The first morning bell had barely stopped ringing when the loud-speaker crackled to life. Every student in every classroom sat up a little straighter, half-expecting the usual reminders about field-trip forms or cafeteria menus.
Instead, the principal's voice wavered across the corridor:
"Students and staff, I'm deeply sorry to inform you that our classmate Jay Woods has passed away."
A stunned hush rippled through the school. Only a few weeks earlier they'd heard a similar announcement about Sam, and now, Jay? It felt impossible, like some cruel pattern no one could break.
Whispers blew through the corridors: maybe the campus was cursed, maybe something darker was at work. Rumours swirled even faster than the brittle autumn leaves outside.
