Hatchetfield.

Teeth That Turn

October in Hatchetfield was the beginning of the blistering, cold winter that was to come. There were still warm days of course, but with the lake around them, cool winds and snow hit them sooner than it might hit other places. The day it all began seemed like any other, aside from the excessive winds. Emma sighed as she stared out the window, truly wishing she was home wearing a sweater rather than the stupid short sleeved uniform. Truly she was displeased. Zoey had called out sick and Nora had left on an emergency milk run, leaving her alone with a crowd of grumpy people.

"An iced chai latte," Mr. Stupid Mustache said, slapping the counter and looking to his coworkers behind him like he was cool.

"I can't make you a latte, we're out of milk," Emma said in a bland voice.

"What do you mean you're out of milk?" the man cried.

"We're out of milk! The shipment didn't come last night, my boss is trying to get some right now, so either I just make you a chai without milk or you wait," Emma said, trying hard to keep her cool.

"Well I don't want to wait!" Mr. Stupid Mustache exclaimed. "We have ten minutes to get back to the office before our boss is on our ass and stupid Paul wanted to visit you instead of going to Starbucks and I just wanted my drink!"

Emma rolled her eyes and sighed. "Starbucks didn't get their milk delivery either so no one around has milk, first of all. Second, why the fuck do you want an iced drink when it's this cold outside?"

"I don't like your attitude! Where's the hot one?" the man asked.

"She called in sick so she could fuck around with her boyfriend, I'm all you've got," Emma stated, crossing her arms.

"Ted, quit being a dick, please," Mr. Tall-And-Lanky sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

Mr. Stupid Mustache, or Ted as he was apparently called, slapped the counter again. "No! I want my fucking drink!"

"Ted, you're throwing a tantrum," Mr. Nice Beard stated, clearly just as done with the man as Emma was.

"How can a coffee shop be out of milk first thing in the morning, they should know better!" Ted said quickly, irritated.

"Ted, please don't make a scene," Mrs. Curly Hair said softly, putting a hand on his arm.

Ted deflated some at that, running a hand over his hair. "I just want my drink."

"I know, I know, but you'll have to wait," Mrs. Curly Hair soothed.

"Can you guys get out of the way? I'm in a hurry!" Mr. Hurry said from the back of the line.

Ted slapped the counter again. "No!"

Another woman in line, one who didn't come in the shop often, stepped to the side a bit from where she had been standing next to a dark haired man and looked into Ted's eyes. "Calm down and step out of the line so other people can go while you wait," she said calmly.

For some reason, Ted actually listened and stepped to the side.

"Thank you, Ms. Magic, alright who's next?" Emma asked as she looked at the group of coworkers.

As she said that, the bell rang as the door opened. Emma looked up and saw Nora enter but didn't bother paying more attention than that, assuming she would come behind the counter and give her the milk. She turned back to Mr. Tall-And-Lanky to his order, but suddenly a scream rang out, startling everyone in the shop. Everyone turned around to see Nora biting into Mr. Hurry in the neck, tearing a chunk out of it.

"What the fuck?!" Emma cried, backing away towards the counter behind her instinctively.

Chaos rang out as the customers attempted to get away from the threat, but they were directly in front of the door and therefore the main exit. Ms. Magic pushed the man with her towards the gate to get behind the counter and shouted, "Get in the back!"