[They arrive at the school, the playground still barren but the kids are still livelier than ever, excited for Caelia and Cassian’s return. The kids run up to Caelia and Cassian, surrounding them with constant noise.]

KIDS:

“Miss Caelia and Mr. Cassian, welcome back!” 

TEACHER:

“Now, now kids, I’m sure everyone is happy that they are back but let’s use our inside voices!”

[Caelia greets the kid, looking for one in particular but cannot seem to find her.]

TEACHER (to Caelia):

“Thanks for coming here again! Even with everything going on, I’m happy you still want to work in Kingsley!”

CAELIA (to teacher):

“It’s no problem, the fire situation a month ago was a scheme. The investigation is ongoing but we just rebuilt the home for Mrs. Poppy. It’s also great seeing all the kids again! Where is Aline?”

TEACHER:

“She’s still inside! Would you like to go see her?”

CAELIA (nods):

“Yes please!”

KID:

“Aline is inside! She’s working on something to give to Miss Caelia!” 

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

[Touched]

Aline is too cute! 

[Caelia goes into the school, wanting to see the little girl who bravely defended Caelia in front of the village.]

[Cassian, knowing that Caelia would like to meet with Aline alone stays outside with the kids.]

TEACHER (to Cassian):

“How have you been doing, Cassian?”

CASSIAN:

“I’ve been doing well, thanks for asking.”

TEACHER:
“I’m glad to still see you two working together. You guys are the talk of the town!”

CASSIAN:

“Working with Caelia has been very rewarding. She is one of the smartest people I have ever met.” 

TEACHER (smiling):

“When we heard that you guys are coming back to the playground, the kids and I thought of preparing something!”

CASSIAN:

“Prepare something?”

-------------------

[Scene: Caelia goes inside of the small school and arrives in the classroom. Little Aline is in her seat in the corner, drawing.]

CAELIA:

“Aline…?”

[Aline looks towards the door, startled.]

ALINE: 

“Miss Caelia!”

[Aline drops her pencil and immediately rushes over towards Caelia and hugs her.]

ALINE:

“Miss Caelia, I missed you so much!”

CAELIA:

“I missed you too, Aline. I’m sorry for taking so long.”

[Caelia crouches down to Aline’s height.]

CAELIA (stern):

“Aline, first of all, I’m very angry at you! What you did last month where you went out to save me, that was not safe at all! Please don’t do that again!”

ALINE (sad):

“I’m sorry Miss Caelia, but everyone was hurting you and I didn’t like it!”

CAELIA:

“You could’ve gotten hurt Aline. If that happened, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself! So please, don’t do anything like that again!

ALINE:

“But you saved me, Miss Caelia. I had to save you…”

CAELIA (hugs Aline):

“Thank you, Aline. You really did save me.”

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

Poor Aline felt the need to save me. 

Me, whose life was insignificant, is worth saving to someone.

ALINE (breaking hug): 

“I made something for you, Miss Caelia! I just finished it!”

[Aline rushes over to her desk and grabs the drawing. She then goes over to Caelia and presents it.]

[It is a detailed portrait of the school with an empty space for the future playground.]

ALINE (proud):

“I drew this for you so you don’t forget about us! And this empty space I will draw in once the playground is finished! Do you like it?”

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

[Dies of cuteness]

ALINE IS SO CUTE!

Kids in villainess stories are always absolutely adorable!

CAELIA (touched):

“Aline, I love it so much! I can’t wait for the finished product! 

I will never, ever forget about you guys so you have nothing to worry about!” 

ALINE:

“I showed this drawing to the kids in class and they all really like it too!”

CAELIA:

“Have they been nice to you recently?”

ALINE:

“Yes! They are all nice to me.”

CAELIA:

“You’re not lying to me, right?”

ALINE:

“Nope! They talked to me after I tried to save you from those mean people! They keep saying I’m so cool!”

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

What a relief… I’m glad that Aline is being treated better at school.

CAELIA:

“I’m glad, Aline. Remember what to do if they’re being mean to you?”

ALINE:

“Ignore, but if I feel brave enough, I can tell them off.”

CAELIA (smiles):

“Good.”

[Cassian then arrives at the classroom.]

ALINE:

“Mr. Cassian!” 

[Caelia turns around and looks up.]

CAELIA (concerned):

“Cassian? Is everything okay?”

CASSIAN:

“Could you come outside for a second?”

ALINE - INNER MONOLOGUE:

Oh right!

ALINE (beaming):

“Miss Caelia, you HAVE to go outside!”

CAELIA (weary):

“O-Okay…”

------------------------

[Scene: Caelia, Cassian, and Aline arrive outside. Tables are sprawled out all with a wide variety of foods, balloons are blown up everywhere.]

CAELIA:

“Oh wow! Is it someone’s birthday? What are we celebrating?”

TEACHER (laughs):

“It’s not anyone’s birthday, the kids and I prepared this for you and Cassian! I’m sure you guys are very tired from just finishing Mrs. Poppy’s home. So we all thought it was a good idea to have a little celebration of your return before you work on the playground!”

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

Wow.. This is SO SWEET of them!

[Looking at the food, a variety of savory foods like potatoes, crackers, and cheese along with sweets like fresh pastries fill the table]

I’m already drooling. I need some of those potatoes. 

CAELIA (touched):

“You really didn’t have to do any of this! Oh my goodness this is amazing!” 

TEACHER:

“You’ve both done a lot of good, this is really nothing! Please enjoy all of the food!”

[Caelia’s stomach grumbles, the noise is loud enough to where Cassian notices. He then lets out a chuckle.]

CAELIA (embarrassed):

“H-Hey! We haven't eaten at all for the past month! And besides, you probably already dug in already, how dare you!”

CASSIAN (chuckles):

“No I haven’t actually. I was waiting for you.”

[One of the kids brings over a plate to Caelia that’s filled with cheese, crackers, and figs.]

KID:

“Miss Caelia! Please eat with us!”

[Caelia looks at the figs and feels a looming feeling she’s never felt before. The figs almost seemed like they were staring into her soul. Caelia remains frozen, looking at the figs in horror.]

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

What the hell…?

What’s up with my body?

[Unknown flashbacks play in Caelia’s head. Scene all black, a plate of figs presented in front of her.

“My sweet Caelia, you love figs, don’t you?” an unknown male voice asked.]

[Caelia’s head starts to spin.]

KID:

“M-Miss Caelia? What’s wrong?” 

[Caelia snaps out of it, looking at the plate of crackers, cheese, and figs.]

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

What the hell was that?

Who was that??? 

I don’t recognize any of that!!

CAELIA:

“Sorry! I just spaced out for a moment! Thank you for the food!”

[Caelia picks up the plate from the kid, and the smell of the figs immediately wafts up to Caelia’s nose. Caelia stands there in horror as her body immediately rejects the smell of the figs. Caelia drops the plate on the ground. The kids are in horror.]

CASSIAN:

“Caelia, are you okay??” 

[Caelia’s head starts to hurt, she is then on her knees holding her head. Cassian immediately going down.]

CASSIAN:

“CAELIA WHAT’S WRONG?”

TEACHER (guestering the kids to go inside):

“Kids! Let’s go back inside! Should we call a doctor??”

ALINE: 

“MISS CAELIA!”

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

What is this…? 

My head feels like it’s splitting open!!!!

[Caelia then struggles in excruciating pain.] 

[More flashbacks play, all from different moments. Unknown people coming up to Caelia talking to her about figs. 

How Caelia loves figs,

How Caelia should eat her figs,

How figs taste good and have many health benefits.]

Who are these fig knuckleheads??? 

I don’t remember anything like this happening in my life?!

My head feels like it’s splitting open!!!!

[With many unknown flashbacks flooding Caelia, Caelia then succumbs to them and passes out.]

[Caelia is now limp on the ground, Cassian picking her up.]

CASSIAN (shaking Caelia):

“CAELIA?

CAELIA?

CAELIA?”

[When Caelia is unresponsive, Cassian starts to panic.]

----------------------------------

[End of Chapter 9 - Part 2]