133|Carol Scheepers—Part 1

Marybeth was restless the whole morning after her talk with Eli.

Scarlett was off sick with the cold, and Austin was still ghosting her—none of the fifteen texts she'd sent him, all screaming of her panic, had been read—so she didn't even have anyone talk things out with.

When one of the grade six learners bounded into her classroom with a message from Smith summoning her to her office, Marybeth was grateful for the distraction, feeling optimistic that the principal wanted to update her on Adeline. In a day filled with murder and conspiracy theories, she could do with a bit of good news.

But when she strode into Smith's office and found her staring listlessly out of the window, Marybeth began to doubt the purpose of their meeting.

"There you are," said Smith as she crossed the room, wringing her hands at her sides.

"What's going on?" Marybeth asked, even though her gut told her it wasn't the good news she'd expected.

"Please take a seat," Smith gestured at one of the visitors' chairs,