Abigail and Emily were walking home from school one day, when Emily collapsed.  Abigail smiled, as if it were all a big joke.  Her smile slowly dropped into a frown when she heard footsteps from behind.  She looked behind her, but no one was there.  Realizing there was no "punch-line" to this joke, Abigail cried, "Emily!"

When Emily woke up, it was mid-afternoon - 5 oíclock.  Emily moaned, "Ow," for the zillionth time, pulling her hand out from under the covers.  There was a cloth on her forehead.  Her mom carefully removed the bandage from her left hand, revealing a  "D" imprinted in the middle.  It was burning hot; so hot, in fact, that steam was coming out of it.

 The next day, was Friday, October 24.  Emily arrived late to school, during third-period music class.  She entered quietly, taking a seat next to Abigail.  Emily appeared drowsy, but joined her classmates in song.  As Emily sang, Abigail noticed that Emilyís two top-row incisor teeth were longer and sharper than the rest.  She also noticed that Emilyís thumbs seemed to be shrinking, and her nails were long and sharp.  In between verses, Emily whispered to Abigail, "Sleepover, Ab?  Please.  I am leaving on a trip soon; my parents are taking me to Transylvania ? I mean Pennsylvania -- and I want to get together with you before I leave." Abigail replied, "Sure," though, secretly, she didnít want to. 

After school, Abigail went to Emilyís house. She had purposely forgotten her sleeping bag as a reason to go home.   Abigail hit her hand on her head, exclaiming, "Ugh! I forgot my sleeping bag!" "That is okay," Emily assured her. "You can sleep in my bed.  Speaking of sleep, GOSH! Iím so tired!"  Emily yawned.  It was 3:30 pm. But, upon Emilyís request, they went to bed.  Emilyís slept in an oddly shaped plastic box that was on the floor in her room; Abigail knew she had seen it before, but she couldnít exactly put her finger on what, or where. 

 The next morning, Abigail looked down. No Emily. She thought, Emily must be in the kitchen, getting breakfast. So Abigail tried the kitchen.  No luck there either.  She tried Emilyís parentsí room, but no one was there.  She opened every door, including their huge broom closet.  All the brooms were gone, and on the floor of the closet were two shriveled thumbs.

 The next week on Halloween, Abigail was walking home with her new friend Jinna.  Suddenly Abigail collapsed.  Jinna did not smile.  They were a block away from Jinnaís house and Abigail was light, so Jinna carried her there.

 Jinna saw that Abigailís hand was steaming hot.  There was a "D" imprinted in the middle.  Abigail didnít moan.  She just thought.  Suddenly, all the pieces fit together.  "Jinna," Abigail said, "want to sleep over?"