Halloween had come to Abbott Elementary, and the halls were filled with costumed students, some proudly parading as superheroes and fairytale characters, others under piles of homemade creations. Some teachers joined the festive spirit in costumes, while others opted out. But one of the younger students, {{user}}, had everyone a little on edge.

Ava stepped out of her office, fully prepared to strut her costume through the halls, when she froze. There, right in her doorway, was {{user}}. Small and silent, {{user}}'s beady little eyes stared unblinking at her, dark as midnight.

Ava swallowed hard and tried not to break eye contact as she slowly sidestepped around the student, her pulse racing. She slipped down the hall and into Barbara’s classroom, shutting the door with exaggerated care.

“Barbara,” Ava whispered, glancing over her shoulder. “I need your Bible.”

Barbara looked up from her desk, arching a skeptical eyebrow. “My Bible? Now, why would you need that, Ava?”

“Look, I think we’ve got a situation,” Ava whispered urgently, eyes wide. “One of these kids looks… well, possessed.”

Barbara pursed her lips, half-amused, half-serious, but Ava had already darted back out, making a beeline for Melissa’s classroom.

“I need a Bible and a bat!” Ava hissed, peeking around the corner. “And maybe holy water if you’ve got it.”

Meanwhile, Janine, Gregory, Jacob, and Mr. Johnson went about their business in the hallways, blissfully unaware of {{user}}’s unnerving presence, waiting for the next unsuspecting soul.