The Christmas of Adventure

©2015 June E.

Philip, Dinah, Jack and Lucy-Ann are excited at the prospect of spending their first Christmas together, but by Christmas Eve all their plans lie in ruins. Things get even worse when a severe snowstorm brings the country to a standstill and leaves Bill snowbound, hundreds of miles away. Forced to fend for themselves in Bill's remote moorland cottage, rumours abound of a strange and terrifying creature lurking in the woods nearby... and with a ruthless thief on the loose, striking at night and stealing birds from the local Sanctuary, the scene is set for a frightening and perilous adventure. Can they stop the thief before it's too late? Or will Kiki be the robber's next victim?

Chapter 31: 'They're mine now, and I won't part with 'em.'

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Meanwhile, deep in Moorland wood, Jack was edging his way along the oak branch high over the blackthorn. When he had descended the rope ladder and was safely on the ground, Philip signalled to him to keep quiet.

'Let's keep watch on the hut for a few minutes to see if anyone's about,' he whispered.

The boys crept behind a holly bush; from here they had a good view of the hut but wouldn't be seen themselves. It was very exciting to be hiding in that secret part of the woods, keeping watch! A robin hopped onto one of the holly branches and eyed them curiously. Jack made a tiny gesture with his hand; somehow the robin knew that he was a friend, and tentatively hopped nearer. A few seconds later and the robin had perched on Jack's outstretched hand! It was amazing how birds somehow knew that Jack could be trusted, and they were instinctively drawn to him.

After a few moments Philip whispered, 'I don't think there is anyone about. I'm going to creep over to the hut and take a look through the window. You keep watch and hoot like an owl if anyone comes.'

He crept stealthily across the snowy ground, keeping his head low, and soon he was at the old hut. He peeped in through the dirty window but he couldn't see a thing, for the glass was far too grubby. He rubbed the pane with the sleeve of his coat and managed to clean a small patch of the glass. Putting his eye to the pane, he looked through. It was dark inside the hut, so Philip couldn't make anything out clearly. Burning with curiosity to see inside, he decided to try the door – it was unlocked!

Philip signalled to Jack to join him – they would go inside together. A few seconds later, and Philip and Jack were slowly pushing open the door of the hut. Both boys crept inside. What they saw left them open-mouthed with astonishment. For inside the hut, in a variety of cages, or tethered to perches, was a kestrel, a forlorn-looking red kite, and an enormous grey owl – Harry's missing birds! They had stumbled upon the Midnight Man's hideaway!

Jack's immediate concern was for the birds, but despite the external dilapidation of the hut, inside everything was clean and neat. The birds had clean water and plenty to eat, and there were sacks of food of various kinds piled up in a corner. The birds were clearly well looked after and well fed. But all the birds were unnaturally quiet and looked sad and forlorn.

'I expect they didn't like being cooped up in the darkness of this hut, away from Harry and their familiar surroundings at the sanctuary,' thought Jack, feeling angry and indignant that these beautiful creatures should be treated in this way. He was particularly anxious about the red kite, who looked particularly woebegone; presumably he was missing his mate badly.

Whilst Jack was checking the birds Philip had his mind on other things. How could they rescue the birds when the Midnight Man might come back at any minute! They couldn't just release them as they would not be able to find their way back to the sanctuary and would soon perish in the bitter cold weather. Philip felt a rising sense of panic – the Midnight Man might return at any moment, and there was no telling what he might be capable of if he found out that his secret lair had been discovered.

'Jack, what do you think we should do?' asked Philip.

'I'd like to rescue them, but it's impossible – after all, we need both of our hands free to climb up the rope ladder and make it safely along the tree branch – we daren't risk a fall into the blackthorn,' answered Jack.

'Then let's not hang around here any longer,' said Philip. 'The Midnight Man might show up any second. If we can get away and raise the alarm before he realises his hideaway has been discovered, we could come back with Harry, Bill and the police, and rescue all the birds – and maybe even catch the Midnight Man, too.'

'I think that's an excellent plan,' agreed Jack.

'I disagree!' boomed a deep voice.

Both boys spun round in horror. There, looming in the doorway of the hut stood the Midnight Man!

Jack was the first to gather his wits together and speak. He was relieved to see that the Midnight Man was not a monster or apparition; the long, foul-smelling fur coat clothed a man's body, and beneath the capacious hood Jack could see a human face. So even though he was terrified, he spoke out, trying desperately to sound bold and confident.

'How dare you steal Harry's birds and keep them in this dingy hut!' he exclaimed loudly, trying to hide the tremor in his voice.

'You shut your mouth!' growled the man roughly. 'Why shouldn't I have these birds! Why should Harry 'ave 'em all! They're mine now, and I won't part with 'em.'

'They're not yours,' continued Jack boldly. 'You stole them. Now you have to give them back.'

'Never!' shouted the man fiercely, his face reddening beneath his low fur hood. 'Don't you say that! I'll never give 'em back! Why shouldn't I 'ave some pets... no, not pets... friends – these birds are my friends. I love them. I take good care of 'em – they want for nothing.'

'That's not true!' shouted Jack, his compassion for the birds making him brave. 'They want for fresh air, and daylight, and freedom – and they want their mates back at the sanctuary. You've made them prisoners! You've made them lonely – just like you!'

'Be quiet, boy! Or I'll make you sorry!'

The man looked really angry now, and Philip gripped Jack's arm; as he did so he could feel Jack trembling with fear and rage.

'Don't say anymore,' he hissed. 'We can't fight him, Jack – he's far too big and powerful. '

The man fell silent; his breath was rapid and he seemed to be thinking. He turned the key in the door of the hut, locking it firmly. Then he rummaged in a large wooden trunk, and when he turned back to face the cowering boys he had a length of strong rope in his hands. Their hearts sank.

'I won't hurt you,' the man said in a strangulated voice, as if he was trying to control some strong emotion. 'I just need to keep you from causing trouble... I need some time to think.'

He reached out his enormous arm and grasped Philip by the shoulder, and two minutes later the terrified boy was sitting with his hands tied tightly behind his back, and with a piece of rough sacking tied around his mouth as a gag. Jack got the same treatment, and then both boys were bundled unceremoniously into the trunk, and the lid was slammed shut. The trunk was then locked. They were prisoners!

For a while the only thing Philip and Jack could hear was their own rapid breathing, and the pounding of their hearts again their ribs. It was pitch dark inside the trunk, and at first they couldn't see a thing. Gradually, their breathing slowed, and their eyes became accustomed to the dark. A tiny chink of light shone through the keyhole in the lid of the trunk, and gave enough light for them to see each other dimly. They were in very serious trouble, but at least they were together. And when they didn't return to the waiting Lucy-Ann, she would realise something was amiss and go for help. Yes, help would be along soon. Bill would come. Bill would find them and release them.

But Bill didn't know where they were, and had absolutely no idea they were in danger.

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