The Tree House Mystery

Chapter 23

I am nearing the end of the tunnel when I hear some voices. Very carefully, I move a few steps forward to take a peek into the room, and what I see almost knocks the breath out of me!

A bulb hangs on the ceiling of the cavern, lighting it up nicely. Three men are standing in the room, and another secret passage has appeared on the opposite wall! I conclude that it was also hidden by those big, heavy crates of gold, when last I'd been in this chamber and had been caught.

But the shocking part isn't this. Along with the three men, whom I recognize on looking closely as Shaggy(okay, Henry!), Beardy, and my captor, another person is present in the room —Ned!!!

How in the world did he end up here? I wonder.

Glancing at my wrist watch, I realize that it's been over two hours since I left home!

Maybe he went looking for me...oh God, are my parents also all over the place, searching for me? I just hope Ned didn't bring them here...

My thoughts are interrupted as the voices are raised to a shout, and I listen attentively to grasp everything that's being said (rather, shouted).

"Did you think you could get away with this? I won't let you..." it's Ned's voice, filled with such a steely determination that I have a hard time realizing he could be so fierce!

"Oh really? What can you do, lad, against us three? You'll never be able to get out of here, for one thing. Hahaha!!"

"He'll end up just like the girl who came before him!" Another voice, which seemed like my captor's, bellowed and laughter ensued. My blood boiled. Just wait till I teach you a lesson...

"Which girl are you talking about?" Ned's voice demands.

"Well, a girl came here before you and was caught. See? It's not so easy to escape from here. Now stop blabbering and follow us, we'll have to keep you hidden until we can move our lair somewhere safer, and out of reach of nosy young people." Beardy says menacingly. I peep in again to see him and my captor advancing toward Ned.

Suddenly, Ned rushes forward and punches the two men hard on their stomach. Inside my head, I'm like, 'woo-hoo! Go, Ned!!'

The two rogues collapse onto the ground, not expecting the sudden attack. The third, however, is cleverer, and instantly pulls out a revolver, pointing it at Ned.

Seeing it Ned halts for a moment, like he's weighing his options in his mind, and then grits his teeth and lets the rogue drag him by the arm to —uh-oh, the tunnel I'm hiding in!!

I hastily scramble back the way I came, trying not to make the slightest possible sound in the process. Halfway through the tunnel, I fancy seeing another dark passage leading to somewhere else, in the right wall of the tunnel. I scoot over to the darker hole in the wall and enter it.

Just as I step inside and proceed to walk further into the dark, dingy underground passage, the light from a torch passes in front of the mouth of the tunnel, followed by the three goons and Ned, who's wedged tightly in between two of them while the third holds a gun behind him, ready to pull the trigger if Ned were to try anything.

Thankfully, none of them spot me in this tunnel; to prevent them from seeing me, I'd flattened myself against the wall and was well in the shadows. As the sound of their footsteps dies off into the distance, I hurry back toward the first chamber.

This time, I am extra cautious. The thugs would soon find out that I've escaped, and would probably waste no time to hunt me down. I'd have to think of something to save myself first, then free Ned from their clutches, before fleeing this horrid place.

When I reach the chamber, my eyes dart around in every direction, seeking a good hiding place. Finally, I smirk to myself and, opening a chest of gold bars, I grab some of them and climb into another, bigger, empty crate. Crouching inside, shutting the lid down, and ducking before spreading out my black leather jacket(that I'd worn after I jumped down into the tunnel from the hole in the clearing), filled with the gold bricks I stretch it out over the top of my head.

Now, hopefully, if any foolish person opens this box, he'll see nothing but gold bricks laden on top of each other right till the brim!

Not long after, hurried footsteps approach the chamber and the three men start shouting:

"Henry, where do you think she could have gone?"

"Boss, idiot! How many times do I need to tell you that? Look here, search every corner of our lair —the girl's got to be here! We can't let her go at all!" He orders.

I shiver at the tone of his voice. But at the next moment, I steel myself. Do whatever you can, you wretches. I'm not going down without a fight too. Let's see what you've got.

"Yes, boss. You're right. Come on Van, give me a hand." My captor says. I figure out that Mr. Beardy's real name is "Van".

The goons set about the task of searching me, while my heart beats loudly in my chest. I close my eyes and pray to God to help me, and not let these goons discover me here.

They're almost done, and haven't yet touched any of the boxes, just shifted them here and there, maybe expecting that I'm crouching behind one! Dream on, I'm NOT so silly.

"Boss, she isn't here. Now what?" my captor says.

"You fools, you blockheads...who will search inside the boxes??" Henry says. I swallow, bracing myself for the worst.

The men now start opening the boxes and checking them from the inside. I hold my breath as someone steps close to my hiding place and starts removing the lids of the boxes around the one in which I'm hiding.

Then, the goon removes the lid of the trunk I'm hiding in, and light floods through the opening, filtered by my jacket. I dare not move even a millimetre, or even breathe in case he hears it!

"Boss!", the man shouts. I gulp, closing my eyes, as he continues, "There's nothing here. Really, I tell you she has run away using the other tunnel, to the tree house. Let's not waste more time here..." saying this, Van replaces the lid and I let out my breath, feeling very lucky.

"Okay, come on then!" Henry says, and rushes out of the chamber into 'the other tunnel'. There's the sound of two people going after him, and when they're safely out of hearing, I drop my aching hands which held the jacket, and push open the lid of the crate. Climbing out, I take in a few deep breaths to calm myself, then put on my jacket and shut the box, the bricks still inside it, before rushing off at full speed to the second chamber.

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Hmm...I'd planned more action in this chapter, but as I sat down to write it, I added a few more details — so more action will now come in the next chapter. Ah!! I'm getting quite excited myself, so I'll write it soon, hopefully. ;)

I'd like to dedicate this chapter to @firdoshmalik , for being such a loyal reader and being a great poetess herself! Never be shy to express yourself, have faith and be proud of your creations, always, no matter what anyone says. :)

Also, a BIG THANKS to @Nanz2205 for constantly supporting me and encouraging me to write more! He even designed an all-new cover for this book, and is working on another when I suggested some changes. I'll soon put them up for my readers to choose which one would they prefer. :D

And...about 50 votes in less than a week, plus the book is on Rank 2 for quite some time!! Thank you, everyone, for it... ♥♥♥☺

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