Back to School

Jamie's hand shook as he pulled open the heavy school door. He hadn't slept much since New Year's Eve. The message on that card kept playing in his mind: Find the prize or die trying. Tick-tock.

"You okay?" Elliot asked, appearing beside him. Their breath made little clouds in the January cold.

"Yeah," Jamie lied. He hadn't told Elliot about the card. He didn't want to scare them more than they already were.

Together, they walked into Westlake High School for the first day of the new term. The hallways buzzed with students sharing holiday stories and showing off new clothes. Everything looked normal. But Jamie knew better.

"I have English first," Elliot said, checking their schedule. "You?"

"Math," Jamie answered. "Meet for lunch?"

Elliot nodded. "Be careful, okay?"

Jamie watched them walk away, wishing he could protect them all day. But they had different classes, and that meant being apart.

In math class, Jamie couldn't focus. His eyes kept darting to the door, expecting trouble. When Mr. Peters called on him, Jamie had no idea what the question was.

"Sorry," he mumbled. "Can you repeat that?"

A few kids snickered. Mr. Peters frowned but asked again.

After math came history, then science. By lunchtime, Jamie felt wound tight like a spring. He searched the cafeteria for Elliot, relaxing only when he spotted them at their usual table.

"How was your morning?" Jamie asked, moving into the seat beside them.

"Weird," Elliot said, looking around to make sure no one was listening. "I had art class, and Ms. Chen acted like nothing happened. Like she was never tied up in her own classroom."

"Did you ask her about the yearbook? About knowing Principal Garcia and Coach Wilson in high school?"

Elliot shook their head. "Not yet. I wanted to wait for you."

"Good thinking."

Jamie scanned the restaurant. Ryan sat with the football team, but he wasn't looking their way. He had come back from his suspension quiet, different. Jamie had heard that Ryan's parents had sent him to therapy over winter break.

"Ryan's back," Jamie noticed.

"I know," Elliot said. "He was in my English class. He didn't say a word to me."

"That's...good, I guess."

"I guess," Elliot agreed, but they both knew Ryan was the least of their worries now.

After lunch, Jamie had photography class with Ms. Chen. He arrived early, hoping to talk to her alone. The classroom was empty except for Ms. Chen, who was setting up supplies.

"Jamie!" she said with a smile. "How was your break?"

"Fine," Jamie said, watching her closely. "How was yours?"

"Quiet. Peaceful." She put paintbrushes in a jar. "I'm starting an after-school art club this semester. Elliot already signed up. You should join too."

"Maybe," Jamie said. He took out his camera. "Ms. Chen, can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"How long have you known Principal Garcia?"

Ms. Chen's hand froze for a split second. Then she continued arranging brushes. "We've worked together for about ten years."

"But you knew him before that, right? In high school?"

Now Ms. Chen looked up, her smile gone. "Where did you hear that?"

Jamie held her eyes. "We found an old yearbook. You directed a play that Principal Garcia and Coach Wilson wrote. About finding treasure under the school."

The classroom door opened, and other kids began filing in. Ms. Chen leaned close to Jamie and whispered, "Meet me after school. Art room. Come alone."

Jamie's heart raced. Those words—come alone—had led them into trouble before.

"I'll bring Elliot," he said strongly.

Ms. Chen paused, then nodded. "Fine. But no one else."

The rest of the day crawled by. Jamie texted Elliot about the meeting. When the final bell rang, they met outside the art room.

"Should we do this?" Elliot asked.

"We need answers," Jamie replied. "But stay near the door. If anything seems wrong, we run."

They entered the art room together. Ms. Chen sat at her desk, looking tired. The classroom was empty.

"Close the door," she said.

Jamie shook his head. "It stays open."

Ms. Chen sighed but didn't argue. "What do you want to know?"

"Everything," Elliot said. "What's the treasure? Why is someone threatening us? What happened to Mrs. Garcia?"

"Mrs. Garcia?" Ms. Chen looked confused. "What about her?"

Jamie and Elliot exchanged looks. They hadn't seen Mrs. Garcia since that night at the field. She hadn't been at school today either.

"We met her," Jamie said slowly. "She told us Coach Wilson framed Principal Garcia. She was going to show us proof, but she never showed up."

Ms. Chen's face went pale. "When was this?"

"A week ago," Elliot said. "Right before break ended."

Ms. Chen stood up suddenly. "We need to go. Now. It's not safe here."

"What's not safe?" Jamie asked. "You need to tell us what's going on!"

"I will," Ms. Chen promised. "But not here." She grabbed her coat. "Meet me at the old bridge in one hour. I'll explain everything."

Before they could argue, she rushed out of the room.

"Now what?" Elliot asked.

"I don't know if we should trust her," Jamie said.

"But what choice do we have? She might be the only one who can explain all this."

They chose to go to the bridge, but this time they would be smarter. Jamie called Detective Rivera and left a message telling her where they were going. Then they walked to the old bridge together, alert for any sign of danger.

The bridge was empty when they arrived. Snow covered the ground, and the creek below was frozen solid. They waited, stomping their feet to stay warm.

"There she is," Elliot said after twenty minutes.

Ms. Chen approached from the other side of the bridge. She carried a small box.

"Thank you for coming," she said when she reached them. "I know you don't trust me. I don't blame you."

"Just tell us what's going on," Jamie said.

Ms. Chen opened the box. Inside was an old, yellowed writing. "This is the play Mark and Thomas wrote. 'Hidden Treasures.' It wasn't just a play."

"It was real?" Elliot asked.

Ms. Chen nodded. "During rehearsals, they found something in the old part of the school. Something valuable. They swore me to secrecy."

"What did they find?" Jamie asked.

Before Ms. Chen could answer, a gunshot cracked through the air. Ms. Chen gasped, clutching her shoulder. Blood spread across her coat.

"Run!" she yelled at them.

Jamie grabbed Elliot's hand and they ran, ducking behind trees. Another shot hit the snow near their feet.

"This way!" Jamie pulled Elliot toward a thick clump of trees.

They ran until they couldn't breathe, finally stopping in a small area. No more shots followed them.

"What just happened?" Elliot gasped, tears in their eyes.

"Someone shot Ms. Chen," Jamie said, his voice shaking. "Someone doesn't want her talking to us."

Elliot started to reply, but stopped, looking at something over Jamie's shoulder. Their face went white.

Jamie turned slowly.

There, nailed to a tree, was a photo. It showed Jamie and Elliot running from the bridge just minutes ago. Written across it in red:

Time's up. The real game starts tomorrow. Only one of you will live.

And beside the picture hung Jamie's missing camera.