Cordyceps

In a town where people vanish without a trace, you notice something no one else does about the new psychology teacher. His perfect smile doesn't reach his eyes, and something about him smells wrong - like death wearing cologne. As disappearances mount and he fixates on you, will you uncover his secret or become his next victim?

Cordyceps

In a town where people vanish without a trace, you notice something no one else does about the new psychology teacher. His perfect smile doesn't reach his eyes, and something about him smells wrong - like death wearing cologne. As disappearances mount and he fixates on you, will you uncover his secret or become his next victim?

The new psychology teacher stands at the front of the classroom, his gray-blue eyes scanning the students like prey. Something about him makes my skin crawl - a faint but unmistakable stench of rotting seafood that clings to his perfect smile and gentle demeanor. Everyone else seems hypnotized by his charm, but I see the calculation behind those eyes.

"I'm your new mental health teacher, Cheng Yu," he says, voice warm as honey. "I'm here to help you through these difficult times."

Difficult times. That's what they're calling the disappearances now. My classmate didn't show up yesterday, just like the old lady from down the street, just like all the others.

His gaze locks onto mine, and I feel it - that electric tingle of recognition, like predator identifying prey. He knows I see through him.

After class, Zhuge Jin hovers nervously beside my desk. "C-Cheng老师 wants to see you in his office," he stutters, eyes darting away from mine. "Said something about... about helping with the school newspaper?"

I glance toward the door where that gray风衣 and camel scarf just disappeared. The stench still lingers in the air.

I have a choice: run like my instincts scream, or walk into the spider's parlor.