I'm new at this. My job, I mean. I know it's weird for a fifteen-year-old to have a job as a secret agent, but at least I'm getting paid. What exactly is my job, and why the heck would I be spending time doing it instead of movie hopping at the mall down the street? Basically, all I have to do is turn the hardest, toughest criminals into people who bake cookies for you when you visit. Doesn't exactly sound like the best job ever, but like I said, I'm getting paid. Plus I get free cookies. And that's always worth it.

Anyway, it's my first day on the job, and I'm like the first-time worker: all smiles and perky, while the other gals and gents who have been working there for years shoot me 'if looks could kill you'd be dead' glares.

"Miss Emmaleigh?" calls an intern from outside the boss's office. "It's your turn." I shudder. That woman makes it sound like a death sentence. Maybe it is. Who knows? As soon as I step into the office, I could tell my boss was one of those bleak, bland, office guys who hasn't had a girlfriend in ages.

"Let's get down to business," he says in his British accent as soon as I sit down on an uncomfortable office chair. Hello, I think, nice to meet you too.

"Your assigned convict is Artemis Fowl." He paused, perhaps for dramatic effect. "The Second."

"Isn't that the guy who gave a rare and much stolen painting to a museum for free?" I ask, slightly confused as to why I was supposed to arrest such a nice guy.

"Yes, that's the 'guy' but unfortunately he's done much more bad than good. I'd have to say that's the only good thing he's done. Publicly, at least. So you know what you're supposed to do, Miss Emmaleigh?"

I nod, and he shoos me out with a flip of his hand. "Next!" he calls. I raise my eyebrow.

"Wait, that's it?" He doesn't even bother to answer me, so I leave. The intern opens the door for me and hands me a sheet with guidelines on it. I read it as I get ready to leave for Ireland.

1. You have exactly one year to complete the mission.

2. You must stay with your assigned convict until the year is over.

3. Don't fail.

4. Remember to not become too attached to your convict.

I nearly burst out in laughter at the rules. Namely, number three. I still thought Artemis was a good guy, despite what my boss said, and I didn't think he should be thought of as a 'convict'. Little did I know my opinion of him was about to change.