Hours before the Bite ~

"Cass! Hello?" Twig, my closest friend, called to me while I was staring out into space. Their frustrated face signaled that I wasn't paying attention to our conversation. I think we were talking about me coming over to help them with their art project.  Papier-mâché was messy and I remember them talking about needing an extra set of hands. I wiped my eyes to get me back to reality. Twig groaned, "Girl, did you hear anything that I have been saying?" 

Knowing that I wasn't, I shrugged while playing with the mystery meat with a plastic fork. "Yeah, yeah. Don't worry, I'll be over after six." Twig smiled at my response, their smiley piercing showing through their grin. Twig was the first and only person to talk to me at school. We grew up together, Twig only a year older than I am.

They haven't changed their style in quite some time. Stretch earlobes, dramatic winged eyeliner, and that signature shaven hair. They told me quite some time ago that they wanted to regrow it a bit. I guess they changed their mind...

I looked down at my own style, which was much more plain. Just a forest green sweater, dark blue jeans, and plain white sneakers. Dirt impacted the brightness of the sneakers, making it more of a beige. My choice of fashion didn't shine as much as Twig's but I guess I just haven't found anything that spoke to me. I was a little jealous. Even my hair was just combed through.

"What if, when I'm there, you can give me some bangs?" I asked as I played with a lock of my hair. "Ya know, change it up?" I could barely finish my sentence when Twig slammed their hand on the cafeteria table. They had monstrous strength for someone who spends all their time in their room making new artsy creations. 

"Not today! You don't want to be stuck with that forever!" They yelled. I was confused but also a little scared. I've never heard them yell like that before. The whole room became quiet, it was eerie. All eyes were on us, even the staff. Just staring. Twig noticed their own volume and cleared their throat. "I mean, I don't want to give you a haircut that you might end up hating." 

The others in room finally continued their lunch and chit chat. Twig still looked concerned but that was their usual attitude towards anything new I wanted to do. "If I don't like it, it'll just grow out." I mumbled. 

We finished the rest of our lunch in silence and went on with the rest of our school day. It was a calm and surprisingly an easy day. The teachers were nicer than normal which helped after that blow up from Twig. 

Afterwards, I got home and had dinner. Mom was at work so she left dinner in the fridge for me to heat up. It was nothing too special, just some mac and cheese, but mom can make it taste like it belongs in a five star restaurant. It was delicious and finished in a flash. I washed my plate and went into my room to start packing things to take over to Twig's house. 

I zipped up my backpack which was full of extra newspaper and glue just in case we run out while we were working. It was snug, but the zipper was able to close all the way. I made sure I had my house keys and then went on my journey over to Twig's place. The sun was almost down by the time I left my house. I walked a bit until reaching the closest bus stop and used my phone while waiting. The bus arrived only a few minutes behind which was pretty lucky for me. I stepped on and took a seat. It was a pretty empty bus for tonight. Just me and a few other people. 

After riding on the old bus for a while, I reached my stop and got off. Twig's house was only a block away from the stop. I walked on the sidewalk as I still stared at my phone. With every step I took, the more I felt excited for this project. Right before I hit the corner of Twig's block, I was violently pushed. I screamed from the surprise impact; my phone flew. I was flung into a fence which stung. Staying onto the ground, I grimaced from the pain. There was no time to see who or what attacked me before I was grabbed by my sweater collar and lifted into the air. Fear struck me as I looked around for anyone who could have seen or have helped me but no one was there. 

It was just me and this man in the dimly lit alleyway.