The rest of the holiday wrapped up nicely. Although there were tensions between Elijah and Farrah, for the most part, they kept to themselves and pretended like nothing was wrong. I couldn't stop thinking about what I had seen and heard at 1111 Serpentine. Although it was nearly impossible trying to place all the voices. I truly believed that Head Counselor Jonathan was there, and it sounded like Daniel, the man that visited me in the hospital bed, was there as well. There were other familiar voices, but they were younger. They may have been students back at Attleton.

I was hoping one of the kids was Houston Smith, that way, I wouldn't have to think about joining that weird group. I wouldn't do it no matter what. Deep in my heart, I felt like it was something I shouldn't get wrapped up in, but that didn't mean I wasn't curious about it.

By Sunday night, we all went to the docks and went back to Port Harbor and then took another boat to Attleton. Farrah and I were practically together the entire time. It was nice coming back to school. I was able to study a lot over the break. My fire bolt was improving in my elemental mage class, although my aim was far off. Still, I had come a long way and was ecstatic to continue progressing.

The one thing I worried about at the end of the semester was Professor Hawthorne's exam. Every day I dreaded going to his room. It was the only one that reminded me of my classes back in high school. I was fortunate I didn't have to sit next to Houston Smith, but the whole hour dragged on, and I was always bored to tears. Not only that, it was brutal to understand all of the concepts he wanted us to learn. Finding time to hang out with Farrah outside of dinner and between classes was tough. It bummed me out not being able to see her more, but with school, Dragonstryke practice, and studying, there wasn't much time except late at night. We usually checked in with each other to see how our day went and how we were doing. Sitting with her in the lounge, sometimes in the library at the night's end, was delightful. But she was so bright she didn't have to study as much, so she spent much of her time with friends in the rec hall. I was somewhat jealous of her free time, but I enjoyed what I was learning so much that it didn't bother me.

When I checked my mailbox the first week of December, I saw I had an envelope. It was from Logan Magpie, which was a relief, I didn't want another mysterious note, but I felt terrible. I didn't respond to my grandpa's previous letter.

Hello Rollie,

I hope you had a wonderful Autumn Feast. Mine was lovely, filled with fantastic food, laughs, and warmth. It's a joy to be retired and spend my time relaxing. As Autumn Holiday breaks started for the schools, I couldn't help but think about you for the past few days. I'm excited you're going to school at Attleton. I've visited the campus before, and it's a beautiful place, but I went to the British version of your school. Also a wonderful place. Anyways, I'm writing to you again to let you know that I'm thinking of you and wishing you well.

Winterium break is coming up at the end of the month. I know you will probably spend it with your parents, but if you want to visit or stay with me for a while, you're more than welcome to do so. You'll find my return address is on the letter. If you decide to come, please write to me and let me know. The Head Counselor at your school could also direct you on how to get to my house safely.

Please, do not find this letter overbearing. I know I never received a reply from the first one, but I know how school can be. Especially if you're on the Dragonstryke team, which I've heard you are. Congratulations! I'm very proud of you, I'm sure you're an outstanding player, and I would love to watch you play a match. Anyway, I understand how busy things can be at school. Perhaps you forgot. But I would love to meet you soon, if not during winter break, please write to me. I wasn't the best father to your mother, but I want to make up for what I did, for I have seen the folly of my ways.

Take care, Rollie. Please let me know if there's anything you ever need. I'll do my best to be there for you.

Grandpa Magpie.

I almost cried after reading the letter. That was so nice of him to say all those things. It was a little overwhelming, but I felt horrible that I hadn't responded to his first letter. I didn't know how to respond, but I told myself I would write back.

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Near the end of the first week in December, I woke up as I usually did and went to the dining hall for breakfast. On my way there, a gentle snowfall came from the sky. I was in good spirits until I saw something that made my skin tingle.

"PREPARE FOR THE DECEMBER SURPRISE!"

Written in nearly identical fashion as when I helped spray paint the rec hall. It was once again a target for someone else's prank. The handwriting was sloppy, and thin ink lines connected all the letters.

A crowd of students with a whole spectrum of colored cloaks stared at the message. Not wanting to be associated with any of it, I went straight to the dining hall. I joined the table with Farrah and her friends as I usually did.

"Rollie, did you see the message on the rec hall this morning?" Farrah asked.

"Yeah, I did."

"I wonder if it's the same people that painted the last message. I'm starting to think they may be the ones who were behind the hellion attacks."

"Yeah, uh, I don't know. Maybe." I thought about it more, would Boris and Chris do something like that? Were they trying to plot out revenge for what happened earlier? Or was it Boris acting alone?

"Gosh, I really hope they can get to the bottom of this. It's starting to get scary to be on campus." Farrah shook her head.

I shrugged. "You know, even though I was attacked by a hellion, I'm still not that freaked out. I think that's just what those people want us to think."

"Rollie, you could have been killed! Thank goodness they could patch you up, and we were saved in time. The situation could have been a lot worse. This is scary, and whether it's a significant threat or someone playing a prank, it shouldn't be happening."

"Yeah, I get where you're coming from, but what's the worst that could happen?"

"I don't know, more hellions! More than just one roaming around campus."

"But there are Mage Force Officers everywhere, and they're doing a good job patrolling campus. I wouldn't get too hung up on it."

No matter what I said, I couldn't calm Farrah down. I wasn't too concerned with the message, I'm not sure what it meant, but I didn't have the time to be bothered by it. I had to focus on the next Dragonstryke match and my classes.

Although as I sat in the dining hall at Farrah's table, I saw Head Counselor Jonathan coming toward us.

Everyone at the table waved to him, and he smiled.

"Hey everyone, I hope everyone's having a splendid morning. Excuse me, Rollie, can I borrow you for a moment? It might take a while, so don't feel like you have to wait for him, be sure to go to class," Jonathan said.

No one at the table cared that I had to step away, but Farrah was concerned. I followed Jonathan upstairs through the student center until we got to the floor with Principal Pine's office.

"Can I ask what this is about?" I asked. I tried to be calm but was on the verge of a meltdown. It had to have been about the graffiti.

"All I was told by Principal Pine was I needed to get you so you could have a conversation with him. If I had to guess, it has something to do with the message on the rec hall this morning."

I knew it. "Oh, great, does Pine think I did it or something? Look, I'll admit, I definitely was involved with the last time that happened, but this one, I have no idea. It's some copycat stunt. I really didn't have anything to do with it."

"Unfortunately, Rollie, it's not looking too good for you."

I could feel my stomach drop as if I was on my dirt bike back home going off a steep jump. "What do you mean it's not looking too good for me?"

"I want to believe you. I do. But right now, the situation is not in your favor." Jonathan wouldn't look me in the eye.

"Wait, what are you talking about? What do you mean the situation isn't in my favor? Just because I was the culprit that did it last time? Jonathan, you have to believe me. I didn't have anything to do with this attempt. I don't even know what it means. What's the December surprise mean? Is that something that happened here a while ago? Because if it is, you can believe I have no idea. I have professor Hawthorne for history, and the dude is all over the place. So-"

Jonathan held up his hand. "I'm sorry, Rollie, but I don't know what to believe. You should have a conversation with Principal Pine."

I felt like a fish out of water. I didn't know what to say, but I bottled my anger as much as I wanted to shout and storm out of the building. Jonathan took me to Principal Pine's office and closed the door.

It was just me and Principal Pine. He stood looking out at campus from his magnificently colossal window. "Rollie, can you tell me what the December surprise means?"

"For crying out loud, I just talked to Jonathan about it. I have no idea what it means, and you got to believe me, I get it I'm the prime suspect because it happened last time, but I swear, I didn't do it."

"Rollie, I think you're a good kid. I really think there is goodness and kindness in you. Sometimes people damage a building purely for entertainment purposes, not because they mean to, but they don't understand the gravity of the situation."

"Principal Pine, I really do understand that-"

"Rollie, I don't mean to cut you off, but my Officer friend that witnessed you last time told me he saw you do it again last night."

I froze. I didn't understand what he had said, but I knew I had heard him correctly. My hands were balled up into fists, ready to punch a wall. But I couldn't do that. That would be insane. I'd be given detentions for the rest of my days at Attleton. Taking a deep breath, I sat down. It all made sense.

I was being framed.