The gymnasium no longer felt like a school space—it was a cage. The students sat in clusters, whispering, watching as their names were called one by one. The officials weren't in police uniforms; they were sharper than that. Suits. Earpieces. Eyes that missed nothing.
At the front table, Investigator Hale clicked his pen steadily, the sound like a ticking bomb. His partner, Investigator Cross, leaned back, arms folded, letting silence wear people down before they even spoke.
---
Teacher Interrogations
Mr. Halden (History)
Hale: "When the boy collapsed, where were your eyes?"
Mr. Halden (swallowing hard): "On him. On all of them. But I swear, I didn't see anything touch him."
Cross: "So he screamed at nothing? A healthy boy suddenly shrieking about shadows and clawing at his own skin?"
Mr. Halden: "…Yes. It doesn't make sense."
Hale (leaning closer): "Maybe it makes more sense than you want it to. You've been teaching here for twelve years, Mr. Halden. Tell us the truth—has this school always been normal?"
Mr. Halden's lips trembled. He said nothing.
Miss Aveline
When her turn came, she walked to the chair like it was a throne.
Hale: "You were seen standing apart while chaos erupted. Why?"
Miss Aveline (smooth, smiling faintly): "Because panic is ugly, and I don't participate in ugliness."
Cross: "Or because you expected it?"
Miss Aveline: "…Children are imaginative. I don't police hallucinations."
Her voice dripped with control. For a moment, it felt like she was interrogating them.
---
Student Interrogations
Gabriel Moore
Hale: "Every strange thing in this school seems to circle back to your sister. Why do you think that is?"
Gabriel (clenching fists): "Because people need someone to blame. And Gemma doesn't fight back."
Cross: "Or because she causes it?"
Gabriel (jaw tightening): "…That's not true."
Mia Carter
Hale: "What do you notice about Gemma Moore?"
Mia (voice shaky): "She doesn't talk… but sometimes, when she looks at you, it's like she's—hearing something else. Something not in the room."
Cross: "Does that frighten you?"
Mia: "…No. What frightens me is how everyone looks at her. Like she's not even human."
Ethan Vale (popular boy, nervous)
Hale: "What did you see?"
Ethan (blunt, defensive): "It was her. Gemma. The kid looked at her before he screamed. Don't tell me that's a coincidence."
Cross: "So you're certain?"
Ethan: "…I don't know what she did, but yeah—I think she's involved."
Murmurs spread through the gym when he was dismissed.
---
Gemma Moore
When her name was finally called, the gym hushed. Even the walls seemed to hold their breath.
She sat at the table, pale but steady, her hands folded neatly in her lap. Her eyes did not wander.
Hale: "Gemma Moore. Do you know why you're here?"
Gemma stared. Silence.
Hale (tapping his pen): "You've been silent, but I think you can hear me just fine. So let's make this simple. Did you cause what happened today?"
Still nothing.
Cross (leaning in, voice sharp): "Answer the question, girl!"
Gemma's gaze slid to him. Cold. Detached. He shifted in his seat.
Hale (exhaling): "You know, silence can be louder than words. It makes people think you're hiding something. Are you hiding something, Gemma?"
Her lips twitched—almost like a smile, almost like contempt—but no sound left her.
Minutes stretched. The officials exchanged frustrated looks. Hale scribbled something viciously on his notepad.
Hale: "…Fine. Stay quiet. But let me tell you this, Miss Moore. If you think silence protects you, you're wrong. It only makes us dig deeper. And when we find something—everyone will know."
He slammed the pen down.
Gemma didn't blink.
---
When she was dismissed, whispers erupted again—half fear, half accusation. The investigators had gotten under everyone's skin, but Gemma's silence had gotten under theirs.
And that was far more dangerous.