Tord has been taken from his abusive mother. Hes been put into an orphanage and doesn't know that much english, which makes it hard for him. He doesn't talk much to anyone except a boy named Tom, who also lives at the orphanage since his parents were both killed. Tord talks so little, that even when they grow up to be in high school, he still can't talk well and has an accent, even though he has lived in Britain for 12 years. He's also been given the name "Mute" since nobody ever heard him talk. At one point, he is forced to talk, and things only get worse.