And now, as Sandra watched herself in the mirror, she felt different. She looked different. A new look, a new her. She almost didn't recognize herself, there was little similarity to her past appearance.

"Do you like it?" the stylist asked.

Sandra smiled as she paid and tipped him. "I love it," she answered.

---

Back in Illinois, Sandra waited for a cab outside the airport as she dialed her only friend's number.

"Sandy!" Bommie greeted on the other end.

"Hi, Bommie," she greeted back.

"Are you okay?" Bommie asked worriedly. "It's been a while since we talked. I'm very worried."

Sandra smiled over the phone. "I'm fine, Bommie. Just a bit busy lately." Her smile faded. "Thanks for everything, Bommie," she whispered sadly.

Bommie quickly picked up on this. "Why do you sound like you're sad and saying goodbye?" she quipped.

Sandra sighed. "Bommie, you might not hear from me again anytime soon, so don't try to contact me. When I'm ready, I'll contact you first and tell you everything."

Bommie was silent on the other end. "D-don't tell me you are still going after them?"

Bommie had always been quick to pick up on things like this.

Sandra decided to be a bit honest. "I don't want you to get involved. I don't want you hurt."

"Oh, Jesus, Sandy!" Bommie was shocked and at a loss for words.

Sandra bit her lip. Bommie being speechless was something. Then she saw her taxi approaching. "I'll contact you first, I promise. Take care always, my friend. Thank you for everything." She ended the call.

She then pulled out the SIM card from her phone and threw it in the nearest trash bin.

The taxi driver helped her with her bags and opened the door for her.

"Where to, Miss?"

Sandra felt the soft blow of the autumn air in her now short hair. Her new beginning was about to start.

"Madtown University, please," Sandra answered.

Once settled inside the car, she removed her contact lenses and put on her new glasses.

She looked at her reflection in the mirror. She looked entirely different than before.

New hair, new look, new her.

Mad KingZ didn't know it yet, but in this fall's new semester, this November, a threat was coming for them.