Chapter 3

Benjamin paced the corridor like a deranged beast trapped behind steel bars. Thomas had adopted a squirrel-like posture. He was shivering as if it was -40 degrees and he was trembling like the door was cemented shut.

“Are you going to help or be useless like a mouse?” Benjamin demanded as he tried unscrewing the rusty, old screws. Suddenly, he touched a screw that was loose. “Now are you going to help me?”

Thomas sat cramped in the corner.

“If you don’t help me, I’ll use you to get out of here.”

Thomas sprung to his feet they both managed to unscrew all the screws. Behind the thick wooden platform was a sheet of metal. It was no use.

The two boys were losing hope in themselves. On the other hand, Phoenix had entered the manor. The two boys heard rattling sounds from outside the door. They screamed for help, not knowing who was there. Unexpectedly, a large rock burst through the metal and shattered it all. The two boys stood shocked and confused when they saw an orange figure.

“Phoenix you came!” Benjamin cried with relief.

Without looking behind them, Phoenix, Benjamin and Thomas all ran away from the manor as far as possible. Benjamin paused. Where was the note now? And how could they get it back?