1(800) Adoption Papers NOT needed! Its a two for one special! ( 1POV Version )

Sticks and Stones, but words will never hurt me

" Casper High?" Baba intones, raising an eyebrow at the sign. " A little on the nose, isn't it?"

I shrug in the passenger seat of our rental, "It's been called that for, like, forever. Amity's always been a thin spot. The portal opening just caused a permanent doorway. The school has been haunted since the 50's."

Baba just hums and turns into the school parking lot. The school isn't in the best shape. Some of the bricks are scorched and need a new coat of paint. Once parked, we go to the front door. Baba pushes the intercom button and waits for it to turn green. " I'm here to meet with Mr. William Lancer."

" Just a moment!" the English teacher replies before the intercom goes dead. A minute or so later, the balding man comes to the door, dressed in jeans and a button-up. Lancer opens the door, "Please, come in, come in. Sorry about the heat. The district doesn't turn the AC on until the school reopens."

Baba gives an understanding smile somewhere between Bruce and 'Brucie' and extends his hand, "It's of no trouble."

Lancer's hand meets Babas'. " It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Wayne," he turns to me, " and it's nice to see you once again, Daniel."

I wince at the pronunciation, " it's Danyal, sir, or Danny."

Lancer blinks at me, "Of course, my apologies, Danyal. Regardless, welcome back."

" Thank you for taking the time to see us, especially on a Saturday," Baba says. " We were expecting to have to wait until Monday."

" In a small place like Amity, word travels fast, and when we received your call, Lancers' voice trails off for a moment, eyes flickering to me. " This is the least I could do." We go into the office, and Lancer hands over a file: " Here's a transcript, disciplinary records, and a letter of recommendation, just in case."

" Disciplinary records?" Baba asks, looking at me with a raised eyebrow.

" Detentions," Lancer explains, " for falling asleep in class, mostly, and excess tardies, which, in light of recent events, is understandable. That's why I added the letter of recommendation. He's a smart kid."

Baba claps me on the shoulder, "That he is." Baba takes the file and gives the transcript a cursory glance. "Would you mind giving a small tour of the building?"

" A tour? Why?" I ask.

Baba shrugs, giving a Brucie grin. " I just want to see where you've spent the last few years."

" It's no problem," Lancer says. " I have the time." The tour is eerie. The halls look closer to an abandoned building or a fallout shelter than a bustling school. The classrooms look better than the halls, but not by much. The gym and cafeteria are noticeably in better condition. Favoritism. We finish our wraparound, and Lancer says, " Last but not least, my classroom."

That makes Baba pause, " I thought you were the assistant principal?"

" Both, unfortunately, budget cuts," Lancer says, " I double as an English teacher. I was Danyals, in fact, last year."

" You were Dannys' teacher?" Baba asks, confused.

" Yes?" Lancer answers, not seeing the issue.

" He should have been in ESL," Baba says. He then looks at me and says, "That explains your English grades."

" Casper High doesn't have ESL, and neither do the other schools in the area. There is not much of a need for them," I say. We're in an isolated area in the Midwest. Not a lot of immigrants around here.

" He at least had accommodations, yes?" Baba asks, hoping for clarification.

" Why would he need those?" Lancer asks. "There are no references or IEPs on file."