A Twisted Halloween: Terror is Trending

Chapter 22: What Is Going On Here?!

Sam asks, "Could I borrow the headmage and a few of the Halloween management committee imps?"

The atmosphere changes in the room as Sam asks, and can tell something is wrong.

"All right. Juniors, you're with me," Vil says. "It's almost 10 a.m. That's when the school opens for general visitors. Freshmen and sophomores, man the stamp tour stations. Do NOT do anything to offend the visitors."

"Yes, sir! You can count on us," Epel says, the other freshmen and sophomores agree.

"I wonder what this trouble's about," Lilia replies.

Malleus frowns and questions, "You're ordering ME around, are you?"

"You're on the management committee. It's hardly beyond your job description," Vil says.

"Considering how big this event's blown up, trouble was bound to find us eventually," Cater says.

"Worry not, for as headmage, I will resolve whatever has arisen with fairness and poise," Crowley says. "Ha ha ha! Happy Halloween!"

Soon, Crowley, Vil and the Juniors arrive at Main Street. However, they are taken back for a shocking surprise.

Crowley exclaims, "Wha... What is going on here?!"

What they see are people climbing on the tree and some of the school staff are trying to get them down.

Trein sternly says, "Hey you! Get down from there this instant!"

Up on the apple tree, the man says, "Take a chill pill, man. I'll be done in a sec."

Another man says, "He won't be long. The guy's actually famous for this sorta thing back home, believe it or not... Though if you DO believe it, that's on you, considering I just made the whole thing up. Haw!"

This is a big surprise to see people climbing the tree.

Vil says in shock, "A Halloween visitor is climbing an apple tree..."

"And none of the people on the ground seem inclined to stop him," Malleus adds.

"It was like this by the time we spotted them," Sam points out.

Crowley walks over and calls out, "Why in the world are you climbing our trees?!"

"My bud's gonna take a dramatic pic of the campus. Just you wait - it's gonna be great. Heh heh!" One of the men answers.

"All this for a photo?" Crowley questions.

Then a woman says, "Yeah! He's going for a shot that looks down over the Great Seven. It's going to be LIT."

"Ahhh. so that's what's going on," Cater says.

Crewel calls out, "You profane the official school tree of Night Raven College. Cease the manhandling NOW."

"With your noodly brachial muscles, you don't have the arm strength or grip strength for tree climbing. You could fall at any second!" Vargas calls out.

The guy on the tree then says, "Whoa, uh, you guys are acting super serious about this..."

Soon, there's a moment of silence.

Until someone says, "Let's hear it for the Night Raven College teachers! WHOO-WHOO!"

Soon, everyone begins clapping and cheering, making the teacher look baffled.

"What? Why are you clapping?" Trein questions.

"You're like, totes the nicest! I'm legit moved to tears here," A woman speaks out.

The man on the tree says, "Whoa, you were worried about the apple trees AND me?" Dude! Model teachers!"

"We should dedicate this to them, don'tcha think?" The second man asks, and says, "We need a perfect shot for someone MAJOR publicity!"

The teachers are even more dumbfounded.

Then Trein says, "You're missing the point. I said to get down from the tree!"

"That speech was sooo touching. Can I post your pic on Magicam, teach?" The man says, ignoring them.

And the man takes a picture of them on his phone. He types on his phone, "'NRC rulz! #Shoutouts2NiceTeachers #BeKindToApples3 #BestHalloweenEver' Aaand... posted!"

Then the woman says, "The teachers are stirring up buzz already! This could go viral in one post."

Speaking of dramatic, how about these guys in costumes behind them?" The woman points out.

Mallues, Idia, and Lilia look a bit surprised,

Then the man says, "Oh yeah, they totally count! Hey, mind if I take a quick group shot of you guys? I wanna post you on Magicam!"

And the guy takes the picture of them without being answered. The students and teachers are completely dumbfounded by all this.

"Goodness, what an excitable crowd. Even Trien is flinching in the face on it, and he's usually one doing the whip-cracking," Lilia says, surprised.

"Dude... These are the EXACT type of people I avoid like the plague. Total mormie scum," India says, frustrated.

"I'm not getting through to them at all," Trein says. "Do they not realize how much of a problem they're creating for others? I've never seen anyone so self-centered. Even monsters are easier to reason with than this lot!"

"'Monsters,' huh? That hits the nail on the head, TBH. Professor Trein doesn't teach social science classes for nothing," Cater says. "All they care about is their social media cred."

Then shows a slight frown on his face, "If I were to label 'em with a hashtag, it'd be #MagicamMonsters."

"I couldn't have crafted a better hashtag for them myself, Cater," Vil says.

"Even that appellation gives them too much credit," Crewel says.

And brings out his teaching pointer, "Creatures incapable of thinking about anything but the food before them aren't even pups. They're starving strays. I'll rein them in."