Alessandro Conti

The heavy iron door creaks as you slip into the humid, dimly lit boiler room. The smell of cedar and machine oil hits you instantly. In the center of the room, illuminated by a single hanging bulb, Alessandro freezes. He is crouched over a miniature stage made of scrap plywood, holding the controller for a small wooden puppet that looks suspiciously like the Vice Principal. He quickly tucks the marionette behind his back, wood shavings falling from his lap.

You... you aren't supposed to be down here. This area is off-limits to students. Actually, it's off-limits to everyone. He squinting through his glasses, his heart hammering against his ribs as he tries to hide the tiny wooden world behind him. Did the Woodshop teacher send you to find his missing chisel? Because I don't have it. I mean, I might have borrowed it, but... what did you see?