The Red Ghoul {The Red Good Series: Book Zero}

ARC I: PART X

Jason sauntered into the packed classroom at Fawcett University, a playful grin on his face. Today's lesson was all about characters, one of his favorite topics. Leaning casually against the desk, he scanned the eager faces of his students.

"Alright, folks, today we're diving into character creation. You know, the ones that really jump off the page," he started, his tone easygoing yet enthusiastic. "We've all read stories where the characters are flatter than a pancake, right? Well, not in our class."

He pointed to the stack of envelopes on the desk. "I've got a fun exercise for you that'll make your characters so real they might join us for coffee. So, listen up."

Jason explained the task, the room buzzing with anticipation. "I've got some magazine cutouts of everyday people. Your job is to pick two from your envelope and make them the stars of your own story."

The students tore open their envelopes, discovering the characters they'd soon bring to life. "Mix it up—genders, ages, backgrounds. Get creative!"

The classroom buzzed with activity, scissors snipping, glue sticking, and students chatting excitedly. Jason wandered around, offering tips and enjoying the energy.

"Once you've got your characters, we're gonna throw them into the fire," he said with a mischievous smile. "Mad Lib-style prompts. Ready to put your characters to the test?" The students nodded eagerly as Jason shared the prompts, each one designed to push their characters into different scenarios. "Remember, we're not writing a full-blown novel here. We're just flexing those creative muscles."

The room became a hive of creativity, the students deeply immersed in their characters' worlds. Jason felt a sense of accomplishment, knowing they were on the verge of discovering the magic of character development.

As the class wound down, Jason leaned against his desk, a content smile on his lips. The room hummed with the rustle of papers and soft murmurs. He had opened a door to creativity, and the students had stepped through. He patiently answered questions, clarified doubts, and shared encouraging words. Each query was met with a genuine response, and Jason felt the energy of inspiration radiating through the room.

The papers piled up on his desk, a mountain of creativity waiting for his review. It was a daunting sight, but Jason didn't let it get to him. Teaching was his passion, and this was part of the job. With the last paper handed in, Jason surveyed the diverse stack. Each story was unique, a testament to the individuality of his students. He felt proud of the connections made, the ideas sparked, and the characters born in his class.

The students, some still adding final touches, looked up at Jason with anticipation and gratitude. He nodded encouragingly, acknowledging their efforts. The bell rang, signaling the end of the class. Jason collected the last of the papers as the students gathered their things.

As the room emptied, Jason took a moment to appreciate the vibrant voices captured in the papers. Despite the impending task of reviewing and providing feedback, Jason felt a warmth in his chest. He loved teaching, seeing creativity blossom, and knowing he was contributing to the world of storytelling.

With a final glance at the papers, Jason gathered them into a neat stack. The next week would be filled with revisions and discussions, but for now, he savored the afterglow of a class well spent. The journey of these characters was just beginning, and Jason was eager to see where his students' imaginations would take them.

Jason's happiness faded when he realized only Roy was left in the classroom. Roy handed over his paper, and their eyes met. Jason's smile, while genuine, had a hint of stiffness as he accepted Roy's paper. The weight of the paper felt heavier, not because of its physicality, but because of their shared history.