“The Evil Monsters”

by Tanvika Veeragandham, 5th Grade 1st Place Winner

 

Once upon a time in school, it was October 10, 2025. It was my very first field trip — but not just any ordinary trip — this one was to a mystery location. Our teacher, Mrs. Poppy, handed us permission slips, but the destination was scribbled out with  black marker. Most parents assumed it was a fun surprise and signed without asking questions.

When the day arrived, everyone was buzzing with excitement. That is, until Mrs. Poppy stood up and said, “Kids, this lesson is about facing your fears.” The bus got quiet. A few kids nervously whispered, “Okay…”

As we boarded the bus, I handed a high-quality walkie-talkie to my best friend, Katie, and whispered, “Keep this with you, just in case.” Then I raised my hand. “Mrs. Poppy, may I go to the bathroom?” “Sure,” she replied, “but don’t take too long. We leave in five minutes… and don’t tell the principal.” That last part made me nervous. Why would we need to hide the trip?

I ran inside — not to the bathroom — but straight to the principal’s office. “Fifth grade doesn’t have any field trips today,” she said with a puzzled look. My heart started pounding. I thanked her and ran to the bathroom to pretend I had been there the whole time. I picked up the walkie-talkie. “Katie, is the principal coming?” “Yes!” she replied. “And what did you do?!”

“I told her the truth,” I said, trying to stay calm.

Suddenly, I heard Mrs. Poppy’s voice on Katie’s end. “Why is the principal coming?! GO! GO! I don’t care if that rat doesn’t come — just GO!” “The bus is starting!” Katie whispered. “It’s okay,” I said. “Just don’t let her find the walkie-talkie.”

An hour later, Katie’s voice came through again. “Hey, are you there?” “Yeah. Have you arrived?” “We just got off. She’s calling names. Randy? Yes! Punky? Yes! Katie? Yes! Tanvika?” Then the whole class shouted, “She went to the bathroom!”

“Okay,” said Mrs. Poppy. “Let’s go in. But remember — always stay near one adult. Never stand near two adults.”

Katie whispered, “There are five myths about this abandoned place. One says there’s a shapeshifting monster that pretends to be human.”

Inside, the teacher found a dusty tracker with a blinking red dot labeled monster. Everyone ran toward the nearest bathroom to hide. 

Mrs. Poppy stepped out to check the hallway — and in a flash, the monster grabbed her and swallowed her whole. Screaming, we slammed the stall door shut.

Then a voice came through the walkie-talkie — it sounded like Mrs. Poppy… or the monster. “If there’s more than one adult nearby, one will always be taken. Run. Escape. NOW.” We didn’t wait. We ran as fast as we could — through shadows, screams, and secrets.

And from that day on, I never trusted field trips… Because the evil monsters are real.