I Only Bite When

Chapter 3 - Dalesbury Woods

"Oh... Hey" I managed to squeak as their presence shocked me, I admit. As I've said, I tend to keep to myself, especially away from the likes of these girls because trust me, I am far from the type of girl that they would want to hang around with, I'm sure. They probably think I'm way too boring and plain for their clique.

"Raven, right?" Said Cara as she took a drag of her cigarette, completely ignoring my greeting. "Yeah, why?" I choked as the smoke was too much to bear. God I hate cigarettes.

Cara walked around the table and sat opposite me. Saskia and Leanne followed. Great, I thought to myself, now I feel like I'm being interviewed for a job or something.

"Steph told me about how you helped her out last night, how you let her crash at yours. That's a really cool thing you did, Raven." Remarked Cara as she gave me a soft and sincere smile. "Oh, really it was nothing. I'm just glad she's safe." I replied as I nervously fidgeted with the strings on my hoodie. Cara just stared at me with a pokerface she wears so frequently it's scary. I wonder what this girl is all about, I really do. "It wasn't nothing, Raven. Trust me, not a lot of people would have done something like that for someone they hardly know. I can't thank you enough for looking out for her." She said as her pokerface cracked and her warm smile fell across her face yet again. I smiled and felt more at ease with her presence. She really does appreciate my kind gesture, doesn't she?

"You should listen to Cara, Raven, there really aren't. A lot of good people in the world." Piper Saskia as the others nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Especially in this town," said Leanne as she looked rather dismayed.

"We're having a bit of a get together tonight in Dalesbury Woods. You should come and join us. It will be a right laugh said Cara. I was shocked at the invitation. "Oh um, yeah, cool. I'll come for a bit before work," I said as I completely brushed off all my other responsibilities without really thinking. "Great!" Said Cara as she stood up. "We'll meet you there at the entrance at five." The three girls walked away and I couldn't help but wonder if that actually just happened.

As I watched them walk away in the distance, I heard a familiar voice. "Well what the hell was all that about?!" I turned around. It was Jenny eating a chocolate bar and looking at me very puzzled. "Why were those three weirdos sat with you?" Chuckled Jenny. "Oh come on," I replied, slightly annoyed at her snarky comment, "they aren't that bad. They're actually kind of... cool." I said as I defended them. Jenny laughed. "Yeah, OK. Oh my God I have the best gossip!" Said Jenny with excitement. She's quite the gossip, but it's just harmless fun to her. As Jenny rambled on about how some girl named Dina got caught cheating on her boyfriend at a party the other night, my mind could help but wander to another place.

Why did those girls invite me to hang out with them? I thought. I just don't feel important enough to be a part of their friend group. They really are something else.

As I pretended to listen to Jenny and her ramblings, attempting to nod, smile and agree at all the right points, something in the back of my mind was telling me that the meeting with those girls in Dalesbury Woods tonight was going to change my life forever.

For good or for bad though? That's the part I don't know.

But curiosity killed the cat, and I was compelled to show up.

After my last class of the day was over, I rushed straight to Dalesbury Woods. This is it I thought, it's time to find out what this is all about.

I sat on a bench at the entrance of Dalesbury Woods, a woods I have been to many times before, but this time was different. This time I would be hanging out with three of the most talked about girls in uni.

I wonder when they will arrive. I thought, as I suddenly realised I hadn't arranged a time to meet with them. I was so caught up in the moment when they approached me at dinner, I forgot to ask all the important details. You i***t I thought to myself as I rubbed my forehead.

After ten minutes, the girls were still nowhere to be seen.

Half an hour later, I began to give up all hope. I'll have to head off to work soon. I thought as I checked my watch. It was now 6pm and it was getting dark. I suddenly heard a leaf crunch behind me, but as I turned around, no one was there. It was probably just a squirrel, Raven. I tried to convince myself.

I waited another fifteen minutes and gave up all hope. I stood up as I sighed and I began to walk away.

That was until I was stopped in my tracks by a blood-curdling scream.

"HELP ME!!!" I heard a woman scream. The sound was coming from inside the woods. I was terrified and suddenly my body was in fight or flight mode. Oh my God. What do I do?! I thought as I weighed up my options.

"GET OFF ME!!!" the woman screamed. It was then that I realised I recognised that voice.

Cara's voice.