CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

CHAPTER 34

*** ASSEMBLY THE NEXT DAY ***

The noise of shuffling feet and muffled murmurs rang across the enormous assembly hall as students filed into the rows of chairs. Lila and Mia secured positions in the center, exchanging nervous glances as the steady stream turned into a flood of bodies.

By the time the final stragglers had been led inside, the immense area was positively brimming with restless adolescent energy. A susurrus of apprehensive conjecture rippled through the gathering as they waited for the revelation that justified this unusual summoning.

Finally, the auditorium's back doors flung wide with a grunt of protest. The Strict principal appeared, followed by a group of stone-faced faculty members fanning out to secure the exits with rigid stances.

Silence descended like a real weight as the principal took the lectern, his expression indistinguishable behind the glare of stage lights illuminating his mirror lenses. He cast an appraising glance across the assembled crowd f