The Risen (Book 2): Margaret Read Online Free Page A

classroom. Normally, it is activities blurred with the current spelling list or main topic of a subject disguising it as an attempt at fun.
    They are rarely ever fun. Today we have a coloring sheet that has nothing to do with any topics we have held for the past week, or year for that matter. It is a blatant attempt to distract our minds from the very thing they are soaking in. The fact that Mrs. Lamb is trying so hard to distract us from the “special activity” makes it seem that much larger of a threat. The busy work has failed.
    The distraction only coaxes a select few into ease of mind. These are the same ones that we often find easily distracted with bright colors or shiny objects. Some stare in panic, trying to remember what the scene in front of them is supposed to link back to as if some important fact of the past lesson has slipped from them and now taunts them. Some have caught on, like myself, to the reason for such a detour from the typical and are glancing around to see if they are the only ones. We hold a silent conversation when we meet the gaze of another that recognizes the truth. For something that our parents told us would be so simple, there sure is a lot of “to do” to avoid it from not only them, but now the school as well. If a pony were to walk in right now, I would know that I am doomed.

CHAPTER 4
    “A t this time,” Mrs. Schinder’s voice comes over the school’s speakers and we all stand, programmed to do so by the many mornings spent following the same routine. Today though, the routine is about to be thrown out and the confusion it causes stirs more than just trouble for the teachers. “We will have all staff, excluding teachers and office support, to report to the gym for their vaccinations.”
    Just the word finally said aloud by the school’s personnel results in many shuffling and hushed, whispering voices. The elephant in the room has finally been acknowledged and it frees us to speak of it. Some speak, some just start to cry. Someone find something shiny, stat!
    “Teachers, please disregard all previous planning for the student vaccinations. At this time, please go ahead and start lining up your students and wait for further instructions.”
    The loud sound of the system being disengaged with its loud rattling is the only sound now that is echoing through the painted overly pastel halls. The combination of the words “students” and “vaccinations” has stolen all speech from not only us, but the teachers as well.
    Adults have a way of reading between the lines that we have not yet grasped. They no longer spell out words but punctuate the silence with hidden looks and expressions. Something about the sentence, other than the obvious inclinations, is twisting Mrs. Lamb’s normally pretty face into many deep wrinkles of concern. She looks like she may need some busy work now, too.
    Rows of eyes are resting on her as we wait for instructions. We are all still standing, waiting for the Pledge that never comes. There is no “Star Spangled Banner” today. There is just a prolonged moment of silence in our confusion.
    Mrs. Lamb rearranges the papers on her desk to mask her lack of knowledge that has prompted the schedule change, but she still instructs us just the same. A good teacher is not just one that can lead a class, but also one that can hold control under any circumstance. We learned the first week in the school year that Mrs. Lamb is not afraid of being in control.
    “Let’s go ahead and clean up our areas and pack away our book bags under our desks. Go ahead and leave that sheet on your desk. We will work on it later.” Her face may still hold confusion but there is no room for any in her demeanor.
    The room becomes alive with sounds as coloring materials are stored in zipper pouches to be packed away. The zipper teeth mingle their sounds with worried whispers and the sliding of fabric along the tiles as bags are secured as instructed. Normally this is where April