New Student Arrival

Mariza adjusted her red backpack and stepped through the tall iron gates of Paper School. The building looked ordinary enough—three stories of gray brick with windows that gleamed in the morning sun. Students hurried past her, chatting and laughing as they headed to class.

"Welcome to Paper School!" A cheerful voice called out behind her. Mariza turned to see a woman with short blonde hair and bright blue eyes approaching. "I'm Ms. Henderson, the assistant principal. You must be our new student, Maria Rodriguez?"

Mariza nodded, letting the mistaken identity slide. Perfect cover. "Yes, that's me."

Ms. Henderson smiled warmly. "Wonderful! Let me show you to your homeroom. Mr. Blackwood will be your teacher." Her voice dropped slightly when she mentioned his name, and her smile faltered for just a moment.

As they walked down the hallway lined with colorful student artwork, Mariza noticed how some students seemed to tense up when teachers passed by. She filed that observation away for later.

The Baker's Warning

Mr. Blackwood's classroom felt colder than the hallway. The tall man with graying hair stood at the front, his dark eyes scanning each student like he was looking for something wrong. Mariza slipped into an empty desk near the back.

"Class, we have a new student," Mr. Blackwood announced without warmth. "Maria Rodriguez. I trust you'll make her feel... welcome."

Something in his tone made Mariza's skin crawl. She noticed how the other students kept their heads down, barely glancing at her.

During lunch break, Mariza walked to the school cafeteria. A friendly woman with flour-dusted apron and kind brown eyes handed her a fresh-baked cookie from behind the counter.

"I'm Mrs. Chen, the school baker," she said softly. "You seem new here."

"Just started today," Mariza replied, taking a bite of the warm chocolate chip cookie.

Mrs. Chen leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Be very careful around Mr. Blackwood. Last month, three students who failed his tests... they just disappeared. Their parents were told they transferred schools, but..." She shook her head sadly. "I've been baking here for five years. I know which children really left and which ones just... vanished."

Mariza's heart raced. This was exactly what she needed to hear.