Flags of Japan were around in Singapore. Streets were all in mess and buildings were all in ruins. People were running back home to hide from the Japanese soldier. Singapore was in chaos, and there was no sight of people in the once known as the famous area of Singapore,chinatown. Japanese soldier were going around arresting the anti- Japanese. Banging of doors were heard from the neighbours, wailing and screaming were also heard when the Japanese solider arrested them.
Hong Yuan and his parents, Pei Shean and Shi Xian were a small family that lived near the East coast beach area. When the Japanese occupation in Singapore started, everyone in Singapore was trembling in fear. They bit their lip while praying that they will not be the next victim. When there was a knock late in the middle of the silent night, no one dare to open the door, as they know that the Japanese were going around to arrest people. Nearly every period of the day, Shi Xian and his family could hear loud gun shots and people screaming their lungs out while they are being executed. Thousands of people were stabbed to death at the East Coast beach. A chill sent them down to their spine as they thought that they had the higher chance of becoming the next victim.
In order to avoid the Japanese soldiers, they tried not to come out of the house when they knew that they were around. Although they tried to prevent themselves from getting seen by the Japanese soldiers when they knew they were around, they still failed to do so.
Thud.A dull sound.It came from outside.Shi Xian looked out the windows,heard it again-thud.He saw two shadowly figure at the door.Thud,and once more-thud.And there was silence.He saw the man emerge from the shadow,holding his rifle.His heart froze. “Open the door if not....” demanded the one of the Japanese soldiers, “I’m going to kick the door down and I’m going to get all of you!”
Shi Xian pushed the door knob down and pulled the door towards him. The Japanese dragged Shi Xian and Pei Shean out of the house. They were being told by the Japanese soldier that they suspect that they helped those people who are anti- Japanese. When they heard what the Japanese soldier had said, their face was ashen. When they were taken off to the kempeitai headquaters, Hong Yuan at home by himself. After Shi Xian’s sister, Shi Fei, knew that Shi Xian and Pei Shean were taken away and Hong Yuan was alone at home, she brought Hong Yuan to her house.
Shi Xian and Pei Shean were both tortured. Shi Xian was hit be a whip and he was starved for two days.Pei Shean was even electrocuted, water pumped and the Japanese stripped her clothes off in front of Shi Xuan.He stood rooted on the spot with his mouth wide open. No matter what torture they had suffer, both of them did not dare to say anything as they feared the kempeitai might detain them longer .
After a few months later, the Japanese let Shi Xuan and Pei Shean off as they could not found out anything from them and was no used to continue keep them in the kempeitai headquaters. As there was a shadow inside Pei Xuan, she had mental problem after those torturing .Shi Xuan brought Hong Yuan home.Pei Shean had forgotten Hong Yuan and Shi Xuan, it was like a tortured to both Shi Xuan and Hong Yuan. When they returned home, they decided to move to a safer place so that they can avoid the Japanese easily,and not fearing that they will brought them back and tortured them again. They moved to Shi Fei’s house as she could also help Shi Xuan to take care of Pei Xuan and when Shi Xuan was on out to work.
Shi Xuan and Shi Fei took turn to take Pei Shean to the psychologist. After Pei Xuan went to the psychologist for a few months, she slowly recovered and she ate her medicine regularly. She started to recognise Shi Xuan and Hong Yuan. They brought a bigger house and they moved in with Shi Fei and her family. Smiles were on their faces after that day.
