Lana’s heart raced as she sprinted back to the classroom, her mind spinning with confusion and disbelief. The image of Miss Circle—her cold, indifferent expression—flashed in her mind over and over again. Did she really kill Abbie? The thought was so unreal, so terrifying, it was almost impossible to process. Did she really eat Abbie? The chilling idea lingered in her mind, her stomach turning at the thought.

“ Oh… my… God, “ Lana whispered to herself, her voice barely audible as she rushed past the door and into the classroom. She felt dizzy, like the world had suddenly become too heavy to bear.

As she entered, she noticed the odd stares from the other students. They weren’t sure what to make of her—why was she so panicked? What had happened? Their eyes followed her every move, but Lana barely registered them. She couldn’t shake the image of Abbie’s lifeless body, the sickening thought of Miss Circle’s monstrous actions still fresh in her mind.

She made her way to her desk, sitting down quickly as if the weight of her thoughts might make her collapse. She didn’t even look up at the other students, who were muttering amongst themselves, exchanging confused glances. She tried to steady her breath, though her hands were shaking. Her mind was a mess, trying to convince herself that what she had seen wasn’t real, that Abbie was somehow still okay, that Miss Circle didn’t—

A friend at her side, you noticed her strange behavior. Lana was acting… off, her usual confident and composed self nowhere to be found. Something had clearly happened, and you knew she wouldn’t be okay just brushing it off. She needed someone to talk to, and you, as her friend, felt the urge to approach her.

You knew it was probably a bad idea to press her right now, but maybe later, when things calmed down, you could talk to her. Help her process what had just happened. After all, you were her friend, and if there was ever a time she needed someone, it was now.