Allan Lewis, Contributor

The next stop was India, China, and the rest of the world. Not only did 'The Box' rescue refugees, but people who desired peace, including soldiers who were fighting wars. The box even rescued people who were on 'death row', but were innocent.

The disappearance of hundreds of people across the world was causing chaos and confusion. The world leaders were saying it was the work of terrorists.

The Box Islands were becoming populated with beautiful people of various races living side by side in harmony. Everybody had land space to grow their own crops and they shared with each other.

Their main form of entertainment were concerts, with no microphones, no electrical equipment, only box guitars and conga drums. There were storytelling and games for adults and children. They went to the beach, on boat rides and fishing excursions. There was also a day put aside for thanksgiving, whereby everybody met together in a park and gave God thanks with prayers and songs of worship.

Jeff and Collin were glad to be part of this purging of the Earth and they still kept their venture a secret between them.

However, Jeff and Collin realised that they could become millionaires with the box; the problem was, how could they use this 'toy' and 'make money' and still keep it a secret?

One day after school, the boys decided to have a meeting at Jeff's home and discussed strategies on ways of making money. They spoke of trading hardware goods, cars, trucks, etc., and transportation of people in the shortest possible time at the lowest cost.

"We have to get into a bank" said Jeff. "What do you mean?" asked Collin. "The Box can go anywhere in the world, maybe it can get into a building in another country and we could get into a bank and get money. Nobody would know because we don't live in that country," Jeff said. "But that would be stealing," stated Collin. "Well, if you want us to remain two nice little teenage boys trying to save the world and have nothing to show for it, then ..." lamented Jeff. "Ok, ok, but it's risky and scary," said Collin.

Jeff eventually persuaded Collin to go on the escapade. They entered the box, and chose an Australian bank vault. These two boys from Jamaica were on to something new and dangerous.

In a few seconds, they reached their destination, cautiously opened the door of the box and nervously stepped outside, and realised they were in an enclosed setting. They saw stacks of money neatly wrapped in bundles.

"Wow! Collin look at this! We are rich," whispered Jeff. "Are we gonna take some now and get outa here?" asked Collin. The boys decided to expand the box so it could hold a lot of money.

Collin noticed that the setting didn't look like that of a bank. In fact, it looked like a cave. "Are you sure you programmed bank vault because this looks like a cave." asked Collin. "Maybe it's in the basement of the building," stated Jeff. "Well, let's get cracking," said Collin. "Let me first make sure that there are no security cameras around, because we don't want our faces on camera around the world," said Jeff.

The floor of the place was asphalted, but the walls were all rock. Jeff decided to go around a bend he saw, just to make sure all was clear and safe.

Collin decided to start packing the money, but on second thought, he decided to follow Jeff and go around the bend. However, he didn't see Jeff. He walked a little farther, but to no avail. He didn't want to shout, to attract attention.

Collin returned to the box, concerned about Jeff. He waited for a few minutes, but the minutes turned to hours and still no sign of Jeff.

Collin was now hungry and scared. He wanted to leave, but couldn't leave Jeff. Suddenly, Collin heard voices in the distance.

Six heavily armed men were approaching the place where the box was, with a seventh man's head covered with a black bag and arms tied behind him. "For the last time, how did you get here?" asked one of the men, as he pulled the bag off the captured man's head.

It was Jeff they had captured; Collin nearly fainted when he saw his friend.

"I came here by a special box man, I can prove it. It's supposed to be here," said Jeff. "Let's waste him man, this kid is an impostor," said one of the men." Did you touch the money?" asked another man. Jeff said; "No way, you can check it, I didn't know where I was, I just ended up here."

The man whom they called 'Boss' explained to Jeff who they were. "We are known as the bank vault gang, and nobody knows where we are. we are located in the mountains and only six of us know this hide-out. Your stupid explanation of how you got here is not good enough for us. We only rob bank vaults; hence, we are the richest gang in the world. We are going to lock you up for two days, just to make sure that no one followed you here and if we see that no one followed you then we'll kill you, because we feel you'll expose us."

"Come on man, I am not from here, I am from Jamaica in the Caribbean, I don't know anywhere in Australia," remarked Jeff.

Jeff and Collin had been away for about a day, and their parents were concerned and contacted the police; the news media picked up the story and fears of their being dead were circulated. They searched all around Jamaica, raided gang territories, searched the sea and interviewed people.

Jeff was locked in a cage with little food. Collin eventually emerged from hiding behind a rock, weak and trembling, he approached the cage where Jeff was. "Are you ok?" Collin asked. "Collin, you are here? I thought you had left," Jeff remarked. Collin said, "no way, I was hiding behind a rock all this time and I heard everything; I know they have given you less than 24 hours to live."

"You've got to get me outta here Collin, time is limited, and these two big padlocks have to be removed," said Jeff.

Allan Lewis

(See the conclusion of this story next Sunday.)