By the time the last bell rang, the students were dragging their feet. Each gave me a hug goodbye before leaving the classroom. The urgency to see them off to their busses overwhelms me as I think of how easy it would be for them to be snatched at the sidewalk.

Rushing down the hallway to catch up to them, I overheard Robin’s voice behind me.

“It’s a rumor,” Robin stated as I glanced over my shoulder to find her walking with two other girls and a boy. “There aren’t any bears here to attack anyone. So, how could the substitute get mauled to death?”

“What are you talking about?”...