Hello friends and welcome to Sleep Tight Stories.
Red is back in Volume 3 and she and the gang are ready to take on some new mysteries.
Red is on her way to school when she meets a new student on the bus who has moved from far away.
Red makes her feel welcome and introduces her to the gang at lunchtime.
Red climbs onto the school bus stomping snow off her boots.
The bus lurches forward before she's fully down the aisle and she stumbles.
She catches herself on a seat back just as the bus hits that same speed bump and her head smacks the roof.
Ugh.
How long has she been taking the bus and she still often forgets that silly bump.
This is not the best start to the day, especially since Blue started with his morning bugging again.
It's like he needs the constant excitement and since they solved the Dr Hart mystery he has been bored.
You okay?
Charlie asks from their usual seat in the back.
He's bundled in a puffy winter coat and already has a tissue pressed up to his nose.
In front of them, Rachel was so deeply immersed in a book, she hadn't noticed her.
Fine, Red mutters, sliding in next to him and brushing melting snow from her jacket.
I still don't understand why frozen water falls from the sky.
It's ridiculous.
It's called winter, Charlie says, amused.
It's called annoying, Red corrects.
Where I come from, we had climate control.
None of this precipitation nonsense.
Charlie sneezes directly into another tissue.
At least the cold isn't making my allergies worse.
Winter is my good season.
Red's about to respond when she notices a girl sitting alone near the front of the bus, pressed against the window, like she's trying to disappear into it.
Dark hair, clutching a backpack on her lap, staring out at the snow-covered neighborhood.
With this look, Red recognizes immediately.
The look of someone who has absolutely no idea where they are. or what they're doing.
The look Red probably had on her first ride on this yellow monstrosity.
She's a new classmate, Charlie says, following her gaze.
Started last week, I think.
She's in my math class.
Barely talks to anyone.
Red watches the girl flinch slightly when two loud boys climb on shaking snow everywhere and stomp past her.
She makes herself smaller, like she's hoping no one will notice her.
Red knows that feeling, too.
I'm going to talk to her, Red says, standing up carefully this time.
You're getting good at the talking to strangers thing now, Charlie says, grinning despite his stuffy nose.
Go be welcoming and stuff.
Red makes her way to the front, holding on to seat backs as the bus lurches through slushy streets.
The girl doesn't look up until Red's standing right there.
Hi, Red says.
I'm Red.
You're new, right?
The girl blinks, surprised anyone's talking to her.
Um, yes, I'm Senna.
I just, I started last week.
Cool, mind if I sit?
Red gestures to the empty seat next to her.
Senna looks confused but scoots over.
Sure?
Red sits down, careful not to drip melting snow on her.
So, where are you from?
Far away, Senna says automatically, like she's practiced this answer.
Different province, really far.
Everything here is...
Her accent is careful, each word chosen deliberately.
Red recognizes that, too.
The effort of trying to sound normal when nothing feels normal.
I transferred here a while ago, Red says.
Trust me, I know exactly how that feels.
The first few weeks are the worst, but it gets easier.
Senna looks at her with something like hope.
Does it?
Really?
Really, Red promises.
Want me to show you around today?
I can introduce you to my friends at lunch.
We sit at what everyone calls the weird table, but they're actually pretty great.
For the first time, Senna smiles, just a little.
That sounds nice.
Thank you.
The bus hits a pothole and both girls grab the seat in front of them.
Red sighs.
You'll get used to the potholes, too.
Probably.
The bus pulls up to Maplewood School and Red leads Senna through the chaos of kids piling off into the snowy parking lot.
Inside, the hallways are packed with students shaking off winter coats and stomping slush from their boots.
Your locker number is 247, right?
Red asks, checking the schedule Senna's clutching.
I think so?
It's this way.
Red navigates through the crowd, Senna following close behind like she's afraid of getting lost.
Okay, so basic survival tips.
Lockers have locks, and the combinations are weird.
You have to pull up while you turn the last number.
The third floor bathroom is always out of paper towels, and the heating system is broken.
So classrooms are either freezing or tropical.
There's no in between.
Senna nods, trying to absorb everything.
They reach locker 247.
Senna spins the combination lock carefully, pulls the handle and... nothing.
She tries again.
Still nothing.
It's stuck, Senna says, frustration creeping into her voice.
They do that sometimes.
Red steps closer.
Here, let me try.
She grabs the handle and yanks, maybe using slightly more strength than a normal human would.
The locker pops open with a metallic groan.
Oh, Senna says, looking relieved.
Thank you.
I thought I was doing it wrong.
The lockers are just terrible, Red assures her, then lowers her voice slightly.
Also, you're stronger than you think.
You could probably open it yourself if you really tried.
Something flickers in Senna's expression.
Understanding.
Maybe relief that Red gets it?
Charlie appears beside them, his coat dripping melting snow onto the floor.
He sneezes directly into his elbow.
Bless you, Red says automatically.
Thanks.
Hi, I'm Charlie.
He waves at Senna with his free hand.
You're in my math class, right?
Yes, I'm Senna.
Cool.
Red's basically the expert on being new here.
She's good at it now.
He sneezes again.
Sorry, the temperature change from outside always does this.
The warning bell rings and the hallway chaos intensifies as everyone rushes toward first period.
What do you have first?
Red asks Senna.
English.
English.
Room 108?
Mr. McCaskill.
He's great.
Terrible jokes, but great.
Red points down the hall.
That way.
Third door on the left.
I have science, but I'll find you at lunch, okay?
Cafeteria, 1130.
Look for the table in the back corner where the weird kids sit.
The weird kids?
Us?
Charlie clarifies cheerfully.
We're the weird kids.
It's fine.
Senna actually smiles at that.
Okay, lunch.
Back corner.
Got it.
You'll be fine, Red says, and means it.
She watches Senna head toward Mr McCaskill's room, shoulders a little less hunched than they were on the bus.
She seems nice, Charlie observes, pulling his backpack higher on his shoulder.
Yeah, Red agrees.
She kind of reminds me of me when I started.
Then she's in good hands.
Charlie sneezes again.
Okay, I really need to get to class before I sneeze on anyone important.
See you at lunch?
See you at lunch.
Red heads towards science class, already thinking about how to make Senna feel less alone.
After a morning of less than challenging classes.
Red spots, Senna standing in the cafeteria doorway at 1130, looking completely overwhelmed by the noise and chaos.
She's holding an empty tray like she's not sure what to do with it.
Red waves from the lunch line, Senna, over here!
Senna's face floods with relief and she hurries over.
Okay, cafeteria rules, Red says, keeping her voice low.
The pizza is safe.
The chicken nuggets are safe.
The mystery casserole is never safe, no matter what they call it.
And if something is green and jiggly, just don't.
And not just because it's yucky green.
Noted, Senna says. eyeing the steam trays with suspicion.
They both get vegetarian pizza, the safer choice.
And Red leads Senna toward the back corner, where the gang's already assembled at their usual table.
Red is the last to arrive, as usual.
Everyone, this is Senna, Red announces, setting down her tray.
Senna, this is everyone.
Alexa looks up first, immediately making space.
Hi, I'm Alexa.
What's your schedule like?
Do you need help navigating classes?
Um, I have a copy somewhere.
Senna starts digging in her backpack.
Oh, don't worry about it now, Alexa says, waving her hand.
Just let me know if you need anything organized.
I'm good at organizing.
She's really good at organizing, Charlie confirms. through a mouthful of pizza.
He's already claimed the seat across from Red.
She color-codes everything.
It's honestly impressive and a little scary.
Rachel glances up from her book long enough to smile and give a small wave before returning to reading.
Senna looks uncertain if that was friendly or dismissive.
That's Rachel, Red explains.
She's always reading, but she's listening, trust me.
She's more talkative when the book is boring.
I'm Kurt, says the athletic girl at the end of the table, grinning, and I'm going to be honest.
This cafeteria pizza is terrible, but it's the best option they have most days.
It could be worse, Emma adds.
She's sitting with them despite having her own grade level to hang out with.
Last year, they tried to make healthy alternatives, and everything tasted like cardboard.
At least this tastes like pizza-flavored cardboard.
Senna relaxes slightly, taking a small bite.
It's different from what I'm used to.
Where are you from?
Alexa asks.
Different province.
Senna says automatically, really far, different, everything, honestly.
Red catches her eye and gives a tiny nod.
The cover story is holding.
I remember being new, Emma says sympathetically.
It takes a while to figure everything out, but you'll get there.
Charlie sneezes into his napkin.
Sorry, the heating vent above our table is broken.
So it's like arctic wind mixed with mystery cafeteria smells.
Gross, Kurt says cheerfully.
So what brings you to Maplewood?
Rachel asks actually closing her book, this time to pay full attention.
Senna hesitates.
My family needed a change, I guess.
New jobs and stuff.
Red recognizes the careful wording.
That's exactly what she used to say.
Well, you picked an interesting place, Charlie says.
Weird stuff happens here all the time.
Weird how?
Senna asks.
The gang exchanges looks.
We kind of solve mysteries, Alexa explains.
It started as a joke, but then we got pretty good at it.
Mysteries?
Senna's interest is genuine now.
Like missing things, strange events, figuring out who did what, Kurt says.
We're the Solving Mysteries Club.
Unofficial, but official.
We found a box of stolen library books once, Charlie adds proudly.
And figured out who was sabotaging the school play, Rachel contributes.
And solved the case of the sweaty gym socks, Kurt says then immediately makes a face which was disgusting but satisfying.
Red doesn't mention the Dr. Hart mystery.
That one's too big, too complicated, too Martian to explain casually at lunch.
That sounds really cool, Zena says, and she means it.
You should join, Alexa says immediately.
We're always looking for new perspectives.
Fresh eyes notice things we miss.
Really?
I could join?
Absolutely, Red says, if you want to.
I, yeah, I'd like that.
Red will solve the mystery before the rest of us even understand what's happening.
Rachel says with a small smile.
Red feels her face get warm.
That's not true.
It's completely true, Charlie says.
But we help.
You definitely help, Red agrees.
Senna takes another bite of terrible pizza, looking around the table at her new friends.
For the first time since Red met her this morning, she looks like she might actually belong here.
Oh, speaking of mysteries, Alexa says casually, pulling out her phone.
Did you guys hear about the locker notes?
Red's attention sharpens.
Notes?
Yeah, some kids have been getting these weird coded messages in their lockers.
Like, three or four people so far, maybe more?
Alexa scrolls through something.
Cryptic stuff.
Some of it seems nice, some of it just strange.
Coded how?
Red asks.
Charlie shrugs.
Symbols, numbers, patterns.
Nobody knows what they mean.
It's probably just someone being weird.
Or it's a mystery, Kurt suggests with a grin.
Not everything is a mystery, Alexa says, but she's smiling.
In this school, everything's a mystery, Charlie counters.
The lunch period bell rings.
Five minutes left.
Senna stands with the rest of them, gathering her tray.
Thank you, she says quietly to Red, for all of this.
That's what friends do, Red says simply.
And she means it.
Red finds Senna at her locker after the final bell, struggling with the combination again.
Still sticky?
Red asks.
Everything about this locker hates me.
Senna mutters, yanking the handle with more force than she probably meant to.
It pops open, nearly hitting her in the face.
Red grins.
See?
You're strong.
They walk together towards the bus loop, weaving through crowds of students bundling up against the cold.
Outside snow is falling again, light, lazy flakes that makes everything look softer.
So, Red says carefully, how's your first week going?
Senna considers this.
Better now.
Your friends are really nice.
They are.
They helped me a lot when I first got here.
Red adjusts her backpack.
What's been the hardest part so far?
Honestly, the food tastes wrong.
Like, everything is too sweet or too salty or too...
I don't know.
Just wrong.
Senna looks embarrassed.
That sounds stupid.
It's not stupid, Red says firmly.
I felt the exact same way.
Earth food is weird.
Give it time.
Some things you'll get used to, some things you won't.
I still hate anything with artificial grape flavor.
It tastes like chemicals and the colors of everything.
Senna laughs.
Yes, exactly like chemicals.
Oh, and do I miss Gray.
They pass the science classrooms, where Blue is hanging out with a group of younger kids near the water fountain.
He spots Red and makes an exaggerated gagging face before his friend says something and they all crack up.
Red rolls her eyes.
That's my annoying little brother, Blue.
He's in sixth grade.
He seems fun, Senna observes.
He's a menace, Red corrects, but she's smiling.
But yeah, he's okay.
Don't tell him I said that.
Senna's expression shifts, something sad crossing her face.
I have a younger brother, too.
Back home.
I really miss him being annoying.
Red understands immediately.
Sena's brother is still on Mars, probably still in the habitats.
Maybe part of the families that haven't evacuated yet.
The separation must hurt.
That's really hard, Red says quietly.
I'm sorry.
It's okay.
Well, it's not okay, but... Sena trails off, then tries to smile.
At least I'm not totally alone here.
I have you and your friends.
That helps.
Good, Red says, because you're not alone.
I promise.
I need to grab my science homework, Red says.
Do you mind?
My locker's this way.
They walk together to Red's locker.
Red spins her combination, 15, 32, 7, and pulls the handle.
The locker swings open.
A folded piece of paper falls out and lands at her feet.
Red picks up the paper.
It's folded into a precise square.
No name on the outside.
Nothing to indicate who put it there or why.
What is it?
Senna asks, stepping closer.
I don't know.
Red unfolds it carefully.
Inside, there's no message, just symbols.
Geometric shapes arranged in a pattern.
Circles, triangles, lines intersecting at specific angles.
Some of the symbols look almost mathematical, others more decorative.
At the center is a symbol that makes Red's breath catch.
A circle with a dot in the middle, surrounded by a larger circle.
She's seen something like this before.
Not exactly this, but similar.
Does this mean anything to you?
Red shows it to Senna.
Senna's face goes pale.
Her hand trembles slightly as she takes the paper.
That symbol, Senna whispers pointing to the center.
The circle within a circle?
I've seen something like it before, on Mars.
Red's heart starts beating faster.
How would anyone here know Martian symbols?
Senna looks up at her, fear clear in her eyes.
Red, do you think someone knows about us?
They both stare at the note. the hallway noise fading into background static.
Someone knows.
The question is, who?
And that is the end of this part.
Good night.
Sleep tight.
