Chapter 9:

"Song of Solomon!" Mr. Lancer exclaimed in frustration, pacing around the room. "That Ember McLain is a menace!"

"She's a terrible influence on the students!" Mrs. Cassie agreed heatedly, glaring into her cup as she refilled it for the third time. "They were all ditching classes because of her!"

"Even the most sensible students like Jazz Fenton," Mrs. Cygert added, angrily tapping her fingers. "It doesn't make sense!"

"And I swear the students almost mobbed me at one point," Mr. Lancer informed, sinking into a chair. "I was terrified. I don't know how I got away unscathed..."

"I think she must have some power over the students," Mr. Wolfe speculated, tapping his book. "Possibly through her music like a siren."

"That's worse than your ghost theories," Mr. Rainer snorted as he refilled his own cup. "But this has gotten out of hand."

"So what are we going to do about it?" Mr. Smith asked, looking over his cup. "The students obviously don't care about ditching right now, so threatening them with detention and whatnot won't work."

"And it's not like we can stop them from listening to her music," Mrs. Fletcher added, erasing her sketch in frustration. "It's playing everywhere."

"We need to whip them into shape," Mrs. Tetslaff growled, pounding her fist into her hand. "Knock some sense into their thick skulls."

"We won't be able to solve this by ourselves," Mr. Lancer reasoned, rubbing his hand over his head. "I'm going to call the parents. If we work together, we'll be able to get those kids under control. I think with the help of the more influential parents we'll even be able to get the swat team to help out."

"I'm all about helping the kids study, but isn't that a bit extreme?" Mrs. Fletcher wondered, putting her eraser down.

"It's the only way to stop Ember," Mr. Lancer replied, taking a long drink.

"And it's just what these kids need, some good discipline," Mrs. Cassie agreed, with several teachers nodding along.

"Then I'll get started," Mr. Lancer declared, heading for his office.

(Time skip)

"I'm glad everything's finally over with," Mrs. Cygert sighed, sinking into a chair.

"I'm glad that Ember is gone," Mr. Lancer remarked, taking a gulp. "And her influence over the students has vanished."

"Me too," Mrs. Cassie agreed as she refilled her cup. "I don't think I could stand students running wild for much longer."

"Just because Ember's gone doesn't mean the students will settle down right away," Mr. Smith reasoned, loosening his tie. "She really riled a lot of them up and it might take some time for them to settle down again."

"Then we should just be more strict until they fall back in line again," Mrs. Cassie concluded, sitting up a little.

"I agree," Mr. Lancer said, rubbing a hand over his head. "Especially since I have an important test in my class coming up."

"Being a little stricter, for now, will probably be good," Mrs. Cygert nodded, rubbing her nose. "We need to reestablish our authority."

"Like teenagers ever respect authority," Mr. Rainer snorted, opening up his computer. "Though I'm all for getting them back in line.

"I doubt I'll have any problems," Mrs. Tetslaff grinned, cracking her knuckles. "My students know not to cross me."

"Just don't go too overboard," Mrs. Fletcher advised as she began her sketch once again. "We still need to be fair to the students if we can."

"Your thinking of Daniel again aren't you," Mrs. Cassie grimaced, glancing at her as she took a drink. "He's still taking a lot of bathroom breaks and still no real explanation."

"I forgot to keep track with everything going on," Mr. Smith commented, tapping his cup. "But he has been going off more often now that you mentioned it. Do you think we should put a stop to it?"

"I don't think so," Mrs. Fletcher replied, looking up immediately. "I still think we don't fully understand enough of what's going on yet."

"But you have to admit it's suspicious," Mrs. Cassie replied with a raised eyebrow. "I seriously doubt he's just going to the bathroom anymore. And that doesn't explain his lack of homework and sleepiness in class."

"And if you don't think we have enough information then we should get it," Mr. Lancer decided, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "I'm going to keep a closer eye on him and see if I can discover what's going on."