It was a hot day in Thorn Valley and Justin walked along the path. He
stopped in the center of town and looked at the statue of Jonathan Brisby and his
son Timothy. Not long ago had Timmy fulfilled his destiny. As far as Justin
could tell, only a year had past.

It was midday, but the sun was lost behind a maze of black clouds. He knew
it was going to rain any minute so he hurried to the main building. There he
found Mr. Ages, Jenny, and Timmy waiting for him.

" Your late." said Timmy.

" I know. I stopped to look at the statue of two men who are the envy
of all the town." Justin said with a laugh.

" Ha Ha." said Timmy.

" Come we have business to discuss." said Mr. Ages.

They sat down in a large council room with many others.

" We need to figure out why there have been so many reports
of an outsider. Could there really be one?" asked Mr. Ages.

" An outsider?" asked Jenny.

" We don't really like outsider here." Said Justin.

The meeting went on and on and finally ended at dark. As Justin
walked home he saw the shadow he had seen every night that week. He went inside
and went to sleep. He told his friend Brutus about it and that night he
followed Justin home. They both saw the shadow at the same time. Brutus saw a
tall, dark figure moving near him. He jumped on it.

The figure struggled and Brutus tore something from its neck. By
then Justin was there and was asking who the person was.

" Can't say. One day you'll know." came a female
voice, then she punched Brutus and ran away.

Brutus opened his hand and saw that he had a necklace. It was
silver with the picture of a compass on it. Inscribed on the back was:

South by South by South

The way the rats run

Where Mrs. Brisby raised

Her son.

The next day they took it to Mr. Ages.

" This is strange," he said.

" If I'm right then the girl who owns this will come
looking for it." said Justin.

" How do you know?" asked Mr. Ages.

" She put up a good fight for it." said Brutus rubbing
his stomach.

Justin was right. They ambushed her in the main hall. The girl
grabbed the necklace and turned to leave when Justin jumped in front of her.

" Justin!" she cried and covered her mouth.

Although the hood still hid her face Justin could tell she was
shocked she had said it.

" How did she know my name?" he thought.

The girl turned again and saw Brutus. Then again to see Timmy.
She looked up and Justin saw a flash of her emerald green eyes. She shoots
something from her wrist and swung other Justin. She then ran for the door. She
was almost there when Jenny jumped in front of her. She stepped back and hit
Justin. He tied her up and led her in front of the council. Then Justin removed
her hood.

They all starred at a female rat with piercing emerald green
eyes, auburn-brown hair, and light brown fur.

" What do you want from me?" she asked.

" Your name for starters." said Justin.

" Janel." she said.

" Why were you following me?" asked Justin.

" Because a friend wanted me to ask you for help." she
said.

" Who?" asked Mr. Ages.

" I can't say. All I can tell you is that it's someone you
know from N.I.M.H." she said.

" N.I.M.H.!" they all cried.

" That place was destroyed. How do you know about it?"
asked Mr. Ages.

" I was there," she said.

" You were there!" asked Justin.

" Yes. Long before any of you came. I was given the same
things you were. And more." she said looking away at the thought.

" Can you take us to this person?" asked Justin.

" Of course." she said.

They walked outside and Justin untied her. She rubbed her wrists
and thanked him. She looked at the statue and walked over to it.

" What is it?" asked Justin.

" Why have you built a statue of Jonathan. Normally people
don't build statue until their dead," she said.

" You mean you don't know?" asked Mr. Ages.

" He died while he was trying to drug a cat," said
Justin.

" No!" she cried and turned to run.

" Where are you going?" asked Justin.

" If he's dead then he won't be where I lift him!" she
said.

" What!" cried the others.

" Are you saying Jonathan is alive?" asked Justin as
he ran after her.

" If he's were I left him he is!" she cried over her
shoulder.

They ran off as the others just stood there in shock. Janel ran
in front of Justin the whole time.

" She's fast!" he thought to himself.

They ran on and on. Justin was getting very tired, but when he
looked up he saw she wasn't. Then she stopped. She had stopped so suddenly that
Justin almost ran into her. She whistled and then all was silent.

" Jump." she said and they did.

When Justin came down he did not feel the hard ground under his
feet, but the softness of crow feathers.

" Jeremy!" he cried.

" Hi Justin, I see you meet Janel." he laughed and
zoomed through the clouds.

" How do you Jeremy?" asked Justin.

" I had to save him from some string." she laughed,
" He's the one who told me about Thorn Valley."

" Jeremy! You know your not supposed to speak about Thorn
Valley!" cried Justin.

" Ya but Janel is special. She wanted to take her friend to
his family, you know Timmy and Mrs. B. and...." as Jeremy carried on Janel
looked at Justin.

" Jonathan has said a lot about you. " she said.

" Has he?" asked Justin still a little unsure.

" Yes, you and Nicodimus. I haven't seen him in a long
time." she said.

" He's died," said Justin sadly.

" Sorry to hear that. He was a good friend," she said.

Before Justin could ask his next question they were heading
downward. They stopped in front of a small bush and jumped to the ground.

" Thanks Jeremy." she smiled.

" No prob. Miss Janel." he smiled.

" Here for your trouble." she said and handed him
something.

" A sparkly!" he cried and thanked Janel before he
flew off.

" So where are we?" asked Justin.

" Welcome to Crescent Valley." she smiled and pulled
on a branch to reveal what lay ahead.