Malodore was absolutely livid as it entered the examination grounds - not the best state of mind in which to take a test, but it had almost never been so angry, so insulted. For them to dare to move a patient from her medical quarters without permission from her caregivers was completely unforgivable. Taking a test was not remotely satisfactory vengeance. It would do something else... later.

Now was the time for calm and precise action.

The plague doctor took a test and then took a seat, pulling out a penstrictor and giving the first question a businesslike look - a businesslike look that promptly turned into a glare.

1.) Who is the greatest pop star in all Halloween?

... What. What kind of a question was this. Malodore shifted the glare up to the Bogeyman proctor before staring at the paper once more. What did it care who was a 'pop star' or not? Was it just naturally expected to care? This was an extremely unfair assumption.

So that was what Malodore put down. Expecting that all youth would automatically be familiar with one particular person is an entirely unfair assumption. Furthermore, this question is far too subjective and I will be adding another formal complaint to my already formidable list.

... Fine. Question two!

2. How many varieties of pumpkin are there?

...

Was this meant to be addressed in one of their botany classes? Had it, perhaps, missed this apparently critical point while it was busy running for its unlife from Steve? Did anyone in all Halloween besides pumpkin farmers even need to know this?

It guessed. Then it drew pumpkins around its answer, in case that would help.

Question three.

3.) What is a Hunter?

The penstrictor made a strangled hiss as Malodore tightened its grip in sudden, convulsive fury. Just as quickly, it released the poor thing before it accidentally snapped the penstrictor's pliable yet not indestructible spine. A few calming strokes made the penstrictor tractable again, and Malodore glared at the question once more.

How dare they. But this was to save the school, and...

A Hunter is a being of... myth. A story parents tell their scarelings for fun or to keep them well-behaved.

The answer was terse, pressed into the paper. But it was the last question. Malodore snatched the paper off the desk and held it out to the proctor, then squared its shoulders and stood up. It would say what it had to to for the sake of the school... of its home.

But it would never stop believing the truth.


Score: 6