“Diana!” her mother called. “It’s dinnertime!”

“I’ll be down in a minute!” she called back. “I’m finishing schoolwork!”

“Don’t take too long!” responded her dad. “You’ve been working up there all evening!”

“Because school is demanding, Dad,” she laughed back. “Just give me a minute!”

Diana was sitting at her desk in her room, breezing through a math worksheet while occasionally tossing a small bit of candy from a small cloth bag she carried to snack on. It’s how she spent a lot of nights now that school had ramped up.

As soon as Diana finished her last problem, she quickly checked over her math and put the worksheet neatly in a folder to turn in on Monday. Then, she flew down the stairs and into the kitchen, where her mother and father were setting the table and serving up food portions.

“There’s my little ray of sunshine,” her dad laughed, ruffling her hair as she smiled up sweetly. “My little genius finish her homework?”

“Stop teasing, Thomas,” her mother scolded. “Diana gets good grades, so let her be.”

“I can’t praise my own daughter?” he asked, scanning Diana’s body. “Although… Are you planning to go out in sweatpants and a t-shirt tonight?”

“Oh-” Diana had forgotten that she was going out late tonight with some friends. “I’ll change later. Dinner first!”

“Settle down,” her mother laughed. “Tonight we’re having shepherd's pie.”

“Woo!” she cheered, getting into her seat. A plate of food was set down in front of her, and she started digging in immediately. Her mom laughed as the other two of them got their food and sat down.

Diana’s dad, Thomas, was a police detective who spent a lot of his time doing paperwork, interviewing suspects, and arresting some really bad people. When he wasn’t being a hardened member of the police force though, he was a caring family man who cared deeply for his wife and daughter. 

Diana’s mother, Chloe, was a schoolteacher who taught elementary school children. She was known to be sweet and generous, often baking sweets for her own students. Diana had a habit of swiping some before the morning though. It was in her nature to give everyone her trust and take care of them, even when they didn’t deserve it. Chloe was a mother to all that she could be, not just Diana.

“So, pumpkin,” her Dad said to her whilst they ate. “What’re you going to do with your friends tonight?”

“We’re going to meet up at Karen’s house and do some girly stuff,” she chuckled.

“What kind of girly stuff, young lady?” her mom teased. “Activities befitting a young girl like yourself, I hope.”

“Of course!”

“Mhm, and don’t go home with any of those girls, you hear me?” her mother said, not letting up. “I know you like some of those girls a bit too much-”

“Mom!”

“Wait until you’re 18,” Dad said, a mouth full of food. “We’ve talked about this before.”

“It’s just a girl’s night!”

“Mhm,” her parents said together.

“Maybe it’s a secret family thing,” her mother wondered. “You know, your cousin Lucie has a thing for girls too.”

“Can we change the subject,” Diana begged, turning red.

“Just be home in time,” Dad said cautiously. “You know about the curfew.”

“I know Dad,” Diana said, rolling her eyes.

The entire town was supposed to have a curfew now because of some killer on the loose in the past month. He apparently already has a concerning body count. Her dad was trying to track him down without much luck. People of all ages and backgrounds, just disappearing off the streets late at night, only to reappear a day or two later in a dumpster. They called him “The Foxwoods Reaper” around town.

“I’m serious, young lady,” Thomas said sternly. “If you’re not back by 10, I’m coming out to get you myself. In the police car.”

“Ok, ok,” she laughed. “I’ll be back safe and sound. Don’t worry so much!” Diana finished her plate and put it in the sink. “I’m going to go change!”

Diana rushed upstairs and threw on a crop top with a pair of high-rise jeans. She grabbed her small leather jacket in case it got too cold. She looked in the mirror and gave a confident smirk. She was missing something… Diana swiped a fox-ear headband and put it on. Now she was complete for tonight.

“I’m leaving!” she called from the doorway, grabbing her small purse.

“Keep your phone on you and call if you see trouble, ok?” her dad said sternly.

“I will,” she nodded.

“Have a fun time, honey,” her mom sweetly said, kissing her forehead.

“See you guys later tonight!” she smiled excitedly, walking out of the house and into the evening air.

*   *   *   *   *

“See ya Monday, Annie!” her friends called out, waving.

“Bye guys!” she laughed, walking back down the street.

Diana started walking home. It was late. A lot later than her father wanted her to be, so she’d get an earful when she got home. Diana got a text on her phone, and she looked down to check. It was from her father, who was naturally worried.

“Diana, it’s past curfew. You were supposed to be back half an hour ago.”

“I’m on my way back now, Dad,” she texted back. “Don’t worry.”

“Make it quick. Love you, pumpkin.”

“Love you too, da-”

Diana never got to finish her text back. All of a sudden, she felt a hand wrap wrap around her waist while a cloth was forced over her mouth. Her eyes went wide in panic and she flailed, kicked, and punched blindly, but nothing worked. After a few seconds, she felt her eyes grow heavy and she started losing consciousness. Her phone dropped and cracked against the concrete, and the last thing she saw was the dimly lit face of her assailant as she fell to the ground herself. The woman looking down at her had a thin, wide smile partially covered by her wavy hair. Diana’s eyes closed for what she thought would be the last time…