in surprise.

"It's halfway! It made sense, because if the cat runs any further, it will run out of the woods!" Aki shouted in excitement as she hops on her skateboard, "good bye forever, Mr. Romaku!" 

Romaku stayed stationary, but  not until Aki's victorious giggles faded out behind him.

"You helped her, Kuroki?" A black cat glares at Romaku as he speaks, its blue eyes gleaming alarmingly. Then it sleeked away until it was nowhere to be seen. 

Back in Aki's moon-glowed room, she slowly drifts away in the warm masses of her bed. She pats her beloved cat that curled up beside her, and softly whispers:

"Good night, Kuroki."