Chapter 1 - The Severed Feed
The metallic click of the security camera power cord sliding out of the wall socket echoed sharply in the quiet atmosphere of Room 412. Sarah Jenkins, a middle-aged teacher whose hair was pulled back into a severe bun, lowered her hand from the high bracket. Her dark blazer rustled slightly over her patterned silk blouse as she exhaled a slow, controlled breath. She turned her gaze toward the middle row of desks, where nineteen-year-old Toby Miller slouched in his seat. Toby wore a gray zip-up hoodie over a plain white t-shirt, his messy brown hair hanging low over his forehead. The surrounding students watched in tense silence, their young faces frozen in apprehension.
Sarah stepped closer, her footsteps heavy on the linoleum floor. She stared down at the boy with a stern, unyielding expression, her jaw set tight.
"Wait, come," Sarah said firmly, her voice cutting through the heavy air of the classroom like a blade.
Toby did not move immediately. He crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes narrowing in defiance as he glared up at his teacher.
"I didn't do anything wrong, Mrs. Jenkins," Toby muttered, his voice dripping with defensive sarcasm. "Why are you shutting down the room's eye? Got something to hide from the district?"
"Get up, Toby," Sarah snapped, her tone dropping into a dangerous whisper. "I said kneel on the floor by your desk right now. Do not test me today."
"You have no right to order me around like this," Toby retorted, his voice rising in pitch as he shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "You think because you wear that fancy blazer you own this school? You're hiding something, and everyone knows it!"
"Kneel," Sarah commanded again, pointing sharply toward the floorboards beside his wooden desk. "I am not asking you twice. You crossed a line, and you know it."
Toby shoved his chair back with a loud screech against the floor, standing up abruptly. The other children gasped, shrinking back into their seats.
"You're paranoid," Toby yelled, pointing a shaking finger at her face. "You're covering for someone!"
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Before Sarah could grab his arm to force him down, Toby lunged past her toward the front door, slamming it open before anyone could react.
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