The Trespasser's Unexpected Adventure

Cole coasted through the trees and down the driveway on his bike. He came round the corner and spotted a white van parked out the front of the house. What was it doing here? Was there a mix-up with the bookings? The van sure didn’t look like the kind of vehicle the usual resident of the lodge would drive. It was a long way off being a Ferrari.

He looked around, his hands twisting on his bike handles. Next thing he scooted behind a tree.

Just in time. Out of the house came a big tattooed guy with a scar on his face. It was the man from on the bus! Except now he was carrying a gun. The man turned and yelled to someone inside to hurry up.

Cole watched as the other man from the bus brought out a large heavy-looking white bucket and loaded it in the van.

“Get a move on, Zach,” said the man with the gun.

“Take it easy, Oscar. We’re going as fast as we can,” Zach said, shooting him an angry glance.

Cole almost let out a groan as he remembered Poet and the kids. He needed to get to them. Going back the way he had come would be too slow—he needed to get past the van and the house and reach them on the beach before they got caught.

Zach went back inside, so Cole took a chance and approached the van as quietly as he could. Oscar was on the opposite side and didn’t notice him, but as he drew level with the van, Zach came out of the house and spotted him.

“Well, well, what have we here?” Zach said as he crossed the path towards Cole in a couple of bounds. He pulled back his arm to let loose a punch but Cole blocked it with an inwards kick. Without putting his foot down he retracted his leg and kicked Zach’s head. Zach yelled out and staggered back.

Cole leapt forward, grabbed Zach’s shoulder, and pulled him down into his knee as it rammed upwards into Zach’s stomach. Without stopping, Cole followed through with an elbow strike to the middle of Zach’s face, knocking him over. He lay groaning on the ground, cradling his head.

“Stop!” Cole heard Oscar’s loud, deep voice behind him, and turned around to find himself staring down the barrel of a gun. “I think you better come with me. Hands on your head where I can see them. ” Oscar gestured with the gun for Cole to walk through the house and onto the veranda. It took a Zach a few more minutes to stop moaning, stand up and stagger after them.