The school hall was completely dark as fourth grader Brennan Cairdade followed the alien messenger toward the dim green light barely spilling out into the hall. The messenger’s shoes tapped loudly across the dark marble. The door to the School Leader’s Office was just cracked open. Brennan gazed around with his strong wide eyes. His short sandy hair slanted to one side caught the glint of the fiery green light as the messenger opened the door and waved him in. The office was dimly lit by low hanging green-lit chandeliers lighting up the dark blue marble floor, walls, and ceiling. Brennan was directed to sit down on a small black chair in front of the glossy multi-crystal desk set before the massive white crystal glass window. Then the messenger began speaking in an elevated, solemn voice:
“We found your drawings, and we have a message for you, that you best follow.” The large chair behind the desk spun around as the alien turned to face him…
The next six mystery challenges will each feature a student in Cashes Dade who has come down with the terrible sickness caused by the intense alien lights from the DadeLuce Fountain in Cashes Dade. This is what leads to the war that the next book will feature. Get ready for MYSTERY OF THE BLOODY FRIDAY SPY. The aliens claim that if a student gets sick from the fountain it’s actually good for them because they claim the lights reveal those students who are failing. They say getting sick from this shows these students that they need to improve and learn how to successfully follow their standard to do well in school. They say the lights even help show the way. Each mystery challenge will tell the story of what has happened to each student and show a prophecy that offers clues as to what might be the answer for them. The mystery challenge will be to figure out what is the key word in the prophecy that appears after the story. The answer will be revealed in the next Character Fun Facts. Can you figure it out? When you have all six key words they will reveal a message, a message that will reveal a key secret about the aliens…
“Your drawing is a waste of energy and time,” the alien messenger continued, as the alien’s eyes stared down at Brennan. He shifted in his chair nervously. “From now on, you must learn the concepts by writing out all notes and show what you understand by writing out your answers.” Then the alien reached out with his long arm and grabbed his pack. He took out Brennan’s paintings, placed them on a silver platter, and burned them.
Brennan was at Caysher Park when it happened. He was doing what he always did there, painting, that is, after stopping at Marshar Coffee Shop. He always did the same thing. He’d walk in slowly and quietly as if he was trying to sneak in, kind of looking around anxiously at the people sitting at the tables, before pacing up and down the front display case showing the various breads, desserts, and small candies. The shop owner would always smile and shake his head knowing he would pick something, then change his mind, then pick something else, then change his mind, then finally pick three things, usually from the small candies. Then he would get his coffee. He would explain all the details even though it was always the same and by the time he was done explaining, they’d hand it to him. Brennan was always quiet and mysterious, but also really friendly.
It took him awhile to settle into his usual place on a bench next to a small pool with shooting fountains on both sides. Through the waterfall ahead he could see the city towers and he began to paint. His hands flew across the canvas so fast, so smoothly as all these colours splashed across. He smiled as it appeared to be a mess until all the sudden the picture appeared. Then all of the sudden the bright green flashing lights of the alien fountain hit him, knocking him back. They appeared like a massive green star blurring everything else around into murky darkness. He’s been sick ever since, always alternating between chills and fevers, always shaking, feeling sick and dizzy. His parents saved his painting of the inside of the museum of Cashes Dade under eerie green light. But it’s more than that. If you look closely, you see what is hiding in the dark…
When you dream about what is new
They will be hovering far above you
When you look for new, great places
They stare down at you with grim faces
When you must see in order to learn
They will only look to what you can earn
The key will be turning your ideas into revealing fire
The aliens will strike three times from a place higher
What you think about must become a picture that’s clear
Then you will know that they are the ones burning for fear
The painting will reveal what Cade will see
The aliens are not what they seem to be…
