Revised Draft: Part Two
"Well, we kinda released poisonous scorpions," Nicole mumbled, emerging from the dim corners of the detention room.
A heavy silence fell, broken only by a loud, exasperated sigh. Principal Bob entered, trying his best to look angry, but a nervous twitch in his eye gave him away. "Hello, students," he said, clearing his throat.
Luz opened her mouth to say something—likely an explanation involving a book report —but the principal's stern look immediately shut her down.
"We have a solution," Aaron's mother announced, her voice firm. She pulled a brochure from her bag and presented it to Principal Bob. It was for a summer camp.
"the school will fund their stay at this 'Reality Check Summer Camp,'" Principal Bob agreed with a nod. Camila, Luz's mother, chimed in, "Luz will be going there, too. It seems like the only logical solution." Nicole's parents nodded in agreement.
After detention, a heavy silence followed the three all the way home. The next few days were surprisingly fun, a last burst of freedom before the looming threat of summer camp arrived. But the day finally came.
"Alright, the bus will be here soon," Camila said brightly. Before Luz could protest, Camila gently but firmly took Luz's favorite book, The Good Witch Azura, and dropped it into the recycling bin.
"It's time to focus on reality, Mija," Camila said, heading off to work.
Defeated, Luz walked to the bus stop, where Aaron and Nicole were already waiting. "Luz! Over here!" Aaron called out, waving her over.
As the three stood by the curb, a small, brown owl suddenly swooped down from the sky. With a curious hoot, it plucked the Azura book right out of the recycling bin and flapped away.
"Hey! My book!" Luz shouted.
Without a second thought, the three friends took off running after the mysterious owl. The chase led them off the main road and deep into the woods, where the owl vanished into a dilapidated, abandoned shack. They pushed open the rickety door and tumbled through a strange portal, falling headfirst into the Boiling Isles—a world of magic, demons, and the adventures they had only ever dreamed of.