The last track finished playing and once again, the CD started from the beginning. Mary groaned and rolled over, pushing herself to her feet.

Mary: "Alright, alright, enough already."

She turned the CD player off, and noticed how dark it had gotten. There was no trace of the sun left, only the orange glow of streetlights.

Mary: "Damn time change. You'd think the government would have better things to do than enforce the time of day."

Mary: "Oh, what do you know? You don't even have a watch."

She gathered her things and locked up the studio. Her first draft of the album art had already been emailed to Stone, and she was a little surprised she hadn't yet received an annoyed response. A part of her had been hoping he would say something particularly irritating - anger usually left her at her expressive best. Maybe tomorrow.

The fog was still thick outside. Mary wondered if it had ever burned off during the day. She walked in the general direction of her car until everything disappeared from view. The scent of burning cloves stopped her in her tracks. There was someone else there, in the fog. Her heart started racing. She turned around and walked briskly back the way she'd come. As the brick wall of the building stepped forth out of the fog, she was suddenly thrown against it, knocking the air out of her lungs before she had the chance to scream.

Mary: "Oh, it's you. What do you want?"

Chris leered at her, moving in closer until their faces were mere inches apart. She was playing at being fearless, but her pounding heart gave her away.

Chris: "I want…"

Mary threw him an impatient look.

Chris: "I want to bite you."
Mary: "Being that you're a vampire, I'm sure that's true. But it's not going to happen, so step back, please, your breath…"

Mary frowned.

Mary: "Your breath is very bad."
Chris: "Yeah? Well…"

Chris: "So's your face."
Mary: "What?"
Chris: "Your face. It's… unpleasant to look at. There are all these…"

Chris gestured wildly at her face with his hands, a clove cigarette dropping ashes into the fog.

Chris: "…frown lines and such."

Mary opened her mouth to speak, but her words seemed to be hiding in the back of her throat. Instead, she sighed heavily, and kneed Chris in the groin. She barely made contact, but he staggered backward and fell over. Mary watched him for a moment, wondering what to do next. Her eyes widened as Chris started to get up.

Mary: "Shit!"

She took off into the fog, kicking off her loud shoes as she ran, praying that she didn't crash headfirst into a wall. By the time her heart was ready to give out, she had reached downtown Deception Pass, which was still bustling with people. She leaned her hand against the side of the building and caught her breath.

Joe: "Welcome to Hinsu's Karate, I'm Joe Hinsu. Can I help you?"
Mary: "Yes, I'd like to sign up for classes."
Joe: "You're a beginner?"

Mary nodded.

Joe: "Excellent. We have only two open spots left in a class starting next week. It meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings."
Mary: "Perfect."