I happily coasted down a hill and squeezed the brakes as I turned the corner to avoid any oncoming or parked cars. What I didn’t anticipate was an obstacle of another kind—a pack of runners. I barely avoided smacking into them and veered off into a small band of hedges instead.

“Watch where you’re going, Monster Girl!” I heard a male voice call.

I withdrew my bike from the bush and picked a few leaves off my hoodie.

Trevor stormed over to me, flanked by a few soccer snobs, and held the handlebars of my bike so I couldn’t pass.

“Where are you off to in such a hurry?” His stunning green eyes bore through me. “A corpse convention?”

Even sweaty, Trevor was gorgeous.

“What are you running away from?” I retorted. “Your mirror?”

The soccer snobs laughed. Trevor’s already flushed face reddened like a sunburn.

The Mansion loomed behind Trevor up ahead on Benson Hill, the sun moments from setting.

“I suggest you turn back now. Before it’s too late,” he tried to warn as only an adversary could. “When darkness falls, the monsters arise.”

“The monster has already arisen,” I said, in his face. “And he’s standing right in front of me.”

Trevor’s cohorts snickered again.

“How about I just take your bike then?” He tried to wrestle the handlebars away from me, and for a moment the two of us struggled.

Finally, I released my grip. “Be my guest,” I relented. “Pedal your way back to practice on a girl’s bike. I’m sure it will end up on YouTube.”

Trevor thought for a moment as his cohorts tried to hide their chuckles. My nemesis let my bike fall to the ground.

“We better get back. It’s getting dark,” one of the soccer snobs said.