Zoe followed the kids on the bus as they trickled out down the narrow aisle. It was a wet, grey morning with little particles of sunshine coming down through the clouds like a mist. Zoe followed the line of students into the main entrance.

She had never been to school this early. The halls looked empty. Zoe was used to arriving just minutes before class, when the halls were lined with throngs of students clumped around popular kids' lockers. But this early, the halls were free and clear. The glossy tile floors of the hallway reflected the glare of white florescents above. Aside from some squeaky steps and locker slams and snatches of muted conversation, the school was dead quiet.

She arrived at her locker and twisted the lock by rote. 32-24-32.