Before I can object, Andy grabs my hand (much to my discomfort) and pulls me to the side, next to a small shop that sells what seem to be phones, although I have not seen one in years. Andy looks around, most likely checking to see if anyone was there. There is no one- the only people here are the shop-keepers, but they are too busy doing their own things.

She looks at me, all cheerfulness forgotten. "Look, what you're about to see is completely secret. If you tell anyone, or even hint at it, there will be consequences. Kapeesh?"

Florry gives me her confused face. "Luke, what's a conesquen, Luke?" she asks.

I ignore her and nod at Andy. "Yes. I will not tell anyone."

She points at the Den, and at me. "Okay, good. But here are some rules: under no circumstances can you speak unless spoken too, and no questioning anyone, or anything. The person in charge is Atticus, and you do not want to mess with him. You'll see why."

"Okay...?" I say, memorising everything she just said so I would not make a fool of myself, or worse.

Andy then gestures for me to follow her, and I do so, pressing Florry tightly against me. We walk through the alleyway, behind a shocking number of shops and by what seems to be an enraged, perhaps slightly tipsy squirrel. 

After what feels like an age of walking, we arrive at the entrance of a mixture between a hole made in the ground and the entrance to a den. Various twigs and leaves covered it, making it almost inconspicious.

Andy glances at me. "Well, this is it. Remember the rules." 

And with that, she steps in, leaving me alone with Florry, who has no idea what is going on.

"Luke, where she went, Luke?" she asks.

"Come on. We need to follow her. Do you want to walk, or shall I carry you?"

Florry pretends to think for a moment, a smile forming on her small face. "Wawk!" she exclaimed and I put her to the ground.

Before she could run off, I crouch down and look Florry in the eye. "Do not go off without Luke and do not talk to anyone you do not know or run off with them."

Florry nods attentively.

She peers in, probably now feeling shy, but goes in anyway. Before I do anything else, I make sure she wis safe and has not gotten injured or something. I am really having second thoughts about this now. Trying not to think all the bad thing that can happen, I take a deep breath and step inside the Den.

As soon as I go in, my breath catches in my throat for the Den is nothing like I have seen before. It is like an underground town, except no one knows it is there. It is split into sections using tape on the floor: one for food, one for younger children to play and learn things, and one for older kids to just hang out and mess around.

"Wow." is the only thing I can muster.

Florry, who is now holding my hand next to me, stares at everything and everyone. "Look, people, Luke! Luke!"

I look down at her. "Yes, people."

Smiling, Andy regards our reactions. "So, do you like it?"

"I-it is amazing!" I say without hesitating.

She laughs. "Well, obviously. Now let me take you to Atticus. Hopefully, Malik will be there- he's a laugh if he's around."

I nod and allow her to lead us through narrow paths and past at least twenty children of all ages and types. After a while, we get to a red piece of tape where two boys who looked around sixteen years old are talking in hushed voices on wooden chairs. One has black hair and deep grey eyes while the other has brown hair and murky green eyes. Atticus and Malik, I am guessing.

Andy coughs to get their attention and they both turn to her. The boy with the grey eyes stands up. "Well, Andy, can't you see we're clearly in the middle of something important?"

She gestures to me. " Sorry Atticus, but I found a newcomer with a weird story. Thought you ought to hear."

Atticus looks me up and down, a frown forming on his face. Then he turns to Andy. "What happened to keeping this a secret? We can't have you bringing in random people whenever you please!" He takes a deep breath. "Honestly- I thought you would have learnt your lesson by now."

A brief look of rage passes Andy's face, and the other boy, who must be Malik, interjects. "Look, Atticus, let's just hear the boy's story, then you can judge as much as you like."

Atticus thinks for a moment and replies, "Okay. Come on- we will discuss this in a more private area, away from everyone else."

The two boys put their chairs away and I can not help but wonder if this was really a good idea-to get more then enough people involved. I really do not want to cause chaos in a place where I do not even belong.

We walk to a small, dark blue curtain draped over a corner- a makeshift room. Atticus leads us in, and closes the curtain behind us after making sure no one was around. 

He then looks at Malik. "Can you please ask Orla to take charge for a bit? She told me she was bored so this will be good for her."

Malik heads for the curtain and gives a mischievous smile. "Yes Mr Sir Atticus, Leader of our Humble Abode." And with that, he strides away, chuckling under his breath.

Atticus glances at Florry and I. "So, what are your names and ages?"

"My name is Luke and I am thirteen years old, and this here is my sister Florry, who is three years old." I say simply.

Atticus nods thoughtfully. "So, tell me your story. Details please." he adds.

I think for a moment, wondering if he can be trusted. "Okay, but you can not tell anyone about this. Please."

"Okay." he says, and I can tell he is not lying.

Taking a deep breath, I begin. "Basically, me and Florry are not from this year- we came from the year 2060. Back home, we were on a walk and we found a weird marble so I decided to take it home for a better look. When I was examining it, it suddenly started glowing and we ended up here somehow. Andy found us and, well, I am guessing you know the rest."

Atticus exhales slowly. "Wow. I- that is one interesting story. So what do you want us to do?"

I shift Florry nervously. "Please can you help us get back? I am not sure how I will do it myself."

Out of nowhere, Malik walks back in and plonks himself on his chair, smiling. "Orla was grumpy, but she said yes. So what did I miss?"

Atticus looks at him. "A lot." He then begins to fill him in on everything I told him about, except that he says it with extra detail. 

When he was done, Malik gapes at me. "Oh my god that's so cool!"  He coughs. "I mean, that's an extremely curious story."

Atticus ignores him. "So, you can stay the night here, and then we will begin trying to get you back. However, you must have been sent here for a reason, right?"

I pause. I have not thought of that. "Yes. But what is the reason?"

"That's the thing. And we are going to find that out, starting tomorrow."

I smile for the first time in a while. "Thank you!" is all I can manage.

Atticus looks at Malik. "Can you please take him to the visitor's section? And tell him about this."

Me and Malik get up and he draws open the curtain. "Okay, and would you like anything else, Your Highness? A back massage perhaps?"

Atticus raises an eyebrow at him, a small smile forming on his face. "Well, actually-"

Malik interjects, gesturing for me to follow him. "On second thoughts, I can't wait to show Luke around. Au revoir, le ducke!"

We walk out the door, leaving Andy and Atticus behind. 

As we walk, I can not help but wonder how anyone else can survive a conversation with Malik. He talks at the speed of sound and seems to never get tired of chatting endlessly. 

We pass the younger children and he starts a story about how one of the children accidentally called Atticus 'Dad' when they first came here. Thankfully, I have managed to zone out on what he is saying and still be able to answer correctly.

Still imitating a parrot, he leads me around to a small mat on the floor with white stripy tape around it. "This is the guest section. I know it's not night yet, but you might want to make it comfortable."

He walks away and I am left to do my own thing.

 I sit Florry down on the mat and she looks at me. "Luke, where we, Luke?"

I put my hand on her head. "We are in a... new place. Only for a little bit though."

She ponders this for a moment. "O..kay. But I wanna go home!" she moans.

Oh no.

Here we go again.

Word count: 1524