— "The Arrival of Ashford Sterling"

Location: Northgrave School, Monday morning Season: Early Fall School Year: First Day of the New Term

Dried leaves danced across the courtyard of Northgrave School as the bell rang for the first time that Monday morning. The school's Victorian facade looked older than ever, shrouded in a fine mist that wouldn't dissipate. It was the start of the new term.

Students returned to the high, cool hallways of the school, each with new notebooks, neat uniforms, and sleepy looks. In the middle of the group, Matilda Wormwood walked lightly, an open book in her hands. She read as she walked—as she always did—but her gaze flickered up from time to time, alert.

Something seemed... wrong.

From the top of the stairs, beside Principal Marlowe, a new student was being introduced to the second-grade class. He stood there, motionless, like a statue. Tall for his age, pale as chalk, with eyes like liquid metal. His name, they announced, was:

Mrs. Marlowe: — "This is Ashford Sterling, a transfer from Wychwood Academy, which has unfortunately been... closed," — the headmistress said with a stilted smile.

Matilda closed the book without even realizing it. She felt it. Like a change in air pressure. Like static electricity on her skin.

Ash wasn't looking at anyone in particular. And yet, Matilda had the feeling he was seeing directly into her, as if he were reading the most hidden pages of her diary.

Hours later...

In the classroom, a sudden blackout caused the lights to flicker. One of the pictures fell from the wall, startling the class. The teacher dropped the papers. When the lights came back on, Ash was sitting normally, his eyes closed.

Toby: — "He didn't even move," — whispered Toby, standing next to Matilda. — "He didn't even blink... it was just a coincidence, right?"

Matilda didn't respond. Instead, she picked up her pen and scribbled something in the corner of her notebook:

"Ashford Sterling. Investigate."

Note for Players: You can play Matilda, a character from the scene, or an original character.