Manchester Connecting Stories Anthology 2021 - Secondary by literacytrust

Manchester Heroes

The National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260 and a company limited by guarantee no. 5836486 registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in Scotland no. SC042944. Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL Supported by Arts Council England Cover illustration © Tallulah Smith, 2021 Design and content © National Literacy Trust, 2021 Design by Tallulah Smith All enquiries around this anthology should be directed to: contact@literacytrust.org.uk

Connecting Stories: Manchester: Everyday Heroes

The National Literacy Trust is a charity dedicated to improving reading, writing, speaking and listening skills so that everyone has the best possible chance of success in school, work and life. We support communities, schools and early years settings and campaign to make literacy a priority. The Connecting Stories campaign is a project funded by Arts Council England to increase children and young people's interest in reading and writing and to promote diverse voices and stories. Connecting Stories provides a programme of exciting events, such as virtual author visits, creative writing competitions and activities for families to enjoy.

With Thanks... We would like to thank Arts Council England for funding and supporting the Connecting Stories project. We would also like to thank all of the publishers and authors across our Hubs, who generously supported this anthology, and extend warm thanks to the numerous community champions and corporate volunteers who have kindly donated their time to help bring this anthology together: Atlantic Books

Hannah Fogg

Cambridge University Press

Charlotte Kim

Emerald Publishing

James Kingett

Faber & Faber

Jenna Lee

Pearson

Michael Leyland

Saffron Alexander

Marykate McGrath

Sally Atkinson

Jan Papworth

Gaganpreet Kaur Basra

Allison Potter

Sheena Carman

Tahera Sultana

Dawn Claypole

Emile Tambeh

Rhonda Drever

Felicia Tennant

Margaret Duff And finally, thank you to all of the young people who took part, it is their stories that make this anthology so special.

A word from author, Louisa Reid I am so pleased to have had the pleasure of reading entries from Manchester. All entries included in this anthology have captured the spirit of the theme, Local Heroes, in such imaginative and original ways. Anthologies traditionally don’t include the voices of young people. Yet these are the very groups of people with the most creative ideas and the most relevant experiences! We’ve collected the best young voices from across Manchester and gathered them all in these pages. What stood out about all the entries that I was privileged to read was their energy. I found myself feeling really excited by the imagination on display in the work of Manchester’s young writers: from writing about hospital keyworkers, to carers and those working in Tesco, to ideas about how young people themselves can be heroes in their own families and in their everyday lives, I came away feeling inspired by this writing. And that’s what creative writing should do: inspire and energise. I loved the hope and indomitable sense of spirit all the writing presented and the way the writers had welcomed me into their worlds so warmly and with such heart. My novels always aim towards showing just that same sort of indomitability; that no matter how hard life gets, there is always the hope of rising up and coming back better and stronger. In my first novel in verse, Gloves Off, the heroine, Lily, fights back against preconceptions about her based on her weight; in my latest novel, Wrecked, the hero finds himself confronting the

limiting expectations of masculinity. Both these characters are heroic in their own way – confronting stereotypes and their own internal fears, but they’re very ordinary teenagers too. I am inspired by young people and hope that my novels show teenagers in all their complexity and inner beauty. Reading can transform lives: it connects us and gives us windows into other experiences, opening doors to new ways of being and feeling. Writing, too, is an escape route out of mundane reality and into the possibilities of the imagination. We can fly on words and stories, just like the heroes of the young Manchester writers who rise above and battle on. I wish you as much joy reading this anthology as I had selecting the entries and above all that they inspire you to keep reading and writing. Louisa Reid

A word from our Hub Managers, Cheryl and Margaret We are delighted to have had the pleasure of reading entries from Manchester. All entries included in this anthology have really made local Manchester voices stand out and are a testament to the creativity of children and young people here. Traditionally, anthologies don’t focus on Manchester, nor do they often include the voices of children or young people. Yet these are the very groups of people with the most creative ideas and the most relevant experiences! We know that creative writing can free young people to reflect and expand on their lives and the things that affect them. Reading is the inspiration behind this, and reading can open young minds to a wider world beyond their experience. The two are inextricably linked. Hearing the voices of local young people expressing their ideas and creativity and seeing their words in print is a powerful recognition of their abilities and a refreshing view of their lives and imaginations. We wish you as much joy reading this anthology as we had helping to get these entries together, and above all hope that they convince you of how important it is to read the stories of others, and to tell your own story. Best, Cheryl and Margaret Read Manchester.

Contents Winning Entry

Leila A, 12

Runner Up

Joe W, 12

All Entries

Michelle R, 13

Joseph L-M, 12

Alexis D, 11

Dahir A

Mille D-Q, 11

Bruna P, 13

Amy F, 14

Maheen F, 12

Zara N, Yr7

Isha T, Yr7

Aamna K, Yr7

Aiza A, Yr7

Yara A, Yr7

Sameen D-E, Yr7

Polly O, 14

Chloe L, 14

Erica M, 12

Abigail E

Theo C, 11

Adam M, 13

Arwa H

Caitlin M, 12

Abouen 82 Amber B, 12

Andrew N

Artus D

Nur-Aein S, 14

Barney W, 11

Bess BL

Elizabeth H, 12

100

Ellis H, 13

102

Emmanuela O

105

Ese U, 12

108

Esme H, 15

110

Eva J, 12

112

Alimat S, 12

115

Florence D, 13

116

Iman B-M, 11

118

Jack T, 11

120

Jacob S, 11

121

Jessica G

124

Joel B, 11

125

Joshua S, 11

127

Kelly H, 12

129

Lois H-T, 12

130

Maame OS

132

Macy S, 12

135

Mercy A, 11

138

Miriam T, 13

141

Monet B, 12

143

Nancy C, 12

144

Oliver D, 12

146

Lola S, 13

148

Oscar D

149

Ryan C, 13

151

Sally R

153

Samara W, 13

156

Samuel D, 14

158

Samuel P, 12

161

Shedene C, 11

163

Mia K, 12

165

Sydney J, 12

166

Tahlia C

168

Toby W, 16

171

Winielle A-K, 12

173

Zach C

176

Hafsah K, Yr7

177

Maria A, Yr7

179

Zoha R, Yr8

180

Hooriya M, Yr8

182

Hajrah A, Yr8

186

Ethan H, 12

187

Nazneen AA, Yr8

188

Saffa NA, Yr8

189

Ayesha M, Yr8

193

Zainab N, Yr8

196

Mariam O, Yr8

199

Asma S, Yr8

201

Bibihawa S, Yr8

202

Rumaisa K, Yr8

204

Marwah, Yr8

207

Nawal F, Yr8

209

Nusrat B, Yr7

211

Somayya H, Yr8

213

Halima K, Yr8

214

Charlotte P, 12

216

Helen B, Yr7

217

Tola W

219

Ahsham A, Yr7

221

Ellie-May, 13

224

Kaitlin S, 13

225

Lucy H, 12

226

Cordell W, 12

227

Jake C, 12

228

Amelia A, 12

229

Talha G, 13

230

Poojitha V, 11

233

Anmaar S, Yr9

236

Asdallah M, Yr9

237

Huzaer A, Yr9

238

Ismaheel S, Yr9

239

Kamille, Yr9

240

Maryam A

241

Mohammed U

243

Reer A

244

Safa, Yr9

245

Shanza, Yr9

246

Zain B, Yr9

248

Shamayam K, Yr8

249

Samavah M, Yr8

250

Rana M, Yr8

252

Zaryab N, Yr8

254

Inayah R, Yr8

257

Hadya S, Yr8

259

Amanaah U, Yr8

262

Fiza S, Yr8

264

Huda O, Yr7

266

Sedra A, Yr7

268

Shaista K, Yr7

270

Safa S, Yr7

273

Ayesha N, Yr7

275

Remas A, Yr8

277

Anaya B, Yr8

279

Takwa E, Yr8

281

Emman SS, Yr8

283

Aliyha, Yr8

285

Bismah A, Yr7

287

Izzah A, Yr7

290

Hind T A-E, Yr7

293

Aiza A, Yr7

295

Ayesha A, Yr7

297

Bushra B, Yr7

298

Banan B, Yr7

301

Sumaira A, Yr7

303

Yasmin E-H, Yr7

305

Mina H, Yr7

306

Imamah K, Yr7

307

Sama K, Yr7

309

Safa M, Yr7

311

Hafsah M, Yr8

312

Mariam N, Yr7

313

Aizah R, Yr7

315

Hamnah R, Yr7

317

Laila S, Yr7

319

Iqra A, Yr7

320

Zara A, Yr7

323

Najwa A, Yr7

325

Eman A, Yr7

327

Zohra B, Yr7

329

Elaha B, Yr7

332

Nora G, Yr7

334

Zoya G, Yr7

336

Aryana K, Yr7

338

Maryam K, Yr7

341

Mojdah M, Yr7

343

Schools 346

Leila A, 12 Winning Entry This is a poem for the heroes This is a poem for the heroes. The ones without powers or capes. The heroes that serve and protect, Across Manchester’s skyscraper landscape. This is a poem for the teachers. A poem to shout out and say, “That teachers are great! And always have been, every single day.” It’s the way they inspire. The way they help and care. If it wasn’t for them We'd be lost, I swear. It’s the teachers who tell every child: “Keep trying and trying ,”

The ones who notice, When a child is broken and crying. This is a poem for nurses And doctors too. In a time like this, Without them, what would we do? They perform life-saving surgeries. Provide therapy and mental health advice. Give you medicine and antibiotics. A couple of ‘I have been treated’ stickers should suffice. Fighting day after day, On the NHS frontline. Pushing to help those suffering with Covid-19, Until those patients are on cloud nine. This is a poem for the lorry drivers. Delivering our parcels, every day of the week. Driving along the M60,

In all weathers, sunshine, rain or Manchester bleak. This is a poem for the supermarket assistants. Stocking shelf after shelf with food. It’s been hard to stock food, with Brexit all done. But let's not use Brexit to dampen the mood. It’s a poem for the working-at-home parents Struggling over Wi-Fi, Zoom and of course Microsoft Teams. It’s a poem for the parents who help you with online lessons, The only rest they get is for four minutes eating custard creams. You might question why, I didn’t choose one local hero. The answer is plain and simple. “People are heroes every day, it doesn’t take a noble act to notice them,” It’s a poem for all the heroes. Tall and short, thin and fat. For heroes like you and me, And that my friend is a fact. 25

This is a poem for binmen and women. For the café owners and the local MPs. For the emergency vets and hairdressers. For the daily news-readings on the TV. This is a poem for the heroes. The ones without powers or capes, But somehow, they just are zooming , Flying around Manchester’s skyscraper landscape.

Joe W, 12 Second Place Entry It was the start of yet another boring day, or I thought it was! My name is Mark and I had just found myself a job at the engineering workshop where I was told that I would be making next generation technolog y. On day three, I arrived at my destination. A long series of walls, windows and slanted roofs that seemed to go on forever. I grimaced, suddenly remembering I had to walk up the long spiral staircase to my workspace at the top of the tower which dwarfed all the buildings around. After what seemed like forever my office was in sight and I fell onto my chair. Suddenly, I heard a soft metallic clang. I glanced behind me and my eyes nearly popped out of my head. I was looking at a small robot whose head was an overturned fishbowl. Inside the fishbowl, what I thought were a pair of binoculars were just floating in mid-air. Long story short, I fainted. I woke, my eyes flew open as I remembered what had happened. ”Hello there,” I screamed as I saw who the owner of the voice was. It was the robot. It was bending down on me with its binoculars fixed on me. ” Ww...what are you?” I stammered.

“ Well what do I look like to you? I’m a robot, you idiot ” said the robot. I stood up trying to regain my senses. “ What’s your name?” I asked with a higher pitched voice than I thought I had. ”My creators called me Wally.“ “ Wait isn’t that a little close to –“ “Shhhhhhh!” the robot cut in “Let’s not get anyone sued!” I heard a noise from across the stairs. ”Burglars!” exclaimed Wally. “More than 95 percent of buildings that get robbed are technolog y bases.” ”Did you just Google search that ?” I wondered out loud. ”Is it any of your business?” the robot answered back. ”I’ll handle this.” I was just thinking how a robot as tall as my knee could take on a probable armed thief when he came through the door. He was at least six feet tall and clumsy so I managed to see how we had heard him. Then a silver flash shot across the room and with a tremendous CLANG the man fell to the floor defeated. ”How...?” I began but then another man came through in a cleaner's outfit and Wally launched himself into action shouting “that outfit 28

doesn’t fool me!” and “you’re cooked!” and another man slumped to the floor unconscious. Suddenly, I remembered: “ Wait! That’s the window cleaner!”

Michelle R, 13 My Mum’s Heartening Hero’s Journey Once a young girl, now a mum, She had a passion and only one. Magnanimous in heart, She’s been told once or twice, Caring for children has been a part of her life. Determination tackled her heart. Procrastinating out of fear; she won’t go far. She sat down and pondered for a while, Thinking of her future, how she can go miles. Jubilation filled her spirit, Child-minding was the answer, this is it! She started small, two or three But grew providentially. Independence is one of the goals to life, She’s grown even more to eight or nine!

More jobs meant more income. A wonder woman my mum has become. Imperturbable is the definition of my mum, Always calm and never dumb. Perspicacious in her actions. What will define me is satisfaction. She is an inspiration to me. My mum is a hero to children in need. Connecting and bonding is her specialty. She never gave up on her dreams, And I will emulate, as it seems.

Joseph L-M, 12 The Resurgent Warrior Darkness Suddenly, the eyes awoke to a dark mysterious sky. On the distant island of Destiny, Roy woke up, sat up, and rubbed his head. He had red hair with freckles, and damaged golden armour. A small dragon, called Redwing (and his lifelong companion), was next to him and flew up in excitement saying : “Oh good! He’s finally waking up!” Redwing had gorgeous scarlet wings (big surprise) and was relatively small for a dragon. Roy suddenly screamed in terror and fell over. “It’s okay, it’s me!” soothed Redwing , confused as to why Roy feared his own best friend. Eventually, Roy questioned: “And who are you?” Redwing was silent in shock. For twenty years, together, they went on quests and adventures, became best friends, and now, he didn’t even know who he was. “ Where are we?” Roy continued, “and more importantly, who am I?” “Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!” squealed Redwing as he put two and two together, “The boy’s lost his memory !” Roy indeed had. If you 32

want to know how, we first need to know how the two got into this situation. Twenty-four hours ago, a legendary warrior hero was bravely storming the castle of the Dark Lord Merlin on the island of Skullworld. The legend slayed Merlin’s minions incredibly and got closer and closer to the Dark Lord. His guard dogs, the Hellhounds, attacked ferociously with all of their three heads, but the warrior got past them easily, and was now threatening Merlin himself. Even with the warrior’s legendary sword, the Stormblade, and his golden armour, the Godetterent. Merlin had recently gained the Facul Jewel, capable of boosting one’s powers to superhuman levels, and so, in their duel, Merlin brutally brought the hero to near-death, but a scarlet-winged dragon flew him away to safety. However, Merlin’s minions saw the injured hero, and ran towards him and the dragon. Said dragon knew the only escape was on the (convenient) ships at the dock of the island, and flew him and the warrior to one. (Inconveniently) the ships were damaged, and dragons don’t know how to sail. The dragon would’ve asked the warrior, but he was unconscious. ( VERY inconveniently) a storm suddenly sent bolt after bolt at the ship and the tsunamis joined in the fun. (In this alternate world, the weather is all over the place). Finally, despite the dragon’s best efforts, a huge tsunami finally washed up the ship on a certain Island of Destiny.

During the process, the Stormblade was lost at sea. But that was the least of their worries as they plunged into the dark sea, and washed up on the island. These two sound familiar ? “I’m not some legendary hero!” protested Roy, “I would remember if I was! And although I do feel pain everywhere, I didn’t fight some dark lord!” ” We don’t have time for this!” shouted Redwing , “we need to go back to Skullworld, steal the Facul Jewel, use it to defeat Merlin before he sets out on his conquest for the Archipelago!” In fact, the reason Roy was storming the castle in the first place was to stop Merlin’s conquest. “Even if your fairy tale is true,” said Roy, “how am I, a beaten up, lost guy in shredded armour, with no ship, no weapons, and no allies, going to even get there in the first place just for him to beat me up more?” Despite his lack of enthusiasm, you have to admit Roy had a point. He had been in these situations before, but he couldn’t remember how he got out of them. Redwing sighed. “First of all, I am your ally, second of all, remember in the Dreadland Temple, we were lost but you got us out.” Roy frowned at the scarlet dragon as a reminder of his amnesia. “Oh right, but there’s a village over there, we can ask them for help.” 34

There was indeed a village in the distance. When they got there, they were met by a man in a skull mask. Roy didn’t seem too worried, but Redwing cowered as he realised, it was one of Merlin’s minions, and they had conquered the Island of Destiny already. “Hey, stop right there! This is Merlin territory !” the guard said, and hit Redwing. “Hey ! Leave him alone!” shouted Roy, although he didn’t know why. He then easily kicked the guard and took him down. He was, after all, a legendary warrior. “ Wow !” exclaimed Redwing , “you remembered how to fight! And you did it for me! Do you remember our friendship yet ?” Roy struggled to think. But as they were stood there, a huge battalion of minions ran at them. Even as he remembered some fighting , even Roy knew he couldn’t get past all of them. Once again, the only escape was the sea. There were no convenient ships this time, so Roy tried swimming , with Redwing on his back. But he didn’t know how to swim, so he just sank, deep, deep into the deep sea, about to drown. A very, very, very convenient air pocket saved Roy, while Redwing was fine. Dragons could breathe under water. Suddenly, the air pocket was huge, and gave way to see a huge underwater civilisation. Unfortunately, Merlin had beat them too it, and left some minions 35

to guard the territory. Roy was focusing on the guards, but Redwing was flying around in excitement. “ What is it ?” asked Roy, and Redwing pointed his claw to a sword stuck in the sand. A certain Stormblade. “That’s your legendary sword from the story !” squealed Redwing happily. “I’ll distract the guards while you take it!” The dragon flew over to the guards, just above their heads, taunting them, and Roy crept up to the weapon, but as soon as he touched it, he suddenly remembered the story that Redwing told him, although he still didn’t know who Redwing was, strangely. “I remember! I remember! I stormed the castle and fought Merlin!” he shouted. As you may have forgotten, he was unconscious after the duel, so he obviously didn’t remember anything after. “Great news! Do you remember who I am yet ?” asked Redwing hopefully. “No,” said Roy, “I honestly don’t know you.” Redwing looked sad. He hadn’t told Roy his name because he wanted him to remember it for himself. “Anyway, I found an underwater tunnel that leads to Skullworld!” said Redwing , trying to stay positive. “So let’s go!” As he stepped on Skullworld soil for the second time, Roy strangely felt something telling him to turn back, but he ignored it. He was 36

armed with his legendary sword, and, well, a random dragon, but he was still confident as he remembered how to fight. But he was kicking himself as he was in cage with guards surrounding him and the dragon arrived only a few minutes later. Merlin was intelligent, and anticipated Roy’s return, and ordered his troops to ambush him as soon as he stepped a toe on the island, and that’s exactly what they did. “C’mon, you can think of something ! You always do!” said Redwing , which was true. In twenty years, the duo had gotten into all sorts of situations, and Roy was intelligent enough for them to slip out of all. But he couldn’t think this time. His head was spinning , and he felt very weak. Suddenly, as he saw his injured dragon, his mind instantly popped. He noticed the cage was held by a chain up on the roof, and one of the guards was holding a key for the lock on the front of the cage. So, he put of his weight on one end, and the cage swung around, knocking out the guard, and Roy had the key. As Redwing muttered weakly, “I knew he’d do it.” Roy scooped him up, and ran to the top of the castle to steal the Jewel. Redwing said Roy had to try and duel Merlin again so he wouldn’t notice if he flew up and took it. So, Roy took some big breaths, and shouted: “Merlin! I have come for you! I will restore peace to the Archipelago, for my name is—Ummm...” For all he had remembered, he couldn’t remember his name. “Errr, something beginning with R?”

Redwing slapped himself and he realised he didn’t actually tell Roy his name. But now he couldn’t speak up or Merlin would someone else was there. Merlin slowly turned around to find a fumbling , weak, person in ragged armour barely lifting up his sword, who couldn’t even remember his name, which, for him, was understandably underwhelming. Merlin was a huge beast of a man, in dark scarlet armour, and a skull mask. He easily punched Roy and he fell to the ground. But as Redwing swiped the Jewel, he couldn’t help but shout “No!” and Merlin threw him away. The Dark Lord drew his sword, and as the small dragon started to meet his fate, a voice called out: “Redwing !” Suddenly, another sword met Merlin’s. The same voice cried: “I am Roy ! Champion Warrior for Justice, and Redwing is my best friend!” “He remembers! He remembers!” shouted Redwing in excitement. As he took the Jewel, Merlin was significantly weakened, and as Roy remembered his best-best fighting techniques, he easily beat Merlin and stopped his conquest. And that is just another adventure of Roy and Redwing.

Alexis D, 11 For me, a hero is someone who gives something. Not just money or ser vice but giving their ideas from their imagination to bring them to life. Creativity is a way to escape from reality and anyone who processes the power to make someone cry or laugh from a couple of words should always use that so others can enjoy the gift of writing. To travel to a whole different universe is the greatest pleasure there is. To be obsessed with the ending and other possibilities. Why stay in the world we live in when you go fly in the clouds and so many more opportunities. Just imagine waking up in a world where magic flies in the air and lands on objects doing the owner’s bidding. Emotional bombs explode within a couple of lines. Sadness, jealousy, anger, happiness, guilt. Anything is possible and there is no limit. A world where unicorns and dragons are best friends. A world where the sun is a rainbow and the moon is made from slime. A world where there is peace. Someone that can give that to a community is, to me, a local hero.

Dahir A Endless fields of green, the sun shining bright, flower beds as far as the eye could see. These are all things you would expect in a superhero story, but not this one. This one takes place in the lousy city of Manchester and the hero is a woman called Danielle. Well, I guess it’s a heroine then, nevertheless Danielle, as you would guess, did not fit in well as a child. Bullies would often pick on her during her high school years though it never really affected her much. She was a book nerd, books were her safe place. She adored superhero stories and always thought she had something special, a sort of ability of some kind, although she never did tell anyone. The next day as she was coming down for breakfast, she felt a sharp tingly feeling in her fingertips as if she had been electrocuted. When she went over to make her toast a spark flew between her and the toaster causing the lights to go out and all electronics to shut down. She thought nothing much of it – only a weird occurrence. However, on the bus she felt the same feeling again but stronger and much more powerful this time round. She scratched her hands in pain and muffled her cries, but what happened next, she could not stop.

ZAP! A spark flew from her hands crashing into the lights leaving the bus in darkness. It was still early on a winter’s night so no one could see anything , which quickly wreaked havoc amongst the students. In extreme pain, she burst through the doors of the bus, running as fast as she could straight home. She flung the door open and ran upstairs as her mum shouted: “ What are you doing here? Get your butt to school!” As her pain grew so did the tingly feeling in her fingers. It grew and grew and just before it was too much to bear, a bolt flew into the sky straight from her hands stirring up a storm like no one has ever seen. Fear grew like a plague across her whole body when she realised the story she read the day before was happening to her.

Mille D-Q, 11 Monty In the city of Manchester, the Moon had risen and the stars were twinkling , although no one could see them. All was silent when... THUMP! A body lay on the ground. It twitched. A flash of white came from the underneath. It stood up, silhouetted in the moonlight. It mewed. Now this “it”, as Monty has been wrongly called, was Monty. He is a black street cat with a white (mostly brown now) underside. There’s not much more to say about him. Except that he’d do anything for a fish pie. And I mean anything. It was morning and everybody was rushing around. Then it happened. “Stop! Thief !” It was Mrs Garnor from the bakery at the end of Market Street. She specialised in fish pie. “Someone has stolen my pies!” she hollered. At the same time, in the university courtyard, Monty had just awoken. He was yawning and stretching , ready for another day of dustbin food and the cold. He went to one of his regular haunts, the canal. A place of shelter. He sometimes slept there if the weather was bad.

He was wandering around under the tunnels, climbing over locks and balancing on handrails, making his way to the pizza restaurant bins. A guaranteed food source. He was in the shadier part of town now, and for some reason there were loads of police around. A man, hood up, sunglasses on, the very image of cool, was walking along the canal. Wham! Monty was thrown off balance. A delicious smell had hit him. Literally. He had been whacked in the face with a heavy plastic bag. And it smelled like fish pie. Immediately, Monty sprang into action. “MROWWW !” he uttered his battle cry and jumped onto the man. Taken by surprise, the man soon recovered and threw Monty into the canal. What he didn’t know was that Monty had spent long hours teaching himself to swim in case he fell in by accident. He had seen dogs swim so he knew he could. Anyway, he was ready for the attack. He doggie-paddled to the nearest steps before spitting a large mouthful of water into the man’s face, blowing off his hood. Monty took this moment to have a look inside the bags. It was fish pie alright. Suddenly, the man grabbed him. And Monty held on, his claws digging into the man’s flesh. The man screamed and flailed about, knocking into the wall. He passed out and Monty suddenly realised that they were surrounded by people. 43

Cameras flashing , picture after picture was taken of Monty. He was even on the front page of the Manchester Evening News: CAT TACKLES ROBBER FOR FISH PIE! You’ll be glad to hear that this story has a happy ending. Monty was adopted by Mrs Garnor, from the bakery. He lives a warm and comf y life and gets a fish pie every day. The End.

Bruna P, 13 Fighting the Flames I never was the strongest nor the bravest, I never had that unique talent but somehow, he made me feel like I was able to conquer anything in this world. It was just an ordinary day. Work was stressful, like usual. My colleagues gave me piles of work to finish because they had to go somewhere – so I was the only one left in the office. After several hours I was finally finished. As I was walking home, I couldn’t help but wonder what could have happened if I was braver – maybe I wouldn’t be working in this dull job. I sighed, there’s nothing I could do now. Suddenly, deafening shout was heard. Curiosity took over, I began heading towards the shout. Acrid smoke filled the air – as I looked around, I noticed a huge crowd of worried faces. My eyes then were set upon the house – it was covered in furious flames. A woman began shouting , the voice was familiar... “My son! My son is still inside!”

The woman tried to rescue her son but was quickly grabbed by members of the crowd. I couldn’t stand seeing the despaired expression of the mother’s face. Before I even knew it, my body was running towards the house. Pairs of arms tried to hold me still but I managed to push them away. I began looking around – the house was slowly demolishing. Another human’s presence was nowhere to be found until I heard a faint cry. I quickly went up the burnt stairs and headed towards the cry. A young little boy was sat down – surrounded by the feisty fire, I froze. How could I save this boy? As I was about to take a step forwards, my body felt weaken and I black out. ... As I opened my eyes, I was being carried by someone. A firefighter. He looked down and smiled: “You and the boy you tried to rescue are safe. Don’t worry Beany, I told you that I would save you no matter what.” My eyes widened. My mind brought me back to a specific time. The time I felt weak and fragile. I never was as strong as the others – I stayed in my own corner and hardly spoke to anyone. Until, he came. He saved me from the others who made me feel this way and made a promise to me – that he would save his friend, Beany, no matter what. A certain feeling began growing inside me. Admiration. 46

I couldn’t help but admire his bravery. The expression of someone who was scared of what was going to happen but still hid it behind the modest smile of his. He truly is my hero.

Amy F, 14 Mind War Dear Diary, It’s been better today, slightly. I still feel as if I’ve constantly got a gargantuan pile of lists filled with ner ve wracking tasks I’ve got to do, and that the pile has been thrust onto my shoulders, but it seems to have lessened a bit. The overthinking babble in my mind has gone quieter. As I get up, I’m grateful for the peace, but I don’t know how long it will last. I think back to when this first started. Unfortunately, worrying about doing speeches at school and things like that was common with everyone, including me. This was different, however. It was more worry than I had felt before, it bubbled up inside of me, and it didn’t stop with little class speeches. Everything I did released a wave of anxiety and questions. What would people think of you if you did this ? Are you sure you’re good enough to do this? You do know everybody’s judging what you’re wearing and what you’re doing , right ?

It became worse and worse, until my own mind became an incessant bully that I couldn’t shake off, overwhelming me with insecure thoughts. When would it ever go away? It never has so far, but I’ve tried ever since then to not let it get the best of me despite how relentless it became. I’ve tried to do my best for other people, I’ve returned lost things, I’ve stood up to vicious persecutors who were picking on innocent people, and I’ve always been there to lend a hand and an ear when my friends need anything or want to talk. Honestly, it brings me so much joy to help everyone and make sure that they never feel as tormented or as low as I do. If my mental health problems are the reason I decided to help out in the first place, then that’s one good thing I’m glad about in regards to it. Besides, the malicious voices in my head can’t argue with good deeds, can they ? You know what, diary? I wondered something years ago, will it ever go away ? It’s only now that I realise the answer. No, it won’t. It’s a hard road, and sometimes it’s like walking up a steep mountain that has no summit, but if you keep being selfless and the best version of you despite the problems and you never lose sight of the people who love you, it will get better. The sun will come streaming in, and you will find that you’re someone who is worthy of love and who can handle anything thrown at them. Just try your best to be a hero for yourself and others, and it will get better someday. 49

Maheen F, 12 Dear Diary, When I was little, I used to think that you had to wear a cape or have magic powers to be a hero but as I grew up, I realised heroes are everywhere in are regular life. Once I was walking home from school and this old lady was carrying shopping bags across the road and she was struggling so I decided to help her. Once we crossed the road, she thanked me. It felt so amazing to be the reason she smiled. We are surrounded by heroes everywhere. That help us every day. But what is the definition of a hero? A hero is a person admired for their courage. But the real question is do you have the courage? We can be heroes by doing the simplest things like saying please and thank you. But who are the real superheroes ? In our society today we have so many heroes. • • • •

Dinner ladies Binmen Bus drivers Teachers

Dinner ladies in primary and secondary schools spend hours preparing delicious and nutritious meals to give us energ y.

Binmen collect our rubbish so our houses don’t smell bad. They go around so many streets just picking up rubbish. Bus drivers provide us transport and help us get to our location if we don’t have a car. They travel all day so we don’t have to go in rain, snow or heat. Teachers work so hard coming up with fun and educational lessons for us. They mark so many books and come up with new lessons every day. You should always help out where you can because it can make someone’s life much easier. Giving a smile to a person who is having a bad day may cheer them up. Helping your mum with the dishes will make her life easier. Not all heroes wear capes. You never know how hard someone job is until you do it yourself. So never judge a book by its cover.

Zara N, Yr7 Not all superheroes need a cape... Lights shine in the dim valley of Heaton Park. I strolled across the pathway, glancing at the cute ducklings following their mother. The tall trees bloomed over my head as leaves crunched under my feet. I sat on a muddy field, watching as families ate their ice cream and swung the swings. I smiled, thinking about my mum and dad sleeping forever in their coffins hundreds of miles away. I stumble around, humming to the sound of the song ‘Death Bed’. I feed the ducklings the crumbs of biscuits I had left in my pockets. My mother would’ve been proud of me, being very charitable. Suddenly, I see a small piece of gold shining in the distance. I got up, dashing towards it. A £2 coin! I hugged the coin as I ran to the ice cream van. On my way, I saw a rather elderly man, shivering like crazy. I stood there, holding the coin in my hand. “ Whatever happens, put others before yourself ” is what my father used to say. I handed the man the £2 coin, as well as my coat. He thanked me as

he toddled off to the van. Still staring , the ice-cream seller looks at me, and made a gesture with his hand which told me to come to him. I ran as fast as the wind, almost bumping into the elderly man. They talked to me, asking for my personal information, and he told me to get into the van. I had nowhere else to go, so I hopped inside next to the old man, as he drove us to the nearest care home. I shook my head in disbelief. What was he doing ? The owners of the care home let the old man live there. They understood his circumstances, as it seems his situation was the same as mine – his son died, and he had nowhere to go. As he settled in, they then looked at me. I told them that I didn’t mind where I lived if only I was near my parents. I told them that my parents were all the way in Italy, sleeping in a muddy field forever. I bawled, as I wiped my tears and hopped inside the ice-cream van again. He gave me an envelope and told me not to open it till midnight. I said nothing. He took me back to the park and let me go. I went to my special place and waited. As my watch struck at midnight, I opened the envelope. It said: “Hello. You were the little girl who helped me today. Well, I have something to say. I am your grandfather. Your father passed away, which broke my heart. I was shocked when I saw you in such a state! But I just want to say thank you. Thank you for being my hero. You helped me today, may God help you ameliorate your situation. Remember: Not all heroes have a cape.” 53

Isha T, Yr7 Here is where I live. A city of beauty, sweetness and honey. Working , like bees. Welcome to enter. Grand, towering buildings and bustling city centres. Famous, eye-catching landmarks. Serene, tranquil parks. This is where I live and it is who I am. One night, when I was still awake and the times on the clocks were late, my father set off in his car. I looked out the window and watched him drive away. It was almost time to pray anyway. So I went back to bed

and pretended to rest my head, in case I would by mistake drift away. My dad, he must have been working today. I knew where he was going , that was true. To the Trafford Centre, that I knew. He was off to his job, in the factory where my dad would help make that cereal we eat. The name of this company, you may know quite a lot for it appears on every cereal box. Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies and Coco Pops just to name a few. This father is special. He worked for me, For us and our city. Working for you.

Aamna K, Yr7 Hi, my name is Sienna and I am 12 years old. My life dream has been to become a hero, to follow after what my family has done for our community. But, I don’t want to be any ordinary hero, I want to be the best hero. For that I need to attend the local school. All my life I have been home-schooled and I want to know what it feels like to be a normal school child. By attending a normal school I will know my way round more, know the people and make tons of friends. This will make me well known around the community and I will be the best local hero to Cheetham Hill. My goal is not to control and boss people around, but to make the community a better and much safer environment to live in. By helping the elderly and poorly, recycling , getting the people to live in peace and just make this negative area, positive. First day at school I don’t actually think school will be that bad, will it ? Mum and Dad said I’ll be fine but I’m really ner vous. Oh, I need to keep in mind why I actually made the decision to go to school. To make friends! Of course I can’t gain the community’s trust if I don’t get to know people! I will start my journey now, to become a local hero. 56

School’s actually not that bad! I was talking to this girl named Kaylee – she showed me around. Also, I saw a poster on the notice board today, it was to volunteer to help clean around the school. I signed up, of course. The clean-up is so good! We went to the local park and around the neighbourhoods, they look so good! (for now) I love looking after the community, it brings me happiness. Yesterday, Mum gave me some money for washing the dishes. I was going to buy myself some sweets but I happened to find a stray cat that looked like it wanted food. It always sits there, but I’ve never noticed him. I went and bought the right cat food and ran straight back. It was a little scared at first, but after I showed him the food and that was not trying to hurt him, he came over to me. He’s so cute by the way. I asked Mum If we could bring him in but I totally forgot she was allergic to cats. I smiled as I walked away from him. “I just did a good thing” I thought in my head. On my way back down the street to my house, I saw Derek, our neighbour, getting his shopping out of the car. I decided to help him. I love seeing people smile because of me. It makes me proud. I would love to finish my awesome journey of being my community’s local hero. Let’s see how far I get in the future – I’m so excited!

Aiza A, Yr7 “Lisa, don’t forget to bring groceries on the way back!” I heard mum shout after me. Her sonorous voice rang in my ears. It made my head spin how she would’ve been able to attend parents evening without half the country hearing. As I stepped outside of our red and grey dirty terraced house. I was just leaving the weeded, grimy “garden” when I got a text from my best friend Katie saying she would pick me up. I immediately started panicking because I wanted no one to know that I lived in a tiny, ugly, pig-sty-looking terraced house. Not even Katie whom I trust with my deepest secrets. I suddenly snapped out of my trance and told her that I was sick and wasn’t coming to school, which was a lie. Two seconds later came a text: “Oh ok. Hope you feel better”. I felt better after knowing she wouldn’t see my house. I was on my way to school when I realised that she would see me there. I decided to not go to school so skived off to the busy streets of Manchester. As I walked on I saw a blind girl around my age. She seemed to have bunked as well so I decided to approach her. It turns out that she was being bullied for always clicking her tongue (which is a way blind people find their way). 58

She was tired of their bullying and decided to skive so she could feel better. We decided to go for a walk around the city. As we did we got to know each other while the beaming sun shone on our smiling faces. She told me that even though she couldn’t see her sense of smell and hearing were stronger than the average. We were just about to cross the road when she stopped and asked me: “Did you hear that ?” Then after a long pause she whisper-shouted, “Sounds like someone was calling for help!” She grabbed me and practically carried me to the coffee shop we were walking past. We ran inside to see three masked men, one holding a bat, one a machete and the last a water gun? They immediately turned around and told us to leave so we wouldn’t get hurt. I was about to leave but the blind girl grabbed my wrist firmly and told them we weren’t going to leave. Suddenly someone among the disoriented customers hiding away in a corner screamed at us to call the police. My new friend didn’t move until I reminded her that we were only 14 and we couldn’t do a lot. She gave me a dirty look which to me was telling me that we weren’t going anywhere. The men turned back to the cashier and told her to take out the money or they would use their weapons. This reminded me that some people are malicious for no reason and they deser ve punishment for hurting the innocent.

So I got all my strength and managed to snatch the bat of the first guy. As I hit his head, the second guy started running towards me. I panicked and dropped the bat. He shot me with his water gun a few times and stood there wondering why no bullets were coming out when suddenly the third guy screamed at him: “You moron, that’s a water gun!” I regained composure but by that time the blind girl had grabbed the bat and was frantically swinging it in the air. She managed to hit the last guy right on the neck. By the time all that had happened someone had managed to call the police and they had arrived to see a bunch of people hiding behind counters chairs and table, two 14-year-olds fighting this tiny 30-year-old armed with a water gun, they were obviously going to be baffled.

Yara A, Yr7 One Saturday morning when 12-year-old Lucy woke up, she yawned loudly but quiet enough to prevent her little sister from waking up. She looked out of the shiny, small window and stared at the road beneath her. A few cars were going past and bicycles were tooting their rubbery, red horns happily. Her mum came in the room and told her: “Lucy, my dear, make sure you turn off the oven at 7.00am, okay ?” Lucy replied sleepily : “Okay Mum.” A few seconds later, Lucy’s mum went back to her room and slept. Now, her parents were sleeping as well so she had to be extra careful. (By the way her sister, Liz, was a BIG tattletale). She tiptoed down the wide, creaky stairs and opened the locked kitchen draw full of sweets and chocolate bars. She quickly put the key in the keyhole and twisted it clockwise to open it. Lucy was flabbergasted. She couldn’t believe her eyes! She took a handful of sweets out. She sat on the spring y but comf y armchair and gobbled up a few. Lucy put the rest back and locked up the draw. Suddenly, she felt thirsty so she went to the fridge and... Oh no! She smelt the aroma of something very burnt and horrid. Lucy anxiously turned her head. 61

“Fire!” She screamed. There was smoke and the bright swooshing fire slowly got bigger and bigger. What could she do? (It was 7.47am, by the way). Lucy sprinted upstairs as quick as a flash and went to her parent’s room. She screamed: “Mum! Dad! Wake up!” Tears started coming out of her eyes. They streamed down like a gushing waterfall in the dark night. How could she? How could she not remember her mum’s words ? As scared as a skunk, her parents woke up. “Lucy ! Why are you crying ?” “Mum, Dad! There’s no time! Let’s wake Liz up and go out of the house through the main exit.” She pulled her parents and they woke her sister up. Her parents soon realised when fire started to come up! They all screamed: “Argh!” There was no time but Lucy had only one choice. She opened her window and helped her sister climb onto the pipe and quickly make her way down. The same with her parents. But there was no time for Lucy to get down. She could feel the fire touching her skin. She could smell the aroma of the memories she had burning. It was too late. She fainted. Lucy’s family tried to get her out but there was no use. Lucy’s dad jumped quickly off the roof to fetch some water for the fire 62

whilst her mum called 999. Her mum could barely talk. “P-p-please c-come as fast a-as you can! My daughter i-is b-b-burnin-ing in there!” Lucy’s dad spilled the water in the room and the water slowly ran out. It didn’t help. He was too worried that he almost fell down. He tried to comfort his wife whilst Lucy’s mum gave her information and in less than a minute the ambulance and the fire fighters arrived. They got Lucy out of the room and placed her in the ambulance. “Oh my Lucy ! My poor Lucy ! She saved our lives!” Liz was already crying for her sister as soon as she heard the sirens. She understood what was happening. People gathered around in groups of ten and twenty. Luckily, Lucy sur vived and it wasn’t anything too major. Her family were as happy as they had never been before. Even her ten-year-old sister started being kind to her. Boom! Boom! Lucy recovered after a few weeks and soon cameras were flashing as if she was the best girl ever. She felt guilty but lucky. Guilty, because she forgot about the oven. She even had to watch her dad swipe his credit card on the machine, but he forgave his beloved daughter. She felt lucky because she sur vived. This is how Lucy Smith became a hero.

Sameen D-E, Yr7 First Person Hi, my name is Tsukasa. I am going to tell you about my everyday life. At first glance, I seem like an average person but let me tell you I am not. I live in Manchester and I go to High Peaks Academy. You have probably never heard of this school but it is a very special school which you will learn more about in this story. I live in a city called Manchester. It is a beautiful, diverse town with humble and friendly people. There are many natural spots where you can bask in the sunlight, and take in the beauty of nature. You can see lots of different culture and religions all around the city. People are very accepting of everyone. The sky is mostly blue and sunny though sometimes it can get very cold. Third person Tsukasa’s hair was bright orange. It is long and wavy and it reached his shoulder. He would often tie his hair back in a small ponytailthough some hair was out. His smile shone brighter than the sun and he would always help out where he could. He was everyone’s friend he made everyone’s gloomy day become better when he comes. He is the sweetest boy you could ever meet.

Now, let’s go back to today. He has been accepted into a very special school, High Peaks Academy. You have probably never heard of this school. That is because this is a secret hero school. This school is in a very big , modern building. The headmistress, Miss Ahmed is a very nice person with a very strong power. Her power is half ice, half fire. Most people in this school have powers. You still have to learn basic subjects such as maths, English and science. Tsukasa has been training to become a hero. Most people think he is already a hero as he is always helping people. He helps the humble, old lady down the street with her groceries. He plays with little Alice whenever she’s lonely. He helps the nice, disabled boy cross the streets. He always tries to help anyone no matter how small or big the problem is.

Polly O, 14 Avril settled a plate of biscuits, with care, on the lone coffee table, with the heir of one crowning a monarch. They nestled into the teapot. Buttery blond paint had been chipping off the sides since the eighties, and the dusty amber light from the litter of lamps around the living room only worsened its look. To her great disappointment, Avril had only found three mugs, all beige, and all in varying stages of musty decay. These, she planned to ser ve her guests. She didn’t need to have tea. Her trusty taupe slippers had been banished, in favour of her much more fashionable alternative, glittering jelly shoes. Everyone used to wear them, she assured herself, as she peered into her flecked mirror. Her cheeks drooped like sacks of clotted cream. To make a good impression on her new friends, she was dressed in her best outfit; a skirt tangled around her ankles that was once sludge green, brown tights, and over her bagg y shirt, which was patterned with smudged flowers, she wore a coat of obtrusive maroon velvet. Perfect. “ Welcome to book club!” Avril cooed. Struck by a genius idea to appear friendly, she planted a damp kiss on her guests’ creased cheeks. Bergamot laced her hot breath. As she ushered them across

the groaning hallway, into the living room, which seemed to have reached sauna levels of uncomfortable heat, she declared with a beaming smile: “I just couldn’t believe it when I heard no one was running a book club here, so I thought to myself, Avril, be the hero, run it yourself. You’ll make all your friends so happy.” The three older women, Avril’s unwitting new friends, perched politely on the one sofa. The formal fragrances of their perfumes, soft citrus, polite jasmine, and overpowering lavender failed to fend off the vague musk of the house, as it settled on their crisply ironed, linen shirts. “Yes, it’s very good of you,” simpered Pamela, who seemed to be attempting to not breathe too deeply. “ Very heroic.” Avril didn’t seem to know how to respond. Shaking her legs like an impatient toddler, she scanned the faces of her visitors merrily. After a silence that only Avril seemed comfortable with, she exclaimed, her voice shivering with pure happiness: “This is such fun, isn’t it ?” “Yes,” drawled Joan, her words a dry mutter. “As fun as pulling the nails clean out of my toes.” Sue, who was playing with the tassels on a ratty cushion, snickered appreciatively. Avril’s eyes clouded with confusion and hurt. But then, cautiously, she smiled. Her friends though it was funny, so it must be. She laughed much longer than anyone else. 67

When the conversation tentatively shifted to what books they should read, Avril was brimming with ideas. She adored Enid Blyton. She was longing to reread ‘ Where the Wild Things Are.’ But her new friends chose one called ‘Mrs Dalloway’. She hated her own sinking disappointment. If her friends thought it was better, it must be.

Chloe L, 14 A hero is you, A hero is me, However, the real true hero is really the teachers who wave goodbye at three, Each morning teachers say hello so early and bright, Ready to make us breakfast a scrumptious delight, Up next is PE, let’s work up a sweat and get all crazy! Now we are in lessons on Zooms, which will bring inevitable doom, The support staff are as much the unsung heroes, As they deliver food parcels and work packs all day just like climbing Kilimanjaro, Just remember you are greater than ever, Not all heroes wear capes!

Erica M, 12 After an arsonist set the Garden Walk Apartments on fire passers– by became heroes when they heard screams and stopped to help the residents escape the flames. Six people, including a pregnant woman and two young girls, were forced to jump from the building where they were, thankfully, assisted by the Good Samaritans who stopped to help. WST-T V reported witness Paris heard: “ We actually caught kids and then once the kids were down we got the mother to jump down. She was the last one to jump. Once we got them all down, we got them all to the other side of town.

Abigail E I woke up, rolled over and rubbed my eyes. I could hear a familiar sound, soon enough I realised it was The Imperial March, I knew who it was without even having to look at the contact name. It was the Dark Lord himself. I picked up my phone and answered. Suddenly I heard a voice screaming down the phone: “ Where are you?” I looked at my clock and saw the time. I told my boss he was crazy for calling me at the time he did and that he needed more rest because it was only 3am. Then I heard the same deafening screech coming through the phone: “Get to my office! NOW !” I reluctantly opened my curtains, only to find that it was day and the sun was shining nice and bright outside. If only my boss was like the sky, I would be a much happier person, then I broke out into a song and started screaming the lyrics to the song ‘Happier’ “Lately I’ve been, I’ve been thinking , I want you to be happier, I want you to be happy-eerrr-” Soon, I realised I was getting distracted, I was so distracted, I almost forgot my little brother had stayed over the night before. I stood in

my moment of realisation, my brother must have changed the time on my clock while I was asleep. I remember going out on my balcony and screaming : “You are so annoying ! No wonder our parents renamed you infinite! AKA a nickname for infuriating.” I left to go to the office about thirty minutes after my boss called me. I tried to explain what had happened, but he just would not listen. Sure enough, all thanks to my “bro” I had been sacked. Literally, he got a sack picked me up and threw me and my stuff in it and put us out the front of the offices. I yelled: “You will regret this, Darth Vader!” If you have not already noticed, I have a slight obsession with Star Wars, anyway, that is beside the point. I drove home, thinking about how I was going to make money, ideas started rushing though my head. “Hmm... Pretend to be homeless ? Nah. Start a business? I am too dumb for that. Got it! I can make a program, I can see it now, presenting to you, Sally Smith! An award-winning show, ‘Too Dumb for That’. It would be an amazing program!” Soon enough I started the show, I was making £300 a week, and I did not even have any employees, which meant I got the whole amount to myself. I started getting celebrities on the show and it was becoming a real hit on the T V. I had Nuke Bizzle, Tory Lanez, Danny Masterson… What am I talking about ? They were all on 72

‘Hollywood Walk of Shame: The 10 most infamous celebrity arrests of 2020’. One day I went out on a walk, and I saw a homeless person sat on the streets. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. I walked past and ignored him. When I got back to the studio where I film ‘Too Dumb for That’ I formed a plan. I decided I would make a new business to run beside my current T V show, I was going to hire a Michelin star chef to cook meals that anyone could come in and eat for free if they have not got enough money for a meal. After a few weeks of running the Donation Kitchen, I became the talk of the town in my local city of Manchester, where the citizens don’t see the sun very often and the rain clouds block us from the blue sky. Anyway, that’s not the point, people would often hear about the kitchen and come in to donate to our sponsorship charity, The Trussell Trust. One person came into my Donation Kitchen and told me they were a huge fan of my work. I said thanks and they then insisted on paying me, when I saw they were donating £10,000, I asked who they were, then I looked at my phone and saw that my old boss who literally sacked me was in Manchester. I asked who the person that just donated was, and sure enough it was my old boss. We had a conversation and then he had to leave. He said to me: “Never give up on something just because someone doesn’t believe in you. Good work kid.” 73

Theo C, 11 Sometimes life is boring , you need something to do. This is exactly what Harry Holding felt like. He had no brothers or sisters and therefore only had his shadow to keep him company. When there was no one to share his thoughts with he drew. He could draw anything and made everything infinitely detailed. From the astonishing glistening eyes of horses to the contours of the veiny hands of aliens. But his favourite thing to draw was superheroes. He had done many in the past like Captain Collosum, the ex-air pilot who got shot down by a German gunner. The plane crashed, spinning down into the rocks below causing his brand-new warbird to erupt into a ball of flames. The chemical explosion from the reser ve battery beside him ejected him from the plane with superspeed and he shot towards the low flying German gunner and took the bewildered officers on board into custody ! Whilst Harry was thinking about what to draw next, he made his way towards the table, which was all very neatly organised, its pens in the right-hand corner next to the enormous pile of paper. He sat down on his old battered chair gazing around the room for inspiration... Then it came to him! He grabbed a pencil and a few colouring pens

and drew her beautiful golden hair coming down to her shoulders, in a wavy pattern like the sea on a majestic summer’s day. Next were her brilliant blue eyes which had a twinkle that brought light to any gloomy day. Then he drew her smooth peachy skin that shone in the light. Lastly, he drew her black operating scrubs. She was a doctor, a consultant in a Manchester hospital. She had done many degrees and qualifications with gazillions of letters after her name. Part of her job is trauma, dealing with emergencies like major car crashes, people falling off balconies, stabbings, shootings and major incidents. In her job at times she feels very anxious because the patient’s life’s in her hands, but she mustn’t show it. If she isn’t calm and collected, then her team might get flustered and all will turn to chaos. This lady walks confidently in her beige coat that ends at her feet through our school doors, using her experience to help young people to make empowered choices. Educating the next generation and training other doctors from Greater Manchester, she has made many more heroes. She balances the needs of our local community and Manchester people with her family life. She’s full of excitement, fun, care and compassion. He drew her because he realised that he didn’t have to look far to find a hero, all he had to do was draw his Mum.

Adam M, 13 “I’m star ving ,” moaned Jonathan after coming out of school. “Yeah, Jonathon’s right, we’ve not eaten since break”, replied Fred who was willing to buy something for all four of us. “Ok, well there’s a shop down here, if we keep walking we’ll be able to grab a snack,” I explained, but the gang didn’t feel like walking. Keith said: “Look, are we hungry? Yes. Are we tired? Yes. But we’ll never achieve something like getting food if we just stay here, so come on. Who is with me?” Everyone agreed with him so we all set off to the shop. We walked over to the local shop on Brunswick Street which said in big , bold letters ‘The Convenience Store’. Inside we saw Gary the Shop Keeper who works Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays. Keith and I both knew Gary as he’s a friend of our Dad. “Oh, hey boys! Here for some of my special sweets ?” We both said yes but Jonathan and Fred asked who Gary was and why we knew him.

“I’m a friend of their Dad’s. We go to Karaoke Club on Saturdays.” They both still didn’t look convinced. As they opened their mouths to speak, I interrupted with: “Yes. we are here for some sweets.” We all walked over to the counter, but Fred put his arm in front of me and whispered in my ear: “I’m going to try and find a nice way to compliment him so he gives it us for less.” “ Wait I don...” It was too late. He’d already boldly walked up to the counter and said” “Just give us them sweets for less will ya? ‘Cause it looks like –“ He was looking over the counter now “– you’ve had a lot yourself.” We all slapped our heads! And nearly died! Gary went red in the face and shouted at us to get out. Hastily, we walked away from Gary’s shop to catch the bus when we noticed a food truck selling hot dogs and burgers and chips, etc. Me, Keith and Fred shouted “Yes!” But Jonathon just stood there feeling left out as he was vegetarian, so I said: “ Why don’t we have a look to see if they have anything vegetarian?” Racing over to where the food truck was, we got stuck waiting for the traffic lights to change over from green to red, not like last time when we ran across and almost got hit by our bus! Finally there, we ordered one large portion of chips, two burgers, one hotdog and one veggie burger. We all sat down on the table around the corner and started to eat. 77

Whilst gobbling our food, Fred started to make these weird noises and his face went bright red. He was choking ! I slapped my hands hard against his back to try and get it out. I won’t explain all the details, it took a little while, and effort, but afterwards when he was back to a normal colour again he gave me a big hug and said: “You’re my hero.”

Arwa H In the past we weren’t aware of them. We only ever visited if we were in desperate need of help. Some didn’t want to visit at all, by some, I mean children. A few anticipated to have the exact same future as them. Hardly any thanked them for their work. Some worked for more than twelve hours, others worked for 24 hours straight. They are the heroes of society. Over the past year they have been under threat, they have watched old and young depart this life. Spent hours worn out and consumed by the vast amount of duties they are required to complete by the end of the day. Most superheroes possess a superpower. The power my superheroes possess is patience, compassion and enthusiasm. I am thankful and grateful every moment they are work during this deathly pandemic. My superheroes are the NHS workers.

Caitlin M, 12 Mystic Mayhem: Behind The Scenes At school I was classed as the dumb kid. Going to go nowhere, going to end up bankrupt and scraping my way through life . Well take a look at me now, one of the most famous people in the UK. By day Oriya Haines by night Mystic Mayhem. No one knows I’m Mystic Mayhem, it’s kind of a side thing you know ? I work in a little shop on the corner of Piccadilly called Ted’s Shed. I don’t get paid a lot but I’m comfortable and I manage. By this point you’re probably thinking Oriya I don’t care what do you do to save people. Well I’ll tell you. One of my most recent saves was in Piccadilly Gardens. I was just on my way to work when all of a sudden my senses started tingling and I got the biggest picture of disaster in my head. I quickly changed and leapt onto the 101, when all of a sudden it started to rattle. Chchchc, chchchc. Over and over again. It happened like a flash. The bus toppled over and I flew down as fast as I could and grabbed four people. Seconds later I was gone and the bus had smashed into thousands of pieces. But that wasn’t my most famous saves.

Oh, by the way I forgot to tell you guys, I have a wife and one daughter. Well, my daughter is in this amazing save. So one Saturday afternoon we were just vibing , wandering around Primark because she needed some new t-shirts when all of a sudden I smell burning and I see a big explosion in my head, so I run to the fire exit slam it open and shout the safe word: “OUT.” Everyone starts running but I’ve lost Imogen. I start panicking when all of a sudden I see her stood on top of the counter I run over and grab a handful of children and fly at the speed of light out the door. I place them down and then go back to find something to put the fire out. I couldn’t find anything until I finally found a fire extinguisher. I swear, I’ve never panicked so much in my life. I managed to put it out but no one was allowed back in the building because of the smoke. I grabbed Imogen and quickly got away before anyone saw anything. Well that’s everything from me today, peace out. Oriya Haines

Abouen Hero On a cold day, in quarantine, I felt like my brain was empty. The same thing every day, staring at a screen, typing away. My muscles felt like bones, and my bones felt like jelly. Just getting up felt weird, like a rag doll that had been abandoned and getting back up. I went to the coat hanger in the corridor. Sidling on boots, a hat, jacket, scarf and gloves. I headed outside, for a short walk to feel what moving was. I breathed in fresh, crisp air. Cold, fresh, crisp air. Orangey brown leaves lay scattered on the ground, ice creeping up on them. The trees looked bare without their leaves to cover them. It was quiet until a loud CRASH. I jumped and heard a scream. A loud, loud scream. My ear detected where the sound came from. It seemed like someone needed help. Strange. This kind of thing hardly ever happens. I ran down the alley, panting , I saw a girl with blonde hair holding up what looked like a sword in one hand and a small box in the other. Her navy dress flowing in the wind. Battling with a pale skinned, black haired girl. All dressed in black and purple. She didn’t seem to be standing on the ground. Her purple eyes bore into my soul and

the blonde girl’s blue eyes looked desperately into mine. I stood frozen in shock, not believing my eyes. There was something about these two that seemed unnatural, yet my mind couldn’t wrap around it. The two charged at each other, their swords clashing. “ What on Earth is going on and — WHY — WHAT — HOW ?” I screeched. The purple-eyed girl looked at me and gave me a slit-mouthed grin, before rolling her eyes. I felt something thrust into my hand. A voice through gritted teeth said: “This city, well country, holds something that she wants, in that box run with it, hide it where it can’t be found. Go! See you later.” “But we don’t even know each other and what the heck is going on? Are you sure you’ll be alright ?” “Yes , yes, I’ll be fine,” she told me. “Go hide and see what’s in that box, I’ll come back for you later. I’ll find you and explain everything. Later!” I didn’t say anything to the blue-eyed girl but gave her a firm nod. She returned it. A hero, clearly. Turning , I ran back down the alley, hearing a furious scream. Running back home, I burst through the door breathing heavily, looked down and lifted the lid of the box ...

Amber B, 12 The sun was shining down upon the lush emerald grass, and wispy clouds floated like boats upon the sapphire sky. Ice cream businesses were making millions while the smoky smell of barbeques filled the warm air – a beautiful summers day doesn’t really get much better than that. However, I didn’t notice any of that. I had bigger things on my mind. The back of the bus felt cold to me, but I felt colder. A tight knot was squeezing the pit of my stomach. But I had no time to waste. The sudden ring of a stagecoach bell taught me that. Upon getting off the bus, I now walked intently toward my destination. Cyclists and taxis whizzed past me down Oxford Road, and students barged past me in large groups, chatting noisily. I wanted to turn back, to spend my life like everyone else, happily. Yet I pushed myself forward, through the large arch that led toward the entrance to Manchester Museum; there was still a part of me that knew it had to succeed. Speeding through the entrance, and racing down the twisting staircases, I finally arrived at what could possibly be my final resting place, beneath one of the museum’s most famous artefacts, Stan the Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Although I wasn’t here as a tourist, I couldn’t help but mar vel at the ancient beast as I walked past it, all the way to the end of the exhibit. There, behind the cases, was a hooded figure, watching and waiting. “Do you have the money?” asked the man, his voice scratchy and quiet. Nodding , I put a hand into my coat pocket and drew out a small but heavy bag that concealed the prize. “I have it. Now give me what I came here for,” I whispered, outstretching my free hand. “You first!” ordered the man threateningly, sliding his half of the deal from his own pocket. My heart was pumping faster than ever before. For a second I hesitated, but then I handed over the bag. The mysterious man tore it open, his eyes lighting up. He was about to become extremely rich. But the feeling of excitement turned sour in the blink of an eye. The only riches in the bag were that of pebbles and stones. Before he could react, I snatched the small metal package from his hand, and sprinted away, holding the bomb that had thirty seconds until detonation. I darted up the stairs, hearing the pounding of footsteps on my heels, shoving people hurriedly out the way. People yelled at me, but I didn’t care. I raced to the gigantic doors and fumbled to open them. I turned my head to see the man leap at me like a pouncing tiger. At that exact moment I swung open the doors, to be met by 85

my fellow policemen and the bomb squad, there to take away the criminal, and deactivate the bomb. I had never been so glad to see anyone in my life.

Andrew N Dynamo’s Evil Adventure There once was a hero known across the world his name was Dynamo. He was quite strong and helped the city with all their crimes. He helped so much that at one point for a very long time the crime rate was at 0% for that city. He carried on helping with no reward, just thank yous from the people. But he was getting sick of it just saving everyone with no reward so he decided he was going to make a change. This change was going to change the world and not in a good way, this change was going to be so bad they would have to find a new hero stronger than Dynamo to aid them in sur vival. Mr Blue got sick and tired of helping all day and decided he was going to start being , evil. He started by releasing all the criminals he had put in jail over the past few years and let them wreak havoc on the world. But what he didn’t know is that there was a new hero in town and his name was Ironside. His abilities included laser eyes, flight, super speed, super strength and many more. This new superhero took out all the villains in a snap of a finger. It was just them left. Between him and Dynamo. They fought and fought but their strength was the same. 87

After fighting for quite a long time Ironside realised Dynamo’s weakness and struck it as he was going in for an attack. It looked like Dynamo knew what was going on so he just dodged it and struck Ironside down so he was weak and left with no hope. A light shone in the sky and there were many more superheroes coming to aid Ironside in his fight against Dynamo. After a help from all the superheroes they managed to take him down and Ironside called one of the superheroes over and asked: “ Why did you come and help me now ?” He replied: “After seeing you fight by yourself we were all inspired to come together as one and fight him by your side.” He took a deep breath. “You see when Dynamo was a hero he was doing everything and leaving us with nothing to do no one to save so we all just left and gave up but you inspired us and gave us hope to never give up and try again.” They all look up at him and say : “ We thank you so much for giving us hope.” So after that the heroes finished Dynamo off he realised that he was in the wrong and accepted his punishment. As for Ironside, he was a hero known all around the world even though he was still recovering from his injuries in the fight now and all of the heroes were back on the street dealing with crimes. The crime rate stayed at 0% and everyone lived happily ever after The End. 88

Artus D Leonid woke up with sweat covering his brow. Another nightmare. Another day. He got out of bed and got himself ready for the day. He just woke up yet he was still so tired. As soon as he stepped out of his house he heard: “Good morning Leonid. Thank you again for helping me fix the pipe. I have no idea what I’d do without your help so thanks.” Leonid replied: “It’s nothing to thank me for as I was just helping out a neighbour.” “ Well, you did save my house from flooding from the inside so I decided to thank the hero that prevented me from losing most of my paperwork which would’ve surely been drenched in the water,” said his neighbour. He was no hero. He just wanted to get to work so he said: “ Well you’re welcome then. I need to get to work so have a good day and try not to burst anymore pipes until I’m back home okay?” His neighbour giggled and so did he.

He went off to work and saw an old couple moving houses. They were struggling to move their furniture into their new house so Leonid ran up to them and offered some help. They accepted and when they were done, he knew he was going to be late. The old lady came out of the house and said: “ Would our hero like something to drink for his hard work?” He was no hero. He just wanted the day to be over with quicker so he replied saying : “No thank you, I’m rushing to work,” and then he waved to her and left for the hospital where he worked. He arrived on time surprisingly and his day went normally. At the end of his shift, he was exhausted. On his way home he decided to cut through an alleyway as he wanted to get home faster. However, he heard something that sounded like two voices and he saw two shadows in the distance. He came closer and saw a third which was surrounded by the other two. He also saw what looked like water surrounding one of the men and a bright orange flame surrounding the other. He knew what this meant. He got the attention of the men by shouting : “Hey ! How about you two leave that person alone and come over here to settle this with me.” The men turned around and laughed. The one with the water pointed his hand at Leonid and a stream of water, with the tip sharper than the tip of a mountain, shot at him. Then out of nowhere the water 90

was being electrified and the man collapsed onto the ground from the shock. The water fell and Leonid’s fingertips were smoking. The other man looked terrified and ran but Leonid shocked him too. His anger prevented him from stopping. He was going to kill him. He snapped out of it and stopped. He saved the person. Yet he was no hero.

Nur-Aein S, 14 Abandoned Dear Mother, I remember when you told me about this story, until I realised that it was about me. Many years ago, the sounds of loud crying could be heard. Slowly approaching where the noises came from, an abandoned alley, just like the child that lay there hopelessly. The woman looking around to see if anyone was around her. Hours later, bubbles from soap everywhere. Giggles of a child as the woman washed off the shampoo from the baby’s hair, trying to avoid getting it in her eyes. Days after, the lady stood proudly watching as the little girl played on the climbing frame, sliding down the slide. Falling on her butt as the ground came in touch. The girl soon started to sob until it turned into hysteric wailing. Her “mother” watches as she aged, but the “mother” also aged along with her too. Years passed by, hugging the girl before she disappears out of sight into the crowd of people with her blood red suitcase, being dragged 92

behind her. She was finally free! If you haven’t had saved me, I would be long gone. All thanks to you Mother. I wish I could be with you up there. Sincerely from, Your child.

Barney W, 11 Local Heroes It was an ordinary day in Manchester, not a whisper outside. There was only a zoom! It was Pray Matador, Manchester’s hero who helped fight crime and find his main nemesis, Pray Evil. The reason why no one was around was because it was midnight. Pray Matador’s powers are super strength, super speed, night vision and the ability to fly. That may seem like a lot of powers but Pray Evil’s were even better. She had exactly the same powers as Pray Matador but hers were twice as powerful. She was doing a science experiment that went horribly wrong but when it happened she was happy that she could finally beat her main rival, Pray Matador. Now it is time to learn about Pray Matador’s normal life. He is a superhero in disguise. His human name is David Glucemer, a builder who is extremely good at destroying buildings. No wonder. It was his super strength that did it but of course, no one knew that. Everyone wondered why he was so strong except one woman called Fexity Runose. She knew he was a superhero.

Which was a problem. One year ago, David was walking along a dark alleyway. And then it happened, his ‘turning’. The moment he turned into a superhero. Fexity saw it all. She hasn’t told anyone. Yet. But the question was who was Fexity ? Pray Evil was walking to work. Her job was building. She was late when she arrived at reception. “Good morning , Fexity Runose,” the man in reception exclaimed. David Glucemer’s phone was ringing. It was Fexity. How did she get his number ? “Hello?” he questioned. “Hello,” she answered. “I know who you are because I am your nemesis” “See you soon.” She ended the call. Pray Matador flew to the top of a building. He waited for Fexity to come. Suddenly, she swooped in and threw him into a building. He crashed through the window and landed with a thump on the glassy floor. Punches came down onto his face, blood dripping down from his lip. 95

He got up and grabbed Fexity by the chest and slammed her onto the floor. Again and again. There was not a scratch on Fexity. She smiled. She raised her fist but just at that second, he jumped up, grabbed her by the feet and threw her off the building. He jumped off the building and caught her and landed on the ground. Good thing that the police were there. They handcuffed her and shoved her in the car. He swooped away back in the building changed into David and ran down the stairs shouting : “ What is going on?”

Bess BL The Hero of Medlock Place This is a story about how a boy called Arlo saved another boy from having to hide his true self. Jackson was sitting on the side of the pavement, rain thundering around him, getting his beautiful new clothes all wet. His girlfriend had kicked him out of their apartment purely because of the clothes he wore. He had shown up with his brand new clothes: A crop-top with an outline of a bunny on it, a black skirt with white double lines at the bottom, and black boots. However, in the flat next to Jackson’s girlfriend was a boy called Arlo, who had heard everything. “I can’t believe you’d wear this!” a female voice screamed. “Lilith, these are just the clothes I’m comfortable in!” a male voice pleaded. “I don’t care! Those clothes are for girls! Get out NOW !” the female said again. Then everything was silent. Until the sound of a door slamming filled Arlo’s ears. 97

Now he looked out of the window at Jackson. Arlo always thought he wanted to be Jackson, but now he was gone, he realised he liked him. Arlo decided he would go down there. Jackson was shivering on the floor, the rain had stopped, but now cars splashed him, getting his legs all wet. He was just about to leave and walk back to his ex-girlfriend, when he heard footsteps behind him. A teenager about his age was walking towards him carrying a towel and a warm meal. He had curly black hair, olive skin, and was wearing a red plaid shirt and dark brown trousers. “I got these for you,” said the man, holding out the items. “Thanks, but do I know you?” Jackson asked. The man explained that he was Jackson’s nextdoor neighbour and had heard the fight between him and Lilith, had seen him out here, and made dinner. “My name’s Arlo,” he said. “Ok, this is going to be really awkward if you’re not, but are you into, ummm guys ?” Jackson flushed and thought about his answer. What was I thinking ! Arlo thought. Even if he is into guys, he would never like me of all people. “Yes.” Jackson said. “Yes, I’m bi.” He added. Arlo pinched himself on the arm. Was this really happening ? “So, ummm, are you free tonight ?” Arlo said. 98

“Yeah, um, at the new café?” Jackson said. Arlo agreed. “I suppose I’ll change into something more masculine.” Jackson said. He thought that, after what happened, no one liked him in the clothes he liked. And he loved this boy. “No, come in whatever you want, I really like this style.” Arlo said. Jackson looked at him with loving eyes. Did he say he liked these clothes ? Jackson thought. “Ok,” Jackson said. “Let me just go back to Lilith’s house and get some clothes. Uh, could I change at yours ?” Jackson said. Arlo agreed, and soon they got married. And that was just the beginning of their story.

Elizabeth H, 12 A True Hero It’s 2020 and we are in serious trouble in the town of Manchester. There is a true villain among us. In the town of Manchester there is a young woman called Ruth who lives by herself in a small house. Ruth is an undercover agent disguised as a doctor for the NHS working to beat this undiscovered villain. She works at least eight hours a day risking to come in contact with the villain so known as Covid. One day Ruth went into work, which was a ten-hour-day, and found that Covid had struck again. Ruth knew that he was getting closer and closer to her and that it was only a matter of time until Covid had taken over the whole of Europe. All Ruth knows about this devil is that he is a human and that scientists have made an antidote to Covid’s venom. Ruth is the only one in the whole of her agency to have some of that antidote and is the only one who can defeat this monster. Later that evening Ruth was told by her boss that the monster was in 100

a park around near her house. Ruth dashed to the park and spotted him. He was dressed in a black robe and a black hat. Ruth ran to him got out the antidote and threw the liquid onto him. Ruth had done it she stopped Covid and rescued the people of Manchester. The next day Ruth was awarded with a medal of honour and another one for bravery by the Queen herself. Ever since that day Ruth was known as one of the greatest heroes in the world.

101

Ellis H, 13 It’s early 20th century and 17-year-old Blake Johnson is fed up. His dad walked out of his life and he’ll never see him again. He used to idolise this man, look up to him! But all he sees now is a fraudulent failed father. His mum though, oh his mum. She isn’t sad or pitying herself. She’s damn annoyed! “That man is an idiot, he loved a bottle of wine more than he loved his wife and son!” By this point poor Blake has had enough, he needed some air. He walked outside looking to escape but only to find people dirty, injured people, scrapping over a miniscule piece of food. He tried to escape but only managing to dig himself deeper into his hole of pain, anguish, and now guilt. “Today we have news of the first action in this Second World War the Germans have officially bombed the Polish!” “Don’t know about you, but I truly dread to think where this is going.”

102

“Oh, not again” exhaled Blake, he’s now 19 and had moved out of his mum’s house and was now living with his girlfriend Sarah. “I’ve got to go now” Blake hollered. “Ok, see you when you get back.” Blake looked around to make sure no one was looking and tore through the air into the sky ! Ok, ok I know that you’ll be really confused now, and so am I! But Blake has powers now and he has been using them for good and only for the wellbeing and health of others. His stories had been in and out of the news, this man curing the sick and helping his country. The news calls him National Health Man. Blake felt the bullets whizzing past his face ripping and tearing through the air. He flew through the sky, scouring the land for injured American soldiers. It’s been three years since we’ve last seen Blake and he now has support from the government! They have given their faith in National Health Man and he isn’t letting them down. He’s still with his girlfriend Sarah but she’s starting to get suspicious about him leaving the house at all hours. Right now, Blake is at the Battle of Midway. He glided across the sea taking out the Japanese fleet of ships. But there was one more, he was drawing their fire so the American could sneak up and blow up their ship and that’s what they did. They were victorious.

103

It’s been just over a year and a half since he was at the Battle of Midway, he had been given a medal and had given his first ever public speech he said: “I will do anything and everything to ser ve my country and I will fight to the death!” Then he flew off into the sky. He was writing a letter for the government in his house when he was assassinated. When Sarah came back, she was scared, horrified and was heartbroken. He letter had fallen through the floorboards and it was only 1948 when the government found it. It read: “ When I started this all, I wanted was to help the world and my country so that’s why I’m asking you to form the National Health Ser vice also known as the NHS to help the poor the sick and the injured.”

104

Emmanuela O A Hero Like No Other It was mid-August 1997 in a busy market, south of Manchester, where a fashion vendor, Mrs Susan, sold items like diamond necklaces, jewellery, stylish outfits and delicious foods just to earn a living. One day she gave birth to a baby boy who no one even knew about because she kept it a secret or people would say she was no longer able to sell the items that allowed her to buy her necessities at home. One glorious sunny day when Mrs Susan had not come to sell her items as usual for a third week, a man whose shop was right next to hers decided to go and check and see if she was okay. When he eventually reached her residence, he was puzzled to hear a baby crying from an open window. His curiosity got the better of him and he decided to go in and investigate. As he came closer and closer to the house, he heard the crying over and over again and was convinced that there was a baby the woman had not told anyone about. When the woman finally saw the man peeping into her room, she instantly got anxious, turned pale and started to sweat like an animal about to be slaughtered. To her amazement the man did enter her 105

room and asked: “ Where have you been all this time everyone has been wondering where you are and if you are okay !” The woman replied: “I feared I would lose my customers if I had this baby because I would be seen as unfit to do my business.” Luckily for her the man said that it was okay and told her that she should come back to her job when she is ready. Months and years rolled by and soon the woman was back to her job. Now, her son was five years old and she was able to work again so she left him under the care of her nanny who was called Carly. Unfortunately, Carly was in the kitchen preparing lunch when the little boy wandered off into the garden and past the gates of the house! At lunch time when Mrs Susan came home, she was shocked to find her son nowhere in the house. She wept bitterly, praying and hoping she would find her son one day. Frantically, she ran out of her house screaming and asking everybody she came across if they had seen her little boy. Luckily for her, she stumbled across the same man who had come to her before and asked him if he had seen her son. She told him everything and he promised that her son would be back by morning. The woman was reluctant but agreed anyway. The man started his journey around 6 o’clock in the evening to see if there would be any signs of the missing boy. As he trudged a long , narrow path he detected crying and sniffing behind a bush. He decided to look in case he found the boy. To his astonishment, he recognised the 106

dark hair and freckles on the skin. Lo and behold he had found Mrs Susan’s son! “Can you help me out of here because I’m cold and hungry?” the boy asked wearily. The kind man replied: “Do not worry my son, I will take you back to your mum safe and sound.” So, the pair went back to Mrs Susan’s house who was still worrying about what the man had said the previous day. Suddenly, she heard a loud knock on the door and rushed to open it without even thinking and who did she see but her one and only son! She was overjoyed at having been reunited with the boy and thanked the man gratefully for bringing him back safely. She gave Ben a nice warm bath, dressed him into better clothes and Mrs Susan’s home was a joyous one once again.

107

Ese U, 12 How Can I Be a Hero? Hi, it’s me, just me. Tristan Webster. And I am training myself to be a hero. Like Superman or Batman but I’ve tried everything. From being bitten by a spider to building my own gear. But heroes don’t give up. My dad always said that I should try to be realistic with my dreams and that heroes aren’t real. But his dream was to beat cancer and that wasn’t realistic. Now he is up with my fish and my hamsters. I guess he deser ved that for cheating on Mum. Nevertheless, he is still my dad and I love him to bits even though I don’t show it. Anyway, I’m going back to bed now so I can get my heroes sleep night diary. Hello diary, me again. Today was the worst day ever. I want to cry but real men don’t do that, not even heroes. I woke up today and got ready for school. On my way I saw an old lady, Mrs Redpath, but most kids call her Mr Radish because her clothes smell like radishes and she has short hair. When I saw her, she was about to cross the road, but it was morning rush hour, so I guided her across the road.

108

Heroes only help the young and rich. I’ll never be a hero now ! After the biggest mistake of my life I got to school only to find someone’s lost their phone. I found it but all the bullies said I took it in the first place. She thanked me but I didn’t want it, I’m just a loser, so I stormed into form crying and muted myself heroes don’t cry. After school I played dress up with Lucy, my stupid step-sister. She foolishly put make-up on my face. I told her heroes don’t wear makeup, but she put some on and said fairies do. She is four so she won’t really understand. One incident after another that stupid specimen of a sister caused my face to get an allergic reaction. Heroes don’t get allergic reactions. I shouldn’t say anything though because when I got bit by a spider, I did get an allergic reaction, but it wasn’t as bad as this. Mum says I was a real hero today but living in Moston in a cheap flat with a Manchester roadman accent does not make me a hero. Dear Diary, Today I realised that I just might not be able to become a hero. Being a hero means being strong and to be honest I cried at Boss Baby. Yes, I still watch that. Being a hero means saving people’s lives and I have but that doesn’t count. But today I remembered something my dad said. He told me that I should be honest and do what’s right. Remembering him gives me happiness but also anger. He was a great dad but him and mum didn’t last. I didn’t save their marriage. But maybe I am a hero after all.

109

Esme H, 15 The Mancunian Mail New hero to the rescue? As many of you Mancunians may be aware, there have been wild and sometimes violent crimes around Manchester for the past couple of years. And many civilians have been wishing for a hero to come and deal with this situation. Well, it looks like you got your wish! Yesterday, we here at the Daily Mail started receiving reports about an anonymous female hero going around and solving all these crimes. Now, if you’re reading this and you’re the hero, thank you! You’ve saved Manchester. For those of you who live outside Manchester and are not aware of what is happening , well, there have been a series of crimes since the pandemic began in 2020. As it got worse, many people resorted to crime to get themselves food and supplies after losing their jobs and going bankrupt. However as years progressed the crimes to worse, 110

and here we are in 2025, with no hero. Except for today. Today we found a hero. Whoever you are, wherever you are, please take a moment to thank this mysterious woman for saving Manchester from what could’ve been decades of crime. Now we can start to improve our city, little by little.

111

Eva J, 12 Daughter Nature Racing down the road, Tessa regularly glanced around to see if she could find her bike. One minute it was parked near the local Sainsbury’s, she turned away for two seconds and it was gone. Stolen. After checking the block seven times, she finally started slowing down and soon grew hopeless. She headed home but, on her way, she found something rather peculiar. A purple coin which read ‘19 Palopies’. Where was this from? Quickly snatching her phone out of her pocket she opened Google and searched ‘which country uses the Palopie currency?’ No results. Strange. She picked up the coin and shoved it in the pocket of her ripped jeans along with her Luna Lovegood phone. As soon as she started walking , she could not move. She looked down, a gnarly vine was clinging to the hem of her jeans. Slowly but surely the vine started to climb up to her torso. Now it had found its way up her left leg as well. Panicking , Tessa tripped, the vine now rapidly spreading its way to the birth mark on her neck. 112

There was no point struggling anymore since she was practically a living sushi roll. Tessa soon realised that the vines were roping her into a nearby bush. She was now totally submerged in the rhododendron bush speckled with beautiful purple flowers. There was a tingling sensation in her pinkie fingers, now climbing up to her wrists. It did not take Tessa long to figure out what was happening. A small, young vine was slithering up her hands. It stopped. But she did not expect what happened next. A searing pain consumed both of her arms. Her veins swelled with pain as the venom of the brambles spread around her body. As rigid as a statue, Tessa lay in the soil wondering if anyone had seen anything , but she sincerely doubted anyone had, or someone would have helped her. After quite some time the vines loosened and skulked away. Tessa was able to move her limbs again, so she crawled out from underneath the cursed bush. She felt much stronger. She soon discovered the green ‘hair’ clinging to her head. She inspected it closer and understood that this was not hair but vines. She hopped to her feet and shook herself off. She reached down to grab her cracked phone when suddenly out of her left hand shot a long vine which entangled itself on a giant oak tree about ten meters away. Surprised, Tessa jumped and looked at her hand, bewilderedly. Carefully, she reached down with her right hand this time and a burst of brambles shot through a thick fence in front of her. Crying out in shock, Tessa tripped over a dead bush root. Glaring at it she 113

felt a heat on her face and right in front of her, the bush became green and fresh. What was knows...?

happening ? Was she some sort of superhero? Who

To be continued...

114

Alimat S, 12 My Life Matters We stand forever, We stand together. My skin is seen before the crime, It happens all the time. People see race, before putting people in the right place. Because of our skin, our lives are at stake. When we group they think we’re a gang , they feel shaken and threatened when we use slang. They wanted us to go away, now the colonisers took our slay. You hit us hard with dismay, Now it’s your turn to repay. That’s why I took a knee like Marcus Rashford.

115

Florence D, 13 Heroes Everyone knows about them right ? Superman, Batman, Spiderman. But have you heard about the hero Comptem? No? Well let me introduce her to you. She is one of the powerful heroes! She comes from a faraway land but she has come on vacation to Manchester. Unfortunately she cannot go back to her land because it has been exploded by some unknown creatures so she lives here now. Nobody knows exactly where she lives but they say they have encountered seeing her in the sky during the night. It is amazing to have a superhero here in our city in case there is a villain she can come and take them down! Let me continue telling you more about her. She has curly turquoise hair, bright blue eyes, quite tall and skinny, and before you ask, no she does not wear a cape she actually wears normal clothes like us to hide her identity. She can also change her appearance to something completely different but, from what I heard, that is how she is described as.

116

She roams around in the night time looking for her enemy, Dr Blood Drop. He looks exactly like a doctor but the only difference is that he has a needle-shaped scar on his right leg and if she touches it he would die or he would lose all his powers and become nothing again. I am saying ‘again’ because this has happened once before already. She found him in Dubai chilling on a beach on in his shorts which was an advantage for her; the scar is extremely visible and easy to touch. They had an endless battle because she kept on trying to touch the scar with her powers. In the end she succeeded – she thought she had killed him – and was titled ‘The Most Powerful Hero on Earth’ but that did not last long. They found out that Dr Blood Drop was never dead he was acting and he even got his scar back and became even more powerful. That is exactly why she is here again today, to stop him once and for all.

117

Iman B-M, 11 Do Heroes Really Exsist? Heroes, they are supposed to help people aren’t they? Well not in this area, the heroes here forget you really exist and are not willing to help those in need. Also I’m not talking about those heroes with the big muscles and perfect smiles like they show in the movies. I’m talking about people. If people in Manchester were really heroes surely there wouldn’t be hatred in this world? That wasn’t a question to answer though, it was a question to think about. Even though life can be cruel and horrible at some point a light will shine among those who do not see it. For example, your parents, your friends and those around you that support you, those are real heroes in my opinion. As I walked across the fountain today, I wished for a real hero to help me with my life, someone who will stay by my side until death. The strange thing is that my wish came true. I was walking home when suddenly I saw a young girl who looked the same age as me and accidently bumped into my face. She apologised to me in a kind manner which was strange because usually whenever people bumped into me, they would snap at me and say it was my fault for not looking where I was going. She told me she just moved

118

to Manchester and needed help to get to the supermarket. I agreed to help her (of course) and showed her where Asda was. She thanked me for helping her and asked if I wanted to be friends with her, so I said yes. We sent letters every day and would hang out loads on the weekends. She would help me overcome my fears of asking for help and would stay by my side when people at school bullied me and called me a loner or a freak. Eventually we became very close friends and grew up together, we passed our GCSEs and got high marks in them and went to the same college and university. There will be people over time who claim to be heroes and save everyone in life. Although, you never know if what they are saying is the truth. In conclusion, people could be full of hatred but that doesn’t mean that everyone is. The fellow girl who I met when I was younger proved to me that real heroes do exist but not in a way people see them. I guess I just had to be patient and wait for the right time to come for a true hero to approach me. Now, I don’t have to question if heroes exist or not because now I have my answer. Not all people are bad in life, there will be some important people that you will meet someday. So if you question if heroes exist, they do, but they won’t be wearing a cape or a mask that you might think that they wear, Maria.

119

Jack T, 11 My Local Hero As the sun rises, she awakens and rises too, gets up for another 12hour day at work. This is Claire, my mum. All the way through the beginning of the new year Claire has had to be doing 12-hour days so the dental surgery where she works does not close. Even after these days she has not ceased to love me, my dad and our pets. On a normal week day my mum wakes up at 6.30, goes to work and I don’t see her again until between 7.30 and 8 in the evening. While my dad is home schooling me and I’m doing work. Claire slogs away over another grotty mouth, helping with fillings, crowns and drillings, and the inevitable rotten teeth. When she arrives home my mum is so exhausted she sometimes falls asleep on the sofa or goes to bed quite early. I feel very bad for my mum, but she always keeps a smile on her face and tells me not to worry because everything is going to be ok. She always keeps our mood up at home because of her love for us. Because she is my amazing mum.

120

Jacob S, 11 Manchester, a city of peace. All kept by heroes, courageous ones, loving ones and most of all powerful ones. It was a normal day in the flats of Manchester, Deansgate. It was the same daily routine. Masks on or stay at home. The world was in a lockdown. People scrambling to find a cure. At first everyone thought it would be the end by the beginning of March. Well, how wrong they were. The NHS Boris Johnson was the current Prime Minister. He was scared. He didn’t want to admit they were in trouble. He knew whatever he did his next election might be in stake. He had to do his best. So, he decided to depend on the NHS. This is where our heroes come in. NHS are a free healthcare in England. They were for many years and still are. However, they were not ready. Not ready for the attack of Covid-19. The Enemy Corona came in strong. Healthcare systems were falling rapidly. They were being overwhelmed. This was a mighty strong virus. Without

121

the NHS the whole entire country would collapse both in economy and population. Cases were rising people were dying. It was all the same in Manchester. Even worse. NHS were working hard they were fighting the villain with all they had. It did hardly anything. The clap When all was bad, the people of Manchester stepped in. We gave hope to these heroes. We gave a reason to fight on. Every Thursday the whole city would send applause to these miracle workers. That’s what they needed. Everyday there was money being raised from people and even veterans like Captain Sir Tom Moore who raised over 32 million pounds for the NHS. Things were getting better. However, it was really bad in the terms of Corona. Millions of people had the virus and millions were dying. 2021 It was getting closer to new year. We were now in our second wave. The government and the people have just started to realise the damage of the virus. People were hoping by the start of new year it would stop, the statistics showed otherwise. Then there was light. A cure had been found. People all over Manchester were celebrating. There were new cures after other cures since this breakthrough were finding new ways to stop Covid 19. Everyone was having a good time at New Year’s Eve although cases were high, there was a way to stop it. 122

The beginning of the end We starting to see an end to the misery. Millions of people to this day are getting the cure. It was working. In Manchester people are ready come back to normal. This was all because of our NHS. We were saved. In memory of all the people who have lost their lives to the virus.

123

Jessica G My Hero This is a little story about my hero, and I wish everyone has a hero in your life like mine. I see her going shop, she asks do I need anything and she gets it. I see her making food for me it’s always delicious and everyone agrees. As you go to eat it the steam just warms up your whole body. She always says if we’re still hungry we can go and get something from the cupboard. She always pays for things like our phone bills, T V licence, gas, water bills, my clothes, and so many other things. She makes sure I’m washed and clean with fresh clothes and, comforts me when I’m blue and so do I, even though sometimes we argue. But I always find a way to say sorry. But I bet you’re wondering who it is – it’s my mum. I know you’re wondering why her mum is her hero, she’s 12, but she’s the reason I’m alive and she makes my day bright as she puts up with me and she makes sure I am the person that she brought up and that’s just a couple things about my hero. So even if they don’t know, tell your hero: “You are my hero.”

124

Joel B, 11 This is the story of a boy called Alfie who lived in Manchester, who grew up to work in a hospital in Manchester and became a hero of his time, and was ill at a very young age. Doctors said that he wouldn’t live but he did, at a terrible cost. His hands were as pale as snow and he was thin as string. He had to wear thick glasses to aid his poor eyesight and he couldn’t walk. Sometimes tears would stream down his face when he thought that he would never be better again, but he was about to find out that something that would change his life forever was around the corner. Sunlight shone through the curtains like a wave of freedom which crashed down on Alfie. He then heard the doorbell ring , and he went down to get it. Suddenly, he gasped I can walk! He shouted joy running through his veins the doorbell rang again – ding ! It was loud and long and when he opened the door he saw someone who he never imagined to see, his mother. “Mother” he cried, tears welling in his eyes. It was the person he loved, the person he thought that he lost, the person in his eyes who was his hero. Alfie rushed to his mother's arms and gave her a hug , it was like holding on to life itself. Alfie's mother was a doctor who treated her patients as her own family. 125

One day in an accident in the hospital she passed away. Alfie’s mother and Alfie had a whole day of fun and then when they sat on a bench, Alfie asked his something. “Is this a dream?” Alfie's mum replied: “It may be a dream but remember Alfie I am always there for you even in the hardest moments.” Alfie woke up. He was still ill but he remembered something you are always here Mother. My hero. The End.

126

Joshua S, 11 Fictional Local Hero The sun beamed down onto the bright, green grass as Alex and his dog , Poppy, sat down and watched the two robins exchanging twigs with each other. Life now was like a dream, everything perfect, like everything was a paradise. However, only one week prior, flames had nearly engulfed the whole place, a fiery demon breaching the surface to an indescribable heaven. One thing had saved this whole place. It was a peaceful night, like a usual night. The fire, like always, was dying down as everyone in the house was going to bed. However, little did anyone know, that a small crack had appeared towards the back of the fireplace, eventually growing until it was something of a few inches wide. Of course, this was over a relatively long period of time so not one person had noticed it. It all started that night, a glowing ember fell back into the crack and in a matter of seconds, the whole thing was alight. It took about a minute for no one but a dog to realise what was happening. It was Poppy. In the blink of an eye, the whole neighbourhood was awake to the deafening bark of a chocolate-

127

brown Labrador. The fire brigade was called although the fire was spreading rapidly through the building as people were still streaming out their houses for safety. When the firemen arrived, they instantly got to work and thanks to Poppy, no one got hurt. The police investigated the building later that week and managed to find the source of the fire. The fireplace was old and with the repairs to the house, would come a new fireplace. Alex was grateful that out of anyone, Poppy was the only one that could do such a heroic act. Poppy from then on was the great hero, for saving a lives from fire.

128

Kelly H, 12 My hero was my grandad because he always tried to make everyone happy. He never put himself first, he was very giving and remember he used to make stew and collect containers for the pub. He was a painter. He brightened everyone he saw with joy. He was an amazing grandad. He always made time for family. I remember going to Whitby. He took me at least once a year. We went kayaking and swimming. Every time we went to the beach. He bought me ice cream from this little beach shop. He may not be a superhero but he was my hero.

129

Lois H-T, 12 I am a superhero of Manchester with superpowers to view my life after my death. It all started from me breaking the code. I played a crucial role in cracking intercepted code messages. It is said that my work shortened the war in Europe and saved over 14 million lives. This then heightened my ambition to continue to my journey and I went on to design the automatic computer engine, one of the first designs for a stored program computer. I then went on to develop Manchester computers and that is where my love of mathematical biolog y come from. From here my personal life took a turn for the worst and I was imprisoned for my homosexual acts. Yes me, a superhero imprisoned for who I chose to love was classed as gross indecency. If only todays heroes who stand up and be counted were around in my days, life could have been very different. Campaigns and public apologies followed upon my death, even a pardon from Queen Elizabeth II. In my afterlife, more good has surfaced and my legacy lives on with awards, honours and tributes and certainly in and around Manchester, the city where I worked towards the end of my life. In 1994 a stretch of the A6010 road, The Manchester City Intermediate Ring Road was named after me. A bridge carrying this road was widened and this also carried my name. In 1999 Time magazine named me as one 130

of the 100 most important people of the 20th century and stated: “The fact remains that everyone who taps at a keyboard, opening a spreadsheet or a word processing program, is working on an incarnation of a Turing machine.” It doesn’t end there, a statue was unveiled in Manchester in June 2001 in Sackville park between the University of Manchester building on Whitworth Street and Canal Street. The memorial statue made of bronze depicts “the father of computer science”, the plaque at the feet reads: “Father of computer science, mathematician logician, wartime codebreaker, victim of prejudice”, followed by a quotation from Bertrand Russell: “Mathematics, rightly viewed, possesses not only truth, but supreme beauty-a beauty cold and austere, like that of a sculpture”. The sculpter even buried his old Amstrad computer under the plinth as a tribute to me, “the godfather of all modern computers”. To mark the 100th anniversary of my birth, the Turing Centenary Advisory committee (TCAC) co-ordinated the Alan Turing Year which is a year-long programme of events around the world honouring my life and achievements which is chaired by S. Barry Cooper along with my nephew Sir John Dermot Turing acting as Honorary President. So as you can see, in my short life I accomplished so much, from the cryptanalysis of enigma to the Turing machine to the Turing test and I even got chosen as the next face on the £50 note plus lots more but didn’t recognise myself as a superhero. I guess I was in my own right, but superheroes come in many forms but I just see myself as me Alan Mathison Turing , 1912-1954. 131

Maame OS Mr Thing and the One-Eyed Octo-Saur Hi, we’re the trouble twins and our lives are pretty crazy. It all started on another cheery day in Manchester. Miracle Mayor, the town’s most favoured man (That’s what they called him), was walking around, checking if everything was in order. I, Bryan Lee, was reading the ‘Super-Secret Book Of Manchester’s History’ whilst my twin sister, Emily Lee, walked round me with our pet hamster, Squeakers, on her head. “Check this out Em, there’s a mystical creature-half dinosaur, half octopus-with one eye!” “ Whatever, it’s probably dead. You’re being paranoid,” she replied. Suddenly, I hear thudding like there was about to be a storm and it sounded like it was coming closer. Being the most curious boy in the history of the universe, I head to the window to check it out. “Oh no,” I whisper in shock as crowds of people come out of their houses (for some strange reason) to see a figure in a jeopardising feud with a wild beast. The figure seemed to have all sorts of peculiar super powers, too many to name. 132

He wore a cloak like Dr Strange but the unusual underwear outside the onesie like superman. He heard a hard jawline and a charming face. No scars or scratches were in sight apart from...”Oh my god, Em, you’ve got to see this.” Emily set down the hamster and waddled over. “Look at the flying person.” She rolled her eyes. “Just look at his neck,” I stared at her, “he has the mark of the Leo constellation. Just like – ” “My make-believe imaginary friend. How did you know ?” ’No, silly ! The mayor! Who, as you can see now, disappeared when the monstrous beast appeared!” She eyed me cluelessly. “Come on we’ve got to go help him. I’ve read all about this fiendish beast in my book!” And before she could object, I was out the door and heading for the One-eyed Octo-saur. It was a prodigious thing , as big as a house. It was unusually colourful with eight colossal legs. It had the head of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, but it had one, bulky grey eye that petrified you when it stared. “Hey ! Mr Thing ! I can lure it to the Etihad stadium. There’s much more space there!” I brought out the thing that demons like him couldn’t resist. Cheese. “Cheese? How’s that supposed to help?” Emily yelped in my ear, scaring the life out of me.

133

“You’ll see. Right now, sprint home as fast as you can and get that smelly perfume.” Once at the stadium, I told Mr Thing the plan and it went into action. Mr Thing wrapped his twisty arms around the giant’s wild mouth. Then I clambered up the creature and sprayed the perfume in his eye. It collapsed to the floor with a thud – dead. “I know you’re Miracle Mayor. I’ll keep you secret.” He stared at me in awe. Then Emily said: “Hi! We’re the Trouble Twins, and our lives, are pretty crazy !”

134

Macy S, 12 Generous Hi, I’m Rose and I am going to be telling you about my story but first I need to talk about my background. I was born on 7 October 1970 in Manchester and my first Job was as a supply English teacher at St Denbury High School and I am only earning £110-£220 per day. At that time my boyfriend was mainly helping me with finance and taxes whilst I helped with the food and some other things around the house. Now on October 19, 2000 I was going to the shops when I saw... “Please could you spare some money or so for food? Please help a man in need.” It was a man calling for help. Suddenly without thinking , my hand was in my purse and then I was giving the man some money and I felt warm Inside. What was this feeling ? After that I started coming back every day giving this man money. Every day I would give him £50 of what I earn, and I did this for the next two years to help him to buy his own small house in the country and a small car.

135

After a couple of weeks of the man living his own life, the head of the English department was leaving to live with her husband in Mexico. So, I decided to apply to take her place as head of the English department. After two weeks of waiting and waiting , something surprising happened. The man that I gave all that money to showed up at my door. “Rose, it is nice to see you again after all these years.” “It is nice to see you too, how are you?” I said, surprised on how he found me or remembered me. “I’m good but I mainly wanted to say thank you for helping me and give you a thank you present.” And at that moment he pulled out a book and a pen and handed them to me. “Really ?” I asked surprised and grateful. I was lost for words and I didn’t know what to say until a teary “thank you,” escaped my lips and then he left. A couple of hours passed by and then, “ring , ring”. It was the school. I answered the call and they told me I got the job. I was overjoyed. And at that moment I realised I wanted all homeless people to have a great life like mine and the man I helped all though years ago. I looked online for ways that I could help the homeless. I found a charity in Manchester that works with the homeless called Barnabus 136

and decided to donate regularly as well as volunteer to help provide meals for people living on the streets. Now, reader, we can all be heroes even if you don’t have a cape or superpowers you just have to get involved in helping your local community and help other people.

137

Mercy A, 11 Night fell on the city like a hooded cloak on a stranger’s face. There was not a stir not even a sound, not even the tiniest squeak from a mouse. Down the road lived Mary Gold, the old lady with a big fat toad. The clock ticked from time to time counting down the hours it still had to go. Jay lay in bed with his head hanging low, his clock began to glow to transform him to someone else who could go beyond the world without catching a cold. Jay was a not an ordinary boy. He could be a normal teenager with scruff y hair but at night others needed him much more than they did on the outside world. He was a moderate size to others but, to his aunt, a big fat giant who could eat a whole goat. She was his only relative who had the heart to grow his loving heart that just got broke. He had no parents not even one that would stay but all did go and left him to his own. Jay was a hero today was different though. He had been transformed to his hero form, he sensed a steady thump around the city, and it streamed across the place leaving a trail. He followed it but was very careful. Doctor Griffin was more than the eye could tell, he had crazy inventions that could destroy the city and it was in danger

138

when he saw it. A bright purple light shone so bright even his eyes would have died, but thanks to his friend May she had made masks that could withstand extreme exposure to light. He needed to get closer but then – boom - there it goes. He had been caught. It all happened fast. He was hit by something that looked just like him, almost a clone. He was being shot with splats of slime that stuck him onto the floor and although he tried wriggling free his hand could not break loose from the trap. His strength was failing. He had been victimised by his own weakness –Doctor Griffin realised that his weakness was echoes. Doctor Griffin had been able to connect to his hearing pieces that helped him hear things from far away loudly and played the echoes in his ear so that it rang like a church tower bell right beside you which came out from when the purple light shone on him sending more sound waves down his ears. He couldn’t keep the sound out, he needed May to help him. She was a hero as well but she was a day hero only on various occasions would she help him at night if he needed some more backup but other than that she was out of reach, at this time she would be asleep. He cried but no tears came, crying helped him because his cry could cut through anything even as a baby crying was not allowed so that he didn’t rip the house down. Jay had to think of something that would make him cry and the only problem was that, the memory of his parents always made him cry but he would cry for days nonstop if he thought about them then he would do more damage than Doctor Griffin had. 139

He summoned his strength and he cried, the splats had sizzled like butter when a droplet hit it. Jay had focused really hard and was able to stop it and he defeated Doctor Griffin but what he couldn’t shake off was what had pinned him to the ground. Over the next few weeks he became paranoid and thought someone was watching him constantly but why? Where? Who? When? And what was it after ?

140

Miriam T, 13 My Local Superhero I still remember the day clearly from when I first encountered my superhero. The distant sound of birds merrily tweeting had awoken me and I had been greeted with a magnificent sunrise gleaming through my window. I remember already feeling full of thrill and excitement for a matter I did not yet know. Perhaps, some part of me knew that that day was going was going to be one of the best days I had ever had! I quickly got changed and started to go downstairs, grinning as I joyfully skipped down each step however on my way I was stopped by my mum, who looked as if she had just been crying. “ We’re going to see your grandmother at ten o’clock, okay darling ? They said she probably will not make it, so we need to make the most out of the time we spend with her.” A deep gloom consumed me after as I was suddenly reminded of how not wonderful life was at the moment. My grandmother had become increasingly weak throughout the last four months due to a cancer called leukaemia that she had developed in her old age. Grandma and I had always had a great connection and it made my stomach churn 141

thinking about the endless possibilities that could occur with her cancer over these last few months. I had always been an overthinker and when I found out about her illness, it only fuelled my negative habit. I slowed down my pace and steadily walked downstairs to make myself some breakfast even though I had lost my appetite. I ate my toast with my family without a word, but the silence felt so loud within me. We gathered the necessary items for going to see my grandma then made our way to the car. I glumly gazed out of my window, horrible thoughts racing around my head as the radio announced a car crash that had taken place on the M6 near Trafford. After what had seemed like forever, we had made it to Hope Hospital and we all quietly got out of the car and trod towards the building. Once we had reached the reception, my dad had asked which ward Hilary Smith was on and the receptionist pointed us towards her. It was when I had entered the ward that I was first introduced to my superhero who had a great smile spread across her face. At the time, I had thought this extremely insensitive due to the current conditions however I too shared this smile after a few brief moments. “ We have managed to cure Hilary and with a few treatments to completely ensure her health, she will be ready to go home!” The gloom that had earlier engulfed me was now replaced with delight and gratefulness for all of the wonderful doctors and nurses who had helped this nightmare to go away and for all the doctors and nurses work hard every day to keep us healthy, our own local superheroes!

142

Monet B, 12 Manchester, I am sure you have heard of it, the phoenix that burst out of the ashes in its time of need. But what you may not know is that before there was the phoenix there was the bee. But which one really saved Manchester ? The answer to that question is neither. We did. Well, Mr Positivity. Our story begins in Manchester, of course, with a young boy who desperately wanted to help everyone find their positivity. Of course, there are many different versions of this story but the one I was told was... well it would be better if I just told you. Like many good superheroes Mr Positivity wore a costume a bright yellow super suit with a massive smiley face on the front to show everyone that even his clothes could make at least one person smile. One day, a terrible incident occurred in the beautiful city which made many lose their positivity. Fortunately, Mr Positivity was around and nursed the city back to health. The city has been ever grateful ever since.

143

Nancy C, 12 The Daily Mail A hero from another dimension gives a motivational speech of hope leaving many inspired to make a difference in society. The following speech below is speculated to have come from a hero from another dimension, it was made in Manchester City Centre, at approximately 2.45pm ending at about 3.05pm. “Many of us ask, questions like ‘why are we here?’ or ‘what is the purpose of it all’. However, the universe is not obligated to explain its existence and even if it could, its answer would be incomprehensible to many of us. For our intelligence is limited, for we are small beings. The consciousness contained within the even smaller world. A world which we do not even fully know the origins of.” “Then why choose to be villainous? Why choose to be malevolent ? Is there anything beneficial that comes out of that ? An act of heroism doesn’t have to be something extraordinary. It can be something as simple as helping an elderly pedestrian cross the road. Or helping a kitten to down from a tall tree. Not to say that sometimes being

144

a ‘hero’ can potentially cost you your health or put in a dangerous situation.” “Just look at firefighters, just look at paramedics, just look at undercover detectives. Why not strive to be the enlightenment in someone else’s life. You can’t find the meaning from your life? Make meaning for someone else’s. You can’t find hope in your life, be the glimmer of hopefulness in some else’s.” “Anyone and everyone has the capacity to be a hero. There are no accessories or skills required. There is no need to possess a superhuman ability such as a invisibility or light manipulation, all that’s needed is an optimistic spirit and, of course, you. This is an adventurous exploration! A chance to for you to start anew, to create a life opportunities and prosperity. Celebrate when you win. Cry when you fail. I turn frowns into smiles and cries into laughter. Appreciate the warmth of a sentimental sunset, enjoy the coolness of a pitch-black midnights sky. Be a hero.”

145

Oliver D, 12 The Woods Everyone thinks that haunted houses are the scariest thing , however they forget about the woods. Most people don’t think about the woods. From time to time you find a person like this, for example, Charles Perrault who created little red riding hood because he knew the woods were dangerous. This story has the scariest woods. They are in Manchester but if you want to narrow it down more, then they’re in Northenden, Manchester. In Northenden, there is a big house (it’s not haunted) which is on Rose Hill and the house once belonged to the famous Sir Edward Watkin. Now it is a small flat where people live in and his big backyard is now a forest. Once however a man went in, but he never came back out and that’s where this whole thing started and where the Northenden got famous. Heaps of men went in there including the police, but they never came out. People started calling it the Northenden triangle, even though it wasn’t! Me and my friend sometimes go there, with a stick and my friend with a bubble gun that looks so like a real gun, but we

146

can’t go too in because we know the danger. Once me and my friend saw something. It was lying on the ground. It was a piece of meat, not only that but it was cooked and ready to eat but we didn’t eat it because it was on the ground and who knows how long it’s been there. Then in the corner of my eye I saw something. I froze. I started walking towards It and my friend saw it too because he was following me. We were too afraid to talk. When we got to the end, we saw something mar vellous. Gold! We danced around and launched ourselves on it. I hit something hard, so I dug down thinking it was a trophy, but it wasn’t. We were confused. It had a grey colour. We dug down and we found a skull! We turned around and there was a werewolf coming towards us! My friend pulled out his bubble gun and suddenly the werewolf stood there like it knew the damage a real gun would do. It reached to its head and pulled it off ! We were really confused when we saw a man. The man told us to sit down and he’ll explain everything. “I am the man who first disappeared in the forest and I am fine. All I wanted to do is make Northenden famous and I didn’t kill anyone, they buried themselves in the gold and couldn’t get out,” he explained. I was very confused. “I was afraid of the gun because I didn’t know you had one and I had to do something when you found out about the skull,” he continued. “It’s a bubble gun,” corrected my friend. After a long talk we went back home. My mum was worried why I was late, but she didn’t mind. 147

Lola S, 13 My hero is Harry Styles, he treats everyone with kindness, he uses this as his superpower. He travels around the world singing for his fans. My hero inspires me to be kind. he expresses himself and isn’t afraid of what people think. He show of his feminine side by painting his nails and wearing dresses.

148

Oscar D I used to know this person. He was a teaching assistant in my primary school. He did more than he was asked to do, and he was a good teacher. I think he Is a good person because he helped people when they were sad. Sometimes, when I was upset, I would talk to him because he knew what to say, and nobody else did. I didn’t talk to him all the time though because I didn’t always want to talk about why I was sad. He talked to lots of people and he was a very good listener. He was also good at calming people down. He had to work at a place that helped people with learning difficulties and I remember he used to look after a boy who was in my class who needed extra support. He also used to help people out on the playground, and he talked to people and he played games and sport with them. He was a good person and a role model. I remember when I used to go to club sometimes I would see him driving out of the school gates in his black car with the roof rack

149

and he would wave at me and I would wave back. He was a very nice teacher, and I miss him very much. When I left the school, he moved to my bother’s class. My brother says he liked him too. He says that he was helpful and funny. When he left the school, he said he wanted to work at a secondary school. I think he would be good at that. I think that a hero is somebody who does nice things to help people without asking for anything in return. This is what he did.

150

Ryan C, 13 The Powerful Watch It was a cloudy day when I was finding a book that my mum had put inside our basement, while I was looking for it, I saw my grandad’s old watch, but it did not look old, in fact it looks very new and colourful. After I found my book, I rush up to my dad’s PC room to ask Dad what this new and colourful looking watch is about. He said: “Your grandad said that there was a hidden power inside this watch.” I ask dad if that I can take it and he said yes straight away. I took it up to my room to investigate but I see nothing special. It was getting late. I ate my dinner and went to bed. In the middle of the night a mysterious light glows from the watch. I woke up, but the light went away while I was sitting up, then I went back to sleep. In the morning I went out to Piccadilly Garden, I also took the watch with me in case that it need air to unlock the power which it did not! When we got there we talked for a while. Suddenly, a man was rushing toward me and my friend. His eyes were as red as an

151

apple. I was so afraid that I used self-defence myself and then a light glow from that watch it was the same light that I saw last night. The man bounced from the light when he got very close, the watch turns into a watch lightsaber like a lightsaber in Star Wars. I swung the watch, and the man was wrapped by that watch-saber. After the man was wrapped, his eyes changed from red to normal. For the rest of the day I took off the watch and carried on with the day. In the middle of the night an old man that looked like my grandad (which it was) told me that the power that the watch has is a power to save the Manchester. I ask him how and he said: “There has been a hidden virus that can turn human to red eyes, but this virus can only be used when the power from the watch is unlocked. But now you need to save the Manchester so get on this suit and do it.” I nodded and the next day I said to my mum and dad that I’m going to my friend’s house to play. After I said that I rushed and got on the suits the first red eyed person was a lady. I wrap her around and a few more came. I ran to a basement. And then a giant slime blob was there I Immediately wrap it around but it broke it, suddenly heard my grandad’s voice: “ Wrap it a few more times to kill it,” He said. I wrap it twenty more times to kill it then the small virus was gone. I went back home.

152

Sally R January, 12th 2021 BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. The sound on the heartrate goes slowly away, slipping into the mist. The whole event is a blur to me. I ran to get the surgeons’ help, and they all rushed in, lab coats and surgical masks. I watch, silently praying , as a big fat tear rolls down my face. Then, finally the beeping stops. I stare down at him. My heart wrenching in my throat. “Is he dead?” I whimpered. The doctor looked sympathetically on me. “I’m sorry miss. We could do nothing.” I feel more tears roll down my red cheeks, and I have no strength in me to wipe them away. I sat heavily down on the stiff wooden chair beside his bed. And I cried. I couldn’t help it. May, 30th 2021 It’s been over five months since it happened. Since it got him. I wanted to be the hero, I wanted to try and save him. But I couldn’t. I’ve pulled myself together though! I’m applying for a job now.

153

He’d be happy that I did that. It’s in the hospital you know. I never wanted to go back there, but I’ve found I should. The past is in the past, and that is all I can say. I made my way towards the hospital, on that early brisk morning. The cold, bit at my cheeks and chilled me to the bone. As I walked in, a feeling of weird happiness rose up inside of me. I guess it was a sense of relief, that I was actually doing something. I’m hopeful. August, 19th 2021 I’m incredibly busy now. Barely any time to write! I’ve treated over 90 patients already ! First, I started off as just a volunteer, nothing that important. However, I’ve fallen in love with the job! After every medical help, the lovely bubble of happiness surrounds me! My fellow workers all are kind and helpful. Another thing , one I haven’t spoken about yet. I visited the room. The room where his last breath took place. The room where it took him. I thought I’d be sick. I thought that all the pain that I felt before, would rise up back inside of me. But it didn’t. I left as quickly as I had come. I moved quietly to some new patients in another room and treated to them. February, 18th 2051 BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. The noise was scary, but peaceful. It’s been 30 years. I have a family of children, who have all grown up. And I have my husband next to me. I thought I would be scared, but I wasn’t. I welcomed the once terrif ying noise, as if it was music. A perfect harmony. Nurses 154

and doctors cluttered around me. Some were children of my former colleagues, but some completely new. I felt their terror. I felt my children’s, who were next to me, terror. I wish I could tell them it was ok. I had found peace. Even if I wasn’t his hero, I was many others’.

155

Samara W, 13 A tear. Had she been crying ? She didn’t think so. Why would she be? She had a good life. Her family got on well, and she was liked now. She was popular. She was happy. Wasn’t she? Ophelia idly kicked a stone in front of her. It rolled across the path, bumping into other stones on the way. Bump. Bump. Bump. Clank. Clank? That was new. Ophelia looked up. Her stone had hit the shoe of a middle-aged woman. “I-I’m sorry,” stammered Ophelia. “I—” Ophelia stopped. The woman was crying. And she suspected that it had nothing to do with the stone. “Excuse me, ma’am? What’s wrong ?” It seemed to take a moment for the woman to register that she was being spoken to, or, indeed, who it was that was speaking to her. When she did, she grabbed Ophelia’s arm firmly. “You’re Miss Starlight, yes?” The woman looked desperate. “You’re Ophelia Starlight ?” Ophelia nodded, not quite trusting herself to speak. “The mage?”

156

“I – yes, I suppose so.” The woman shook her fiercely. “Please, I need your help! My son! oh, my son!” Part of Ophelia wanted to refuse. She understood suddenly why she was so upset. Always so busy, always a task to do, otherwise it was inter view after inter view, and never a moment of rest. Just say no, she thought. Just say no and things can go back to the way that they were. “ What do you need?” she found herself asking. “My son… He… the river!” Ophelia saw, suddenly, the small face of a child bobbing about in the River Mersey. He was crying.

157

Samuel D, 14 The Mysterious Elongated Man Watch Dear Diary, Today I felt suspicious unlike any other days. On the news at 7pm in the evening , the meteorologist reported that a huge storm would occur in Manchester. After listening to the news, I panicked. I froze as my heart started to beat faster and faster as if it was racing against a cheetah. Everyone around me was running up and down confused, frightened. Even one of them peed on themself. All of a sudden, the ground started to shake. The house started to break. Then, behold the most powerful storm arrived in Manchester. Eventually the storm stopped, leaving roads destroyed, trees falling. At our house, it was totally messed up with wood, bricks and glass on the floor. Later that day while we were cleaning , the news reported that a man who claimed to be dead was alive and he was known as The Elongated Man. As soon as I heard that name, my mind switched as we learnt about him in a museum. He was a well-known superhero that can change 158

into any size or shape. He can even sur vive a round of bullets because he is so flexible. But apparently, he was attacked and murdered by a villain called.... The villain wasn’t known or even reported to the police but all the information they had was that he was a high school bully back in the day. On the next day, I went to the museum to know more about The Elongated Man. According to the staff, she told me that The Elongated Man was a little boy who migrated from Nigeria and was bullied in high school every single day until one night when he got struck by lightning. On the next day, he started to discover his powers and researched some facts about it. After hearing this, I was in disbelief as it was unusual for a human being to discover their powers at a young age compared to Superman, Ant-Man or even Batman. Surely, this so-called The Elongated Man was special to Manchester as he fought shoplifters and other villains like Viper Woman with her venomous teeth. At the weekends, I went out to the woods just to get some sticks for the fire until I saw footprints. The footprint was two times the size of my feet. Within that footprint, I saw a glittering gem. I followed the footprint until I bumped my head into something which felt like a tree. My head looked up and then down again. As my head looked up again, this thing was looking down at mean which gave me a bit of a cringe then I screamed. Apparently, I didn’t know that an object can speak until it told me that he was The Elongated Man and then I shouted endlessly until I ran out of breath. 159

After capturing my breath, I looked around me and I noticed The Elongated Man escaped. From that point of time, I always wish to see him again even if he’s in my dream.

160

Samuel P, 12 Jack Martin, a ten-year-old, scruff y haired, average schoolboy from Fallowfield woke up and got ready for school. As he was walking down the road, the same as he always did every morning , he stopped abruptly. Jack thought he heard a strange metallic bird call from the backstreets. Curiosity got the better of him and quickly staggered down the alleyway. Upon turning a corner, Jack stumbled thousands upon thousands of pigeons. But these were not normal pigeons. They had iron beaks, cybernetic eyes and their calls were robotic and unnatural. Naturally Jack ran in the opposite direction, but the flock of robot pigeons was too quick for him. Grasping him tightly by the neck, they lifted him into the air and knocked him out. When Jack woke, he found himself inside a ding y chamber, chained to a stone altar. The room was filled with vines and damp moss but they all disappeared when the altar began to rise up out of the chamber into a huge cavern. Jack saw millions of robot pigeons that were screeching and screaming in the darkness. He could see a throne-like chair in front of him and as he looked to his side, he saw several other figures in chains just like his. There was a woman who looked like she was in her mid - sixties, a pale-skinned man of about thirty and a little girl, just slightly older than Jack. A figure rose from the throne and approached the Jack and the three others. 161

He spoke with a cold, high voice. “Jack Martin, you have been brought before me to help me on my mission.” The figure moved into the light. He was very short, wore bright green goggles and spoke with loathing in his voice. “You see these people here, they have been of infinite help to me. Dr Jonathan Castle here, provided me with the information needed to transform these helpless birds into soldiers of mine. Professor Melissa Gardener provided me with the tools and experience to help me with my cause. Lucy Roberts, next to you, was taken in only a few months ago for the same reason as you, snooping around my facility. I am now your master. From now on, you will answer only to me, Baron Von Bassadon.” While the Baron was talking , Jack had managed to slip off his handcuffs and told the Baron: “Come here then and tell me what I have to do.” When the Baron was near enough to Jack, he jumped up and kicked him into the sea of robot birds. Hurriedly freeing the rest of the prisoners, he then called to them “follow me” and they made their way to the exit. He wrenched a pole off the wall and charged at the pigeons. He called to the others to do the same, and eventually they had destroyed all the birds in the cavern. They ran towards the exit and Lucy called the police. All of them but Jack were safe, but then the Baron stride towards Jack and held him back. He then tossed Jack onto the floor and pulled out a gun. When he was about to pull the trigger, he was knocked out by the policemen as they came rushing in. Manchester was finally safe from the Baron’s robot pigeons. 162

Shedene C, 11 On a sunny British morning , on top of a high hill in a transparent house in Oldham shaped like the letter D lived a mighty great superhero inventor. He invented countless things and trained many people. His name is Doctor Laser. You may think he’s a villain but is really not. Well, he used to be then he changed for the sake of the world. He’s tall as a giraffe he has very long black-grey curly hair and he has a neatly combed beard. He has eyes as dark as the colour black. He’s as smart as a scientist but not smarter than Einstein. Meanwhile in Doctor Laser’s house he was working on his latest invention the Thunderbolt1000. That’s when he heard a sudden quick, loud knock on his door he wondered who it was. He cleared his things and went in the direction of the door. He uncertainly opened the door and backed away. To his surprise it was his sidekick Blaze that knocked the door and Doctor Laser exhaled with relief. But he questioned Blaze for him being present. Blaze was filled with sweat as it looked like he just ran a mile his hair wet. His top was drenched with sweat. His eyes were filled with hunger and thirst. His hands were pink, his face was pink and he looked like he was ill. It looked like he had been bitten. Doctor Laser rushed him into his laboratory and he cleaned his wound 163

(bite mark), fed and clothed him. Then Blaze started to tell him what happened. “They escaped! They were everywhere running around like little children and it bit me. We need to save everyone because they cause a chaos Doctor!’ Blaze said as he feared for the worst. “ Who escaped?” Doctor Laser said calmly. “Th...th..the monkeys,” he stammered. “They escaped from Bramble Park Zoo.” “Hmm,” Doctor Laser murmured as he thought for a second. Before picking up his Sleep-o-matic and putting his uniform on. “Looks like we’ve got a mission, get dressed buddy we have got to go!’ he commanded. On their journey to find the missing three monkeys they found one sitting on a bench in the park. Another in a pond and the last one on a car roof. They were over the moon as they completed their mission. And brought back the mischievous monkeys. Then they went back home as it became dark. The city went quiet as everyone was asleep.

164

Mia K, 12 So the person I’m introducing you to J.I the Prince of New York. He is a real brave person, he is a musician and he is brave because, say, if someone doesn’t like his music or him he will get quite a bit of hate, especially if he says something on social media people can take it in the wrong way and cancel him instead of telling him what he’s done wrong cause people do listen he is very inspirational so that is my superhero.

165

Sydney J, 12 There are many heroes throughout our world and especially in our area too but what about the unsung heroes, the ones that are recognised but not as much as they should be. The ones that are working the hardest during these times for our safety. The sun beamed as it escaped the grasp of the former night sky and rose up to mark a new day. The clouds resembled different shapes and different animals as the trees outside Cody’s house stood uniformed and regimented. The dew stood on the very tip of every single aspect of the green grass. Cody was a doctor. The date is the 19th of January 3582. January is the only sur viving month, all the other months were taken away to try and make the years go quicker and try end the virus. Dovid-19. Dovid-19 is the deadliest virus known to mankind and every single year it gets stronger. The remaining thirty people on the earth think that the next year will be better than the last, but it isn’t. They don’t know it gets more powerful every passing year. Cody is one of the last thirty people alive and part of the three doctors that are alive. Cody is purely the reason the other twenty-nine are alive because without his discovery of another virus which creates a barrier around the body, there wouldn’t be a human alive. 166

Everybody is injected with the virus that creates a barrier around your body but gradually, it’s starting to run out. Cody only has enough for one more injection for everyone, and that was it. He didn’t have the items he needed to make more. That day was when everybody came to get the virus. The room turned pitch-black. He opened his eyes and it was only him and his neighbour, Jane. She was alive since the beginning of the virus and helped Cody to the best of his ability. “Take it” Cody said as fear subdued and overwhelmed his body and ner vousness kicked in. “There is no need for me to take it, I’m nearing the end of my life, take it Cody, trust me take it,” Jane said. Time was running out. it was going to expire in thirty seconds. “Jane take it now please, I’m begging you, I had a good time on this earth but I’m willing to go, take it for me,” Cody said. “Goodbye Cody, you were the best and only friend I’ve ever had.” Jane said. The clock struck three and Jane slowly faded away into the air.“ Jane, Hello Jane” said Cody, but he wasn’t talking to anyone. One tear drop fell on the ground, a tear drop, but it was the most powerful tear drop. The air was overpowered with cheers and screams. Cody’s tear brought back everyone. It destroyed the virus and rewound what it caused. Cody hugged Jane. They were safe. They were safe forever. The End. 167

Tahlia C The Life of Saiki K Hi, my names Kusuo Saiki and I have psychic superpowers, I guess you could say that I’m like a fictional superhero, but I just want a normal life without these powers. You would think that being a psychic, you could have whatever you want and do what you want but there’s the thing , these powers have drawbacks. For example, I can rewind anything to the state it was in yesterday, but I can only use this once every nine hours which is pretty annoying. I also have telepathy, but I can’t control it so when I wake up in the morning , for example, a load of voices come flooding into my head, which are people’s thoughts. “Saiki, my dude, wanna walk to school together ?” That’s Nendo, I don’t know how he even became my ‘friend’, he kind a just appeared, but what’s weird about him is that I he’s the only one who’s mind I can’t read. So, guess I don’t really have a choice. “Sure, whatever.” Now I’m stuck with him, great. He never stops talking , does he? I’ll just replace myself with Kaido, the other annoyance. 168

I’ll just make Nendo think he looks like me, which I can do by the way, it’s a part of my powers. First, I need to find Kaido… Found him! “Hey Kaido, wanna walk to class with me?” Knowing him, he’ll probably say something like ‘sure, I need to protect my friend for the dark reunion anyway’. Yeah, he thinks he has superpowers, which he doesn’t. I’m the only one that I know of that has powers like mine. Anyway, we’re getting off topic here, I’ve just replaced myself with Kaido, so I don’t have to deal with Nendo and can just walk to class without anyone or anything annoying me. Great, Mr Suzuki, he’s our sports teacher, he’s also the man that stands at the front gate every morning keeping everyone in check. Lucky for me, I’m always in check apart from my hair, but my hair’s naturally pink. I also have these antennas on my head but they’re just pins and they keep my power under control. If I didn’t have them, I would probably end up breaking a lot of things because I can’t control my powers when I don’t have them on. I can’t even risk taking a single step without them on, I would end up breaking the floor, don’t ask how I know, it’s happened before in the worst place possible, a school trip overseas. I ended up making the whole hotel teleport into the middle of the ocean, luckily it stayed afloat. That’s what’s happens if I don’t have them.

169

Anyway, all that I spent explaining stuff, it’s the end of the school day now. Now you’ll get to meet my parents, they’ll probably be arguing though. I’ve had enough of this, they never stop arguing , I know what to do. Forced telepathy, they’ll be able to hear each other’s thoughts. I know this will work because I can hear their thoughts on the daily, so I know they love each other truly. Now I don’t have enough time to explain the rest of my daily life, but you can probably guess it.

170

Toby W, 16 The Heroes of Manchester Manchester. My city and my home. At its centre lies the vibrant, multi-cultural hub we all know and love. From music venues to restaurants and bars to the hive of shops, the friendly nature of the people can put a smile on your face. It gives me such a buzz when I zoom around and watch other people working hard at keeping the city running smoothly. Sometimes I obser ve conflict and tension, which is quickly resolved by the police. There are often the homeless and people in need sat on the floor (rock bottom), but there is always someone to pick them up to give them food and shelter. If you get injured or ill, the NHS are there to support you in your recovery. Everyone has their role to play. In my city we look after each other to keep Manchester a safe place. The lights in the night sky shine sky blue and Rosso Corsa red. The two football giants stand firm in their place. Even rivals can respect Marcus Rashford and what he has done off the pitch. The young man from Wythenshawe has shown society that people with power can use it for good, by supporting kids who aren’t able to receive free school meals due to Covid. 171

The fact that Rashford is only 23 is incredible. Being able to persuade the government to U-turn their own mistake (of trying to shut the free-school meal program down) at such a young age can inspire so many people to be kind and help those in need. Both on and off the pitch, Rashford is a national hero. As a big part of the city, I find it very important to highlight the heroes that bring peace and love to Manchester. The kindness of others can mean so much to some people and especially in these times, it is vital to celebrate the people who have made a positive change on someone’s day or life. I’m a worker, I work hard to do the best I can in everything I do and I love to run by this slogan: ‘Anyone can be hero, but no one can be you so just do your best to make a positive impact on the world, and no matter how big or small your good deed is you will become a hero!’ Signed, The Manchester Bee

172

Winielle A-K, 12 I clutched onto my mother’s hand, my other hand clinging onto my small yellow teddy, Mr Bumble. I flew him around so he could witness the lights going up. “Buzz!” He says in excitement as we get closer to the mystical grotto. Fake snow flies out of machines and I jump about with glee. We’re next in the queue, I can’t wait to see Santa! Mr Bumble gets a little too excited and falls in the snow. I pick him up and shake my head. “You mustn’t do that Mr Bumble!” Mum chuckles. I skip along the hallway where the previous Santa Claus portraits were hung. “He has the longest beard, Mummy !” “Come on now, Santa’s waiting to see you!” I tentatively make my way towards to open door. “HO! HO ! HO !” I’m not sure about this anymore...” Well come in little girl! Santa wants to know what you want for Christmas!” He pulls me onto his lap and I animatedly tell him about the yellow bicycle I want that has a basket for Mr Bumble to stay in if he’s too tired to fly (which was most of the time).

173

“Time to see if you’ve been a good girl this year!” He winks at me and brings out a small red and green machine. “Santa knows everything ! And according to this, you’ve been a good girl” I smiled, he must have missed out that night when I wouldn’t eat my vegetables and ate dessert when I wasn’t supposed too. Mummy had got really mad at me and I wasn’t allowed dessert for a whole week! He hands over a small present. “You can open it on Christmas Eve!” He tells me, “Mr. Bumble might like it!” Mummy urges me to thank him, so I do, and we leave. Santa’s really kind, he was scary at first because he’s so big and old and has a white beard, but I’m used to it now. Mummy wants to visit one of the big shops in town and then she promised me that we could go to the Arndale and that I could have a Happy Meal. We walk down the street, Mr Bumble and I looked in awe at the decorations. My favourite place was the sweet shop, the man was always so kind. “Mummy can we go to the sweet shop? Can we? Please” Mummy shook her head and I felt really sad. The sweet shop man must have overheard me as he rushed over to us with a small bag of sweets. I was very happy as he gave it to me for free! I thanked him before Mummy said anything. I took the bag of sweets and happily ate them, dropping Mr Bumble in the process. We spent ages in the clothes shop that Mummy wanted us to go to. 174

After what seemed forever, we went on those cool electric stairs and Mummy ordered me my favourite Happy Meal. I ate my chicken nuggets and drank my strawberry milkshake, then I opened the toy. Happy Meal Transformers! Mr Bumble would like this! I got the French fries one (his favourite food apart from honey Cheerios of course). I eagerly started to show him, when I realised, he wasn’t there. I started to cry. We looked around for ages, but we couldn’t find him, and Mummy said it was dark, so we had to start heading home. She let me go into the sweet shop to buy something special because I lost Mr Bumble. I didn’t know how I was going to sleep at night without him! The little bell rang as the entered the shop. I picked a packet of chewies, honey flavoured. It reminded me of Mr Bumble. I started to cry again. “ What wrong little one?” I sobbed and told him my problem. “ Well it just so happens to be that Mr Bumble was lost and upset too! So, he flew over here waiting for you! Here you go!” Sometimes the biggest heroes are the unexpected ones.

175

Zach C Manchester Heroes Creative Writing Competition When we think of heroes, we think of men in capes flying through the sky saving and helping people. We think of it as the stuff of fiction, but it is a reality we have doctors who save people. We have probation officers who help people and many more. Terry is a Tesco delivery man who works night and day to keep a roof over his family’s heads and to put food on their table. Walking out of his house each day, Terry gets into his truck and shifts it into the first gear as he eases out of his parking space onto the road to make his deliveries. Janet is a doctor and works 24/7 saving people’s lives. Approaching the door of her next patient Janet rushes in to help that person because they need help, and she knows that. And there is Jake who is a social worker who helps people in need of help. He goes out in the morning to help random people and he does it because he wants to help. These people may not have capes, but they are all still heroes.

176

Hafsah K, Yr7 My Hero My heroes are doctors nurses and the NHS, Who make us feel better, Take care of us. Who are risking their lives for us. My heroes are the doctors and nurses and the NHS who are working trying to help us feel better. They’re risking their lives working in Covid-19 and we should be thankful to them because they are helping us. North Manchester General Hospital My character’s description: She’s 5 feet 3 inches Her age is 42 She has long hair (curled from the bottom) She’s a nurse Her name is Lilly She has blue eyes

177

Her hobbies are exercising and reading books. What is makes my character stand out is: She’s honest, she never lies, she is brave whenever someone is in trouble, she always finds a way to help that’s what makes my character stand out. In my character’s hospital there is a patient who is critical. She does a surgery to help that patient. In the next 24 hours that patient is out of danger. She saved that patient’s life.

178

Maria A, Yr7 Emma Watson is a superhero after saving her two young brothers from drowning. Emma lives in Manchester. She has a step-mum and a dad. She has two younger siblings that are three years old. Emma was five years old when they were going to their swimming pool. She realised that she had forgotten her goggles but when she was about to get them she found her brothers in the pool struggling to breathe. She called the police and she told them all the information. Even though she’s small she is smart and that’s my superhero.

179

Zoha R, Yr8 Imposing , elevated and proud. The antique, Victorian buildings feasted their eyes upon the lively, spirited town centre of Manchester. The crisp, hazel trees had a strong scent of autumn which lingered around. The sweet fragrance of food stalls were mouth-watering. Surges of bitter, icy air gushed around buildings. Soft howls of wind whispered into the people’s ears. The hustle and bustle of tireless people was a song of busyness and confusion. Dense, opaque clouds barricaded the glassy sky. The intense lights of the buildings took pride place in the beauteous area. All of the bricks were satiny and burnished, constructed to perfection. People ran across their hands without a scratch. On the other hand, the aged building had a coarse, rustic feel to it, nonetheless, it was a beautiful piece of work. The raw, autumn air scratched the back of their throats, it had a malodorous, taste but it was a fresh like a new season. The contrast between modern and old was alluring. The hectic, crowd was a pleasant sight, it was home. It is not too much to say that his undeniable ability to remain calm his serene appearance kept himself collected. Zavion gaped at the certificate as a tender, sincere smile broadened across his face. His brunette, wavy hair blew and danced around the silvery air while the sun gleamed upon his rosy face. Zavion wanted nothing more, he wanted nothing less, he was happy. His emerald eyes glinted 180

with passion and drive. He strived for more, he strived to help, he strived to protect. He was surrounded by the pursuit and racket of Manchester’s people, and he felt safe. He was encircled by the electrif ying , stimulating atmosphere of the people’s buzz. Zavion was home. Zavion gasped in trepidation and terror as the crimson flames engulfed the defenceless house. Suffocating , ashen clouds of smoke emerged out of the windows. He didn’t loiter for a second more. He grabbed his scarf and snatched it across his face, he created a sturdy knot, so he was able to breathe and bolted inside. His eyes scanned around, examining the room for any people, just then he spotted a young child struggling to breathe. “Are you okay ? Can you hear me? Are you able to breathe?” He spoke calmly. He repeated this with all casualties. Zavion did not hesitate and brought the child out. “Help! Help!” He cried out. He assisted four others before tending to his own needs. He felt relieved as they were taken away by an ambulance. Zavion always looked up to his dad. He was his role model. He was his hero. In his eyes, he was the most intrepid, courageous man to ever live. He was a firefighter. He had encountered many difficult situations and had taught Zavion a few things. Zavion believed that his dad was the reason that he was able to save those people. He credited him for the skills that he had enhanced and the courage and selflessness.

181

Hooriya M, Yr8 I look up at the clock. Still forty more minutes. I groaned. As I looked down again my dark curly brown hair swooped in front of my eyes. I looked around. Like me, people seemed bored. I look back at the computer and wonder whether I should hack into the teacher’s computer and speed the time. I quickly thought better of it. I really don’t want another report saying ‘she could use her talents for other things not hacking into the school database’. I smirked. “Have you got something to share?” the teacher asked me. “No, Miss,” I quickly replied. She went back to doing the register. I could do it, but mum and dad would get annoyed. I decided against it. “Maria Evans” the teacher called out. “Yes, Miss,” I said. “Right class you now know what to do so get on with your tasks,” the teacher said. I sighed once more. “Maria!” the teacher snapped, “ Why aren’t you doing the work?” “I’ve already done it, Miss.” It was true while the teacher kept blabbering on for the past twenty minutes, I just did the work. 182

She blinked. “Right, well do the second task.” “Done that too,” I muttered, “I’ve done the entire booklet”. She blinked several times now. “Right, well then do the next booklet.” I sighed this was now actually getting boring. “I’ve done all the work from September until July”, I said with a smirk. She didn’t say anything for a few moments. Then she snapped. “Alright, I’m going to check and if you have not you will be spending the rest of your lunch time with me.” After a few minutes looking at her computer she looked up and said: “You may have of finished all the work, but I’ve assigned you two more tasks.” I looked at my screen and said: “Ok, Miss.” After a few minutes I had done it. I looked at the clock and eventually gave in. I quickly hacked into the school data base I was about to hack into the teacher’s computer, when I saw something odd. There was a different coding , but as I looked closer, I realised it was someone trying to hack into the school database. Of course, I can’t say anything I’m doing the same thing , but this was different. I quickly began to try and stop it, as I did though I gained information on whoever was doing it. But the coding also suggested that it wasn’t 183

someone inside the school. But I also gained knowledge on the hacker computer plans of some sort, but I was more interested in the hacker. I use the GPS to figure out where he was and he was in 53°29’39.1”N 1°47’25.7” W. Somewhere near Sheffield. “Maria, what on Earth are you doing ? You better not be hacking again, the bell’s already rung.” “There’s a hacker trying to get in the school database”. Silence. Then: “Stop telling lies Maria, now get up, you have a lesson to be in.” I didn’t budge. I wasn’t going to give in that easily. “Maria Evans, if you do not move, I will have to call the headmistress”. I didn’t answer. She went out and I carried on. “Maria, what on Earth are you doing ? A staff member has already asked you to lea—”. I cut her off. “Miss, someone is trying to hack into the school.” Silence. “Are you sure?” I blinked. “You believe me?” “You may be a bad student, but you have never told a lie.” I smiled. I quickly began to find his name, Kevin Poulsen. I then used the CPU and blew the computer up. I smirked. “There, he won’t be bothering anyone else.” The headteacher quickly called the police. They then followed my instructions on where to find him and they caught him just a few miles away from it trying to run.

184

They then came to the school and asked me a few questions, I answered them and then they said: “Did you gain any information?” I was about to say no but then I remembered the plans. I quickly changed my no into a yes, I showed them the plans. The police officer whistled. With this he could have got a load of information about the students and the teachers and sold it on the black market. For the next few hours, I was in a daze, when at the end of the last lesson just ten minutes before we had to go home the officers came in and told the entire class that I had stopped a dangerous hacker from gathering information that could have got you all kidnapped. And from that point on I went from being the least popular girl with no friends to the most popular girl with so many friends. But I hated it, they only wanted to be my friends so they could be popular too. But eventually it died down and I was happy even better was that when I finished school, I got a letter to come and join the MI6, they wanted me to hack into different places. I could do the thing l loved best and get paid for it!

185

Hajrah A, Yr8 Bonnie Bennett. A character. A witch. My hero. An inspiration. She is one of the most powerful witches of all. Behind the sadness and her problems she faces, she helps everyone and puts others before her. Swoosh. The streetlights flickered, Bonnie shivered. I’m here finally. Now I need to find Jeremy and talk to him. Excited and ner vous, Bonnie walked on the cobbled concrete, crossed the busy roads of Manchester and arrived at the grand apartment. “Jeremy, open up. It’s Bonnie, I’m here.” She loudly screamed in excitement but something just wasn’t right. To her horror, she saw Jeremy on the floor, dead. “No wake up, you can’t leave me!” she screamed helplessly as she tried to bring him back. “I could bring him back with magic but it will be risky.” Without hesitation, Bonnie took a huge sigh and breathed. PHESMATOS INCENDIA! Everything went dark. It felt as if time had stopped. “Bonnie wake up, what happened.” Jeremy sobbed. “She’s gone,” he sighed.

186

Ethan H, 12 A hero I look up to is Martin Luther King Jr. It isn’t an original idea but I think the speeches he said really inspired me to be the person I am today, and hundreds of times, but he will be remembered as a hero even a legend who said we will always look up to as these times and deser ves to be remembered until the end of times.

187

Nazneen AA, Yr8 It was 6.30 in the morning and Mrs Jackson’s alarm went off. She quickly got changed into her fabulous, glow-in-the-dark hero costume and went down for breakfast. She knew she had to be quick because someone was in danger! Every time Mrs Jackson’s alarm goes off she knows that someone needs her help. Mr Jackson, her husband, doesn’t know that his wife is the local hero! Can you believe that they have been married for almost 42 years and she hasn’t told him? Wow ! She jumped out of the house and jumped into her space car. Her space car is so cool. She has lights in the car to represent the stars, she has black interior for the blackness in Space but the coolest feature about the car is that it can fly ! So cool. To be a 55-year-old and still looking after the neighbourhood she deser ves a lifetime award. Mrs Jackson doesn’t save people all the time, she is also a librarian. She works at the local library reading books to children and primary schools. Oh boy, she is one busy 55 year-old.

188

Saffa NA, Yr8 One day in a town, there was a girl aged 14 and she was looking for a disc that had music on it in the attic. She saw a cookbook that lit up, so she went to go see what it is and then she opened the cookbook and it had very old, odd recipes and some ingredients that no one knew and at the front of the cookbook was a picture of three girls in the olden days. So she put the cook book next to the bed on the side and closed her eyes, trying to go to sleep then, the cook book glowed and made a magical sound. So she tilted her head and hid the book underneath her bed. The next day, she told her best friends to come to her house to bake one recipe because she wanted to try the recipe as they didn't look like normal recipes, but first they needed to get the ingredient that has never been heard before so they went to their friend’s café, Mama P's, and got the ingredient because Mama P's cafe has basically any ingredients. They tried one and it was called 'shut -them-up shortcake' so they baked it and the first piece they gave to Kelly's brother called Buddy and then he couldn't speak because the cakes name is 'shut-them-up shortcake' so then they realised that the cake made his mouth shut.

189

They have been investigating since then and so they thought that if they try another recipe they could learn more so than that's what they did and this time they made 'truth truffles' and then they gave it to Kelly's mum and then she had to go to apply for mayor so she went and then she told the truth to everything like she was walking past someone saying that “I don't like your shirt it is very disgusting and ugly” so then Kelly gave her mum another truffle and that cured it so she went and apologised and then she was being nice. After days of investigating she realised that the picture at the front of the cookbook of the three girls was her grandma, Mama P and Miss Silvers. They were best friends when they were younger but now they are not even friends. Kelly than showed the cookbook to her grandma and her grandma was shocked and took the book and then hid it, then after her grandma tried to burn down the book secretly by putting fire on it but the book wouldn't burn. Ten years before, Kelly's grandma tried to burn the book using magical ingredients but the book wouldn't burn down and she lost her voice by doing it and couldn't speak again. So for days and days she tried to burn the book down because she said it is too dangerous but the book would never burn down. Then one day she was alone with just Kelly and Kelly was asking for the cookbook because she wanted to investigate more but then Kelly's grandma spoke and said: "Kelly the book is too dangerous, don't go near the bo—" And didn't get to finish her word. Kelly then had tears in her eyes and started saying 'Grandma come 190

back, speak to me!' but her grandma didn't speak. Kelly than started investigating and went to Mama P's and Miss Silvers’ and started asking questions and they didn't speak, they were acting as if they didn't know what Kelly was going on about. One day, Kelly than snuck into Mama P's cafe and took the magical ingredients rom the back and started cooking more recipes so she could find out more. Soon Kelly knew everything she should and Kelly's grandma, Mama P and Miss Silver told everything. They said: “ We were the protectors of the book first and now you guys are and the book chooses who the protectors are.” So then Kelly tried everything to try to get her grandma to speak, she tried loads of recipes but none of them worked. Until one day, she made her own recipe and it cures all the spells everyone is under so Kelly told her friends to come over and bake the cake but they said no its too dangerous but Kelly said: “It's for Grandma, I'll do anything to get her back!” because Kelly loves her grandma so much. So then Kelly managed to persuade her friends to bake the cake with them and they listened so they baked the cake and gave her grandma a piece of cake and then she could talk and everyone was so happy because everyone loved her and then they celebrated and had a party and they had so much fun. But then they realised that all the curses are back to normal. 191

They panicked because when they were a bit younger they cursed a bad guy and since the day they cursed him nobody has seen him. So if all curses are back then Chuck is back! They were panicking so much that they started sweating…

192

Ayesha M, Yr8 It was so quiet you could only hear the pencils scribbling and pages flickering. There was a funny-looking teacher perched upon her seat eating biscuits. At this time of year Manchester was supposed to be ebullient with sweltering heat. But not today. Today was dark. “Oi” Tobias whispers to the girl next to him. He had standard school uniform on. A shirt, trousers, a green and white tie and a green blazer. “ What’s the answer to question 10?” he asks. “You’re so dumb,” Elena replies in a hushed voice. “You shouldn’t be speaking during a test! You both have detention next Saturday !” Miss Jenkins shouts. Everyone raises their heads towards them. Detention was in the library. There were four students in total. The library was quite spacious and had many bookshelves. Suddenly the door swings open with Miss Jenkins stood staring. Except this wasn’t Miss Jenkins. She was a Zombie. Her skin was green and she had a rip in her head that revealed her brain. They all stare in horror.

“Oh my god,” Amber slaps her hand over her mouth. Miss Jenkins comes walking towards them. Fear boiled their blood and fear rushed 193

through their veins. They all stand up quickly. “ We need to get out,” Tobias declares. “How are we going to do that ?” Kai questions. His voice was breaking as if he were about to cry. “Follow me,” Tobias waves towards them. Miss Jenkins was getting much closer. They all walk slowly and still around the tables. Elena walks hastily towards everyone else. They reach the door. Miss Jenkins follows them “Argh!” they scream in despair. They start running towards the stairs. Oh no, another teacher appears, Miss Smith. Zombie Miss Smith! They run the other direction. They run into one of the science classrooms. Tobias slams the door shut and locks it. They all pant breathlessly. “Are they zombies?” Elena squeals. Tobias walks over to one of the highchairs. He places it carefully under the door handle for extra protection. “ We need to get out, fast!” Tobias commands heroically. After twenty minutes there were no sign of any of them. They step out with Bunsen burners and lighters. “All clear” Tobias whispers. They creep down the hallway. Miss Jenkins! They stare at her fearfully. Tobias sets his Bunsen burner alight. Tobias hurls his towards her. Luckily her body sets on fire. Screams come roaring out the fire. 194

Something grips hold of Amber’s shoulder. “Hey !” She howls. It was Miss Smith! They turn around startled. Elena gives her Bunsen burner to Tobias. He sets it on fire. he runs towards Miss Smith and smashes it in her head. He grabs Amber back. “Come on let’s go!” He looks at both Miss Jenkins and Smith. They race towards the nearest escape door. They had been released from the school. They all sigh in relief. “Thank you, Tobias. Without you I would have been dead or worse - a zombie!” They all laugh.

195

Zainab N, Yr8 In the dead of night, one tiny little cockroach scuttled along a pipe and headed towards the delicious aroma of food that was wafting towards him. If cockroaches could talk this one could have been calling over his shoulder: “Hey come on everyone follow me this way !” Hundreds more cockroaches poured through the pipe behind him. The closer they got to the light and the whiff of the Tea Shop, the more their tiny legs picked up speed. The bugs spilled through the end of the pipe and hit the ground and dispersed. All the cockroaches came in every direction ready to explore their new home. Across the shelves, up the walls and over the tables they ran. It truly became the biggest cockroach party ever. The Tea Shop was packed with freshly baked cakes, biscuits, bread rolls iced buns and much more all placed in glass displays. The cockroaches were trying so hard but when the rats and mice came, they knew exactly what to do. A push here, a slide there, and all the tasty treats were free to be eaten. The whole Tea Shop was covered with creatures excitedly chewing and crunching. When Apple and Plum, came downstairs the last thing they expected was this. The Tea Shop was in terrible state. It was a disaster!

196

“The inspectors and mayor were due in the next half an hour!” said Apple in panicked voice. “Don’t give up we will think of something quickly,” assured Plum in a confident voice. Mayor Curdle was gleaming as ever. Looking at himself in the mirror he said: “ Well don’t I look gorgeous?” Roger and Walter gulped. They didn’t want to make the Mayor in a bad mood so Rodger hesitantly said: “You look very handsome indeed.” The Mayor was pleased by his answer, his plan was working perfectly. His dream was to build a big skyscraping tower where the Tea Shop was supposed to be. But the two sisters didn’t want to sell their parents’ local shop that everyone loved. The mayor was furious so he hatched a plan. If his plan worked, this would be the last day the Tea Shop would ever be open. Meanwhile, the two sisters were arranging the very last plate of cakes on a beautiful stand. Somehow, they had managed the impossible task of cleaning up the Tea Shop. The girls were exhausted but the whole place looked sparkling and almost like nothing happened. As the Mayor walked in Walter’s inspection team started searching and investigating. When then Apple asked: “As this is going to take a while Mayor, could I possibly tempt you try our lovely warm sticky brownie?” The Mayor agreed at ate the brownies. Surprisingly, he loved it until 197

Roger came and said “we couldn’t find anything Mayor Curdle”. The Mayor was furious and blurted out: “There must be something here. That was the plan!” Apple and Crumble laughed as they saw the Mayor walking off taking the batch of brownies with him. The sisters saved the shop and was still opened for business. But that’s not quite the end of the story you must be wondering what happened to the cockroaches and rats that invaded the Tea Shop. Well, first Plum trapped all the rats in boxes and sent it back to the food inspectors. And as for the bugs, let’s just say that when the sisters were making the brownies again, they added a special ingredient you won’t find in any cookbook ever!

198

Mariam O, Yr8 A cloud, ominous and black, wondering over the monstrous mountain released a sudden shower. All of a sudden, thunder came marching towards a nest of bees, which made the striped bees angry and start to attack me. Earlier, before that disaster happened, I was going for a run not knowing that there was a storm approaching me, clueless and unaware that I was behind a busy bee nest. As I was being attacked by the busy bees, in a blink of an eye my whole body was swollen with how many bees have stung me. Magically the clouds dried and the bright sun came out and focused on a large, masculine body in a white jumpsuit and a strange looking helmet that had a net around it. My peeking eyes noticed that in one of his hands he was holding a box of toxic equipment, smelling the strong smell of the mysterious spray made me dizzy but as quickly I realised that all the bees were drifting away from me. The anonymous figure put them in the box to calm them down and gave me a frigid ice bag to make the pain fade. He removed the mask from his face and I was surprised to see that it was my dad. My dad is my hero. He is my hero because he is a brave, hardworking and selfless man, he worked really hard to give us a good education and to make sure we would sleep without being hungry.

199

He made sure that we had a roof over our heads and that we slept comfortably and waited until we would sleep so he can go to bed knowing that we are okay. He pushes me to get good grades so I can have a good future and to never have to go through what he experienced in his past. I know a secret that my dad has never told me, it’s that he wouldn’t get himself food unless he bought us some with him, and that he did want the rest of the dessert but he always put his kids before himself, which is why I love my dad. I need to make him proud and so he doesn’t think that he did an awful job trying to raise me to be happy and successful in life.

200

Asma S, Yr8 Standing tall and proud with her arms crossed, smiling joyfully as she has helped people achieve what they wanted, she is a comforting character and listens to your problems. Her hair is golden blonde, fire burning brighter than the sun on a summer day. The town she lives in is alarming where murders happen a lot. A car zooming as fast as lightning , hit a girl and she had blood all over her. “Ow !” cried out the girl who got hit by a car. Caroline, my hero, has amazing hearing as she is a vampire. “Are you okay?” yelled Caroline with fear in her eyes. “Here drink my blood,” stated Caroline, as her blood can heal others. “Thank you so much, you saved my life,” replied the girl with relief.

201

Bibihawa S, Yr8 It was a windy and stormy day in Cheetham Hill. You guys might be wondering where this place is. Well this is my street and this is where I live. Well, by the way, I am Flo. Anyway, back to what happened. Everyone was running home to be safe. The trees were dancing in the wind. The flowers could not hold themselves to the ground. People were running in all directions keeping their heads down. Then suddenly, out of nowhere everything and everyone stopped. Except me. What was this ? What could have happened? I went to check and no one was moving. They were like statues. Then I saw something flying in the sky. That did not look like a bird. That looked like a man! No, I can’t believe that. Just as I was going to run from that place the flying man landed right in front of me. But he landed with a thud and smashed the concrete pavement. Crash. I got scared and I went back just to be on the safe side. The flying man was tall and had a yellow and black suit on that had the two letters CH on it. I ran away from there and everything started to move again. I didn’t see but a car came racing at me and I was about 202

to get hit when the car stopped and Mr Flying guy got me and put me back on the pavement. He told me not to be scared and he said his name was Mr Chap Chap. I was shocked and he flew away as fast as lightning. When he went they started to move again and everything was back to normal. That Mr Chap Chap was really brave.

203

Rumaisa K, Yr8 As the sun shines down and the night goes by, another new day in Manchester. The lush, green trees stand tall prouder than ever. The chatter of the crowd gives the morning feel of a typical day in Manchester. Shops start to slowly open and everything’s back in business! Another cloudy yet cheerful day. Nothing brings down Manchester’s smiles! A blanket of sunshine covers the whole of the city. The cars zoom pass as children walk to school. There is one thing that brings down Manchester though. All these helpless homeless people. If only us as individuals treated everyone equally. It is that one thing that would complete Manchester. As the school bells rings, children rush outside of the school gates. What better than a Friday afternoon? A girl named Emily is walking home from school with her friends, Katie and Rachel. As they all giggle, they pop into McDonald’s to get an after school meal. As they walk out, they notice some adults donating to the homeless people and it was at that moment they really felt they needed to help so Emily suggested: “ Wait, come on guys, let’s go back into McDonald’s I need to get something.”

204

Katie and Rachel follow Emily into McDonald’s with huge confusion. Emily then buys a chicken wrap with some water. They cash out and walk out. Rachel asks: “ We’re only three people, why did you buy another wrap?” Emily replies: “So, you see those adults that just helped that homeless man it touched me really hard so I thought why not help him out ?” Katie says: “Um, ok but you just wasted your money.” They approach the helpless man and Emily hands the wrap and water over to him. As tears roll down his cheeks he says: “You don’t know what this means to me this truly means a lot to me thank you so much have a nice day !” Katie and Rachel still didn’t get why Emily wasted her money on a homeless man. They continue making their way home. As they are walking , Rachel goes home and then eventually Katie goes home as well. At this time, you can hear lots of chatter in Manchester but around Emily’s home it’s quite quiet. As she continues to walk home she notices a narrow alleyway she start walking in she could see a black shadow in the distance of the alley way. As she get closer and closer, she begins to panic she gets closer and realises it’s a man in a black hoodie, all black. She knew what that meant. She started to run for her life! But then this one life-changing event happened. The homeless man that she helped earlier ends up behind the man in all black he starts to attack the man who was trying to hurt Emily. As Emily runs to her house faster than ever, she tells her parents 205

and sibling what had happened. Around twenty minutes after, the homeless man knocks on Emily’s door. Emily goes to open the door and she finds herself in tears. The homeless man said: “Hi, thank you for helping me earlier, it meant a lot to me so I decided to help you by the way my name is Luke!” As they both start to cry they promised that they would meet up every single day after school to say hi. This just goes to show helping others not only makes you feel good but it helps others and who knows, you might end up in this situation as well.

206

Marwah, Yr8 I woke up rubbing my eyes lazily as the sun shone through the gaps of my azure blue curtains. I had just woken up from a bizarre dream about white cats. Bandits still roamed about in my head. I quickly shook my head to forget about it as I looked at the clock. It was half past seven already. I jumped out of bed, grabbed my school clothes and rushed to the toilet to get ready. After minutes that seemed like hours fixing my hair and brushing my teeth I came to go down to eat breakfast. “Sarah! How long are you going to take in there? Come have your breakfast.” called out my mum. “Coming , Mum!” I yelled back as I ran down the stairs. I came downstairs to find that my sister was wearing my hair band with little red things coloured in them which I thought seemed to be flowers. “Ahem” I did a little cough to get her attention. A few seconds later and she was still peacefully eating away at her breakfast. “Ahem!” I cleared my throat again but slightly louder. She was still munching away at her cornflakes. “AHEM! Why are you wearing my blue headband? How many times do I have to find you wearing my things and then tell you off ? Can you not keep something in your head for once without it flying out of the other ear ?” I bellowed 207

unable to control my anger. My start to the day had certainly not been the best and I hoped it would get better soon. When Sophia and I were finally ready and had our backpacks and books ready too. We head outside only to feel the cold harsh wind blowing right at our faces and the rain showering down on our heads. I forced myself through the heavy rain and the strong wind and, after a few minutes, when I was three streets away from my house in the distance I seemed to see a white cat far in the distance yonder. As I came closer to it I figured it had very fluff y white hair that reminded me of candyfloss and clouds. It looked like it was lost, and perhaps sick too. I wasn’t sure what to do with it so I picked it up. As it purred softly in my arms I wrapped it with my scarf. Soon enough, an unbelievably long and white car just like the cat drove towards me as if it was expecting something. A lady with pink leather leggings and a fluff y white coat and a sky-blue shawl wrapped around her stepped out of the car looking like she was ready for a fancy-dress party. As soon as her eyes set upon the lost cat she jumped and squeaked and unexpectedly ran towards me with her arms open. For a second, I thought she was charging at me but she then slowly and softly took the cat from me and thanked me several times before calling me a hero. A smile grew across my face as I thought that maybe today wasn’t so bad after all.

208

Nawal F, Yr8 As I rode my bike to school, alone, I glanced over and saw someone, or something , swinging in the distance. From building to building they flew, they seemed familiar. Looked like they were helping people, like our own local superhero. I guess we needed one, not everything’s perfect here in Manchester. I wonder who that is? They’re wearing some sort of suit to disguise themselves. After thinking hard about it, I carried on riding to school, and thankfully got there on time. It was pretty rainy today, I nearly slipped while riding my bike. I got through the first few lessons and got to lunch time. Later on, Peter walked in and quickly ran to his table, hoping he wouldn’t get caught, I don’t think he was very lucky though. “Excuse me, where have you been all day? You aren’t marked in on any of your lessons,” the teacher said concerned. “Oh um I—I had a family emergency, sorry, Miss.” “ Very well, you will still be marked in absent now sit down and get on with the work please.” He quickly put his head down and got on with the work but I saw his notebook. It looked strange. Well I’ve had enough of strange 209

today, I’ll just ignore it. I just couldn’t help wondering what’s going on today. After school, I decided to take a walk around town, I went to some shops. I wanted to see if something else was up. I knew I would find something. Suddenly half of the building that I’m in collapses. It was the most terrif ying moment of my life. I quickly ran over to make sure no one was hurt. I’m 100% sure something’s wrong here. I went outside to check it out, and there they were, it looked like … Spider-Man? I was so confused, I started to feel dizzy, and I fainted. Fifteen minutes later I woke up frightened by what was in front of me. Again, Spiderman, but not just him this time. It felt like I was in a movie. All I could hear was petrified and terrified screams. “ Who are you guys? And what’s happening ? Where am I?” “ We found you outside town unconscious, well, Pete—I, I mean Spiderman did.” “I am a hero. An undercover, secret hero. I have kept who I am a secret from the rest of Manchester. I always love helping people in this diverse and cultural city. Every day, after school me and Peter go around Manchester to see if anyone needs help. Sometimes they let me try on a suit but I’ll admit I’m not the best at swinging from building to building , although the group does see a certain potential from me. So far no one suspects anything about our identities, let’s just hope it stays that way...” 210

Nusrat B, Yr7 The energetic city of Manchester buzzed with vital lively people who worked with animation and ambition, determined to do yet another good deed. There were all sorts of things in the busy street: Victorian buildings that stood elevated, colossal and grand, the contrasting tune of footsteps echoing , hinting people’s moods and their resoluteness. The content, ecstatic murmurs and laughter of people with exultant, exhilarated, elated personalities. But most of all, out of anything , it was the way they were somehow connected together, like one big family, caring for others and helping someone when they felt that they could go no longer. But though everyone believed in equality, she couldn’t shake away the feeling that she was an outsider, that she didn’t belong in this place, that she couldn’t be connected to everyone else like a jigsaw puzzle. The shops nearby welcomed warmly, showing off each other’s ideas and products of what they were selling , as if to show how one could do so well at making intruders fascinated and impressed at the way the shop was managed. She was lightly built, Lucy, with chestnut brown hair up to her shoulders that smelled of sweet cherries, gorgeous green eyes that were full of mystery and always curious, and pale cheeks that indicated that she was tired and couldn’t sleep the night before. She 211

made her way in a fast pace, but also tried not to show the excitement that was growing at the tip of her toes. She turned right to see people staring at her with a bizarre, inquiring look as if searching for an explanation of what a 12-year-old was doing in a quiet, silent street. But they were the usual people that she came across every day for the past two years. Ignoring them, she hastily turned left to face a soundless alleyway and looked back and forth, waiting for someone to pop in and say “I have got you!” But as usual, no one came which was actually good news to her. For what she was going to do not next was a secret and very confidential. What would it be this time? Obedient golems who obeyed the Dark Lord’s rules ? Or a hideous cyclops whose creativity was actually quite overwhelming ? But then, it has to be a man-eating , vicious ogre? No, it might as well be a merciless gorgon, that can turn her into stone with just one look? But whatever it was, the fun had just begun. She slowly got the key out of her locket and unlocked a hidden door that no one would have guessed was there. It was time for her to be a hero and save Manchester from violent mythical creatures. She was a hero who no one ever knew about but also someone who everybody would want. She thought those great thoughts as she fell face forward in the sky, in another peculiar world, full of unknown heroes that no one knows about. Now we see that there are in fact many people in this world who are great heroes and to be a great one, you don’t have to be famous. 212

Somayya H, Yr8 It was a chilly Thursday afternoon in January. The kind of afternoon where all you want to do is stay toasty-warm in your bed wrapped up in your blanket looking like a burrito. Becky, a normal college student, was stressed about how much work had to be done this week and there is still school tomorrow. “Ugh! I am failing so many classes! What to do, what to do? I know, I will call Sam she can help me.” Notification. “Huh? A notification?” “BREAKING NEWS - there is new robber in town and they are heading to Cheetham Hill right now as we speak!” Oh my god, is that Aunt Marie? Mum! Dad! You need to check the news right now ! Aunt Marie is on there! Oh no what to do now ?” As her thoughts filled up her mind, she gets her trainers and dashes out of the house onto the street whilst listening to the news on her phone. She is heading to Cheetham Hill to stop her aunt. When she has Aunt Marie in sight something stops her. Something very suspicious and shocking. There are now men dressed in black running after Aunt Marie! We need a hero to save the day. 213

Halima K, Yr8 Johnny Williams is a shopkeeper by day, and hero by night. I am the only one who knows about his job. Other people think he is a simple shopkeeper, but I know that that is far from the truth. He helps people with simple actions on a daily basis. He likes to think of himself as a modest man, but I have seen the way he saves Manchester from villains, monsters and so much more the public think aren’t real or have gone extinct. One day, Johnny was just doing his job as a shopkeeper, and suddenly, a robber came lively into the shop. There was terror and violence in his voice, he had a gun with him, and he said: “Get down, all of you!” He screamed. All the customers in the shop screamed and shouted. “You!” He pointed the gun towards Johnny, cocking the gun. “ Where’s the money?” He questioned Johnny. “You won’t be getting that today, Sir,” he calmly told the robber. Just then, a shining light came from him. “My good Sir, who are you?” a customer asked Johnny. “I am still the shopkeeper that works here every day.” “B-But, you are such a simple man! How did you turn from that into a superhero!?” 214

Johnny ignored the customer’s question and walked to the robber, the gun still in the villain’s hand. “Give me the gun, and get out of here, and no one will be hurt.” “Ha! As if, come on, I’m not playing around, give me the money or I’ll shoot this gun and kill everyone here!” Johnny was angry now, so he sprouted his cape which helped him to fly and took the robber by his legs. “Hey ! Put me down this instant!” The robber cried. Johnny had forgotten about the gun, so he quickly took it out of the robber Alex’s hand and squished it with one hand. Luckily, Johnny had some duct tape in his pocket from stocking up and boxing things, so made Alex levitate, and put tape on his mouth. “MMF!” Alex muffled. “Shut up, you’re going to jail, Sir.”

215

Charlotte P, 12 Dear Diary, My life is so crazy at the moment. So it all started when I was bitten by a spider, after I felt strange. I was faster than normal and had what can only be described as super powers. Anyway I started to help solve crimes as I was faster and could catch people quicker than the police and was given the name Spiderman. So one day I was helping someone who was getting robbed when I heard lots of exceedingly loud screams and cries for help. I went to look to see what was going on when I saw a huge figure marching and crushing buildings. In the city on the highest building was the Duke and his soon-to-be Duchess and their families. It was manic. Screaming people running but the figure was going for the Duke. I couldn’t let that happen. I quickly chased over to the building but no, the figure got there before me and swooshed his big robot arms. Now I could see the figure it was a tremendously large purple robot. But there’s no time to think about that, the Duchess was falling from the top of the extremely large building. The other family members were safe now I had to save her. I used my powers and spun a web to catch her in and caught her. She was ever so grateful, and that’s when I met Darcy...

216

Helen B, Yr7 When I’m older I’m going to be an explorer and to my best friend I’m going to say come away with me lets go further. We will go and explore the world. Our world. We can be eagles in our next life, just come away with me. We can go far away from here, just join me in my flatbed Ford and they will show us the way. When it’s dark we can watch the sunset under the blanket my grandmother knitted. Then you fall asleep in my arms after a day of country radio with singing at the top of our voices. But those days have an end, and this generation dies off in my next life. I wish to make a change in someone’s life and show them the magic of the sunset, of each wave of the sunflowers in France and the culture in Istanbul (not Constantinople anymore). That’s my wish. When I’m older I will become a mother, I will name her, my child, Roseline, and we can be best friends. I will show her the ways of life and the ways we can be lionesses for the next life, though now we are eagles and I will say come away with me, my darling , we can come far from here. I will show you the way, join me under my wing as we soar through the mountains in Switzerland, we can rest on the top of Dents Du Midi.

217

I will show her the church under the blanket of snow, as I remember my best friend, I have a single tear rolling down my eye. I say to Roseline this is your home now this is your life. I need to go to mine. Obviously, I’m sad that I abandoned her but she is a young adult she will find her way as I found mine. For my next life I would want to be a leader and I would like to be a scavenger – I think I would be good at that. As I wake up, I find six little cubs bouncing on my stomach and I find them being happy. As I go to the water fall with them, I realise I can be loving once again and I love these six cubs splashing themselves with water and I smile and say we have a long day ahead. As I say this, I think I am old. This is my life. This is my calling to the light. I was an explorer. I was a mother and I was a loving lion, whatever that means. All I am going to say I wish I was wise. Wish for happiness not wealth. As I see the oceans coast lines in my life, at my home I see the border lines. This is my other side here are my sights unseen my land unknown.

218

Tola W “ Who did you sit with at lunch today?” I asked him. “Nobody,” he responded, staring down at his worn shoes. “ Why ?” I questioned, almost immediately after the words left his chapped lips. “No one will sit with me, but I like to be by myself, I can think easily.” “Oh,” I whisper as tears well up in my eyes. Adam H is very tall for his age, with coarse brown hair, green-brown eyes, and a bright smile painted on his face. He always says “I’m not into fashion, I’m not into fashion!” whenever I scold his clothing choices. Most days you will see him wearing a worn t-shirt from a vacation spot my family has travelled to, and athletic sweatpants or faded jeans. His voice is warm and sweet, some quality makes it almost impossible to ignore. I can’t tell you how much I love that kid. Everyone can remember the person in their class that was made fun of daily. Most people even enjoy joining in on the teasing ritual. Normally it is Adam who is directly or indirectly being hurt without his even knowing it or knowing all too well that there is something wrong. He does have something wrong with him, but I would never say that is wrong or his fault. The dictionary might say that it is ‘a 219

developmental disorder’ of ‘variable severity’ that is characterised by ‘difficulty in social interaction and communication’ and by ‘restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behaviour’, but when you live with someone who suffers and shines with autism it is a very different concept. Adam has autism, but most days I don’t even think about that. I only think of how lucky and how much I have changed by having Adam as a brother. I watch my peers every day, and I have changed. As if I see things through a different lens than those around me. To say that Adam has changed my life is an understatement. Adam has done so much more for me, my parents, and anyone who comes in acquaintance with him. He has taught us unconditional love and a never-ending patience for others going through his hardships. I have experienced at lot in my life through Adam, some days I wonder how I am able to continue. A little light warms my soul to travel on through the dark. Adam is that light for me. He is special in many more ways than one. He gives me ideas to grow off of and to build onto. Adam is my brother, my hero in life, and I love him very much.

220

Ahsham A, Yr7 The Electrical Hero Julian hastily packed his bag , realising that he was late for school again. He slipped his feet into his shoes, not bothering to fasten the laces. He swung his backpack around so fast that it walloped him in his back causing him to stumble forwards. He inserted his key into the door and the lock clicked. He left the house, quickly asking his mum to lock the door behind him. Julian continued to walk, checking his watch. It was 08.13 and he had to get to school by 08.30. Time was tight, he knew that he had to sacrifice his energ y and begin to run. That’s exactly what he did. “I can make it, I can make it.” Julian kept on convincing himself that he would be able to reach school in time. Eventually, Julian had to stop running as his legs were screaming and were begging him to slow down. Julian continued to travel to school, as fast as he could. As he walked, he was intrigued by a low buzz sound coming from a building with a few wires dangling from the edge. He walked towards the building and noticed that the low buzz was actually the sound of crackling electricity, but from afar it sounded like a buzz. 221

He walked towards the building , cautious of the wires. He frowned. “Oh my god,” he began, “how can this be? Why can I hear words from the crackling ?” Julian was utterly baffled. He couldn’t believe that he could hear words coming from the wires of electricity. “Hmmm,” began the crackle, “you can’t believe?” Julian’s jaw dropped as the crackling continued. “How can you not believe if it’s happening right in front of you?” Julian opened his mouth to speak, but it took a long time for him to find his voice. “Uh, I, who are you?” said Julian in a baffled tone. There was a hiss of a crackle. “I am electricity.” Julian mouthed something inaudible. Julian’s expression said everything about his feelings: pure bafflement. “But, how can electricity speak?” There was another low crackle. “ Well, that’s because I also exist in you. All of the signals your brain emits, all of the signals that your heart generates, it is all electricity. This means that electricity has consciousness. I am aware of the world, because now electricity is worldwide. I’m pretty impressed by you, you noticed my voice straight away despite the fact that you were running late for school. You are also lucky, because I can control time. I can do a lot with time: I can rewind it, fast forward it, make it pass differently in different places. I think you need to be fast, so I will slow time down 222

for you, but make it pass normally for all the other people and don’t worry, no one will notice. However, I haven’t unlocked time travel.” “Thank you so much, you are my hero.” There was a hiss. “I wouldn’t exist without you humans. So, thank you.”

223

Ellie-May, 13 I look up to Louis Tomlinson because he is the strongest person I know. He lost his mum to cancer in 2016 and a year later his sister died yet he’s still able to be him and produce music for millions of people who look up to him. Louis is my hero because he’s been through so much and taught us all it’ll be okay. He checks up on us all every week by tweeting and telling us what he’s been up to. With all the hate he gets, he’s the strongest boy I know as well as the rest of One Direction.

224

Kaitlin S, 13 Iron Man is the hero because he saved the universe from Thanos by going back in time with the rest of the Avengers to get crystals before Thanos and then he died by clicking his fingers to bring everyone back.

225

Lucy H, 12 A Day in the life of a NHS worker I wake up early in the morning , 6am, to my alarm going off to start another day of work. I get dressed into my tunic, face mask, face covering , full body suit and shower cap to keep my hair up. I walk outside with the moon still out and sun still tucked in. After a full busy day of helping clients.

226

Cordell W, 12 I’m Damon, a vampire I am immortal the only way I can die is by a piece of wood, a stake. He has super strength and speed.

227

Jake C, 12 My superhero is immortal and when you need him he comes to your rescue. They are also super strong and super-fast.

228

Amelia A, 12 Dear Diary, Today I had a very crazy day. In case you didn’t know, I love Ella Fitzgerald and her music, and I actually met Ella a few months ago, and we’re really good friends. Anyway, today I came across her and she seemed really stressed and upset, so I asked her what was going on, and in case you didn’t know, Ella is Black, and a beautiful plussized woman and she told me what happened. Basically she wanted to perform at this club, but they wouldn’t let her because of her skin colour and weight! I couldn’t believe what I was hearing so I barged in the club and told them that if they let her perform I’ll model at the front of the club for a week and bring other celebrities to their club and they agreed! -Marilyn Monroe

229

Talha G, 13 Chlorophyll As I glided through the sweet, scented breeze, Shining Beauty with hazel eyes galloped through the air, sprinkling a touch of charm in the ambience. I smiled a smile, witnessing the flowers, unique and colourful, dancing with the air. The sunny sun glistened its brilliance of vividness, the flowers presenting the aromatic scent of luxury. Gently, I held a love (also known as a rose) and looked deep down into one of its leaves, gazing at the tiny structure of the chlorophyll as gratitude engulfed me. Today, as the clouds kiss the picturesque sky, I’m going to share with you a very valuable lesson about the under-rated chlorophyll which many mermaids don’t appreciate, yet it is filled to the brim with Mother Nature’s beauty and elegance. Because without chlorophyll, the true magnificence of nature will vanish, leaving the world in complete dullness. For without nature, we are nothing , not even a speck of dust, and as they always say : “Colours are the smiles of nature.” If I had one wish, it is to stay always like this, living quietly in a 230

corner of nature, adoring Mother Nature’s unique and fine details, one of which is chlorophyll. It may sound a bit complex but trust me, the way this tiny organelle within the cells of plants work and the lessons we can derive from it will leave you stunned by the true glory of nature and its complexity. Chlorophyll is the food producer of the cell and it’s the pigment that gives plants their green colour. It soaks up the energ y from sunlight and creates a chemical reaction, with the help of carbon dioxide and water, to produce sugar (glucose) and oxygen gas which you, I and all living things breathe in. In short, carbon dioxide and water (in the presence of sunlight) is converted into oxygen and glucose, in the chlorophyll. Without the chlorophyll, plants would be left like the rest of us, to eat what they find. Instead, they hold out their green palms and catch light. If there is magic in the world, surely this is it ? The descendants of tiny creatures in leaves, capable of ingesting the sun. We can abstract a beautiful lesson from this. Imagine you are the chlorophyll. Firstly, the chlorophyll absorbs energ y from the sun’s rays. For us, this is when we start to absorb endless knowledge about success from reading numerous types of books that will benefit us in the future. At the same time, carbon dioxide and water are absorbed by tiny holes being present in the leaves. For us, this is when we soak up motivational lectures and biographies of successful people and their mistakes so we can influence ourselves and make connections to our own lives. 231

Next, molecular reactions happen – carbon dioxide and water is converted into oxygen and glucose – happen inside the chlorophyll. For us, this is when we start to understand the value of time and how precious it is. It’s when we begin to enlighten our hearts by signalling for a more enjoyable and healthier life, filled with unique and newly polished pearls, transforming from inferior to superior. After that, oxygen diffuses from the tiny holes in the leaves. For us, this is when we get rid of things like jealousy, laziness, selfishness, impoliteness and all the other harmful things, diffusing them from our minds. It’s when we grow and develop into better mermaids than yesterday, sprouting seeds of exotic flowers filled with the soul’s enchantment, blossoming in nature. Finally, glucose is transported to different parts of the plant which the plant uses for growth and nourishment. For us, this is when we input all the knowledge and wisdom we soaked up in our body, emitting beautiful, positive vibes that will change the way we look at life. So you see, chlorophyll connects to every meal and every food a mermaid consumes. And if you truly admire nature, you will find infinite delicacy everywhere. By implementing these lessons from the chlorophyll into our day-to-day lives, I can promise you that your life, will change in a way that will leave you immersed in knowledge, success, love, and hope. And this is why the chlorophyll, is my hero.

232

Poojitha V, 11 Dear Diary, This morning , me and my brother woke up and went to the window. It was bright and sunny, so at breakfast – which was pancakes with golden syrup on top – we both decided that we should go and play outside in the garden before our bath. Like we had planned, me and my brother both went and played in the garden, yesterday we played catch with our basketball, today we decided to play football, we both spent so much time playing outside that we didn’t even remember to go back inside for our bath. It was only when Mum had called from the kitchen that it was bath time, that we realised it was time to go to bath. First, she called my brother. I sat in the garden humming rhymes whilst prodding the green grass which danced at the slightest swish of the occasional wind. Thirty minutes later, I heard Mum’s voice from the bathroom calling me to come upstairs. I did what she told me, I locked the back door just in case and came upstairs. I went and got my T-shirt and a pair of leggings and went to the bathroom. Mum was already there, she was making my bath ready. Two minutes later, the water in the bath was covered in an icing

233

made of bubbles. She went downstairs and called Aunt Susan to come, and babysit us whilst Mum went to the shops. It was then, I hadn’t realised that the soap was in my eyes. I was shouting for Mum to come. Seconds later, Mum rushed upstairs and saw what I had done. I couldn’t see anything. My eyes were burning. Mum took me to the A&E department. They gave me medicines and it wasn’t till 4 o’clock in the evening until the burning pain had stopped. I finally managed to open my eyes. I saw a white ceiling. I was wearing a dressing gown which was certainly not mine. I got up and looked around the room I was in. It was covered in rainbows and animals such as giraffes. I realise where I was now, the doctors had brought me into this room for treatment. I saw eyedroppers beside my bed and had poured some liquid substance into my eyes to stop it from burning. Just then, a doctor came into the room and smiled when she saw that I was alright. I looked at her badge, it said that she was called Dr Wilson. Then Mum and my brother came in. And surprisingly Dad too, I thought that he must have gotten a leave from work. They all smiled too. I also smiled and thought of the NHS heroes. We all came home and there was Aunt Susan, she hurried towards me and picked me up. She was so happy to see me alright. I liked Aunt Susan, she always let us do what we wanted just as long as we were in 234

the house and she always brought us sweets. This time, it was me and my brother’s favourite, eclairs. It wasn’t just a normal eclair, it was a ginormous eclair, it filled the size of my little palms. We all played in the garden together and watched T V, Mum and Aunt Susan went into the kitchen to make dinner. It was jacket potato with baked beans. We had to go to bed as it was one hour past bedtime. Mum is coming to my room to read my bedtime story. Good Night.

235

Anmaar S, Yr9 Marcus Rashford is very humble, He remembered when his tummy used to rumble. He reminded all the parents in his town To never back down. He reminded all the children that they were worth more than gold And he made sure that there food wasn’t cold. He was every parent’s hope. He made sure they didn’t fall down the slope.

236

Asdallah M, Yr9 Today and all day they marked my work, Every day on their feet to ensure we learn, Always working hard with selfless thoughts, Cheering up the dull minds of our youth, Helping others with a positive mind, Eating the minimum to make the change, Reading the news to ensure our safety, Safety of ours, with no thought of theirs.

237

Huzaer A, Yr9 A Day in the life of Captain Tom Moore While trudging through heatwave, to give a hope of message. He was 100 years of age we admired him who gave up his time to raise £35 million pounds for the hard-working NHS whenever we needed him to walk one more lap. For good causes, for new hopes to exceed our expectations. Not only going through pain and time, fighting for our country, helping the country. His work ethic, his humble attitude makes him an icon for young people. Young people that need a motivation. The will to succeed and acting as a smiling face behind the pandemic.

238

Ismaheel S, Yr9 NHS Heroes Never ending hours, working all day, Helping the ill working away, Saving lives every day.

239

Kamille, Yr9 Captain Sir Tom Moore He’s old and wise Kind heart and kind eyes No matter how old, He stood tall in pride. Yes he was diligent Yes he persisted No matter what He held his head up high. He was a beacon of hope, Light to our dark. When times were though He taught our nation to never give up

240

Maryam A Day in the Life of an NHS Worker “Brr Brr!” There goes the alarm again, I think to myself. The children are fast asleep with my face swollen up from the gazillion masks from work. I get up once again and slowly creep through the door. As I walk past, I can tell they started to wake up. Rushing I prepare breakfast, my only meal of the day. Back into my room, now I’ve already started putting on my NHS uniform, a badge I wear with pride and joy. The smiles of those I’ve helped to save or even their last words are all I acknowledge at work. Last week, an elderly lady, 91, told me about her life and treated me like the grandmother I never had. I can’t wait to see her once again today. Even at such an old age she always manages to smile and laugh, knowing she doesn’t have long left. That’s the thing with patients, once they get discharged its either to go home or to rest forever. I tie up my hair and pet my dog , trying not to wake her up whilst also trying to reach for my keys. But I missed a step and woke up Sniff. Yes a very childish name, but my daughter Alice named her. She’s only six, what do you expect ? Fast forward, I’ve given Sniff 241

food and headed towards the front door. Turning the keys to leave, Alice came clashing forward. Tears running down her soft cheeks, eyes red and hair a mess. My heart’s already aching for her but I reassure her “Everything will be alright! Lea is coming to babysit. I heard she’s bringing a surprise? Be a good girl now” I say patting her matted hair. Lea has already arrived and now I can finally head to work. The hardest part of being a single mum. I’m finally at work. I wish everyone a good morning and head to Elizabeth’s world skipping in my path, as I see bed folded up neatly and her name plate. The silence is deafening. “Rest in peace,” I manage to swallow the lump. Just an ordinary life of an NHS worker.

242

Mohammed U Day in the Life of an Marcus Rashford Marcus Rashford, an inspirational footballer, has raised a lot of food against poverty among children. Rashford’s actions have been an act of kindness and is helping thousands of lives throughout the UK. Although Rashford is an inspirational figure for his campaign, he is a hero for a number of reasons. He has been a legend for his magic on the pitch, and an icon for young people who want to make a successful difference. We are trapped in a troubling post-pandemic world, but our society will benefit from the outstanding example he sets.

243

Reer A Local Heroes The NHS are heroes. The heroes that save us from diseases, cancers, and pandemics. On Thursday we clap for the NHS for all their hard work. The NHS also gets discounts, vouchers etc. People were gathering in house and going out. This makes the NHS so much better. Two meters’ distance, no one is following the rule. This has to change urgently. Millions of people have died in the UK. This number has to decrease. Now that the vaccine is out the numbers are really decreasing help this up. Co-operate with the NHS.

244

Safa, Yr9 My Local Heroes “Do you know any local heroes or what one is like?” Stepping out of the door, approaching the infected area. Sacrificing themselves for those who need them. Putting the vulnerable before themselves, but still are not recognised enough. Wrapped in sheets, undressing their faces ready for a 12+ hour shift. Dressed in plastic bags and blue gloves with plastic visors. Suffocating themselves for the community. Either this or inhaling infectious air. Which one would you take? Some of the key workers who have the time to think about themselves righteously want a pay rise as their hours have surely increased significantly. As a result, they get 1% pay rise. This is a joke, in comparison to MPs who are gaining a ridiculous amount. I do not need to explain you know how risky it is to step into the intensive care unit in a time like this. The minimum the government can do for the NHS workers is to give them what they deser ve as they are not asking for extra but what they have tirelessly earnt. But no, they only deser ve a clap every Thursday at 8pm in the government’s perspective. 245

Shanza, Yr9 Local Heroes As the machine beeps, staggering lines, news spreading sympathy, trying to save lives. Pressure swallowing me, risks as the sign of hope, hands shaking , working in layers of sheets. Thoughts provoking my mind, consistent birds chirping for answers, with my inner feelings swarming with questions. Families at stake, sorrows deepening , but now I’ve got my answer. Aid those counting on us aid those of our nation, aid those who are helpless,

246

I have unlocked my answer. I am proud to be part of it. I am proud to be part of the NHS, Now I’ve got my answer, in the times where I’m needed most.

247

Zain B, Yr9 Dear Diary, I can’t believe what I’m hearing ! In this day and age, food poverty is still a thing ! When people plead for help, the government does a magic act and disappears. This disgusts me! It’s in times of hardship like this, we have to pull together and unite as a community and help others in their time of need. Working all hours just to scrape together a tiny meal for their kids – how is that even remotely fair to all these hard-working parents ? I know the struggle. On pungent buses all day, scrimping and scraping to get basic toiletries. And who’s fault is that ? The government’s. What good is money just sitting there, when it could be changing lives or even changing the world for the better ? Food vouchers and food parcels need to be distributed to these poor, vulnerable families. Change must take place and these poor families will get their deser ved help! Sincerely, Marcus Rashford

248

Shamayam K, Yr8 The sun was warm. When he opened his eyes from his two to three hours of sleep, the sun was directly overhead. The shining sun set a joyful and cheerful atmosphere as he grinned from ear to ear. Though many illnesses were trying to devour his body he still didn’t surrender, he still didn’t let it ruin his day and continued to live a happy life till the end. He always woke up his daughters with a faint kiss on the cheek and grinned. His work was a stress working about 12-18 hours a day and struggling to find customers due to the pandemic and the grim virus but it was all that he could do to support his family and he was willing to do anything for them. His heart was overflowing with love and care for everyone although his life was rough at the start by losing his parents and him and his brother floating apart it all seems as a blur as he had his family with him. Though he was working full time as a taxi driver he still had time to make appetising food and after they came from school he welcomed them with a big hug and kiss on the cheek and fed them all well. Soon after his wife came home from her long day at work he continued his job until late night and came home and caught a glimpse of his family sleeping away peacefully. Little did he know it would be one of the last times he would see them, little did he know he would have to leave his family and let them be on their own without him. 249

Samavah M, Yr8 Dear Diary, Today was the most alarming , terrif ying day that ever happened as I went on a walk through Blackely Forest. It all began when I decided to go for a stroll around the forest which remains beside my house. I walked briskly as the streetlights overhead flickered and the cool, refreshing breeze blew through my hair leaving a shiver travelling through my arms to my feet. I opened the dilapidated gate that led to the forest. The gate had been beautiful once upon a time. What was left of the fancy designs and the iron bars was covered in rust and debris and the gate was barely hanging on to its hinges. I quickened my pace and made my way up to the centre of the extensive, magnificent bridge. I gazed deep into the clear blue water that sat beneath the bridge at my reflection for a few minutes until I was startled by a loud, sudden barking. The firm, rigid metal bars stood strong and proud as I strolled along with not a care in the world, I walked and walked until I couldn’t move my legs anymore. Literally, I couldn’t move. I turned around and saw that my leg was stuck in a wide crack in the wall, I felt that the earth was about to swallow me or worse. The more I looked around and realised I was alone, there was no one to help me, I shouted and shouted but there was no reply, I suddenly burst into a river of tar. The bitterness of 250

the tar dripping against my lip, stinging the deep wound on my lip I had received when I fell to the ground. I continues shouting until I realised that it was no use nobody was going to turn up in a cape and come and rescue me, that was until my hero arrived. Not in a cape but with a collar around his neck, a white, adorable Bichon Brideshead turned up to my rescue. The dog swiftly ran back to its owner to get some help. Within a few minutes, I was able to move my leg again, all thanks to my hero, I was ever so grateful! Today I learnt that not all heroes wear capes some wear collars. I am unbearably tired after this hectic day. See you tomorrow !

251

Rana M, Yr8 Dear Diary, Today was a wonderful day I loved it, I love my neighbourhood for one reason the people a hero was amongst us ok I will start from this morning so it makes sense. It all started on a Monday morning the sun was up and I got dressed and ate breakfast ready for school. You see, I am from Manchester but my school is in Cheetham Hill, so my dad wakes me up at 7 o’clock and I do my morning routine but what I didn’t know was my morning routine was about to be completely different. I was in the car on my way two school when a man drove by at the speed of 40mph when, seconds later, I was blacked out in the middle of a car crash. When I was no longer conscious I heard the sirens of the ambulance. I was still a little dizzy ten minutes later I was lying in a hospital bed no longer wearing my school uniform. I was wearing a hospital dress, barely able to sit up straight for one minute. My mum and dad sat by my side all the time. When my eyes opened my mother shouted: “She’s awake, she’s awake, call a doctor!” The doctor ran in shocked, like he didn’t expect to see me alive. 252

A few seconds later questions were spread across my face. “Are you ok?” “Do you need anything ?” “ Where does it hurt ?” They treated me like a famous celebrity I was lost of words the doctor stood by my side and told the nurse: “Ok, we will need to examine her body to see if there are any broken bones.” Minutes later I was dragged in a bed around the hospital it was like a maze. I was the one who was lost. I entered a room the lights were off and I was now in examination the doctor looked worried and furious. He whispered to my parents, something I was struggling , hurting myself, just to hear what they were saying. “She’s – hurt – her...” I couldn’t catch the last words. I was now in pain from leaning over I had to stop. I hated not knowing what was wrong. The world had changed so much from that day after I had my examination because the next day I was told what was wrong. The doctor told me that I had kidney failure and they found someone who had complimentary kidney and that they would donate their kidney. When the woman walked in my face lit up – it was one of my neighbours, Lisa. She said that I deser ve this because I have always had a smile on my face and I always make her smile. This shows me that good gives good and the people around you can be really kind no matter what you think. I have now been out of the hospital for a week and have never felt better. I now visit Lisa a lot and help her if she has any problems. 253

Zaryab N, Yr8 It was a serene, pleasant summer day, I could feel the remarkable sun ray as I climbed the faintly greening trees. I could feel the gentle, brisk breeze. All I hear is peace but wait, all of a sudden, I hear an intense scream. It was from far, it sounded like a broken guitar. I could see it, black and brown thorns wrap around the forest, almost like teeth waiting to tear at you. The trees seem to close in, choking out the light and letting the fog roll around like a breath. Sharp shadows, darker than the deepest forests lurk about just out of sight, while unseen creatures move branches and, you swear, even a tree... At first I just stared, but then I dared myself to go there.

254

I heard the screams from above, so I looked up..... and fell in love. It was the cutest kitty cat, so petite and delicate. He was stuck on the black-brown trees, which were staring at me like silent sentries. I needed to help, it hurt my ears to hear it yelp. As I climbed the dark tree trunks, I gulped at the air, trying to slow my breathing enough to hear. With my hand trembling , I grasped the beautiful, little kitty, and heard the tree mumbling. I slowly came back down, bringing the kitten safe and sound. I ran as fast as I could, towards the neighbourhood, the kitten tucked inside my hood. I brought it home, it started to roam, 255

I used chrome, to find him a new loving home. Indeed I was a hero.

256

Inayah R, Yr8 BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! I jumped up, startled. The small room was dark, except for the amber glow of my side lamp, creeping up the wall. My alarm clock continued to shriek, its loud noises piercing through the once silent room. I smacked it shut, before stumbling out of bed. It was only 4.30am. I walked over to the bathroom, my bare feet padding against the carpet. Instantaneously, I brushed my teeth, had a shower, got dressed into my red uniform, tied back my hair, slipped on my face mask and left the apartment. I walked down the dimly lit streets, darkness surrounding me. Tall lampposts loomed over me, their yellow lights flickering. A small squat building stood in front of me, its pearly white sign glowing through the dark sky, The Post Office. Pushing open the door, I stepped inside. I walked over to the backroom, greeting my boss in the process. With great difficulty, I lifted my large red bag and swung it over my shoulder, almost losing balance due to the weight. I turned the corner from the post office and headed down the first street, stopping in front of door number one. It was a large brick building , with a shiny black front door. The front garden was neat

257

and tidy, the lush, green grass carefully trimmed. I pulled out the first wad of envelopes, sorting through which ones belonged to this house and pushed them through the letterbox. After completing three more streets, the sun was beginning to rise, a gorgeous pink light, pushing through the luminous white clouds. It was strange to think how everyone else would be waking up around now, when I’d been awake for hours. I secured my face mask, before posting a few more letters and parcels. As I wandered down the windy streets, I saw children pulling open their curtains, grabbing their laptops and iPads ready for home learning. I saw parents leaving for work, jumping into their cars, and zooming off. The cold, icy wind bit into my pale cheeks as I strived on, my legs aching. My pale blonde hair blew behind me, like a kite flying through the clear blue sky. Yawning , I walked up to the next house, my huge square bag weighing me down. I waved at the woman cleaning her windows and greeted the girl playing in her front garden and the boy riding his bike. Finally, by 6.00pm, I was coming up to the end of my shift, my head throbbed and my arms were stiff. I walked up the pathway to the final house. Stuck on their clear glass window, a beautiful picture hung , its vibrant colours brightening up my day and bringing a smile back to my face. “Thank you to all the post people! You are my heroes!” 258

Hadya S, Yr8 In my opinion In my opinion, heroes aren’t people who fly in the sky stopping people whose acts are sly. They are not people who have muscles and are strong. Heroes are people who try to stop wrong. Heroes are people who help one another. They think of each other as sister and brother. Be it young. Be it old. We are all heroes. Heroes are people who do little things to help. They are not people who come to the rescue every time they hear a yelp. Heroes don’t have capes, or masks, or tons of useless buckles. Heroes are those who fulfil tasks that are unnoticed and solve all our troubles.

259

Those who walk past the world, wanting some change, those who walk past the world, want something in exchange. And I am not talking about money, or things that are used to pay, they want to see smiles, or people happy every day. They walk past all the looming buildings, and past the bustling crowd, past the monochrome pavements, Past buildings stood tall and proud. They walk bast all the bustling schools as children go in and out, they smile to those children who are sad and have doubt. Heroes are those people who walk on the rigid floors, heroes are those people who want to help more. They walk past alleyways giving money to the poor, Or helping someone next to them like the person who lives next door. It could be taking out their bins on every certain day, Or helping them in many countless ways. A hero can be anyone, your neighbour, dog or cat. A hero can be anyone, who does a noble act. This act of kindness has no limit or size, this act of kindness is based on the intentions inside. Many may not believe person can change the world, But those who have a true heart have obviously heard. 260

That you as one person can’t change the world, But you can definitely change the world of one person by saying just one word. This is a true, a hero who seeks good in all. A hero is someone who like I said before, is willing to help anyone be it changing the world or doing a simple chore. So now you know what a hero is, or what they like do. But let me tell you something you can be a hero too! You don’t have to run to the nearest shop and buy a costume and a wig , just look around for those who need help like a... runaway pig ? Just help those around you like a true hero would, then and only then you are known to be good! My hero is my mum, she helps everyone. She is a true hero. A hero that is my sun.

261

Amanaah U, Yr8 My heroes are my best friend and my grandad and always will be let me tell you why... My mental health was quite bad. I suffered from anxiety and stress. My best friend saved me from all the bad things in life because I took a break from social media and I shut people out but she was always there for me and I’m so grateful for her. My mental health was getting so much better. I spent time with the people I love. My best friend was worried but she knew I was going to be ok even though I lost a lot of people in my life. I think of the positives even though I get panic attacks. I have so many people by my side even though life is hard, I’m going to be ok and I talk to friends online. Even though we have been in many lockdowns, I still have people to talk to online. My best friend is my inspiration, my motivation, my hero, my world, and like my sister. When you talk to your best friend it solves everything. I do get ner vous over small things but when you talk to your best friend, trust me it fixes everything. But let me tell one time I had a panic attack when I was on a call

262

with her, and she helped me so much and I cannot thank her enough. But now I feel happier and yes, work can be stressful, but when you get help it gets easier. I have another hero and that is my grandad. He died in October and that affected me so much especially with mental health and I missed two weeks of school. I got stressed and worried and had to catch up on everything but my grandad will always be my grandad. I know he is watching over me and I’m proud of myself of how far I have come. Death has been a major teacher in my life but I remember when he always gave me money and asked if I was ok but now it’s not like that. He always used to give me birthday cards every year with money in. But I need to know that I’m going to be ok and I have people by my side, but those special memories of him will always bring a smile to my face. I wish I could see him again but this is life. I can’t do anything about this other than just stay strong but I think to myself he is not truly gone because his memories live on and he will never be forgotten. A week ago, I went to my grandma’s house and went to his room I saw pictures of him and all his things, but the weirdest thing is I’ve never seen his room before because he never liked people going into his room but seeing his room for the first time make me so happy I miss him a lot.

263

Fiza S, Yr8 It was just a normal day. As per usual, it was windy and cold outside. Although we were inside a big , holy building , the slightly opened windows let in a cold breeze. The lights were dimmed and the whole room was rowdy and loud, as everybody was screaming to people across the room. I sat there, not knowing what to say until she approached me. My hero might not seem like a hero but she saved me in every way somebody can be saved. I have a lot of problems, including my mental health and negative thoughts. I also have too many insecurities, which don’t allow me to be myself in front of many people. When first talking to people, I find myself pretending to be a version of myself that I think other people want me to be that makes me feel too stressed. I tend to lie about my emotions a lot. After meeting my hero, I feel so much better. After first meeting my hero, I could tell that we would become extremely close and here we are, three years later, the closest friends. My hero gives me a daily dose of happiness, safety and warmth. She makes me feel comfortable with everything and overall, my life has been so much happier since she became a part of it. Someone may

264

say that’s not the definition of a hero, but to me, it’s the greatest way a person could save somebody else. When I’m with my hero, all my insecurities disappear and I can be as weird as I want to without feeling judged. It may seem weird and somewhat cringey, but my hero is my best friend, Noor. My hero feels like she has accomplished something whenever she makes me smile. She feels proud and pleased whenever I tell her how much she means to me. Her personality is the greatest thing. She has a lot of self-confidence and she tries helping me to overcome my fear of people. I also want my hero to feel the way that she makes me feel.

265

Huda O, Yr7 I will never forget that moment. He is my hero. His glistening yellow hi-vis jacket stood out in the dark, empty street. His long , black boots thumped on the autumn leaves, scattered on the fogg y streets of Manchester. He frowned, as the radio echoed. “Burglar alert! Burglar alert!” literally shouted the radio, while all my senses were glued watching through my window. Anything could be happening in my room and I wouldn’t notice. Again, the radio echoed, but this time with a new dialogue, repeating : “Halley Street, Cheetham Hill, Manchester”. “That’s the name of my street,” I said to myself in confusion. I scanned around the neighbourhood and didn’t find anything suspicious. But then, a policeman ran across the street. I was startled when I ran downstairs and found that my door was unlocked! I got the butterflies in my stomach and felt vulnerable. Andrew, the policeman, bumped into me and said he suspects a burglar is in my house since he noticed my door was unlocked. I let Andrew in, and we scanned through all the rooms and found nothing unusual. However, just as Andrew was about to leave, we heard footsteps

266

in the room above. He raised his eyebrow while seeming to be processing his next move. He rushed upstairs at the speed of light and identified a thief with a giant black bag. He immediately dropped the bag and gave himself up to the policeman. The heavy bag he dropped revealed all my precious ornaments. Andrew whipped out a pair of handcuffs from his pocket and rushed towards the robber. Andrew in relief spoke into his radio and said: “He has been arrested.” I was over the moon. “My hero!” I said to him, with a bright smile on my face.

267

Sedra A, Yr7 Dear Diary, Today, I was on online school thinking about the world and the future, what can happen? Will something scary happen all of a sudden? Well, I knew it couldn’t! I knew it couldn’t get any worse. Quarantine. Quarantine. And Quarantine. It was as boring as if I was watching a slimy snail walking up the hill. I went on my laptop reading the homework for today. Click. Click. Click. Oh my gosh, is this a nightmare? We should write at least 500 words as the day in my life. Boring. I know what to write, oh it’s too monotonous. Why would they ask us to write about the day in the life when we have to stay at home staring at screens studying , they already know how life is. Ugh, can this dull day get any more boring . BANG! BANG! BANG! I looked out the window with my mouth shaped as an O.

268

I was shocked. There was a break in. A man. A robber. A house. The house window was broken and a bleeding man lying on the floor as I realised who he was – the man who runs every day for two hours. I saw the scene! I saw it! I couldn’t believe the man saved the house, the property from getting robbed. The man came running as fast as a tiger, barging and grabbing the robber to the ground. He gets scratched on the face. Marks stood on his face bleeding as if he was hurt by a gun shot. He was a hero to our street! He helped a house, a family and our street from getting robbed this man was a champion I felt proud of our city I felt satisfied that our city can stop many robbers! I open my laptop and wrote down the day of my life. My hero can be anyone even if didn’t expect it to be the person who you never think would ever be a hero.

269

Shaista K, Yr7 Opaque puddles gathered along the crevices and cracks of the sogg y ground. Incandescent lightning illuminated the sky and was shortly followed by a deafening rumble. The air was thick with condensation and a dull roar, much like a snare drum, reverberating across the sky. Trees cowered from the harsh wind while the leaves soared through the air. A steady drizzle of rain began to descend from sombre clouds, crystal tears landing silently on the pavement. I looked around and saw nobody except Mum. Suddenly the lights shut off and I heard a metal sliding down. I turned back and my eyes widened. Mum looked at me staring at me in the eye. We both peered at each other with deep silence between us. We knew what had happened and we knew there was no way out, all we could do was wait. We had been locked shut in the warehouse. Objects between us. Mum slid down on the wall behind her. “ What are we going to do now Luci ?” said her mum, her voice echoing through the room bouncing from place to place. I gave a sigh and started wandering around.

270

“I guess we’ll just have to explore this place because it seems like the last thing we have to do,” I said. Mum sighed and slid her legs up. She folded her arms and placed them on her knees, she put her head in her arms and silence spread across the room. I turned around and started exploring this ginormous, gargantuan building. I came across the jewellery and spotted a ring that stole my heart. One ‘Absolutely Beautiful Ladies Diamond & Sapphire Ring’! This ‘Stunning Love-Knot style Ring’ contained two interlocking rows of channel-set diamonds and gorgeous sapphires. It was charming , but when I read the price it was £167.99! My hands slid down the glass shielding the glamorous jewellery. My gleaming smile turned into a dejected smirk. I turned around, my heart broken. I looked up to see a small window. I walked toward sit and peered out. I suddenly heard a noise and turned back around. The noise seemed to becoming from downstairs. I made myself brave and went there through the stairs. The beams of moonlight were entering the room. So, the inside of the room was partially visible. I was at first horrified to see a thief. He was gathering currency notes from the payment counter. The glass which he had broken opened. My mum was lying down snoring with sleep. I woke her up noiselessly and told her about the thief in a hushed voice. I took courage and went to see what was going on and locked the apartment he was in. I ran back upstairs and took my mum’s phone. I dialled 101 and told the police everything 271

in detail. They realised from my voice how scared I was. Mum was behind me. I told her to run to the last floor and so we both did. We were unlucky enough to have to run from the frozen stairs. They arrived within a few minutes. The thief was caught, and the security guards were replaced. They were punished for having to be so irresponsible. My bravery and presence of mind was appreciated. I was given a prize by the Senior Superintendent of Police at an impressive ceremony. The manager of the warehouse told me to choose to buy anything at all I wanted from the warehouse for free. I was filled with glee and ran to the top floor and bought my sapphire ring that I had loved before and I gave it to the manager. “She hasn’t chosen something cheap” he said giving a little laugh. I giggled and so did mum. I wore the ring and it shined between my fingers. I was proud of myself and gave myself a pat on the back. It was the best event that had ever happened in life.

272

Safa S, Yr7 The Lifesaver Cold and windy, on Cheetham Hill Road, was where Samantha lived. A 13-year-old girl who always appreciates her mum caring. She lives in a house with her mum and a sister called Lucy. One day her mum gave her a jumper that got ripped by a sharp, metal point. She said: “Thank you, Mum, you’re the best mother in the entire world!” She hates people that don’t appreciate each other. Well that’s what her job is. “Mummy ! Mummy ! Where’s my food?” She exclaimed. Her mum bought her favourite and fresh strawberries and ice cream for her. Samantha always had something to give back. A card. She was a very caring mother to Samantha. Samantha said that she was the most precious thing in the world. Lucy wasn’t like that, she was very mean, but she did claim her mum as a superhero. Whoosh! She went outside and her mother went from happy to furious. She saw a girl throwing her mum’s food that took her three hours to make. “Oi! Why you being mean for ? Your mum made that for you that took ages and you do this to her. You just smash it on to

273

the floor ?” shouted Samantha. “ Well, yes, can’t she understand that I hate carrot cake, this is my 100th time explaining to her!” exclaimed the girl. Samantha didn’t want to shout, it’s not really her mood. She looked at her mum’s face. She was as sad as if someone ripped her smile off. Sorrowful and heartbroken. So she went to the shops and got her a cake to cheer her up, whilst the girl was peering at Samantha. The next day, the sun was shining. She was with her mum going to do some food shopping. She saw that same girl who was disrespecting her mother. She tripped over a cracked brick that scraped her skin and flaming red blood was coming out of her knees. Samantha’s mum ran to her and took her home. The girl was crying and fussing over the fact it was Samantha’s mum. She fixed her leg and her mum came in. “Hey, is that my daughter ?” She looked at her leg and gasped. She was thinking that she was an irresponsible mother who couldn’t be with her daughter like Samantha did. Samantha went to her room. “My mum is the best hero in the whole wide world, no one can beat her!” she said. Mothers are the very best at caring. They are precious and considerate. But just remember to treat them like how they treat you .

274

Ayesha N, Yr7 Busy, the streets of Cheetham Hill. Birds whistling while flying through the bright sky. Streets busy with school students. The ancient houses rowed together. The bus stopped, college students and working people hopped into the bus. Children looked through the shining glass of the bus, they waved, smiled. Emily, a school student. Brave and determined. A girl with high hopes. She had blonde hair and eyes like a diamond. She walked across the streets in her dark school uniform. It was a rainy day, and she had no umbrella. Drenched and soaked in water. Emily went home and quickly changed her clothes. Sat in her bedroom, she remembered the day when a person with a heart of gold saved her from dying. How can someone totally random risk their life to save you? If it was not for him, she would not have been sitting in her room. He has inspired her. He was certainly someone with a heart of gold. It was on a sunny day, there was traffic, she was crossing the road and a car was in such a speed he could not put on the brakes. It nearly ran her down.

275

He would’ve if it was not for a man, he is a superhero for her. He was energetic, he was very impressive. She can never forget that day. The school alarm goes off and everyone ran out the classroom. This time there was no traffic, but Emily remembered always look both sides and then cross. Emily was eager to go home as she was very hungry. Emily returned home and her mum had made pasta, she was so delighted. She sat and ate her yummy pasta.

276

Remas A, Yr8 Ups and Downs: The Tragedy In a dark alley all alone sat a little girl not older than 13. She was the daughter of a rich man who abandoned her and her mother when she was young. He thought girls weren’t the build-up for the his future. He left them to deal with poverty, the mother soon fell ill with pneumonia and died. Age 10, the girl started living alone in their mansion, always staying in the library, looking at photos of her parents. She would read the stories her mother read for her when it was her bedtime. It was similar to her life and became her favourite and never left it out of her sight. At midnight she could hear noises, it was hot, and smoke could be smelt. She turned around and FIRE! She ran. She tried to get away from the fire but she stopped. She forgot her book and ran back to collect it only to find it burnt. She ran for the exit. She was running , she didn’t know where, but she continued. Her house had burnt to the ground, nothing but ashes were to be seen. She had no place to call home she was now living on the streets and scavenging to find food.

277

Her dad found out that his wife was dead and went to find his daughter. He was shocked when he found her on the streets. He asked her where her house was, (she, of course, didn’t know he was her dad) and she told him it was destroyed. She gave him a look and walked away. The man felt so sorry for what he did but he didn’t know how to tell her when she didn’t even recognise her own father. It came to his mind that since she had no place to call home, he should take her to one he followed her for a week know what she likes and dislikes he saw she was very into reading and learning and knowledge whenever he found he she would be reading that book that she saved from the fire he thought of taking her to school. At midnight, he went and woke her up to tell her if she wanted to go or not, she agreed and so they set off. They arrived at the school and the father went to ask the principal to accept his daughter. She disagreed, but the father let it slip that he was very rich with mountains of sapphire and gold. She accepted right away. The girl was accepted right away and she was thrilled. Before her father left, she thanked him for all the great things he had done. He was happy and he confessed that he was her father before leaving.

278

Anaya B, Yr8 Thanking the Teachers It was a raining day in February and everyone half-asleep logging onto their lessons and trying to contribute to lessons, but the only thing disturbing people was the jungle in the house. The jungle in the house is where all your siblings are annoying you and giving you headaches after headaches. Going into the English was Anaya’s favourite subject as the teacher, Miss Farragher, tries to make the lesson fun and interactive. Having English all the time would be a delight as all the English teachers, such as Miss Chivers, who Anaya also has for Performing Arts – but on the other hand for Performing Arts Anaya also has Miss Bhana as a Performing Arts teacher as Miss Chivers has a lot of meetings and is always busy with inter views online. Being at home was such a difficult and stressful time during the pandemic and then people need to catch up on all the work they have missed! All the time people are having technical issues such as microphone issues, camera issues and internet being too slow. Anaya prefers being at school as you can see all your friends and chat to them and then you will not have any technical issues and then you

279

will not need to catch up on the work you have missed, and you can take part in lessons and contribute more. The English team have all been trying their best in lessons and they are all trying their best so Anaya thinks that we should all appreciate all the hard work that the English team have been doing , especially Miss Chivers, the director of learning. In other lessons, such as maths and science, the maths and science team try their best when it comes to pupils working online. When people are self-isolating it can be an issue when you need a device for your work and when you need it for going on lessons the school try their best to get a laptop for you and it can be used for the work that you are missing out and you can message your teachers asking them for the PowerPoints to catch up. Anaya’s local hero is Miss Farragher because whenever Anaya hasn’t caught up or anyone else hasn’t then Miss Farragher tries her best to give everyone resources to catch up and gives you time to catch up but on the other hand, in other lessons, the teachers just say catch up online and in your own time so that is why Anaya chose Miss Farragher.

280

Takwa E, Yr8 As I walked through Manchester, from every side of me, I could see tall buildings surrounding me as if someone is about to attack you. The buildings were very tall and some were old and some were new however some buildings were overcrowded by people and it was so noisy there. In Manchester it always rains on a daily basis but sometimes we get sun, just a few times, however right now during this pandemic no one can really go out when its sunny because the more we stay at home the less people to catch Covid-19. A lot of people have been dying lately during this pandemic which has not been good. The reason they might have passed away is because they have been ill or been in contact with someone or relative or friend that has Covid right now. However some have not some people love to stay at home during this pandemic because they don’t want to catch Covid and they might think that home is a special place for them to stay. This means that the more they stay at home and not get in contact with people then the more Covid will decrease. However when people feel ill, like really ill, the doctors are always there to help and they do everything they can to help cure people. This is the reason why my heroes are doctors, also they do everything

281

they can and risk their own lives for other people which is so kind of them and sometimes, even if doctors do everything , they can’t heal people. Some people still die because they couldn’t get healed a lot but some people can because they got a lot of help from doctors and doctors could cure them. Another reason why doctors are my heroes is because they also make people smile and encourage people to help others which is good and they make me smile too.

282

Emman SS, Yr8 It was a dark, dreary night, whilst I sat on my cosy bed chilling and writing in my diary. All of a sudden, it started to rain. The thunder screamed with anger, icy fingers grabbed my arms as I inched through the darkness. I tried my best to be calm, but the terror inside me wouldn’t let go. I covered my head with my blanket, so that I could get away from the dangerous world. The wind was howling like a raging storm. I closed my eyes and felt helpless. I wanted to feel the peace again. Just then, I heard a sound. The door opened. I felt frightened as I gazed at the dark shadow, coming towards me slowly. It was like a terrible dream! The monster was really near. I opened my mouth to scream but nothing came out. I tried to run away but my legs were frozen. And again, the thunder screamed with fright as I gawked at outside at the comfortless sky. As I looked back, the shadow was gone. I felt relief in my heart. My heart was pounding really hard as if it was going to come out. As I bravely decided to get back to my bed, I heard the most hideous sound ever, it was a sound filled with pain and suffering. It was the neighbour who lives next door to us. He has an illness that doesn’t have a cure. It was him crying and screaming with pain. And the noise didn’t stop. After that, I tried my best to go to sleep, but I couldn’t. The terror inside me wouldn’t let me. 283

I covered my eyes with my cold, icy hands. The door opened and there it was my cat Grey-Sky. She was the cuddliest, cosiest and the most friendliest cat ever. She is really beautiful and expressive. She was always there when I needed her, even when my parents didn’t understand me. She is the best friend I could ever have. She was there for me, even in the darkest night. My grandmother passed away last year. I was really alone. She was the only person in the whole world who understood me well. Before she passed away, she gifted me with a really precious gift. She gifted me Grey-Sky. And when I am with her, she reminds me of Grandmother. She is a real hero to me.

284

Aliyha, Yr8 I remember it all as if it was yesterday. I was looking at a purple, cup-like flower one Monday. The next thing I knew was I was caged. But then I was given an opportunity by a strange man who looked like mutiny. “Just give a bloke this ‘ere message, and I’ll give ya some grub.” So, I flew straight out of the hub. It was an early day and I heard some strange cries this way to a new room, the time I came in, I saw some strange creatures with peculiar features. Big , small, short, tall, long tails, and short nails, wings and a lot more. But when I came closer, I saw a gnasher. On one of the creature’s teeth. But it looked off. And the man in black gave me another post to give a host so I flew faster and faster and faster and faster. Until I was dangerously dizzy and tired from here to there. When I came in, I saw an open door and obliged to come in, I saw something more disturbing than ever before. Strange birds weakly chained to a ceiling , scarred and scared, and that those creatures with gnashers and some peculiar ones, fancy-looking ,

285

lunged on some. I do not want to tell you what was to come. Squawking with fear, I flew crazy and zany, crashing into another room. Where I saw my friends locked in doom. I felt like I had to do what I had to do. Free them all or they will fall. Then we will fly. It was a late night and out of desperation, I flew as fast as I could into that room to meet, then I felt a strong grab in my feet. That man in black, he looked like stuffing me into a sack, but instead chaining me to a ceiling in another room, death’s countdown was to loom. But because the chain was weak, I managed to escape the room in a peak. But brainlessly crashed into the man in black and saw some cash sacks. Then I felt something. Those two rooms, the sacks, there were only two pieces of proof, but I think we were trapped. The night went on and I decided to move on to freedom, but I felt pity for them, never being treated like an emblem. So I warned them by pecking , it was a rough start but I was double checking. The morning was about to shine, and everybody knew it wasn’t going to be fine. So at the count of 6.09, we went flying. But some were left scarred, some tired, some caught, some wired. Many of them couldn’t escape or sur vive, but at least the sur vivors were more than five. I don’t know what was going happen to the man in black, but we were no longer sacked. Back at the park I was, and my friends were treated like first class. And as for me, I would always stay free. 286

Bismah A, Yr7 It’s a calm day with the bright sun out. As the kind, loyal, intelligent 21-year-old Emma comes out of her office. Brown hair, black eyes. Emma happily calls her next patient out. She said: “Mrs Smith, may you come in?” She checks her patient and help them. As a doctor she always is kind to her patients. Times flies by. The next day she wakes up thinking it’s going to be a normal day until she reaches work she immediately sees the danger. She looks inside the hospital. There was glass everywhere on the floor. She gets in and see that a room is locked. She confusingly steps forward and looks inside from the glass window. Emma was brave and smart and took the back side and got in the doctors room from the toilet backdoor. As she tries to help this guy wearing all black and had hidden his face he puts a gun on her head. She panics but she knows that she needs to help she takes a deep breath and asks the captain of the group. She confusingly says: “ What is this? I don’t understand why are you hurting us?”

287

“ We have set up a bomb in this hospital and you all will die we will capture you until it’s time we run. You’re dying. In ten minutes you are going to be out of this world” and he gives an evil laugh. She screams and runs forward like a cheetah to attack the people until they all attack her all at once. One of the doctors grabs an injection and he ran it right through the captains arm as Emma instantly keeps getting rid of the people she yells: “Try opening the door!” As the last guy comes attacking she quickly kicked him off her. They kicked the door and get out they start searching for the bomb immediately. There were thirty seconds left. Emma sprints to the top level and finds the bomb the has no idea how to disarm it as she remembers what her grandma said: “Always remember to keep trying.” Then she calls the doctors and they try searching up and calling people. But Emma grabs the bomb. She takes the elevator and remembers that she can manage to unplug the bomb and she knew the right person so she took it to Mr Robert. He is a scientist and he lives right nearby it took him. Less than 5 seconds to unplug the bomb and she calls the police to arrest the people that tried to set it up. In the afternoon the get called to inter view and she says: “I’m a doctor and I love saving lives I haven’t done this alone. There were people that I have worked with for the past five years and I really appreciate them.” 288

Emma was the hero to save so many lives. We all appreciate people like that. People that put others life before themselves.

289

Izzah A, Yr7 Hello, welcome to Manchester. Manchester is beautiful, the sun’s watching the bellowing crowd going from shop to shop. As they roar for clothes! Although, Manchester isn’t always that bad! Some days, the crowds are small and the wind is mild. The shops have a small amount of people buying what they buy. There is no colossal crowds roaring for clothes or other items. In Manchester, the smell of food lures you to the source! And the houses aren’t huge but a reasonable size. Nearly all people have jobs here, and they’re just boring , tiring jobs! But my job is different. My job is to protect those who can’t protect themselves, help those who need help. I wear a black ninja suit to represent my stealth. I’m as quiet as a rat, not making any sounds, to complete my missions. I’m also very speedy ! Fast as wind. And no one can smell my scent! I care about people, I’m basically a hero. I’m known as The Stealthy Ninja. But nowadays, Manchester is different. There have been reports of a ghost crew, and many deaths as well, ten in a day ! I can’t even catch up. Also, there have been weird suspicious signs across these old, scared, abandoned houses. Something is definitely going on, and I am going to stop this and end this before anything else goes wrong.

290

It was night when I came across puddles of fresh, red blood. I was worried and thought to myself “who could possibly do this ?” as the wind blew away the blood. I was now traumatised, but I’ve seen a lot worse! I carried on my journey until I came across a dead body with his heart out as he was covered in blood! The scent of this mysterious civilian smelled like the pizza shop right down the alleyway. So I went to the pizza shop to look for clues and I saw a note, it said ‘meet me as the park’ . I went to the dark park. WOOSH! I felt dark energ y surrounding me. I trembled. I was shaking. I didn’t know what to do. And then I remembered my sensei saying : “Be strong , Ninja. Never quit.” But then, the dark energ y showed it’s full transformation. It was my enemy ! Morro! “ Well, well, well. Guess who it is. My arch enemy, Ninja. You knew I would be coming to finish what I started, and know, I’m inevitable!” Morro shouted in a horrific manner. But I yelled: “You will never win because where there are shadows there is light. But what have you done to my city, Manchester ? It was so peaceful until you came! You little rascal!” 291

I looked to my right while hearing Morro waffle, and I saw a water bucket, I thought to myself, aren’t ghosts scared of water ? Guess I’ll have to try ! SPLASH! I spilled the water over Morro’s head and he turned into dust. Now, Manchester is back! Well, that was a journey.

292

Hind T A-E, Yr7 It’s in the early Monday morning when you can see the huge tall buildings in the streets of Manchester. Whoever comes to Manchester for their first time or whoever lives in Manchester for a long time will have the exact same feelings as me because Manchester is not a normal place. It is different and special place for everyone who has visited it either before or now. It is a great united city which is loved by everyone. In two different schools in Manchester I met my hero. My hero is not a single person. It’s a group of people. My heroes are my teachers. My teachers of all the different subject and my teachers in primary and secondary school. As everyone who reads my story knows, my heroes are different people so I can’t describe how they all look or how many people they are but I can describe their kindness and helpful hearts. Let’s begin. My teachers are my heroes because they help me understand the lessons and try to help me and all the students to have amazing grades in their reports. If we don’t understand the lesson the teachers repeat and repeat again and again for you to understand. They all get tired for every single student and not for

293

themselves. While the students can’t be as thankful of what the teacher has done for them. On the first day of secondary school all Year 7s where welcomed in a great and amazing way and where showed who the head of year was. They told the Year 7s the school rules, showed them their form teacher, showed all year 7 students their classrooms, how they want students to lay out their books – which was so helpful. I am very proud of my teachers that taught me and that are teaching me until now and I want to thank every teacher, but it still will not be enough for the teachers and their work. I guess everyone will know how every student in Manchester and in different cities have their feelings.

294

Aiza A, Yr7 In a city in England, Manchester, where some of the country’s most deprived and most affluent neighbourhoods can be found, once, there was a house founded in a city of Manchester, ‘Cheetham Hill’. Far, far away, on a glistering and dazzling day with the sun shining all over the sky, a dwelling place, a beautiful house stood in the middle of a city, in which there was a captivating family. It’s a story of two siblings and parents but in this story my heroes are my parents. They’re as cool as an imaginary being , they are really comely and engaging. The thing I really like about them is that they’re really understanding , which could be added to the best thing. The most important and approachable thing I loved about them is that my neighbours and our family are really kind and sympathetic with each other. The place we live in is counted in my favourites because we have a beautiful and massive park taking place right in front of our house and a place from where the train goes every day. I chose my parents as my heroes because they really help poor people and give donations to charity. They also helped the people who needed it in our family and out of it!

295

My parents are my heroes because they let me do what I want to do, but they also tell me that what is right and what’s wrong ! I really love the fact that our neighbours help us in our difficult times and we help them in theirs. Each and every parent is their child’s hero but here is a different story. Once we were in Pakistan and literally it was a really bad smell coming out of our neighbour’s house and slowly, slowly the smell spread across the whole neighbourhood and everyone came out of their houses. Then some people went inside that house and saw – WHAT ? There was a man burning someone in fire and no one got courage to go and save that poor man. But Dad went to save him, but it was too late. “He died”. But for payback we called police and that criminal got arrested! This is what made me feel like that my parents are my heroes!

296

Ayesha A, Yr7 Local Hero in the Wings Silence. Tears. Horrific scene. My vulnerable neighbour had the virus. Sitting in the vast hospital lying down uselessly. A mask on his face, no words to talk. Only 32 years old fighting through this battle. His mum limping outside of the hospital. Until something happened. He woke up. Woke up. With a smile on his face. Happy tears. His sister jumping up and down with a smile on her face. Smiling. He was only 32 years old but pushed through it. He is a true hero. Two weeks later he went back home and I knocked on his pale, wood door and gave him delicious, mouth-watering chocolates and pleasant flowers which smelled amazing ! He was great. A true fighter. But coping with Down Syndrome and the virus, it was too much for him, we all thought he was a goner. But he fought through it like a true hero.

297

Bushra B, Yr7 In a nice, clear sky there were two girls named Fatima and Amelia. They were very generous girls who helped everyone around the neighbourhood. They would tidy up people pathways, grow lots of plants and trees and helped with the bins. One day she was helping her friend – her friend is Amelia – with the bins. It was a Wednesday. They were waiting for the truck to arrive to take the trash out to them. They waited and waited and waited until they finally came. They helped the bin man to put the trash in the truck but accidently Amelia’s favourite necklace fell in by accident, but she never knew ! Once she finished she realised she was a not wearing her necklace. Once she looked back at the truck her face was in shock. She could see the necklace dangling in the truck! She had to do something to get it, She had to follow the truck. She had to get her necklace but she couldn’t do it alone. She told Fatima that her necklace was in the truck! Fatima looked at the truck and could see something shining at the bottom. They both quickly grabbed their things and headed straight to the truck but couldn’t make it in time. They both panicked and grabbed their bikes and tried to follow the truck but they had no idea where it went!

298

They needed more help. They tried to find a recycling place they could go to closest to them that might lead them to the truck so they followed the map. They reached the entrance. They saw huge piles of plastic and other materials. They panicked and thought how they were going to find a truck in this place. They entered in and went through some pathways until they were lost. Fatima had an idea of climbing the big piles too see the truck. Fatima started to climbed up. Amelia watched Fatima clime up but was too scared to climb up herself so stayed back. Fatima made it to the top. Fatima shouted: “Amelia! Hurry up!” Amelia started to panic but still had to do it to save her favourite necklace! She started to climb she started to have sweaty palms and almost slipped! Eventually, Amelia made it and saw the truck but had no way down! Fatima tried so see if there was a crane anywhere which they could get help from. But all the cranes left before they came! Amelia could see the junk placed in a machine which burns it all down! Fatima thought of an idea to slide down this junk hill. Amelia was scared but she knew her necklace was in danger! They slid down the hill and made it to the end. Amelia started to run to the junk pile to search for her necklace while Fatima ran behind. 299

Amelia started to dig harder and harder. But she never found it. Tears shredded from her face thinking the necklace was gone. But… Fatima already found the necklace when she went at the top of the junk hill she could see something blinging so she quickly went down and grabbed it! And that’s how Fatima and Amelia saved the day !

300

Banan B, Yr7 On the rustic streets of Manchester, on the busy streets of Manchester, where the intense roads settle and the majestic buildings stand tall. A hero. But not one who flies nor one who wears a cape. She has green, glistening eyes, greener than an apple and luscious brown hair. Most importantly a pure soul. She works in a care home and absolutely admires her job. Although she lives in a small flat near the care home she’s still grateful. Separating her house and the care home is a road. A rustic road where all her heroicness appears. Every day as she crosses that road she selects a piece of litter. And she’s been doing that every day since she started working there. She drops it off in a bin in the care home entry were she sees the receptionist and gives her a smile. However the receptionist wonders where does that litter come from? She adores coming home to the pastel walls of her flat and the comforting aroma of her home. Abruptly, she heard a knock on the door. Who could it be she thought ? She eagerly rushed to the door with a pinch of ner ve inside of her. It was the receptionist from the care home. She was astounded to see her.

301

In any case, they didn’t talk plenty. After a long chat of unnecessary topics she asked her why do you always have a piece of litter every time you enter the care home? She sniggered and said: “Little changes make big differences!”

302

Sumaira A, Yr7 Under a sky glistening like the sea and the sun glowing like the stars, there lived a girl named Charlotte. She had hazel-coloured eyes and silky brown hair. Charlotte was an amazing girl who loved to read. In her spare time she would go to her school’s library. Until one day... When Charlotte was on her way to school, she saw someone running into the school building with something in his hands. She didn’t think much of it since it could have been a visitor so she began to run upstairs to her classroom. As soon as she reached upstairs everyone was hiding in the cloakroom. The school was in lockdown since there was a shooter in the building. The office was trying as hard as they could to take the shooter out of the building. Charlotte’s teacher, Miss Applebaum, shouted: “Get over here!” Eventually the teachers had called the police. As soon as the shooter heard ‘Police!’ he immediately ran out the building and escaped. A couple of days go by and he was nowhere to be found however, for safety reasons the school, was shut. Which meant that Charlotte was not reading any books so instead she started to write books about her journey on becoming an author.

303

She spoke about bullying , knife crime and gun crime in her stories. This helped people all over the world to become better people and until this day she has been writing about it. This how Charlotte inspired me, as well as hundreds of people around the world.

304

Yasmin E-H, Yr7 When my friends are on call with me they always say they wish that my mum is their mum. When my mum has other things to do she always still plays with me. She always makes people happy when they’re upset. My mum is the most amazing person ever. She really likes to help people wherever we go. But this year and last year we couldn’t because of Corona. When I am super bored she takes me out or goes to the park with some friends. (That was before Corona). Before Covid-19 came every time we went to the park with our friends and family right after school on sunny days. And I always had sleepovers and my mum always says yes but now I ask her she says no because of Covid-19. But I only go once a month, so I went in February. Now I want to go to my cousin’s for a sleepover in Easter. She is as kind as my sister but she is my mum.

305

Mina H, Yr7 Dear Diary, I need to have break here. My arms about to give up and my legs are shaking with tiredness. This sickness will never stop. Oh yeah, my name is Hannah. I’m an NHS worker in the local Manchester hospital due to the new virus that has spread everywhere. I never get to have my breaks and it’s always busy. New people come every day and workers are stressed out from who to go to first. These days weather hasn’t been good. It has always been raining and tall buildings blocking are the view. This job was one of my dream jobs when I was younger, but I wasn’t expecting this virus to come which ruined everything. But I still work to save lives because this is my job. I really like this job because there are many friendly workers. My heart is pounding for them to sur vive but hundreds and hundreds are dying every day, ner vously coming to a patient covered up trying to breathe in the tight mask, staring at them dying one by one saying to myself will this ever end. In the dark night I desperately walk home thinking of the people losing their family and friends, arriving home with anxious face, in my bed feeling dead.

306

Imamah K, Yr7 I froze. Tears plunging down as if I was in serious pain. My elbow falling apart as if it was lifeless, my heart racing and racing like an athlete that was trying to get first place. The office rang my dad but he didn’t pick up. Even thinking about my arm led me to stress that time. My dad came to pick me up after school, and right after he knew what happened, he raced the car through the overblown street of Manchester. The traffic was getting bigger and bigger. My head was aching by the sounds of the hurts, arm swollen and my eyes red by tears. We finally reached the hospital, humongous and modern it was. My eyes blurred up. I crossed the line of the broken doors that made me think the worst of the worse. I took a step in... and within a second I fainted. Opening my eyes with no clue where I was, I started hallucinating and flash of images popped in my head. Blue eyes, blonde hair, blue mask? A doctor! My arm already had a cast on, but when? I don’t remember coming here. She helped me a lot getting my arm better so I decided that she would be my local hero. She always seemed to work hard and never gave up. I took a step out of the room, the hallways were like zebra stripes. Nothing came into my head.

307

“Am I even alive?” And, yes, I did pinch myself to see if I was and obviously I was. I felt as if I was in a nursery. I saw my dad and he took me back home. It was hard for me to eat have a shower but thankfully my mum helped me. I went back to the hospital and they said I was healed. I was over the moon after hearing that. “My arm is finally back!” I screwed with joy. And, yes, I did thank the doctor that helped me a lot . I was really grateful and so I decided that she was my local hero. A hero who always tries her best. A hero who helps others.

308

Sama K, Yr7 One bright sunny day with the sky as blue as the wide glistening ocean and as shining as a star there lived a girl who was as bright as the sun. She had a body that was a slim as it could be. Her hair was red and flowing as a river that was flowing on a calm day. Her lips was as red as a rose that had a vibrant colour. Her eyes were twinkling like stars. Her eyelashes were long like a llama lashes. She was strolling through the long streets where she could see tall buildings with misted windows as if someone was having a shower. She led herself in a black gate where it led to a green ground. The floor was filled with wavy drenched grass. The soil beneath was as damp as a forest’s cave. There was a car ved wooden bench for people to sit on. The trees were waving with leaves falling on the floor as if they were sky diving. It kept falling and falling until the leaves had come at a point that no one can work nor play in in the park. Panic and stress ran rapidly through Hazel’s mind. “ What should I do? What should I do?” she panickedly mumbled. A light bulb fired up in her mind.

309

“I have an idea!” she elatedly shouted. She found a shed at the back of the park, she knew it would be for gardening stuff. She saw a message on the door of the shed saying ‘Do not open! Gardener is not feeling well!’ She knew she had to help. She found the key in the lock of the door in case anyone needed something. Her anticipation led her to the door filled with shovels, lawnmowers, sweepers, soil, flower seeds and old pair of wellies she knew it was for the gardener. She thought that it would take a lot of time to find the lawn sweepers because it was only for autumn. The shed groaned as Hazel was digging through the stuff. Luckily she came in the morning and kids had school. “Ah there they are,” she uttered relievedly . She grabbed them and went off to work. She swept and swept and swept until she filled the truck up with leaves. Happy. Relieved. Sweaty. She finally completed her mission. The kids were going to be happy now said the thoughts running through her mind. She went home to take a quick shower. She could hear screaming through the windows, she looked out of the window and saw the children playing in the ground. They were having a good time. Silently she whispered: “Thank God.”

310

Safa M, Yr7 The hustle and bustle of the occupied streets of Manchester. The tall towering building , the constant shouting and laughter of the people, I then heard: “Hero.” A hero? Who’s my hero? My hero is my mum. Long , wavy coal black hair with highlights of brown, lashes like a superstar, has a minuscule black scarf wrapped around her hair, a hijab. Wears pink and black traditional clothing with flowers imprinted on it. She is friendly and caring. Family is priority before herself which makes her selfless. All off this is what makes her my hero. My mother is a hero but seems just like a normal person living their life but she wakes up every day and works long hours as a caretaker to provide for us, as a single parent. She would make sure we would have food on our plates and that we were always joyful.

311

Hafsah M, Yr8 Superhero Mum Towering buildings stood still beside a lady, a lady who stood up tall as straight as ruler. She had short, luxurious, silky dark black hair, almond shaped eyes and long spider-like eyelashes. The lady was my mum. She is my hero because she is the biggest role model to me. She always told me to never look down and be proud of who I am. My mum means the world to me and I can’t imagine if she was gone. She always would be remembered in my heart and never be forgotten since she is the one who made me the person I am today. I know a lot of times my mum is busy and stressed but she never shows that anger to us and appreciate us in her life. As I sat with my mum, she comforts me and tell me stories that she read when she was a small girl and I really thank her for spending the time with me. That’s why I think my mum is my hero, for being the lady she is today.

312

Mariam N, Yr7 Dear Diary, As always I’m writing again and telling all about today. So today I went outside to the Manchester Town Centre. I saw all of the places, did some shopping and went to sit for a little bit because I was out of breath. I sat on this green chair outside Primark. Then my tummy scrambled as I realised I was getting hungry. I saw this cafe so I said why not ? Let’s get a cup of coffee with some donuts! As I walked in the cafe I could smell the delicious foods and I saw this little girl, she was wearing a really nice pink dress with flowers. Meanwhile the person with her – was that her dad? – was really aggressive and giving the little girl an evil look as if she will move something really bad will happen. I was still suspicious about that but I took my coffee and donuts and as I took the first bite it made me feel so better. I was in love with that donut. Mmm! As I was enjoying it I saw the little girl going to the toilet but I don’t know why her dad told her: “Be quick and if you don’t come quick you know what is going to be happing !” She said: “Yes, ok, I will be quick.” I was really suspicious now.

313

I followed the girl in the toilet when she was in there I asked her: ‘Hey ! How are you?” She responded: “I’m ok. Can you help me with something ?” I said: “Sure, what is it ?” “ What ?” She then said, shocking me. She said that the person that was with her was not her parent or guardian and that’s why he was not letting her go anywhere and I only came in the toilet for help🙁 I was freaking out now. it was as if I was in a movie. I said: “Don’t worry and stay here.” Then I went outside and asked one of the people that worked there to listen me for a second and that I need help.

314

Aizah R, Yr7 Dear Diary, Today has been an exasperating day ! Well, it was for me, not for my dad. He is a key worker and is a manager at Tesco Express. Every day before I am even awake, my dad is dressed in his deep blue, crisp shirt, navy, neat trousers and jet-black, glossy trainers ready to attend work. When I wake up in the morning , I see him getting into the coal black car and breathing in the fresh aroma of flowers, from the air freshener in the corner. He sets of to work. He drives through the bustling streets of Manchester, manoeuvring his way through the terrible traffic, he can hear the echoing barks of dogs, being held on a leash, going for their early walk. He sees the beautiful bright colours of the sunrise, rose, scarlet, orange. The towering , worn out buildings hover over him as his freshly washed palms clasped the leather stirring wheal. He drives side by side with all the other cars on the pale, concrete road. He feels as though he is squished in a box and everywhere he turns another car is there.

315

When my dad reaches Tesco he must straight away get to work. As well as doing all of his exhausting jobs, he also must help his colleagues who turn to him for help. During this pandemic, many people go to Tesco to get their groceries and because people are getting more handwashes and toilet roll, it means that they need more stocks and when they come in, he must heave each one and place them nice and neatly in the colossal shop. People often look down on shopkeepers, but it is a difficult job and is a lot of hard work. As the dark blue blanket of the night wraps around the glistening starts, my Dad comes home. He paints a happy and jolly expression on his face, but I know inside he is tired and he is trying to cover it up. He has worked from early morning till the evening and he has a little bit of rest and then he does the exact same thing the next day. He is my dad. He is my hero.

316

Hamnah R, Yr7 My Local Hero: My grandad (Daddy) I froze. This couldn’t be true. My breathing was shallow. I swayed on the spot, barely breathing. My blood pounded through my veins; a surge of confusion, almost a defeated adrenaline soaring through me. How could this possibly happen? I only just saw him last week. I held his hand, he was happy, happy to see me. He didn’t say much but I knew deep in my heart he was glad I was there. He looked content, little did I know, he only had six days left. In fact, we loved staying at Daddy’s. We started noticing that Daddy was becoming weaker physically and had been making more frequent trips to the hospital. We always thought it was Daddy’s weak heart, but we never anticipated for it to be liver cancer. I still remember my mum calling me, my sister and my cousin upstairs in the bedroom and telling us it was liver cancer and that we had to be there for one another, pray and stay strong. Therefore, Daddy is my hero because he taught me how to live life to the fullest. Never did he let his illness get in the way. He carried on gardening , enjoying his barbecues, meeting his friends and family and providing for the needy. He never questioned or felt sorry for himself. Daddy. He accepted that it was Allah’s way.

317

It’s been almost a year since he has been gone. Everyone is trying their best to get on with life, but that void and emptiness which is left inside our hearts will always be there. We laugh, we cry, we remember, and we accept, one day, we will meet again.

318

Laila S, Yr7 In the afternoon in Manchester, there was a young girl named Luna that lived with her grandparents. She had no mother or father. Luna had never met her parents, they both passed away when she was just a baby. Luna has long silky brown hair with diamond blue eyes. She was always helpful and she was helpful to her grandparents. No one knew why she was always so helpful that sometimes she even got bullied and called her Goodie Girl. Luna did not really care at first. Until the bullying got worse and they started to ruin all the hard work she had been doing so she thought about what to do and responsibly she went to the teachers and told them what was going on and the bullying stopped. After that Luna started to help even more. One day her best friend Sam asked: “ Why do you always help people?” She responded with: “It’s the right thing to do that’s why.” Luna did all kinds of things to everyone she knew. Everyone was having a rough time so she wanted to help. Luna helps with the bins, gardening and all kinds of things just so everyone can leave their stress.

319

Iqra A, Yr7 A Day in the Life of a Hero Hi. My name is Regena Mulgrave I am a normal girl with a normal life, except for one thing and that is that I am an orphan. I lost both my parents when I was a five-year-old. They died in a car accident. Now I live with my grandparents they are nice to me but I don’t think I am their favourite grandchild because they don’t get me anything that I want. They always say : “Because of you your parents were overwhelmed and due to that reason, they had an accident.” I never take it seriously. I know that is not the case and I know that my parents loved me and I know that my grandparents are upset because they lost their son. I strolled across the cobbled pathway of Heaton Park staring at the cute ducklings following their mother. Mummy birds feeding her nestlings worms to make sure they don’t get hungry. The autumn leaves crunched over my feet as I walked towards a bench to site down.

320

I sat down and stared at families eating ice cream in the fresh air of autumn. I saw a little girl crying she looked up at me and I smiled and she stopped crying. I know that my dad would have been proud of me because he would always say smile to people, you’ll make their day and I just think I made that little girl’s day. As I was walking along the pathway to leave Heaton Park, I saw a lady, about 32 years old, looking pale. As I was glaring at her curiously, she fell on the floor I ran up to her and I asked: “Are you alright ?” I heard no reply then in her pocket I saw her phone. I pressed the emergency button and called 999. I waited. Then I heard a nice sweet voice say : “You have called 999 how may I help you?” I replied: “There is a woman on the floor and I don’t know her.” She asked: “ Where are you?” I said: “In Heaton Park.” She said: “The ambulance is on the way,” and the call finished. The ambulance came and helped the lady and they were taking her to the hospital, then the paramedic pointed at me. So I went. They took me to the hospital too and soon she was better. Then the nurse came out gave me a letter I was told to open it at home. 321

“Hello, you are the girl that helped me today, I think your name is Regena. I am your auntie, your mum’s sister. I was very upset when my sister died. I wanted to take you in but I had no place to take you in. Today I saw you in such a bad state, I was very heart broken that my niece is in such a state. Thank you for helping me you are my hero because you saved my life. Remember not all heroes need to be recognised.”

322

Zara A, Yr7 A Day in the life of a Hero Hi, my name’s Lilly Greene. Well, I’m known as Lilly Greene. You see, I have a secret, not just any secret, a special secret. Nobody can know, it’s just a secret between you and me. You know why? You know everyone’s been talking about that TenderWoman superhero girl, right ? I’m her. I know you’ll think I’m crazy but I am TenderWoman. I was born in 2005, so I’m 16 now. Well, I just turned 16. People think I’m childish, but they don’t know my secret. Manchester is always so warm. There are always so many cute little kids playing on side streets but you can tell that they’re boiling. Then their mothers come out bringing the children sun cream. Poppies and daffodils glimmer and beam radiantly in the glowing sunlight. The lush green grass covers the bare ground like a cuddly green blanket. The laughs of adults playing cricket in Heaton Park – the local park, it’s really big – echo in the streets and mysterious tunnels. The cobbled pavements are spotless and peaceful. Now, where should I begin? Ah, yes, of course! My usual routine. I wake up at 6am, eat breakfast and do all that usual stuff that 323

everyone else does, then I go to school and arrive at 7am. When school finishes at 3pm, I take the bus home and arrive at home at about 3.30pm. Then I act normal and tell my parents I’m going up to my bedroom, so they don’t suspect anything. I run upstairs and get changed and I go out to save the world! I will always be back at 6, I eat then I go to bed at 7.30pm. So, today was a normal day like any other, and I was out doing things that normal heroes do (specifically looking for trouble or danger). I suddenly heard cries. ‘’Help! Help! Please someone help me!’’ I rushed to where the cries were coming from, and I saw a girl, she had stunning blue eyes and beautiful golden curls in her hair. She told me that her cat was stuck up a tree, and I told her that everything would be ok. I flew up the tree and convinced the cat to come down. The cat leaped on to my shoulder and I rushed down to the girl. She thanked me and told me I was the best, lots of people jolted outside to see what all of the commotion was about. They all thanked me, I felt proud to be the local hero once again. They all chanted: ‘’ You’re so brave, you’re so fun, you’re so kind, you’re so caring , you’re our hero!” I wonder what tomorrow will bring me? A whole new adventure is always awaiting me. 324

Najwa A, Yr7 A Day in the Life of a Hero Frosty and bitter, the glacial wind blew into my face. I held tight onto the tree nearest to me to not slip on to the frosted ground. Glimpsing through the misty windows, I spotted a family huddling together near the fire. Oh, I can’t bear the fire or the sun. Winter is my favourite month. I peered around, to be sure that not a soul was around, and I sneaked into the forbidden woods just outside the neighbourhood. A forest would be preferable to me, but there is no such thing in Manchester. I can’t bear to leave though, it’s the only place I have managed to find which is extremely cold, even in the summer. Although the sun can appear, it isn’t very intense like Eg ypt. I nearly died there. I sneaked between the leave less trees until I found my secret spot. Then I transformed. I spread out my coal-black, smooth wings, shook the chilly snow off as best as I could and took off. I must be careful, you see. I’ll be chased after if they find a bat in Manchester. But I don’t need to be anxious. The people here don’t really have good vision, they usually think I’m a raven! So offensive! Anyway, let me tell you about myself. My name is Val.

325

And, well, I’m a vampire. Half vampire. Mum’s full but Dad’s not. He doesn’t really mind having vampires in the family. He’s on a business trip in Eg ypt and Mum’s gone to visit her family in Romania. I can’t bear the filthy monsters, so I stayed. It gets lonesome most of the time, however I have many companions in the woods, but they don’t come out much, I don’t blame them. Manchester’s different now, with people going missing and animals being slaughtered. Vampires are known to be murderers, in fiction novels as people believe they’re myths (which is safer for us), but today, I became known as a hero! I had transformed and soared into the starry night. I was having my habitual flight when I heard a blood-curling scream, an eerie bark following and then silence. I couldn’t ignore it. I followed the scream. I didn’t dare transform back, I’m not that brave. I saw someone familiar, kicking a miniature puppy that was gripping the man. I’ve seen him before, I know him, but from where? Suddenly, the window busted open, revealing a fist, cut and covered in blood. I couldn’t stop myself. I transformed back and darted towards the fist when I realised there were all the people who had gone missing there. They backed away from me since they had seen me transform, but I helped them out as they nodded in thanks to me and fled, clutching their injuries. I turned to the man who was standing there. I couldn’t believe my eyes.. The captured had revealed what I was and how I saved them, but I can’t go back to explain, not when he’s here. Nobody is safe. 326

Eman A, Yr7 A Day in the life of a Hero Many children play in the park. Even more people with their children, sisters and brothers, or going solo to the park. In the park there are swings, a seesaw, and slides. There are red benches, so you don’t get tired standing up. Opposite the park are some buildings, and a three-storey building with flats. Lavished with half-bricks and half-concrete painted light yellow on the walls. In the yard of the flats, are some bushes, a place that you could put your bicycles or stand in while it’s raining outside or just for some space. The clean sky overlooks the whole of what’s happening. In one of the windows of these flats, there is a little girl, just about eight years old, looks down and sees people walking to the park and thinks to herself, “So many people going to the park!” She has light brown skin, long , dark brown hair, and blue, sapphire eyes. She has earned the title ‘hero’ by saving someone stuck in a fire. She was walking down the street with her mum when she saw a house on fire! It had seemed that the fire ser vice was late to arrive, and there was still one person left in the house. Without thinking , she ran inside the house, and saw that the person left was not an adult, or 327

a teenager, but a little child that was one year younger than her. Rapidly, she picks up the little boy, and hurries outside. The mothers of them both run to them and keep asking if they’re ok. And that marks the start of her title as a lifesaver and hero. Another thing that she has done, which follows the fire incident, is that she had volunteered to help in the charity foundation when she was six and gave most of her pocket money and toys to the charity for other people to have. It was her dream to be a teacher, so she works hard in school and gets good grades.

328

Zohra B, Yr7 A Day in the life of a Hero She hurried and ran down the stairs of the flat knowing that she’ll miss the bus once again. The busy streets of Manchester bustled early in the morning and the breeze howled as she left the building. “Ugh, not again!” Lee groaned as she noticed the bus leaving in the distance. She sulked. “Looks like I’m going to have to walk to the library.” Walking along the pavement, the leaves satisf yingly crunched as they were stepped on. The gentle stream flowed across the dancing flowers leaning in for sun. For a moment, no cars passed by and it was peacefully soundless. All you could hear was the birds chirping early in the morning. Lee took a few moments to admire the colourful trees surrounding her. WOOSH! A car sped through the road splashing water on her. “Hey !” she shouted expecting the driver to stop. “I’m soaking wet! Can this day get any worse? Ugh.” She stomped away. Not taking any chances, Lee 329

decided to sprint the way to the library because walking wasn’t an option for her anymore. Sprinting was a talent for Lee. She would always win the races when she was in school and would never get tired so easily like the others. She had always thanked herself for being good at running because it had always saved her and other people. Gasping for air she finally reached the library. “Ahh, finally, I’m here.” Glancing around and noticing an old Victorian-like building , she spotted some construction going on there. “Oh well, I can finally rest and study. All this running has my legs aching.” Lee finally sat down and opened her books. After an hour and a half, she decided to stop studying and took a nap. Suddenly, the fire alarm had went off. Lee woke up startled because everyone was panicking and the fire alarm had went off. “ Where is the fire extinguisher ?” someone shouted. Lee instantly got up and looked around if anyone was left behind. To her surprise there was a little girl crying behind a bookshelf. Lee quickly ran to her and asked: “ Where’re your parents ?” The little girl responded saying : “I lost my mother in the crowd because everyone was rushing to get out the building and now I don’t know where she is!” Lee quickly picked the little girl up and dodged the fires whilst she ran to the exit. 330

Smoke took over the room causing both Lee and the little girl to cough. “ We are almost there! I think I can see your mother!” The firefighters came just before Lee and the little reached outside. “Sana!” The little girl’s mother cried. “Mummy !” The little girl ran into her mother’s arms. “Thank you so much for saving my daughter! How could I ever repay you?” The mother said with tears running down her cheeks. “No, no it is fine! I need to get going now ! Have a lovely day !” Lee said as she left to go to the grocery store.

331

Elaha B, Yr7 As the mountainous Victorian buildings glanced over the hectic streets of Manchester, shoppers stumbled along the groaning cobbled streets. As the flaming fireball in the sky shone brightly, the crystalblue sky gossiped to the milky-white clouds. As the wind whistled contentedly, the warm glare of the sun beamed down on the earth. While the ancient buildings grew envious of the modern buildings, the glass buildings giggled at them uncontrollably. The impatient tram sped away. The oblivious pedestrians strolled speedily into the shopping centre. As the girl with auburn hair, honey coloured skin and almond shaped light brown eyes stumbled through the crowd. The girl was wearing a pair of black jeans, a black turtleneck and black boots. As she sprinted through the crowd of people, some of the pedestrians in the crowd started to glance at the girl as though they had recognised her. Out of breath, the girl sat down outside the BBC building on a bench. After a few minutes, the girl got up and dashed into the WWN (Wireless Wizard Network) building. Sprinting backstage, the girl was led onstage by a witch, who was wearing magenta robes, to a podium. As she was being introduced

332

by a wizard, who was wearing blue robes, she smiled at the camera. Then, she was told to address the audience about the war. “My name is Ophelia Brown and I am a witch that has attended Hog warts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for six years. I have been on the run for the past year with Harry Potter. Over a month ago, the wizard known as Voldemort was defeated by Harry Potter which ended the second wizarding war. During the final battle, which took place at Hog warts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, many people died including my best friend, Fred Weasley, and many people were injured. Me, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley helped Harry Potter defeat the Dark Lord. I destroyed three of the horcruxes, which are objects that can be enchanted to conceal a piece of your soul in so that you cannot die, that Voldemort made. This helped Harry Potter defeat him.” She beamed with pride as she looked at the camera. “I’m going be an Auror,” Ophelia thought to herself.

333

Nora G, Yr7 Hero Scorching , summer sun, beautiful flowers that were colourful, tall, towering buildings that stood proudly. Together! The people of Manchester are diverse despite the many differences they have. The more Manchester became greater, the more people came to visit. As the tall, green trees that had many leaves swooshed through the light breeze, people used bus stations, that were very busy, and speedy cars, that sped through the roads, to get to their work places, which were very organised. This is Greater Manchester. One weakness Manchester needs to improve though is appreciating heroes. There are many heroes which help out every day to their limits. But one in particular, cleaners. Cleaners work hard to improve our society to help it be unpolluted. Aren’t they heroes ? For they kill viruses before the need for people to book appointments with doctors ? Aren’t they thoughtful of the community Mocked! Disrespected! Teased! Still, they continue day by day. Ambitious and awesome, cleaners help despite the humiliation they get.

334

The more they help out, the more institutions and workplaces are pristine. Patient, don’t cleaners put up with the dislike they get ? They must be recognised for the contribution to Earth, yes they do. Being a hero is easy, for everyone is a hero. Find your passion and play a part in society. The only way the world will change you! Everyone is unique in a special way of theirs. Heroes aren’t getting what they deser ve. We know superheroes as Superman, Batman and more. But we should know them as anyone who is contributing to society and community. Thanks!

335

Zoya G, Yr7 A Day in the Life of a Hero Manchester, Streets of everyday life, Everyday people who strive, Feeling lucky to be alive, In such a wonderful nation, Filled with inspiration, And people with dedication, But what if you knew, These everyday people were special, it’s true, With such loving hearts, We could never fall apart. But lurking in the shadows, Is a superhero whose heart glows, By day an orphaned girl, by night a hero, By day known as Sally, by night as Owl-Girl, With a heart pure as gold, Her true story untold,

336

Mother died at birth, Dad much sooner, People underestimate her as an orphan, But when night comes and children turn of their night lights, She sneaks out of the orphanage in the dead of night, Fighting against evil crimes of hate. Our world should have people like Sally, No not the superpowers, the heart, The world is blind to see, The best solution for humanity.

337

Aryana K, Yr7 A Day in the Life of a Hero The surrounding houses were scorched by heat from the blast, it was as boiling as an older siblings revenge. Trees standing as tall as Mount Everest. Houses peering down on the bustling , hectic and vibrant road. Flowers blooming gracefully in the open. Birds flying peacefully like a gentle breeze. The sky is as blue as shimmering steel. With a gleeful smile on her face lived a young girl called Isla. Her eyes are as brown as the ribbed sea sand. Sweet Reanne is seven years old. Her hair is as golden stepping into the sun light on your bare feet. She has a smile like an angel, and a heart of gold. She tells her mum not to buy expensive clothes and still she is as happy as a wave that dances in the ocean. She wears a white and black striped dress like a zebra and tights as black as a starless night. It was a beautiful and picturesque day. Isla and Jason were playing outside, Jason would jump on the trampoline while Reanne would peacefully sit on the swing and rock herself back and forth. Isla would gaze at Jason and would enjoy watching the smile Jason’s face. “Reanne, Emma!” yelled Mum. 338

“Yes Mum?” said Isla. “Do you want to go to Heaton Park?” asked Mum “Yes!” cheered Emma. Emma and Reanne swiftly but gently grabbed their bikes, Reanne’s bike is lilac and Emma has a fiery texture to her bike. As soon as they got out ,they were both told to stop at the end of the road. “Aren’t you good at stopping ?” said Mum. They both gave a chuckle. “Yay, we’re here!” yelled Emma. Mum and Dad also has fun with them, the family is as happy as a mother holding her child for the first time. “ Why are we going ?” cried Emma. “Jason, it has been ages,” replied Reanne. They all leave. “Stop!” screamed dad. “ We’ve stopped” replied Isla. “Before you cross, look left and right” said dad. Emma and Reanne looked left and right and the road was empty like a birds nest in December. Safely they all crossed. As they get on the pavement Emma starts biking ahead so fast that he can no longer hear Mum. “Emma stop!” screamed Mum. “Don’t worry” replied Reanne. Off she went like a cheetah, biking so fast that she caught up to Emma but he was about to cross and a car was heading his way, as soon as she crossed Reanne peddled like a jet.

339

“Emma!” yelled Reanne. The car was about to hit Emma, Reanne leaped and managed to save her. Reanne was hit. “Quickly call 999,” suggested mum. Jason was a teddy, hugging her constantly and sobbing. The ambulance came. “She will be fine, a few murderous wounds,” said the paramedic. “Thank you” replied Mum. The family are so relieved that Reanne is fine. The news about Reanne, saving her sister’s life ends up going viral, Reanne’s favourite actors call her and tell her she is a hero. She gets invited to shows and gets multiple awards.

340

Maryam K, Yr7 A different version of Gloves Off. A book written by Louisa Reid. How a victim of bullying became a hero. Silence spreads over the street, everything is soundless, with a sense of peace. A few seconds later, bustling footsteps increasing , mumbling voices getting louder and louder. Then they get quieter And quieter. Distant footsteps, voices chattering , everything moving , head is aching In the centre of the street there is a teenager. On the floor, his heart shattered in a million pieces. Meet Louie, he has just turned 16, in fact it was his birthday just yesterday. You’re probably wondering why he is on the floor ? Why his heart is shattered in a million pieces, and we will get to that in a minute, first let’s meet his family. Meet Mum. She is the most loving mother in the whole wide world, Louie says she is too over protective. She stays at home and looks after the house. Meet Dad. He owns a g ym and does boxing classes for children. Now to answer the question why he is on the floor. Because he is being bullied, and the reason why his heart is shattered is because he has been tripped by the bully leader, he has bruises all over him, even on his face. 341

Now, now, I know you may be thinking why hasn’t he told a teacher ? And the answer to that is because he feels embarrassed even to talk to his parents about it. Another question to raise is that how have his parents not realised? His parents think that he is a teenager, therefore he is anti-social and because of the pandemic he is wearing a mask to cover the deep painful marks on his face. As it was Louie’s birthday yesterday, he had enough and decided to go and call...

342

Mojdah M, Yr7 A Day in the Life of a Hero The fogg y clouds fade away as the sun replaces the moon’s throne. The buildings stand tall and proud and the pigeons carry on to search for leftover food on the pavement. Just like any other day in Manchester. But there’s something else, what is it ? A girl. Not any normal girl, but a hero. She wakes up, first admiring the now magical sunset. Carefully, she gets out of bed to not wake up her little brother sleeping next to her. This hero is actually poor, which explains whys he has to share a bed with her brother. Her mum is a janitor and her dad is dead, but that doesn’t stop her from saving people. She cleans her teeth, changes into her uniform, brushes out her tangles and eats breakfast. She was ready to set off for another day of school. She walks, going through a shabby pathway, gawking at the nasty messages sprayed onto the wall. Her eyes prevented to look at the gang of suspicious men in the corner. She then meets up with her best friend. Samantha held her hand and violently tugged her arm as she rants at her for being late. Samantha had dark black hair and deep blue eyes that the hero admired, but not as good personality. 343

They finally end up in school and the magical sunset disappears. Finally, the school day is over. The hero can now rest after doing sums and writing. But she hears a commotion in the distance, what could it be? She crept slowly just in case it was something that she wasn’t allowed to witness. She peers at the back of the school and to her horror, she saw two boys attempting to take off the hijab off a girl. The hero could hear her desperate whimpers and knew what she had to do. She bravely ran towards them and shouted: “Stop immediately ! What do you think you’re doing to her ?” “ We want to see her hair. Go now or you’ll see what happens,” one of the boys jeered. She looked behind her and realised that all the kids and teachers weren’t around. She rapidly dashed to the girl but the two boys were much stronger. One of them caught hold of her and held her by the neck. Thinking fast, she struggled as she told the girl in the hijab to run. She then bit the boy’s hand and he let go out of pain, which gave the hero a chance to run. You may be wondering , why didn’t the so-called ‘hero’ beat up the bullies to begin with? This hero doesn’t go with violence (unless it’s really needed) because hurting a bad guy is the same as hurting someone innocent, it still hurts. 344

The hero may have a name, but that’s for when she’s in the spotlight. So, what really is a hero? Someone in a cape with superpowers ? Or maybe someone that is kind and helps anyone around them. But that’s up to you to decide.

345

Participating Schools With thanks to the following schools, whose pupils’ wonderful work is included in this anthology:

Abraham Moss Community School Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy Longdendale High School Manchester Enterprise Academy Saint Paul’s Catholic High School Sale Grammar School St Peter’s RC High School Trinity Church of England High School

346

347

“This anthology is a celebration of the creativity and achievements of young people across Manchester. A huge congratulations to all the young writers involved and I’m thrilled that the National Literacy Trust could help to provide a platform for their voices.” - Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive, National Literacy Trust

Connecting Stories, funded by Arts Council England, aims to increase children and young people's interest in reading and writing, and to promote diverse voices and stories. Children and young people were invited to take part in a creative writing competition which has been judged by publishers, authors and community champions. This anthology celebrates their creativity and hard work. We hope all entrants feel extremely proud to see their story published and that this gives them the conﬁdence and passion to continue writing.