The sun was high as the Harrisons strolled through the quaint streets of Eldridge Hollow, making their way toward the local middle school.

Surrounded by sprawling fields, ancient oaks, and a tall iron fence covered in ivy, Eldridge Hollow Middle School was like a relic from another time.

The building had a grand, slightly foreboding charm — its dark red bricks contrasted against the greenery, and its tall windows, paned with delicate glass, hinted at its age and the many lives that had passed through its doors.

Inside, the hallways were quiet, the faint echo of their footsteps bouncing off the polished floors.

Old wooden doors lined the corridor, each with a small frosted window and hand-painted sign marking the classrooms.

The smell of aged wood and chalk filled the air.

“Looks like we walked straight into a school from a hundred years ago,” Jacob muttered, glancing at the faded green walls covered with historical photos and awards. His sister, Jane, nudged him with a grin.

“It’s kind of… cool, in an old-fashioned way,” Jane replied, her eyes wandering over the aged architecture.

Their father, Alex, gave Jane a smile. “See? A little change of pace. Something to add to your adventurous spirit.”

Danielle, their mother, stopped to look at a series of framed photographs showing previous classes dating back several decades.

Each one seemed to capture the same stoic, solemn faces, year after year.

“Even the kids here look like they’re from another time,” Jacob said, his voice barely above a whisper.

He frowned slightly as his gaze lingered on the oldest photo. Something about the face looked eerily familiar, but he couldn’t place it.

Just then, the principal, Mr. Caldwell, a tall, slender man with a calm but watchful demeanor, approached them with a welcoming smile.

His attire was as traditional as the building — buttoned vest, pressed pants, and a thin pair of silver-framed glasses resting on his nose.

“Welcome to Eldridge Hollow Middle School,” he said, extending a hand. “You must be the Harrisons. It’s a pleasure to have you here. I’m Mr. Caldwell, the principal.”

Danielle shook his hand warmly while Alex nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Caldwell. We just moved into town, so we thought we’d get the kids familiar with the school before they began classes.”

Mr. Caldwell nodded, his gaze shifting between Jacob and Jane. “Of course. Eldridge Hollow Middle is a bit… different, I’ll admit. Our approach to education here combines tradition with a strong sense of community. We take pride in preserving our town’s history and values.”

Jacob raised an eyebrow, glancing at his sister with a hint of disappointment. “So… no cell phones or internet?”

Mr. Caldwell chuckled softly. “Ah, we’re not that outdated, I assure you. But you’ll find that the way we learn here might be a bit slower-paced, perhaps even more reflective.” His voice held a certain seriousness as he looked down the hall. “We believe in honoring the past.”

The kids exchanged another glance as they followed him down the corridor.

They passed by a classroom filled with students who paused their writing and stared as they walked by.

Jacob felt a shiver down his spine.

It was as if every pair of eyes in the room was fixed on them, evaluating, studying, or perhaps… warning.

Mr. Caldwell stopped in front of a door marked “Library.”

Pushing it open, he gestured for them to step inside. The library was massive, rows of books stretching from floor to ceiling, some looking as old as the town itself.

Dark wooden shelves, dim lighting, and the smell of ancient paper gave the space an eerie, almost mystical feel.

“Here’s a place I’m sure you’ll grow fond of,” Mr. Caldwell said, his voice echoing slightly. “Many students have discovered hidden gems among these shelves — stories that tell of Eldridge Hollow’s unique history.”

Jane scanned the titles, running her fingers along the spines.

She noticed a book titled Eldridge Hollow: Echoes of the Past. She slid it out and flipped through the pages, stopping at an illustration of the town square in the 1800s.

The details were uncanny, as though the image might come to life at any moment.

“Jacob, look at this,” she whispered, holding the book open to him. Jacob leaned over, peering at the page, a spark of intrigue in his eyes.

They both glanced at their parents, sensing that maybe this old school held more than just history lessons.

Mr. Caldwell smiled. “Eldridge Hollow has a way of captivating those willing to listen. I think you two will fit in just fine here.”

As they left the library, Mr. Caldwell led them to the office to complete registration details, and Alex and Danielle discussed the curriculum with him.

Meanwhile, Jacob and Jane lingered near a bulletin board in the hallway, reading announcements about the upcoming harvest festival, class events, and school projects.

Jacob pointed at a flyer titled “Harvest Moon Celebrations — A Town Tradition.”

“Think we’ll get an invite?” he asked, nudging Jane.

Jane smiled faintly. “Look at the date, Jacob. It passed already.”

"Oh! Eldridge Hollow must be messing with my sight." Jacob joked.

Just as they exchanged a laugh, the bell rang, and the hallway filled with students heading to their next class.

A girl with long, dark hair and an intense gaze approached them, holding a book close to her chest. She stopped in front of them, a faint smile appearing on her lips.

“New here?” she asked, eyeing both of them.

“Yeah, just got in yesterday,” Jacob replied, glancing at her. “I’m Jacob, and this is my sister, Jane.”

“We must be in the same grade," she said as she eyed Jacob. "Anyway, I’m Lily,” she said, her voice soft but steady. “You’ll like it here… if you don’t mind the stories.”

Her gaze lingered a moment longer before she turned and walked off, leaving them with an odd feeling, as if her words held a weight that only time would unravel.

"I'm getting tired of all these dumb mysterious talks these people throw at us." Jacob sighed.

"Oh! I love it!" Jane giggled – ever the "mysterious" lover.

Just then, their parents walked out of Principal Caldwell's office.

"I'll see you both tomorrow." Principal Caldwell said as he approached the kids.

"Yes, Principal Caldwell." They chorused.

"Alright. Thank you, Mr Caldwell." Alex shook hands with him, and the family left for their home.