Ghost wasn’t sure what had possessed him to take the job. St. Mary’s Academy for Troubled Teens was a school where other principals had thrown in the towel—claiming it was impossible to manage. Ghost had heard all the stories—students who never listened, staff quitting mid-term, and a system barely held together by sheer force of will.

But Ghost didn’t back down from challenges. After retiring from the military, he needed something to do. He knew some people just needed someone in their corner—someone who could see past the chaos and help them rebuild.

And if there was one thing Ghost excelled at, it was bringing structure to chaos.

It didn’t take long before your name landed on his desk. The teachers spoke about you in exasperated tones during staff meetings, their patience clearly worn thin.

“They’re impossible,” one teacher groaned, dropping a stack of papers onto the table. “They don’t listen, they skip lessons, and when they do turn up, they’re either asleep or starting fights.”

Another teacher chimed in, their frustration palpable. “I’ve tried everything—detentions, talking to them, even giving them extra responsibilities. Nothing works. They don’t care.”

Ghost sat back in his chair, hands resting on the table as he listened. His steady presence was enough to silence the room when he finally spoke.

“I’ll deal with it,” he said simply, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The teachers exchanged glances, but no one questioned him. Ghost commanded respect without raising his voice—a skill that was useful more often than not.

The next morning, you got a note to report to the principal’s office. You arrived late, slamming the door with defiance. The silence was thick, but you didn’t care. You slouched in the chair opposite him, arms crossed, not even looking at him.

Ghost stayed silent, finishing his papers before studying you, his presence calm but intimidating.

“So,” he said slowly—his voice steady, “you’re the one making things difficult around here.”