A short story that started as scene writing exercise. Over the course of 3 weeks, Nathan Yam connected his scenes, which he eventually turned into a story.

Yeek, the old wooden door closed. In the big, clean house, Noah’s parents all went to the supermarket to prepare for dinner because today was boxing day.

He looked at the completely dark sky and looked at the park outside, which had a swing, a slide and a grassfield. He was waiting for his parents to come back out the window. He sat on the pink blanket on his bed and took his paintbrush. He painted the light on the night stand using his brush because the night stand is beautiful.

Boom!

Noah was dumbfounded by the sound and looked out the window. He saw a lot of smoke and a big fireball next to the supermarket. He thought, “Is Dad and Mum hurt? I want to go to the supermarket to find my parents, but they said I shouldn’t leave the house.”

He was very nervous. He didn't know what to do.

“Wee, Woo. Wee, Woo.”

The distant siren's sound. The sound is louder and louder, as the car is driving close. Noah is in front of Mrs. Wong's door, anxiety twisting in his stomach.

“Come on, Noah,” Mrs. Wong said, her fingers steady as she held the phone to her ear. “Help is on the way.”

But Noah's thoughts continued around his parents. What if they were hurt in that fire? What if...Noah squinted, the sight was terrifying.

Firefighters hopped out of their trucks, their faces serious, as they rushed toward the supermarket.

“Stay here,” Mrs. Wong instructed, her voice firm. “They will know what to do.”Noah nodded, though the heart wanted to rush to the sea of fire. But he knew he wasn’t alone. Mrs. Wong was by his side, standing his wavering heart.

As the firefighters worked, Noah could see the smoke start to disappear, revealing a fire. The sound of fire hose nozzles spraying water was unstoppable, combining with the crackle of the fire. Noah’s heart was bumping quickly.

"Look!” he suddenly shouted, pointing at a rescue worker who seemed to be commanding the firefighter. “They’re doing something!”

Mrs. Wong placed a hand on his shoulder. “They’re professionals, Noah. They’ll get your parents out safely.”

But Noah felt a battle with himself. The thinking for his parents mixed with the fear of the unknown. The sirens, the fire, the shadow park—everything felt unreal, as if he were in a dream. Then, in the thin smoke, a person appeared. A familiar person. Noah's heart skipped a beat.

“Mum! Dad!” he shouted, his voice resounding through the sky.

His parents, coughing and seemed tired, appeared at the edge of the parking place, guided by a firefighter. Relief washed over him like a wave, but the worry still clung to his heart. Were they okay?

“Mum!” He dashed forward, Mrs. Wong’s hand slipping from his shoulder. He sprinted across the grass, the smell of smoke thick in the air.

“Noah!” His mother’s voice rang out, filled with panic and relief as they ran closer. They were safe. As his parents engulfed him in a tight embrace, Noah felt the warmth of love overtake the chill of fear.

“It’s all going to be alright,” his father said, holding him close. “We’re here.”

Around them, the sirens continued to wail, and the glow of the fire flickered.The night, still heavy with uncertainty, slowly began to feel lighter. With his parents beside him and all around, Noah realized that together, they could face anything.

The Strange Sound