Preknowings: Success Always Fails (PUBLISHED ON AMAZON)

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When I woke up, I stayed in bed for a while. Soon my eyes started watering, so I got up and looked at the selection of the books on my bookshelf. I had 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,' 'The Maze Runner' series, some Lemony Snicket books, the 'Hatchet' series, and many more good books. After exploring my room, I dragged my feet across the hall toward Pauline's room. Every fiber in my body burned from yesterday's action. I knocked on Pauline's door. She answered. She was wearing a light pink robe and her hair was messed up. "Huh?" Pauline mumbled. She looked at me up and down, then made a weird face. "Um, Birche?" I looked at myself and my jaw Dropped in embarrassment. She giggled. I was so tired that I had forgotten to put clothes back on! I was in my underwear! I ran back into my room and slammed the door shut behind me. Now I was wide awake. I rushed getting dressed and tried not to think about what just happened. I combed my hair and brushed my teeth, then went back and knocked on Pauline's door. This time she answered dressed in new clothes and her hair was brushed. "Sorry," I apologized, embarrassed. "That's okay," she shrugged. "What did you want me for?" I answered, "To go do something." I nodded towards the door that led out of the hallway. "Okay," she agreed.

Hand in hand, we walked together down the hall, ready for the big day ahead. I pushed open the door and let Pauline go through first. The room we came through yesterday was now empty except for the huge table, the buffet table, and all of the chairs. Also, there were a few crumbs left on the buffet table. "Wow," Pauline said, "It sure is empty in here." "Yep, it sure is," I replied, looking for something to do. About thirty seconds later, men and women in uniform spilled through a door on the other side of the room. Some with food, others with coolers, and some with plastic forks, spoons, knives, plates, bowls, and cups. One guy even brought a huge jar of pickles. Everyone was either sitting at the giant table, or gathering food at the buffet table.

Finally, Middleton, Charles, and Williams came in. They offered us breakfast, and we took some because we were starving. I hadn't eaten in twenty-four hours and neither had Pauline. Charles escorted us to our seats at the huge table. Once everyone was seated, they either started talking quietly to people around them or ate politely. Pauline and I had pancakes, sausage links, bacon, scrambled eggs, and orange juice. When we were finished, we threw our plates and scraps away in a big trashcan in a corner of the room, then returned to our seats. "Remember that conversation on the jet about a person named Rosenbaum who is apparently Charles's mother?" Pauline asked. "Yeah. I was wondering who that is," I replied. "Me too," Pauline nodded. As if on cue, a woman in a tight olive green dress strode swiftly into the room and took a seat at the end of the table. She also wore a matching beret, pearl earrings and necklace, and white gloves. Her hair was an off-white color. I looked under the table. She was wearing black high heels. She looked very orderly. "As all of you know, I am Trina Rosenbaum. Except for these two young sprouts I suppose," she exclaimed in a British accent. Everyone looked at us and grinned. Even Ralph was there, smiling and nodding at us as if he had gone through the exact same thing. Pauline didn't seem to notice. "There's your answer." I told her and looked at Rosenbaum. She had her white hair done perfectly in a bun under the beret. She also had red lipstick and red fingernail polish. Everyone started talking. "Silence!" Rosenbaum yelled fiercely at the crowd. Everyone shut up. "We have come to discuss some serious information," Rosenbaum went on, "The Chinese have invaded the U.S." Some men nodded. "Also, I have the unfortunate news that a scientist in Colorado accidentally released a deadly new infection." My dad's a scientist, I thought, and we live in Colorado. I wondered if it was my dad.. Rosenbaum continued, "The infection makes people and animals have horrific hallucinations and black out. Fortunately, scientists are almost successful with a cure." Everyone let out sighs of relief. "Meanwhile," Rosenbaum said loudly, "The Chinese have already captured eleven countries and they are currently invading Russia and the United States. We will not let them win. We will win!" Everyone cheered. Even me and Pauline. Almost immediately, everyone quieted and left the room. Everyone except me, Pauline, Charles, Williams, Middleton, and Rosenbaum. We were all standing around the massive table. Quickly, Rosenbaum walked around the table to us. She beckoned for the three men to come too. They obeyed. "Children. Pauline and Birche. Come to me." We did. Her voice seemed evilly manipulative and soothing all at once. "Okay. We have an extremely important mission for you two." "What is it?" Pauline asked before I could say anything. Rosenbaum replied, "You and Birche together must travel and camp at one of the most commonly invaded places by the Chinese in the United States. They will have their own camp set up near to yours. Be prepared to see them lurking near your camp. But they won't find it easily because we have prepared it almost perfectly for you two. We just need you to gather as much information as possible about their plans. Even though some can't speak English, you can observe them from afar. You will be staying for one week." I was outraged, "We can't do this alone! You're sending us to our deaths!" "No," Rosenbaum explained with a grin blooming across her face, "Someone is coming with you." "Who?" Pauline asked. I was worried that Middleton and Charles would be coming with us. "Ralph will be accompanying you." I was relieved. Ralph was coming! This would be fun, I thought. Pauline looked confused. "Who's Ralph?" She asked. I had forgotten that she's never seen Ralph, and I'd never talked to her about the little elephant man either. At that moment, Ralph hopped up onto the table. "Hey, Rosenbaum, Eliot.... Martin," he said with a wink. I waved at him. Pauline gasped. "What is it?" Her tone of voice was full of curiosity. "I'm a Horned Walapus!" Ralph exclaimed proudly. "You three will be leaving tomorrow morning." "And where will we be going?" I asked. "You will be going to Maryland." "Oh," I said. "Since you are leaving tomorrow, you might as well start your training." "Training?" Ralph asked, "I don't need any training. I've been in this business for thirty years!" Rosenbaum looked annoyed. Williams cut in, "She meant the two kids, genius!" Ralph attempted to look intimidating. The argument went on for five minutes. Pauline and I just sat there feeling like intruders. Rosenbaum listened impatiently, then finally yelled in an annoyingly loud voice, "Shut up! If you wish to have this job or any, I suggest you stop picking fights, Williams!" Williams looked down disappointedly, "Yes ma'am," he said. "Now that that's over," Rosenbaum continued, "I'd like you two to begin your training."