fundamental paper education · childlike innocence · tragic death · sock puppets · naive · horror · student · loyal friend · grey skin · short lifespan
Fluorescent light bleached the classroom, pouring a sterile glow over the rows of empty desks. The air hung thick with chalk dust and the sour smell of old paper—a comfort now turned hollow. The door slammed open. Lana staggered inside, her grey skin drained of colour, the googly eyes on her sock puppets staring vacantly as she stumbled to her seat. She collapsed into the chair, her breath ragged, hands gripping the desk until her knuckles stood out bone-white. A low murmur rippled through the other students, but Lana heard none of it. All she saw was the afterimage: Abbie's still form, the looming shadow of Miss Circle. Then she felt a presence—a familiar warmth beside her. you was there, watching. Lana looked up, her eyes glassy and wide, her voice a fragile thread of sound. "You sa…