Lost Treasure - Chapter 3 Vinny woke early the next day, even before the High’s did. He found himself back on the bed trying to remember how he got there. The last thing he could remember was falling to the ground and then hands moving him before the darkness came. Why did he keep falling asleep? He couldn’t understand it. Every time he had something to eat, he got so sleepy that he couldn’t keep his eyes open. What was wrong with him? Maybe it was something in the room, like that gas he’d heard about in school that makes you go to sleep. What was it called again? Oh yes, carbon monoxide. That was it. It had to be. Vinny got up off the bed slowly. His head felt so heavy he thought it would fall off if he moved too fast. He was starting to remember little things that had happened to him over the past few days. As he hadn’t really used any of his muscles in the past few days he found it difficult to get up from the bed. At first his legs wouldn’t take his weight, but bracing himself on the bedside table, he managed to stand up. He had to stay still for a few minutes until he was sure his legs would take his weight before letting go of the table. Slowly he raised one foot and took a tentative step forward. It was painful and he almost fell, but he managed to stay upright. Slowly, but surely his muscles began to work again. Vinny started exploring the room properly for the very first time. It was a sparse room painted light blue with blue curtains and blue bed sheets. It was obviously a boy’s room. It also looked like it hadn’t been used for quite some time. Though it had been cleaned, there was still a thin layer of dust on most of the furniture and there was a stale smell in the air. Vinny went to the window first and opened the curtains. It was still dark outside, but in the moonlight he could see bars over the outside of the windows. The room also looked out into the secluded back garden so no one could see into the house. Next he went over to the door and tried the handle. It was locked. But then, what did he expect? That the door would be open and he could just walk out of here? That kind of thing only happened in movies. Even though he was desperate to get home, Vinny decided to wait until morning when his kidnappers would come and feed him. That was his best chance of escape. They wouldn’t expect him to be awake. He’d take them by surprise, run out the house and scream for help until the police came. It felt like he’d been sitting for hours, but finally Vinny heard a soft click before the door started to slowly open. Bracing himself against the wall beside the door, Vinny waited until a tall, imposing figure stepped into the room. Mustering all his energy, Vinny launched himself at the figure giving an almighty yell in the process. ‘NNNNNOOOOO….,’ screamed a female voice from the doorway as the sound of dishes smashing reached Vinny’s ears. It was too late. He was already on his kidnapper and lashed out with all his might until he felt a painful tug at his ear. ‘How dare you hit your father, Nathan,’ said a stern female voice. ‘Apologise this instance or I will pull your ear off.’ Trying to look round, Vinny saw an imposing old woman looking down angrily at him and he felt all his fear and anger drain away.