Episode 8 of School Spirits opens with Maddie perched on the rooftop, her brow furrowed in deep contemplation. She wonders aloud if her mother, Sandra, could have been the one to take her life and searches for a reason behind such a harrowing possibility. Meanwhile, Simon prowls through Maddie's bedroom, scouring for any signs of the missing money that Sandra might have concealed. His search yields an unexpected discovery - an envelope tucked away among Maddie's belongings, the one Sandra had hastily hidden the day before.
To his surprise, the envelope does not contain the promised cash but instead reveals Maddie's necklace, a treasured possession. Maddie's puzzlement deepens as she wonders how her mother could have found it. Together, she and Simon embark on a mission to unravel the mystery and determine if Sandra is indeed guilty of Maddie's demise.
Elsewhere, Xavier, Nicole, and Claire are embroiled in a heated debate. They wrestle with the dilemma of whether to confess everything they know to the police. After much deliberation, they conclude that they will only reveal the truth when they have concrete evidence to support their claims and exonerate the janitor from any wrongdoing.
Back at school, the ghosts gather for a meeting, their curiosity piqued by the lack of change they felt when Janet crossed over. Mr. Martin, their guide, struggles to explain the phenomenon, his patience wearing thin as the constant questions persist. His irritation reaches a boiling point, and he lashes out at the bewildered spirits.
After a moment of calm, Mr. Martin regains his composure and offers a glimpse into his past. He reveals that he was once a teacher, and on the fateful day of the fire, he valiantly saved everyone except himself. His unfinished business lingers, and he hopes not to fail the children again in his spectral form. He admits that while he has been striving to assist them for the past 60 years, he does not hold all the answers. Rhonda offers a conciliatory nod, acknowledging his efforts.
In class, Simon's ears perk up when a teacher mentions that Maddie was slated to receive an award. Seizing the opportunity, he decides to invite Sandra to the school, hoping she will accept the honor on Maddie's behalf. This unexpected turn of events sets the stage for a potentially revealing encounter that could finally bring some clarity to the mystery surrounding Maddie's disappearance.
At the police station, Xavier anxiously attempted to communicate with his father regarding the enigmatic Mr. South. He had repeatedly stressed to his dad that the teacher was in his company on the fateful day of Maddie's mysterious disappearance. However, the conversation soon escalated into a heated argument, as Xavier lambasted his father for his apparent incompetence. Before storming out, Xavier snapped a photo of a fresh clue the police had recently uncovered, including the address of a suspicious house. Naturally, he didn't hesitate to bring Nicole and Claire along for the investigation.
Upon arriving at the house, they were startled to find it appeared as if someone had forcibly broken in. Claire insisted they stake out the property to keep tabs on any unexpected visitors.
Meanwhile, Charley engaged in a tense conversation with Rhonda about her recent lack of enthusiasm for crossing over. He probed her for answers, wondering why she seemed reluctant to ask questions. He suspected Rhonda was grappling with something profound, but she refused to confide in him, leading to a heated altercation between them.
Determined to get to the bottom of things, Charley enlisted the help of Wally to delve deeper into the mystery surrounding Janet's death. Together, they sifted through old school records and pondered the significance of saying goodbye before crossing over. Eventually, they stumbled upon an article about Janet's untimely demise, revealing a shocking truth - she had perished in an accidental fire in the lab alongside Mr. Martin. It became evident that Mr. Martin had lied about being the sole victim of the tragedy.
Finally, Sandra pauses to receive Maddie's esteemed award. With cautious steps, Simon escorts her to the classroom, where Maddie's ethereal presence seems to hover. He attempts to delicately broach the subject with Sandra, seeking clues about Maddie's untimely demise. However, as he inquiries about the necklace, Sandra begins to withdraw.
Sandra confesses that she encountered Maddie on that fateful day. Their encounter was fraught with tension as they argued over Sandra's unauthorized use of Maddie's college savings to finance a risky cabin development scheme. Maddie's displeasure deepened when she learned that her mother refused to seek rehabilitation, oblivious to the challenges Maddie faced and how college represented her sole escape.
In a moment of emotional candor, Sandra admits her failures as a mother, explaining that the money was the last remaining tie to her late husband. She concedes that she had no right to squander it, prompting Maddie, in a fit of anger, to hurl the necklace at her. After her mother's departure, Maddie retreated to the basement, sobbing uncontrollably.
Gradually, Maddie's memories of that fateful day begin to surface. She acknowledges to Simon that her mother did not harm her, a realization that brings a sense of closure.
As the award ceremony commences, Sandra steps forward to deliver a heartfelt tribute to her daughter. Her voice trembles as she speaks of Maddie's virtues and the profound regret she feels as a mother. Tears stream down her cheeks as she stands on the podium, her words echoing through the room. Maddie listens intently, moved by her mother's sincerity.
Mr. Martin approaches, offering his condolences and noting that Maddie is fortunate to have received such a meaningful farewell. Maddie responds with a resolute nod, indicating that she is now ready to bid farewell and pen her own obituary, marking the beginning of her journey to acceptance and peace.
Outside the school walls, Nicole and Claire's feud continues unabated, with Xavier pointing out that they had all played a part in Maddie's misfortune. Determined to make amends, they decide to delve into the house for evidence, leaving Claire behind as their getaway driver in case of trouble.
Minutes later, Claire spots a hooded figure sneaking into the house. Panicked, she rushes in to alert Nicole and Xavier. Xavier attempts to intercept the mysterious figure but fails, as the stranger manages to hop into their car and flee, knocking Xavier down in the process. Nicole whips out her phone to record the fleeing car, her heart skipping a beat when she glimpses Maddie's face behind the hood. It's Maddie, the very person they thought was gone, driving away. But their immediate concern is for Xavier, who is now injured.
Informed of the startling revelation, Charley and Wally decide to delve deeper into the mystery, heading to the basement in search of more clues. There, they stumble upon Mr. Martin's notebooks and their own obituaries, revealing that Mr. Martin had been documenting their deaths and studying how they coped in the afterlife. They also discover another article about the fire, which implicates Mr. Martin as the one who originally caused it. Rhonda joins them, admitting that her suspicions about Mr. Martin had been piqued when Maddie appeared as a ghost. She had started to follow him and discovered his obsession with the belongings the kids had possessed when they died. Wally and Charley are horrified, and Rhonda vows never to be a victim of a disturbed teacher again. As they discuss their findings, someone locks them in the basement, and despite their efforts, they cannot open the door.
Meanwhile, Simon receives a call from his friend Nicole and rushes to find Maddie. She confides in him about writing her own obituary and asks if she can read it to him. It's a heartfelt and honest testament to her life, and Maddie admits her love for Simon. He has been a steadfast friend, loving her unconditionally, and perhaps that's why he's the only one who can see her. She thanks him for being there for her through life and death.
Simon breaks down, showing her the video Nicole had recorded. It clearly shows Maddie driving off in Xavier's truck. Simon suggests that Maddie's ghost is a coping mechanism he's using to deal with the fact that Maddie has run away. He fears he's lost his mind, believing that Maddie is still alive. Maddie tries to reassure him, but he flees in tears, leaving her distraught. She chases after him but ends up in the basement, where she hears Charley, Wally, and Rhonda calling for help.
Finally, Maddie starts to recall what transpired on the fateful day she disappeared. She hears someone else calling for help in the basement. She rushes to open the door and witnesses Mr. Martin arguing with Janet. Before she can comprehend what's happening, Janet rushes towards her, the force throwing her backwards into the wall with a thud.
Back in the present, Charley, Rhonda, and Wally warn Maddie that she cannot trust Mr. Martin. She spots him standing on the stairs in the basement, his expression angry and menacing.
Outside school, Janet - now inhabiting Maddie's body - purchases a bus ticket to flee the town. She spots a missing person poster with Maddie's face and casually discards it.
