Hostel Mistress

The sun was setting as the kids, Adah, Victory, Destiny, and Helen, walked through the school gates, leaving behind the mysterious temple where they had uncovered tantalizing hints of an ancient secret. They had agreed to leave the deeper mysteries for another time, but their minds buzzed with curiosity about what they had seen.

As they approached the school gate, the gateman stepped out, his expression stern. He scanned the group, his eyes narrowing when he spotted Helen. “Helen,” he barked, “what were you thinking, leaving school without permission?”

Helen shifted uneasily, her hands tightening on the strap of her bag. “I had to, sir,” she said nervously. “It was important.”

“And you three,” the gateman continued, turning his sharp gaze to Adah, Victory, and Destiny. “You were supposed to return by the weekend, weren’t you? Why are you only coming back now?”