We knew about the School, of course. Our parents told us stories about it the way other people's parents told them horror stories.

Ellie, obviously deciding to take charge, stated, 'Let's find the boys, first, before we decide on a plan.'

Me and Issy agreed, and, five minutes later, I slammed into Jake's window. Yes, the Jake that made out with Issy. He was still friends with Zack and Luke, so they probably didn't know yet.

So, anyway, I was hammering away at the window, but I wasn't really paying attention. Therefore, I was rather surprised when Zack popped up, wearing an angry frown.

'What d'you want, Holly?', He asked, opening the window so I tumbled in. 'Can it not wait?'

'Well, y'see, Zack, we weren't I the house and erasers or something came and we couldn't stop them and they took the parents and the school left us a note saying we had to go there so they could test us or the parents would die and I don't know what to do and Issy and Ellie told me to come and tell you and we don't know what to dooo.'

I was babbling, I couldn't help it. And now Zack caught hold of my wrists that were flailing away, trying to tell the story too.

'Hollie. Stop. Tell me slowly.'

I told him. His mouth hung open.

'Hollie, where did you say you were? Did you have alchol?'

'Zack, so not the time to go all big brother on me.'

'I wasn't', he lied. 'I was just, um, checking you weren't drunk and making this up.'

'Yeah, right.' I snorted. 'Whatever, dude, just get Luke and we're out of here.'

Back at the house, Ellie and Issy were poring over the map and a bunch of scribbles that looked like plans.

'-So, we can break in and Hollie and Luke will create a diversion-'

'Wait,' Luke interjected. 'Hollie's not coming with us, she's too young.'

I rolled my eyes. Not this again. 'Hollie is so coming with, mr i-may-be-only-two-years-older-but-i-will-act-like-a-patronizing-jerk. I'm fifteen, not five. I can look afther myself.'

'Luke, I know you are the leader, but if i'm not allowed to go then i'll follow you anyway. And you wouldn't want that, it's too dangerous.'

He groaned and nodded. 'Have it your way, titch, but don't get yourself captured.'

My turn to nod. I did so, gratefully. If he hadn't been so stressed, he probably wouldn't have let me get away with that.

I turned away, just in time to see an eraser kick his way through the window.