Teacher: The Last One: Thriller: A Novel

By Aera Sylph

Will Amelia and Alex expose the truth before it's too late? Or will they become pawns in a game they never knew they were playing?
Dive into "Teacher: The Last One: Thriller: A Novel" and discover a story that will keep you guessing until the very last shocking twist. You won't be able to put it down.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AERA
• Release date: Mar 27, 2024
• ISBN: 9791223022450

Book preview

Teacher: The Last One: Thriller: A Novel By AERA

Chapter 1: The New Face

The crisp autumn air sent a shiver down Amelia Davies' spine as she straightened the stack of textbooks on her desk. Her classroom, bathed in the warm glow of the morning sun streaming through the high windows, felt strangely unfamiliar. Gone were the faded motivational posters and well-worn student artwork that had adorned the walls for the past five years. Today, everything was pristine, a fresh canvas for a new year at St. Jude's Academy.

Amelia, usually buzzing with nervous excitement on the first day, felt an unsettling calm. Perhaps it was the recent faculty reshuffling, the forced goodbye to her beloved colleague Ms. Chen, or the unsettling vacancy left by a student expelled the previous year under murky circumstances. Whatever the reason, a prickle of unease crawled up her neck as the first bell echoed down the polished hallways.

The morning settled into a familiar rhythm: introductions, nervous laughter, and the awkward shuffle of getting to know new faces. Yet, amidst the sea of eager and apprehensive freshmen, one student stood out. Alex Thorne, with his unruly mop of dark hair and piercing green eyes, exuded an aura of quiet defiance. He answered her questions with clipped responses, his gaze perpetually fixed on a point beyond the classroom walls.

Amelia couldn't shake the feeling that a storm cloud hung over him. During a discussion on Shakespearean tragedies, his hand shot up unexpectedly.

Hamlet, he said, his voice a low rumble, didn't he feel trapped? Like a puppet on invisible strings?

The class, used to Amelia's lively teaching style, fell silent. Amelia, intrigued, leaned forward. An interesting observation, Alex. Can you elaborate?

He hesitated, then continued, his words barely above a whisper, Trapped by expectations, by the past, by a world that seems preordained. His gaze met hers for a fleeting moment, a flicker of despair in its depths, before retreating back to its distant focus.

The bell rang, shattering the sudden intensity. As students filed out, Amelia scribbled notes on Alex's file, a knot of concern tightening in her stomach. His name wasn't unfamiliar. A whisper from the teachers' lounge earlier that morning – troubled past, family issues – echoed in her head.

Later that afternoon, after a grueling staff meeting, Amelia found herself lingering near Alex's locker. The final bell had rung, but he remained inside, his shoulders slumped against the metal door.

Something wrong? she asked gently.

He startled, his eyes widening. No, ma'am. Just... finishing some things up.

Despite his denial, a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes betrayed him. Is there anything I can help you with? she persisted.

He looked down at his worn-out