You are holding an urgent and vital narrative that reveals the forbidden truth about our perilous times....

This is the astonishing testimonial of Wisty and Whit Allgood, a sister and brother who were torn from their family in the middle of the night, slammed into prison, and accused of being a witch and a wizard. Thousands of young people have been kidnapped; some have been accused; many others remain missing. Their fate is unknown, and the worst is feared—for the ruling regime will stop at nothing to suppress life and liberty, music and books, art and magic...and the pursuit of being a normal teenager.

Part One | NO CRIME JUST PUNISHMENT

Chapter 3

Wisty

"BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL with her!" one of the humongous men cautioned. They looked like Special Forces operatives with giant white numbers on their uniforms. "You know she can—"

The other nodded, glancing around my room nervously. "You!" he snapped harshly. "Come with us! We're from the New Order. Move one step out of line, and we will punish you severely!"

I stared at him, my head spinning. The New Order? These weren't ordinary policemen or EMS personnel. "Um—I—I—," I stammered. "I need to put on some clothes. Can I...can I have a little privacy?" "Shut up!" the first commando guy barked. "Grab her! And protect yourself. She's dangerous—all of them are." "No! Stop! Don't you dare!" I screamed. "Dad! Mom! Whit!"

Then it hit me like a runaway tractor trailer on ice. This was what had happened to Celia, wasn't it?

Oh God! Cold sweat beaded on the back of my neck. I need to get out of here, I thought desperately. Somehow, some way.

I need to disappear.

Copyright © 2009 by James Patterson

Elijah Wood's recent film credits include the Shane Acker animated film "9" produced by Tim Burton, George Miller's animated film Happy Feet, Liev Schreiber's adaptation of Jonathan Safran Foer's best-selling novel Everything is Illuminated, and Michel Gondry's critically acclaimed Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind. Additional credits include Sin City, based on Frank Miller's graphic novel, Ang Lee's The Ice Storm, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy directed by Peter Jackson. Wood recently started his own record label, Simian Records, and is an active member and supporter of The Art of Elysium, a nonprofit organization that encourages working actors, artists, and musicians to dedicate their time and talent to children who are battling serious medical conditions.

Spencer Locke has appeared in numerous television shows including: Without A Trace, Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, Phil of the Future, That's So Raven, and Cold Case. She has also appeared in the feature films: Spanglish, Monster House, for which she received an Annie Award Nomination for Voice Acting, and Resident Evil: Extinction.