Chapter 1

Andromeda

The phone starts to ring. I hear the quickened breath of Mrs. Wilthers as she runs to get it. She puts her finger to her lips before she answers the phone.
"Mrs. Wilthers' room," She says using her special phone answering voice. I can't hear what is being said on the other line, but I can tell it's bad by her reactions.
"Uh-huh...yes, of course...I-I understand." She opens the door and walks into the hall. I watch through the door as she talks to whoever has called. I see her shake her head and slump against the wall.
What is she hearing? Has something happened to her children or her husband? Is there a shooting at another school? Why is this affecting her like this?
I have to find out who called. I look around the room; everyone else is getting a head start on the homework. If I get up and see what's going on, no one should notice.
As I continue to glance around the room, I notice a box of tissues by the phone. Perfect. I get up from my desk, and quickly walk to the tissues. I grab one as I look at the caller ID. Mr. Hesin. Why is the history teacher calling? Why is what he's saying affecting our teacher so badly?

Before I can find out more, I hear the doorknob turn. I throw away the unused tissue and head back to my desk.
Mrs. Wilthers hangs up the phone and looks out the window. For a quick moment I get a glimpse of something shocking in her eyes.
Is that fear? I wonder to myself, but before I can get a better look, she readjusts her face, puts on a neutral look, and pulls the blinds over the window.
I look around the classroom and notice the other students reactions. Some have fear written all over their face, while others look quizzically at Mrs. Wilthers, who has headed back to her desk without a word. What did Mr. Hesin say to her? Why isn't she telling us? What did she see out of that window?
I have no idea what's going on, but I have a feeling its bad.
One things for sure, though. No one in the room, but Mrs. Wilthers, has any idea on what's going on.