Burdly High,
Principal Kate stood in the parking lot of Burdly High. Her shoulders were hunched, and her mind was clouded with thoughts of her missing son, Liam. The files she had carried from her office slipped from her hands as she fumbled to open her car door.
"Shit!" she cursed under her breath. Tears filled her eyes, running down her cheeks as she crouched down, trying to gather the scattered papers. The thought of her missing son, the uncertainty of ever finding him, and the sleepless nights—it was all too much.
Just as she wiped her eyes and tried to compose herself, someone spoke to her. "Kate, you okay?" Mr. Patrick approached her with concern etched into his face.
She sniffled and stood, forcing a smile. "I'm fine, Patrick. Just… a rough day."
He bent down to help her collect the fallen files, handing them to her one by one. "I heard about your son. I'm really sorry… you must be worried sick."
