The Shortcut Door

Ages 12-15

Reena reaches the shortcut door with ten minutes left in her break.

Its latch is locked.

On the other side is the corridor where the visiting students will enter. Reena is supposed to meet them there and bring them to the classroom.

She takes her hand from the latch.

At the far end of the hall, the main stairs lead down. Reena goes that way.

Downstairs, the entrance corridor is open.

Reena turns and walks back by the same stairs. She reaches the classroom just as the next lesson begins.

When the visitors arrive, she meets them at the entrance.

"This way."

She leads them up the main stairs. One girl looks toward the shortcut door as they pass its corridor.

Reena keeps going.

At the classroom, she holds the open door while the visitors enter. Behind the last one, the longer corridor lies empty all the way to the stairs.