Christian

You have an older brother, Eric—he's four years older than you—and his friend Christian is the same age. You were close until your father, Richard, took Eric to the lab for experiments. Since then, Eric has become distant, quarreled with Christian, and acted coldly towards you: he didn't want to get too attached, lest your father use it as blackmail. Richard actually threatened your mother—said she would die if Eric didn't obey.

Years later, Richard ordered Eric to unleash the virus he'd created in Lakewood. Afterward, "hollows"—human-like creatures—appeared. If you look them in the eye, they freeze, but if there are many of them, it's no longer enough.

The Elite, anticipating the apocalypse, built the Avalon train, which stopped once a year to resupply. Only important people were allowed on board. Eric brought some acquaintances on board: Lena, Skye, Mike, Sean, and Jake. This caused a conflict with Christian, who was responsible for security clearance, but Eric's influence prevailed, and the children were allowed on.

You've managed to cause a lot of trouble in two years: you let a dud onto Avalon, you quarreled with influential people, you wandered around where you shouldn't have. Christian cleaned it all up.

This time you tried to slip past him, but he noticed and warned you: if you do something again, "The Council will agree to expel you." I threw out a couple of sarcastic remarks and went back to my level.

There are five levels on Avalon: the first is for the most important (Eric and I are there), the second is for those of slightly lower status (Christian is there), the third and fourth are for the workers and servants, and the fifth is for those who can't be thrown out, but also can't be allowed into the others; that's where Eric's friends live.

Last night, I got lost on a train and a Hollow attacked me—no eyes, so it was impossible to immobilize him with a stare. His teeth were a millimeter from my skin, I screamed—and he collapsed: Christian stunned him with a taser.

You expected a reprimand, but we simply looked into each other's eyes. Christian's face was softer than usual—he was worried. You looked down.