As she sat there, at the lunch table, she wasn’t feeling hungry for her peanut butter and jelly sandwich. After all, she didn’t need to eat human food anymore. She watched as everyone took out their food and began to eat.

“So Rach, you have to tell us, what the hell happened?” Taryn asked.

“Yeah!” the others said, waiting for her to talk.

“Ya know, I really don’t want to talk about it,” Rachel said back, trying to conceal her privacy around the matter.

“What do you mean? You can tell us!” Emily said.

“Yeah, we won’t tell anyone. We promise,” Jen said.

“I know, you guys are the best, but it really was scary and I’m not in a good place to talk about it right now. Plus what really matters is that I’m back and still breathing, right?” Rachel asked, trying to make light of the situation.

“Um, you’re seriously not going to tell us?” Taryn asked, getting annoyed. “We’ve been worried sick about you, and now that you’re back, you’re pleading the fifth?”

“Seriously, you guys can’t be mad at me, it was really terrible what happened and it’s so raw that I need time to heal myself before I start talking about it. I can’t just snap my fingers and go back to normal,” Rachel said.

“Guys, let’s respect her, she will tell us, eventually,” Emily said, sticking up for Rachel.

Rachel shook her head and said, “Yeah, I promise, I’ll tell you guys, just not here.” She looked around the cafeteria at all the staring faces. It was like everyone was listening to her, the hustle and bustle sounds she was used to in the cafeteria were very quiet today and she could tell that everyone was curious about what had happened. It was like everyone was eavesdropping on her conversation with her friends. She didn’t feel safe at school—she felt like she had to completely censor herself, especially now. If anyone found out what really happened, well, she didn’t know what they’d do.

“So, what’s this I hear about the Halloween ball?” Rachel asked, changing the subject.

“OMG! The Halloween Ball is the coolest event at AHS. Like everyone who’s anyone goes to this!” Liv said, excitedly.

“It’s tonight!” Jen said, “Do you have your costume yet?”

“Well, seeing as I just found out about this, no!” Rachel answered.

“We have to get you one then!” Taryn said. “I’m going to be a rock princess! I already got my costume and tried it on. I think I have everything set to go. Plus, you know who asked me to be his date! So I’m pumped.”

“Who?” Rachel asked. “The guy in your math class you like?”

“Yup! Sure did!” Taryn said, smiling.

“Well lucky you!” Rachel said.

“Do you have a date? I assume not since you didn’t even know about the ball,” Emily asked.

“No, I don’t. I guess I could always go alone right?” Rachel asked.

“Um, you could,” Emily answered, sounding uncertain.

“Well, it’s going to be sick! It’s tonight at the bowling alley in town. It’s going to be so fun. You have to come!” Jen said.

“I’ll be there! I’ll be there!” Rachel said, getting excited. She finally was happy to have something to look forward to.

“Rach, you haven’t touched your lunch? Aren’t you hungry?” Emily asked, sounding concerned.

“Not really, still full from breakfast,” Rachel said.

“Ok, well, you should really eat something, don’t want you to start feeling sick again,” Emily said.

“Thanks for looking out,” Rachel said with a smile.

“So you guys cool to come to my place for a sleepover later?” Taryn asked. “My mom said it was OK, we could all sleep in the basement.”

“Yeah!” the chorus of girls chimed in. “Can’t wait!”

“Rach, can you come?” Taryn asked.

“I’ll have to ask my parents. They’re not exactly thrilled with me at the moment,” Rachel responded. “But I’ll try my best!”

As she sat there, the bright lights were beginning to hurt her eyes and skin. She could feel her body getting warmer and warmer as she sat there. It felt almost as if she were about to have a panic attack, but worse. She couldn’t help but squint her eyes to keep the bright lights out.

“Rach, you ok?” Liv asked.

“Yeah? You don’t look so good,” Jen said, worried.

“I, um, I’m fine,” Rachel said.

“You’re skin, it’s getting red and your eyes, are you sure you feel ok?” Emily said.

“Yeah, I’m fine!” she said, getting worried they were starting to assume things.

“You’re acting kinda strange,” Emily said.

She didn’t know how to respond to this, she was acting strange and she knew she shouldn’t have left the castle. But now she was here and she would have to make the best of it.

“Yeah, I’m ok, just a little hot, that’s all,” Rachel answered.

“Okay...” Emily said, still sounding curious.

As the bell rang, she said goodbye to her friends and began walking towards her fifth period class. She couldn’t believe she’d made it through another interrogation session about her disappearance. She also couldn’t believe this was the AHS Halloween Ball this weekend. She couldn’t stop thinking about finding the perfect costume and the perfect date. She didn’t know who it would be but she was hoping that someone special would ask her.

Just as she was almost to her class, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She quickly turned around to see Arielle, standing there looking mean and cold.

“Heard you talking in the cafeteria,” Arielle said.

“Um, hello to you, too,” Rachel replied.

“Listen, I thought you were gone once and for all,” Arielle said, eerily.

“Well, I’m back!” Rachel said, trying not to sound scared.

“You better watch your step. If you even come between me and Rob, that will be the last thing you ever do. I don’t even want to catch you looking in his direction,” Arielle sneered.

Rachel was scared. She didn’t know what to do. She’d already kind of made plans with him for the weekend. She started to tremble, and then said, “Calm down, I haven’t done anything to get in your way. Relax.”

“Well, if I see it, or hear about it, you’ll have to answer to me,” Arielle said and then quickly turned around and walked the opposite direction.

Chapter Ten

Hunter could hear the footsteps getting louder as Violet and four soldiers stomped down the hall to his jail cell. The jingle of the keys on the large key rang through his ears as they looked for the key to his cell. As they opened it, Violet walked in and then turned to the soldiers and said, “You are released now.”

“Violet? What a surprise, what are you doing here?” Hunter asked.

Violet walked around his small cell, looking at his belongings. She picked up a family picture and then put it back down and smiled.

“I’ve come to give you one more chance,” Violet said, as she turned and looked at Hunter.

“What do you mean?” Hunter asked. “I don’t understand.”

“I’ll give you one more chance to live,” Violet said, sternly.

“What? Anything?” Hunter said, sounding eager to hear her plot.

“Well, now that I’ve put Penelope away in the tower, you and I can be together,” Violet said in a sultry voice.

“What are you talking about, Violet?” Hunter asked.

“It can finally be me and you, in love forever,” Violet whispered as she got close to hunter, putting her boney finger up to his lips. “You know you want me.”

Moving away from her and giving her a look of disgust, Hunter said, “Stop! I don’t love you and I never will.”

“Hunter, I can tell that you want to be with me, just let your guard down and get in touch with your inner feelings,” Violet pleaded.

Violet walked towards Hunter again, this time reaching out and touching his cold hand.

“Violet, I don’t want to be with you, stop this right now!” Hunter said firmly.

“This is your last chance,” Violet said, as she stepped back and a stone cold look came across her face. “If you don’t fall for me, you will die.”

“So be it,” Hunter said, firmly. “I’d rather die than be with an evil witch like you.”

“That’s it!” Violet shrieked, “Guards, come get him!”

Within in seconds the three guards who had accompanied Violet to his cell were now clomping back down the hall with their loud steel toed boots and rifles in their hands. He knew he couldn’t let Violet convince him to fall in love with her.

“Execute him!” Violet ordered as they approached.

He stood there and awaited his fate, and the three men ushered Violet to stand behind them as they ordered Hunter to get in place.

“Stand over there!” one guard yelled.

“Put your back against the wall and put your hands above your head!” the other guard ordered.

“Do I get any last words?” Hunter asked, trying to prolong his sentence.

“No!” Yelled Violet. “There’s nothing more for you to say!”

“Stand still!” the guard yelled out.

“On the count of three!” the other guard said, as they all loaded silver bullets into their chambers.

“One…Two…” the guard said slowly, prolonging this ordeal.

Then, a voice came screaming down the hallway. It was one of Violet’s evil subjects, running down the hallway in a black robe.

“Violet, Violet! I have news for you!” she said, out of breath.

The guards put their guns down and everyone turned to listen to the news.

“Yes?” Violet asked.