LITMIR.BIZ

      Halloween fell on a school day, and Ellen Anderson wore her vampire costume to the Savannah, Georgia high school that she attended. Half of Ellen’s fellow students were in assorted costumes as well, and when she stepped into her first class, she saw Jessica Harman dressed as super girl.

      Ellen stepped up to Jessica and greeted her with, “Hey, Jess. When your dad had pulled you out of school last Monday, I expected that you’d be out this entire week.”

      Jessica looked at Ellen and slightly grinned before saying, “Karla and I wanted to be here today… for costume day.”

      “Mmm,” Ellen said with an agreeing nod.

      “Oh, I’ve been reading my…” Jessica slightly hesitated while glancing at her fellow students—the ones who were in hearing distance—before continuing with, “my family’s diaries.”

      “Learn anything interesting about your relatives?” Ellen questioned.

      “I learned a lot actually.” The bell rang to start the class as Jessica was continuing with, “I learned that my great-great grandfather—Lawrence Stone the Third—came to the United States from Birmingham, England in search of his father—Lawrence Stone the Second. Lawrence Stone the Second was the big game hunter who had captured most of those stuffed animals at my house.”

      Ellen slightly grinned before asking, “Did your great-great grandfather find his father?”

      Jessica shook her head while saying, “No.”

      Ellen didn’t hear Jessica’s answer as Mr. Guildford ordered, “Okay, class, quiet down! If you’re wearing a mask, remove it. —” Each of the three students wearing masks went to remove his or her mask. “—Ellen, take your seat.”

      “Yes, sir,” Ellen said before walking towards her seat—near the back of the class.

      Ellen hadn’t reached her seat yet when Mr. Guildford went into his lecture.