Short Story - Short Lived

Short Lived – Timon Tan

With the door closed behind her, her privacy was ensured. No intruding force could enter with out her knowing of its presence. Privacy of course, having one’s own space without other’s information or knowledge of the events that occurs within one’s privacy. It was like a circle. Everything inside her circle was her privacy that no one knew, no one could touch, and no one would ever enter. Closing the door, and locking it behind her just extended her privacy circle, not just by a little, but by nearly thirty feet more. Her privacy circle extended all the way to the walls of her house, but no more.

Within that privacy circle however, she had a visitor. Someone whom she had invited as a guest into her private retreat, someone who for that night, she would break her privacy boundaries to keep grasp of.

Ryan was a boy. Silent and meek. Not too handsome, but still, considerably pleasant good looking. His face was littered with pimples all over, his cheeks, forehead, everywhere. A faint mustache grew right above his lips that was not too bushy but still enough to give the distinct look of age and maturity. He shaved his beard often but the new growth of base hair gave it away. His head hair was pretty long actually, extending all the way to his ear, though not covering it. He allowed it to grow and look natural, not using and sort of gel or cream to enhance his looks. Being one of a timid nature, he was not adept at sports or any of the muscle required activities. Having muscles to impress his girl or being famous for scoring the winning goal was not his way of going about things. Rather he did not impress her at all, but she allowed herself to be impress by his nerdy and jerk like ways.

So it was, Ryan, a boy, and Christine, a girl, were all alone in the house. Her parents were not going to be back for the week end, and Ryan’s parents thought he was at his friends place. This setup was impossible in reality though, but it was through deception and sneakiness that it was made possible. A boy and a girl, both who liked each other were in the house alone.

She did not intend it to happen though, but it just ‘happened’. The two of them took advantage of their temporary privacy, sitting on the couch together, eating pop corn, heads together, watching their favourite movie. Eating in the living room was normally not allowed, but of course, parents were not here to enforce the rules, and thus, like all rules, it was broken, one way or another.

The two of them, slowly, but surely, came closer together to each other. They both touched each others hand, experiencing an intimacy between them that no one else could experience. It was a first for both Ryan and Christine, their hearts beating fast as they began to realize what this meant for both of them, what it meant for them to be holding hands. Whether the proceedings were coincidental or deliberate, they both enjoyed it.

Christine blushed as she began to absorb her feelings. She knew she was falling for the nerd head Ryan. Although she denied it with her logic, her heart said otherwise. Why would she enjoy holding hands with a nerd? Why? She guessed, or rather, she felt was that she actually liked him.

Giggling at this revelation to her, Ryan was surprised with her action. Slowly, he placed his palm on her shoulder, signaling her to calm down, wanting to ask what she was giggling at. Christine came to a stop, but at once, looking at Ryan again, began to laugh uncontrollably. Ryan, confused, just played along, and laughed as well just for the sake that Christine was laughing.

Than during the laughter, it was then Ryan realized why Christine was laughing. They were holding hands! Holding hands! Impossible! He never thought that he would do such a thing! At the beginning of the year, he thought that holding hands with a girl was disgusting…revolting to say the least, now he was holding hands with the girl he liked.

Caught up with laughter, Christine lost her sense of balance. She fell from her head grip on the couch, her head ending up in Ryan’s lap. She sighed, relieving herself from the laughter that she was so caught up with. She closed her eyes and rested.

Ryan, being good natured, and also naïve as well, began to stroke her. He stroked her hair in a downward position, correcting it from the bends and mess that was made when she fell on his lap, and she enjoyed it.

To Ryan she appeared like an angel. An angel, resting on his lap, enjoying the affection and tenderness that he was showing her. Her closed eyes, placid face, and shimmering hair slowly turned his heart soft. It was like taking a potato, mashing it, making it easy to swallow. It was not surprising that soon Ryan began to follow his heart, not his brain, his logic.
Christine did the same, for during that moment of calm and relaxation, Christine’s gave over her thoughts, allowing her brain to rest and simply, following instinct, following what she naturally would do. Like sleeping, where one at a point of time, give over to rest and sleep, so did Christine. She gave over to her heart, her emotions…

It was not long before Christine’s and Ryan’s head came together. They gave both of each other their first kiss, hugging each other around the waist. Enjoying it, they did the same again. Even better! The both did the same. Extravagating! Heaven! Bliss!

They both enjoyed the warmth. Their bodies were together, their fronts, moving in perfect synchronize. They kissed in a motion that was as graceful as ballet dancing. She hugged Ryan closer…yes! That felt good…so good! Amazing!

Ryan felt the same as well…his pulse rate was increasing, accelerating the flow of hormones all over his body. Testosterone it was, making his actions more erotic by the second. He wanted to fulfill those desires created by the hormones. It was overwhelming him, taking over his entire body…and it did.

Being more bold then ever, his hands reached down, touching an area he should not have. He did a goose on Christine. She cried out, cried out in sudden fright, than taken over by her own hormones as well. For that moment that she cried out, her logic came back to her. She knew she was heading in the wrong direction, but she was nearly there! She was nearly there! She has nearly reached the end! There was only one more step to go…and it involves much much more audacity. She knew she could not…but she wanted to! She really wanted to!

Christine reached down to Ryan’s jeans, unzipping it. Than it all got out of control. She vaguely remembered it as a dream, but it was real enough. Within the minute, she felt Ryan’s hands reaching down her rear, her privacy circle was dangerously merging with Ryan’s circle. It was slowly becoming one. Vividly, they made their way to her bedroom, continuing their love making on the bed. Arr yes, the touch…she enjoyed it, exploiting her body for it’s pressure, fulfilling the want within her…yes. Fulfilling it so fully…she did not even realize it…that for within that moment of pleasure, she experienced the ultimate pleasure one’s body could provide…she felt it. Like a dog, she moaned as she felt it and passed through her entire body like a ripple…then blacked out. Their privacy circle, merged.



Ryan awoke. It was morning. He did not recognize the bed her was in. The covers had flowers, his covers was plain brown. The room was not his as well, bewildered for that moment. He fell onto his side, onto something. He jumped in shock, falling from the bed onto the floor. He knew whose room this was. Christine’s. He than realize he was naked. What?

Ryan slowly pulled himself up, looking towards the bed in shock. Impossible! He could not believe he did such a thing. Never in a million years. His logic told him that he could not do such a thing, but yet he did.

Christine laid in the middle of the bed. She was undressed too, her frail fragile body laid there, looking so delicate again, looking innocently. There was blood on her bed sheet, and other spots of liquid. He knew what it was…he knew what had happen…

He looked around, desperately searching for his clothes. It was not in the room. It was in the hall. He rushed for it, dressing himself in a hurry. He grabbed Christine’s clothes as well and dashed for the room. She was awake by then.

“Ryan…what happened?” She whispered as he came in. He stood there in shock, holding her clothes in his hand. It took Christine a while, before she figured what happened.

“Ryan….what the…we did not really did it did we?” She croaked, her eyes widening.

Ryan could not speak. He only nodded his head. Christine looked down, realizing she was undressed. She spotted the blood on the sheets. She knew it…they had done it.

“Christine…I’m sorry. I didn’t knew…I didn’t.” He began to cry. He broke down, crumbling at the entrance. He could not handle the facts that began to emerge…he could not…could not.

“Leave…just leave.” Christine said softly. Ryan picked up himself, and left.



For the next month, the both never spoke. Ryan was never the same, his friends noticed the change in him. He was more quiet, more introverted. He still could not grasp how he could have did it to Christine. His friends noticed another change as well. Ryan and Christine were no longer together. They avoided each other totally in school. Ryan even lied to the teacher to get out of chemistry class when Christine’s class had a joint lesson with his. All his friends knew he was not ill, yet he claim he was, giving the reason that his periods were up. The teacher stared at him in total disbelief, but eventually let him go.

He did not know what to do. He could not tell anybody. They would both be shipped off to hell if he did. He took away Christine’s virginity, he lost his as well, but worse off, he realize that the events that night, that was suppose to symbolize wholeness of one to the other in the event of marriage, was breeched. He could no longer even attend church without feeling any hint of guilt. Self condemnation followed from the songs he sang and the thought of standing at the white throne with the sin he had done was simply indescribable. It pained him.

Christine had problems of her own as well. Besides the same pain that she had, something was beginning to happen. Her mornings were now plagued with nausea and vomiting. She felt tired more often, and once even fainted in physical education. People noticed that Christine was a transformed person, now one of total lost and depression. It was true. People even said she was suicidal.

Speculation began to circulate. Something between Ryan and Christine had happen. All sorts of things went around, from physical abuse, to a failed date, to what Ryan feared the most, the truth, that they did it together.




One day, out of the blue, Ryan received a phone call from Christine. She sounded sad…depressed. He trembled as he recognized the caller…but he knew he had to stand up to it. His attempts to redeem himself, to be wash clean again. He prayed daily, and confessed it to someone he could trust most. Mostly importantly of all, he knew he had come clean with the One on High, and all that left now was to apologize to Christine.

“Ryan…I want to say goodbye.” She said simply.

“Christine. I want to apologize, I’m..sorr-.”

“Ryan. I’m pregnant. My parents just found out. It’s over. It’s over.” She interrupted him with that piece of fact.

“Christine. Don’t do it. Don’t abort the baby, it’s a life. It’s-.”

“Ryan. Goodbye. I will see you hereafter.” She said with the coldest voice ever, and then, the phone went dead.

Fear began to dwell within Ryan. His mind began to imagine things. Maybe Christine was really going to abort the baby, or she was going to let the cat out of the bag…or…commit suicide.

He began to feel concern for her. He recalled her voice and what she said. She was dead serious. Goodbye was all that was said. And the words, hereafter. His eyes widen. Oh my… Than an unknown pain struck him in the heart, he winched, thinking it was heart burn from all the fat he consume earlier on. But what he did not know, his circle…their circle, Ryan’s and Christine’s, had shattered. Recovering, he reached for the phone, dialing the number that he had not touched for the last month, that was still so familiar to him.

“Hello. Mrs Le?” He spoke.

“Ryan. What is it this time? To screw with my daughter once more? What? Mess up her life?”

“No, madam. Mrs Le, Christine just called me. I believe that she’s going to do something stupid.”

Mrs Le stood silent for a while, she refuse to believe him. Maybe it was just a way to attract attention, but then again, he might be right…Christine had cried all night…screams and sobs came from her room. Depress she was.

“I’ll check.” She said, and walked to her daughter’s room with the cordless in her hand. She reached it and knocked softly in the door.

“Honey? Are you all right?” She asked. No response. She tried again. Nothing. Maybe she was asleep or just crying softly. But she wanted to check just in case. She opened the door.



The first thing she noticed was blood…..

Short Story - No Way

No Way – Timon Tan

The wind blew the leaves along, shuffling it along the road side, settling it down a few feet away from where it initially laid. The weather was gaining strength, the wind picking up speed and the clouds growing greyer, bringing along the word of rain that threatens to drench all that was under its reach. One of this that was under its power was the high school kid, oblivion to its impending hazard as he did not even consider it a danger at all. After all, it was just rain. It did nothing more than to just get him wet, maybe a nuisance as it caused his shirt to dirty or shoes to be soiled, but other than that, it could not harm him, it would not kill him, it would not melt him or so and forth. In the contrary, he actually liked the rain, the feel of it, the freshness it brought to the environment, its coolness, almost every aspect of it. From the fact that it was the basis of life, to the actuality that it made him wet. It was interesting though, as he never contemplated the fact that rain was water, and that in water, living things, like himself, drown. He took a look back over his shoulder, looking back at his friend, smiling to her as they parted their ways.

“Bye Christy. See you tomorrow!” He said with his most sincere smile, being an earnest person by nature.

The boy hated this part of the day the most, where he had to be separated that that he spent most of his days with, his friends. He liked the company of those he grew up with, since the vulnerable age of six, to the grown and ripen age of fifteen, he grew with these people, sharing most of his life with them. He loved his friends so, being almost like family to him, almost a sixth of life till now was spent with them, making them as close as brothers and sisters. Not even his immediate family could share the same bond as he had with his friends. It was simply different.

“Cya tomorrow as well, remember to bring along the disc.” She replied. She held the same views as the boy as well, friends since young, probably friends forever as well. Eight long years their friendship had lasted, and she loved every moment of it.

The both of them never took advantage of their friendship, but still being young, they took advantage of their circumstances, ignorant to the fact that as fortunate as they were, it was only thanks to the misfortune of others, survival of the fittest as they say. The two friends certainly did not fit the bill for surviving in what is already a tough world, only to get harder as events proceeded. Only thanks to their parents that they managed to grow up, knowing the meaning of peace. Though unknowingly to them, a new malevolence was rising from the west that was to end all that was worked for. It was coming…just not yet.

They broke their eye contact with each other, as their thoughts turned to home. Relaxation, the feeling of being able to let it go was the first to come into the boy’s mind, that feeling of safety and security clouded him. At home awaited him food, his bed, rest, refuge, it was home, which can be simply described as, home. Home was home.

As the boy dwelled on this thoughts, unknowingly to him and to two thirds of the world population, the new malevolence as said, was growing, preparing to what they were about to do. They were going to change the world…change the world in a way never done before…in what was to be unbelievable and inevitable. They could not turn back now…the infidels had to be exterminated. It was for the good of the world…..it was for world peace, and for peace to prevail…sacrifices had to be made. Sacrifices like in all other situations…..one man’s suffering…another man’s peace.

As he thought of home, it prompted him to look at his watch, wanting to know of what time it was. Quarter to four it said, the boy was walking pretty fast. He had already past under the bridge and was very close to home. Above him, a train, transporting a few dozen people from location to location, zipped above him, rattling the brick made bridge and shaking its worn concrete foundation. Despite the fact that the train was literally only a few feet above his head, he walked on, more interested again, in the thoughts of home. Cars twirl around the corner of the bridge, next to him, which he let them past before he crossed the crossing.

He took a step up onto the pavement, and continued his journey back to his home. Passing the usual giant house that construction never seemed to end. It was as big as a bungalow house and had the features of terrace building, however, it was missing its front door and windows. Inside was empty, with concrete dust and chip offs on the floor. With the exception of maybe a forgotten spanner and fragile glass panes, there was nothing else of value inside the house…it was a house whose construction was halted…for what reason, unknown to the boy as he walked pass…

He passed the old creek with its river beds flowing little with water. It still held life though, as tiny algae and tadpole fishes swam in its calm pristine water. The boy had been to the creek many a times though, as part of curiosity and adventure, he had made trips to the creek to and fro from his house, sometimes with his friend Christy as they explore the hidden secrets of their suburb. They found secret clearings at times, trees perfect for climbing, ponds that hosted isolated pods of fishes and aquatic life, rows of wild but striking flowers, once, even an injured bird that they nursed back to health, that now was having young birds of its own…the boy would sometimes visit its nest to check how it was going, smiling at how far the once condemned bird, never to fly again, was now fulfilling what it was created to be. It simply amazed him…

Going on from there, the boy passed a number of similar looking terrace houses, each with the same design. In building structure and look, they were literally duplicates of each other. The only difference was the different cars in each driveways and number signs on the front gate, differentiating each of the houses.

Passing house thirty six, he waved to the lady that was watering the plants. She like usual waved back. The boy had maintained good relations with his neighbors in this area as it was in his nature to do so. This particular afternoon, the lady signaled him over, with something in her arm.

“Hey kid, howya going?” The lady said in her hoarse voice.

“I’m all right mdm. Thanks for asking. What about you?” The boy replied.

“Me? Ha! The government is cutting off my pension…they think I’m too much…they need it to support some lussian/iana threat crap…but anyways…I have my sons to support me if anything goes wrong…” She revealed a bouquet. “Give this to your mom willya? Tell her this is my appreciation for her helping me out with my tax form.”

“Sure do mdm.” The boy received the flowers from the lady. Freshly cut, and blossom, its aroma reached the boy’s senses even before he took a sniff of it. Immediately, he felt lighter for some reason...it took his mind off everything, concentrating on its scent for that very moment, before he snapped back to reality.

“My mom will enjoy this.”

He held the bouquet of flowers in his hands and continued on down the road. What a day it was for him already…the last day of school…two whole weeks to relax…time to slowly study for his preliminaries…and now, a bouquet of flowers for mom….life was good…too good really.

Meanwhile…on the opposite side of the world again, the malevolence again was ready to release its justice upon the infidels. Launching its projectile of change, they applauded and cheered at the deed that was about to be done. It was to be the start of a new beginning…a new beginning into what was to be the start of a new era….an era that changed all that has and had been. They watched from behind the glass panes as the projectile of change launched from their containment, and onwards to do what it was meant to do…..change.

The boy delighted by the goodness of the day so far, simply ignored everything else. He got home in record time, strolling through the gate in bliss. It was a perfect day…and it could only get better, forgetting that what goes up….must come down.

“Hey son!” His dad greeted with much enthusiasm as the boy came through the gate, always delighted to see his son.

“Hey dad!” He replied, hugging his father with open arms, digging into the comfort and security he provided. His father, his dad…nothing could replace him. They enjoyed a relationship only fathers and sons would understand, an un-spoilt love between the both of them, bonding them together for life.

“Guess what son? I got good news…want to guess?” His father eagerly said, unable to contain his exhilaration.

“Surprise me dad.” The boy said simply.

“Your mom….is….pregnant! Another little boy, just like you….imagine! You’re a bigger brother son! You really are!” His father said, spilling the good news!

“She is?” He said….staring at his dad with a sharp gaze, trying to contemplate what it all meant….than it clicked.

“Yes! That’s amazing! Can I name him? Can I? Can I?” He said with joy, bouncing about like a six year old kid. His father smiled back, delighted at his son’s interest.

“Yes son. I discussed that with your mother. You have the honours.”

“Yes!” He jumped into the air, fist pumping nothing, repeating that same word over and over again.

“Yes son. I know you’re excited…come on, lets go in.” He said and lead the boy into the house…



“We have word from the President, that a state of emergency has been declared. We warn all citizens, to stay in doors! We repeat, stay in doors. If you have a basement, go there immediately…officials says that they are speaking with the enemy diplomats as we speak…” The Television babbled on. The father and son watched earnestly in concern, worried.

“What is going on?” The boy asked.

“I don’t know son. But I think we better do as the new reporter says….this sounds very important.” The father said, biting his fingers, silently debating in his head what he should do. The matter was simple, stay in the basement. But his wife was still out there, coming back from the hospital. He could not just leave her out there…where danger was present.

“Son. Take all your important stuff. We’re going to the basement...” The father began.

“What about mom?” The son questioned.

“Go. Go there. I’ll be there shortly.” The father ended. The boy looked at his father in puzzle. It was one of those times where his father never explained things, he would return with a smile and promised that his son would know eventually…except this time it was different…. He had a solemn look on his face. His son immediately knew not to question.Picking up the phone, the father dialed a number that was so familiar to him. Tears were already beginning to drip. He knew that it was the last time….the last time…

“Honey?” He said into the receiver.
“Yeah darl. I’ve heard the news. I’m speeding back at fast as I can…we cannot miss this for the world.” The reply came from the end of the line in a hurried voice.

“Look, you would not make it honey…I know how fast they will take to reach here…..the boys at radar informed me…I just want to say…goodbye love….I’ll miss you.” With that, he cut the line.“No way! Darl! Wait! Wait….no….no way…” She stammered, chucking her phone in the back seat, stepping on the accelerator, full speed ahead, towards home.

Back home, the boy was already in the basement, with all his essentials stacked in a corner. The father grabbed his mini safe, inside was all he need for an emergency. He grabbed his glassed old 16, smashing it on the ground, grabbing some extra cartridges, before rushing down to the basement to satisfy the complains of his son.

“Quiet down son…” He hissed as he locked the heavy wooden door that was the only exit out of the basement.

“What’s going on?”

“I’ll tell you after it’s happened.” The father said, running to a small peep hole in the corner, opening its flap so as to see what was outside. His son came beside him. He placed his arms around him.

“Son…I have to tell you. This is it…if we live through this…it will be a miracle.” He said sadly, with head bowed.

“Live through what?” The boy asked.

“That.” The dad said, and pointed at the peep hole. He pointed at a sight, never seen before.

Surely enough, projectiles of change filled the skies. Each missile, cylinder shaped with a pointed end at its front, aimed towards the east. Hundreds of them filled the air……ready to make change.

“No way…” The boy began, and than, firecracking sound from the distance could be heard. The father dragged the son away from the peep hole, wanting to close it.

“Wait! That’s mom!” He shouted! Pointing out. Sure enough, traveling down the street, his mom’s car sped. It ran over all that was in its way, wanting to get home as quick as she could.

The father ran for the door, unlocking it as swiftly as he could, budging it open as his wife stumbled down the stairs.“It’s coming! The big one!” She screamed. The father slammed the door, bolting it with the lock and ran towards his shaken son, who was totally traumatized.

The trio hugged each other. Tears flowing, with prayers of grace, mercy and compassion upon themselves, asking God to save them. Hoping that they would be save. The father and mother, at the moment, becoming one, one last time…before it all ended…


In the air, the nuke sped towards the ground. In built, was a special camera, designed to record the very last moments before this special nuke, that was to be the predecessor to peace, hit and caused the sacrifice that was to bring peace.

Inside the bunkers, the victims watched helplessly, their missile defense system useless to stop such a massive assault, they tracked all the missiles. A total of several hundred aimed at all major cities, with about a hundred thermonuclear hydrogen bombs among them, all ready to hit their target…

In the ships, the enemies watched in glee as the dots on their radars disappeared one by one. Each dot disappearing upon its assigned target scoring a hit. The numbers started to dwindled…with each disappearance, applause came…

For those above ground, time stopped. They ceased to exit in this world…many of them, getting to meet their creator with anxious hearts…only few were excited about it…

For those underground…the last words, before the entry of this new era…No Way…Way it was….as they entered the era of hell…the era of the last….the time of tribulation….

No Way?
Way