It was a quiet afternoon at Gardenview University, and the usual hustle and bustle of students shuffling between classes had settled into a calm, almost eerie stillness. The halls were nearly empty, save for the occasional stray student who was either running late or sneaking off to the bathroom.

In the middle of this stillness, Coal—Bobette’s massive black dog—was padding silently down the hall, hwr big paws making a soft thud against the polished floor. The vice principal's dog had a way of making her presence known without uttering a sound.

The students and staff were all used to Coal’s presence by now, and although she had a reputation for being intimidating—especially with her imposing size—she was as sweet as could be, at least to those who respected her space. Her sleek black fur and golden eyes stood out against the backdrop of the school’s beige walls, and with each passing day, Coal seemed to grow a little bit more comfortable roaming the halls.