A Science Fiction Mystery for Kids

The Strange New Student

Suspects:
Ethan
The well dressed man
The typical woman
The older man

Talk and laughter circulated around the eighth grade home room as Lamar approached his desk. The class began to settle down when the teacher entered the room. "Class, please welcome our new student, Ethan Crane."

Lamar stared curiously at the new student. His complexion was completely clear. His hair appeared to grow straight back, and his eyes were cat green.

Ethan sat perfectly straight in his desk and stared ahead. The girl in the desk next to him tapped him on the shoulder and when he turned to her, she smiled sweetly at him. He turned and stared straight ahead without responding. Lamar was surprised because he believed she was the prettiest girl in the school.

It was midmorning when the teacher passed test papers around the classroom. Lamar was about to start on the test when he saw Ethan check the answers off quickly. What a dope, he thought, believing that he had randomly checked them off, hoping to get lucky.

When the test ended, the teacher had the students pass their test papers to the ones behind them to grade as she posted the answers on the board. Lamar was curious as to how Ethan did with his quick answers. Moments later, he was surprised to learn that Ethan had answered every question correctly.

Students bubbled out into the hallway when the bell rang. Lamar followed Ethan out of the school to the breeze way towards the cafeteria. Ethan wandered over to the side of the building and stood, watching the other students. Lamar casually strolled over.

"Hey," he said, leaning against the building.

Ethan turned his gaze towards him and Lamar hesitated as cold emerald eyes stared vacantly at him. Summoning up his courage, he said, "I'm Lamar." There was no response, just a cold, blank stare. "Can you talk?"

"My name was announced at my arrival."

"Where are you from?"

"That is not important."

"How do you like our school?" Again, the only response he got was a cold stare.

Glancing at the concrete tables just a few feet away, Lamar said, "Let's go sit over there." Ethan turned to the tables and followed, taking a seat across from him