by Beatrice Beez
Five students at Fairy Tale Reform School sneaked off the grounds this morning in the back of a Gnome-olia Bakery carriage. Gillian Cobbler, beloved for her heroism in the battle to stop Alva, apparently led the charge that included Ollie Funklehouse, Maxine Hockler, Kayla Wingtip, and Jax Porter.
“I thought something smelled like stale bread when five young people wandered through the cinnamon roll department in oversized bakers’ clothes,” says Nigel Stuveson, senior cinnamon roll supervisor four. “Then we received a note asking us to look for a group of kids. I put sugar and spice together and realized it had to be that lot.”
At the same time Nigel was calling the Dwarf Police Squad chief, FTRS also received a tip from an anonymous source about the breakout. By this point, the chief learned about the stolen caramel cakes and broken apple cart in the village firsthand. “I knew they wouldn’t get far without help, so I checked the list of Pegasi flights in and out of FTRS yesterday afternoon and saw one leaving from Cobbler Shoes with the headmistress’s daughters. I had a hunch they’d be in that carriage. Now we’re looking into whether Gilly’s sister was involved in helping her escape.”
Further investigation found that Anna Cobbler, Gilly’s younger sister, was an accomplice in the incident, and she has been given a first offense by the Dwarf Police Squad. (Three will land a child in Fairy Tale Reform School.) Headmistress Flora says her own daughters were unaware they had stowaways aboard their carriage and played no part in the students’ disappearance.
Fairy Tale Reform School’s chief critic, Millicent Gertrude, mother of student Ronald Gertrude, says this latest incident proves how important it is for visitation day to be earlier than planned. “I’m pleased Headmistress Flora has moved up visitation day,” says Millicent, who tells HEAS that parents will visit the school in two weeks. “Parents need to see whether FTRS is a safe place for their children. With Alva and the Evil Queen on the loose, children cannot be escaping the school grounds.”
While rumors of a Royal Manor break-in by gargoyles last week have not been confirmed or denied by the princesses, Headmistress Flora continues to stress that FTRS is the best place for wayward children to be in these dark times. “All the students involved have been reprimanded for their behavior, and school security procedures are being reevaluated. With students this clever on our roster, we need to stay vigilant.”
Keep checking your Happily Ever After Scrolls for more coverage on the search for Alva and Fairy Tale Reform School’s woes!
CHAPTER 9
Wicked Trouble
“What were you thinking?”
I’ve never heard the Wicked Stepmother this unhinged. She’s kicking up hay in the Pegasi stables as she paces in front of us, looking like she might pull every last hair out of her normally neatly wound bun. Kayla, Ollie, Jax, Maxine, and I are lined up like we’re about to be sent to the gallows, while Professor Wolfington and Professor Blackbeard keep a watchful eye. Blackbeard’s sword looks particularly menacing hanging from his scabbard. Madame Cleo is here too, having been beamed in by Miri’s mirror in the stables, which has a horse motif etched in bronze on the frame.
“Stowing away in a Gnome-olia Bakery truck? Stealing a dozen caramel cakes? Evading the Dwarf Police Squad? Breaking an apple cart? You broke out of Fairy Tale Reform School!” Flora repeats our offenses as if we don’t remember them. “Do you know what havoc you caused for both the school and yourselves?” Her dark eyes flash. “Pete wanted to sentence the lot of you to another two years for this crime. You’re lucky I talked him down to an additional three-month sentence!”
“Only three months?” Ollie sounds a wee bit gleeful. “That’s awesome! I was thinking six at least.”
“Me too,” seconds Kayla, talking to Ollie as if they’re the only two in the stables. “For a minute, I thought she was going to say a year. No one’s ever broken out of school before!” The two high-five.