The Mystery Of The York Moor I Story By Sreehari
The mystery of the york moor
Chapter 1 — The Mystery Of The York Moor
There were two boys named Alfred and Markin.
“Mom, I am not going forever. It’s just a school trip, and I’ll be staying in Markin’s house afterward,” said Alfred while going out to the road for the school bus.
“Hey, Alfred,” said Markin.
“Hey,” said Alfred, getting into the bus.
“Yo guys,” said Markin.
Everyone was paired in teams.
“Yo guys, up!” said Markin.
“Moran, how far is the place?” asked Luther.
“Two hours,” answered Alfred.
“Yes! Here we are!” said Moran.
They were diary writers and knew how to write things down.
“Whoa! This place is extreme!” said Alfred.
It was a moor with a village in its middle.
“No cap,” said Moran.
They went into the hotel rooms.
The next day started with excitement right in the morning.
“Let’s see what happened,” said Alfred.
“Where are my glasses?” asked Markin.
“Angrily, it’s right in your head,” said Alfred.
That’s when the instructor came in.
“Hey, is this anyone’s glasses? It was found on the bus.”
“Oh, it’s mine,” said Markin.
“You already have your glasses. This is my Bocul One,” said Markin.
“What is happening here?” asked Moran and Luther, sleepily coming out of their room.
“You didn’t wake up. We have to go to breakfast now, as we have to go explore the Moor.”
“Yeah, I am ready,” said Luther.
“Lucy, come on,” the instructor said before going away.
“So everybody, full and ready? We got a long way to go,” said Luther.
That’s when the girls arrived, Lucy and Lexy.
The twins were the co-planners of the trip. They went through everything again, booked rooms, and made sure everything was ready.
Lucy asked Markin, “Hey, team leader, is your team ready?”
“Yeah,” said Markin.
It was a really long trek in the hills of the Moor.
They saw the sunset, which looked almost the size of half a mountain.
They saw the sunset right after they opened their tents.
They weren’t good at gossiping. They didn’t talk much.
Chapter 2 — The Sunset
The group camped on the mountaintop after the long trek.
The cool mountain air blew across the campsite as the sun slowly disappeared behind the mountains.
Eventually, everyone went to sleep.
The next morning, Alfred woke up first.
He quietly got out of his tent and went towards the top of the mountain they had trekked.
From the mountaintop, Alfred watched the Moor.
The view stretched far into the distance.
Alfred took out his diary and began writing.
THE ROCKS ON THE MOUNTAIN
The rocks on the mountain stood tall,
The blue views beyond them all.
So many sights, so many things,
The mountains seemed to touch the sky.
THE VIEW
I wandered lonely as a cloud,
On the highest hills and mountains,
All alone to see the view.
The moon in golden light would glow.
My mind often creates its art,
When I’m all alone at the mountains.
When I leave everything behind,
I just want to see the views.
After finishing his poems, Alfred returned to the campsite.
Soon, everyone woke up.
Their instructor came over.
“Is this team ready?” he asked.
“Yes!” they replied.
“Then let’s go.”
The team packed their things and began trekking.
They followed the road through the hills of the Moor.
They continued until the road finally ended.
“Oh, from now it’s Pure Sense,” said Markin.
“But you are lucky I’m with you. I know this place by heart.”
They cycled for some time when they stumbled upon Markin’s village.
“Okay, now right, until you come to Gate 112.”
“Yo, you said middle of the Moor there is water here,” asked Moran.
“Oh, that? It is a sea which goes through the middle of the Moor,” said Markin.
“Wow! Our hotel is enormous,” said Luther.
“Coming in, your rooms are over there.”
“Show them the village,” said Alfred.
“Chill,” said Markin.
They saw the village together, including the hotel.
“That’s the village policeman, Mr. Pipin. We kind of solve mysteries together when I’m here because I’m alone here,” said Markin.
“Where’s your island?” asked Alfred.
Chapter 3 — The Island
“There’s my boat, hop in,” said Markin.
They got into the boat and went to the island.
“I’ve not been here in ages,” said Markin.
They travelled across the water.
As they approached the island, Alfred noticed something.
“What’s that?” asked Alfred.
“That’s fire,” said Markin.
“But how?”
“No one knows the way in. The entrance is only at one spot,” said Markin.
They reached the island and tied the boat.
They went inside the cave.
Markin had customized it. It looked intact.
They looked around the cave.
Everything seemed just as they remembered it.
But they didn’t know that someone else had already been there.
Chapter 4 — Intruders, Hide!
Suddenly, they heard something outside.
Everyone stopped.
“People are coming, quick! Hide our boat!” screamed Luther.
“Everyone inside the cave! Get the boat too!” shouted Markin.
They quickly moved the boat farther inside the cave and hid it.
Everyone waited.
After some time, they played Uno while they waited.
Then a man in a suit came in another boat with a suitcase.
He gave them some money, and they were surprised that he already knew about the cave.
The group remained hidden.
Nobody knew who the people were or why they had come.
The strangers stayed on the island.
The boys carefully watched them.
Something was clearly going on.
Chapter 5 — OOH, A Mystery
“Their grandpa, Alfred, where I looked for you. We even had breakfast,” said Moran.
“I like it here more than the hotel,” said Alfred. “We can have more fun here, as we can sit and laugh and all. You all wake up so late.”
Moran went to the island and came back already.
He stood up, going to his boat.
He took a small book out of the boat’s locker and read it before sitting in Markin’s boat.
But no one knew the people were already on the island planning.
“They are there before!” exclaimed Luther.
Markin looked around.
“We will have to go back. They can see us. Alfred is lucky they weren’t here before. Oh me, I went in through the back entrance.”
“Sorry I never told you, Ellen, though this island is our bath. After reaching home, it’s school and stuff that I forgot.”
“When did you make it?” asked Moran.
“Last month when I came here because my father had some work. So this…” answered Alfred.
“Then lead the way,” said Markin.
They went to the other side and jumped off into the water.
“What the! Jump into the cold water?” exclaimed Moran.
“Pheh, it’s warm over here.”
They went over to see the path.
Ahead of them were 15-to-12-foot-tall pillars.
They waited inside and then spied on the people.
The next morning, again, Alfred was early to wake.
So he went over to his boat and set off into the ocean.
Chapter 6 — The Mystery Continues
The group continued investigating the strange people who had been coming to the island.
They knew something was wrong, but they didn’t yet know exactly what.
They started looking for clues around the island.
They discovered that the people were connected to a much bigger mystery.
The group kept following the clues.
Eventually, they discovered information about a robbery.
The people on the island were not ordinary visitors.
They were connected to the stolen money.
The group decided that they had to investigate further.
Chapter 7 — Why Did They Come Here?
The group wondered why the strangers had come to the island.
They followed their movements and tried to discover where they were going.
They eventually found clues that led them towards a hideout.
The group decided to split up and search.
They used a tracker to help locate the hideout.
They searched in different directions.
After a long search, they regrouped.
One of them had found something.
They followed the tracker, but eventually the signal disappeared.
They realized that they were far away from the others.
They continued searching and discovered more clues about the intruders.
The group eventually discovered that one of the people was an international criminal with many unsolved cases connected to her.
They realized that the people on the island were connected to the bank robbery.
“This is serious,” they said.
They decided to follow the criminals and find out what they were planning.
Chapter 8 — Bye Bye And Hi, Hi
After everything that had happened, the group finally prepared to leave.
They gathered their things and said goodbye.
They headed towards the train.
The train journey began.
Everyone sat together and talked about their adventure.
10:23 PM — MAY 29TH
“This was an unexpected adventure; I loved it.”
Alfred waited quietly.
The next morning, they arrived.
Their parents were waiting for them.
Everyone finally returned home after their incredible adventure on the York Moor.
They had discovered mysteries, explored the Moor, visited the island, hidden from intruders, investigated a robbery, and uncovered clues they would never forget.
The adventure was over.
But the memories would stay with them forever.
Chapter 9 — The Hidden Hideout
The group stood silently among the trees.
In front of them was the hidden structure.
It was partly covered by branches and vines, making it almost impossible to notice from the path.
Alfred took out his diary.
“Everyone stay together.”
Markin looked at the building.
“I’ve never seen this before.”
“Then whoever built it didn’t want people finding it,” said Alfred.
They moved closer.
There was a metal door at the front.
No handle.
No lock.
Just the strange symbol they had already seen.
Alfred took out the metal object from his pocket.
He held it near the symbol.
Click.
The door unlocked.
Everyone stared at him.
“How did you know?” asked Moran.
“I didn’t.”
The door slowly opened.
Inside was a dark corridor.
Luther looked at Alfred.
“This is definitely not part of the school trip.”
Alfred smiled slightly.
“No.”
They entered.
The corridor stretched deep underground.
Small lights flickered along the walls.
They followed the passage carefully.
Eventually, they reached a large room.
There were maps everywhere.
Maps of the Moor.
Maps of the village.
Maps of the island.
And maps of several cities far away.
Alfred walked towards a large table.
A folder sat in the middle.
He opened it.
Inside were photographs.
The strangers.
The island.
The village.
And a photograph of a bank.
Moran stared at it.
“What’s that?”
Alfred read the writing beneath it.
“York Central Bank.”
Luther looked shocked.
“Why would they have pictures of a bank?”
Alfred turned another page.
There was a newspaper clipping.
A robbery had taken place months earlier.
A large amount of money had disappeared.
The criminals had never been caught.
Alfred looked at Markin.
“This is bigger than we thought.”
Before anyone could answer, footsteps echoed through the corridor.
Someone was coming.
“Hide!” whispered Alfred.
Chapter 10 — Too Close
Everyone rushed behind the large table.
The footsteps became louder.
Two people entered the room.
One of them was the man in the suit.
The other was the person Alfred had seen at the warehouse.
They walked towards the table.
“We need to move everything tonight,” said the man.
“What about the island?”
“The island is compromised.”
Alfred’s eyes widened.
The other person lowered their voice.
“And the children?”
The man paused.
“They know too much.”
Alfred signalled everyone to remain completely silent.
Moran looked frightened.
Luther slowly moved closer to Alfred.
The man opened a drawer.
Inside were several documents.
He removed them.
Then he noticed something.
“The notebook is missing.”
“We’ll find it.”
“No. Someone has already copied the map.”
Alfred froze.
He knew immediately what they meant.
His diary.
The man turned towards the door.
“We leave now.”
The two strangers walked away.
The group waited several seconds.
Then Alfred whispered,
“We need to go.”
They quietly followed another corridor.
At the end was a small exit.
They escaped through it and ran back into the forest.
Nobody spoke until they were far away.
Finally Luther stopped.
“They know about us.”
Alfred nodded.
“And they know someone copied the map.”
Moran looked at him.
“What do we do?”
Alfred opened his diary.
“We solve the mystery before they can stop us.”
Chapter 11 — The Policeman
The group returned to the village.
Their first stop was the police station.
Mr. Pipin was sitting behind his desk.
He looked surprised when Alfred entered.
“You’re back already?”
“We need to talk,” said Alfred.
Mr. Pipin noticed their expressions.
“What happened?”
Alfred placed the metal symbol on the desk.
Mr. Pipin immediately became serious.
“Where did you get that?”
“On the island.”
Mr. Pipin looked at Markin.
“You went there?”
“Yes.”
“Recently?”
“Yes.”
Mr. Pipin stood.
“You shouldn’t have.”
Alfred frowned.
“Why?”
Mr. Pipin walked towards a cabinet.
He unlocked it.
Inside were old case files.
He removed one.
“This case has been open for years.”
He placed it on the desk.
The cover read:
YORK CENTRAL BANK ROBBERY.
Alfred opened it.
Inside were photographs, witness reports and maps.
The same symbol appeared on one of the pages.
Moran stared.
“So the symbol belongs to the criminals?”
Mr. Pipin nodded.
“Possibly.”
“What happened to them?” asked Alfred.
“They disappeared.”
“Where?”
Mr. Pipin looked towards the window.
“That is the problem.”
He pointed towards the Moor.
“Every clue eventually led back there.”
Alfred slowly closed the file.
“Then we’re looking in the right place.”
Mr. Pipin looked at him.
“Be careful, Alfred.”
“I will.”
Mr. Pipin shook his head.
“I mean it.”
Alfred understood.
This was no longer just an adventure.
Chapter 12 — The Tracker
The group returned to the hotel.
They gathered in Alfred’s room.
The map was spread across the table.
The diary was open beside it.
The metal symbol sat in the middle.
Markin looked at the map.
“There are three possible routes.”
Alfred nodded.
“One goes towards the island.”
“One goes towards Gate 112,” said Moran.
“And the third?” asked Luther.
Alfred pointed.
“It goes underneath the Moor.”
Markin looked worried.
“I’ve explored the Moor for years. I’ve never seen anything like that.”
“That’s probably why it’s hidden,” said Alfred.
They decided to use the tracker again.
Alfred switched it on.
A signal appeared.
Weak.
But there.
“It’s coming from the Moor.”
They followed the signal outside.
The tracker became stronger as they moved.
Then it suddenly changed direction.
Alfred stopped.
“That’s strange.”
“What?” asked Moran.
“The signal isn’t coming from the ground.”
He looked up.
It was coming from the hill.
They climbed.
At the top, Alfred noticed a small metal plate embedded in the rock.
The same symbol was engraved on it.
He touched it.
Nothing happened.
Markin tried.
Nothing.
Moran tried.
Nothing.
Alfred examined the symbol.
Then he remembered the metal object.
He placed it against the plate.
The ground made a quiet clicking sound.
Everyone stepped back.
A section of the hillside moved.
A hidden staircase appeared.
Luther stared down.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Alfred smiled.
“Let’s find out where it leads.”
Chapter 13 — Below The Moor
The staircase descended into darkness.
They used their lights and carefully moved downward.
The walls were made of stone.
Old markings covered them.
Some looked like numbers.
Others looked like symbols.
Alfred copied them into his diary.
After several minutes, they reached the bottom.
A huge tunnel stretched ahead.
Markin looked around.
“This can’t be natural.”
“No,” said Alfred.
“Someone built it.”
They walked deeper.
Eventually, they found an old railway track.
A small abandoned train sat on it.
Luther stared.
“There’s a train under the Moor?”
“Apparently,” said Alfred.
They climbed aboard.
The controls were old, but one panel still had power.
Alfred examined it.
There was one button.
It was marked:
112.
Markin looked at him.
“Don’t press that.”
Alfred raised an eyebrow.
“Why?”
“Because every time we find something marked 112, something weird happens.”
Moran laughed.
“That’s actually true.”
Alfred looked at the button.
Then he looked at the tunnel.
“We need to know where it goes.”
He pressed it.
The train suddenly started moving.
Everyone grabbed onto the seats.
The tunnel disappeared behind them.
The train accelerated.
Lights flashed past the windows.
Then the tunnel opened into an enormous underground chamber.
And in the distance stood a massive metal door.
Above it was one number.
112.
Chapter 14 — Gate 112
The train slowly came to a stop.
Nobody moved.
Alfred looked through the window.
The enormous metal door stood directly ahead.
Above it was a single number:
112.
Luther swallowed.
“So that’s Gate 112.”
Markin nodded slowly.
“I’ve heard stories about it.”
“What kind of stories?” asked Moran.
Markin didn’t answer immediately.
“People say nobody knows what is behind it.”
Alfred stepped off the train.
The others followed.
They walked towards the door.
There was another symbol beside the number.
The same symbol from the island.
Alfred took out the metal object.
“This has to be the key.”
He placed it against the symbol.
Nothing happened.
He turned it.
Click.
The entire door shook.
A deep mechanical sound echoed through the chamber.
Then the door slowly opened.
Cold air rushed past them.
Beyond the doorway was another tunnel.
But this tunnel was different.
It looked much newer.
There were lights along the ceiling.
Security cameras covered the walls.
Someone was still using it.
Alfred immediately stepped back.
“Everyone stay together.”
They entered carefully.
A camera turned towards them.
Alfred noticed it.
“Keep moving.”
They passed beneath it.
Suddenly, an alarm sounded.
Red lights flashed.
“They know we’re here!” shouted Luther.
“Run!” yelled Markin.
The group raced through the tunnel.
Behind them, doors began closing.
Alfred spotted a side passage.
“This way!”
Everyone followed.
They squeezed through just before the main door slammed shut.
The alarm continued.
Moran looked at Alfred.
“Where are we?”
Alfred looked ahead.
“I don’t know.”
Then they heard voices.
Someone was coming.
They switched off their lights.
Footsteps echoed through the tunnel.
Two people walked past.
One of them was the man from the island.
The other was someone Alfred had never seen before.
“Gate 112 is compromised,” said the stranger.
“Then move everything immediately.”
“Where?”
“The island.”
Alfred looked at Markin.
The island.
Everything was connected.
The criminals weren’t finished.
They were preparing something.
Chapter 15 — The Secret Room
After the voices disappeared, Alfred led everyone farther down the passage.
They found a small room hidden behind a metal door.
Inside were computers, maps and shelves filled with files.
Moran looked around.
“This is like a control room.”
Alfred opened one of the files.
It contained information about the Moor.
Another contained information about the village.
Then he found something unexpected.
A list of names.
Their names.
Alfred.
Markin.
Moran.
Luther.
Lucy.
Lexy.
The criminals had been watching them.
“They knew about us before we came here,” whispered Moran.
Alfred looked at the files.
That explained the strange events.
The intruders hadn’t simply discovered them.
They had been following them.
Markin suddenly pointed at another page.
“Look.”
There was a photograph of their school bus.
Taken before the trip had even begun.
Alfred stared at it.
“This started before we arrived.”
Nobody spoke.
Then a computer screen suddenly turned on.
A countdown appeared.
10:00
09:59
09:58
Luther stared.
“What is that?”
Alfred looked at the screen.
“I think we’re running out of time.”
The countdown continued.
09:47.
09:46.
Alfred searched the room for a clue.
Then he noticed a map on the wall.
The route led directly to the island.
A second route led to the village.
A third route ended at the bank.
Alfred understood.
“They’re moving the stolen money.”
“When?” asked Moran.
“Tonight.”
Markin looked at the countdown.
“Then we have less than ten minutes to figure out what they’re planning.”
Alfred grabbed the map.
“Let’s move.”
Chapter 16 — The Escape
The group rushed through the underground tunnel.
The alarm had stopped.
That was worse.
“It went quiet,” said Luther.
Alfred nodded.
“They know we’re moving.”
They reached the railway.
The abandoned train was still waiting.
“Everyone in!”
They climbed aboard.
Alfred pressed the control.
The train started moving.
This time it travelled faster.
They reached the previous chamber.
Then another tunnel opened.
The train emerged near the Moor.
They jumped off and ran towards the village.
Markin looked at the sky.
“It’ll be dark soon.”
“Good,” said Alfred.
“Why?”
“Because we can move without being noticed.”
They reached the village.
Mr. Pipin was waiting outside the police station.
He looked relieved.
“Where have you been?”
“We found Gate 112,” said Alfred.
Mr. Pipin’s expression changed.
“You opened it?”
“Yes.”
“Then you need to tell me everything.”
Alfred handed him the copied map.
Mr. Pipin studied it.
“The bank.”
“That’s where they’re going,” said Alfred.
Mr. Pipin immediately contacted the authorities.
But before he could finish, a loud sound came from the distance.
An engine.
Markin looked towards the water.
“That’s a boat.”
Alfred ran towards the shore.
A boat was moving rapidly towards the island.
And another one was following it.
“The criminals,” said Alfred.
Mr. Pipin grabbed his equipment.
“We’re going after them.”
Alfred nodded.
“This time, we’re not hiding.”
Chapter 17 — The Return To The Island
The boats crossed the water.
Alfred watched the island getting closer.
The first boat disappeared behind the rocks.
Markin steered towards the hidden entrance.
They reached the shore.
Everyone jumped out.
Alfred pointed towards the cave.
“They’ll be inside.”
They moved carefully.
The entrance was open.
That was unusual.
Markin looked at Alfred.
“They know we’re coming.”
Alfred nodded.
They entered.
The cave was empty.
Too empty.
Then they heard a sound from deeper inside.
A door closing.
They followed it.
The passage led to a chamber they had never seen before.
Inside were several boxes.
One was open.
It contained money.
Moran stared.
“So this is where they hid it.”
Alfred looked around.
There were dozens of boxes.
The stolen money had been brought to the island.
But the criminals were gone.
Then Alfred noticed a small piece of paper on the floor.
He picked it up.
There was only one sentence:
YOU’RE TOO LATE.
Luther looked at him.
“That’s not good.”
Alfred looked towards the entrance.
“No.”
Then the cave shook.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
Everyone stepped back.
“What was that?” shouted Moran.
Another rumble.
Markin looked worried.
“The entrance.”
They ran.
The passage behind them was beginning to collapse.
Alfred shouted,
“Everyone together! Don’t split up!”
They raced towards the exit.
The cave shook again.
The way behind them disappeared beneath falling rocks.
They reached the entrance just in time.
Outside, the criminals’ boats were already disappearing into the distance.
Alfred watched them leave.
“They got away.”
Mr. Pipin looked at the ruined entrance.
“Not for long.”
Alfred opened his diary.
The mystery wasn’t over.
It had only become bigger.
Chapter 18 — The Plan
Back in the village, everyone gathered inside the police station.
Mr. Pipin spread the evidence across the table.
The metal symbol.
The map.
The notebook.
Photographs.
The bank files.
Everything connected.
Alfred studied them carefully.
“The criminals need the money moved from the island.”
“Where?” asked Moran.
Alfred pointed at the map.
“The train.”
Markin looked surprised.
“They’ll use Gate 112.”
“Exactly.”
Luther looked at the map.
“So they’re going underground again.”
Alfred nodded.
“And that means we know where they’re going.”
Mr. Pipin contacted the authorities.
But Alfred had another idea.
“We can get there first.”
Mr. Pipin looked at him.
“It’s dangerous.”
“We won’t confront them.”
Alfred pointed at the map.
“We’ll find out what they’re planning and give you the information.”
Mr. Pipin considered it.
Finally, he nodded.
“Stay together.”
Alfred smiled.
“Always.”
The group prepared their equipment.
This time they had flashlights, the tracker, the map and the diary.
They also had something they didn’t have before.
A plan.
And Alfred intended to make sure it worked.
Chapter 19 — Back To Gate 112
Night had fallen over the York Moor.
The village was quiet, but Alfred knew the criminals were still moving.
The group gathered near the entrance to the hidden tunnel.
Markin checked the equipment.
“Flashlights?”
“Got them,” said Moran.
“Tracker?”
“Got it,” said Luther.
“Map?”
Alfred held it up.
“Got it.”
Mr. Pipin looked at them.
“Stay together.”
Alfred nodded.
“We will.”
They entered the tunnel.
The darkness swallowed them almost immediately.
Their footsteps echoed through the stone passage.
After several minutes, the tracker began to beep.
Alfred stopped.
“They’re close.”
Everyone became silent.
A faint sound came from ahead.
A train.
Markin pointed.
“There.”
Lights appeared in the distance.
The criminals were using the underground railway.
Alfred quickly moved everyone behind a wall.
The train passed.
Through the windows, they could see several people and a number of large boxes.
“The money,” whispered Moran.
Alfred nodded.
The train disappeared into the tunnel.
“They’re moving it,” said Luther.
“Then we follow.”
They hurried after it.
Chapter 20 — The Underground Route
The group reached another platform.
There was an old control panel.
Alfred examined it.
Several routes were displayed.
One route led to the village.
One led to the island.
One led to a location marked only with a question mark.
Alfred pointed at it.
“That has to be where they’re going.”
Markin looked closer.
“I’ve never seen that route.”
“That’s because it’s hidden.”
Alfred pressed the button.
The map changed.
A new route appeared.
It led beneath the York Moor and eventually reached a building outside the village.
“What building is that?” asked Moran.
Markin stared.
“The old railway station.”
Luther looked confused.
“But that station hasn’t been used in years.”
“Exactly,” said Alfred.
The group followed the route.
They found another small train.
It was old, but it still worked.
Everyone climbed aboard.
Alfred started it.
The train moved slowly at first.
Then faster.
The tunnel became narrower.
They passed old stations and abandoned equipment.
Eventually, the train stopped.
Alfred looked ahead.
A faint light was visible.
They got off.
The light came from a door.
Alfred opened it.
They stepped into the abandoned railway station.
Chapter 21 — The Abandoned Station
The station looked completely deserted.
Dust covered the benches.
Old signs hung from the walls.
The clock had stopped years ago.
Moran looked around.
“This place is creepy.”
Luther pointed towards the tracks.
“Look.”
Fresh footprints.
Alfred crouched down.
“They were here recently.”
The group followed the footprints.
They led towards an old storage room.
The door was slightly open.
Alfred pushed it.
Inside were several boxes.
Some were empty.
Others contained equipment.
Then Markin found a radio.
“It still works.”
Suddenly, a voice came through.
“Move the remaining boxes to the island.”
Another voice answered.
“What about Gate 112?”
“Close it.”
Alfred looked at everyone.
“They’re going back to the island.”
Moran whispered,
“Why?”
Alfred thought.
“Because the island is the safest place for them.”
He looked at the map.
“But there’s another reason.”
“What?”
“The island isn’t just a hiding place.”
Alfred pointed towards a mark on the map.
“There is something underneath it.”
Everyone stared.
Markin slowly shook his head.
“I’ve been there for years.”
“Then maybe they built it after you stopped visiting.”
Alfred closed the map.
“We’re going back.”
Chapter 22 — The Second Entrance
The group returned to the village.
Markin took them to the shore.
Instead of using the usual boat route, he led them towards a narrow passage between the rocks.
“This is the back entrance,” he said.
Alfred looked at him.
“You knew about this?”
“I knew about the passage. I didn’t know it connected to the island.”
They got into a small boat.
The passage was extremely narrow.
The walls of the rocks almost touched the boat.
Eventually, the passage opened.
The island appeared ahead.
But something was different.
Lights were visible through the trees.
“They’re there,” whispered Moran.
Markin turned off the engine.
They moved silently towards the shore.
Alfred pointed.
A group of people were carrying boxes into the cave.
The same cave where they had hidden before.
Alfred watched carefully.
Then he noticed another person.
A woman stood near the entrance.
She seemed to be giving instructions.
Mr. Pipin recognized her from the case files.
“She is one of the people connected to the robbery.”
Alfred looked at the woman.
“How many cases?”
Mr. Pipin quietly answered.
“More than anyone knows.”
The woman suddenly turned towards the water.
Alfred immediately lowered himself.
Everyone hid.
She stared at the darkness for several seconds.
Then she turned away.
Alfred whispered,
“We need to find out what they’re hiding.”
They waited until the criminals moved deeper into the cave.
Then the group followed.
Chapter 23 — Under The Island
The cave was larger than Alfred remembered.
The criminals had moved several boxes.
But Alfred noticed something strange.
The boxes weren’t being stored.
They were being taken somewhere.
A hidden opening had been revealed behind the cave.
The criminals disappeared through it.
Alfred waited.
Then he led the group inside.
A staircase descended beneath the island.
They followed it.
The air became colder.
The walls were covered with old markings.
At the bottom was a huge underground chamber.
Everyone stopped.
A massive machine stood in the centre.
Pipes and cables surrounded it.
“What is that?” asked Luther.
Alfred didn’t know.
Then he saw the wall behind it.
There was a map.
It showed the entire York Moor.
But there was something else.
The map showed tunnels underneath the Moor.
Hundreds of them.
Some went beneath the village.
Some went beneath the mountains.
And one went directly beneath the bank.
Alfred finally understood.
“The robbery wasn’t just about stealing money.”
Moran looked at him.
“Then what was it about?”
Alfred pointed at the tunnels.
“They needed the tunnels.”
Markin stared at the map.
“They’ve been using the Moor to move things without anyone seeing them.”
“And the bank?” asked Luther.
Alfred looked at the map again.
“The bank was only one part of the plan.”
Suddenly, footsteps echoed from above.
Someone was coming.
Alfred whispered,
“Hide.”
The group disappeared behind the machine.
A door opened.
The criminals entered.
And this time, Alfred heard something that changed everything.
“We have everything we need.”
Another person replied,
“Then tomorrow, the final operation begins.”
Chapter 24 — The Final Operation
Alfred stayed completely still behind the machine.
The criminals were only a few metres away.
“We have everything we need,” said the woman.
“Then tomorrow, the final operation begins,” replied the man.
Alfred looked at Markin.
Tomorrow.
They had one night to stop them.
The criminals began leaving the chamber.
Alfred waited until the door closed.
“We need to get out,” he whispered.
Everyone moved carefully.
But before they reached the stairs, Alfred noticed something on the machine.
A small screen displayed a countdown.
12:00:00
“What is that?” asked Moran.
Alfred stared at it.
“I think that’s the time until the operation.”
Luther looked worried.
“So we have twelve hours?”
Alfred nodded.
“Less than twelve.”
They climbed the stairs.
When they reached the cave, they heard voices.
The criminals were still nearby.
Alfred pointed towards another passage.
“This way.”
They followed the passage until they reached a small opening in the rocks.
One by one, they climbed through.
They emerged outside.
The night air felt cold.
Markin looked towards the village.
“We need Mr. Pipin.”
Alfred nodded.
“And we need everyone else.”
They hurried back to the boats.
Chapter 25 — The Warning
Back at the village, Mr. Pipin listened carefully as Alfred explained everything.
“The tunnels go beneath the bank,” Alfred said.
“And they have some kind of machine underneath the island.”
Mr. Pipin looked at the map.
“Tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
Mr. Pipin immediately contacted the authorities.
Then he looked at Alfred.
“You’ve done enough.”
Alfred shook his head.
“Not yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“We know where they’ll start.”
Mr. Pipin looked at him.
“The island.”
Alfred pointed to the map.
“But we don’t know where they’ll finish.”
He moved his finger along the tunnel.
“The bank.”
Mr. Pipin nodded.
“If they’re planning to use the tunnels, they could reach the bank without anyone noticing.”
Moran looked at Alfred.
“Then we need people at both places.”
Alfred smiled.
“Exactly.”
They created a plan.
Mr. Pipin and the authorities would secure the bank.
The group would return to the island and find out exactly what the machine did.
Nobody would act alone.
Nobody would separate.
And if anything went wrong, they would return immediately.
Alfred closed his diary.
“Tomorrow ends this.”
Chapter 26 — The Morning Of The Operation
Morning arrived quickly.
The York Moor was covered in mist.
The mountains were barely visible.
The village was unusually quiet.
Alfred stood near the water with Markin.
“You ready?” asked Markin.
Alfred nodded.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
Moran and Luther arrived with the equipment.
Lucy and Lexy joined them.
Lucy looked at Alfred.
“What’s the plan?”
Alfred explained everything.
“We go to the island.”
“We find the machine.”
“We figure out what it does.”
“And then?”
“We tell Mr. Pipin.”
Lexy looked at the map.
“And the criminals?”
“We don’t confront them.”
Markin nodded.
“Good.”
They got into the boats.
The engines started.
The boats crossed the water.
The island appeared through the mist.
No lights.
No movement.
It looked deserted.
Alfred didn’t believe it.
“Something’s wrong.”
“What?” asked Moran.
“It’s too quiet.”
They reached the shore.
Everyone got out.
They moved towards the cave.
The entrance was open.
Alfred looked at Markin.
“Stay together.”
They entered.
The cave was empty.
Too empty.
Then they heard a sound from deeper inside.
A door closing.
They followed it.
The passage led to the underground chamber.
The machine was active.
The countdown was moving.
03:42:18
Alfred stared.
“They’ve already started.”
Chapter 27 — The Machine
The group rushed into the underground chamber.
The machine was active.
Lights flashed across its surface.
The pipes shook.
A low humming sound filled the room.
Alfred examined the controls.
“There must be a way to stop it.”
Markin searched the walls.
Moran checked the cables.
Luther looked at the screen.
“It’s counting down.”
“How long?” asked Alfred.
“Three hours and forty-one minutes.”
Alfred studied the map.
The machine appeared to connect to the underground tunnels.
He finally understood.
“It isn’t moving the money.”
“Then what is it doing?” asked Lucy.
“It’s opening the tunnels.”
Alfred pointed at the map.
“They’re going to create a clear route from the island to the bank.”
Markin stared.
“So they can move everything underground.”
“Exactly.”
Alfred found a control labelled GATE 112.
He pressed it.
The machine changed.
A new map appeared.
The route beneath the Moor began lighting up.
One section led towards the village.
Another led towards the bank.
Alfred immediately contacted Mr. Pipin.
“We found it.”
“What does it do?”
“It controls the underground route.”
“Can you stop it?”
Alfred looked at the controls.
“I’m trying.”
Suddenly, the door opened.
Everyone froze.
The woman from the island entered.
She smiled.
“You really should have stayed away.”
Alfred stepped backwards.
The woman looked around.
“You’ve caused quite a problem.”
Markin stood beside Alfred.
“You’re not getting away with this.”
She laughed.
“You still don’t understand what you’re dealing with.”
Chapter 28 — Trapped
The woman pressed a button.
The chamber doors slammed shut.
The group was trapped.
“That’s not good,” said Luther.
Alfred looked around.
The woman walked towards the machine.
“You have no idea how long we’ve planned this.”
“Then tell us,” said Alfred.
She smiled.
“Why?”
“So we understand why you’re doing this.”
The woman paused.
Then she looked at the map.
“The York Moor has been hiding these tunnels for generations.”
She explained that the criminals had discovered the old network and used it to move stolen goods without being seen.
The bank robbery had only been one part of their operation.
The money had been moved through the tunnels.
The island had been used as a storage location.
Gate 112 controlled the main route.
And the machine was designed to open the final path.
“To where?” asked Alfred.
The woman smiled.
“The bank.”
Alfred looked at the countdown.
01:18:42.
He realized they didn’t have much time.
The woman walked towards the exit.
“By the time anyone reaches the bank, we’ll already be gone.”
The door opened.
She stepped outside.
Then it closed again.
Alfred immediately turned towards the machine.
“We need to get out.”
Moran searched the room.
“There has to be another exit.”
Markin noticed a small opening behind the machine.
“Here!”
They moved it aside.
A narrow passage appeared.
Alfred smiled.
“That’s our way out.”
Chapter 29 — The Race Against Time
The group entered the passage.
It led upwards.
They climbed quickly.
The countdown continued in Alfred’s mind.
They reached another chamber.
There was a control panel.
Alfred recognized it.
“Gate 112.”
He pressed the emergency control.
Nothing.
He tried again.
Still nothing.
Markin looked at the panel.
“Maybe the machine has to be shut down first.”
Alfred thought.
Then he remembered the strange symbol.
He took out the metal object.
“This isn’t just a key.”
He placed it into a slot beneath the controls.
The machine suddenly powered down.
The countdown disappeared.
Everyone stared.
“We did it,” whispered Moran.
But Alfred shook his head.
“No.”
He pointed at the map.
“One route is still open.”
The bank route.
The criminals had already activated it.
Alfred immediately contacted Mr. Pipin.
“The route is open!”
Mr. Pipin answered.
“We’re already at the bank.”
“Then stop them.”
“We’re trying.”
Alfred looked at Markin.
“We need to get there.”
“How?”
Alfred pointed towards the railway.
“The train.”
Chapter 30 — The Final Journey
They rushed through the underground passage.
They reached the railway platform.
The old train was still there.
Everyone climbed aboard.
Markin started the engine.
The train moved.
Faster.
Faster.
The tunnel lights flashed past.
Alfred held the map.
The bank route was getting closer.
“We’re almost there.”
The train emerged beneath an old building.
The group climbed out.
They could hear voices above.
Police sirens echoed through the streets.
Mr. Pipin had already arrived.
Alfred and the others rushed upstairs.
They reached the bank.
Police officers were securing the area.
Mr. Pipin saw them.
“You made it.”
Alfred nodded.
“The criminals are using the tunnels.”
“We know.”
A loud sound came from below.
Everyone stopped.
Mr. Pipin looked towards the floor.
“They’re here.”
The criminals had reached the bank.
But this time, they were not getting away.
***
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