ATHENA
I am Athena. Foaly, a scientist, adopted me. I'm an elf. My mother, Cabilline, can't have children any more, not after the difficult birth of my brother, Capall. Capall has learning disabilities-he can't read, or write, and is very small, smaller then me, even thought he's 10 years older, and I'm an elf. Dad works at a secret branch of the LEP, Section 8, with our almost full-time babysitter, Holly Short, and Raine Vinyaya, another very helpful woman, who looks after us often. Mum works at a museum, arranging displays. I think that's boring, but she seems to enjoy it.
Recently Dad's been at work more often. According to Holly, who works and watches us at the same time from her house, a Mud Man is planning to do something. She seems scared, but I don't really care. It's called Haven for a reason.
At the moment, where my story starts, I'm at Holly's. She's on her computer, some fancy version that Dad invented. I'm scoffing myself with snacks that Mum says are unhealthy and bans. Capall is in the corner, doing his sums for homework. Easy things, but he's struggling, asking for Holly's help all the time. Suddenly Holly leaps up.
"Oh, Frond! He's here!"
"Who?" I ask, not having heard the doorbell.
She composes herself, and, without answering my question, bustles us into the hover-car. We're speeding, but she doesn't seem to care. Capall's crying, because he hates being confused. We arrive at Section 8 in record time.
Holly faces us, now composed, and wearing a stern expression that I've seen on Mum's face billions of times. "Do not leave the car, understand? Athena, do not leave. Lock the doors."
"Why?"
"Because it's dangerous out there."
Holly leaves us in the car, and I know I'm going to either die of boredom or curiosity. I have a tendency to get into trouble, and disobey rules. I can't leave Capall, though, which could be a problem.
"Capall?"
He stops his wailing for a minute to look up at me. "What?"
"Do you want to come with me?"
"Nah. You always get me into trouble. And Holly said it wasn't safe." Goody two shoes.
"So? You wanna stay in here for hours?"
"No." He wants to come, but doesn't want to disobey Holly.
"Come on, then."
"Where?"
"To find out what's happening, duh."
"Oh! Like spies, right?"
"Yeah! Super-secret ninja spies!"
I've got him hooked. We're out of the car in a few seconds, and inside Section 8 headquarters.
"This way," I whisper.
We creep along the empty corridors. Everyone's in the conference room, seeing this visitor. I peep in under the door, wondering who the mysterious guest is.
"Oh my Frond!"
"Shut up, Athena!" Capall hisses. "What is it?"
"Mud Man," I reply in a whisper. "In Haven!"