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Illustration by Lynda Adlington
Second Prize
The Journey
Tabitha Wills
Year 7 The Ladies’ College
I lay, weak on my deathbed, my cold, wrinkly hands fell dramatically, my heart thermometer gave a droning beep.
Suddenly, I’m smiling proudly in my new school uniform clutching my bag, and I see my mum taking a picture of me. Soon enough I’m going shopping with my mum to get secondary school uniform. I feel a fear weigh in the pit of my stomach. Big schools are scary, but I like this sweet girl with long hair and big blue eyes, and she sits with me for lunch.
It goes black again and now I feel sad and cold. I stand in front of my mirror. Black streaks run down my cheeks as I stare at my ugly face hating everything I see, wishing I could be somebody, anybody else.
It goes black once more and I am out shopping with friends, my acne-covered face hidden behind thick foundation with long thick eyelashes covering my vision.
It fades as a new scene appears in front of my eyes; I’m graduating school, a big smile from ear to ear.
A new image shows before my eyes. I’m talking to a boy; with dark brown hair and gorgeous green eyes I feel something special; I like this boy.
I skip forward a couple of years, the boy with the brown hair is kissing me while I stand in a beautiful long white dress.
Next, I’m smiling at my newborn baby, as I sit on the sofa cradling her.
Blackness fades again as I’m standing this time watching my daughter graduate. I’m so proud.
Blackness engulfs me. I’m weeping uncontrollably. The boy with the green eyes is lying there, lifeless, gone.
Soon enough I’m getting rushed to hospital my little girl holding my hand begging me to stay. But already I’m gone.