In the busy halls of Cannon Falls High School/Middle School, a thriving group known as “The Eraser Raiders” has been causing trouble throughout the school. This gang of eighth graders has taken this challenging task of stealing all the stationery, particularly pencils, from all students and staff; Anyone could be next. As rumors of this terrible task circulate, students are implementing strategies to safeguard their writing tools. The Cannon Falls Schools are left wondering: what drives these young thieves and how can their reign of terror be stopped.
These eighth graders are believed to be a part of what they call “The Eraser Raiders.” They steal all kinds of stationery, but most commonly pencils and mechanical pencils. The three suspected leaders are Kinzley Rezac, Anya Nygaard, and Holly Sullivan. Sullivan is the main leader with Rezac as her side chic, whoops sorry, sidekick while Nygaard takes the role of the planner. Their methods of pencil snatching are unknown, but the school’s spy, who has asked to remain anonymous for obvious reasons, has told reporters that “their methods are complex and not deciphered easily. I require a shift in the ranks to find out more.” This spy has found out much more, including that the members’ only way to be accepted into this cult is to prove their worth to “The Eraser Raiders” by taking all the pencils from a teacher’s desk, a challenging task. Eleanor Montgomery, Marissa Mandelkow, Rebecca Kuehlman, Roni Campbell Moline, and Stella Anderson are all suspected members of “The Eraser Raiders.”
Their motives have not yet been discovered but a few speculations seem popular among professionals. The first theory is that there is a ghost threatening Sullivan to bring them all the pencils and other writing utensils, or Sullivan and her sidekick Rezac will never be able to touch a pen, pencil, or highlighter again forcing them to fail their school career. The other reliable theory is that they are trying to perform the ancient pencil ritual “the erasers embrace.” This ritual is an annual ceremony that includes dancing, erasing, and the shower of eraser scraps. They also have ceremonies for all writing utensils, but the eraser is the most valued one because it can erase mistakes.
In response to these terrible misfortunes, the school board is putting in new cameras to try and stop the pencil bandits—red, or would it be yellow, handed. Teachers are being encouraged to lock their desks when not in use, but as for students, not much can be done. These “Eraser Raiders” seem to have excellent lock-picking skills, which is why combination locks are best. They are as fast as sound, making it almost impossible to catch them in the act, but any suspicious behavior should be reported at once. To prevent pencils from being stolen, the school board has recommended using #3 pencils. This group seems to avoid #3 pencils, it could be that they are afraid of them or simply don’t want them. Having pencils out in the open makes it easier for “The Eraser Raiders” to steal them.
While “The Eraser Raiders” might look like a bunch of eighth-graders stealing pencils for… mysterious reasons, maybe they’re just clueless artists trying to craft a giant portrait of their math teacher. Instead of worrying about their stationery, students should start a donation drive to replace all the lost pencils. It could bring everyone together and help lighten the mood. With some humor and teamwork, students might just transform these pencil pirates into the school’s new heroes.
