In The Dark (9 page)

EJ needed to shut down Adriana's lab—but quickly before Adriana realised her plan had failed and came back.

If only I could Eco-Deco the lab,
EJ thought.
Hold on, can't I?
She remembered what Adriana had said: ‘I put it in everything I make.' So did she put an ED button on the ray gun? ED buttons on her screens? EJ looked across to the shaft, then, realising that she was still in the dark, reached up to the wall, felt for
the light switch and turned it on.
That's better,
she thought.
Now where are all those ED buttons?

EJ looked behind the screens and, sure enough, there were little ED buttons. In fact, now she was looking for them, there were buttons everywhere. She ran over to the shaft and on the back of the pole there was another ED button. EJ checked the time. It was nearly nine o'clock and Adriana would be expecting fireworks. Well, she would get them but she might be surprised where they came from!

EJ ran to the computers and pressed the ED buttons, she pressed more buttons under the table, she pressed the button under the large screen then she scooped up Inky and ran to the mineshaft. EJ stretched out and pressed the button on the pole of the ray gun. Already she could hear the farting noises starting. She needed to get out of the mine fast but the elevator was at the top of the tower. The noises were getting louder. Her boots, of course. EJ clicked her boots. Roller blades came out. EJ clicked again and riding boots appeared.

‘I don't have time for this,' cried EJ, getting frustrated. ‘I need the jet packs.'

She clicked again. Yes! The jet packs came out at the back of EJ's boots. She pulled the laces and the jet packs roared into life, nearly tipping EJ over as they started to lift her up. EJ had to be careful to keep her balance and keep holding on to Inky.

‘Up we go, Inky. This is going to be pretty fast,' cried EJ, scooping up the kitten as she pulled the laces again to kick up into turbo charge.

Like a flash, EJ shot up the mineshaft, out of the mine and into the night sky. With some skilful manoeuvring she brought herself down onto the hill overlooking the mine. As she landed, she could see the
SHADOW
chopper in the distance, hovering above the
SHINE
power station.

‘Adriana is waiting for her fireworks,' said EJ as she sat on the top of the hill, stroking Inky, who was now sitting in her lap, purring. ‘If I am not mistaken the show is just about to begin.' EJ turned back to watch the mine tower as she heard the first, familiar noises of Eco-Deco in action.

A shock of fireworks shot out of the mine. They were pink and purple, blue and white, fizzing and whizzing high into the sky. Adriana was right, it was quite a show.

EJ watched with amusement as the
SHADOW
chopper spun around and started flying over to the mine tower. Then it stopped, spun around again and flew quickly away.
SHINE
might have stopped Adriana's plan but they weren't going to catch her this time.

The chopper had nearly disappeared from view when...

A text. That was quick of A1,
thought EJ, as she flipped open her phone.

How did she know my number?
wondered EJ.

‘Oh no, not two of them!' cried EJ.

EJ sat on the hill enjoying the last of the fireworks but it had been a long night and she was tired. It was time to go home. She took out her phone and pressed 4-6-6-3 into the keypad and a woman's voice answered immediately.

‘
SHINE
Home Delivery Service—straight to your door any time, anywhere.'

‘Agent EJ12 requesting home delivery,' replied EJ. Looking at the little kitten now asleep on her lap, she added, ‘For two, again.' EJ had a habit of collecting animals on her missions.

‘Roger that. We are on stand-by in the area, EJ12. Stay where you are. Estimated pick up time, five minutes.'

By the time the pick-up helicopter arrived EJ was almost falling asleep. She held Inky tight as she climbed aboard. Agent LP30 greeted her.

‘Good evening EJ12 and congratulations on another mission well done. I have A1 on standby waiting to talk to you. Please put on your headphones.'

EJ did and when she heard A1's voice, she was surprised how similar it was to Adriana's. Was it Adriana?

‘We do sound similar, don't we EJ? But you can be assured it is me, A1. So now you know the stories are true and you have met my confused sister, Adriana. I had hoped we would be able to catch her and try to reason with her, but her helicopter moved quickly once she saw her plan was foiled. Maybe next time.'

‘I think she has other ideas,' said EJ.

‘I'm sure she does,' replied A1, ‘but let's not
worry about that now, let's look on the bright side. You've saved the power station. In a few days, our energy supplies will be back to normal. Well done, EJ12.'

‘Thank you,' said EJ trying to stop herself yawning.

‘Yes, you must be tired. Sit back and snooze, we will have you home in no time. And don't worry about an early start. We have arranged with your mum to write a late note for school tomorrow.'

Mum? That made EJ think of something. ‘A1, can you please send a message to Mum?'

‘My pleasure EJ. What's the message?'

‘Would you mind asking if she was really serious when she said I couldn't have any more pets...'

‘Will do. And one more thing, EJ. EJ?'

EJ didn't answer. She had fallen asleep.

Back home on the weekend, Emma was fully rested after her mission. Pip and Inky were chasing each other around the backyard—Emma's mum had been
sort of understanding about Inky—while Emma was getting ready for the slumber party. She had packed her bag with everything she needed, including a skeleton mask, an enormous bag of sweets, and put her pillow and Floppy on top of the bag by the front door. Elle's mum would be there any minute to pick her up and take them both to Hannah's house.

‘Are you going to be okay?' said Mum, coming up behind Emma, putting her arms around her and giving her a squeeze.

‘What do you mean, Mum?' asked Emma.

‘Well, you know, are you worried about the slumber party and the scary stories and maybe being a bit nervous in the dark?'

‘Not anymore Mum. I could do it with my eyes closed!'

Her mum smiled, then the doorbell rang and Emma ran to the door. It was Elle and Isi and both of them were excited. Isi was possibly over-excited. She hugged Emma so hard that Emma could hardly breathe.

‘This will be so much fun,' cried Isi and then, whispering into Emma's ear added, ‘but Em if I get a bit scared, will you look after me? You don't seem to be scared of anything.'

Isi got scared too? Emma smiled before whispering back, ‘Of course I will, we can look after each other.'

‘Grab your stuff Em,' said Elle. ‘We are going to have the scariest, best slumber party ever. Are you ready?'

‘Are you kidding?' cried Emma. ‘Of course I am!'

And she was, thanks to a little help from EJ12.