Alison POV

I woke up hastily and changed as fast as I could. I had forgotten to set my alarm clock, and I was late for school. The girls would be worried sick. I was usually the first one there, to strike up a conversation about a new rumor (likely one I had started) or some gossip about new kids. Word on the street is Mona Vanderwal has completely changed her look.

I, of course, can't allow that nerd to get even slightly popular. I had stayed up late last night thinking up a plan to make sure she stayed nerdy and annoying. I grinned and grabbed my bag, rushing down the stairs. I ignored my mom's attempt at conversation as I ran out the door.

I was halfway to school when I noticed the same guy was always behind me. He wore a black hoodie, black pants, and even black gloves. Being the kind of girl who throws herself at the face of danger, I stopped and turned around, wearing my signature smirk. "Why are you following me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. The strange figure reached up and pulled back his hood, revealing a pale face with a few clumps of hair on its head.

He had no jaw, and was missing an ear and both eyes. I froze, my smirk vanishing. I tried to call for help but my mouth wouldn't open. This creature... it looked like it came out of some horror movie.

Somehow it managed to speak, but since it had no jaw the words came out guttural and low. I strained to hear his words, but gulped when I did.

"Me want brains.."

I thought I should run, but it was like my feet were glued to the sidewalk. He approached me, his rotting arm reaching. (He only had one arm.)

I came to my senses and turned, running as fast as I could. But this wasn't a normal zombie movie. This creature... this thing... was fast. Really fast. It caught up to me in a matter of seconds. It's arm looked like it was about to fall off, but it still managed to grab my sweater and push me to the ground. I attempted to scream but it was too late.


No POV

"Where's Ali?" Aria inquired, looking around the hallway. The girls were currently at Hanna's locker, where they usually met. "She's probably just late," Hanna replied, not moving her gaze away from her phone. "Yeah," Emily agreed.

"What if she's actually in trouble guys?" Spencer said, glaring at them. "We could be standing here while she's out in some field bleeding to death."

"Gosh Spence," Hanna said, finally looking up. "You worry too much." The other girls nodded. Spencer just sighed. "I guess."

After School-

"Ali never showed up," Aria stated worriedly. "And the Principal said she never called in absent."

Spencer grinned triumphantly. "I'm right!" Hanna just glared.

Emily reached into the pocket of her swim team jacket, pulling out her phone. "Let's see if she answers her phone." The phone rang, but never picked up. Emily sighed and dialed again. On the third ring, someone answered. Emily looked relieved. "Hey Ali, are you okay?" she asked, putting it on speakerphone.

All they heard was a low grumbling. Then, "Brains.."

"Ali, you can't scare us. I mean, zombies would never be real," Hanna stated, looking annoyed. The grumbling on the phone continued, then a growl.

"Maybe it's for real," Emily whispered, hanging up. "Sure, Em, totally," Hanna scoffed. Aria shrugged. "I don't know, Em. Ali plays tricks like this all the time."

"We should still look for her, to make sure she's okay," Emily pleaded. "Fine," Hanna relented. "But if she's just sitting in the coffee shop, laughing at us, don't look at me."

Spencer glanced at Aria. The two friends always decided on things together. "Sure," Aria said. "What's the harm in checking?" Spencer nodded, and the group set out towards Alison's house, calling their parents along the way to say they were having a sleepover at Ali's.

Suddenly Spencer reached out an arm, stopping the girls. "What is it, Spence?" Aria questioned. Spencer stared at the sidewalk with a nervous expression. "Is that... blood?"

The girls all leaned in, examining the red stains with worried looks. Hanna gasped. "There's... a finger." They all backed away, noticing the finger among all the blood.

"We have to find Alison," Aria declared, still staring. They all nodded, except for Hanna. "Guys, what if we get hurt or even killed? I mean, I know Ali's our best friend but we'd be risking all of our lives."

Emily frowned. "I can't just go to school like we saw nothing, and pretend we know nothing if her parents file a missing report. She brought us all together, we have to find her."

Hanna sighed. "Okay, but no going into creepy sewers or dark, abandoned houses."

Aria giggled a bit at that. "Han, you watch too much TV." Hanna gave her an annoyed look, and they all walked on, skirting around the blood.

"If I get killed, it's Emily's fault," Hanna muttered as they searched for more clues.