3rd Person's POV

The bus is packed four to a seat, then three, then two... Finally, in the rear of the bus sit five kids- Kyle, Rhonda, Tor, Mick, and Heidi, each in their own seat. They're attractive, supremely confident and dressed to kill.

Buffy nudges Xander, "What's with the spaceage?"

Xander sighs, "First field trip, huh?"

"Maybe it's non-obvious, but wouldn't our trip to the Zoo be a teensy bit more comfortable if... one of us
sat in the back?"

Willow shakes head, "Reserved for cool people."

Just as she says that Laney walks onto the bus. It's as if time stops and everyone was on television. Everyone watches the beauty slowly make her way to the back of the bus.

"Hey Kyle... could I possibly steal this seat?"

Kyle looks up almost ready to tell off whoever was bothering him. As soon as he turns, he sees Laney Rosenberg. His face lights up as a smirk appears.

"Of course Beautiful."

"Thanks so much. That means the world to me."

As Kyle stands up to move out the seat, Laney slides her hand across his chest then quickly pecks his cheek.

Kyle nods then smiles and pushes over Lance who had thought he had a seat by himself. Laney sits down with a smirk then looks up and sees the gang. She waves then starts to text on her phone.

Buffy looks over at Willow with a frown.

Willow shrugs and confesses, "That's why we're in the front... and she's in the back."

Xander nods then points out the five in the back, "Those are the "So-shes." Also known as the "Hotsnots," and the "Attack Pack"..."

"So what do they do?"

"They're not like jocks or cheerleaders where they
actually do something--"

Willow nods, "People just want to hang with them."

Buffy blinks trying to understand, "Oh-- sort of our version of the Royal Family."

"Worse. They have self-confidence. It's like they know they're in, and anyone who's not them is, by
definition, out."

Kyle, male model arrogance, nudges Rhonda, youthful Cruella De Ville. He points to Lance rail-thin, with glasses and severe acne.

"You know, Lance, for lunch, I'm thinking
pepperoni pizza. You like greasy food, Lance?"

Kyle speaks friendly but if you really payed attention you would know something was wrong.

Lance looks surprised, "Oh, thanks Kyle, but my dermatologist wants me to lay off greasy foods."

Rhonda smiles, "Oh riiight, your skin. That must be horrible. Do you get it on your back, too?"

The other 'Soshes' quietly snicker at this, realizing the cruel fun has begun. Laney glances over with a frown but doesn't say anything as she looks back at her phone.

Buffy and Willow watch the conversation that they can't hear, and see Kyle put his arms around Lance's shoulders. Rhonda leans over her seat and holds his shoulders also.

"They're being nice to Lance."

"You know at Marineland-- how Shamu and the other Killer Whales like to play with bouncy red balls?" Xander says knowing exactly what's really going on.

"Lance is now a bouncy red ball." Buffy nods in understanding.

"Count on it."

"Nowhere are hierarchies and cruel pecking
orders more pronounced than in the Animal Kingdom... And perhaps no animals are more cruel than the Hyenas, who taunt and wound their victims before going in the for the kill..."

On the video, Hyenas attack a Zebra, as Buffy notices Kyle, with his arm around Lance as he looks back at the 'Soshes' with a wink.

"...Their powerful jaws tear flesh, and crush bones to powder, all the while emitting the Hyena's hideous laughter..."

Kyle laughs, "C'mon Lance, let's check 'em out."

Buffy watches in concern as Kyle waves for his cohorts to follow him toward the padlocked door barring entry onto the dark pathway. A sign on the door says: HYENA CAGE. POSITIVELY NO ADMITTANCE.

"...Hyenas mark their territory by secreting a smelly
paste from glands in their hindquarters..."

A Zookeeper, 40's, dressed like Marlin Perkins, with a safari hat, blocks their path. Points to the sign.

"Are you illiterate, or do you just have bad eyesight?
Because Hyenas are quick to prey on the weak."

Rhonda pouts, "Why can't we go in there?"

"Quarantine. They just came from Africa. So keep out."

The Zookeeper begins to walk away. Then turns back, "...Even if they call your name."

Buffy frowns, "What're you talking about?"

The Zookeeper obviously relishes this part of the job.

"A Masai tribesman once told me that Hyenas can understand human speech. They follow humans by day, learning their names. At night, when the
campfire has died, they call out to the person. And once that person is separated... the pack devours him."

The students are transfixed for a moment. Chilled-- except for Kyle, who regards the Zookeeper with contempt.

Kyle nods to the zookeeper, "Nice hat."

The five guffaw. Laney tries to hide her chuckle but Kyle sees and winks towards her. Fuming, the Zookeeper leads the other students, including Buffy and Willow around a corner.

Xander turns back, just in time to see the five headed down the ominous pathway. Kyle still has his arm around Lance, who's just glad to be included.

Xander, disgusted, shakes his head like, "Those dicks."

"Who's a dick?" Laney asks as she looks over at the glaring Xander.

"I'm gonna stops them." Xander makes his way to hyena exhibit.

"Alex!" Laney whispers yells as she watches him leave.

Groaning looking at her class disappear, she turns back to the exhibit then hurries under the caution tape, following behind Xander.

The five and Lance approach the seemingly empty cage.

"Pretty fun, huh Lance?" Kyle mocks, "I hope they don't call our names--"

Kyle presses his face against the mesh cage.

"Hy-eeena -- I'm Kyyyyle..."

For a second, they all stare at the empty Hyena cage. Suddenly, two Hyenas move out of the shadows. Their wiry coats and horrible hunchbacks creep toward the kids.

Lance starts to freak out as he realizes he's the only one whose face is still pressed against the cage. He tries to pull back, but can't.

Kyles hand holds Lance's face against the cage as the five laugh hysterically at this. The Hyenas sidewind closer to the horrified Lance, their narrow eyes flashing interest.

"What's wrong, Laaaance-- they just want to learn your name."

"Okay-- I think they know it now..."

Lance struggles, when suddenly, Xander pushes Kyle and pries Lance free.

"Cut it out asshole!" Laney says as she tries to stand between Xander and Kyle.

Kyle and Xander are about to fight when a shrill, horrifying Hyena cackle stops everyone cold.

"What was that?" Laney whispers as she moves closer to Xander.

Xander holds onto Laney's waist. For some reason the cackle has interested everyone to stare into the Hyena's eyes.

The Hyena looks into Kyle's then Rhonda, then the rest of the five, before also staring at Laney and then a final exchange through Xander.

Lance never looking back, climbs the boarded-up cave entrance, but slips, falling back to the ground injuring his knee.

"Owwwww--"

The five kids' eyes flash yellow. They blink, then turn as one to look at Lance-- only Xander and Laney don't turn their heads. Suddenly, Kyle begins a cruel laugh... Lance's crying and Kyle's laughter mingle eerily with the Hyenas' cackling from the splintered shadows. Laney finally turns around allowing Lance to watch her eyes flash yellow then she smirks and joins in. Lance looks at his only help and Xander finally turns toward him as he holds an eerie grin.

JUST FOR FUN

Laney's Outfit, Hair, and Nails