IGCSE narrative essay | 2005 Oct-Nov | You are writing a mystery or thriller-type story, which is



Question

You are advised to write between 350 and 500 words on the following topic:

You are writing a mystery or thriller-type story, which is set in an old building. It is night time. Suddenly all the lights go out and someone’s footsteps are heard running away. Make this event an important part of a story called ‘Power cut’.

Model Essay

Power Cut

In the heart of the city, nestled among towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, stood an old, dilapidated building that seemed to defy time itself. Known simply as the “Winston Manor,” it was a relic of a bygone era, its crumbling facade shrouded in mystery and whispers of the past.

On a particularly dark and stormy night, the residents of Winston Manor found themselves plunged into darkness as a sudden power cut swept through the building like a thief in the night. The flickering lights sputtered and died, leaving the corridors and stairwells cloaked in an eerie silence.

In Apartment 304, Sarah Jennings cursed under her breath as the glow from her laptop screen vanished into the darkness. She had been engrossed in her work, completely oblivious to the storm brewing outside until the lights went out. Now, with nothing but the distant rumble of thunder for company, Sarah felt a chill run down her spine as she realized just how alone she was in the building.

But as Sarah fumbled for her flashlight, her heart skipped a beat at the sound of hurried footsteps echoing down the hallway outside her door. She froze, her senses on high alert as the footsteps drew closer, their rhythm quickening with each passing moment.

And then, just as suddenly as they had appeared, the footsteps stopped, leaving Sarah shrouded in darkness and uncertainty. With her heart pounding in her chest, she hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do next. Should she venture out into the hallway to investigate, or wait for the lights to come back on?

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Gathering her courage, Sarah crept towards the door, her hand trembling as she reached for the doorknob. With a deep breath, she swung the door open, the faint glow of her flashlight casting long shadows across the corridor.

But to her surprise, there was nothing there. No sign of the mysterious intruder, no trace of their presence save for the lingering echo of their footsteps fading into the night. Sarah’s brow furrowed in confusion as she scanned the deserted hallway, her mind racing with unanswered questions.

As she ventured further into the building, Sarah couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. The power cut had been sudden and unexpected, but the sound of footsteps running away in the darkness hinted at something more sinister lurking in the shadows.

Determined to uncover the truth, Sarah pressed on, her flashlight cutting through the darkness as she delved deeper into the mysteries of Winston Manor. Little did she know that the events of that fateful night would unravel a tangled web of secrets and lies, revealing a truth more chilling than she could ever have imagined.

Word Count: 451