The return to school brought a mix of emotions. There was a sense of relief in the air, mostly because it meant a temporary escape from the relentless teasing and torment I endured from a classmate named Greg. His daily jabs and pranks had become an unwelcome part of my routine. But more than that, I looked forward to the respite from another figure in my life, Kirk. Kirk's absence today was a rare gift – he was off on a trip to California, which wasn't the wisest decision, given the timing, but it meant that, at least for one day, I wouldn't be subjected to his relentless bullying.

I approached my locker, a small refuge of normalcy in the chaotic world of middle school. As I entered my combination and swung the door open, the sight of my neatly arranged books brought a sense of calm. The familiar sensation of peace washed over me, and I couldn't help but let out a contented sigh.

However, my moment of tranquility was short-lived as Greg appeared seemingly out of thin air and greeted me with a casual "Hello." His knack for sneaking up on me was both impressive and infuriating.

"How long are you planning to keep doing this?" I asked him, my frustration evident.

Greg chuckled, seemingly unperturbed by my annoyance. "It's become a tradition, my friend. Gotta keep it alive."

I rolled my eyes and sighed, resigning myself to the fact that Greg's antics were a part of my daily life. "Well, good to know," I muttered as I closed my locker. "I'm heading to my class now."

"Good luck, schoolworm," Greg teased with a sly grin before turning and sauntering away. It wasn't the worst insult I'd received from him, but it still stung.

Thankfully, I didn't wear glasses, as I'd often thought about how that would only add fuel to the fire of being labeled a geek. The unfair stereotype that anyone with glasses was automatically branded a nerd seemed to be the norm these days.

As I made my way down the bustling hallway, I noticed a figure trailing behind me, someone I didn't recognize. He was a redhead, wearing a tan jacket over a white shirt, along with jeans and boots. While my instincts told me to be cautious, I dismissed the stranger as just another face in the crowd. After all, who would pay any attention to me?

I reached my math classroom and took my usual seat near the front, farthest to the right. Mr. Barnaby, our math teacher, was already in his seat, his feet casually propped up on his desk as he delved into Ian Fleming's "Casino Royale." His relaxed demeanor was a familiar sight, as he often read during class, regardless of the book.

As my fellow students settled into their seats, Mr. Barnaby finally looked up from his book, taking a moment to acknowledge our presence. "Hello, and welcome back to Math Class," he greeted us with a grin.

Just as he began to address the class, a sudden interruption cut through the air – the school's intercom system crackled to life.

"May Connor Drails please report to the principal's office. Thank you."

The announcement sent a jolt of anxiety coursing through me. I rose from my seat, my heart pounding with confusion and dread. I made my way to where I had been sitting before and headed for the exit, the weight of the unknown bearing down on me.

But as I walked towards the door, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being followed. I turned to glance back, and to my astonishment, it was the same stranger who had been behind me earlier.

Was it mere coincidence? I couldn't be sure, and my racing heart told me not to take any chances. I quickened my pace, leaving the math classroom behind and making my way through the school's corridors.

The familiar sight of the fire extinguisher near the entrance reassured me, but as I continued towards the massive main entrance that divided the various sections of the school, I couldn't help but notice that the stranger was still on my tail.

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Once could be dismissed as coincidence. Twice, perhaps a strange twist of fate. But three times? That was no longer a matter of chance. It was a clear and ominous pattern, one that sent a shiver down my spine.

My footsteps grew more hurried, my suspicions intensifying with every passing second. I felt like a character in a spy novel, paranoia setting in as I tried to decipher the stranger's intentions.

And then, as I shifted my gaze to the left, I was met with a sight that left me utterly flabbergasted. There he was again, the same mysterious redhead, lurking in the shadows of the hallway.

At this point, I couldn't deny the chilling reality – I was being followed, stalked even, by a stranger who seemed to be determined to stay close to me. The nagging feeling of unease intensified, and I instinctively clutched the strap of my backpack, ready to make a dash for it if needed.

As I continued my brisk walk, my mind raced with questions. Who was this man? What did he want from me? And why was he shadowing my every move? The answers remained elusive, shrouded in a cloak of uncertainty.

I turned my attention back to the hallway ahead, my eyes scanning the surroundings for any possible escape routes. The fire extinguisher wasn't far, but I needed more than that to shake off my relentless pursuer.

The stranger's presence behind me had become increasingly unnerving, like an unsettling melody playing on a loop. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was trapped in some kind of bizarre game, and I was the unwitting player.

In my haste to escape, I barely noticed the strange movement in the air above me. It was only when a chilling breeze brushed against my skin that I realized something was terribly wrong. I instinctively glanced up, and what I saw sent a shockwave of terror through my body.

The stranger was swinging a wand.

I couldn't believe my eyes. It was as though I had stumbled into a realm of fantasy and magic, a world where the impossible became reality. My mind raced, trying to process the surreal scene unfolding before me.

And then, I heard his words, uttered with an eerie calmness that sent shivers down my spine. "Creatures, attack."

My heart pounded in my chest as the implications of those words sank in. The hallway seemed to come alive with a malevolent energy as shadows coalesced into tangible forms.

Wolves.

Monstrous, snarling wolves with gleaming teeth and hungry eyes emerged from the darkness, their feral instincts honed in on me. It was a nightmare come to life, a terrifying tableau that defied all logic and reason.

Panic surged through my veins, and I let out a scream of sheer terror as I turned and fled. The wolves gave chase, their predatory instincts driving them to close the distance between us.

I sprinted down the hallway, my footsteps echoing in my ears, but the wolves were gaining ground. Desperation fueled my every move as I searched for a way to escape this nightmarish pursuit.

And then, I spotted it – the janitor's room. It was a small alcove at the far end of the hallway, a potential sanctuary where I could hide and, hopefully, evade my pursuers.

I veered towards the janitor's room, my heart pounding in my chest as I stumbled and crashed through the door. I was in a blind panic, my mind racing with fear as I tumbled inside.

The room was cluttered with cleaning supplies and equipment, and my frantic gaze settled on a large, wheeled container filled with water. Without thinking, I lunged for it, stumbling and fumbling in my haste.

The container was on wheels, and the momentum of my desperate lunge sent it rolling forward. It crashed through the doorway, creating a chaotic barrier between me and the pursuing wolves.

I hit the brakes on the container and used it to block the entrance, hoping it would buy me precious seconds. I panted heavily, my heart still racing as I tried to catch my breath.

The wolves snarled and pawed at the makeshift barricade, their hunger and aggression palpable. I was trapped, with no way to escape, and the relentless pounding of their paws against the door filled the room with a bone-chilling cacophony.

I was cornered, my options dwindling with each passing moment. I had to think fast, find a way out of this dire predicament. My mind raced, desperately searching for a solution.

And then, as if to compound my terror, the wolves suddenly vanished, leaving only the enigmatic stranger behind. He stepped forward, his presence looming over me like a dark cloud.

I was trapped between a cluttered desk and a row of chairs, my muscles tense and my body aching from the intense pursuit. The stranger advanced towards me, his movements deliberate and filled with a strange mixture of exhaustion and anticipation.

He raised his wand, and I instinctively dodged, narrowly avoiding whatever sinister spell he had intended for me. My thoughts raced as I considered my options, but the odds were stacked against me.

I needed to get to my own wand, but I had left it behind, my decision not to wear the tool belt proving to be a grave error. I was defenseless, a vulnerable target in the face of this mysterious adversary.

With startling speed, the stranger closed the distance between us and placed a knee on my back, pinning me down. His arm snaked around my throat, and he began to apply pressure, choking the life out of me.

The pain was excruciating, and I struggled to draw breath. I felt like an insect trapped in a web, my strength waning with each passing moment. Darkness threatened to claim me as the world blurred and spun.

But just when I thought all hope was lost, a loud, resounding thud echoed through the room, and the vice-like grip on my neck loosened. I gasped for air, my vision clearing as I turned to see September standing over us, her blue wand in hand.

"September?" I croaked, relief flooding through me.

She glared at me with a mixture of anger and concern. "What on earth were you doing, Connor?"

"He was chasing me," I managed to utter between ragged breaths.

She sighed, her frustration evident. "I can see that, you imbecile of a thing! Why didn't you defend yourself? Why were you running around like a helpless prey?"

I had no answer to her questions. I had been overwhelmed by fear and confusion, and my actions had been driven by sheer survival instinct.

"Come on, let me get you back to our group," September said, her tone softening. "I don't think it's safe to attend that fake gathering they set up."

I nodded, my gratitude towards September immeasurable.