Morning Shadows

Jackie crouched behind the old oak tree in Harristown's town square, her long black hair tangling in the branches. She pressed her shark tooth necklace against her chest and peered around the trunk. Three blocks away, the bright pink and yellow sign of "Snip & Style Salon" glowed like a warning beacon.

"They're out there," she whispered to herself, watching as Ollie stumbled past with his wild brown curls bouncing with each panicked step. Behind him ran Remi, Mike, Jacob, and Carson, all looking like they'd just seen ghosts.

A cheerful voice called from the salon doorway. "Boys! Don't you want lovely short haircuts today?"

Jackie's dark brown eyes widened. The hairdressers were making their morning rounds. She touched the red streak in her hair nervously.

"Not today, Satan!" Ollie shouted back, diving behind a mailbox.

Jackie grinned despite her fear. At least she wasn't the only one who understood the true horror of those terrible clippers.

The Great Announcement

Jackie slipped from behind the oak tree and crept toward the town's old laundromat on Maple Street. Through the dusty windows, she spotted her friends huddled inside between the washing machines.

"Coast is clear," she whispered, pushing through the door. The smell of detergent filled her nose.

Ollie looked up from behind a dryer, his wild brown curls even messier than usual. "Jackie! Did you see them? The hairdressers are everywhere!"

"I saw one," Jackie said, touching her shark tooth necklace. "They're hunting."

Remi poked his head up from behind a row of washers. His blonde hair hung past his shoulders like a golden curtain. "My mom got a phone call this morning."

Mike groaned. He had red hair that reached his elbows. "Mine too."

Carson nodded grimly, his dark curls bouncing. "Annual Haircut Day is tomorrow."

Jackie's stomach dropped. "Tomorrow?"

"Every kid in Harristown has to get their hair cut," Jacob said quietly. His brown hair was so long it covered half his face.

The dryer buzzed loudly, making them all jump.