Chapter 24 - Room 214
Jefferson Ridge renovated Room 214.
New paint.
Different desks.
The teacher’s desk moved.
The American flag remained on the wall.
Hailey returned there near the end of eighth grade.
Her new teacher, Ms. Foster, now taught the class.
The same Jacqueline Foster who had once remained silent.
She had chosen to stay at Jefferson Ridge and help rebuild.
When Hailey entered, her body remembered before her mind did.
Her stomach tightened.
She looked at the front floor.
The exact place.
Ms. Foster stood beside her.
“You don't have to do this.”
“I know.”
Hailey walked forward.
Then stopped where she had knelt.
She remained standing.
That mattered.
Sophia entered behind her.
Neither girl spoke.
Hailey looked down.
For months, she imagined confronting the room.
Instead it was just tile.
No evil.
No memory except what she carried.
She slowly crouched.
David, watching from the doorway, almost stepped forward.
Hailey touched the floor.
Then stood again.
Her choice.
Her timing.
No teacher ordered it.
She turned toward David.
“I’m ready to go.”
He nodded.
They left Room 214 together.
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The next time Hailey entered it would be graduation week.
For something entirely different.
