The Rescue Hawkes - Adventures at the Brightwell Mills

Brightwell Mills

David Hawkes sat at the table and introduced his brothers to his children. "Daryll and Diana, say hello to your uncle Edward, he's next after me," he said, gesturing towards their uncle.

"Hello, uncle Edward," said Daryll and Diana also chimed in,"Hello uncle Edward." 

"Hello children, " he answered. Edward Hawkes was a Soil Conservationist working for the Natural Resources Conservation Service at a very senior supervisory level.

"That's uncle Ed, " said Nicholas and they all smiled.

"This is uncle Henry, Nicholas's dad, " introduced their dad.

"Hello uncle Henry," greeted Daryll and so did Diana. 

"Hello children," he answered. Henry Hawkes was a pediatrician working at the Smithville general hospital as well as practicing at his own chamber located in the marketplace.

Their grandpa entered the house. His silver white hair shone as the bright afternoon sun's rays reflected upon it. He hugged their dad,"It's been a long time, David. Come home often, now that you've shifted to Richmond," he said.

"Yes dad," said their father. "Dad, my children, Daryll  and Diana."

"Oh how wonderful," said their grandpa as he hugged each of them.

They discussed what they'd been doing since morning. The visit to the poor homes in the neighbourhood. "It's really sad that they're going through such a phase, " said grandma.  

"What phase, grandma?" asked Jasper, curiously. 

"Oh, all the men from those households used to work for the Brightwell Mills. When there was a fire at both the mills, many employees lost their jobs. However, at the mill on Brighton Creek Road, an employee John Walker lost his life when he was burnt alive. Both mills closed down after that. The town people say that they've seen John's spirit moving around the mills at night. No one goes there," explained grandma to the wide-eyed children who listened to her story with avid interest. 

"Why didn't they search for work elsewhere?" Asked their father, David Hawkes.

"They did. Some found work, others who were uneducated and unskilled didn't find work anywhere," said grandpa. 

"It's really sad," said Daryll, feeling bad for the families. 

"They do menial jobs here and there, whatever they get in this small, sleepy town, but that's not enough," said uncle Stanley.

They finished lunch and their dad hugged them and left. He would return to take them home in a week's time. They waved at him as he drove back down the dusty road back to Richmond. 

After lunch, the children went to the garage to find their cycles. Uncle Stanley had two more cycles delivered for Daryll and Diana from the nearby Adam's garage. They all rode out to the small creek behind their house. Parking the cycles near a tree, they all sat on boulders, facing each other.

"I felt bad for those poor children today, " said Nicholas, throwing a stone at the water, creating a ripple. 

"Me too. Wish we could help them somehow, " said Daryll. 

"Wish we could start the Brightwell mills. Then many families would get back their livelihoods, " said Jasper. 

"Let's check out the Brightwell mills. Let's see how damaged it really is?" Said Skylar and they all agreed. 

They googled on Jasper's phone and found the address. Climbing on to their cycles they sped towards Brighton Creek road. It was towards the far eastern border of Smithville. The small winding Brighton road was strangely free of creepers. For a road which wasn't much used for the last ten years, it looked very much used.

They rode on to the end of the road which ended in a small dirty creek which was the Brighton Creek. One of the Brightwell mills was located there. This was the mill where John Walker was burnt to death. Parking the cycles, they dismounted and walked up to the rickety door of the mill. The lock however looked brand new and very much used. They snooped around and found a footprint near the edge of the creek, on the mud. Someone was here a few minutes back.  The footprint looked freshly made.

The children looked at one another and mounted their bikes and left for home. They needed to discuss. Returning home, they parked their bikes at their designated places and went inside. Upon entering Jasper and Daryll's room, they closed the door.

"Did you notice that there were no weeds or outgrowths on the path which hadn't been used for the last ten years?" Asked Jasper and they all nodded.

"It only means one thing. It's been very much used," said Nicholas, deep in thought. "Question is, by whom?" 

"Yeah, and did you see that lock? It didn't look ten years old and rusted. It was brand new," said Daryll.

"Don't forget the footprints. They were fresh, as if someone just got down into the creek before we went there," said Skylar. 

"D do you think they belong to John Walker's?" Asked Diana. 

"No, there's nothing called ghosts, di. Those footprints belonged to a living man," said Nicholas.

"That means someone was using the premises, " said Jasper. 

"There's another Brightwell mill around here, right? Let's check out the address and go find it," said Daryll. 

"Yeah, good idea," the other's chorused and soon they poured over Jasper's mobile phone to Google the address of the other Brightwell mill. It was on the southern edge of Smithville at Wellington Creek. The children again rode their bikes and rode out towards Wellington Creek.

They soon reached the place. The road here too looked well used. They went up to the mill and looked at the door. There was no lock! They tried to open it, but it was locked from inside. Someone might be inside then?

They walked back to their bikes and rode away. Jasper looked back at the mill and to his horror saw the face of a man at the upper window, looking at them. He didn't wish to scare Diana, so they just returned home.

On returning they again went upstairs to Jasper's room,"While riding back, I looked back and saw a man at the upper window, looking at us," said Jasper and everyone's jaws fell at the piece of information. 

"Let's find out what exactly is going on at Brightwell Mills," said Daryll, as he placed his right hand out for an oath.

Jasper, Skylar, Nicholas and Diana too placed their right hands over his. "Done, " they all chorused.

"So, let it be the Hawkes mission to help the needy," said Jasper and they all nodded.

"Let's rescue them,  Rescue Hawkes," said Nicholas. 

"I like the name, we are the Rescue Hawkes from today, " said Skylar and they all agreed.