A Day I Committed A Crime

Misery was blatantly etched across my features when I saw my sick mother lying on the hospital bed. My mother had a heart attack and is now in a lot of danger. However, I had no money to pay for her bills. I was desperate for money. Although I held several part-time jobs, the pay was too little. Suddenly, a thought came to my mind. Steal! I thought to myself, stealing is a crime, but it is the fastest way to get money. The voices of the angel and devil started to persuade me whether to steal or not. Soon, a ferocious battle broke out within them in my head. In the end, the angel lost and I decided to steal.

The next morning, I got to work. In my room, I was furiously packing, mumbling to myself,” Fake gadgets …ropes…dagger….” After loading all the tools into my suitcase, I chose my unlucky victim. Disguising as a door-to-door salesman, I knocked on the door of my victim’s house. My heart thumped wildly against my ribs and my palms became sweaty when the housewife came to the door. I started presenting the fake product to the unsuspecting housewife. After coaxing the housewife, she became interested in buying it and let me into the house. Upon entering the house, I slammed the door and turned up the volume of the television. Her eyebrows shot to the hairline disappearing beneath her bangs as she gawked in wide-eyed terror when I flashed a dagger at her. She screamed hysterically at the top of her lungs but the sound coming from the television drowned her voice.

I asked her where the valuables were kept rudely. As she was being held at knifepoint, she immediately told me where they were kept. I put the loot into the empty part of my suitcase. After that, I gagged and bound her tightly to a chair. I left her house with a satisfied look on my face.

After paying the hospital fees, I felt relieved. However, when my mother regained consciousness, she was surprised where I got the large amount of money. I decided to tell her the truth. Upon hearing that I stole, she started to cry. My heart sank when I saw her red eyes. I turned myself in to the police in the end.

In the court, I admitted to my crime. Regret was etched deeply into my face with swollen cheeks and sallow complexion as I gazed at the victim with apologetic eyes. The judge sentenced me to jail for two months. Once bitten, twice shy. After this incident, I never dared to commit a crime.

Written by Toh Sing Yee 

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 The golden blistering sun was the sole ornament in the vast azure blue sky. I was sitting in my office, waiting for someone to knock at my door to sign anything. I was not bogus anymore. I am real. I gazed out of my office window and saw a police car patrolling around. Seeing it triggered something in my mind, and a memory started to unfold, like a film I never seen before...

"Good morning, Miss. I am promoting the latest iPhone. May I come in?" I said. The housewife was a pretty lady wearing an apron. I set foot into the house and scanned the place with my eyes while she went into the kitchen to pour some tea for me. Such a beautiful place. To have such lavish furniture would surely cost a fortune.

Just as she out the tray down on the table, I rummaged in my suitcase and took out a knife. I pointed it to the housewife. She was shocked and dropped the tray of snacks and tea on the floor. I bounded her up and turned on the sound of the television so as to not create attention from the neighbours. I asked her fiercely where the valuables were. Being held at knife-point, she told me that it was in the safe and drawers. I quickly ran to the safe and forced it open. There were lots of money. I picked up the wads of cash and counted them hurriedly. Ten thousand! Impossible! I put them into my empty luggage. Suddenly, I heard the housewife screaming. I took up the tape on the study table and taped her mouth. She mumbled. I pointed the knife at her and said," Be quiet!" she obeyed and became as silent as a mouse. I moved on to the next section, the drawers. I opened them, getting a fright of my life, the whole drawer was full of gleaming valuables and jewellery. Greed got the better of me! I swept all the loot into my suitcase and fled the crime scene. The next thing I knew, I was running through the streets. I reached my hiding place, a warehouse, with only a small television on the walls. I was so tired
from running that I fell asleep.

"Aah!!!" I screamed. I just had a nightmare. My face was as white as a sheet of paper. I dreamt that the police caught me. I turned on the television to see myself on it. I was expecting that. They said that a
young man has just robbed a housewife. They are now searching everywhere. I switched off the television, scared that I will get caught. It was my first time committing a crime. I was regretful. All
of a sudden, I heard a knock at the door. "Police! Please open the door!" Oh my god! The police! I sprang up and dashed to the back door. I escaped without getting caught. What a close shave!

For the next few days, the police was on high alert. I had to run from place to place without resting. I  was very tired. I did not want to run anymore. I was sick of being a fugitive. I ran to the nearest police station and turned myself in. They put me in a small room with a few police officers. They questioned me and I replied honestly. At the end of the interrogation, they said that I had to return the things that I stole. I immediately opened my suitcase. They took all the money and thanked me for cooperating with  them. From that day on, I never committed a crime. I was lucky that I need not go to jail as I returned everything that I stole. I was very thankful to the police. I started working hard, trying to set up a decent business. I want to be famous, for the good things...

"Boss!" one of my workers shouted. I immediately snapped back to reality. "Yes?" I asked. " I need you to sign this agreement." I took up my pen and signed beautifully. He thanked me and walked out of the room. I was the CEO, not a criminal. I am real and honest. I had strive for victory after a lesson. I  swore to myself that I would never commit a crime again. 

Written by Agnes Lee