Singapore's Runaway. Chapter 1

 Here's the first chapter of my book Singapore's Runaway 

Angry waves slapped the white sands of Katong beach. Tide rose with

fury, swallowing up the dry beach and all unfortunate enough to be in its

way.

“Dora!” A frantic man yelled. Too late.

Crowds gathered.

A tiny speck bobbing in the waves, more than three miles away, cried

for help. The heartless ocean consumed her, together with seashells she

was picking.

“The rope!” Yelled a man.

A thick coiled twine soared through the air, less than a quarter of the

distance before dropping into the sea, impotent.

There were no boats in sight. Jet black clouds gathered. A thunder-

storm loomed.

“No! Too far. No one can swim so far. She’ll die!” An aunty wailed.

A self fulfilling prophecy, if you believe it.

Powerful undercurrents. The likelihood of lightning striking the

open sea.

Would he risk his life for a complete stranger?

His conscience wouldn’t let him shut out the desperate screams of

the drowning girl.

In a heartbeat.

Without further delay, Stanley plunged in.

The currents, like powerful, fluid hands pulled him down. With

every swift, powerful stroke, Stanley dragged himself closer to the hapless

girl. The undercurrent that drew its victims out into the ocean sped his

journey towards her. The young woman was conscious, treading water,

struggling to stay afloat.

He could do this. One more pull. Another stroke. . Stronger. Faster.

She had to hang in there a little longer. Desperate arms flailed, grabbing at him. A dead weight, pulling him down.

“Relax. I’ve got you.” Stanley wrapped an arm around her, the other,

opposing the current with a strong pull. The vigorous strength training

regime he endured for his sport paid off.

Getting to her was the easy part. Battling the powerful current in

the open sea one-handed, while carrying a full grown woman more than

three miles to shore. That was the bigger challenge.

The sky turned black. The air, electric. A storm loomed. Lightning

danced in the sky.

She screamed. Her hands around his neck obstructed his breath. In

her panic, she dragged them both down.

“Please. Calm down.” He removed her hands from his neck with as

much care as he could muster.

Shore was less than a mile away. He could do this. God helps those

who help themselves.

Lungs bursting, muscles aching, he pressed on with his precious car-

go. One long stroke at a time, each propelling them closer to safety.

His feet touched the sand.

The water reached up to his chest. Almost there.

Carrying the girl bridal style, he bought her to shore.

“Princess!” A middle aged gentleman waded towards them, arms

outstretched, taking the young woman into his arms.

“Papa,” her voice faint, her weak smile reached her eyes as she rested

her head on the man’s shoulders.

“Thank you for saving my daughter,” the man beamed. “You are a fine

lad.”

“You are welcome,” warmth flooded Stanley’s heart. The joy that ra-

diated out of father and daughter, the exuberance of the crowd at his res-

cue overwhelmed him. His cheeks burned with embarrassment.

“Captain David Hawkins,” the middle aged man stretched out his

hand, which Stanley accepted with a firm grip. “My ship, The Evering-

ham could use a fine young man like you.”

“Thank you Captain Hawkins,” said Stanley.

“If you ever want a life of adventure, sailing the seven seas, you are al-

ways welcome to join my crew,” the Captain winked. He walked off with

his arms wrapped around his precious daughter.

A life of adventure. That’s a far cry from his father’s boring, adminis-

trative plans for him. Stanley let his mind wander to the exciting life he

longed for, to sail the seven seas and see the world beyond Temasek.

Read the rest of the story in Singapore's Runaway by Janice Wee