my last story:
The Robbery
The sun was just setting as I returned home. The air was still and there was no one in sight. Above me birds were settling in their nests, protecting their young. I could see the dim light of a candle as I walked up the path and the smell of the honeysuckle strong and sweet. The door opened to reveal a familiar face, warm and welcoming, her smile stretching to the beyond and eyes twinkling in the candlelight. Her long black hair curled down to her shoulders, yes, just as I remembered her. I walked inside and sat down in the armchair, Millie jumping onto my lap. She curled up into a ball, her soft black fur rising and falling as she breathed, her dark green eyes closed and the gentle sound of purring could be heard over the crackling of the fire Kaytlin had just made. My eyes closed and I just listened to the sound of the fire before slowing drifting off into a deep sleep.
Wake up! I stirred aware that I was still in the armchair. A single beam of light filtered through the gap in the curtains, and then it was dark. I thought I was dreaming for a minute until I saw the shape of Kaytlin towering over in front of me, blocking the light.
The mayor is calling a meeting at the village hall, he wants everyone to be there immediately, including us!
What for? I asked her, he never called a meeting unless it was an emergency.
Im not sure, Geoff just said we had to be there then went running down the road to tell Helen and Kevin.
We better get going then, I replied, struggling to get to my feet. I brushed the cat hairs off my trousers and straightened. I grabbed my coat from the arm of the chair and walked over to the door.
Dont you think you should change? Youve been in those clothes all night, as well as yesterday.
Nah, it's only the mayor.
Ok, let's go then.
I opened the door for Kaytlin and bustled out after her. As I walked through our front garden I could smell the roses, and the daffodils were as bright as ever against the white fence. I opened the gate and walked down the muddy track, Kaytlin skipping along beside me. We reached the doors of the village hall along with Helen and Kevin, our neighbours. Kevin opened the door to a room full of chaos and confusion. I took a step forward towards the crowd. BANG! The doors closed heavily behind me.
Sorry, whispered Helen, but the hall had already fallen silent and everyone was beginning to turn around. I stood still and waited for someone else to make the first move.
OK everyone, there is an important matter to discuss! said the frightening voice of the mayor.
Thank goodness, I said, as everyones attention was drawn to the other end of the room.
I walked out of the hall after the meeting, as white as a sheet. I couldnt understand. Why would someone do that? It just didnt make sense!
Why dont you come over later, say for tea to take your mind off this awful event? Helen asked Kaytlin.
Yeh ok, that would be nice, perhaps it would bring Harry back to his senses. she replied.
That night we walked over to the Jones house and I knocked on the door. There was no answer, thats odd I thought, they never went out after dark. Kaytlin walked over to the dark window and peered inside.
I cant see anything, its too dark, she mumbled, let's just go home. She turned and walked back down the path, stones crunching beneath her feet. I knew something was wrong but said nothing; I just followed in silence till I reached the familiar shape of home. I went straight to the bedroom and closed the door quietly, I flicked my shoes off and collapsed onto the bed. I couldnt believe it, all of the hard work put into protecting it...and...and its gone!
The door was looming in front of me and I could see the guards pacing the entrance. It was another day of sitting tight, understanding the world. I mounted the steps.
Good morning sir," said Wurt, one of the goblins guarding the door.
"Yes, yes hello Wurt." I had no time for petty regards, I had work to do! As I entered the hall I knew something wasnt right. The place still looked the same as yesterday but somehow different. I discarded the idea quickly and climbed the steep marble staircase. As I reached the top, I gasped for air, everyday I've forgotten how tiresome it is. When my heartbeat was back to normal I walked up to the familiar wooden door. Before reaching into my pocket, I gazed at the brass handle and the large hinges. I removed the key and turned it in the lock. There was a click and the door swung open, its rusty hinges groaning. I looked around the room and my eyes fell on the maple stand in the centre of the room. The light from the large window shone down on it, like a spotlight to stage. My heart sank. It was gone! It was no longer propped on the stand, bathed in sunlight. Some one had stolen it!!! My head buzzed with a thousand questions, how did this happen? What should I do? How did I fail? I rushed back down the stairs at lightning speed, my heart racing.
"What?...sir?" I didnt have time to explain, not to a mere goblin anyway. I ran on up the path, down the hill to the only place I could think of. I went straight to the village hall to inform the mayor at once!
I still couldnt believe it. Kaytlin had tried everything to take my mind of it, but none of it worked. I really needed to talk to Kevin, he would understand, but they still weren't back. It was very strange, two people who never go out suddenly disappear at the same time as
It all made sense! I knew what I had to do.
I waited for Kaytlin to go to bed then crept out. I walked along the path till I reached their house. The door was locked!! I snuck round the back, wedged the window open with the broom that was always there and squeezed through the gap as quietly as I could into the kitchen. Fumbling around in my pocket for the matches I brought with me, I lit a candle and started my search.
After searching for 3 hours I lost hope, they must have taken it with them; I climbed back through the window and removed the broom.
"What are you doing in my garden?" said a sinister voice. I turned around to see only darkness.
"Who's there?" I asked, "show yourself!" A shadow moved out from behind the tree. Kevin! My eyes filled with fear as he approached me, I had never seen him like this before. My knees shook and I was frozen to the spot.
"Why?" I waited for the reply.
"You know why. You know what I want and now I'm going to get it"
"Kevin, please, don't hurt me!"
"Ha, I'm not going to hurt you, because your going to keep your mouth shut and not say a word to anyone, got it?"
"yyyes." I replied my lips quavering. I closed my eyes and muttered, let this not be true! I opened them again and looked around. He was gone, but I knew it wasnt a dream, I was still in the garden that had been so well kept for many years. I walked to the side of the house and back round to the front. I had to get home, tell Kaytlin, no matter what he had said.
"Harry, how can you be so sure of it?"
" I don't know, but I've got to stop him."
The next day I was almost certain I knew where he was hiding. We had been there many times as kids. It was right next to a beautiful stream which buzzed with wildlife. I grabbed my rucksack and filled it with everything I needed. I said goodbye to Kaytlin and set off towards the woods. The sun was bright and the trees swayed in the gentle breeze. I reached the end of the path and took the path to the right. I knew the way like the palm of my hand. As I neared a large tree I could hear the sound of splashing, someone was in the stream. I crept round the corner and there he was! It was just as if I was 10 again except I hated the man he had become. My heart raced, now was the time for my plan to really happen. I strode over to him his back still turned and walloped him around the head. He fell to floor with a loud thump, water flying everywhere. Oops, perhaps that was a bit hard, I wasnt meant to hit him that hard, so much for my plan. I dragged him onto the grass below the tree. I looked up and sure enough it was still there. The little green tree house was a little shabby but thats what everything built by a couple of 10 year olds is like. I hauled myself up the rope ladder hanging from it and looked around inside. It didnt take long to find what I was looking for and place it carefully in my rucksack. I knew it was sacred and I couldnt let anything happen to it. So far so good, I had it safely upon my back and the man responsible knocked out at the base of the tree. Just as I turned to leave I heard a fainted yell for help. It had come from the hidden door we had made. I rushed over and opened it. There stood Helen, cloth in her mouth and rope tied around her. She looked so helpless. I removed the cloth.
"What happened?" I asked.
"I found it but before I could do anything I was tied up and brought here. He didnt want anyone to find out it was him and knew I would try to stop him, so he brought me here as well," she replied, "now, please untie me and we can get out of here" I undid the knots and climbed back down the ladder. I turned to where I had left Kevin but to my horror found he was gone. He was nowhere in sight! I didnt have time to look for him, I had to get Helen to safety. We rushed back to the village and grabbed Kaytlin on the way to find the mayor. There was no way I was leaving Kaytlin alone when he was on the loose! who knows what he might do.
"Thank you so much Harry, and thank goodness your safe Helen. I will personally return it to it's rightful place and increase the security. There must be more goblins and stronger locks, doors
" said the mayor, walking off down the road. "I don't think Kevin will show up for a long time, do you?" asked Kaytlin.
I staggered over the hills towards the coast, the wind blowing my through my hair. I reached the top and gazed out to sea, why did I do it? How could power have been more important than Helen and my friends? I walked down the hill towards a small rowing boat. I untied the reasonably easy knot and pushed the boat out further into the ocean. The cold water lapped against my ankles. I jumped into the boat and began to row, to a place where I can start fresh. A place where no-one knows me and everything can be forgotten. As the sun began to set the island I had lived and grown up on was just a spec in the distance.