The Truthful Game

Chapter 15

School was out for the students once they received their report book. Some cried over the whole year results they received and some laughed off since they knew they were going to receive an Edusave Scholarship award worth $500 from the town mayor.

"Not bad, Elizabeth.", said the form teacher who handed her the report book by index number. "I am impressed by how you are able to handle the schoolwork. Surely, you can enter some prestigious colleges if you continue to work hard." Elizabeth smiled and returned to her seat as she waited for dismissal.

Ringggggggggggg, the school bell sounded. Students ran out of the classroom as they began their two months holidays. Elizabeth decided to join Sophie at her house for the movie marathon of The Hobbit trilogy. The girls were a fan of the books and when the Internet announced there were movies going to be make on the trilogy, they were super excited.

"Are you ready? I shall start The Hobbit: Unexpected Journey.", said Sophie who inserted the disc into the Blu-ray Disc player. The girls remained silent throughout the entire movie with the popcorns in their hands. Bit by bit as they were so engrossed.

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After long hours including dinner with Sophie and her parents, it was time for Elizabeth to depart as the night began to look dangerous. The girls hugged each other and waved goodbye before Sophie shut the door behind Elizabeth.

The walk to her house was long and the bus service would stop once the clock reached 12.20am. Elizabeth knew it was late for girls like herself to be taking a public transport as she stepped into the bus. In the bus, there were many unoccupied seats, except the last row which was occupied by boys looking like a John Lennon wannabe. Teddy boys in the 21st century to be precise.

"Hey there", a guy approached Elizabeth. "What a pretty lady you are doing at this hour eh?" He was intimidating and she knew they wanted more than just a conversation. As the bus journey continues, more teddy boys joined him.

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Elizabeth got off at the stop she wanted, thanking the driver before he took off. Just as she thought the boys weren't following, she was wrong. The teddy boys alighted at the same stop as her with the leader whistling to grabbed her attention.

"What's the problem?", he said as he shuffled towards Elizabeth. "Don't you have any idea how rude of you to ignore me?" The leader grabbed her arm and threw her to the ground. The boys joined him as they got hold of her.

Elizabeth knew she was in deep trouble. She tried look around for any rocks or stones, only to find the leader already unbuckling his belt and passing it to his friend. He then adjusted himself on her thighs and almost did it. Just as he was about to do it, his friends took off as they left him behind.

"Oi, are you guys coward or what?", the teddy boy shouted at his minions.

Out came a belt which proceeded to strangle his neck as Elizabeth's eyes were filled with horror. The boy struggled, even a kick doesn't hurt this dude. Within seconds, snapped! The boy was already lifeless and he collapsed on Elizabeth like a giant teddy bear which could be found at supermarket during Christmas season.

Elizabeth wondered what was going on. The teddy boy was at first trying to make her and suddenly, he was not moving. Suffocating under the weight of him, she pushed him away and sit up slowly looking confused.

"Sloppy.", said the saviour, gripping the belt with his left hand.

Elizabeth looked up and saw a man standing, silhouetted against the stars in the wee hours. It was Richard and both stared at each other, gauging and assessing at such suspending moment.

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Hello readers,

If you are wondering what is an Edusave Scholarship award, it is an award in Singapore which is given to the Top 10% students in each academic cohort. The award's cheque voucher is $500 and you will get to shake hands with the person in charge of a particular neighbourhood. :)

Here, in The Truthful Game, this whole award thing takes place in a fictional small town and not Singapore.