Do I really need to? Gently, the transparent door slid open. Silence. The language of death. His face was as sealed as the as the locked windows; as blank as the white, shimmering tiled floor. It certainly wasn’t homely… It was important, but Mina didn’t know that yet. “G’day, I’m Mr Collins,” he introduced himself, with a distinctive Australian accent. As if it was in slow motion, Mr Collins handed Mina a letter, then the red pins holding her headscarf in place moved, so her beautiful, blonde hair fluttered out, like a butterfly. She pulled the envelope open, to read: Mina, you are now property of the MI7. A car will be waiting for you at 7:00. Mina’s eyes lit up like fireworks as she glanced around in horror.
Slowly, the groaning, ancient Land Rover came to a halt outside 72 Brookwade Street. The rusty door creaked open, also an inappropriately dressed man stepped out, his sharp black suit catching the light. “Good evening,” the presumed chauffeur cried, his voice scarcely heard over the thundering rain. “I’m coming!” a frustrated Mina snapped, while she pulled her headscarf tighter, preparing herself for the events about to come. The whispering wind went through the smashed windows of the car, reaching through with long tugging fingers. “I’m taking you to camp zero because there’s a helicopter waiting, to take you to do your parachute jump.” The man explained. Mina rolled her eyes cheekily, and then fell asleep. When Mina eventually woke up, she had a parachute strapped firmly to her back, and was about to be thrown out of the helicopter!
Panicking, she stepped forward; into thin air! Mina didn’t even know how to operate her parachute, so suddenly she closed her eyes, furthermore tugged at the cord that was hanging itchily on her left arm. A dark orange parachute burst into the sky and Mina breathed a sigh of relief. But it wasn’t over yet! There was no more activity’s that day, but just after supper Mina was called into the leader, Mark’s hut. He said: “After just one challenge, you have shown agility and determination, so we think you are ready for your first mission. Here’s a folder, about what you need to do… Oh and here’s some metal remove blusher, use it carefully!” Mina walked hesitantly along the worn, gravel path; it was clear no cars had ever driven along there, but footsteps were still imprinted in the dusty ground. In the distance, a creaky door swung open, the shut
again. The wind was swaying the trees so loudly, it was impossible to figure out whether someone had come out or not. Suddenly, a twig snapped only a corner away, so Mina’s eyes darted like a fish, furthermore as she turned around she collided… With the man… Who had killed her mother! Why had the MI7 sent her here, they knew just before she received their letter her mother had died?
Only a few seconds later, a massive oak tree, that boasted green leaves, began to rock dangerously; pulling its roots out and crashing to the ground. It knocked all the other trees, creating a domino - like scenario. Luckily, none of the humongous tree’s fell on
Mina. Then, she had a look at the man: his black, sparkling gelled hair dazzled, eventhough the remaining trees stopped any light shining in. A sharp black tracksuit looked as if it was as tight as lycra, however scuffed Noke trainers stopped the look from being too serious. “Craig Clarke,” he introduced himself politely. “Have we met before?” “Maybe.” Mina replied, one eyebrow raised. Craig grinned, showing teeth as white as Simon Cowells. “Come back to my place. You look really cold.” He said calmly. Mina glanced around the long, electric blue hall of Craig’s castle, taking in the surroundings. It was probably quite normal, as castles go. Ruby red carpets shone, also neon pink curtains pulled around the tall, twisting, terribly out of place staircase; which was curled up in a corner as if it was trying to blend in. Eventhough Mina knew it
was dangerous, she crept up the stairs whilst Craig was getting himself some water. Upstairs didn’t contain all of the bright, colourful furniture that downstairs did. Instead, there was nothing; no furniture, or personality. A key dangled invitingly on a chain (on the bathroom door). Mina snatched it off, and then sneakily shoved it in her surprisingly deep pocket, just as Craig came upstairs. “So,” he sighed, “Are you done spying, sneaking around?” Mina shook her head, indicating she was saying no way! Craig snarled, or maybe he was just coughing. Mina, who looked confused, walked backwards a few steps, but, all of a sudden Craig threw a huge, thick algebraic equations book at her. “Oh no!” Mina screamed, “Its key stage 4!” “You simply need to do these sums (there are 9371 of them), or I’ll do something even simpler: throw you in with my friends the white sharks!” He pressed a hidden button,
concealed under the light switch, and the hard wooden floor came away, to reveal a solid glass floor. It was filled with water, and 10 massive sharks! Mina’s teeth clamped together like metal jaws, therefore she could hardly whip her mobile phone out of her pocket, and then whisper, “Peter! I need your help.” As Mina stepped back into reality, she realised she had to do something… And fast. Wind tangled her blonde locks like seaweed at the bottom of the ocean. A small red mini chugged past, wheezing for breath, it had three wheels, so looked like something out of an Only Fools and Horses episode. Silently, Mina handed the man in the car the algebra book, telling him that it had to be back by tomorrow, with a secret glimmer in her blue sparkly eyes. Was he going to complete the sums for her? He looked like a geek!
A bubble wrapped package landed on the “Welcome, Trespassers” mat of Craig’s patio; it thudded disturbingly. A light flickered on and the door opened. Craig picked the package up, then flicked through it thoroughly. “Wow!” he exclaimed. “They’ve actually been completed…” Mina saw then, in the bush she was hiding in, that she still hadn’t used the metal remove blusher: it was still in her pocket! “Oops!” Mina grinned, feeling warm inside. A few minutes later, she realised that she still didn’t know who had killed her mother. “To be honest,” Mina said out loud, “I’m not sure I really want to know.” And with that, she started the long 8 mile walk home. Isn’t this a bit of a boring ending? Mina mused. Then, a helicopter that was roaring overhead let down a rickety ladder, also police cars gathered around. “Put your hands up!” a typically American voice screamed.
“I hope I don’t have another mission!” Mina sighed.
By Nicole Marshall