GRAVE MISTAKES

“Here’s your new school,” Dad said as he pulled over at the gate of Silver Pines School. Courtesy of his dad’s frequent job transfers, Omi is always the new student. This was his fourth school in the last eight years. Standing at the gates of his new school, clutching his bag, he tried not to look nervous. His family had just moved to the town a week ago, and everything still smelled new—new books, new uniform, new trouble.

- Manoshi Roy

By the second day, Omi had already caught the attention of Vicky, the self-declared boss of Class 7. Vicky walked the halls like he owned them, followed closely by his two sidekicks—Jojo and Sunny, who laughed at everything he said, even if it wasn’t funny.

During lunch, Vicky leaned across the bench and grinned.

“So, New Boy,” he said, chewing a sandwich, “you scared of ghosts?”

Omi blinked. “No, why?”

“Because there’s a cemetery just five minutes from here,” Vicky said, his eyes gleaming. “We send all brave souls there. It’s a tradition.”

“Tradition or bullying?” Omi asked calmly, biting into his own sandwich.

Vicky gasped but controlled himself.

“Tomorrow. 6 PM. Graveyard gate. You. Alone. One hour,” he said sternly. “Or ... you'll be known as Chicken Omi forever.”

Omi simply nodded. “Sure. I'll bring chips.”

The next evening, clouds hovered low, and the air was cool. Omi walked to the graveyard with his flashlight, a packet of chips in one hand and his phone in the other—though there was barely any signal.

“Let’s get this over with,” he muttered.

Outside the cemetery gate, Vicky and his gang crouched behind a broken wall.

“Let’s see him cry like a baby,” Vicky whispered, rubbing his hands in glee.