Trying to make the best of a new town is a lot harder than you ever expected.
Erika
Mom, I'm off to the library.
Mom
Okay, sweetie. Hey, thanks for going out today. There's a lot to discover in this town.
Mom
I know those people creeped you out yesterday. They were only staring at you because they're interested in you.
Erika
They looked like they were interested in tying me to a stake!
Mom
Don't be so dramatic. There are good people here.
Erika
I'm trying, but the people in this town don't make it easy.
You leave and head to the library which is almost empty when you arrive. You find the books you were looking for and take them to the librarian.
Librarian
You're new here? You'll need a library card.
Erika
Here's my ID, do you need anything else?
Librarian
...
Erika
You've got some great books here.
Librarian
...
A split second later she suddenly gets up, hands you your card and books, then practically pushes you out the door.
Librarian
No need to return those, Miss Reine Des Sorts.
Erika
What?!
You hear the door click.
Erika
Wait, did you just lock the door. Nice...
Erika
(Well, that was fun…I deserve a latte to perk myself up after dealing with that nonsense.)
You enter the coffee shop and notice a few people sitting at tables. A pretty blonde barista waits to take your order at the counter.
Erika
A large non-fat latte with caramel drizzle, please.
She looks at you strangely.
Barista
Your first and last name?
Erika
For a latte order? Really?
Barista
Really.
Erika
Erika Reine Des Sorts.
The barista's hand shakes as she writes your name on a cup She runs off to make your drink.
Erika
(Great, another weirdo. I can't imagine what a horror show school is going to be tomorrow.)
You pay, grab your drink and turn to leave, walking directly into the most impressive chest you have ever seen.
Erika
(Such perfect abs and such a white t-shirt — wait, make that a brown t-shirt.)
Erika
Oh no!
Morgan
Hey!
Erika
I am so sorry! I didn't know you were behind me, oh my gosh!
You grab a handful of napkins and mop up his shirt.
Morgan
Let me buy you a new drink, it's the least I can do, I was standing way too close.
Erika
Please define "way too close" so that I can judge for myself?
Morgan
You have a cute little freckle shaped like a heart on your right shoulder and your shampoo smells like coconuts.
Erika
(How did I not even notice him when he was close enough to smell my hair?)
Erika
You don't have to buy me a new drink. I'm accident prone, I should be paying for your new shirt —
Morgan
Morgan. And I won't take no for an answer, so you're going to have to deal with it.
Morgan motions to the barista and tells her to make another latte.
Erika
Want to sit with me while we wait?
Morgan
You're new here, I've never seen you before.
Erika
Yes, I just moved here from Massachusetts.
Morgan
Massachusetts.
Erika
Yes, I'm an East Coast girl, born and raised in Salem.
Morgan
And how are you liking the West Coast?
You shift uncomfortably, wondering if you should be honest or not.
Morgan
I see you like it here that much.
Morgan
People can be hard to get to know here, but most of them are actually really kind.
Erika
Since you're the first person I've met who is actually kind I'm not really buying that.
Erika
I really am sorry for ruining your shirt, even if you are guilty of getting too close to an innocent young girl.
Morgan
Young lady, just how old do you think I am?
Erika
To be honest, I can't tell how old you are, but you really dated yourself by beginning a sentence with "young lady".
Morgan
I can't help that I've learned how to talk to girls from my grandmother.
Erika
I see you're funny and cute.
Morgan
Why don't you give me your number, and I will give you my impressive school tour tomorrow?
Morgan
Here's a sharpie.
Morgan
Go ahead, my canvas awaits your digits.
Barista
Hey, Morgan, are you going to come and get this latte?
Morgan
One second! Well? Are you going to give me your number?
Erika
Wait, you're serious?
Morgan
How else am I going to call you?
Erika
Hold still, this might tickle.
Morgan
I think I can handle it.
Erika
Okay, here's my number.
Morgan
Awesome, now let me pop over to the counter and get your latte.
Erika
I can't believe you're doing this for me.
Morgan
It's no problem.
He hands you the latte then walks towards the door. Just before leaving, he turns back.
Morgan
See you tomorrow Erika - don't worry, I'll find you.
Erika
See you tomorrow, Morgan.
You head home and dump your new books onto your bed and flop down next to them. You dive into one of the library books for hours.
Just before your mom goes to bed, she comes to your room.
Mom
How did it go today?
Erika
Mom, I can't believe you grew up here, you're nothing like these people.
Erika
The only normal person I've met so far, I spilled coffee all over.
Mom
Sounds like you're nervous about school tomorrow.
Erika
Ugh!
Mom
You should be excited for your final year. I can't wait to see my girl graduate!
Erika
I miss home, I miss my friends!
Mom
Eventually, you're going to love it here.
Erika
Why do I feel like you're hiding something behind that sales pitch?
Mom
…you belong here just as much as you belong in Salem because you are a part of me.
Erika
I guess I have to take your word for it.
Erika
But I don't have to like it.
Mom
Sweetie.
Erika
...
She tugs on your elbow to try and get you to soften up and release your crossed arms.
Mom
It's late, get some rest, Sweetie. I'll drop you off in the morning.
Mom
*Sighs*
Mom
It can't hurt to get to know a bit about where your Mama grew up, can it?
Mom
Give school a chance, I know you'll feel different tomorrow.
Erika
I'll give it a try. Goodnight, Mom.
Mom
Goodnight, Sweetie.
Your mother closes the door and you get up to draw your curtains closed, noticing something outside.
Erika
(It looks like a guy digging a hole… in the middle of the night...)
You grab your bird-watching binoculars from your desk drawer to get a better look.
Erika
Are you digging something up — or burying something…?
The face turns towards you, almost as if he heard you speak.
You duck down quick and pull the curtains shut from underneath the window.
Erika
(What the heck are they doing out there? It's past midnight?)
Your heart is racing and you can hear it thundering in your chest.
You get up slowly and peek out the window again, but he's gone.
Erika
(I've got to know what he was doing!)
You toss a warm sweater over your pajamas, put on your slippers and head out the door.
You scour the ground, but there is nothing there.
Erika
(Was I imagining things?)
Erika
Just what I need right now, a psychotic break.
You hear a growling noise coming from your yard.
You turn around and get the exact same view you had at the coffee shop today — right down to the t-shirt.
Morgan
Massachusetts?
Erika
Morgan!
He flashes a smile just as you hear a low growl. Suddenly you're falling.