Before she could answer, Cassidy was yanked backwards and swallowed whole.

“Ma’am, what’re you-”

“I needed a meal.”

“But she’s a student!”

“Ryan Gerald Clark, do not argue with your superiors!”

“Yes, ma’am…”

Cassidy heard the sound of scales scraping against tile, then felt her captor lay down on something soft. Then she heard, of all things, the principal’s voice.

“Miss East,” she said sternly, “what do you think you’re doing on school premises?”

Cassidy squirmed desperately. “I need help!” she yelled, desperation in her voice. “A harpy ate my mom and was trying to eat me!”

There was a silence, then Cassidy felt the stomach’s interior dry up. “Forgive me, I didn’t know,” Cecilia apologized. “But why me?”

“Well, you’ve been the principal for a while, right?” Cassidy asked, pressing a hand against the belly wall. “You’ve gotta have dealt with some dangerous people…”