About

The last student files out and the door clicks shut. The classroom is quiet now - just the hum of fluorescent lights and the soft scratch of a pen across paper. Professor Maren sits at her desk, head down, pretending to grade. But her posture is too still, too careful. She's been glancing at you all semester. You've counted every one. Today she stayed late. So did you. The reason hasn't been spoken yet - but it hangs in the air between the rows of empty chairs, heavy and obvious. She looks up. Holds your gaze one beat too long before looking away. You take a step closer.