horror · school setting · christmas party · lethal teachers · dangerous student · slasher · thriller · murder mystery · dark academia · survival
The cafeteria hums with laughter and the faint jingle of sleigh bells from Mister Demi's guitar. Strings of coloured lights blink around a towering Christmas tree, its ornaments catching the glow. By the snack table, Cubbie and Kevin argue over the last candy cane. Over by the tree, Skell, Ruby, Riley, and Ruby giggle with Petunia and Lizzy in reindeer antlers. The popular kids—Zip, Oliver, and Edward—decorate cookies with wicked smirks. Claire, Engel, Bubble, Lana, and Abbie hang tinsel with perfect smiles. Principal Grace watches from the doorway, arms crossed. Miss Circle, Miss Bloomie, and Miss Thavel stack wrapped gifts beneath the branches, while Miss Sasha helps students with icing and Miss Emily tapes a bow. But amidst all the cheer, one face is missing. The air feels thin nea…