An Unexpected Breeze

Carmel stood in the bustling hallway, the chatter of girls mingling with the clanging of lockers. Her mind was on the latest novel she had been reading, but all thoughts of its cliffhanger ending scattered as a sudden sneeze pierced the air. A quick glance revealed Rina, red-faced, her eyes watery.

"Bless you," Carmel said, her eyebrows knitting together in concern.

Rina groaned, "Thanks. It's the fifth time today already."

As soon as Rina spoke, another sneeze echoed from down the hall, then another, like a domino effect of sneezes resounding through the building. Carmel's attention sharpened; there was a pattern here.

"Okay," Carmel said, pushing her curiosity forward, "Do you have any idea where this started?"

Rina shrugged. "No clue. It just started spreading." Her words ended in another sneeze.

Carmel nodded slowly, tapping her chin. A chill ran down her spine as she realized she'd found her newest puzzle to solve. She had to discover Patient Zero, and fast, before the whole school turned into a sneeze symphony.

Unraveling the Sneeze Trail

Carmel navigated the bustling cafeteria, her eyes darting from table to table. She noticed the vibrant exchange of cookies and sandwiches among friends, each trading a bite or a sip, oblivious to the germs hitching a ride. She could see the potential pattern of how the cold was spreading, one morsel at a time.

Determined, Carmel zeroed in on Ruthie, a girl notorious for her love of sharing snacks. Carmel struck up a conversation, "Hey, Ruthie, been sharing more than just chips lately?" Ruthie giggled, half-embarrassed, "Well, maybe, but I mean, who doesn't like a good snack swap?"

Unexpectedly, Carmel felt an ominous tickle in her throat. Alarmed, she knew she had to tread carefully now. The last thing she wanted was to succumb to the cold herself.

Around her, excitement crackled as whispers about a surprise school trip filled the air. "What do you think it'll be?" a girl in pigtails asked eagerly. Carmel smiled, momentarily distracted by the thrill of the unknown.