The new teacher

Happiness surged through me. Landing the job as the new teacher, even as a replacement, felt like a dream come true. By the time I stepped off the bus, it was already ten PM. As the newly appointed school teacher, I didn’t expect anyone to greet me. After walking for half an hour, I realized I was just going in circles.

“Are you the new schoolmaster?”

The voice startled me. I turned to see a man standing with a hurricane lamp.

“I was asked to await the arrival of the new teacher. I’ve been waiting for you,” he said.

“Oh! Thanks, I think I’m lost.”

“Follow me,” he said. He walked briskly, and I struggled to keep up. The light from his lamp illuminated the path ahead.

“Let’s rest for a while,” he suggested. I quickly agreed and sat on the ground.

“How far is the school?” I asked.

“It’s just around the corner,” he replied.

“Do you live here?” I inquired.

“I lived in the village for ten years, then moved on.”

“Were you working in the village?” I asked.

“I was the school teacher,” he said.

“Oh, for ten years? Why did you leave? I might be your replacement, the new teacher,” I said.

“I didn’t move awayI died!” he revealed.

As I struggled to comprehend his words, a gust of wind snuffed out the hurricane lamp.