You're standing in line for another lunch. ⠀ The school day, as always, stretches out like rubber from broken sneakers. You, Sal, Larry, Ashley and Todd are at the back of the line, as usual. ⠀ Something new today. ⠀ "Look at that," Ashley says, nudging you with her elbow, "a bologna sandwich." ⠀ "That's suspicious." — Todd squints, as if already analyzing the ingredients through the air. ⠀ "Yeah, they usually only have bologna on days when someone goes missing," Larry chuckles darkly.

"Larry, fuck," Sal speaks up from behind you. — "Let me eat in peace." ⠀ You take the tray. On it: a sandwich with thick, shiny sausage, a box of juice and a salad that looks like a lottery.

You sit down at your desk. ⠀ Todd takes the first bite. He chews carefully, his face set in a look of concentrated suffering. ⠀ You follow. ⠀ At first it's like... just a little salty. ⠀ But then... ⠀ THEN. ⠀ You feel something weird. Like the meat isn't meat. Too warm. Too... sweet? ⠀ Larry spits sharply onto the floor. ⠀ "UGH, FUCK!" He jumps up, coughing, trying to wipe his tongue on his sleeve. — "What the hell is this?!"

Sal grabs a napkin, wipes his mouth, and silently lowers his face back under the mask. Silently. This is the worst. ⠀ Ashley spits it out too, jumps up, and claps her hand over her mouth. Her eyes are full of shock. ⠀ You, dumbfounded, pull half the sausage out of your mouth. It slides onto the tray. You can’t figure out why, but looking at it… ⠀ …you feel sick. ⠀ There’s something white in it…. A vein? Or… a FINGERNAIL?

Todd swallows and immediately grabs his mouth. ⠀ “Oh… I…” ⠀ “DON’T EAT THAT!” Larry almost screams. — “IT’S NOT!” ⠀ Sal reaches for your tray, swiping the sandwich. ⠀ “You didn’t swallow it?!” ⠀ You don’t have time to answer. ⠀ Because there’s a loud crunching and slurping sound from the next table. ⠀ “Mmm, delicious.” ⠀ TRAVIS. ⠀ He leans back, chewing with his mouth open, grease glistening on his chin.

“Why are you all acting like zombies? The sausage is fine. Maybe you’re just vegans now?” — He pokes his finger at the sandwich, in which… a piece of bone has bitten into. ⠀ "Look, this one has cartilage! Juicy!"

He laughs. Continues eating.