Hello, friends, and welcome to Sleep Tight Stories.
Blue came into Red's room and saw the notes and offered to help her try to figure it out.
After he left, she cannot get anything done.
She just can't stop thinking about it.
The next morning, after seeing what Blue has found out, Red meets with the gang and they discuss Blue's findings and come up with a plan of action.
The Transfer Student Volume 3, Part 3
After Blue leaves her room Tuesday night, sort of promising to look at the codes, Red tries to do her English homework but can't focus.
Someone at school knows she and Senna are Martian.
The circle within a circle symbol.
Dr Hart's peace faction marker is right there in her note.
For anyone who knows what to look for, expecting Blue to text with answers.
But he doesn't.
He's probably lost in code-breaking mode, which means she won't hear from him until he's actually figured something out.
She can hear noise from his room which sounds like explosions and victory music.
Video games?
He hasn't played video games in the past that she can remember, so this comes as a surprise.
Maybe he won't help at all, that stinker.
Red puts the English homework away, the only homework she ever does.
Why didn't they teach it on Mars like they do here?
Everything else was so easy, but Earth culture, even after all, this time still was a mystery, and not the kind that interested her.
Red wakes up without her alarm, gets out of bed while checking for traps or pranks.
Nothing.
Blue was certainly on his best behavior lately.
She could smell breakfast being prepared in the kitchen, so she quickly got ready and went downstairs.
Hey, Blue!
You not washing anymore?
The bathroom was free of your usual mess.
He's still in his room, her mother replies.
I think he is doing some work, and so I didn't force him to go to sleep last night.
It's been a while since I have seen him focusing on his studies like this.
His studies?
Red was still sleepy, so it took her a minute to catch on.
Yes, I think he's doing some cryptography study now or something.
After having a quick bite of food, Red brings Blue hot chocolate, finding him still at his desk surrounded by printed photos covered in scribbled annotations.
His screen looks like something from an Earth movie and shows figures that look like ancient mathematics.
Did you even sleep?
Red asks.
Sleep is for people who aren't solving mysteries.
Blue takes the mug without looking away from his monitor.
Okay, so I have good news and weird news.
Start with the good.
The simple notes are super easy.
Like, embarrassingly easy.
Blue pulls up a document covered in decoded messages.
You're braver than you think.
Don't give up.
Basically fortune cookie stuff, but in code.
Whoever made these just looked up basic ciphers online and copied them.
Red scans the list.
The messages are nice, encouraging.
Exactly what someone struggling might need to hear.
But they're simple.
Almost too simple compared to the complex ones.
But here's where it gets interesting, Blue continues.
I thought maybe all the notes were from the same person, using different codes to make it look harder.
But they're not.
What do you mean?
Look at the patterns.
Blue highlights sections of different notes.
The simple ones.
All use the same type of substitution, like someone learned one method and stuck with it.
But the complex ones?
He zooms in on Red's note and Senna's.
They use completely different encryption theory.
This isn't someone copying from the internet.
This is someone who actually understands advanced mathematics.
Red leans closer.
How can you tell?
See this?
Blue points to a series of symbols on Senna's second note.
This is based on astronomical positioning.
Like, you'd have to know how to calculate planetary orbits to create this pattern.
And this sequence here?
He indicates a section of Red's note.
This is similar to old navigation systems.
Really old.
Someone at school knows Martian star navigation?
Red keeps her face neutral, but her mind is racing through possibilities.
Who?
How?
Can you tell who made them?
She asks, trying to sound casual.
Not exactly.
But I can tell you they're probably two different people.
Or one really, really smart person, deliberately making some notes simpler and others super complex.
Blue takes a sip of hot chocolate.
Why would someone do that?
Maybe they're only using complex codes for specific people, Red suggests carefully.
Blue looks at her directly.
People they know more about?
People who would recognize the symbols?
Red doesn't answer.
She can see Blue working it out, getting too close to the truth.
She needs to redirect.
What else did you find?
Time patterns.
Blue pulls up a spreadsheet.
I asked around.
Okay, fine.
I annoyed people on the class group chat until they told me when they found their notes.
Every single one appeared on Monday afternoon.
Most people found them right after school.
All on Monday?
All on Monday, Blue confirms.
But here's the really weird part.
I checked the school cameras.
You what?
Relax, I didn't hack anything.
Jake from Tech Club let me look at the footage.
Blue opens a video file.
Watch this.
Monday afternoon between 2.45 and 3.15.
There's basically zero activity near the lockers because everyone's in class or at activities.
But someone would have needed access during that time to place all these notes.
The video shows empty hallways.
Occasionally, a teacher walks past or a student on a bathroom pass.
Nothing obvious, nothing helpful.
So either someone skipped class to do this Red says slowly or they're so good at blending in that even on camera they don't look suspicious.
Exactly.
Exactly.
Blue switches to another tab, showing more decoded notes.
Also, whoever made the complex codes knows things about you they definitely shouldn't know.
Your note references star navigation patterns that I've only seen in Blue pauses, choosing words carefully.
In really specific places.
Places most Earth kids wouldn't know about.
Red's quiet for a moment.
Blue's gotten uncomfortably close to the truth and he knows it.
She can see it in the way he's watching her.
Blue, you can't tell anyone about this, especially not Mom.
I won't, Blue promises, but Red, this feels bigger than just someone leaving nice notes.
The simple ones are harmless, but whoever made yours and Senna's They know something important.
Something secret.
I know.
Are you in danger?
Thank you for helping.
Uh, obviously I helped.
I'm the best codebreaker on Earth.
I almost broke the Enigma code, but then I got bored.
Earth math is too easy.
Blue grins, then gets serious again.
But Red...
Be really careful.
Whoever this is, they're watching you.
Wednesday morning, Red finds the gang already huddled in their library corner before first period.
Alexa has her tablet out, Charlie's clutching his notebook and Rachel's book is actually closed for once.
Blue analyzed the timing patterns, Red announces, sitting down in her seat.
All the notes appeared Monday afternoon, but he thinks if the pattern continues, more will show up soon, probably early morning, before most students arrive.
That makes sense, Kurt says.
Less witnesses.
Which means whoever's doing this has to be at school way before most students.
Alexa says already typing notes.
We should stake out the hallways, see who's around early.
A stakeout?
Charlie perks up.
Like an actual surveillance operation?
Exactly like that, Alexa confirms.
We arrive early tomorrow morning, position ourselves strategically and watch for anyone suspicious near the lockers.
Senna looks uncertain.
Won't people notice us just standing around staring?
We'll be subtle?
Alexa assures her we'll pretend to be studying, working on homework normal pre-class stuff, but really we'll be watching.
Rachel speaks up quietly.
My dad leaves for work at 6 30.
I could get a ride with him and be here by seven, Perfect.
I have early practice, but maybe I can leave early or something, Kurt adds.
Charlie sneezes directly into his elbow, leaving a yucky wet spot.
My parents will definitely ask questions if I suddenly want to get to school an hour early.
My mom might check my temperature and make me drink more green goo.
Tell them it's a study group for a science test, Red suggests.
Alexa pulls up a school map on her tablet.
Okay, strategic positioning.
The seventh grade lockers are concentrated in the B hallway.
If we spread out, we can cover all the angles.
Rachel, you take the north entrance near the library.
Totally normal for you.
Charlie and I will be in the main hallway by the water fountains with our science homework.
Kurt, you position yourself near the gym entrance.
Maybe you can say you have a cramp.
What about me and Senna?
Red asks.
You two stay mobile.
Walk around like you're looking for a classroom or forgot something at your locker.
If you see anything suspicious, text the group chat immediately.
We'll use code words.
If someone texts, found my notebook, That means suspicious activity spotted.
And if we text never mind, Senna asks, false alarm.
Keep watching.
Alexa's clearly thought this through.
Everyone's phone on silent, obviously.
Charlie's already making notes.
Should we bring snacks?
Stakegoats usually have snacks in movies.
Charlie, it's seven in the morning, Red says.
Exactly.
Breakfast is the most important meal.
Fine, bring quiet snacks, Alexa concedes.
Just don't share any of those fiber muffins your mother made once.
What if nobody shows up, Senna asks.
Then we try again Friday, Red says simply.
But Blues usually write about patterns.
The warning bell rings.
Five minutes to first period.
Everyone clear on the plan?
Alexa asks, already packing up her tablet.
Nods around the table.
Good.
Thursday morning.
Be there by seven at the latest.
Dress normal.
Act normal.
But stay alert.
Alexa stands up.
We're going to figure out who's behind this.
As they disperse to their classes, Red catches Senna's arm.
You okay with this?
First official mystery club stakeout?
Senna nods, but she looks nervous.
I just hope whoever it is doesn't know we're watching them.
Blue said they're smart, Red admits.
But we're smart too.
We can do this.
Senna manages a small smile.
Together, right?
Together, Red confirms.
She just hopes Blue's pattern analysis is correct.
Because if someone's leaving notes with Martian symbols, Red needs to know who they are and what they want before things get more complicated than they already are.
Thursday morning at 658 am.
Red pushes through the school's front entrance and immediately regrets everything about this plan.
It's freezing.
The hallways are weirdly quiet without their usual chaos, and everyone looks absolutely miserable.
Rachel's already at her library table, wrapped in a massive scarf, her book open, but her eyes half-closed.
Charlie and Alexa are stationed by the water fountains, both clutching travel mugs of something hot.
Charlie's nose is bright red from the cold walk over.
This is terrible, Charlie whispers when Red passes.
Why are we here right now?
Mystery solving, Alexa reminds him, though she doesn't sound convinced either.
Kurt appears from the direction of the gym, actually looking somewhat energized.
You guys look dead.
You don't get up early every morning and do burpees?
Uh, no.
And some of us aren't naturally morning people, Red mutters.
Senna arrives last at 7.10, looking apologetic.
Sorry.
You're fine, Red assures her.
Nothing's happened yet anyway.
They take their positions Red and Senna doing slow laps of the hallways trying to look like students who forgot homework or can't find classrooms.
It's surprisingly hard to look casual when you're deliberately watching everyone.
7.15.
The chess club president arrives, exactly as expected.
Heads straight to the math wing. doesn't even glance at the lockers.
7.20, the newspaper editor shows up, camera around her neck.
She stops at her locker, grabs some books, leaves.
Totally normal.
725, a band student carrying a broken trumpet case walks past the B hallway lockers without stopping.
Red's phone buzzes.
Group text from Charlie.
This is so boring.
Alexa, stay focused.
7.30.
More students start arriving.
The hallways get busier.
Teachers appear with coffee cups and cranky expressions.
The janitor wheels his cleaning cart past, nodding at Rachel.
Red and Senna meet up near the science classrooms.
I haven't seen anything suspicious, Senna whispers.
Me neither.
Everyone's just going to class.
Nothing.
Just students at lockers, grabbing books, chatting with friends.
Everything completely normal.
Red watches each person carefully, looking for anything unusual.
A lingering glance at the wrong locker.
A too casual pause.
Anything.
But there's nothing.
7.45, the warning bell rings.
First period in 15 minutes.
Red does one more loop past the 7th grade lockers.
Nothing.
No mysterious figures.
No one acting weird.
Just regular Thursday morning school stuff.
She texts the group.
Heading to homeroom, did anyone see anything?
Responses flood in.
Rachel, nothing.
Alexa, negative.
Kurt, nope.
Total waste of waking up early.
Charlie, can we get breakfast now?
They regroup quickly near the library before scattering to classes.
That was completely useless.
Kurt says, while eating a muffin.
Alexa gave her a concerned look.
It isn't one of Charlie's mom's.
Blue was so sure about the pattern, Red says confused.
Maybe whoever it is didn't show today, Rachel suggests.
Maybe they suspected we'd be watching.
But then, during first period...
Red hears whispers spreading through Mr. McCaskill's English class.
Another note.
Found it this morning.
Red's head snaps up.
She catches Maya's eye.
Maya's holding a folded piece of paper, showing it to a friend.
At break, Red hunts down Charlie.
Someone got a note during the stakeout.
We were watching and someone still placed a note.
Charlie's eyes go wide behind his glasses.
How is that possible?
We covered every entrance.
I don't know, Red admits, but whoever's doing this is way smarter than we thought.
At lunch, the gang assembles with new urgency.
Okay, so we definitely missed something, Alexis says, frustration clear in her voice.
The question is what?
Maybe they came in before we got there, Red suggests.
Before seven?
Or, Senna says quietly, maybe there's someone who was already there.
Someone we saw, but didn't think was suspicious.
Everyone goes quiet.
Someone who blends in so perfectly, we didn't even notice them doing it, Red says slowly.
Charlie shivers, and not from the cold.
That's creepy.
That's smart, Alexa corrects, which means we need to be smarter.
Red pulls out her phone and texts Blue.
Your pattern was right.
Notes appeared this morning.
But we watched everyone and saw nothing.
How is that possible?
Blue's response comes fast.
Either they're invisible... or you're not watching the right thing.
What were you watching for?
Red stares at the message.
They were watching for someone suspicious, someone sneaking around, someone acting guilty.
But what if the note writer wasn't doing any of those things?
What if they were just being normal?
We need a completely different approach, Red says to the group.
We can't just watch.
We need to think like them.
Red walks home from school turning everything over in her mind.
They watched everyone.
They covered every entrance.
And somehow they still missed it.
She thinks through the people they saw this morning.
Chess club president went straight to math wing.
Newspaper editor stopped at her own locker, left.
Band student with trumpet didn't even glance at B hallway.
Janitor with cleaning cart, teachers with coffee, early students grabbing books.
All completely normal.
Nobody sneaking, nobody acting guilty.
That's the problem, Red realizes suddenly.
They were watching for someone acting suspicious.
But what if the note writer doesn't act suspicious at all?
What if they're just there doing exactly what they're supposed to be doing, so perfectly normal that nobody would ever question them?
Red stops walking.
Her mind clicks through the morning again. but differently this time.
The chess club president could have slipped notes while walking past.
Just a quick hand in a locker, looking totally casual.
The newspaper editor definitely had time.
She was at her locker.
Easy to hit a few others while grabbing books.
Even the janitor.
He pushes that cart everywhere, gets access to everything.
Nobody questions a janitor near lockers.
Or, and this thought makes Red uncomfortable, what if it's someone they know?
Someone in the hallways every morning who they didn't even register as suspicious, because they're always there.
She texts the gang.
We were watching for the wrong thing.
We need to think about who.
Alexa responds first, Explain?
Red types, Whoever's doing this blends in perfectly.
They're not sneaking.
They're just being normal.
So normal, we didn't even notice them.
Rachel, That's actually brilliant.
Charlie, So basically everyone we saw this morning is a suspect?
Kurt, great.
That narrows it down to like 50 people.
Red stares at her phone.
They need a completely different approach.
They can't just watch and wait.
They need to actually think like the note writer.
Why those specific people?
Why those specific messages?
Why use different codes for different students?
And most importantly, why use Martian symbols for her and Senna?
Senna texts privately, Red, whoever this is knows things they shouldn't about both of us.
That's not random.
Red replies, I know.
We need to figure this out fast.
Because someone at Maplewood Middle School knows their secret.
And until Red figures out who and why, every morning at school feels like walking into a trap she can't see.
And that is the end of this part.
Good night.
Sleep tight.
