CHAPTER 1: THE SUMMER'S HOLIDAY
Benjamin, Cora, James, and their parents were having breakfast on the table, and Oliver the Dog under the table. Today is Saturday and the children were excited. Daddy and Mother are planning to send them to Uncle John and Aunt Jenny's house!
They are very fond of merry Uncle John and his son, Wilson, but Aunt Jenny was a bit hot-tempered, so they're afraid of her. "Make sure you stay polite and sturdy when you're in Uncle John's house! You know Aunt Jenny hates children and noises!" Daddy said with a laugh, "She sure will throw you out the window if you keep ignoring her!"
Benjamin laughed and said, "Well, throw us if she like, but she's so small! She can't even hold me up when I was a baby! And perhaps it's us who will throw her out the window!!!"
"Ben, please don't tease your aunt like that when you arrive at their house," scolded Daddy with a frown. "This is very impolite to tease or laugh at other people like that."
"Yes Daddy." Ben murmured.
"So when are we going, Mother? Next week?" James asked, excited.
"Maybe We'll make it this Wednesday, if Daddy can manage, ducky-love," Mother said as a reply.
They discusses about it and decided they will leave in Thursday, because Mother suddenly remembered her friend invited her to a wedding ceremony.
Thursday seems to be Sooooooo long but it came at last. Benjamin leaped up from his bed and woke James. "C'mon, Sleepyhead, It's THURSDAY!" Ben Shouted in James ear.
James sat up and beamed at Benjamin. They raced out the corrido and woke Cora, who slept very late at night. She groaned and lied down again. "WAKE UP, CORA, IT'S THURSDAY!!! " James yelled and pounced on his younger sister. Young little Cora squeal loudly.
The children ate their breakfast rapidly, talking and laughing with each other. "It's half-past eight now!" Ben said, munching his bacon noisily. Mother frown, Daddy groaned, Cora and James scowled at him.
"Whoops, Sorry! I don't mean to munch so loudly, ER... I won't eat like that again," he said.
"You always say that," Mother complained, "But you never mean it! Look, there's your cereal crumbs falling on the floor again!"
Oliver licked the cereal crumbs happily, quite disagreeing with their mother. What? Eat politely without falling on the floor? NEVER! If nothing fall on the floor I'll starve!!! He gave a little bark to remind the children's parent he's still under the table. Daddy laughed a threw a biscuit for him.
Daddy took them to the train station and warned them to be careful and don't annoy Aunt Jenny. The train arrived and James scrambled up. Benjamin carried his sister up and went up himself. They waved madly to their father and departed. This is when the adventure of the Six started.
CHAPTER 2: A SCARY START -- AND A WONDERFUL COUSIN
They arrived at Nirrick's Neighborhood train station, hoping to see Wilson and his pet dog, Carlos, a funny looking mongrel. Unfortunately, they found Aunt Jenny at the station, frowning and groaning. "Hi Aunt J....Jenny..."said the children, half-afraid.
"Hi kiddies-monkeys! Get in my car! Quick, don't waste my time." said the bad-tempered aunt, who shoved the children into her car. That woman looks like an evil witch! She's so scary! Cora thought with a shiver.
Off they go (in a super fast speed), and the car suddenly stopped at Rose Cottage. "ARRIVED!! GET OUT KIDDIE-MONKEYS!!!" The witch-like aunt roared. They stumbled out the car and ran away. "STOP! You've messed up with my car belt! And the cushions!" She shrieked. Benjamin hurried back to the car and tidied up, wishing with all his heart that they didn't come.
When they all got into the house, the children's aunt rushed into her study and slapped the door behind her. "Oh, its that Jenny again! Just because she can't find the prove why is one plus one equals two! Why would she never close a door gently?" said a voice from upstairs, coming down the stairs. It was Uncle John! "Ooh Hallo, darling kiddies! And Oliver too! Welcome to our house!" He grinned at the children, "Did Jenny scared you? She's a bit angry today. S'pity Wilson's still with his friends, He'll be back soon!"
Uncle John gave them some papers and pencils to draw while they're waiting for Wilson to return home. Cora accidentally dropped all the color pencils on the floor. Aunt Jenny burst into the room and yelled,
"HOW MANY TIMES SHALL I TELL YOU NOT TO DROP THING ON THE FLOOR?!?! STOP THAT ELSE I'LL THROW YOU OUT THE WINDOW!" Uncle John shouted back fiercely, "Jenny! YOU ARE MEAN AND UNKIND! IF YOU STOP BEING MEAN TO THE CHILDREN, WE PROMISE NOT TO BOTHER YOU ANY MORE! YOU HITTED POOR WILSON LAST TIME AND BROKE HIS ARM, YOU REMEMBER? I'LL CALL THE POLICE IF YOU DO THAT TO THESE CHILDREN!"
With that word POLICE, Jenny retreated back to her study. "That's done it." He comforted Cora, who was half-crying, "Shout back to her like how I do, and she'll not bother you!"
Wilson came back home at evening, with Carlos to his heel. They were panting after the football game with his fellow friends. "Hallo, who are they? Ooh! Hey Ben, Hey Jamsie old lad! How are you, little Cora? Woof Woof, Oliver, want a biscuit? Welcome to our house!" Wilson greeted them. Ben and James grinned back at him. Cora nudged Wilson and smiled, "Don't call me little Cora, Willy, I can't help being young, can I?"
Wilson laughed. They had a late tea and Uncle John prepared their supper. Wilson was busy showing them his house, Carlos trotting beside Wilson as usual. The supper bell rang, as they're exploring and examine the stuff in the storage. The little company darted to the dining room, sniffing in the air, trying to guess what had Uncle John cooked for supper.
"Mmm! Salmons, Broccoli, cheese, peach pudding.. Wow! Uncle John, you're an excellent cook!" They ate the delicious food and decided to ask Wilson to show them his dog statue collections. Wilson agreed, of course. He told them about how he rescued dogs and how he and the Search-And-Rescue dogs work together. Everyone thought Wilson is wonderful!
CHAPTER 3: AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR
It's bedtime now, but they wanted to explore the house a little more, so Uncle John let them. They ran through the corridor bumping and yelling like mad. Fortunately Aunt Jenny was out visiting a sick friend. Uncle John laughed and race along with them. What a Mess!! Oliver and Carlos barked, licking each other, and dodging many feet.
"Ring Ringggggggggggggggggg! Ring!" the bell rang, as loud as it can be.
"Oh dear! What a mess we've made! Aunt Jenny's back!!!" Everyone stumbled and roll about in panic. They tidied up quickly and their Uncle opened the door.
"Oh! It's not Aunt Jenny! Hallo, Sir! Who are you?" James asked politely.
"QUICK! LET ME IN, YOU STUPID COMPANY! THEY'RE AFTER MEEE!!!!" The man yelled. They let the madman in, and Uncle John questioned the man, "Who are you, and what happened? Who's after you?"
The man answered in a rather shaky voice, "My name is Douglas Andrews, a banker. Yesterday, when I'm counting my money, three men in black coats rushed in." He stopped to catch his breath.
"Go on, Sir." Cora said.
"One of the men shouted at me, commanding me to return his money. I don't know what money, of course. so I said I don't know what he's talking about. He said I'm a thief, tricking him. I told them to clear out, but they won't. The man said I better return his money as soon as possible, else I'll be shot. This morning, I found that 1000 dollars are gone! I guess they've stole the money. Then, tonight when I'm driving home, the men run after me. So I came to your house."
"They sound like gangsters!" Benjamin exclaimed.
"Yes, you're right, young man." said Doug with a shiver.
CHAPTER 4: AUNT JENNY KIDNAPPED
"Okay. Mr. Andrews, will you go to sleep now and keep quiet? We're going to bed." Uncle John said with a yawn. They went to sleep, and the banker slept in the living room. Wilson put Carlos in the living room, in case the "gangsters" come after Mr. Andrews again.
Everything was quiet at night. Everyone were asleep. Well, almost everyone. Oliver slept with one ear crooked up, and Carlos was growling in his throat softly. He heard something. Yes, soft footsteps. "Grrrr... GRRRR!" Carlos growled, "GRRRRRRR!!" Mr. Douglas Andrews woke up with a jump, "what'sup, little doggie-woggie?" The half-asleep man tiptoed to the door and pressed his ears against the door. "Stup stup stup. PLONK! Ping! Calp, this way. " A voice whispered.
Who tripped? Who's that? Who's Calp? Wha-?Mr. Andrews thought. He listened for a few minutes and went to sleep again.
The morning came very quickly and the man told everyone what he had heard last night. Suddenly Ben cried, "Where's Aunt Jenny? She haven't return home from yesterday night till now!" but Uncle John only nodded and smile, "She'll be back in the afternoon, I think. She often return home late." They had a great time playing and joking with the new visitor. They laughed and ran and skipped in the garden along with the dogs. Mr. Andrews, which is now called by the children "Uncle Doug" (or Dog, if you prefer), sang and danced with them.
The afternoon came, but there's still no sign of Aunt Jenny. Everyone became worried of her and started wondering where is Aunt Jenny. Their uncle who was still jolly and comfortable asked the children why were they looking so "bittergourd-ish", they told him they're worried about Aunt Jenny. Uncle John looked worried and uncomfortable now, too! They decided to wait for her for one more day (One more day!? Ed.) and if she still didn't come home, they'll go and search for her. At the evening, Ben and James went to do some gardening for Uncle John. When they opened the door, they saw a paper on the doorstep. It says:
We've got the woman in OUR hands.
If you want your woman back,
hand the man in your house to us.
Then your woman shall be released.
Make up your mind quickly
before we come to fetch the man ourselves.
Make up your mind FAST
Yours crossly,
Unknown
Ben read this note and look confused. "What is it, Ben? Tell me!" James said.
"I better show this to uncle first, Jamie. I don't understand this." Benjamin murmured. He showed this note to Uncle John, who screamed in horror.
"My Lord, NO! Jenny's kidnapped!!" shrieked Uncle John. "I suppose they discovered that we keep the man they want and tried to get Mr. Andrews back! Now, children. Listen to me! Our Aunt Jenny has been kidnapped because we hid the man they wanted in our house. So they caught Aunt Jenny as hostage when she return home last night to force us to give up the man for them! All they want is the man, Mr. Andrews!"
Everyone gasped and Mr. Andrews turned white, "Oh no... You won't hand me to the bad men, will you? I'm sure you won't!"
"We won't, and don't you worry. We'll take you to my friend Albert's house. You will be safe there." Uncle John assured him.
CHAPTER 5: CARLOS IS A HELP
That night, Wilson offered to take the dogs for their day's last walk. The others let him go and they went to bed. Cora fell asleep at once after all the dancing and singing with Mr. Andrews. Benjamin and James watched the stars twinkling in the night sky, not more than one minute they're asleep, too. The little cottage was very quiet. Meanwhile, as Wilson was tying Oliver to it's leash, Carlos sniffed on the ground for some treats he thought Wilson will give him. He smelt some familiar smell.
Woof Woof! What's this? Smells like the mean lady's smell! Why is she out at this time? Out for a walkie too? Carlos smelt the familiar smell and followed it. Wilson saw him and called, "Hoi! Carlos, where are you goin'? Hey, Come here!"
Carlos took no notice for once and keep on trotting away. Wilson ran to Carlos and caught it's leash. "Go, Carlie, Go. Take me to where the scent end and I'll see what it is" said the curious Wilson. Oliver followed behind them, puzzled. They walked for ten minutes and Carlos came to a stop. "Woof! Wuf Wuf!" Carlos barked. Wilson knelt down and squinted at the ground. "I forgot to take a torch with me! We'll come here tomorrow and check out what's interested Carlos." He said while he turned the dogs back.
(Dear readers, if you think this story need some improvement, please kindly give some suggestions in the comment function below. I will try to improve the story. THANK YOU! Ed.)
CHAPTER 6: A DISCOVERY
The sun rose up the next morning, waking everyone up. The children woke up early too, except for Wilson. Cora went to wake him up. "Wake up, Sleepyhead! I bet you return home late last night!" She called. Wilson groaned and covered his ears with a pillow. Cora continued screaming and yelling at him but he won't wake up, so Cora gave up. It was nine o'clock when Wilson woke up and he remembered all the events last night.
He tumbled down the stairs and cried, "Why didn't you wake me up, Dad? It's so late already!"
"Well well well! Our sleepyhead had finally woke up!" said Uncle John with a laugh. "Little Cora went to wake you up hours ago, but she complained you won't wake up! Sit down and eat your breakfast quickly, then go join them in the garden. I'll drive Mr. Andrews to my friend's house in the afternoon."
Wilson ate his breakfast and raced down to the garden. He told them about last night's story and they decided to go to the place with Wilson. They said Good-Bye to Uncle John and went to fetch their bicycles. Cora placed Oliver on her bicycle basket. Wilson tied Carlos' leash to his bicycle handle and they set off.
"What a wonderful morning!" Sighed Cora, "I want to sing loudly so that the whole world can hear me!"
And she began to sing her favorite song, "The Pretty Sun Resting on the Clouds" The children laughed.
"Cora! When can you get out of your babyish life!" Her big brother said. The cheerful party cycled into the woods where Wilson went last night. Carlos stopped and barked.
"We're here! Carlos stopped." Their cousin exclaimed, "Look, what's that? Is that a wheel print?" James bent down and observed the print carefully.
"Erm.. This print looks like a Rolls-Royce's print," He said, sketching it slowly, "I'll ask Joshua the garage boy if there are any Rolls-Royce in this district."
Wilson suggested to follow the wheel print and see where it leads, so they ride along the prints, with Carlos trotting along.
"Hey everyone, what is that?" Cora called.
"Mother's best handkerchief! Ben, come here, maybe the kidnappers bring Mother here, because there's her belonging beside the bushes!" Wilson cried.
CHAPTER 7: JOSHUA WAS A GREAT HELP
They arrived at Nirrick Garage and Joshua greeted them warmly.
"So, what bring you all here?" the garage boy asked, "We don't often have visitors, so it's good to have someone here. Ask anything you like!"
Benjamin asked him are there any Rolls-Royces in Nirrick's Neibourhood, but Joshua replied no, so there's no use asking him.
Then Joshua remembered something and said, "Aha! There's a Rolls-Royce driving by our garage the day before yesterday. The driver asked the way to White Hill. Yes. It's a Rolls-Royce alright.''
Wilson's eyes twinkled, "White Hill, did you say? I know that place. Thanks awfully, Joshua!"
"It's pretty far away, Willy." James remarked. No one paid attention to his remark, they're already mounting their bikes.
"A puncture!" Cora sighed, "Puncture, puncture, PUNCTURE! Always happen at this time!" She fixed it and they went away.
They rode away to White Hill, which is not very far away. It's a really hard work to ride up the hill, for it was very steep, so Cora took Oliver down from her bicycle basket.
"Do you think Mother is up the hill?" Wilson said, turning to Benjamin.
"I guess so, Wilson, because White Hill is not a popular place where a lots people visit it. Maybe Aunt Jen will be in one of the dungeons of the castle on White Hill!"
His cousin gulped, thinking his own poor mother, down in a smelly, old dungeon with no food or water.
Cora don't feel sorry for her Auntie. Instead, she feel quite please! So she decided not to say a word about it.
CHAPTER 8: CORA'S LITTLE ADVENTURE
Riding up a hill was not an easy job. The little party puffed and panted tiredly. They almost gave up! James slid down seven times, and Cora was even worst. She slid down the hill fourteen times and tumbled down her bicycle three times.
When she slid down for the eighteenth times, her back crashed on something cold and hard. "Goodness Gracious!" Poor Cora yelped. The boys turned around, and to their surprise, Cora was gone! "Where's Cora?" asked James. "I guess she's up to her mischief again. I won't fall for her silly prank this time!" Said Cora's big brother crossly, "CORA, COME OUT! STOP YOUR PRANK AND FOLLOW US!"
No Cora came up. Benjamin told the others to keep going, Cora will come up whenever she pleases.
Cora, however, had fell down a hole after her back got banged. "A hole! Why is this hole there?" The curious Cora said to herself, "Such a shame. I can't climb up the steep wall. Let me explore this place, up and down." So she began to walk to the tunnel on her right.
Wait a minute... Should I mark where I've gone through in case I got lost? She thought, running back to where she fell down. Cora always bring a rope along with her, because she knew it might come in useful. Haha! Benjamin said I'm a trash-collector, eh? Wait till he hears that my little rope was useful! She tied the long, long rope around her thin body and the rope will trace where she had gone. She walked and walked and walked, until her feet ached and she can't go anymore.
"Phew! What a long walk..." She panted, "I wonder what time is it. Let me go back." She turned around, but to her greatest horror, her rope was GONE!
Suddenly She heard a sound. A man's voice talking. The Voice said, "Little girl, little girl, where are you going?"
"That's no concern of yours!" said Cora bravely, although she can felt herself trembling a little.
"Is she a child, Calp? Let her go if she is. We want Douglas." another woman's Voice said.
"Mr. Doug! Why would you want him?" Cora asked. The two Voices laughed loudly and the sound echoed through the tunnel. Cora began to run, but a strong grip caught her hair tightly.
"LET ME GOOOO!! WHAT DO YOU WANT!?" Poor Cora shrieked.
"You know who is Douglas Andrews, do you? Tell us more 'bout him, missy!" How Cora kicked! How she howled! She kicked the man's leg and the grip released her. She stand up and said, "Did you took my rope? Return it to me NOW, or you'll be bite."
The frightened woman ran away, leaving her pal behind. The man gave Cora the rope, and she tied the rope on the man's arm. "You'll stay here, Mr. Coward. Fancy you scared of me! Stay here, Stupid Sir! Wait till the polices come to recue you! Muahahahaha!" Cora said rudely to the man (Who is called Calp) , "Goodbye, and Good Riddance!"
CHAPTER 9: POOR AUNT JENNY RETURNING HOME
Cora used the rope as a ladder for her to climb up the hole, but the others are nowhere to be seen. It was already evening, so Cora ran home, excited to share the news. When she returned home, no one was there! No Mr. Doug, no Uncle John, no Wilson, and her brothers were not there as well. Only two dogs were there, tied together, and whining sorrowfully. "What happened, Oliver?" Cora asked the dog, though she knew it won't answer her. Oliver whined and Cora saw blood flowing rapidly from Carlos's poor chest. She gave a little cry of horror and quickly bent down to bandage Carlos's bleeding chest. She untied them and bathed Carlos, who was now gasping for breath. Oliver watched solemnly beside its master, licking its doggy friend's nose.
Soon Carlos was much better, so Cora went to investigate where the others were. "HANDS UP! SURRENDER OR I SHOOT!" Cora recognized the voice at once! The coward woman who ran for her life in the dark tunnel! "Ahar, so that's you, huh? You surrender, not me. I'm armed to the teeth! I got a revolver here too, stupid!" The young but brave girl shouted. The unarmed opponent surrendered at once, which is very stupid of her. Cora snatched her revolver at once, and pointed it at the enemy. "What's your name, Coward? Is your name... Mrs. Coward? Hahaha!!"
"That's not my name, girl! " The woman replied angrily.
"Then what's your name?"
"Miranda." was the answer.
"Surname, Miranda Coward!"
"Not Coward, You, it's McKinney."
"McKinney, it is?"
"Yes."
"Where's my aunt and family and friends? Tell or die?"
"Tell"
So Miranda showed her her family. They were in the tunnel where brave Cora met the coward man! My, my, you should see how glad and thankful they were! Uncle John slapped Cora on the back, and the others called her their Hero of the Day. As for Aunt Jenny, who was trapped in the tunnel with them, said nothing at all. But she looked very solemn and burst into tears when Cora hugged her tightly.
"I'm so very. very sorry about how I treated you, dear!" she wept, "I will never do it again to anyone of y'all." Cora smiled and took them back to the house. Uncle John called the police to catch the evil criminal at once. The police came in no time and went to the tunnel. Cora took them to Calp, the coward man, as Cora called him.
They begged for mercy and swore that they won't do it ever again, but Cora said, "You two showed me no mercy, so I shan't show you any! You shall be thrown into jail and eat mice for the rest of your lives!" Everyone cheered, laughed, and praised Cora for her nice and rude speech.
The police handcuffed the kidnappers, then carried them away, for Calp was sulking and refused to walk. Ponk! Calp was too heavy, and the policeman felled. "Oof!" cried Calp, who had fallen into a dumpster. After a few minutes, the criminals were safely behind bars. The Splendid Six and family celebrated all night happily. Goodbye, Splendid Six, and PLEASE promise to share your next adventure with us! GOODBYE!
THE END
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