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All right, my spookies, it's your host and narrator, Enrique Kuto.
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I'm back again. You know that feeling when you've had
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just enough Christmas. The lights are pretty, the music is looping,
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the malls are packed, and everybody's smiling a little too hard,
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like their faces are getting tired. Yeah, well that's where
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we're headed tonight. Because this isn't a quick little ghost
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story to sip cocoa with. This is a Christmas horror
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novella marathon, Three longer, nastier holiday tales, back to back
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to back, the kind of listening that turns your living
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room into a graveyard. We've got a mall after hours
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where the decorations keep glowing even when the people are gone.
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We've got a movie night that opens the wrong kind
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of doorway, one that doesn't care what your plans were
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for tomorrow. And we've got a Christmas event that's supposed
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to be sweet right up until something steps in and
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starts rewriting what home means. So top off your drink,
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check your locks again, because believe you me, you want
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to check them again, and if you hear bells, they're
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definitely not festive this time. So now without further Ado,
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let's begin the holiday fund and make sure you're subscribed
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on your favorite podcasting app so you don't miss a
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single bit of spooky we bring during the holidays and
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beyond them all overnight by Rob Fields Prolog. Just outside
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the Strickfield Village limits, in an old mansion that was
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thought to be abandoned, Vincent Frankenstein was in a third
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floor laboratory and examining the humanoid experiment that was secured
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to a large metal slab. Stevie quaid. His young assistant
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stood ready to do whatever. Vincent asked. Are you sure
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there's enough sedatives pumping through the creation's body to keep
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her sleeping the sleep of the dead? Stevie asked, looking
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like she hadn't slept in several days. Vincent regarded her.
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I'd like to give you an honest answer, but we've
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seen how she adapts. Stevie groaned and stood in front
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of him. I told you we should have just destroyed her.
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Did you forget what she did when she got loose
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two years ago at Christmas time? Don't you remember how
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she wreaked Havoc and strict Field, Remember how she terrorized
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them all north of the village. She nearly killed us
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several times when we tried to stop her. Vincent sighed,
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I'm aware, Stevie raised her finger, and let's not forget
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how long it took us to actually capture her again
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and finally keep her. This time, she growled and turned
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her back to him. You were the one who put
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the head of a vampire on her when you built her.
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She turned back to him, really angry now, and stretched
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out her fists sideways. Did it ever occur to you
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that we'd never be able to destroy her, Vincent sighed again,
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acknowledging her. I haven't forgotten my fatal miscalculation, Stevie. He
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could see her heaving now. She put her finger in
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his face. It took us nearly midway through this last
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October to finally capture her and keep her. We threw
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everything we had at that creation. We even tried killing
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her by using vampire methods. Unfortunately, her monster side renders
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her immune to all that, even sunlight. We can't even
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behead her. When Stevie turned her back to Vincent, he
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came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders.
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I'm quite aware of what the creation has done my
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dear assistant, I understand how she's affected your life. I
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know you wanted to destroy her. I still do, she
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assured him. I'm still surprised you entertained my idea of
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trying to fix her. Unfortunately, I cannot fix her the
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way I'd hoped. I wanted to be able to replace
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her head, maybe just the brain itself, with a more
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positive one. I truly understand the horror that I've created,
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and will have to live with the consequences of both
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my my actions and hers for the remainder of my
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days on earth. Ultimately, we tried doing things your way
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as well. Even that isn't working. Stevie slowly turned around
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to face Vincent. They looked each other in the face
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for a long moment. Ultimately, it was Vincent who concocted
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the most powerful tranquilizer ever made. It had taken two
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darts filled with it in order for them to finally
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recapture the Creation. The two of them turned to the
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bandaged Creation as the powerful tranquilizer continued to be pumped
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into her system. Ultimately, they agreed that if they could
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not destroy her, then they would keep her permanently asleep
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in the laboratory, Vincent could tell Stevie was still very
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much afraid. I can keep making the tranquilizer. You'll have
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to keep making it stronger and stronger. Stevie told him
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in a shaky voice. We've seen how quickly she can
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recover from both the Tricity and your previous tranquilizers. I
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even blew her brains out, literally, and that didn't stop her.
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Vincent hugged Stevie to him. Stevie came to be with
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him as a result of the Creation's actions. Vincent had
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bandaged her up and took care of her. Since she
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had nowhere to go, She ended up staying with him
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and becoming his assistant. She still wasn't sure that she
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trusted him completely, but he hadn't turned against her in
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any way. He seemed to understand the great wrong he
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had done and regretted it each and every day. If anything,
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Stevie helped him out of loyalty for taking her in
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and caring for her. Stevie suddenly gasped Vincent, look the
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Creation just twitched. Vincent eased her aside and cautiously moved
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toward the Creation. She had shown fear upon her awakening
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nearly two years ago, shortly after she had become angry
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and broke loose. It was only after seeing that the
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Creation hadn't cast a reflection in a nearby mirror that
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he realized his great horror in putting the head of
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a newborn vampire on her. No matter what he had
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tried in terms of destroying her, it was evidently clear
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that she would never ever die. I think she's dreaming, Stevie,
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he told her cautiously. What Stevie snapped, Vincent came very
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close to the Creation and watched her. He remembered she
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couldn't breathe like a normal person since she was undead.
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The Creation continued to move and twitch uneasily as her
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eyes remained closed in a forced slumber. For a brief moment,
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her face seemed to convey the same innocence as it
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had done upon her initial awakening. He wondered if the
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Creation still continued to run on pure instinct. Had she
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learned anything during her time on Earth. The Creation was
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nearly two years old, but she did convey in her
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own way that she could understand things. The Creation had
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been asleep for several days, with the steady flow of
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the powerful tranquilizer Vincent created specifically for her. This was
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the first time she had moved in several of those days.
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As Vincent moved to increase her tranquilizer intake, the Creation
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suddenly stopped still. Then her red eyes opened wide. Immediately,
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she looked right at Vincent and showed anger. She screamed loudly,
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then roared as she worked to break the reinforced shackles
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that held her to the table. No, Stevie shrieked, please
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not again, stop her, Vincent. As a precaution, Vincent had
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the tranquilizer loaded into emergency pistols. He grabbed one nearby
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and shot her. The Creation seemed to become drowsy almost immediately.
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Vincent shot her a second time, then a third. The
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Creation moaned for a moment, then she became angry again
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and screamed. Vincent fired his remaining darts into the Creation,
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but they didn't seem to be having any other effect
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aside from making her drowsy. Stevie grabbed the other gun
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and shot up the Creation with every dart, only to
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get the same results. For a brief moment, it seemed
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that the Creation was on the verge of falling back
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to sleep. Suddenly, the Creation broke the restraints on her
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wrists with one quick upward motion. The remaining restraints soon
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came apart as the Creation finished breaking free. Oh please, no,
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Stevie cried. The Creation was fully on her feet now.
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The bandages covering her body made her almost look like
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a mummy, only her head, hands, and feet were completely exposed.
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The Creation stared at Vincent and Stevie and screamed so
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loud that they had to cover their ears. Run Stevie,
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Vincent told her, running her way. The Creation started after them,
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but she stopped and turned in the direction of the
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door she had escaped the mansion from the first time.
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Then she saw the nearby window and decided it was
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a better means of escape. She roared for freedom as
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she ripped the bars away and escaped through the window.
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She dropped all the way to the grass below and
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landed with the grace of a cat. The Creation turned
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and looked upward to see Vincent and Stevie looking down
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at her. She sneered at them, knowing she had triumphed
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over them once again. Remembering everything from before, she turned
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and headed toward the village. The Creation remembered to stay
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off the main roads and not let anyone see her.
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Vincent would have gotten his answers on how much more
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intelligent she had become since her birth nearly two years ago.
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The Creation at least understood that she needed to stay
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ahead of Vincent and Stevie and not be recaptured again. Suddenly,
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she remembered that place where she had entered the day
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after she was born. She made her way to Strickfield
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Town Center Mall, keeping out of sight as she did.
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It was dark when she reached her destination and saw
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there were hardly any cars in the parking lot. She
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crossed the lot and came to the loading docks. The
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lock to the dock door broke instantly when she slid
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it up and entered. She pulled the door back down
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and put it back into place. After some minutes, the
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Creation found her way out into the main mall itself.
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It wasn't as brightly lit as the first time she
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had entered. Somewhere, deep in her mind, she understood the
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mall wasn't open, just the same she herself was inside.
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The Creation seemed to smile when she saw the clothing
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store nearby. She looked at her bandaged arms and body
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and knew she wanted real clothes. She walked to the
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clothing store and pulled up on the gate, breaking the
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lock to get in. As with the loading dock doors,
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she pulled the gate back down. The creation was pleased
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at knowing she had the mall all to herself. After
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looking around and finding some desirable clothes, she began to
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undo her bandages. The next day. Perspective Madeline Donnerly, ah Man,
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how am I always getting myself into these situations? Probably
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because I'm me and Ariel Miron's Aeriel. Let me tell
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you what's going on. It's the first weekend in December, right,
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I'm up in the mousehole my bedroom playing video games.
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I figured I was entitled to some unwinding after a
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hardcore Friday and acing three tests at school. I'm right
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in the middle of playing some Donkey Kong on the
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full sized arcade cabinet. Yeah. I know it's an old
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nineteen eighties retro video game, but I really love playing it.
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Problem here is, I ain't gonna get to play long.
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Next thing, I know someone's knocking on my door. It's open.
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I call out my next door neighbor, and my buddy,
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Carter Cross comes in and sees me playing. Really Madeline,
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you have a new sign on your door that says
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welcome to the Mousehole. Yeah, I got a little playful
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with the three D printer. What's up, buddy, He sighs.
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I think I just saw Ariel Mirran lurking around our neighborhood.
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I groan and shake my head. I told you you
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never should have posted that video. You know how Ariel
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can be when you scorn her. Yeah, but you know
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she deserves it. Carter stresses. I stop playing the game
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and just look at him. Between you and Ariel, you're
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both gonna get me in deep, deep trouble. I smirk, uneasily.
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Or did you forget I'm bff to both of you? Now?
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Point at him, and don't even get me started on
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how many times Ariel was drilling me about you at
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her slumber party last night. I fold my arms in
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front of me. I told you not to post that video.
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I walk over to my computer and sit down in
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front of it. Carter sits next to me. I open
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up Facebook and see all kinds of notifications for Carter's video,
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and most of them are Ariel. What happened. Ariel's almost
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always stuck having a babysitter little cousin Stuart. Here's the problem.
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Little Stuart's four years old and gets into everything. If
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he can wreak havoc somewhere, he's gonna do it. What's more,
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Stuart's mom don't really do anything to discipline him. What's
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sad is he almost always gets dumped off on Ariel.
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When that happens, Stuart just raises, well, you get the idea.
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Earlier this week, Carter and me are hanging out at
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Roth's Rings, a twenty four hour donut shop and video
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game arcade in downtown village. Carter and me get finished
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play in some games and we go to the counter.
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Carter says he'll buy me a cup of death, wishes
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Ginger dead for helping him pass Miss Radolfhy's science test.
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I'm just getting my cup and ready to savor it
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when we hear the commotion. Suddenly, Little Stuart comes running
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into the place. Ariel ain't too far behind. Come back here,
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you little goober, Ariel yells. Carter and me are both
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giving each other weird looks now. Suddenly Little Stuart snatches
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my coffee and throws it at Ariel. The cup explodes
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all over her. Aw man, I groan, but you just
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know Stuart ain't done there. When Ariel's about to grab
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her cousin, he snatches up a slice of pie off
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of somebody else's plate and smashes it into her face
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as she grabs him. Wouldn't you know it, Carter got
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his smartphone out and recorded the whole thing. What can
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I do? Like I told Carter, I'm best friends with
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both him and Ariel. Stuart runs around inside Roth's rings
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00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:04.519
and is knocking the little tables down next to the games,
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00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:07.679
many of which have food and drinks on him. Just
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00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:10.879
as Ariel's grabbing and picking up Stewart again, he has
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00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:13.360
a cream filled donut in his hand and he smashes
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00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:16.960
it right in her face. Anyway, I think you're getting
242
00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:20.320
the idea here. When Carter finishes the game, he gives
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00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:22.960
me that look saying he's gonna post it to Facebook.
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00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:25.559
I'm raising my hands in front of me and shaking
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00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:29.360
my head fast. Don't do it, Carter, I quickly tell
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00:16:29.440 --> 00:16:34.559
him nothing doing. He posted it the comment the little
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00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:38.279
Prince treats the Princess to some treats at Roth's rings.
248
00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:41.519
The look I gave Carter when he did it. No,
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00:16:42.600 --> 00:16:46.440
I wasn't mad, try scared. I was gonna try not
250
00:16:46.559 --> 00:16:48.840
to have to go to Ariel's slumber party last night.
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00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:52.159
But Ariel cornered me at school with Mona Abels and
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00:16:52.200 --> 00:16:55.519
Bailey Downs and told me, don't you even think of
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00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:59.360
skipping out of my slumber party tonight. Mouse, She was
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00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:02.480
rubbing her hand together. We are gonna have such a
255
00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:08.200
nice conversation about Carter Cross, you and me. Like I said,
256
00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:11.519
Ariel didn't break me, but I could tell she wasn't
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00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:15.359
finished yet. I know Ariel nearn and she never forgives.
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00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:19.039
Anne never forgets when you embarrass her on Facebook like that.
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00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:23.640
Getting back to now, I'm reading all the comments. I
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00:17:23.640 --> 00:17:25.920
ain't gonna list them all here because there are too
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00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:29.079
many of them, and there's some choice things I'd rather
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00:17:29.160 --> 00:17:33.839
not repeat here. Okay, buddy, what do you suggest I ask?
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00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:37.079
Before Carter can talk to me, we hear both the
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00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:41.279
doorbell and some hard knocking downstairs. I know you're in there,
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00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:47.039
Carter Cross. We both hear Ariel yelling gulp, I know
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00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:51.400
your parents aren't home. Mouse. Ariel continues, I saw Carter
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00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:54.000
come in here. You don't open this door right now.
268
00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:57.880
I'll just come on in myself. When neither of us answer,
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00:17:58.680 --> 00:18:06.279
we suddenly hear the live click. I quickly turned to Carter.
270
00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:10.599
Ariel found the spare key. She's coming in. I shake
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00:18:10.680 --> 00:18:14.279
my head quickly. Uh oh, buddy, no way, you two
272
00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:17.000
are fighting in my house. We gotta get out of here.
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00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:21.200
Close the door. Carter quickly closes the mousehole's door as
274
00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:24.559
I'm opening my window. We climb out and hurry down
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00:18:24.599 --> 00:18:28.119
the TV antenna. We quickly get into our garages and
276
00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:31.160
grab our bikes. As soon as we're both hitting the road,
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00:18:31.640 --> 00:18:35.519
Ariel's shooting right out my front door. You won't get far,
278
00:18:36.119 --> 00:18:39.720
Ariel yells. Carter and me look at each other. Our
279
00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:42.720
bikes seemed to be just fine. What do you suppose
280
00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:46.680
she meant by that? Carter asks, Suddenly I got a
281
00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:50.799
real bad feeling and look over my shoulder. Aw man.
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00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:55.480
We both turned to see Ariel riding a moped. Since
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00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:59.039
when did she get one of those Carter gasps? I
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00:18:59.119 --> 00:19:02.920
don't know. I fire back. She's got one now. When
285
00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:06.200
she's catching up to us fast, we both look at
286
00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:09.680
each other and know we gotta lose Ariel, Carter calls
287
00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:13.200
over his shoulder, Yeah, princess, let's see you do some
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00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:17.079
real riding. Carter and me pedal fast until we get
289
00:19:17.119 --> 00:19:20.119
to our turn. Then we turn off and ride through
290
00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:23.559
Gunter Square, a park not too far from our houses.
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00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:28.799
Ariel continues to follow. Yeah, riding through flat grass, ain't
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00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:31.680
gonna stop a moped. Once we're out of the park,
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00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:34.680
we pedal fast and come to another turnoff where we
294
00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:38.400
know Ariel can't follow. Carter and me are doing some
295
00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:42.079
stunt riding on our mongooses. I actually snicker a little
296
00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:44.599
when I'm thinking about how I'd rather be driving a
297
00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:47.559
real car like I did on Halloween night when we
298
00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:51.079
were facing down the ghost of Abigail Tomlin. After a
299
00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:54.200
few twists and turns, we both come out on another road.
300
00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:59.440
Looks like we lost her, Madeline, Carter said. Then my
301
00:19:59.559 --> 00:20:04.279
mouse sense my tummy starts aching again. I look over
302
00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:10.200
my shoulder wrong. Carter looks where I'm looking. You gotta
303
00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:14.440
be kidding me. Let's move, I say, yeah, you just
304
00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:18.440
keep riding your little bikes. Ariel yells, you'll never lose me.
305
00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:22.559
We keep doing our stunt riding and put distance between
306
00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:26.400
us and Ariel. But somehow Ariel keeps sticking with us.
307
00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:29.319
I think it's safe to say she knows Strickfield just
308
00:20:29.359 --> 00:20:33.519
as good as we do. Man, that girl never gives up,
309
00:20:33.960 --> 00:20:37.680
Carter complains. When Ariel finds us again, told you you
310
00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:40.680
never should have put that video on Facebook. I tell
311
00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:44.519
him again. Then I see the road ahead. I think
312
00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:47.160
I got a fool proof plan to lose Ariel this time.
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00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:51.839
Carter knows what I'm thinking. The old railroad street bridge.
314
00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:55.880
Let's do it. Carter and me pedal fast and soon
315
00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:59.319
reached the downward slope. We both jump the little hill
316
00:20:59.359 --> 00:21:02.960
and are riding on the concrete angle. Before long, we're
317
00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:06.720
off it and riding right beside the Castalia River. We
318
00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:10.559
can ride to Indian Hollow Road, Carter says. I quickly
319
00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:13.680
tap his shoulder and point upward. Ariel's riding on the
320
00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:16.680
upper part of the hill by the railroad tracks. She's
321
00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:18.960
waving to us to let us know she's still here.
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00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:24.039
I can't believe this, Carter groans, What have we gotta
323
00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:27.960
do to loser? I've got one more plan. I tell
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00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:31.759
him it's gonna be a long shot. Carter and me
325
00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:34.920
keep pedaling until we're going underneath the main street bridge.
326
00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:38.680
I quickly jam on my brakes. Carter does the same.
327
00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:42.519
Then he sees me turning around and follows me. We're
328
00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:45.960
pedaling in the other direction now. Then I remember the
329
00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:49.480
part of the Castalia River that's shallow. We get off
330
00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:52.880
our bikes and get across the river fast. Once we're
331
00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:55.279
on the other side, we get back on our bikes
332
00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:58.839
and pedal fast again. We ain't here an Ariel's moped.
333
00:21:58.920 --> 00:22:03.599
Now you think we lost her, Carter asks, I shake
334
00:22:03.640 --> 00:22:07.720
my head. I ain't saying nothing till I'm sure. We skip,
335
00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:10.599
coming back up at old Railroad Street and keep going
336
00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:14.039
until we reach University Avenue. We take a few of
337
00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:17.160
the trails made by bikes like ours, and soon come
338
00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:21.599
back up onto the road. No sign of her, Carter says.
339
00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:26.960
Suddenly we hear that sound and realize Ariel's caught up
340
00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:34.319
to us again. Oh man, we are so dead perspective.
341
00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:38.880
Carter cross, Madeline and I both look to see a
342
00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:43.400
dirt bike speeding right past us. We both breathe easy,
343
00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:48.640
knowing Ariel mirn ain't nowhere around. Looks like we're gonna
344
00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:52.480
be okay, I say. Madeline gives me that look now,
345
00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:56.480
So now what, buddy, she asks in her mousey voice.
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00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:59.480
We're riding for a little bit before I tell her
347
00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:04.200
what I'm thinking. Well, i'd say going back to either
348
00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:07.599
of our houses is out. What's to say Ariel won't
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00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:10.640
be waiting for us there. Well, we can't stay out
350
00:23:10.640 --> 00:23:13.759
here all day, she says, and not just because it
351
00:23:13.880 --> 00:23:18.039
started drizzling. It's cold out here. We could go to
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00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:21.119
the mall. I throw out, I don't think Ariel's gonna
353
00:23:21.119 --> 00:23:27.599
find us out there. Not an actual guarantee, Carter. She sighs, Okay,
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00:23:27.880 --> 00:23:30.559
we'll go to the mall. I gotta get something hot
355
00:23:30.599 --> 00:23:34.880
to drink, coffee or hot chocolate. I'll pay Madeline. I
356
00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:38.279
tell her, I'm really sorry you got in trouble with Ariel.
357
00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:42.799
That wasn't supposed to happen. She gives me her usual
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00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:48.039
smirk that says we're still buddies. Then she says, just
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00:23:48.079 --> 00:23:50.640
give me an invitation when you and Ariel get married
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00:23:50.680 --> 00:23:54.319
after you graduate high school. I groan and point a
361
00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:59.680
shaky finger at her. You always gotta go there. Come on, buddy,
362
00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:03.240
this is me you're talking to here. Madeline tells me,
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00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:07.079
I know you really like Ariel. I mean you got
364
00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:09.759
her pick on your phone, and I'm pretty sure she
365
00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:13.240
likes you too, So why don't you just ask her out?
366
00:24:14.119 --> 00:24:17.079
I shake my head. It's one thing for me to
367
00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:20.799
like Ariel, but I ain't given up to her. She
368
00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:23.759
can call herself the queen be at Strickfield Junior High
369
00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:27.000
all she wants, but I ain't bowing to her. I
370
00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:30.240
can't believe she's got everybody else doing things for her.
371
00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:33.519
Then she expects me to fall in line and go
372
00:24:33.599 --> 00:24:37.559
along with it. Not happen in Madeline at least now
373
00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:43.960
I'm not alone. But you still like her? She states? Okay, yes,
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00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:47.920
I like her. Okay, I point at her. Just don't
375
00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:51.359
be telling everybody about it. I don't think I gotta.
376
00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:53.799
I'm pretty sure everybody in our group knows.
377
00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:54.599
No.
378
00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:58.160
I didn't tell him again. Just ask her out. I'm
379
00:24:58.200 --> 00:25:02.079
sure she'll say yeah. I shake my head. You think
380
00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:04.559
Princess Ariel's gonna want to go on a date with
381
00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:08.720
me after that video I posted over way, I'm seeing it, buddy,
382
00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:11.359
Ariel ain't gonna stop until she's caught up to you
383
00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:15.160
for that video. Maybe she didn't get you now, but
384
00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:18.519
we got to go back to school on Monday. Guess
385
00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:21.480
I got two days then, assuming she don't catch up
386
00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:24.720
to me before that, Madeline and I make it out
387
00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:28.279
to Strickfield Town Center Mall. We chain up our bikes
388
00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:32.079
and head inside. You'd think they'd have the Christmas decorations
389
00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:35.880
up by now, I say, I mean, don't They usually
390
00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:39.319
have them up by Black Friday? Madeline points in a
391
00:25:39.319 --> 00:25:43.079
few places they got some up. They also got a
392
00:25:43.160 --> 00:25:46.920
Santa House in Center Court, like they do every holiday season.
393
00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:50.759
You're right, though, how come they ain't got a lot
394
00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:55.440
of decorations up? Madeline and I walk the mall. November
395
00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:57.400
and December are the two months out of the whole
396
00:25:57.480 --> 00:26:01.039
year that our mall looks like a grand open. I mean,
397
00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:04.680
nearly every store is filled and open. There are also
398
00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:08.400
a lot of kiosks set up. Before and after those months,
399
00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:11.519
the mall maybe has one quarter of the stores and
400
00:26:11.599 --> 00:26:14.680
a lot less foot traffic. People keep saying it's going
401
00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:18.599
to close up for good, but it hasn't yet. Then
402
00:26:18.680 --> 00:26:21.480
Madeline and I see a woman who owns the mall herself,
403
00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:26.119
Harmony Miron. She's standing over at Center Court and greeting
404
00:26:26.119 --> 00:26:28.680
the kids to let them see Santa Claus in his house.
405
00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:32.519
She really doesn't look that old, like she's not too
406
00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:35.480
long out of high school. I know she inherited the
407
00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:37.680
mall from her parents and has a little baby girl
408
00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:41.680
of her own. Hmmm, I wonder what relation she is
409
00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:45.359
to Ariel. Madeline and I reach Center Court, where the
410
00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:49.400
food is also located. We go into caffeine junction and
411
00:26:49.440 --> 00:26:54.119
get in line. That's when I start laughing. What's so funny,
412
00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:57.559
Madeline asks, being in here is making me think of
413
00:26:57.640 --> 00:27:01.319
Roth's rings. I snicker, Come on, you thought it was
414
00:27:01.359 --> 00:27:05.759
funny too watching little Stuart Mirran at his worst. I mean,
415
00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:10.960
it was like watching a cartoon. Madeline does laugh a little,
416
00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:15.519
then she says, you know, at the same time, I
417
00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:17.960
feel sorry for Ariel having to get stuck with him
418
00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:21.400
all the time. I know he really does drive her crazy.
419
00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:25.039
When it's our turn to order, I get a hot
420
00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:29.960
chocolate Madeline orders that death wish gingerbread coffee. I pay
421
00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:32.759
for both of us. As soon as we get our drinks,
422
00:27:33.599 --> 00:27:37.839
we head back out into the mall. Carter, Maddie, we
423
00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:41.160
hear someone calling out. We both turn around to see
424
00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:45.599
Richie Horton and Brian Chunk. Horton, Chunker, what's going on,
425
00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:49.079
I ask Horton, and I are just hanging out today,
426
00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:52.799
Chunker says, Chapman's doing stuff with his mom and dad.
427
00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:55.759
We're supposed to meet up with him later. He's the
428
00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:59.000
husky guy who's always wearing cargo pants and an open
429
00:27:59.039 --> 00:28:02.319
Hawaiian shirt over a black T shirt. I didn't want
430
00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:05.599
to stay at home, so I texted Chunker, and here
431
00:28:05.640 --> 00:28:09.079
we are. Horton says in his squeaky voice. He's the
432
00:28:09.119 --> 00:28:13.839
really skinny kid with the circular lensed glasses. Suddenly, Maddeline
433
00:28:13.880 --> 00:28:16.839
grabs my wrist fast. I'm about to ask her what's
434
00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:20.920
up when I see where she's pointing. Now the four
435
00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:24.799
of us are looking right at Ariel Mirran, who's now
436
00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:29.759
got her eyes locked right on me. Ariel points right
437
00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:33.240
at me and smiles sweetly as she's approaching us. Soon
438
00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:36.640
she's right in front of me. Hi, Carter, you really
439
00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:40.400
should just lay down right here. Her face suddenly turns
440
00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:50.920
monstrous because you are so dead perspective, Ariel Mirror. I've
441
00:28:50.920 --> 00:28:54.400
got Carter Cross dead to rights now. I've got to
442
00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:57.000
hand it to them losing me the way they did.
443
00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:59.559
I'm guessing Mouse was probably the one who came up
444
00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:03.039
with that plan. As far as I'm concerned, she's guilty
445
00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:09.079
by association. That means she's getting hers too, Ariel. There's
446
00:29:09.119 --> 00:29:12.599
plenty of security guards here. I hear Mouse say. I
447
00:29:12.680 --> 00:29:15.079
point right at her while I'm still looking at Carter.
448
00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:20.440
I'll be with you in a moment, little mousey. There's
449
00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:24.960
already two mal popos looking our way. Guys, Richie Horton squeaks,
450
00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:27.519
I'd rather not have to explain to my mom why
451
00:29:27.559 --> 00:29:29.960
we got busted if it's all the same to you.
452
00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:33.759
When Carter tries to slip away from me, I quickly
453
00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:36.960
get right back in front of him. You have no
454
00:29:37.160 --> 00:29:40.359
idea how much I'd like to kill that little goober
455
00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:43.359
of a cousin. I have. But when you record videos
456
00:29:43.359 --> 00:29:46.240
of me and the goober and post them the Facebook,
457
00:29:46.839 --> 00:29:50.759
oh no, you don't. This time Carter tries pulling that
458
00:29:50.880 --> 00:29:54.519
trick that Mouse pulled on Halloween night, Mouse tends to
459
00:29:54.599 --> 00:29:56.599
drop to the floor and then move in between my
460
00:29:56.720 --> 00:30:00.000
legs to escape. In fact, that's how she is scared
461
00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:05.519
from my sleepover last night. Problem is Carter telegraphed it. Also,
462
00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:09.279
he's nowhere near as small and thin as Mouse. I
463
00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:14.359
get on Carter's back. No way, Carter, you are mine.
464
00:30:15.200 --> 00:30:18.480
But Carter suddenly surprises me by holding onto my legs
465
00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:21.599
and lifting me up. He easily gets back to his feet,
466
00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:24.359
and I'm stuck fast on his back and holding on.
467
00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:28.599
You're not getting away from me, Carter, I declare, I'm
468
00:30:28.680 --> 00:30:31.440
killing you right here and now you do not get
469
00:30:31.480 --> 00:30:35.759
away with what you pulled on Facebook. Geeve, Princess, are
470
00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:39.519
you putting on weight? Carter sneers. Must be all those
471
00:30:39.599 --> 00:30:43.000
pies Stuart's been feeding you. A few more and you
472
00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:46.480
can join the guy's wrestling team at Strickfield High. I
473
00:30:46.640 --> 00:30:50.359
growl and grab two handfuls of hair. Guess I'll start
474
00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:54.880
with you, Carter groans, Get off me, Princess, go on
475
00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:57.519
back to your castle, inside your wall and leave us
476
00:30:57.599 --> 00:31:02.000
peasants in peace. Eyes Come on, those guards are really
477
00:31:02.079 --> 00:31:05.480
looking our way now. Mouse calls out, and then I
478
00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:08.680
feel arms moving around my waist. I cry out when
479
00:31:08.680 --> 00:31:11.759
I'm being pulled away from Carter and know Brian Chunks
480
00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:14.319
got a hold of me. After he sets me down,
481
00:31:14.359 --> 00:31:17.880
I quickly turn around to confront him. Chunker points right
482
00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:21.200
at me. Now that's enough, Ariel. We got all kinds
483
00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:24.079
of security guards looking right at us, and Horton's right.
484
00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:26.160
I know I don't want to be explaining to my
485
00:31:26.359 --> 00:31:30.039
parents why we got arrested. Here. I put a finger
486
00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:33.640
of my own in Chunker's face. You do not ever
487
00:31:33.799 --> 00:31:38.359
touch me, fat boy, Chunker shakes his head. You do
488
00:31:38.559 --> 00:31:41.640
know I'm not afraid of you? Right then, I give
489
00:31:41.759 --> 00:31:46.559
him my wicked smile. You should be, or did you
490
00:31:46.599 --> 00:31:50.880
forget I'm Ariel Miron. Chunker raises his hand in front
491
00:31:50.880 --> 00:31:54.400
of him. Okay, okay, you're right. I need to learn
492
00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:58.079
my place, right, that's what you keep saying. Suddenly he
493
00:31:58.160 --> 00:32:01.279
grabs me and holds me to him. Run you guys,
494
00:32:01.359 --> 00:32:04.720
go let go of me, Chunker, I yell when I
495
00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:07.880
see Carter and Mouse running for it. You guys, the
496
00:32:07.920 --> 00:32:12.039
mall popos are honest, now, Horton warns us. Chunker, lets
497
00:32:12.039 --> 00:32:14.799
go of me now. My fists are tightened. Then I
498
00:32:14.880 --> 00:32:20.160
growl and point right at Chunker. Oh you you as
499
00:32:20.200 --> 00:32:22.920
I'm ready to vent my anger and frustration with one
500
00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:26.680
of my trademark screams. Chunker quickly grabs my hand and
501
00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:30.400
holds it. I'm really growling now, and I'm ready to
502
00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:34.200
claw at him. Listen, Ariel, how about I take you
503
00:32:34.279 --> 00:32:38.079
to the food court and buy you a coke, Chunker asks,
504
00:32:38.640 --> 00:32:42.480
And just like that, I'm not even mad at him anymore.
505
00:32:43.559 --> 00:32:48.440
M all right, I reply, Just as the security guards
506
00:32:48.440 --> 00:32:52.319
are almost honest, Chunker raises his hand. It's okay. I'm
507
00:32:52.359 --> 00:32:54.960
just taking my girlfriend to the food court. She's having
508
00:32:55.000 --> 00:32:58.119
a really bad day. The guards look at each other.
509
00:32:58.880 --> 00:33:01.440
Then one of them says to us, we've already got
510
00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:03.480
enough on our plates here with it being a Saturday
511
00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:08.240
in December. Be respectable while you're here, got it? Yeah,
512
00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:12.559
we got it. Chunker quickly agrees. We start walking away51300:33:12.559 --> 00:33:15.480
from the guards. You don't make good on that coke,51400:33:15.640 --> 00:33:19.200
and I'm gonna claw your eyes out, then Carter's I51500:33:19.319 --> 00:33:30.000
tell him on no uncertain terms. Now I shove Chunker,51600:33:30.279 --> 00:33:33.880
and how dare you call me your girlfriend? Hey? The51700:33:33.920 --> 00:33:38.160
guards believed it, didn't they, Chunker stresses. Then I realize51800:33:38.240 --> 00:33:42.359
Chunker's holding my hand. You're skating on very thin ice51900:33:42.440 --> 00:33:45.440
with me. The next thing I know, where at Scotto's52000:33:45.480 --> 00:33:49.480
Pizza in the food court. Large coke, please, Chunker tells52100:33:49.519 --> 00:33:52.839
the cashier. Before long, Chunker lets go of my hand52200:33:52.880 --> 00:33:55.200
and gives me the drink. I pop the top and52300:33:55.279 --> 00:33:59.759
drink that sweet, bubbly slice of heaven. Then Horton gives52400:33:59.799 --> 00:34:02.920
me a weird look. Why do you like coke so much?52500:34:03.440 --> 00:34:07.359
I stop drinking and look at him. Because Mom never52600:34:07.519 --> 00:34:10.360
lets us have anything other than diet soda at the house.52700:34:10.840 --> 00:34:13.400
That's why I'm always sneaking off to drink the regular52800:34:13.440 --> 00:34:17.639
stuff or steal carters. I take a few more drinks52900:34:17.639 --> 00:34:21.400
and look back at Chunker. Okay, I guess you get53000:34:21.440 --> 00:34:24.880
to live, geez, Ariel. Not even so much as a53100:34:24.920 --> 00:34:28.559
thank you, Chunker says. I look him in the eyes. Now,53200:34:29.119 --> 00:34:31.559
I think I'm going to call this a respect offering.53300:34:32.000 --> 00:34:35.119
You Carter, Bill Chapman and this bean pole here have53400:34:35.239 --> 00:34:39.760
yet to show me respect at my school. Chunker laughs53500:34:39.800 --> 00:34:42.920
a little. It ain't your school now. I know. I53600:34:42.960 --> 00:34:45.760
can say we respect you as a person, Ariel, but53700:34:45.840 --> 00:34:49.280
we're not gonna call you the queen Bee. Horton raises53800:34:49.320 --> 00:34:52.360
his finger. And you're not going to order us around either.53900:34:53.280 --> 00:34:56.280
I look from one to the other. You two are54000:34:56.320 --> 00:34:59.159
going to know your place at my school, one way54100:34:59.239 --> 00:35:04.360
or another. Aerial renaissance mirror. A voice I'd really rather54200:35:04.440 --> 00:35:07.719
not here today, calls out Chunker. Horton and I turn54300:35:07.840 --> 00:35:11.400
and see both my mom and Aunt Margaret, and then54400:35:11.519 --> 00:35:14.280
my stomach drops when I see my aunt has Steward54500:35:14.920 --> 00:35:18.599
in her arms. What do you want, I asked Mom.54600:35:19.360 --> 00:35:22.519
She points right at me. I want you to always54700:35:22.559 --> 00:35:25.280
have your phone turned on. I should never be directed54800:35:25.320 --> 00:35:28.880
to your voicemail. Then she snatches up my coke and54900:35:28.960 --> 00:35:31.559
I told you you are never to drink these. This55000:35:31.840 --> 00:35:34.599
is how you put on weight. Do I look like55100:35:34.639 --> 00:35:36.760
I need to be on any kind of diet? I55200:35:36.880 --> 00:35:41.039
fire back. Now. Mom points to Chunker and Horton. Go away,55300:35:42.079 --> 00:35:44.760
but I turn and grab both of their wrists. No,55400:35:45.559 --> 00:35:48.159
these two are my friends, so they're staying with me.55500:35:48.960 --> 00:35:51.760
And then Aunt Margaret sets Stuart down right next to me.55600:35:52.559 --> 00:35:54.800
That's fine, the three of you can keep an eye55700:35:54.800 --> 00:35:57.840
on your cousin. Then she says, in the absolute most55800:35:58.239 --> 00:36:01.800
snooty voice I have ever heard from a mirror. I55900:36:01.840 --> 00:36:05.840
shake my head. You are not sticking me with Stuart again, Margaret.56000:36:06.400 --> 00:36:09.679
Why can't you keep that rotten goober with you? Aunt56100:36:09.719 --> 00:36:12.679
Margaret looks like she's ready to rip into me. I'm56200:36:12.760 --> 00:36:15.239
ready to fight back, but Mom's quick to get in56300:36:15.280 --> 00:36:19.519
my face. You will be watching Stuart as of right now,56400:36:19.920 --> 00:36:21.760
Margaret and I have to go to Erie City for56500:36:21.800 --> 00:36:25.199
an emergency meeting regarding my latest computer game. Will be56600:36:25.239 --> 00:36:27.599
gone the rest of the weekend, so you will be56700:36:27.719 --> 00:36:33.000
keeping Stuart with you and watching him. Do you understand.56800:36:33.880 --> 00:36:37.599
That's when little Stuart gives me his mischievous look. I56900:36:37.639 --> 00:36:40.840
look right at Aunt Margaret. I mean it, take your57000:36:40.880 --> 00:36:43.800
goober son to Erie City with you. I am not57100:36:44.280 --> 00:36:47.599
ever watching him again. All he does is get me57200:36:47.639 --> 00:36:52.000
into all kinds of trouble. Aunt Margaret chuckles, not my57300:36:52.159 --> 00:36:55.320
problem as of right now. Then she gives me a57400:36:55.360 --> 00:37:03.000
scornful wave and sings Tata nah oh. I scream behind them.57500:37:03.360 --> 00:37:05.960
I want to run after them, but little Stuart's already57600:37:06.039 --> 00:37:09.000
running away from me. I growl and turn to run57700:37:09.039 --> 00:37:13.159
after him. You stop right there, you little goober. I57800:37:13.199 --> 00:37:16.079
can hear Stuart laughing. He really knows how to get57900:37:16.199 --> 00:37:19.760
under my skin and he's only four years old. Stuart58000:37:19.800 --> 00:37:22.280
is moving through the crowds of people. I'm trying to58100:37:22.280 --> 00:37:25.559
get around them to get to my latest problem. Seriously,58200:37:25.800 --> 00:37:28.239
why do I always have to get stuck with Stuart?58300:37:28.760 --> 00:37:31.119
Mom and Aunt Margaret both know he gets under my58400:37:31.159 --> 00:37:35.079
skin in the worst way, and they don't care. Stuart58500:37:35.119 --> 00:37:38.400
continues to laugh as he keeps moving. I'm growling as58600:37:38.400 --> 00:37:40.880
I keep trying to move around people to get to him.58700:37:41.440 --> 00:37:45.119
How can these people not see that, goober? I'm almost58800:37:45.159 --> 00:37:47.760
on Stuart when some idiot crashes into me and knocks58900:37:47.800 --> 00:37:50.880
me down. Watch where you're going, kid, I hear the59000:37:50.960 --> 00:37:55.800
person say, Oh, now I'm really mad. I really focus59100:37:55.840 --> 00:37:59.000
and get around all these shoppers. I'm almost on Stuart again.59200:37:59.159 --> 00:38:01.440
When I finally grab a hold of him and lift59300:38:01.519 --> 00:38:04.920
him off the floor. He turns and bashes me in59400:38:04.920 --> 00:38:08.039
the head with something that explodes all over me and59500:38:08.159 --> 00:38:11.599
gets me wet. My eyes are burning right through Stuart.59600:38:11.639 --> 00:38:17.079
Now I hate you, you little eh. Lately it just59700:38:17.159 --> 00:38:20.760
never fails. Somehow he keeps managing to douse me with pop.59800:38:21.280 --> 00:38:24.199
Stuart points right at me and laughs his evil little59900:38:24.320 --> 00:38:27.239
kid laugh. If you were in his terrible twos, I60000:38:27.280 --> 00:38:31.559
suppose I could be more understanding. But he's four years old.60100:38:32.280 --> 00:38:34.440
I'm holding Stuart right where I can look at him60200:38:34.440 --> 00:38:36.719
face to face, and I'm about to find out that60300:38:36.760 --> 00:38:41.239
I've underestimated him again. The goober laughs his evil laugh60400:38:41.320 --> 00:38:44.199
again and then spits a wat of gum right in60500:38:44.280 --> 00:38:47.400
my eye, I cry out and almost drop him. He60600:38:47.440 --> 00:38:50.039
manages to slip out and climb down my body to60700:38:50.119 --> 00:38:54.519
the floor. He's off and running again. Oh you you.60800:38:55.400 --> 00:38:57.400
I really don't care who hears me as I belt60900:38:57.400 --> 00:39:00.920
out another one of my blood curdling screams. I'm way61000:39:00.960 --> 00:39:04.159
beyond mad right now. When I stop, the pain in61100:39:04.199 --> 00:39:07.679
my eye registers. As I'm holding my hand there, you61200:39:07.800 --> 00:39:11.440
better go after your brother kid, some idiot shopper tells me.61300:39:11.960 --> 00:39:13.679
I don't even look at the person as I point61400:39:13.719 --> 00:39:17.800
their way. You can just shut up. So I'm chasing61500:39:17.840 --> 00:39:20.719
little Stewart around the mall again. He leads me right61600:39:20.760 --> 00:39:22.599
to the end of the mall where the best Buy is,61700:39:23.199 --> 00:39:27.199
and then that's when I see Carter and Mouse sitting61800:39:27.199 --> 00:39:31.039
at the fountain. My eye doesn't hurt as much right now,61900:39:31.880 --> 00:39:33.960
but at least both of them are working to where62000:39:34.000 --> 00:39:36.960
I can see Stuart running around the fountain and Carter62100:39:37.079 --> 00:39:40.519
pulling his smartphone out. No doubt he's planning on recording62200:39:40.559 --> 00:39:44.440
me in my troubles with my goober cousin again. Don't62300:39:44.480 --> 00:39:48.599
you even Carter, I yell, I will kill you for sure,62400:39:48.719 --> 00:39:52.280
and not think twice about it. Carter quickly gets up,62500:39:52.599 --> 00:39:54.480
Mouse is trying to tell him not to do it.62600:39:54.800 --> 00:39:58.679
He's recording a new video. Now, hey, Princess, I think62700:39:58.719 --> 00:40:02.880
I'll call this one. Mal Santa tells Princess Ariel she's62800:40:02.920 --> 00:40:05.760
been naughty and is chasing down one of his elves.62900:40:06.519 --> 00:40:09.920
I tighten my fists and belt out another scream, which63000:40:10.000 --> 00:40:13.239
lasts much longer than the first one. I'm not even63100:40:13.280 --> 00:40:15.880
aware that I'm running right at Carter when I'm screaming.63200:40:15.920 --> 00:40:19.440
In fact, I can't hear much of anything, and all63300:40:19.480 --> 00:40:22.559
I'm seeing is red. When I crash right into Carter63400:40:22.840 --> 00:40:31.920
and take him right into the fountain perspective Madeline Donnerly, Ah, man,63500:40:32.480 --> 00:40:35.480
you just knew something like this was gonna happen. Carter63600:40:35.559 --> 00:40:38.480
and Ariel both splash right into the fountain just outside63700:40:38.480 --> 00:40:41.280
of best Buy. I managed to catch Stuart and lift63800:40:41.320 --> 00:40:44.280
him up. He laughs a real mean laugh and points63900:40:44.320 --> 00:40:47.079
right at Ariel. Ah, come on, why you gotta be64000:40:47.119 --> 00:40:50.639
so mean, little guy? I ask. Just then Horton and64100:40:50.719 --> 00:40:53.920
Chunker show up and see Carter and Ariel splashing around64200:40:53.920 --> 00:40:57.039
in the fountain. These two ain't even trying to get out.64300:40:57.360 --> 00:40:59.800
Ariel's grabbing at him and throwing him into the water,64400:41:00.320 --> 00:41:02.639
then she jumps on him. They both go under the64500:41:02.679 --> 00:41:06.519
water again and come back up. Horton leans in, Hey,64600:41:06.960 --> 00:41:11.760
mal popos are coming this way, lots of them. Just stop.64700:41:12.159 --> 00:41:15.519
Chunker yells, but Ariel and Chunker don't even hear him.64800:41:16.119 --> 00:41:19.320
They just keep having their water fight. I'm gonna kill you,64900:41:19.440 --> 00:41:23.559
Carter cross, Ariel belts out. Chunker reaches into the fountain65000:41:23.559 --> 00:41:25.880
to try and grab Ariel, but she slips out of65100:41:25.920 --> 00:41:29.559
his hands and jumps right at Carter again. Get off me,65200:41:29.679 --> 00:41:33.519
you spoiled bratt. Carter belts back, and then I see65300:41:33.519 --> 00:41:37.199
Horton seeing a good six security guards coming our way.65400:41:37.719 --> 00:41:41.000
But it's what Horton didn't see that's got my tummy65500:41:41.039 --> 00:41:44.559
feeling like lead. When I see her coming with him,65600:41:45.440 --> 00:41:47.840
you just know things are gonna be a whole next65700:41:47.920 --> 00:41:52.400
level of bad. Horton and Chunker both see harmony mirrn65800:41:52.480 --> 00:41:55.400
with him too, because they're yelling for Carter and Ariel65900:41:55.440 --> 00:41:59.679
to stop. Oh man, I never knew feelings were this66000:41:59.760 --> 00:42:03.199
bad between Carter and Ariel. Even I'm trying to tell66100:42:03.280 --> 00:42:06.000
him to stop and why, but they just keep jumping66200:42:06.039 --> 00:42:08.199
on each other and throwing each other into the water.66300:42:09.400 --> 00:42:12.239
Now we finally stop yelling at Carter and Ariel because66400:42:13.360 --> 00:42:16.760
it's too late, Harmony Mirron and the guards are here.66500:42:17.440 --> 00:42:20.199
That's when I feel Stuart pull my beret off my head.66600:42:20.639 --> 00:42:22.719
I quickly turned to the little guy and put it66700:42:22.760 --> 00:42:25.280
on his head. You can keep it on if you66800:42:25.360 --> 00:42:29.760
behave Stuart laughs happily. Now guess I ought to be66900:42:29.880 --> 00:42:32.639
so lucky. This little guy always minds me when he's67000:42:32.639 --> 00:42:35.679
with me. Hopefully I ain't assuming nothing when I say67100:42:35.719 --> 00:42:39.519
I think he likes me, Harmony Mirn don't even look mad.67200:42:39.800 --> 00:42:42.440
When the security guards grab hold of Carter and Ariel67300:42:42.480 --> 00:42:45.360
and yank him out of the fountain, Water's just dripping67400:42:45.400 --> 00:42:48.280
off them and all over the floor. Now why am67500:42:48.320 --> 00:42:51.599
I worried about Harmony Mirron. Not only is she the67600:42:51.599 --> 00:42:54.800
owner of this mall, she's also one of the absolute67700:42:55.039 --> 00:42:59.440
meanest Mirrans I know. Harmony claps her hands together once.67800:43:00.239 --> 00:43:03.079
I'm so happy you two love playing together in one67900:43:03.119 --> 00:43:07.480
of my fountains. Then her fake happy tone quickly turns68000:43:07.559 --> 00:43:12.440
sour fast. Bring them to my office yesterday, and before68100:43:12.480 --> 00:43:15.480
anybody can even so much as take a breath, Harmony68200:43:15.519 --> 00:43:18.400
points right at the rest of us. I want them68300:43:18.639 --> 00:43:24.360
to bring all these brats to my office. What Chunker protests,68400:43:24.960 --> 00:43:28.039
we were trying to stop him. Lady Harmony points right68500:43:28.079 --> 00:43:32.119
at him, save it, fat stuff. A security guard moves68600:43:32.159 --> 00:43:36.599
behind Chunker, Move it, kid, just as another one's about68700:43:36.599 --> 00:43:40.480
to grab Horton. He raises his hands in front of him. Okay, okay,68800:43:40.719 --> 00:43:44.800
I give up. I'm coming along quietly. Then Harmony Mirran68900:43:44.880 --> 00:43:48.559
points right at me. You too, Velma Dinkley, and bring69000:43:48.599 --> 00:43:54.519
that little rugrat with you. Ah man, I mutter, Oh,69100:43:54.599 --> 00:43:57.679
I'm gonna love explaining all this to mom and dad.69200:43:58.480 --> 00:44:01.039
I'm sure Harmony Miron's gonna to call the cops and69300:44:01.079 --> 00:44:05.239
have us all arrested. Yeah, Harmony's all nicey nice to69400:44:05.320 --> 00:44:08.440
the customers, but you get caught doing something you shouldn't69500:44:08.440 --> 00:44:13.840
be doing in her mall. Oh man, yeah, this ain't69600:44:13.920 --> 00:44:20.559
gonna end well. Perspective, Brian Chunk. I keep telling the69700:44:20.639 --> 00:44:23.480
lady who owns this mall that Horton, Maddie and I69800:44:23.559 --> 00:44:26.239
were trying to break things up between Carter and Ariel.69900:44:26.800 --> 00:44:29.039
She just keeps telling me to shut up and move.70000:44:29.920 --> 00:44:33.519
My guess is she's gonna call our parents, no back up,70100:44:34.039 --> 00:44:37.519
She's gonna call the cops first. Then call our parents.70200:44:38.239 --> 00:44:41.000
I ain't worried about my own parents. All I gotta70300:44:41.039 --> 00:44:43.480
do is just explain to them what happened, and things70400:44:43.519 --> 00:44:48.920
should be okay. At my end, I'm more worried about Horton, though.70500:44:49.280 --> 00:44:52.280
I'm surprised his mom's still letting him hang out with everybody,70600:44:52.360 --> 00:44:57.239
especially after we were gone for a whole year. What70700:44:57.280 --> 00:45:01.719
with everything that happened with Abigail Tomlin's ghost. Oh, Horton's70800:45:01.760 --> 00:45:04.199
mom wanted to keep him in the house forever and ever.70900:45:04.320 --> 00:45:06.880
Once we all came back home after Maddie and her71000:45:06.880 --> 00:45:09.039
friend saved us and brought us back to the Mortal71100:45:09.079 --> 00:45:13.440
realm Horton hardly ever gets confrontational, but he wasn't gonna71200:45:13.480 --> 00:45:16.159
let his mom keep him away from the group. I'm71300:45:16.199 --> 00:45:19.159
wondering if she'll make good on that, though, If Harmony71400:45:19.199 --> 00:45:22.400
Miron calls her up and tells her just what happened.71500:45:23.880 --> 00:45:26.599
Everybody's watching the guards escort us to the other end71600:45:26.639 --> 00:45:30.000
of the mall and down a side corridor. Next thing71700:45:30.039 --> 00:45:32.480
we know, we're turning off and going past a set71800:45:32.519 --> 00:45:37.000
of restrooms and into the mall office. Harmony Miron shuts71900:45:37.039 --> 00:45:40.440
the door and locks it tight. Then she pulls these72000:45:40.519 --> 00:45:44.639
drapes closed. Finally, she sits down at her desk. Her72100:45:44.679 --> 00:45:48.480
face is so red now you just know she's as72200:45:48.519 --> 00:45:52.440
angry as all get out. Harmony points to Ariel. First,72300:45:53.159 --> 00:45:57.519
believe me, I know you're my cousin. She points to Stuart,72400:45:57.559 --> 00:46:03.159
who's standing next to Maddie now and sows that rotten brat. Now,72500:46:03.199 --> 00:46:06.119
she glares at Ariel. But the fact that you too72600:46:06.199 --> 00:46:10.039
our family, doesn't mean a single thing to me. In fact,72700:46:10.360 --> 00:46:12.280
I'm going to pick up this phone and call the72800:46:12.280 --> 00:46:15.159
police and have them come get all of you. She72900:46:15.280 --> 00:46:18.639
points to all of us as a whole. Now, too bad,73000:46:18.719 --> 00:46:21.239
none of you damaged anything in my maull because I73100:46:21.440 --> 00:46:25.039
really really want to press more severe charges on all73200:46:25.079 --> 00:46:28.400
of you before any of us can speak, she points73300:46:28.440 --> 00:46:31.679
sharply at all of us. Shut up. You do not73400:46:31.880 --> 00:46:35.239
speak unless I say so, and I did not say so.73500:46:36.199 --> 00:46:39.960
She clasps her hands together now and smirks, Oh, yes,73600:46:40.719 --> 00:46:44.800
all of you rotten brats belong to me. Now. She73700:46:44.920 --> 00:46:48.199
unclasps her hands and picks up the phone. She's about73800:46:48.239 --> 00:46:51.880
to punch the number for the police. When she hangs up,73900:46:52.599 --> 00:46:57.079
her smile's really making me feel uneasy. Right now. I74000:46:57.119 --> 00:47:01.039
suppose I should actually be thanking all of you from74100:47:01.039 --> 00:47:03.840
the bottom of my heart that you created a disturbance74200:47:03.880 --> 00:47:08.079
in my mall today, she says softly. In case you74300:47:08.159 --> 00:47:11.920
haven't noticed, the mall doesn't look all jolly for the74400:47:11.920 --> 00:47:15.360
holiday season like it's supposed to. Oh, there are a74500:47:15.440 --> 00:47:19.280
select few things up and about, like Santa's House, a74600:47:19.320 --> 00:47:23.360
few scenes, and even some of the Christmas hangings. However,74700:47:24.360 --> 00:47:26.960
there's still plenty more to do here to make my74800:47:27.199 --> 00:47:33.920
mall a winter wonderland. Now, she's smiling, really sweet. Yeah,74900:47:34.079 --> 00:47:37.719
she's that scary. I think I'm willing to cut you75000:47:37.880 --> 00:47:42.960
brats some slack this time, she chuckles. Now, but in75100:47:43.079 --> 00:47:45.800
no way am I letting you off the hook. Oh no,75200:47:46.320 --> 00:47:50.039
In fact, I see my Christmas decorations crew right here75300:47:50.079 --> 00:47:53.639
in front of me. It's very simple, really, You brats75400:47:53.679 --> 00:47:56.199
get to work the rest of the day and all75500:47:56.320 --> 00:48:00.000
night finishing up with the Christmas decorations. There are several75600:48:00.159 --> 00:48:03.679
Christmas trees that have to be placed at precise locations75700:48:03.960 --> 00:48:07.159
throughout my mall. There are even some scenes that have75800:48:07.280 --> 00:48:10.639
to be finished. Now, before you decide you're not going75900:48:10.719 --> 00:48:15.119
to cooperate, that's fine, Harmony, puts her elbows on the76000:48:15.159 --> 00:48:18.519
desk and puts her chin on her fists. I can76100:48:18.559 --> 00:48:21.559
pick up the phone again, call the police, and have76200:48:21.679 --> 00:48:25.360
them charge you accordingly. Believe me when I say how76300:48:25.440 --> 00:48:29.159
much I love watching the police arrest brats who think76400:48:29.280 --> 00:48:33.000
they can run rampant in my mall. I've already had76500:48:33.119 --> 00:48:36.039
more than I can count on two hands arrested just76600:48:36.159 --> 00:48:39.519
this week. If I have to have you brats arrested,76700:48:39.880 --> 00:48:42.320
then I'm pretty sure it'll be more than I can76800:48:42.360 --> 00:48:47.320
count on my hands and feet. Your choice. When none76900:48:47.360 --> 00:48:54.960
of us answer, she tells us, Oh, you may speak now.77000:48:57.159 --> 00:49:02.840
It wasn't Horton starts. Harmony point's right at him. Save it, wimp. No, you,77100:49:03.119 --> 00:49:06.039
the fat kid and the mouseie girl weren't fighting. I'm77200:49:06.079 --> 00:49:09.440
so sure you were trying your absolute best to stop77300:49:09.480 --> 00:49:12.360
your two friends from fighting in the fountain. Weren't you.77400:49:13.440 --> 00:49:16.719
Harmony shoots up to her feet quickly. But you didn't77500:49:16.760 --> 00:49:21.199
stop it, did you, She calms down. Now, the way77600:49:21.239 --> 00:49:24.639
I'm seeing it, you're all part of the same group.77700:49:25.039 --> 00:49:29.480
This means you're all guilty as charged. End of discussion.77800:49:30.119 --> 00:49:32.639
Now you have to make a choice. All I want77900:49:32.639 --> 00:49:34.679
to hear from the five of you is either you're78000:49:34.719 --> 00:49:38.000
going to finish with the Christmas decorations or you're not78100:49:38.119 --> 00:49:40.159
going to help and I can pick up the phone.78200:49:40.639 --> 00:49:47.039
That's it. Having said that, choices, what about this little guy,78300:49:47.599 --> 00:49:52.639
Maddie asks her, pointing to Steward. What about him? Harmony snaps,78400:49:53.280 --> 00:49:55.360
If you can call somebody to come and get him,78500:49:55.400 --> 00:49:58.320
then okay. Otherwise you brats had better keep an eye78600:49:58.360 --> 00:50:01.400
on him if he stays with you all night. Can78700:50:01.440 --> 00:50:06.880
we talk about it amongst ourselves, Horton asks, Harmony laughs scornfully.78800:50:07.400 --> 00:50:11.280
You do not get to make requests, tent Pole. I78900:50:11.320 --> 00:50:16.320
will not ask you brats again your choices. Now you79000:50:16.400 --> 00:50:18.679
all know we're going to choose to stay and put79100:50:18.760 --> 00:50:23.440
up the rest of the decorations. Splendid, Harmony cries with glee.79200:50:24.039 --> 00:50:27.679
That's the choice I would have picked myself. And now79300:50:28.519 --> 00:50:32.159
Harmony explains what all we're supposed to do. She says79400:50:32.199 --> 00:50:35.599
that since she doesn't trust us, she herself will be79500:50:35.679 --> 00:50:38.239
supervising us to make sure we do the job on79600:50:38.440 --> 00:50:42.079
her level. Turns out, her baby as being watched by79700:50:42.079 --> 00:50:45.079
her other family members, so she doesn't have to worry79800:50:45.119 --> 00:50:48.559
about getting back to her right away. When she finishes79900:50:48.639 --> 00:50:53.679
explaining everything. She smiles her devilish smile again. I'm going80000:50:53.719 --> 00:50:57.519
to have so much fun with all of you, Harmony80100:50:57.559 --> 00:51:01.280
warns us. Also, if any if you are slacking off80200:51:01.360 --> 00:51:06.079
or sleeping on the job, I call the police. Don't worry.80300:51:06.400 --> 00:51:09.920
I'm not a totally unfeeling person. I'll give you all80400:51:09.960 --> 00:51:12.719
a little break at every hour. I'll even let you80500:51:12.760 --> 00:51:15.679
have free soft drinks from the food court and feed80600:51:15.719 --> 00:51:18.519
you when it's time for meal breaks. And if the80700:51:18.559 --> 00:51:24.440
decorations aren't finished before the morning, then I call the police.80800:51:24.599 --> 00:51:28.280
Harmony points at Ariel and Carter. I suppose we really80900:51:28.320 --> 00:51:31.920
should get you to some dry clothes. I'll get you81000:51:31.960 --> 00:51:35.840
to some overalls to change into while we dry your clothes.81100:51:36.559 --> 00:51:40.320
She raises her finger quickly. Those of you who have smartphones,81200:51:40.559 --> 00:51:43.519
call your parents right now and tell them you're spending81300:51:43.519 --> 00:51:46.320
the night here. When you're done, your phones get locked81400:51:46.360 --> 00:51:51.119
in this drawer until morning. You're here to work, not play.81500:51:52.320 --> 00:51:55.000
We're all looking at each other now. I don't know81600:51:55.000 --> 00:51:57.920
about the others, but I get the feeling we're in81700:51:58.000 --> 00:52:05.000
for a very long rest of the day and all night. Perspective,81800:52:05.480 --> 00:52:09.960
Richie Horton, the others are quickly noticing that I'm actually81900:52:10.000 --> 00:52:14.320
not minding being here so much. Even Harmony Mirran barking82000:52:14.440 --> 00:52:17.920
orders at us isn't really bothering me. We've been working82100:52:17.960 --> 00:52:20.559
together at going around the mall and hanging things from82200:52:20.599 --> 00:52:24.159
giant Christmas ornaments to draping tinsel to even bright and82300:52:24.239 --> 00:52:27.880
colorful lights. Since the mall's still open, people are seeing82400:52:27.960 --> 00:52:32.159
us slowly but surely making our way across. We started82500:52:32.199 --> 00:52:34.800
at J. C. Penny and are expected to end over82600:52:34.880 --> 00:52:38.559
by Best Buy. Harmony Miron has been keeping a watchful82700:52:38.639 --> 00:52:41.960
eye on all of us. Even Maddie's got little Stuart82800:52:42.000 --> 00:52:46.400
helping her out with putting the animatronic scenes together. In fact,82900:52:46.800 --> 00:52:49.079
it was Ariel who advised Harmony that it would be83000:52:49.159 --> 00:52:51.960
a good idea to let Stuart stay with Maddie to83100:52:52.079 --> 00:52:55.800
keep him out of trouble. When Harmony sees how Maddie's83200:52:55.880 --> 00:52:58.880
kind of playing with him to keep him occupied, she83300:52:59.000 --> 00:53:02.519
starts yelling at her. Ariel quickly comes over to Maddie.83400:53:03.119 --> 00:53:07.079
If I were you, Harmony, I'd leave Mouse alone. Believe me,83500:53:07.239 --> 00:53:10.360
you want her keeping Stuart the way he is. But83600:53:10.440 --> 00:53:13.480
if you insist on being all high and mighty, go83700:53:13.519 --> 00:53:16.920
ahead and keep getting on mouse. When Stuart starts running83800:53:16.920 --> 00:53:20.559
around your mall and getting into everything, don't expect us83900:53:20.639 --> 00:53:25.760
to stop him. Harmony points right at Maddie. Fine, Ariel,84000:53:26.159 --> 00:53:29.480
she can entertain the kid. Then she says to Maddie,84100:53:30.039 --> 00:53:32.920
don't go too far out of my sight. I may84200:53:33.000 --> 00:53:37.239
need you to be my gopher. Maddie keeps entertaining Stuart.84300:53:37.719 --> 00:53:40.119
Come to think of it, this isn't the first time84400:53:40.159 --> 00:53:43.199
we've seen Maddie playing with him. He doesn't seem to84500:53:43.320 --> 00:53:46.719
like the rest of us, especially Ariel. He really seems84600:53:46.760 --> 00:53:49.519
to like Maddie, though, he even does what she tells84700:53:49.559 --> 00:53:52.760
him and doesn't get poudy with her about it. I84800:53:52.800 --> 00:53:56.760
also recall he's never once said a single word at84900:53:56.760 --> 00:53:59.239
four years old. I'm sure he can talk, he just85000:53:59.320 --> 00:54:02.719
doesn't talk unless he has something to say, probably to85100:54:02.800 --> 00:54:06.400
his mom. Harmony doesn't seem to mind us talking to85200:54:06.440 --> 00:54:09.400
each other as long as we're working. Right now, I'm85300:54:09.440 --> 00:54:13.000
helping Ariel with hanging more tinsel on the ceiling. Chunker's85400:54:13.000 --> 00:54:16.079
working on getting the rest of another animatronic scene put together.85500:54:16.599 --> 00:54:18.880
Carter's putting up some more of the Christmas trees that85600:54:18.920 --> 00:54:22.280
were found in storage. I think Carter and Ariel both85700:54:22.280 --> 00:54:26.960
look quite obvious in their navy blue overalls. Every now85800:54:27.039 --> 00:54:29.559
and then I see them giving each other mean looks.85900:54:30.199 --> 00:54:33.239
When we're at Strickfield Junior High, nearly everybody's quick to86000:54:33.280 --> 00:54:37.079
step aside for Ariel, even the eighth graders. When it's86100:54:37.119 --> 00:54:39.400
said that she's the queen Bee. It doesn't mean that86200:54:39.480 --> 00:54:43.239
she literally rules the school. It's just it means she's86300:54:43.280 --> 00:54:46.679
the most popular girl there. When she does tell somebody86400:54:46.719 --> 00:54:50.880
to do something, they do it. When I said nearly everybody,86500:54:50.920 --> 00:54:55.920
the exception is Carter, Chapman, Chunker and me, And lately86600:54:55.920 --> 00:54:58.679
it seems Mona Abeles and Bailey Downs, the other two86700:54:58.719 --> 00:55:01.159
girls in our group, aren't so quick to do what86800:55:01.199 --> 00:55:04.480
she wants. These days, we keep working on into the86900:55:04.519 --> 00:55:07.760
evening and right up until closing. We're nearly halfway through87000:55:07.800 --> 00:55:11.000
the mall. When ten o'clock rolls around. We've really put87100:55:11.079 --> 00:55:13.679
up a lot of decorations. Since we have to finish87200:55:13.760 --> 00:55:15.480
the rest of the mall, that means we've got a87300:55:15.519 --> 00:55:18.920
lot more. Believe me when I say Harmony hasn't taken87400:55:18.960 --> 00:55:21.280
her eyes off us for so much as a second.87500:55:22.320 --> 00:55:24.320
Even when she was looking at her phone, she was87600:55:24.360 --> 00:55:27.760
still watching us. When Carter and Ariel started sneering at87700:55:27.760 --> 00:55:30.400
each other a few hours ago, Harmony told them to87800:55:30.440 --> 00:55:33.320
get back to work. Maddie and Stuart are back with87900:55:33.440 --> 00:55:36.519
sodas on a tray for everybody. She goes around and88000:55:36.559 --> 00:55:40.519
hands everybody one. I'm surprised Maddie's been able to keep88100:55:40.599 --> 00:55:43.960
Stewart occupied for as long as she has. When Ariel88200:55:44.000 --> 00:55:46.000
tried to tell him to do something a moment ago,88300:55:46.480 --> 00:55:49.920
he nearly threw his soda at her. Maddie stopped him88400:55:49.920 --> 00:55:54.159
and told him he'd get thirsty later again. He listened88500:55:54.159 --> 00:55:57.199
to her. Harmony, lets us take a break to enjoy88600:55:57.239 --> 00:56:00.519
our sodas. When you finish your break, get some more88700:56:00.599 --> 00:56:03.679
Christmas decorations out and keep going. I'm going to take88800:56:03.719 --> 00:56:06.320
Madeline and Stuart with me and make sure the entrances88900:56:06.360 --> 00:56:09.559
are locked up tight. She points sharply at the others.89000:56:10.159 --> 00:56:13.119
And if I come back and see you're slacking off,89100:56:13.760 --> 00:56:16.760
Harmony gets on her golf cart, letting Maddie and Stuart89200:56:16.760 --> 00:56:19.920
sit up front with her. Then they take off to89300:56:19.920 --> 00:56:23.599
go check the entrances. Like I figured, Ariel and Carter89400:56:23.719 --> 00:56:27.039
start going at each other again. I hate you, Carter,89500:56:27.639 --> 00:56:31.119
she snaps. He points right at her. Hey, I wasn't89600:56:31.119 --> 00:56:32.679
the one who wanted to fight in one of them89700:56:32.679 --> 00:56:36.800
all fountains. That was all you. She gets up and89800:56:36.840 --> 00:56:39.599
goes right to him. Because you have to fill me89900:56:39.679 --> 00:56:41.920
and the goober on your phone and post it on90000:56:41.960 --> 00:56:46.000
social media, letting everyone make fun of me, because you90100:56:46.119 --> 00:56:49.719
keep trying to order me around at school, he fires back.90200:56:50.119 --> 00:56:52.519
Even when we're not in school, you always try to90300:56:52.559 --> 00:56:54.760
make me do things I don't want to do. You90400:56:54.800 --> 00:56:57.400
even drink up my sodas. I get that you're filthy90500:56:57.480 --> 00:57:00.239
rich and your family owns all of Strickfield Commons now,90600:57:00.440 --> 00:57:02.719
but that don't mean you get to order us around90700:57:03.920 --> 00:57:10.519
my school. Ariel growls. That means I run it. Carter90800:57:10.639 --> 00:57:13.639
stands up now. He and Ariel are looking each other90900:57:13.679 --> 00:57:16.480
in the eyes. You'd swear they're getting ready to throw91000:57:16.559 --> 00:57:20.880
down again, except Chunker comes in between them. That's enough91100:57:20.920 --> 00:57:24.280
you guys, he tells them. If Harmony comes back here91200:57:24.320 --> 00:57:27.000
and sees you two fighting again, there's no telling what91300:57:27.079 --> 00:57:31.199
she's gonna do. Ariel points right at him. You keep91400:57:31.239 --> 00:57:34.840
out of this. Chunker turns and looks at her. No,91500:57:35.480 --> 00:57:37.639
it's all because of you two fighting. That we're in91600:57:37.679 --> 00:57:40.280
this mess. I really don't know what you're trying to91700:57:40.360 --> 00:57:43.239
prove with saying you run our school. What are you91800:57:43.280 --> 00:57:46.559
trying to be a bully? Because that's how I'm seeing you, Ariel.91900:57:47.039 --> 00:57:49.280
Maybe that's why we scoff at you when you tell92000:57:49.360 --> 00:57:52.239
us to know our place at school. I'm just saying.92100:57:53.000 --> 00:57:55.639
Chunker turns away from her and sits back down to92200:57:55.719 --> 00:57:59.480
drink his soda. Boy, Chunker sure took the wind out92300:57:59.480 --> 00:58:03.079
of her sail. I mean, she looks pretty sad right now.92400:58:03.760 --> 00:58:08.119
Then she turns and runs away. Hey, Princess Harmony's gonna92500:58:08.159 --> 00:58:10.920
be back in a little bit. Carter calls out to her,92600:58:11.199 --> 00:58:15.559
but Ariel doesn't look back. I look over at Chunker. Hey,92700:58:16.199 --> 00:58:19.599
somebody needed to set her straight, he tells me. Then92800:58:19.639 --> 00:58:24.039
he gets up. Fine, I'll go talk to her again.92900:58:25.239 --> 00:58:31.159
He gets up and starts walking in her direction. Perspective93000:58:32.039 --> 00:58:36.000
Ariel mirrn. I finally stop running when I get to93100:58:36.039 --> 00:58:38.760
a far corner of the food court and hide out93200:58:38.800 --> 00:58:43.920
of sight. I sit down and start crying. I thought93300:58:43.960 --> 00:58:46.719
I was really alone, but then I feel someone's there.93400:58:47.760 --> 00:58:51.559
I look up and see Chunker. What do you want?93500:58:51.920 --> 00:58:54.639
I snap? Did you follow me to see me at93600:58:54.639 --> 00:58:59.679
my worst and gloat. Chunker sits down across from me. Hey,93700:59:00.559 --> 00:59:05.199
I wasn't trying to cut you down, Ariel, but really,93800:59:05.880 --> 00:59:09.079
how do you think people at school see you? You know,93900:59:09.199 --> 00:59:11.960
being the most popular girl at our school doesn't mean94000:59:12.119 --> 00:59:16.679
telling people what to do. What do you expect me94100:59:16.760 --> 00:59:17.000
to do?94200:59:17.039 --> 00:59:17.239
Then?94300:59:17.639 --> 00:59:21.039
I ask, I'm Ariel Miron. Do you have any idea94400:59:21.079 --> 00:59:24.039
what that means? No, you don't. You don't know what94500:59:24.119 --> 00:59:27.480
kind of expectations Mom has for me. Aside from making94600:59:27.519 --> 00:59:30.280
sure I'm always there when Aunt Margaret wants me to94700:59:30.360 --> 00:59:32.920
take care of Stuart. Not only do I have to94800:59:33.000 --> 00:59:35.159
keep that little goober out of trouble all the time,94900:59:35.239 --> 00:59:38.199
but Mom expects me to be a dominant in our family.95000:59:38.920 --> 00:59:42.840
She's expecting me to be homecoming and prom queens when95100:59:42.840 --> 00:59:45.440
we get to high school, the same as she did.95200:59:46.639 --> 00:59:49.599
Mom ruled her school with power, so she expects me95300:59:49.679 --> 00:59:52.559
to do the same. What do you want to do?95400:59:53.199 --> 00:59:56.519
He asks? I wipe away tears with the back of95500:59:56.559 --> 01:00:00.440
my hands. I don't know, I do. I know I'm95601:00:00.440 --> 01:00:03.159
tired of always trying to please Mom when I know95701:00:03.239 --> 01:00:06.599
she'll never be pleased. You're not a mirror. You'll never95801:00:06.679 --> 01:00:10.519
know what it's like to have lots of expectations placed95901:00:10.519 --> 01:00:15.400
on you. Chunker smiles a little. Hey, didn't you stand96001:00:15.480 --> 01:00:18.480
up to your mom on Halloween night? Maddie was telling96101:00:18.559 --> 01:00:21.679
us about it, shortly after you guys saved all of96201:00:21.760 --> 01:00:25.320
us from Abigail Tomlin that night. If you don't want96301:00:25.320 --> 01:00:28.840
to live by your mom's expectations, then tell her that96401:00:29.599 --> 01:00:32.480
you're supposed to be a dominant Miran. Right, then be96501:00:32.559 --> 01:00:38.559
a dominant Mirran. But be your dominant miran now. I96601:00:38.679 --> 01:00:44.079
smile at him. You're right, I sigh. I'll share something96701:00:44.119 --> 01:00:49.840
with you. Sometimes. I wish I wasn't a Mirran. If96801:00:49.880 --> 01:00:53.679
it wasn't for my girls, including Mouse, I think I'd96901:00:53.679 --> 01:00:56.840
have lost my mind a long time ago. I take97001:00:56.880 --> 01:01:02.199
his hands, thank you. Before Chunker can reply back, we97101:01:02.280 --> 01:01:07.840
both realize we're not alone. At first, we're thinking harmony97201:01:07.880 --> 01:01:13.599
found us, but it's some other woman. She looks huge97301:01:14.440 --> 01:01:17.760
her height. I'm thinking she's at least seven feet tall,97401:01:17.800 --> 01:01:20.400
which would explain why the clothes she's wearing look like97501:01:20.880 --> 01:01:23.559
summer clothes. She has on a T shirt that looks97601:01:23.599 --> 01:01:26.880
torn at the sleeves and jeans that could pass for capris.97701:01:27.880 --> 01:01:31.760
She's also barefoot. But what's really scaring the both of97801:01:31.840 --> 01:01:34.960
us right now is that her skin looks chalk white97901:01:35.119 --> 01:01:38.880
and her eyes are glowing bright red. We both scream98001:01:38.960 --> 01:01:42.079
when she shows us her clawed hands and the glistening98101:01:42.239 --> 01:01:46.760
fangs in her mouth. We get up and run for it. Help.98201:01:47.119 --> 01:01:50.679
Chunker calls out, Ariels, she's got me. I turn and98301:01:50.719 --> 01:01:55.039
see that woman. I think she's a vampire, pulling Chunker98401:01:55.079 --> 01:01:57.480
into one of the double doors beside the pizza place.98501:01:57.960 --> 01:02:00.599
I duck fast when she throws a big track at98601:02:00.639 --> 01:02:04.360
me with one hand. I'll get help, I call out98701:02:04.360 --> 01:02:06.880
to Chunker. Then I turn and start running back to98801:02:06.880 --> 01:02:12.480
where the others are. Perspective Brian, Chunk, I'm trying to98901:02:12.519 --> 01:02:15.000
break free of this woman who's holding onto me. But99001:02:15.440 --> 01:02:19.320
she's really strong. If she really is a vampire, I'm99101:02:19.360 --> 01:02:22.800
gonna be in real big trouble here. Let go of me,99201:02:23.280 --> 01:02:27.960
I yell help. The vampire woman growls as she keeps99301:02:28.039 --> 01:02:31.199
dragging me along. Soon she opens one of the doors99401:02:31.280 --> 01:02:34.280
leading to the basement level. I remember we had to99501:02:34.280 --> 01:02:36.519
go down there to get some of the Christmas decorations.99601:02:37.239 --> 01:02:39.440
There's also a parking garage under a part of the99701:02:39.480 --> 01:02:43.199
mall itself. Now, the big vampire's picking me up and99801:02:43.239 --> 01:02:47.400
carrying me downstairs under one arm. I know I ain't99901:02:47.400 --> 01:02:50.079
no lightweight, but she's carrying me like I am one.100001:02:51.039 --> 01:02:54.000
I keep calling out for help. I just hope Ariel100101:02:54.039 --> 01:02:56.039
tells the others what's going on before I end up100201:02:56.079 --> 01:03:01.840
becoming food for this thingh or she makes me into100301:03:01.880 --> 01:03:05.920
something like her. Then I remember I was already not100401:03:06.000 --> 01:03:10.639
alive once before that time, when Abigail Tomlin brought Chapman,100501:03:10.800 --> 01:03:14.760
Horton and me to the Afterlife a year ago last Halloween.100601:03:15.960 --> 01:03:18.360
No way I was letting this giant woman turn me100701:03:18.519 --> 01:03:22.280
into a vampire. Seeing the woman's bare foot, I raise100801:03:22.360 --> 01:03:24.679
my shoe and stomp down on one of her feet.100901:03:25.159 --> 01:03:29.239
She growls and stops. That's when I break loose and run.101001:03:29.760 --> 01:03:32.760
The woman screams now. I don't even look over my shoulder.101101:03:33.039 --> 01:03:35.679
I know she's after me. I just know I gotta101201:03:35.719 --> 01:03:38.360
get out of here and get back upstairs to the others.101301:03:38.880 --> 01:03:42.119
Hopefully Ariels warn them. Already, for all I know, they're101401:03:42.119 --> 01:03:44.760
probably on their way out of the mall. I'm turning101501:03:44.800 --> 01:03:47.320
the corner to open the door to get back upstairs.101601:03:47.760 --> 01:03:53.559
What I quickly yell that giant vampire woman is is101701:03:53.679 --> 01:03:57.960
right in front of me. Then I remember vampires can101801:03:58.039 --> 01:04:01.159
literally warp right in front of you. I quickly slam101901:04:01.239 --> 01:04:03.559
the door and run to another. Now I hear the102001:04:03.639 --> 01:04:06.880
vampire woman knock the door away and come out. She102101:04:07.039 --> 01:04:11.840
screams again, which really sends shivers down my spine. I102201:04:11.960 --> 01:04:14.599
run to the upward ramp and start making my way up.102301:04:15.079 --> 01:04:19.000
I hear the giant vampires scream again. It'd be one102401:04:19.039 --> 01:04:22.639
thing if she hissed or even went bleh, bleh or something,102501:04:23.039 --> 01:04:26.800
but screaming like Ariel Mirran when she's mad. Even hearing102601:04:26.840 --> 01:04:30.320
Ariel scream sends shivers down my spine. But she ain't102701:04:30.360 --> 01:04:34.239
a giant vampire woman. When I'm about to reach the102801:04:34.239 --> 01:04:37.039
top of the ramp, I quickly stop when I see102901:04:37.159 --> 01:04:44.559
she's right there. She looks right at me and and103001:04:44.559 --> 01:04:55.559
and I feel feel her eyes. I can't move, I103101:04:55.599 --> 01:05:05.159
can't can't run the last last it's glam. Then I103201:05:05.239 --> 01:05:12.039
think she's lifting me on her shoulders.103301:05:13.000 --> 01:05:14.920
Can't move.103401:05:18.480 --> 01:05:23.920
Perspective, Madeline Donnerly. I thought it'd be hard trying to103501:05:24.000 --> 01:05:27.320
keep Stuart occupied all day. In fact, he's sitting on103601:05:27.320 --> 01:05:30.639
my lap right Now he points at the Christmas displays103701:05:30.679 --> 01:05:34.119
and is all happy and laughing. Stuart helped me put103801:05:34.159 --> 01:05:36.559
all of them together. All I had to do was103901:05:36.599 --> 01:05:38.599
point to what I wanted, and he brought it to me.104001:05:39.320 --> 01:05:42.440
Harmony's just now bringing us back, after making sure all104101:05:42.440 --> 01:05:46.559
the entrances are locked up tight. That's when we're seeing104201:05:46.679 --> 01:05:50.079
Aeriel running out of the food court to the others help.104301:05:50.599 --> 01:05:55.039
She's shrieking help. The others are looking at her. Now.104401:05:55.400 --> 01:05:57.559
I can tell you Harmony ain't too happy when she104501:05:57.599 --> 01:06:00.400
pulls the golf cart right up by her. There is104601:06:00.559 --> 01:06:03.719
no reason whatsoever for you to be carrying on Ariel.104701:06:04.119 --> 01:06:08.639
Harmony snaps, there's a giant vampire woman. She tells all104801:06:08.679 --> 01:06:12.320
of us she got Chunker. Then she tells us what104901:06:12.480 --> 01:06:15.280
happened in the food court. I'm not making any of105001:06:15.280 --> 01:06:18.440
this up, I swear, but I can tell Carter ain't105101:06:18.480 --> 01:06:22.000
believe in her. Suddenly, Ariel comes over to me. She105201:06:22.159 --> 01:06:24.639
takes my wrist and locks her little finger with mine.105301:06:25.320 --> 01:06:29.760
Pinky promise. I'm giving Ariel my most serious look. Right now,105401:06:30.639 --> 01:06:34.239
you say it's a vampire. Now, Harmony grabs my arm.105501:06:34.840 --> 01:06:37.360
None of you brats are leaving this mall until all105601:06:37.400 --> 01:06:40.800
the Christmas decorations are put up. You understand me, none105701:06:40.840 --> 01:06:44.760
of you. I shake Harmony off me. If Ariel says105801:06:44.840 --> 01:06:47.800
Chunker's in trouble, then I'm gonna go help find my friend.105901:06:48.320 --> 01:06:50.679
I lift Stuart up and quickly get off the cart.106001:06:51.199 --> 01:06:53.960
I'm leaving this little guy here with you. You got106101:06:53.960 --> 01:06:55.559
a baby, right so you ought to know what to106201:06:55.559 --> 01:06:59.679
do with Stuart. You stop right there, Harmony yells. I106301:06:59.719 --> 01:07:02.840
did not excuse any of you. I mean it. I'll106401:07:02.840 --> 01:07:05.880
call the police and have them here right now. Now,106501:07:05.920 --> 01:07:07.719
I see Horton pointing and gasping.106601:07:07.800 --> 01:07:08.159
Fast.106701:07:08.800 --> 01:07:11.599
May Matty, many, Matty, many come. Madi, Come, Matti. We're106801:07:11.639 --> 01:07:16.280
all looking where Horton's pointing. Now, Ariel's joining Horton. That's her.106901:07:16.480 --> 01:07:21.280
That's the big vampire woman who took Chunker. You, Harmony107001:07:21.360 --> 01:07:26.079
yells at her. I turned to her. You know that107101:07:26.239 --> 01:07:31.000
vampire woman, Harmony. That's the thing that trashed my maul107201:07:31.199 --> 01:07:34.719
and attacked my security guards on Christmas Eve two years ago.107301:07:35.280 --> 01:07:39.599
Harmony shrieks. I could never forget that face, that hair,107401:07:39.800 --> 01:07:44.320
or those eyes. That vampire woman looks like she's got107501:07:44.320 --> 01:07:46.960
a good seven feet of height. Her red eyes are107601:07:47.000 --> 01:07:50.480
glowing bright even in the dark. She tightens her fists107701:07:50.480 --> 01:07:56.679
and screams, that's when Harmony turns her cart and drives off. Wow,107801:07:57.239 --> 01:08:00.719
Harmony really drove off and left us here. Horton says,107901:08:01.559 --> 01:08:05.840
that's a mirror for you. Carter mutters, hey. Ariel yells108001:08:05.840 --> 01:08:09.239
at him. Then she slaps his shoulder. I'm standing right here,108101:08:09.280 --> 01:08:12.599
you bump us. Carter looks kind of ready to stick108201:08:12.599 --> 01:08:15.960
his foot in his mouth. That vampire woman moves really108301:08:16.039 --> 01:08:20.479
fast because she's almost right on us. Scatter, Ariel yells.108401:08:21.039 --> 01:08:23.840
Carter quickly takes Ariel's hand as they run one way.108501:08:24.159 --> 01:08:27.159
Horton turns and runs another way. Then I feel little108601:08:27.159 --> 01:08:30.079
Stuart pulling on my pants pocket. I picked the little108701:08:30.119 --> 01:08:33.039
guy up and run in another direction. Wait for me.108801:08:33.560 --> 01:08:36.920
I hear Horton yelling. Guess he reconsidered which way he108901:08:37.000 --> 01:08:39.600
was going. Turns out I ain't gotta wait for Horton.109001:08:39.840 --> 01:08:42.560
He's running so fast as shoes are squeaking on the floor.109101:08:43.039 --> 01:08:46.479
I gotta quickly stop and put Stuart down. Then I squat,109201:08:46.880 --> 01:08:50.039
get on my back. Little buddy. Stuart again listens to109301:08:50.079 --> 01:08:53.079
me and climbs on. I lift myself up so Horton109401:08:53.119 --> 01:08:56.079
and me can run again. Much easier to carry Stuart109501:08:56.119 --> 01:08:58.640
on my back than trying to hold him. Can you109601:08:58.640 --> 01:09:02.600
see her, Maddie, Horton asks. Suddenly, the vampire woman appears109701:09:02.680 --> 01:09:04.479
right in front of us when she comes out of109801:09:04.520 --> 01:09:07.880
one of those side corridors, making us both scream. Never109901:09:07.960 --> 01:09:11.520
mind forget, I asked, Horton shrieks. When we turn around.110001:09:11.960 --> 01:09:14.600
What's real funny right now? Is that little Stewart is110101:09:14.760 --> 01:09:18.239
laughing it up? Yeah, I'm glad you're having fun, little buddy.110201:09:18.359 --> 01:09:21.279
Hang On, Horton and me scream when we hear the110301:09:21.359 --> 01:09:24.239
vampire lady shout. Then we round a few of the110401:09:24.319 --> 01:09:27.239
kiosks and head into the food court. Why are we110501:09:27.319 --> 01:09:31.000
running this way, Maddie, Horton asks, We gotta find Chunker.110601:09:31.159 --> 01:09:34.760
I tell him they both came this way. What's really110701:09:34.840 --> 01:09:37.199
bad is I ain't even got time to try and110801:09:37.239 --> 01:09:39.520
find a mirror to summon Mary Worth to come and110901:09:39.560 --> 01:09:43.720
help us. Uh man, where'd that giant vampire lady come from?111001:09:44.159 --> 01:09:48.119
I'm almost thinking Lady Dimitri su escaped from resident evil village.111101:09:48.800 --> 01:09:51.479
When we're about to turn another corner, we're both screaming111201:09:51.560 --> 01:09:54.119
again when the giant vampire Lady has her hands on111301:09:54.159 --> 01:10:00.159
our shoulders. She's flying. Horton shrieks down. I yell. We111401:10:00.239 --> 01:10:02.640
both fall on our bellies and let the vampire lady111501:10:02.680 --> 01:10:05.920
fly right over us. We quickly get back up, glad.111601:10:05.960 --> 01:10:09.439
Little Stewart doesn't weigh much. The vampire lady lands and111701:10:09.479 --> 01:10:16.119
points right at us. Now, my children, Wow, she don't111801:10:16.119 --> 01:10:20.319
sound nothing like Lady Dimtrisu. Her voice actually echoes, and111901:10:20.359 --> 01:10:23.800
her face looks like the original Fright Night poster. Boy112001:10:23.880 --> 01:10:27.199
do Horton and me ever scream? I remember telling Ariel112101:10:27.239 --> 01:10:29.560
Mirror to give me something to be scared about just112201:10:29.640 --> 01:10:33.039
after we started junior High. If she's seeing me right now,112301:10:33.279 --> 01:10:36.039
she ain't never gonna let me live this down. Then112401:10:36.119 --> 01:10:39.840
I stop screaming when I hear Little Stuart laughing again.112501:10:40.920 --> 01:10:44.880
Oh you think this is funny, I ask him. The112601:10:45.000 --> 01:10:52.840
vampire lady licks her long, glistening fangs. My children, Horton112701:10:52.880 --> 01:10:55.880
and me both scream again and run for all we're worth.112801:10:56.439 --> 01:10:58.720
We run out of the food court and down toward J. C.112901:10:58.920 --> 01:11:02.199
Penny where you're in. That vampire lady's screaming as she's113001:11:02.199 --> 01:11:08.000
flying after us again, really sharp claws outstretched. Hey as113101:11:08.039 --> 01:11:11.039
long as Stuart's laughing, then him being scared is one113201:11:11.039 --> 01:11:13.920
problem we ain't gotta worry about. We turn a corner113301:11:13.960 --> 01:11:17.239
and see an suv that's being raffled off parked. I113401:11:17.279 --> 01:11:22.439
can't run much longer. Horton pants, Hey, that vehicle's got mirrors.113501:11:22.760 --> 01:11:26.159
I can call Mary Worth. I never thought I'd ever113601:11:26.239 --> 01:11:28.680
be so glad. I'm possessed by the spirit of a113701:11:28.720 --> 01:11:31.119
white witch from the time of the Salem Witch Trials.113801:11:31.640 --> 01:11:34.760
But just as we reach the suv, it suddenly comes113901:11:34.760 --> 01:11:38.279
off the floor, the giant vampire ladies lifting it right114001:11:38.319 --> 01:11:47.800
above her head. No escape, she growls. No way. Horton squeaks, Yes, way.114101:11:48.159 --> 01:11:51.319
I squeak back, and then I see the bikes. Carter114201:11:51.399 --> 01:11:55.600
and me rode here just outside. The only way Horton114301:11:55.600 --> 01:11:58.640
and me can use him is to I got an idea, Horton.114401:11:59.279 --> 01:12:01.800
At first, I think think about handing Stuart off to Horton,114501:12:02.199 --> 01:12:05.239
but I ain't sure how he'll behave with him. Nah,114601:12:05.319 --> 01:12:08.479
I gotta keep this little guy with me. Hang on, Stuart,114701:12:08.760 --> 01:12:12.560
I tell him, what are you doing, Maddie. Horton shrieks114801:12:12.720 --> 01:12:15.760
when he sees me running around The vampire lady Now114901:12:15.840 --> 01:12:18.479
Horton and me are on either side of her. Yeah,115001:12:18.600 --> 01:12:21.600
you keep having fun, little man, I tell Stuart when115101:12:21.640 --> 01:12:24.479
he's still laughing it up. Now I call out to115201:12:24.520 --> 01:12:28.920
the vampire lady. Hey, she turns around to face Stuart115301:12:28.960 --> 01:12:32.319
and me. Bet you can't hit me with that, Maddie.115401:12:32.720 --> 01:12:38.760
Horton gasps, really. Then my plan totally backfires. The vampire115501:12:38.840 --> 01:12:41.159
Lady drops the car so that it bounces on its115601:12:41.199 --> 01:12:45.159
tires once and remains parked against a wall. Then she115701:12:45.239 --> 01:12:48.239
snatches Horton by his shoulders and lifts him up. All115801:12:48.319 --> 01:12:51.159
he can do is smile and laugh a little. Then115901:12:51.239 --> 01:12:52.159
he waves at her.116001:12:52.479 --> 01:12:52.800
Um.116101:12:54.319 --> 01:13:02.720
Ugh, hi bee bee. She says, yeah, I'm your baby.116201:13:03.199 --> 01:13:06.960
Horton quickly agrees, probably hoping she don't lower him down116301:13:07.000 --> 01:13:09.680
and bite him. Then I see the door on the116401:13:09.800 --> 01:13:14.560
suv is open. Hey, that's right. The vehicle was unlocked116501:13:14.560 --> 01:13:17.640
so people could look inside it to entice them into116601:13:17.640 --> 01:13:20.439
filling out a raffle card. I inch my way over116701:13:20.520 --> 01:13:24.159
to the vehicle. Stewart gets off my back and climbs inside.116801:13:24.520 --> 01:13:27.520
Then I get into the driver's seat. Man, I'm hoping116901:13:27.560 --> 01:13:31.039
there's keys in this thing. It's gonna be a long shot,117001:13:31.079 --> 01:13:33.159
but I pull down the sun visor like I did117101:13:33.199 --> 01:13:38.760
on Halloween night. Nope, no keys. Then my little buddy117201:13:38.760 --> 01:13:42.000
taps my leg fast. I turned to see him handing117301:13:42.039 --> 01:13:46.960
me the keys. Aw thanks, I cry, taking him off117401:13:47.000 --> 01:13:50.479
his hands. Man, I sure hope this works. I put117501:13:50.520 --> 01:13:52.960
the keys in the ignition and crank it. That's when117601:13:52.960 --> 01:13:55.560
the giant vampire lady turns and looks right at me.117701:13:56.560 --> 01:14:00.760
Now I'm feeling a little weird. Then I quickly shake117801:14:00.800 --> 01:14:03.439
my head on No, no way, I'm letting her glam me.117901:14:04.239 --> 01:14:07.520
Come on start, will you. I beg the car when118001:14:07.560 --> 01:14:10.600
all it's doing is cranking. Then I call out the window,118101:14:11.000 --> 01:14:14.119
this is the part where you start running, Horton. He118201:14:14.159 --> 01:14:16.720
don't need me to tell him twice. And just when118301:14:16.720 --> 01:14:20.880
that giant vampire Lady's almost on me, the car roars118401:14:20.960 --> 01:14:24.399
to life. Time to play some more grand Tarismo again,118501:14:25.119 --> 01:14:29.159
just like on Halloween night. Okay, Mouseie, time to show118601:14:29.199 --> 01:14:34.000
this big ugly vampire some driving skills. I say to myself.118701:14:34.640 --> 01:14:37.359
When I hear Stuart laughing at all the fun he's having,118801:14:37.840 --> 01:14:40.880
I know I gotta keep him entertained. I take a118901:14:40.920 --> 01:14:45.600
deep breath, shift the gears and floor the gas. The119001:14:45.720 --> 01:14:48.399
tires are squealing on the floor as I'm backing up.119101:14:48.760 --> 01:14:50.960
When I'm out in the main area, I shift again119201:14:51.039 --> 01:14:54.319
and floor it forward. Hang on, little guy, we're gonna119301:14:54.319 --> 01:14:57.039
get horton. I just hope I can drive like our119401:14:57.079 --> 01:15:04.760
lives depend on it. Oh wait, they do, perspective carter cross.119501:15:06.039 --> 01:15:08.279
Ariel and I made it out of the mall itself119601:15:08.439 --> 01:15:10.600
and make it back to the storeroom where the rest119701:15:10.640 --> 01:15:14.000
of the Christmas decorations are. After we piled stuff up119801:15:14.000 --> 01:15:16.319
against the doors. We got our backs to the wall119901:15:16.640 --> 01:15:19.840
and her sweating as we're catching our breaths. When we're120001:15:19.840 --> 01:15:24.079
calm enough, Ariel growls her usual growl and slaps me120101:15:24.199 --> 01:15:28.159
on the arm ow. Then I turned to her, what's120201:15:28.199 --> 01:15:32.520
your problem now, princess. She turns to me and pushes me. Now,120301:15:33.079 --> 01:15:35.680
I can't believe what you said about the mirrors. I120401:15:35.840 --> 01:15:39.720
was right there. I'm a mirror. I raise my hands120501:15:39.720 --> 01:15:43.640
in front of me. Okay, bad choice of words. I'm sorry.120601:15:44.079 --> 01:15:46.439
To be honest, I wasn't thinking about you when I120701:15:46.479 --> 01:15:51.279
said what I said. Ariel calms down a little. Really,120801:15:52.159 --> 01:15:56.680
I sigh. Okay, yes, you're a mirror, but you wouldn't120901:15:56.720 --> 01:15:59.439
have left us the way Harmony did cut me some121001:15:59.560 --> 01:16:04.159
slack here, She slaps my shoulder hard again. You don't121101:16:04.199 --> 01:16:07.479
deserve any slack, Carter, not when you keep making videos121201:16:07.520 --> 01:16:10.439
of me in that little goober and posting them on Facebook.121301:16:10.720 --> 01:16:13.159
And now that we're all here alone, just you and me,121401:16:13.800 --> 01:16:16.960
we can finish our fight from earlier. We both know121501:16:17.119 --> 01:16:20.760
you can't outrun me, right, I look her in the face.121601:16:21.720 --> 01:16:24.840
If we survive this, I'm still not gonna treat you121701:16:24.920 --> 01:16:27.760
like you're the queen. When we're back at school, she121801:16:27.880 --> 01:16:34.119
points right at me. It's my school, whatever, princess. I snap.121901:16:34.520 --> 01:16:37.279
Then I turn my back to her. There's just no122001:16:37.439 --> 01:16:41.880
talking to you. I raise my finger. That's where you122101:16:41.960 --> 01:16:45.439
show you're a mirror. It's always your way or no way.122201:16:46.600 --> 01:16:49.479
Then I see the pop machine with can sodas and122301:16:49.600 --> 01:16:52.239
go over to it. I'm surprised that you even keep122401:16:52.279 --> 01:16:55.520
one of these here in the storeroom. Looks like it's working.122501:16:56.199 --> 01:16:58.560
I dig into my pocket and pull some change out.122601:16:59.239 --> 01:17:02.399
Next thing I know, Oh, Ariel's right there, can you.122701:17:04.119 --> 01:17:06.199
I don't have any money on me, and my smartphone122801:17:06.239 --> 01:17:11.720
is still locked in Harmony's desk. Please well, I do122901:17:11.840 --> 01:17:14.119
like it when Ariel says the magic word, because she123001:17:14.199 --> 01:17:17.279
don't say it very often. I plunk in my coins123101:17:17.319 --> 01:17:19.800
and let her get a coke. I plunk in some123201:17:19.840 --> 01:17:23.000
more money and get myself one too. Sodas are like123301:17:23.079 --> 01:17:26.159
catnip to this girl. And it don't matter how mad123401:17:26.199 --> 01:17:28.479
she is. Just give her a soda and she's calm123501:17:28.560 --> 01:17:32.279
and happy. Just like that. Ariel looks at me.123601:17:32.319 --> 01:17:32.600
Now.123701:17:33.159 --> 01:17:37.319
You know, when we're at school, you could just bribe123801:17:37.319 --> 01:17:41.520
me with a soda. I'd probably leave you alone. Ariel123901:17:41.520 --> 01:17:43.880
and I are looking at each other now. I mean,124001:17:44.920 --> 01:17:48.079
we just can't take our eyes off each other. This124101:17:48.319 --> 01:17:50.680
right here is why Madeline gives me a hard time.124201:17:51.640 --> 01:17:53.800
Not in a bad kind of way. But you know124301:17:53.880 --> 01:17:58.880
what I'm gonna do it. I don't care what anybody says.124401:17:59.399 --> 01:18:03.119
I take a deep breath and just say it. We124501:18:03.159 --> 01:18:05.920
make it out of this. You wanna go out on124601:18:06.000 --> 01:18:09.560
a date with me? Ariel don't say anything right away.124701:18:10.119 --> 01:18:13.039
She don't look like she's mad. She takes a deep124801:18:13.079 --> 01:18:15.000
breath of her own and opens her mouth to give124901:18:15.039 --> 01:18:18.439
her answer. Suddenly, that suv we saw it in the125001:18:18.479 --> 01:18:21.479
mall that's being raffled off, comes plowing right through the doors.125101:18:22.039 --> 01:18:24.279
All the Christmas stuff we piled up against them, just125201:18:24.399 --> 01:18:30.960
flies everywhere. Ariel looks at me. Is that mouse driving? Suddenly?125301:18:31.600 --> 01:18:35.439
That monster's flying right in. I'm quickly shaking up my soda.125401:18:35.439 --> 01:18:38.800
When it grabs Ariel. Just as Ariel screams, I hold125501:18:38.840 --> 01:18:41.439
my can to the thing's face and pop the top.125601:18:42.119 --> 01:18:45.079
Soda just squirts out hard right in its eyes. The125701:18:45.159 --> 01:18:49.319
monster lets Ariel go and screams. Just then the suv125801:18:49.439 --> 01:18:52.399
pulls right up next to us. We can see Madeline's125901:18:52.439 --> 01:18:55.680
definitely driving, just like she did on Halloween night when126001:18:55.680 --> 01:18:59.039
Abigail Tomlin's ghost was chasing us down at cry Baby Bridge.126101:18:59.600 --> 01:19:02.840
Horton and Little Stewart are in with her. Get in here,126201:19:03.279 --> 01:19:06.319
mouse tells us. When I open one of the rear doors.126301:19:06.479 --> 01:19:08.800
Ariel shoves me in and comes in right behind me.126401:19:09.319 --> 01:19:12.039
When she pulls the door closed, Madeline floors the gas126501:19:12.039 --> 01:19:15.279
and drives around the storeroom. Before long, we're back out126601:19:15.279 --> 01:19:20.920
in the main mall. I can't see her, Horton tells Madeleine. Newsflash,126701:19:21.000 --> 01:19:23.159
you ain't gonna see her in any of those mirrors.126801:19:23.560 --> 01:19:29.279
She tells him vampires don't cast reflections. Ariel gulps and126901:19:29.399 --> 01:19:39.600
turns around. She nearly got us mouse, she just crashed127001:19:39.640 --> 01:19:43.479
into a kiosk. Ariel shrieks, Yeah, I gotta get us127101:19:43.479 --> 01:19:46.439
to a mall entrance and drive right through it, Madeleine127201:19:46.439 --> 01:19:50.800
tells her. Then she looks over her shoulder. Unless you don't,127301:19:51.319 --> 01:19:53.760
you can wreck this whole mall for all I care, mouse,127401:19:54.159 --> 01:19:57.359
Ariel tells her, let Harmony sort it out. If anything,127501:19:57.520 --> 01:20:00.960
we're saving her life by leading that th away from here.127601:20:01.920 --> 01:20:05.479
I love how you think, Madeleine says, turning back around127701:20:05.560 --> 01:20:08.159
and focusing on her driving. When we get to the127801:20:08.159 --> 01:20:11.840
food court, she hits the brakes and makes a sharp turn. Hey,127901:20:12.279 --> 01:20:17.079
Harmony's right up ahead. Horton pipes up. Stop. Harmony screams128001:20:17.119 --> 01:20:19.800
in terror. Her golf cart seem to have stalled out.128101:20:20.439 --> 01:20:24.800
What do you think, guys, Madeleine teases. Ariel growls again.128201:20:25.399 --> 01:20:30.159
I'd say just leave her, but I'd rather not have128301:20:30.279 --> 01:20:34.159
Crampis visit me on Christmas Eve. Santa could always leave128401:20:34.199 --> 01:20:38.079
some coal in your stocking, I joke, or some diet coke.128501:20:38.720 --> 01:20:45.399
Ariel tightens her jaw and slaps my arm again. Shut up, ow, easy, princess,128601:20:45.760 --> 01:20:49.880
I laugh. Madeleine hits the brakes. When we're stopped, Ariel128701:20:49.920 --> 01:20:52.640
and I scoot over and let Harmony come in. When128801:20:52.680 --> 01:20:55.760
she closes the door, Madelene shifts gears, hits the gas,128901:20:55.800 --> 01:20:59.319
and backs up. What are you doing, Madeline, I ask,129001:21:00.079 --> 01:21:03.159
gotta have momentum to get through those doors, she calls back,129101:21:03.560 --> 01:21:07.000
when Madeleine shifts gears and floors at Harmony's looking wide129201:21:07.039 --> 01:21:10.680
eyed when she sees who's behind the wheel. Wait a minute,129301:21:10.960 --> 01:21:15.960
there's a kid driving pull over. Ariel really growls now129401:21:16.119 --> 01:21:19.039
and points at her. You just shut up. My little129501:21:19.039 --> 01:21:22.279
friend up there can drive very well. For your information,129601:21:23.039 --> 01:21:26.760
Madeline raises her finger, and for the record, we're all129701:21:26.800 --> 01:21:31.680
teenagers here. She lowers her finger. Okay, maybe not little Stewart.129801:21:32.439 --> 01:21:35.159
Suddenly we crash right through the main doors and are129901:21:35.159 --> 01:21:38.199
out in the parking lot. Harmony yells up at Madeline,130001:21:38.600 --> 01:21:41.399
you do realize you're paying for all the damage you130101:21:41.600 --> 01:21:45.239
just Horton quickly says, we didn't have to pick you up,130201:21:45.279 --> 01:21:48.560
you know, especially considering how you just left us behind130301:21:48.600 --> 01:21:51.279
and everything. I mean, if you want to get out,130401:21:51.760 --> 01:21:55.960
Harmony shuts up fast, but it don't last. Wait a minute,130501:21:56.079 --> 01:21:59.800
we're not leaving. The mall exit is over there. I130601:22:00.159 --> 01:22:03.359
know that Madeleine says, we're heading down below to the130701:22:03.399 --> 01:22:06.640
parking garage to find Chunker. We ain't leaving here without him.130801:22:07.079 --> 01:22:09.960
She glances back at us. We ain't gonna get that130901:22:10.039 --> 01:22:13.079
much further anyway. Wasn't much gas in the tank when131001:22:13.119 --> 01:22:17.239
I started this thing. Harmony leans forward. How about you131101:22:17.319 --> 01:22:20.960
go get some gas? You squirt told you we ain't131201:22:21.039 --> 01:22:24.359
leaving our friend behind. Then she jams on the brakes.131301:22:24.720 --> 01:22:27.680
When we stop, she looks back at Harmony. You know what,131401:22:28.159 --> 01:22:32.039
how about you getting up here and driving? Lady mouse,131501:22:32.119 --> 01:22:35.439
what are you doing? Ariel chokes out. Let's just go131601:22:35.520 --> 01:22:37.680
fill the gas tank. Then we can come back here131701:22:37.680 --> 01:22:40.000
and look for Chunker. At least we can get out131801:22:40.000 --> 01:22:43.079
of here on a full tank. And that's what Harmony's131901:22:43.119 --> 01:22:46.560
gonna do. Madeleine says, I'm gonna go back in the132001:22:46.600 --> 01:22:50.079
mall and find Chunker. I'm about to tell her how132101:22:50.119 --> 01:22:53.199
crazy she is, remembering the crazy stunt she tried to132201:22:53.199 --> 01:22:57.119
pull on Halloween night. I'll come with you, Madeline, She132301:22:57.239 --> 01:22:59.880
points right at me. Nope, you gotta be a man132401:23:00.279 --> 01:23:05.319
and protect Ariel. Ariel shakes her head slowly. Madeleine, I'll132501:23:05.359 --> 01:23:09.680
be okay, you guys, I promise, just go, Madeleine insists.132601:23:10.279 --> 01:23:13.199
When Harmony jumps behind the wheel, she pulls the door132701:23:13.239 --> 01:23:15.640
shut and floors it. The rest of us are looking132801:23:15.680 --> 01:23:19.880
back is Madeleine heads back to the mall. The next132901:23:19.960 --> 01:23:23.479
thing we know, Stuart's coming in between us. He ain't133001:23:23.560 --> 01:23:26.600
laughing and having fun so much. Now. I think this133101:23:26.760 --> 01:23:28.720
is the first time Ariel and I have ever seen133201:23:28.760 --> 01:23:35.640
how worried the little guy looks. Perspective, Madeline donnerly. I133301:23:35.760 --> 01:23:37.880
make it back to the mall and start walking into133401:23:37.880 --> 01:23:42.039
the parking garage underneath. There's cars parked under here. Then133501:23:42.079 --> 01:23:44.119
I have a thought and look in a driver's side133601:23:44.119 --> 01:23:48.520
mirror and see Mary Worth looking back at me. Can133701:23:48.520 --> 01:23:52.239
you tell me where my friend is? I whisper, certainly,133801:23:52.920 --> 01:23:57.159
Mary answers. The mirror changes. Turns out I ain't far133901:23:57.199 --> 01:24:00.600
from Chunker. That giant vampire lady's got him dashed away134001:24:00.640 --> 01:24:06.199
in the security station down here, Mary's face reappears. Be careful, Madeline,134101:24:06.840 --> 01:24:09.680
the one who has taken your friend is not far134201:24:09.720 --> 01:24:13.000
from you. And before I know it, that giant vampire134301:24:13.119 --> 01:24:16.319
lady is right on me. I hate when vampires can134401:24:16.359 --> 01:24:21.239
suddenly appear right behind you without warning. No, I shriek134501:24:21.279 --> 01:24:27.520
when she's picking me up. You are mine, the vampire134601:24:27.600 --> 01:24:30.880
lady echoes. I squirm and struggle and fight and thrash134701:24:30.920 --> 01:24:34.119
for all I'm worth. Problem is, this thing is way134801:24:34.159 --> 01:24:37.359
too strong, and I'm just a little mousey. Now the134901:24:37.439 --> 01:24:40.159
vampire Lady turns me around to look me in the face.135001:24:42.479 --> 01:24:48.119
M Hi, I squeak. You're not gonna eat me, are you.135101:24:49.119 --> 01:24:52.600
The vampire lady pulls me to her and hugs me,135201:24:53.600 --> 01:25:00.239
baby baby. She thinks I'm her. Oh boy, now she's135301:25:00.239 --> 01:25:04.039
patting my back. Wait a minute, now's my chance. I135401:25:04.159 --> 01:25:06.960
quickly make like a little mouseie and start scurrying over135501:25:07.000 --> 01:25:10.359
the vampire Lady's shoulder. She starts roaring as I drop135601:25:10.520 --> 01:25:12.720
right behind her. I run right to a car and135701:25:12.760 --> 01:25:18.359
look in the driver's mirror. Maryworth, Meryworth, Mary Work. When135801:25:18.359 --> 01:25:21.319
the vampire Lady has me again, she's given me odd135901:25:21.359 --> 01:25:24.279
looks when she sees light coming out of that car136001:25:24.319 --> 01:25:27.840
mirror and into me. Soon she's looking right into the136101:25:27.880 --> 01:25:32.319
face of Mary Worth, who easily passes right through her hands.136201:25:32.920 --> 01:25:37.199
The vampire Lady's real mad. Now she tries warping behind Mary,136301:25:37.279 --> 01:25:40.239
but my ghostly friend only has to float away from her.136401:25:40.680 --> 01:25:42.880
She utters one of her spells to cause the door136501:25:42.920 --> 01:25:46.560
to the security station to open up. Chunker suddenly steps out.136601:25:47.640 --> 01:25:51.760
Oh thank you. WHOA yeah, I guess Chunkers still ain't136701:25:51.840 --> 01:25:55.159
used to seeing Mary. Mary glances his way and utters136801:25:55.199 --> 01:25:59.439
another spell. A jacket appears on him. You had best136901:25:59.520 --> 01:26:03.920
leave here. Chunker looks at the vampire lady. She'll just137001:26:04.000 --> 01:26:09.920
appear and grab me again. Mary faces the vampire lady again. Ah, yes,137101:26:10.720 --> 01:26:14.800
you are quite right. Mary utters one more spell. When137201:26:14.840 --> 01:26:18.520
she finishes, the vampire lady suddenly stops dead in her tracks.137301:26:18.880 --> 01:26:22.119
Her eyes are up in her head now. Then she137401:26:22.239 --> 01:26:26.119
falls on to her side. What did you do, Mary,137501:26:26.520 --> 01:26:29.399
I ask her. Mary and I can talk to each137601:26:29.399 --> 01:26:33.239
other through thinking while she's possessing me. I simply uttered137701:26:33.239 --> 01:26:37.800
a spell to render her unconscious, at least in her137801:26:37.800 --> 01:26:42.399
own mind. Mary thinks back to me, she will sleep137901:26:42.800 --> 01:26:46.279
for a time. We can't just leave her here. I138001:26:46.359 --> 01:26:50.319
quickly point out, I am aware of this madeline. This138101:26:50.439 --> 01:26:53.359
creation is far too powerful to be contained in a138201:26:53.399 --> 01:26:59.760
prison creation. Now I'm confused. Mary tells me that this138301:27:00.359 --> 01:27:05.159
scary vampire lady is really a monster right out of Frankenstein.138401:27:06.000 --> 01:27:08.199
I end up seeing how this monster came to be138501:27:08.319 --> 01:27:11.680
and what all she did? Then I remember the original138601:27:11.760 --> 01:27:16.239
story myself. Mary, can you put her at one of138701:27:16.279 --> 01:27:19.840
the polls, I ask, Maybe, if she's there, she can't138801:27:19.880 --> 01:27:24.880
harm anybody. Mary raises her hands and utters one more spell.138901:27:25.800 --> 01:27:30.680
This one takes longer this time. When she's finished, the139001:27:30.800 --> 01:27:34.960
vampire Monster's gone. I'm hoping she'll want to stay where139101:27:34.960 --> 01:27:38.920
you sent her. I say, perhaps with no one around139201:27:38.960 --> 01:27:42.720
at the south Pole, she will be at peace. Mary139301:27:42.800 --> 01:27:49.800
tells me. Now, Mary turns to Chunker, thank you, He stammers,139401:27:50.720 --> 01:27:55.720
do not fear Brian. Chunk look over my shoulder. Chunker139501:27:55.760 --> 01:27:58.840
looks past Mary and sees the others are coming back,139601:28:00.039 --> 01:28:02.640
floats us away and is soon out of sight. We139701:28:02.800 --> 01:28:05.399
use another driver's side mirror to make a quick switch139801:28:05.439 --> 01:28:08.279
so I can come back. Now I gotta act like139901:28:08.359 --> 01:28:13.399
I've been trying to find him, Chunker, I call out, Maddie.140001:28:14.079 --> 01:28:17.000
We both run to each other and hug. Just then140101:28:17.119 --> 01:28:20.399
Harmony mirror pulls up and sees us. The others get140201:28:20.439 --> 01:28:23.000
out and come to us too. Then I feel my140301:28:23.119 --> 01:28:27.279
leg getting squeezed and see little Stewart. Ariel looks at me.140401:28:27.439 --> 01:28:30.520
Now he really did good with that little goober mouse.140501:28:31.199 --> 01:28:35.119
Maybe he's better off letting you babysit him. Then Harmony140601:28:35.159 --> 01:28:38.880
honks the horn. We all turn to her. Don't even140701:28:38.960 --> 01:28:42.359
think you're off the hook, she snabs. Do you realize140801:28:42.359 --> 01:28:44.960
how much damage has been done to my maul and140901:28:45.119 --> 01:28:52.399
to this vehicle? What damage? Chunker asks? What damage? Harmony shrieks.141001:28:52.640 --> 01:28:55.119
Then she points to the main entrance. How about the141101:28:56.439 --> 01:29:00.960
what we all look and see the aime mal entrance141201:29:01.039 --> 01:29:06.279
is fully restored, even the suv is fixed. Harmony shakes141301:29:06.279 --> 01:29:10.239
her head. No, no, no, She points at me. You141401:29:10.359 --> 01:29:14.600
drove this vehicle right through it. I shrug. Don't look141501:29:14.680 --> 01:29:17.880
like it to me, But you drove this vehicle right141601:29:17.920 --> 01:29:21.880
through it. Harmony repeats, I was sitting in the back seat.141701:29:22.479 --> 01:29:25.560
Don't know what to tell you, lady. Then Ariel tightens141801:29:25.560 --> 01:29:28.479
her fists and we are done. When it comes to141901:29:28.520 --> 01:29:32.319
your mall, Harmony points right at her. Oh no, you142001:29:32.399 --> 01:29:35.640
are not. You are all going right back inside and142101:29:35.680 --> 01:29:40.079
finishing with the Christmas decorations. Otherwise I'll call the police142201:29:40.359 --> 01:29:44.520
right now. Ariel tightens her jaw now and waves her off.142301:29:45.079 --> 01:29:48.000
Go ahead and call them. Then, after the night we've had,142401:29:48.359 --> 01:29:52.399
I'd say we're done here. Carter stands with her. Also,142501:29:52.720 --> 01:29:56.319
keep in mind that we saved you earlier, so I'd142601:29:56.359 --> 01:29:59.880
say that makes us even. Harmony comes right out of142701:30:00.159 --> 01:30:02.199
vehicle and tries to get us to go back inside142801:30:02.199 --> 01:30:06.479
them all again again. Ariel speaks up, we're only going142901:30:06.520 --> 01:30:09.760
back in to get our phones. After that, we're leaving.143001:30:10.479 --> 01:30:13.159
When Harmony tries and posing her will on us again,143101:30:13.720 --> 01:30:17.640
we all come together. Now she's realizing the numbers game.143201:30:18.239 --> 01:30:22.000
Ariel points to her, give us our phones back now,143301:30:22.319 --> 01:30:25.479
or we'll break into your desk and take them back ourselves.143401:30:25.960 --> 01:30:30.600
Then I'm feeling something in my back pocket. WHOA, Mary143501:30:30.640 --> 01:30:33.359
got me my phone back? How did you get that?143601:30:33.760 --> 01:30:38.279
Harmony demands I locked all your phones up. Seeing we143701:30:38.399 --> 01:30:41.319
all got our phones back, I quickly use mine to143801:30:41.359 --> 01:30:44.960
call home. Mom picks up. We talk for a bit143901:30:45.000 --> 01:30:48.960
before we hang up. Mom's coming to get us. Harmony144001:30:49.039 --> 01:30:51.920
tries one more time and pulls out her phone. I144101:30:52.039 --> 01:30:56.000
mean it, I'll call the police. Ariel again stands up144201:30:56.039 --> 01:31:00.520
to her, So call them. You heard Mouse, We're going home.144301:31:01.079 --> 01:31:06.159
Like Carter said, we saved your life. We're even now144401:31:06.239 --> 01:31:10.239
leave us alone. And then I finally see Stuart has144501:31:10.239 --> 01:31:13.359
a fountain soda in his hands, probably got one at144601:31:13.359 --> 01:31:16.479
the gas station. He walks away from me and heaves144701:31:16.520 --> 01:31:20.439
it at Harmony. It explodes on her head, making her shriek.144801:31:21.319 --> 01:31:25.520
Then she looks right at him. You wicked little brat,144901:31:25.960 --> 01:31:29.720
she yells, and for the first time ever far as145001:31:29.760 --> 01:31:35.039
I know, Ariel actually praises her little cousin. Good job, you,145101:31:35.079 --> 01:31:38.960
little goober. Stuart looks up at her and laughs his145201:31:39.119 --> 01:31:43.840
mischievous laugh. Then Harmony points right at us. You are145301:31:43.920 --> 01:31:47.760
all barred from my mall. Don't you ever return here again?145401:31:48.560 --> 01:31:52.680
Fine by me, Horton replies, won't be much here after145501:31:52.720 --> 01:31:56.880
the holidays are over anyways. Harmony growls and marches right145601:31:56.920 --> 01:32:00.079
back inside the mall. It ain't much longer before or145701:32:00.199 --> 01:32:03.199
Mom comes and picks us up and takes everybody home.145801:32:06.039 --> 01:32:10.399
Epilogue When Mom pulls up to the gated mirror community,145901:32:11.479 --> 01:32:15.520
little Stewart don't want to go. At first, he's fighting Ariel,146001:32:15.560 --> 01:32:19.239
but I quickly tell him we'll see each other again.146101:32:20.479 --> 01:32:22.680
That makes the little guy happy enough to where he146201:32:22.720 --> 01:32:28.880
finally goes with Ariel. Thanks Mouse, see you Monday, Ariel146301:32:28.920 --> 01:32:33.760
tells me, and thanks missus Donnery, You're quite welcome, Ariel.146401:32:34.119 --> 01:32:39.680
Mom replies later, Ariel, I tell her Mom finishes dropping146501:32:39.720 --> 01:32:42.680
everybody off at their houses. Carter and me are the146601:32:42.760 --> 01:32:44.920
last ones, since we live next door to each other.146701:32:46.039 --> 01:32:49.880
Carter thanks Mom. After we say goodnight. He gets out146801:32:50.000 --> 01:32:53.279
to head to his back porch. When Mom and I146901:32:53.359 --> 01:32:57.199
get inside our own house, I yawn, Mom and I147001:32:57.279 --> 01:33:01.680
say goodnight and head upstairs. It feels good to be147101:33:01.720 --> 01:33:05.239
back in the mousehole again. I get changed for bed147201:33:05.279 --> 01:33:08.479
and hop in. I pick up the mirror I keep147301:33:08.479 --> 01:33:11.760
on my nightstand so I can talk with Mary Worth.147401:33:13.800 --> 01:33:16.000
Did you have something to do with fixing up the mall?147501:33:16.720 --> 01:33:22.000
I ask her. Let's just say that miserly woman cannot147601:33:22.000 --> 01:33:27.119
hold anything against you. Mary tells me. She shows me147701:33:27.199 --> 01:33:30.840
the inside of the mall, which is completely decorated the147801:33:30.880 --> 01:33:36.560
way Harmony wanted it. I smile, Now, thanks for getting147901:33:36.600 --> 01:33:41.640
us out of trouble again. What's important is that you148001:33:41.760 --> 01:33:47.159
remain out of trouble. I doubt that. With our track record,148101:33:47.880 --> 01:33:52.880
trouble just seems to find us. I say, so it seems.148201:33:54.399 --> 01:33:58.000
Then I have a thought. Can you show me if148301:33:58.039 --> 01:34:04.199
that vampire lady's still at the south pole? Certainly Mary's148401:34:04.239 --> 01:34:09.840
face disappears, and the giant vampire lady reveals herself. She148501:34:09.920 --> 01:34:13.560
seems to be okay with being where Mary's center. I148601:34:13.600 --> 01:34:17.640
guess being a vampire or monster or whatever she is,148701:34:18.479 --> 01:34:22.399
she won't freeze. She just looks like she's lost something.148801:34:23.840 --> 01:34:27.840
When I'm done looking, Mary's face reappears in the mirror.148901:34:29.600 --> 01:34:32.479
Mary and I talk for a little bit longer before149001:34:32.520 --> 01:34:37.159
I feel I can't stay awake anymore. This is a149101:34:37.159 --> 01:34:41.960
good place for me to say goodbye. Don't worry, We'll149201:34:42.000 --> 01:34:53.359
definitely be back with some more adventures and soon. Doorway149301:34:53.399 --> 01:35:02.159
to Horror by Rob Fields perspective, Madeline, don you just149401:35:02.279 --> 01:35:05.479
know it's Friday for a couple reasons. The first is149501:35:05.520 --> 01:35:07.600
because you know as soon as you're done with school149601:35:07.720 --> 01:35:11.199
it's the weekend. The second is a couple hands slamming149701:35:11.239 --> 01:35:16.119
on the table I'm sitting at in the cafeteria at lunchtime. Yes,149801:35:16.720 --> 01:35:21.600
I ask Ariel, mirn I hate you mouse, Ariel growls,149901:35:22.039 --> 01:35:25.279
Then she points right at me. I will never give up.150001:35:25.319 --> 01:35:27.840
I will see you scared out of your wits one150101:35:27.880 --> 01:35:32.399
of these days. I'm laughing inside now. If only Ariel150201:35:32.439 --> 01:35:35.079
knew how many opportunities she could have had to see150301:35:35.119 --> 01:35:39.760
me get scared, well, I sure ain't gonna tell her. Still,150401:35:40.159 --> 01:35:43.000
I can't really say she'll never get me. I'm sure150501:35:43.000 --> 01:35:46.159
one of these days will be her lucky day. Ariel150601:35:46.199 --> 01:35:50.079
puts her hands on the table again, softer. Now, slumber150701:35:50.119 --> 01:35:53.479
party at my house tonight, same time as last Friday.150801:35:54.439 --> 01:35:57.000
You still bringing those Christmas movies over? You said you150901:35:57.119 --> 01:35:59.680
just got unless you want me to bring some other151001:35:59.720 --> 01:36:04.439
stuff uf I reply, no, bring those. Also. Mona said151101:36:04.520 --> 01:36:07.439
she's got a movie for us to see tonight. She151201:36:07.560 --> 01:36:10.399
sits down. Now, you ever heard of a movie called151301:36:10.760 --> 01:36:15.399
Doorway to Horror? Can't say I have. Then I pull151401:36:15.399 --> 01:36:18.520
out my phone and do some searching. I ain't even151501:36:18.560 --> 01:36:21.840
seeing it on IMDb or any of the other sites. Now,151601:36:21.880 --> 01:36:25.760
I did find an old VHS horror game called Doorways151701:36:25.800 --> 01:36:29.239
to Horror, not exactly the same thing, I don't think.151801:36:29.840 --> 01:36:33.239
Did Mona tell you where she got it? Nuh uh.151901:36:33.520 --> 01:36:37.359
Ariel looks uneasy. Once in a while, Mona will find152001:36:37.439 --> 01:36:41.000
something she's not you or Bailey, though you two know152101:36:41.079 --> 01:36:44.800
your movies. Speaking of Bailey, that's one of the movies152201:36:44.800 --> 01:36:49.199
we're seeing tonight. It's a Christmas horror story. Ariel raises152301:36:49.239 --> 01:36:54.039
her finger. Oh hey, gatecode changed yesterday. She tells it152401:36:54.079 --> 01:36:58.800
to me. You got it mouse yep. Then Ariel narrows152501:36:58.800 --> 01:37:02.079
her eyes on me. You haven't seen Carter around here?152601:37:02.199 --> 01:37:02.520
Have you?152701:37:03.199 --> 01:37:06.760
I shake my head. Don't tell me he's posting videos152801:37:06.760 --> 01:37:11.239
of you on Facebook again? She nods quickly. He always152901:37:11.279 --> 01:37:13.720
seems to be there whenever I got Stewart with me.153001:37:14.319 --> 01:37:17.319
She points right at me. You're not covering for him?153101:37:17.359 --> 01:37:20.800
Are you you think I forgot you? Two are best buds.153201:37:21.600 --> 01:37:25.279
I promise you I ain't covering for him. Ariel holds153301:37:25.279 --> 01:37:28.640
out her little finger. You willing to pinky promise on it?153401:37:29.520 --> 01:37:32.800
I make the pinky promise with her. I really don't153501:37:32.840 --> 01:37:35.640
know where he is. Maybe he's with the other guys.153601:37:36.319 --> 01:37:40.560
Ariel shakes her head. Nope, look I look to where153701:37:40.560 --> 01:37:44.119
she's pointing. Bill Chapman, Richie Horton, and Brian Chunk are153801:37:44.159 --> 01:37:48.359
coming into the cafeteria. No Carter, though. A moment later,153901:37:48.479 --> 01:37:52.800
the guys come over to us. Ariel confronts him, where's Carter?154001:37:53.279 --> 01:37:56.239
I know you guys know where he is. What makes154101:37:56.279 --> 01:37:58.359
you think we'd even tell you if we did know?154201:37:58.840 --> 01:38:02.600
Chapman replies, he's the tough guy with the burr haircut.154301:38:03.640 --> 01:38:07.359
I'm not above administering decisive methods of torture on you, guys.154401:38:07.760 --> 01:38:12.399
Ariel replies, all I have to do is divide and conquer.154501:38:13.199 --> 01:38:16.880
Chunker points at her and tells the other two, Ah,154601:38:17.000 --> 01:38:20.479
this I gotta see. He's the husky guy wearing the154701:38:20.520 --> 01:38:23.319
cargo shorts with an open Hawaiian shirt over a black154801:38:23.359 --> 01:38:27.520
T shirt. Don't temp fate you, guys, Horton warns him.154901:38:28.000 --> 01:38:31.439
He's the skinny guy wearing the glasses with circular lenses.155001:38:32.079 --> 01:38:35.079
I keep telling you how evil Ariel Mirron is. One155101:38:35.079 --> 01:38:36.960
of these days you're going to wish you'd have listened155201:38:37.000 --> 01:38:41.199
to me. Ariel smirks, I'd be listening to Horton if155301:38:41.199 --> 01:38:44.359
I were you guys, She points to him. But you're155401:38:44.399 --> 01:38:47.479
not off the hook. Horton grins and looks her in155501:38:47.520 --> 01:38:51.119
the eyes. Why don't you just look over your left shoulder.155601:38:52.079 --> 01:38:55.760
Ariel quickly turns and sees my buddy and next door neighbor,155701:38:55.800 --> 01:38:59.680
Carter Cross. The next thing we know, Ariel's running off155801:38:59.680 --> 01:39:03.560
and check Carter down. Yesterday he recorded a video of155901:39:03.640 --> 01:39:08.199
Ariel and Stuart at Denoyer's grill. He slipped away and156001:39:08.239 --> 01:39:11.640
started running around and wreaking havoc. I know this because156101:39:11.680 --> 01:39:14.279
she texted me asking for help nine to one to156201:39:14.279 --> 01:39:19.399
one at Denoyer's Stuart. Fortunately for Ariel, I happened to156301:39:19.439 --> 01:39:21.920
be in the area on my mongoose and stopped in.156401:39:22.439 --> 01:39:24.560
I was able to get Stuart to calm down and156501:39:24.600 --> 01:39:27.800
behave I don't know what it is about that little guy,156601:39:27.920 --> 01:39:30.960
but he likes me enough to where he always minds me.156701:39:31.479 --> 01:39:34.880
I don't even have to yell at him anyway. Carter156801:39:35.039 --> 01:39:38.319
was already there before me and recording Ariel losing her mind.156901:39:38.920 --> 01:39:42.199
He put the video on Facebook and got everybody laughing157001:39:42.279 --> 01:39:45.279
at her. When the guys get their lunches, they come157101:39:45.359 --> 01:39:47.760
and sit with me. The four of us have some157201:39:47.920 --> 01:39:55.800
good conversation before we got to go back to class.157301:39:56.720 --> 01:39:59.880
That night, I'm walking to Ariel's house. When I reached157401:40:00.000 --> 01:40:02.920
a mere engated community, I punch in the new code157501:40:02.960 --> 01:40:06.279
and go in. Never seems to fail. Every time I157601:40:06.319 --> 01:40:08.880
walk to Ariel's on Friday nights, there's always a few157701:40:08.920 --> 01:40:12.039
mirans who walk past me and give me looks like157801:40:12.439 --> 01:40:15.880
I don't belong inside. I gotta walk a few blocks157901:40:15.920 --> 01:40:18.880
before I get to Capital Court. When I reach the158001:40:18.880 --> 01:40:23.119
double doors, one of them opens Ariel appears and says, wow,158101:40:23.640 --> 01:40:27.279
you're actually here before Mona and Bailey mouse. Then she158201:40:27.359 --> 01:40:30.840
steps aside and lets me come in. It's about twenty158301:40:30.880 --> 01:40:36.000
minutes later when Mona abels and Bailey downs finally show up. Sorry, Ariel,158401:40:36.399 --> 01:40:39.439
Mona says, I had to help mom with something at home.158501:40:40.159 --> 01:40:43.840
You're good, Ariel replies, After the week I've had, I158601:40:43.920 --> 01:40:45.880
just want to hang with my girls and let loose.158701:40:46.359 --> 01:40:48.680
At least your aunt never drops Stuart off here while158801:40:48.680 --> 01:40:52.880
we're having our slumber parties. Bailey says, Ariel points right158901:40:52.920 --> 01:40:55.359
at her. You do not even get to say that.159001:40:56.159 --> 01:40:59.119
Mona and Bailey laugh a little. Ariel gives me that159101:40:59.199 --> 01:41:02.039
look that asks why she puts up with them. I159201:41:02.119 --> 01:41:04.560
give her a smirk that says not to worry about it.159301:41:05.279 --> 01:41:09.199
After some socializing, Ariel gets the pizza's order. From there,159401:41:09.239 --> 01:41:12.640
we start spinning some movies. First up is a Christmas159501:41:12.640 --> 01:41:15.359
horror story. As soon as the name of the town159601:41:15.439 --> 01:41:20.439
is mentioned, Bailey gives us all weird looks. First Ginger snaps,159701:41:20.439 --> 01:41:24.079
and now this one. She mutters, what other movies have159801:41:24.199 --> 01:41:28.199
the town named the same as mine? Orphan Black? I reply,159901:41:28.800 --> 01:41:33.239
it's a TV series. Bailey points right at Ariel. Why160001:41:33.279 --> 01:41:35.159
do I get the feeling you had something to do160101:41:35.239 --> 01:41:37.960
with this? Was this because Mona and I weren't spending160201:41:38.000 --> 01:41:40.560
the night at the mall with you last weekend? Then160301:41:40.640 --> 01:41:44.039
Ariel grabs a pillow and throws it at Bailey. She160401:41:44.159 --> 01:41:47.920
catches it and laughs. Ariel points at her, not funny.160501:41:48.399 --> 01:41:51.800
Then she smirks, Okay, Bailey, you can go out and160601:41:51.840 --> 01:42:00.720
get our pizzas. Then Bailey gets off the couch. Fine.160701:42:01.000 --> 01:42:05.920
Bailey downs after I bring our pizzas in. Mouse resumes160801:42:05.960 --> 01:42:08.720
the blu ray of a Christmas horror story. I have160901:42:08.800 --> 01:42:11.560
the feeling Ariel put Mouse up to bringing this movie161001:42:11.600 --> 01:42:14.479
over in spite of the fact that it takes place161101:42:14.520 --> 01:42:17.399
in a town with the same name as mine. It161201:42:17.479 --> 01:42:20.640
is a really good horror anthology, though I really love161301:42:20.720 --> 01:42:24.159
the twist and the Santa versus Crampis story. We also161401:42:24.279 --> 01:42:27.640
watched the original Black Christmas and Silent Night Deadly Night.161501:42:28.159 --> 01:42:30.039
We don't get to lay down for the night. After161601:42:30.079 --> 01:42:33.279
three movies, Mona announces that she's got a movie she161701:42:33.359 --> 01:42:37.960
wants us to see, which is called Doorway to Horror.161801:42:38.560 --> 01:42:43.439
When Ariel asks what it's about, Mona doesn't know, believe161901:42:43.479 --> 01:42:45.920
it or not. I found it just sitting on a162001:42:45.960 --> 01:42:49.119
table in study hall. It's a burned blu ray, but162101:42:49.359 --> 01:42:52.680
it plays. I put it in my laptop and checked it.162201:42:53.319 --> 01:42:56.199
The opening scene looks really creepy, so I thought i'd162301:42:56.199 --> 01:42:59.840
bring it to the sleepover to share. Ariel turns to Mouse.162401:43:00.399 --> 01:43:02.800
I'm guessing you didn't turn up anything else on it.162501:43:03.520 --> 01:43:06.720
Mouse shrugs. I tried all kinds of searches when I162601:43:06.760 --> 01:43:10.800
got home. Nothing. So we sit back and let Mona162701:43:10.880 --> 01:43:14.279
spin her find. There are all kinds of Christmas things162801:43:14.319 --> 01:43:17.000
in the movie, but the town looks like something out162901:43:17.000 --> 01:43:21.119
of a post apocalyptic story. We're eating more pizza and163001:43:21.239 --> 01:43:23.399
drinking some more of the cokes that Mona and I163101:43:23.560 --> 01:43:26.920
snuck over in our backpacks. You gotta love that missus163201:43:26.960 --> 01:43:30.720
Miran won't let her own family drink any sugary sodas163301:43:31.119 --> 01:43:34.800
it's diet or nothing. The four of us are talking163401:43:34.840 --> 01:43:38.520
about the movie once it's over. There really wasn't any163501:43:38.560 --> 01:43:42.920
dialogue or anything. Maybe David Lynch lost the one copy163601:43:42.960 --> 01:43:45.800
of a new movie he was working on. I half joke.163701:43:46.680 --> 01:43:49.239
We've seen some pretty weird stuff since we started doing163801:43:49.239 --> 01:43:53.279
our sleepovers years ago. Ariel says, you've brought over stuff163901:43:53.319 --> 01:43:57.039
like this before. Mouse, I ain't denying it, She agrees.164001:43:57.640 --> 01:44:00.479
Doorway to Horror. Still don't ring a bell with me, though.164101:44:01.039 --> 01:44:05.159
Guess you made a rare find. Mona, Yeah, kudos, I164201:44:05.199 --> 01:44:08.399
tell my best friend. We talk for a little while164301:44:08.479 --> 01:44:12.000
longer before we're finally yawning our heads off. The nice164401:44:12.039 --> 01:44:14.479
thing about this big living room is there are enough164501:44:14.520 --> 01:44:17.800
couches for all of us to sleep on. Ariel sleeps164601:44:17.800 --> 01:44:20.000
on one too. Even though our bedroom is the first164701:44:20.079 --> 01:44:23.199
one on entering the hallway, it don't take us all164801:44:23.279 --> 01:44:30.319
long to fall asleep. Perspective, Mona abels I'm the first164901:44:30.359 --> 01:44:33.359
one to wake up. I yawn and feel how parched165001:44:33.399 --> 01:44:36.319
I am. Knowing we still got cans of coke left.165101:44:36.439 --> 01:44:40.279
I grab one and feel grateful. I stop drinking and165201:44:40.359 --> 01:44:45.119
notice something weird. Did I just take a power nap165301:44:45.199 --> 01:44:48.279
or something? Because it still seems like it's dark out.165401:44:49.000 --> 01:44:52.399
I look at my smart watch and see it's blank165501:44:52.520 --> 01:44:56.800
across the screen. I find my smartphone underneath my pillow165601:44:57.119 --> 01:44:59.600
and see the same blanks where the date and time165701:44:59.680 --> 01:45:03.640
should be. Then I see Mouse's phone and look at hers.165801:45:04.680 --> 01:45:09.720
She's got the same blanks too. Seriously, what gives I165901:45:09.800 --> 01:45:12.119
need to see what time it is. As soon as166001:45:12.159 --> 01:45:14.600
I come out of my comforter, I'm quickly wrapping my166101:45:14.720 --> 01:45:18.560
arms around myself and start shivering. Boy, it's really cold166201:45:18.560 --> 01:45:21.720
in Ariel's mansion, so cold I can see my own166301:45:21.800 --> 01:45:25.479
breath like when I'm outside. I see Ariel's bedroom door166401:45:25.520 --> 01:45:29.000
open and peek inside. My eyes are wide when I166501:45:29.079 --> 01:45:33.640
see there's no windows. I mean, the cold's just blowing166601:45:33.760 --> 01:45:36.560
right into the house. I walk down the hall to166701:45:36.640 --> 01:45:39.199
the next bedroom and see there ain't no windows there either.166801:45:39.960 --> 01:45:43.279
Then I hear movement and return to the living room.166901:45:43.439 --> 01:45:46.880
Ariel's getting out from underneath her comforter. Why is it167001:45:46.960 --> 01:45:52.119
so cold in here? Then Ariel sees me, Mona, why167101:45:52.119 --> 01:45:55.920
aren't there any windows? Ariel? I ask, She gives me167201:45:55.960 --> 01:46:00.439
a weird look. What no, I'll show you. I grab167301:46:00.520 --> 01:46:03.359
Ariel's hand and bring her to her own room. You167401:46:03.479 --> 01:46:07.119
have got to be kidding me, Ariel gasps. We move167501:46:07.199 --> 01:46:10.239
to a few other rooms and see no windows. We167601:46:10.359 --> 01:46:13.960
go into the bathroom. Normally there's scented pillar candles on167701:46:14.000 --> 01:46:16.680
either side of the mirror. On the sink, looks like167801:46:16.720 --> 01:46:19.880
there's only one that remains of the said candles. When167901:46:19.880 --> 01:46:23.279
we come back out, we see Bailey and Mouse are up. Now, boy,168001:46:23.359 --> 01:46:27.880
it sure got cold fast. Bailey states, what I wouldn't168101:46:27.880 --> 01:46:31.800
give for some hot coffee right now? Mouse mutters. Then168201:46:31.880 --> 01:46:35.239
Mouse turns and walks to the front window. She turns168301:46:35.239 --> 01:46:38.239
to us fast. There's only a big window shade here,168401:46:38.600 --> 01:46:42.880
as in no big window here. What's going on? Ariel?168501:46:43.560 --> 01:46:47.560
Ariel goes to Mouse and sees for herself. What on168601:46:47.600 --> 01:46:52.560
earth is going on here? Beats me. Mouse answers, and168701:46:52.600 --> 01:46:55.760
what time is it? Ariel snaps, That's what I've been168801:46:55.760 --> 01:46:59.039
trying to find out. I say, our phones and watches168901:46:59.039 --> 01:47:02.800
ain't working. Ariel quickly goes to the closet and starts169001:47:02.840 --> 01:47:05.800
tossing us our jackets. We take them and head into169101:47:05.800 --> 01:47:09.279
separate rooms to get changed. We're all dressed to go169201:47:09.359 --> 01:47:14.520
outside now. But when we do go outside, what the169301:47:15.239 --> 01:47:19.079
Bailey gasps? Everything looks like what we saw in your169401:47:19.159 --> 01:47:23.880
movie Mona. Ariel states, ah, man, you gotta be kidding me.169501:47:24.399 --> 01:47:29.239
Mouse groans not again. We all look right at Mouse. Now,169601:47:29.880 --> 01:47:34.079
do you know something about this? Ariel asks her. If169701:47:34.119 --> 01:47:37.199
we are where I think we are, we're gonna be169801:47:37.239 --> 01:47:43.560
in terrible danger. Fast. Mouse quickly answers. Just spit it out. Mouse,169901:47:43.880 --> 01:47:51.800
I snap, we ain't in Strickfield. No more perspective, ariel mirn,170001:47:52.960 --> 01:47:57.640
I give mouse wide eyes. Excuse me. I was really170101:47:57.680 --> 01:48:01.239
hoping to never see this place ever again. Mouse groans.170201:48:01.920 --> 01:48:05.239
Then she tells us we need to go back inside.170301:48:05.319 --> 01:48:08.359
We go back inside the house. Then I get an170401:48:08.359 --> 01:48:12.880
idea and turn on my smartphone. Flash, what in the170501:48:13.640 --> 01:48:18.800
are you serious? Mona ads, no, we're not seeing things.170601:48:19.479 --> 01:48:23.399
My house is trashed, and I mean trashed. Then I170701:48:23.439 --> 01:48:28.800
point right at Mouse. Okay, start talking. Mouse springs up.170801:48:28.840 --> 01:48:31.560
The night in October when she went to the Horror170901:48:31.680 --> 01:48:34.880
Thon at the Strickfield Centennial Theater with her twin cousin171001:48:34.920 --> 01:48:39.680
Aileen Carter Cross and Bella Tabon. They had watched a171101:48:39.720 --> 01:48:42.840
screening of a film called The Portal. It was like171201:48:42.920 --> 01:48:46.880
everything had changed. Places were trashed, much like my house.171301:48:47.359 --> 01:48:50.800
Windows were mostly missing in the homes. It was night171401:48:50.960 --> 01:48:57.159
all the time. But what was worse, everybody was a vampire.171501:48:58.720 --> 01:49:01.560
The four of them barely escaped this place and made171601:49:01.600 --> 01:49:04.760
it back to Strickfield. Mouse says, we're in an alternate171701:49:04.880 --> 01:49:09.760
universe where it's all vampires. We're all in terrible danger.171801:49:10.199 --> 01:49:14.239
She finishes any of those vampires sees us, they'll be171901:49:14.319 --> 01:49:20.439
after us here. It's like Marvel zombies. After everybody suddenly172001:49:20.439 --> 01:49:23.239
became vampires, they drank up all the living people they172101:49:23.239 --> 01:49:26.800
could get their hands on. Now, like those zombies, after172201:49:26.840 --> 01:49:31.520
a few days, they're out of food. Bailey quickly waves172301:49:31.520 --> 01:49:35.319
her hands in front of her. Okay, okay, assuming Mouse172401:49:35.399 --> 01:49:39.159
isn't making this stuff up here, how did we get here?172501:49:40.199 --> 01:49:42.359
It had to have been that movie Mona brought over172601:49:42.800 --> 01:49:47.159
Doorway to Horror. Mouse guesses. Mona points right at Mouse.172701:49:47.680 --> 01:49:50.119
Oh no, you don't. You ain't blaming me for this,172801:49:50.199 --> 01:49:53.239
you wicked little rodent. I raise my hand in front172901:49:53.279 --> 01:49:56.720
of me. No, I think Mouse is right, Mona. Everything173001:49:56.720 --> 01:49:59.399
we saw in that disc you brought over was much173101:49:59.479 --> 01:50:02.279
like where we are. We are now. Nobody's blaming you173201:50:02.319 --> 01:50:04.600
about this place, but you did bring that disc over.173301:50:05.600 --> 01:50:08.840
Let's find the disc. Then, Mouse says, we can watch173401:50:08.880 --> 01:50:11.640
it again and get back home. We had to rewatch173501:50:11.680 --> 01:50:14.640
the portal to get back home. Two months ago. We173601:50:14.720 --> 01:50:17.800
searched through everything. All the movies Mouse brought over are173701:50:17.840 --> 01:50:23.520
still here, but the disc Mona brought is gone. Where173801:50:23.600 --> 01:50:27.279
is it Mona shrieks, oh, wait, here it is. She173901:50:27.399 --> 01:50:30.640
raises it up for us to see. I point to Mona,174001:50:30.800 --> 01:50:33.399
keep hold of that. Now, we just have to find174101:50:33.399 --> 01:50:36.840
something to watch it on. That'll be easier said than done.174201:50:37.119 --> 01:50:41.159
Mouse says, powers a little hard to come by here.174301:50:41.920 --> 01:50:45.399
They shattered every window, every mirror. I don't know how174401:50:45.399 --> 01:50:49.840
they're keeping at night here, but they're doing it. Then174501:50:49.880 --> 01:50:52.920
I see Bailey moved toward the kitchen. I follow her174601:50:52.920 --> 01:50:55.960
and see her opening one of the two refrigerators. She174701:50:56.079 --> 01:50:59.680
turns to me. Whatever food we've got, we're going to174801:50:59.720 --> 01:51:03.560
have to ration it until we can find more. Without power,174901:51:03.640 --> 01:51:07.039
the refrigerators aren't working. Also, we can't eat a single175001:51:07.079 --> 01:51:09.760
bite of the food in either of them. I point175101:51:09.760 --> 01:51:12.720
to the cupboards. We search them in the pantry and175201:51:12.800 --> 01:51:15.800
find a few things we can take with us. We175301:51:15.920 --> 01:51:18.960
head back out to the others. There's not much here,175401:51:19.640 --> 01:51:23.600
maybe for a day two tops. I divide the food175501:51:23.680 --> 01:51:26.840
evenly between all of us, including the cokes and what175601:51:27.000 --> 01:51:31.119
was left of the pizzas. What are we doing? Mona asked,175701:51:31.560 --> 01:51:34.560
you heard Mouse. I tell her we've got to find175801:51:34.640 --> 01:51:37.520
something to play this disc to get back home. We're175901:51:37.520 --> 01:51:40.199
going to have to leave and find some place. In fact,176001:51:40.720 --> 01:51:43.079
I quickly unplug the Blu ray player and stuff it176101:51:43.079 --> 01:51:46.119
in my backpack. We make a quick plan and agree176201:51:46.600 --> 01:51:50.600
we need to go downtown. We stay together, everybody I176301:51:50.680 --> 01:51:55.840
stress before we leave. Mouse hands everybody crosses she made.176401:51:55.880 --> 01:51:59.680
Whatever you do, don't lose them. Mouse just gave me176501:51:59.720 --> 01:52:02.880
an eye idea. We probably should stop by a church,176601:52:03.239 --> 01:52:08.119
Bailey suggests. Mouse points to her good thinking. We all176701:52:08.159 --> 01:52:10.880
wish each other good luck before we head out through176801:52:10.920 --> 01:52:17.720
the front doors. Perspective, Madeline Donner, so much for us176901:52:17.760 --> 01:52:21.199
going to churches. We hit a few in downtown village177001:52:21.720 --> 01:52:25.079
and saw they were wrecked. The windows were all broken out,177101:52:25.399 --> 01:52:29.640
pews were destroyed or overturned. Even the altars were busted up.177201:52:30.119 --> 01:52:33.159
What was even worse were the skeletons with their religious177301:52:33.159 --> 01:52:37.279
garbs still on. Only thing I can figure is whatever177401:52:37.359 --> 01:52:41.399
happened to turn people into vampires didn't hit everybody. The177501:52:41.399 --> 01:52:46.560
ones that weren't turned became food for the vamps. At least,177601:52:46.560 --> 01:52:50.039
our trips to the two churches weren't total washouts. We177701:52:50.119 --> 01:52:52.920
managed to find some holy wafers and even some holy177801:52:53.000 --> 01:52:56.199
water itself. Sure would be nice if we had squirt177901:52:56.239 --> 01:52:59.159
guns like in The Lost Boys, but all we found178001:52:59.239 --> 01:53:02.920
were a few voss and bottles. We leave the second178101:53:03.000 --> 01:53:06.159
church and sneak over to a few markets. We don't178201:53:06.159 --> 01:53:10.039
find much in terms of food, just dry goods and178301:53:10.079 --> 01:53:14.319
a few cans of soup. The refrigerators and freezers probably178401:53:14.359 --> 01:53:17.520
haven't been working in a very long time, so the178501:53:17.560 --> 01:53:21.239
food in him won't be any good. We duck in178601:53:21.359 --> 01:53:25.159
back of Wylder's Market to work out another plan. Everybody178701:53:25.199 --> 01:53:28.680
has ideas to bring to the table. Then Ariel suggests178801:53:28.680 --> 01:53:32.800
heading out to Strickfield Town Center mall. Mona turns to her.178901:53:33.560 --> 01:53:36.239
You do realize how far the mall is from downtown179001:53:36.319 --> 01:53:40.560
village right and on foot? Who said anything about walking?179101:53:41.079 --> 01:53:45.079
Ariel replies. Then she looks my way. We find a179201:53:45.119 --> 01:53:48.520
car and get Mouse here to drive it. Mona gives179301:53:48.520 --> 01:53:51.520
her a weird look. You have got to be kidding me,179401:53:52.159 --> 01:53:55.560
Ariel shakes her head. Nope, you should have seen her179501:53:55.640 --> 01:54:00.720
drive at the mall last weekend. Bailey size, Okay, let's179601:54:00.760 --> 01:54:03.239
do it. There are plenty of cars outside. I would179701:54:03.279 --> 01:54:07.079
imagine we can find one that works. Ariel slaps my arm.179801:54:07.760 --> 01:54:12.239
You up for it, Mouse, I shrug, I guess I179901:54:12.279 --> 01:54:17.079
ain't got a choice. Mona groans, Yeah, we're gonna die.180001:54:17.800 --> 01:54:21.439
Bailey scoffs at Mona. Oh, have a little faith, will you?180101:54:22.319 --> 01:54:27.560
Mona groans again. Then she notices something. You know, we've180201:54:27.560 --> 01:54:31.119
seen a lot of Christmas stuff. You think all this180301:54:31.199 --> 01:54:36.000
went down during the holidays. She looks sad. Now put180401:54:36.079 --> 01:54:39.279
a time for something like a vampire apocalypse to happen.180501:54:40.319 --> 01:54:43.239
The rest of us are sad for a moment. Then180601:54:43.319 --> 01:54:45.680
we head out back to the parking lot, where there's180701:54:45.720 --> 01:54:48.800
a nice selection of cars to choose from. We can't180801:54:48.840 --> 01:54:52.279
be picky, you guys, Bailey says, just find one that's180901:54:52.319 --> 01:54:56.640
got keys. I raise my finger. Just one thing. Once181001:54:56.680 --> 01:54:59.159
we get a car started, if there's any vamps nearby,181101:55:00.079 --> 01:55:02.640
they're gonna hear it. We gotta be ready for that.181201:55:03.920 --> 01:55:07.560
And you know this how, Mona sneers. I don't want181301:55:07.600 --> 01:55:09.640
to tell her how I know without giving away my181401:55:09.720 --> 01:55:14.840
connection to Mary Worth and cousin Aleen's bff Bells, I181501:55:15.000 --> 01:55:20.600
just know. Okay, Yeah, we're gonna die, Mona repeats. We181601:55:20.680 --> 01:55:23.800
split up and look for cars. After some minutes, Mona181701:55:23.880 --> 01:55:26.960
gets our attention. We come over to her. Keys are181801:55:26.960 --> 01:55:30.560
in the ignition doors, are unlocked. When Ariel starts looking181901:55:30.600 --> 01:55:34.079
it over, Bailey groans, come on, it's not going to182001:55:34.119 --> 01:55:38.920
be a fancy limo you're used to being in. Ariel gasps, really, Bailey,182101:55:39.239 --> 01:55:41.199
I'm checking the car to make sure it looks good,182201:55:41.239 --> 01:55:46.960
you know, for flat tires and stuff. Okay, sorry, Bailey mutters,182301:55:47.439 --> 01:55:51.479
looks good. Ariel says, Okay, Mouse, get behind the wheel182401:55:51.479 --> 01:55:55.800
and hope this thing starts. Ah man, I squeak when182501:55:55.800 --> 01:55:58.560
I open the door and get in. Now I feel182601:55:58.600 --> 01:56:03.159
Ariel's hand on my shoulder. Are you actually scared? Mouse?182701:56:04.199 --> 01:56:08.680
I glance over my shoulder. Ah please, which is a lie?182801:56:09.279 --> 01:56:12.600
This little mousey is definitely scared. I just don't want182901:56:12.640 --> 01:56:15.479
Ariels see in it on me. I turn the key183001:56:15.520 --> 01:56:23.840
and perspective. Bailey downs the engine. Cranks and cranks and cranks.183101:56:25.439 --> 01:56:31.960
You guys, look, Oh god, Mona shrieks. Vamps start the car. Mouse,183201:56:32.439 --> 01:56:36.640
I'm trying. Mouse cries. The vampires are leaping from car183301:56:36.720 --> 01:56:40.239
to car or they're running. It's when they're almost to183401:56:40.359 --> 01:56:45.079
us that the car finally starts. Go mouse, go, Ariel yells.183501:56:45.560 --> 01:56:49.079
Mouse has to study the controls. Okay, Hope and I183601:56:49.119 --> 01:56:52.359
can do this. Never drove a stick. Now, I put183701:56:52.399 --> 01:56:55.479
a hand on her shoulder. You're a gamer. Mouse. You're183801:56:55.520 --> 01:56:58.199
not here with us right now. You're in Roth's rings,183901:56:58.199 --> 01:57:03.159
playing a racing game with that. Okay, let's hope I184001:57:03.199 --> 01:57:07.279
got this. Mouse stammers, just as the vamps are shattering184101:57:07.279 --> 01:57:10.239
the windows. Mouse puts the car in gear and stutters184201:57:10.279 --> 01:57:14.239
a little. Then she takes a deep breath and shifts again.184301:57:15.319 --> 01:57:19.840
Finally we're moving away. We pull out of the parking184401:57:19.880 --> 01:57:22.720
lot and out onto main street. Mouse hits the clutch184501:57:22.760 --> 01:57:25.680
and shifts again. Looks like she's got the hang of184601:57:25.720 --> 01:57:29.640
it now. There ain't no mirrors on this car. Mona says,184701:57:29.760 --> 01:57:33.039
riding shotgun, you wouldn't see any vamps in the mirrors184801:57:33.079 --> 01:57:36.479
even if we did have them. Mouse tells her no reflections.184901:57:37.520 --> 01:57:40.880
The little Squeaker's right. Ariel says, looking out the back,185001:57:41.479 --> 01:57:45.960
we got bats coming fast. I hate you. Mouse. Yeah yeah,185101:57:46.119 --> 01:57:50.079
Mouse mutters, we good on gas. Mona asks Mouse, don't185201:57:50.079 --> 01:57:52.920
know gas. Gage just shot from half a tank all185301:57:52.960 --> 01:57:55.760
the way down to the big E fast. Hopefully we'll185401:57:55.800 --> 01:57:58.399
be able to get to the mall. Then I'm having185501:57:58.399 --> 01:58:02.600
second thoughts. I didn't think this through. Maybe the mall's185601:58:02.680 --> 01:58:08.039
ravaged too. Everything's probably ravaged Bailey, Ariel says, but we185701:58:08.119 --> 01:58:10.319
have to try and look for someplace that has power.185801:58:10.800 --> 01:58:14.640
In fact, I think I have an idea. Ariel explains185901:58:14.680 --> 01:58:17.119
that the hardware store in the mall should have gasoline186001:58:17.159 --> 01:58:20.640
power generators. All we have to do is find one.186101:58:20.720 --> 01:58:22.760
Then we would siphon the gas out of the cars186201:58:22.800 --> 01:58:25.439
at the mall and power it from there. We find186301:58:25.439 --> 01:58:28.239
a TV, hook up the Blu Ray player, and then186401:58:28.600 --> 01:58:32.800
we're back home. That'll be easier said than done. I say,186501:58:33.760 --> 01:58:37.000
but what else is there? Mouse keeps the car going.186601:58:37.560 --> 01:58:40.800
Ariel and I are still seeing the bats flapping after us.186701:58:41.399 --> 01:58:43.239
We have to get them off our backs. If we're186801:58:43.279 --> 01:58:47.039
gonna make your plan work, Ariel, Mouse has something. I186901:58:47.079 --> 01:58:49.800
got an idea for that. When we get to the mall,187001:58:50.000 --> 01:58:52.880
I'll drive around to the under mall parking garage. I187101:58:52.920 --> 01:58:56.199
won't pull inside, though, I'll drop you three off there,187201:58:56.479 --> 01:58:59.560
and then hopefully the vamps will keep following me. How187301:58:59.600 --> 01:59:02.479
will you make make it back? I ask, We can't187401:59:02.520 --> 01:59:06.119
go home without you. Let me worry about that. You187501:59:06.159 --> 01:59:09.359
guys work on getting Ariel's plan to work. I put187601:59:09.359 --> 01:59:12.640
my hand on Mouse's shoulder. You just make sure you187701:59:12.720 --> 01:59:15.920
get back to us and try not to get vamped187801:59:16.039 --> 01:59:19.680
or eaten. Mona adds, hey, I want to go back187901:59:19.720 --> 01:59:22.319
home too. We all got something to return to, right,188001:59:22.760 --> 01:59:27.479
trust me, I'll make it back, Mouse promises. Ariel takes188101:59:27.479 --> 01:59:31.000
a deep breath, then she just says it. Carter Cross188201:59:31.039 --> 01:59:33.720
asked me out last weekend when we were at the mall.188301:59:34.840 --> 01:59:37.880
I never did give him an answer. I turned to188401:59:37.920 --> 01:59:44.119
her seriously. Mona turns around, no way, Then she bumps188501:59:44.159 --> 01:59:48.319
Mouse's shoulder. Did you know you and Carter are bfs?188601:59:48.640 --> 01:59:53.119
I know you tell each other everything. Mouse shakes her head.188701:59:53.720 --> 01:59:56.880
Uh nope, but it's no secret in our group that188801:59:56.920 --> 01:59:59.840
Carter and Ariel like each other. I hate you, MoU,188902:00:00.600 --> 02:00:06.119
Ariel growls. Mouse shrugs. I'm just saying. Ariel bows her head,189002:00:06.159 --> 02:00:09.279
looking sad. I'm just wishing I would have told him189102:00:09.640 --> 02:00:13.079
i'd go out with him. She raises her head. That's189202:00:13.119 --> 02:00:15.199
why I want to make it and get back home.189302:00:15.960 --> 02:00:18.800
I'm sure you girls have something to return to too,189402:00:19.039 --> 02:00:24.279
my family, I quickly say. Denoyer's grill. Mona gushes, I189502:00:24.279 --> 02:00:26.720
don't want to be stuck here in some vampire universe,189602:00:26.760 --> 02:00:31.479
and no Denoyer's grill or no coffee, Mouse adds, I189702:00:31.479 --> 02:00:34.199
think it's safe to say we all loved our lives189802:00:34.199 --> 02:00:38.199
in Strickfield before this happened. I say, then a thought.189902:00:39.239 --> 02:00:40.880
Did you make it out this way when you were190002:00:40.920 --> 02:00:45.319
here last Mouse? Nope, we got as far as Strickfield Academy.190102:00:45.680 --> 02:00:49.079
Wish I could tell you more than what I already know. Okay,190202:00:49.119 --> 02:00:52.920
we're here. Turn it in. Mouse turns us into a190302:00:52.960 --> 02:00:56.239
mall entrance and floors it, making sure she shifts when190402:00:56.239 --> 02:00:59.680
she needs to. Wow, I can't believe little Mouse learned190502:00:59.680 --> 02:01:03.760
to dry playing all those racing video games. Honestly, I190602:01:03.840 --> 02:01:06.079
thought she was an odd ball when Ariel invited her190702:01:06.119 --> 02:01:08.800
to join our group. Mona and I didn't like her190802:01:08.800 --> 02:01:12.239
for the longest time. However, Mouse grows on you after190902:01:12.279 --> 02:01:15.239
a while. I'm just glad she's with us right now.191002:01:15.960 --> 02:01:19.960
She's the reason we're all still alive. Get ready, Mouse191102:01:19.960 --> 02:01:23.319
tells us. Mouse drifts us again as we round the191202:01:23.359 --> 02:01:26.520
mall and head for the under mall parking garage. Before191302:01:26.560 --> 02:01:29.119
we get there, she hits the brakes and swerves to191402:01:29.159 --> 02:01:33.279
a stop. Go, Mouse belts out. Ariel, Mona and I191502:01:33.399 --> 02:01:35.800
quickly get out of the car after we slam the191602:01:35.800 --> 02:01:40.760
doors shut. Ariel belts back at Mouse. Go Mouse floors it.191702:01:40.760 --> 02:01:42.680
As we're in the garage and hiding out of sight,191802:01:43.199 --> 02:01:46.359
the bats are flying after mouse. I just hope they191902:01:46.359 --> 02:01:48.159
don't see the three of us ain't in the car192002:01:48.199 --> 02:01:51.920
with her. Even more so, I hope they don't get192102:01:51.960 --> 02:01:59.039
mouse perspective. Mona abels the three of us wait for192202:01:59.119 --> 02:02:02.239
a little bit. We ain't seeing no vamps in the sky.192302:02:03.319 --> 02:02:07.279
I think we're good. They're all after mouse. We'd better192402:02:07.319 --> 02:02:10.760
get a move on. Bailey says, we may be unborrowed.192502:02:10.800 --> 02:02:14.000
Time As it is, we walk in the under mall192602:02:14.039 --> 02:02:17.359
parking garage and come to the mall entrance. There. The192702:02:17.479 --> 02:02:20.319
doors are ripped right off, so no worries on whether192802:02:20.359 --> 02:02:23.640
that entrance was locked or not. We walk the corridor192902:02:23.680 --> 02:02:26.479
and go up the steps. Soon we're in the food court,193002:02:26.960 --> 02:02:30.720
coming out at the double doors besides Scotto's Pizza. Even193102:02:30.760 --> 02:02:33.239
though it's dark all through the mall, we can see193202:02:33.319 --> 02:02:36.840
enough to see there are Christmas decorations all over the place.193302:02:37.359 --> 02:02:41.399
There's tinsel hanging off the ceilings, fully decorated Christmas trees193402:02:41.439 --> 02:02:45.680
spread out, animatronic scenes though they're not working with no193502:02:45.800 --> 02:02:49.520
electricity and there's the Santa's house not too far from193602:02:49.560 --> 02:02:53.279
where we are. S Almo's Hardware is down by J. C. Penny.193702:02:53.640 --> 02:02:58.199
Ariel says, oh, I sure, hope, so I groan, what193802:02:58.239 --> 02:03:01.680
do you mean? Aerial demands. Mouse said, We're in a193902:03:01.720 --> 02:03:04.880
parallel universe, right, how do we know things are gonna194002:03:04.880 --> 02:03:08.640
be the same here as back home? I state, she's194102:03:08.640 --> 02:03:11.800
got a point, Bailey tells Ariel, but we still need194202:03:11.840 --> 02:03:16.399
to check mona. Ariel takes a deep breath. Okay, I'm194302:03:16.439 --> 02:03:19.039
going to head out and look around. I'll signal when194402:03:19.039 --> 02:03:22.880
the coast is clear. We should just go out together.194502:03:23.239 --> 02:03:29.760
Bailey counters, you know, safety in numbers. Okay, fine, Ariel replies,194602:03:30.279 --> 02:03:34.279
come on. We start walking away from Scotto's Pizza. We194702:03:34.359 --> 02:03:36.720
can see the malls wrecked, but it doesn't look all194802:03:36.760 --> 02:03:39.800
that bad. I mean, the gates look messed up and194902:03:39.880 --> 02:03:42.479
some of the store signs are damaged. I don't know,195002:03:42.560 --> 02:03:45.199
it's like someone's gone to lengths to try to make195102:03:45.239 --> 02:03:50.239
this mall look nice again. Then I have a gut195202:03:50.279 --> 02:03:54.840
feeling you guys, I don't think we're alone in here.195302:03:55.399 --> 02:03:59.319
I tell them, then explain why I don't look for195402:03:59.359 --> 02:04:04.319
this to be Ariel agrees, look out. Bailey suddenly shrieks.195502:04:04.640 --> 02:04:07.119
We see someone flying right at us, and quickly get195602:04:07.119 --> 02:04:10.960
out of the way. How dare you come into my mall?195702:04:11.560 --> 02:04:14.880
A voice roars behind us. Then we make the mistake195802:04:14.920 --> 02:04:19.760
of stopping and looking behind us. It's Harmony, Miron, my cousin.195902:04:20.119 --> 02:04:25.520
Ariel gasps, she owns this mall, your cousin. I ask196002:04:26.039 --> 02:04:28.920
the one who had you hanging decorations here last weekend.196102:04:29.640 --> 02:04:34.119
Ariel nods quickly, yeah, except she wasn't all vamped out196202:04:34.159 --> 02:04:38.760
like this Harmony is. Then Harmony sniffs our way. Her196302:04:38.840 --> 02:04:42.359
human face suddenly shifts into one that looks like the Joker,196402:04:42.880 --> 02:04:49.239
only with lots and lots of sharp teeth food. I'm196502:04:49.279 --> 02:04:51.760
ready to turn and run, but Ariel quickly stops me.196602:04:52.359 --> 02:04:55.960
We can't outrun her. Use your head or better yet,196702:04:56.520 --> 02:04:59.920
Ariel pulls out her cross that mousemade just as Harmony196802:05:00.119 --> 02:05:03.600
flying our way. She shrieks and suddenly drops to the floor.196902:05:04.119 --> 02:05:07.680
Bailey and I join her and keep Harmony down start197002:05:07.680 --> 02:05:11.840
walking back. Ariel tells us. We do what Ariel says197102:05:11.880 --> 02:05:14.239
and start moving in the direction of J. C. Penny.197202:05:14.840 --> 02:05:19.479
Harmony gets back to her feet, but advances very slowly.197302:05:20.560 --> 02:05:23.039
You really think you're going to be safe from me?197402:05:23.760 --> 02:05:27.439
Harmony hisses. The last mortals who came into my mall197502:05:28.039 --> 02:05:32.880
made a very tasty candlelit dinner. She points a very197602:05:33.000 --> 02:05:36.600
long finger at us. I think I'll have you three197702:05:37.000 --> 02:05:42.560
by candlelight as well. She laughs, a horrible laughter, especially197802:05:42.680 --> 02:05:47.840
since today is Christmas. Yeah, we don't plan on staying.197902:05:48.199 --> 02:05:52.680
Bailey tells her, I don't care about your plans. Harmony yells,198002:05:53.000 --> 02:05:56.119
I only care about my home. Here at my mall,198102:05:56.640 --> 02:05:59.880
other vampires and mortals tried to take what was mine,198202:06:00.079 --> 02:06:03.800
but I showed them the error of their ways. Nobody198302:06:03.960 --> 02:06:08.920
takes what's mine. Nobody. Oh, we're not here to take198402:06:08.960 --> 02:06:12.920
anything from you, Ariel says, we actually just want to198502:06:13.000 --> 02:06:16.560
visit your beautiful mall, dear cousin, and I must say198602:06:16.640 --> 02:06:21.439
you've done very well with the Christmas decorations. Harmony growls198702:06:21.479 --> 02:06:25.439
a dangerous growl. Then she howls at us. The next198802:06:25.439 --> 02:06:29.640
thing we know, she's suddenly gone health. She's got me.198902:06:30.279 --> 02:06:34.439
Oh no, she warped right behind Bailey. Harmony suddenly pulls199002:06:34.479 --> 02:06:38.239
Bailey to her and leaps back with her. Drop those crosses,199102:06:38.319 --> 02:06:41.439
or I promise you I'll drink this one up for199202:06:41.560 --> 02:06:46.840
some early Christmas Day punch right here. And now, don't199302:06:46.880 --> 02:06:51.600
do it. Bailey yells, she'll drink me anyway. Ariel holds199402:06:51.640 --> 02:06:55.199
out her hand. Just stop, Harmony. We're not here to199502:06:55.239 --> 02:06:58.399
take anything from your mall. We just want to go home,199602:06:59.079 --> 02:07:01.079
but we need a few things in your mall to199702:07:01.079 --> 02:07:04.800
help us get there. Then Ariel moves her arm around199802:07:05.920 --> 02:07:09.079
like I said, you've really made this place look great.199902:07:09.159 --> 02:07:14.479
I mean, your Christmas decorations are so lovely. She raises200002:07:14.520 --> 02:07:18.560
her finger. But what if we could really brighten up200102:07:18.600 --> 02:07:21.079
the place? I mean, what if we could light up200202:07:21.119 --> 02:07:25.479
the Christmas trees and stuff. Harmony growls again. Then she200302:07:25.560 --> 02:07:29.159
grabs Bailey's head and cocks it to expose her neck.200402:07:29.760 --> 02:07:33.800
She raises her head ready to lower it to bite her.200502:07:34.600 --> 02:07:39.439
Stop what do you want, Harmony, Ariel cries, I already200602:07:39.520 --> 02:07:45.880
have you. You are mortals. You are food. Harmony yells,200702:07:46.279 --> 02:07:52.520
and today you are Christmas dinner. Ariel puts her cross down. Okay, look,200802:07:52.640 --> 02:07:56.199
see no cross. Now I'm going to come to you.200902:07:56.840 --> 02:08:02.600
I'll switch places with Bailey. Okay, then you can have me. Suddenly,201002:08:02.640 --> 02:08:06.840
Harmony appears right behind Ariel and snatches her up. Weren't201102:08:06.840 --> 02:08:11.399
you listening, mortal? I already have you. She points right201202:08:11.439 --> 02:08:15.920
at me, as for your pathetic crosses. My cross suddenly201302:08:15.960 --> 02:08:19.000
catches fire. I cry out and drop it. The other201402:08:19.039 --> 02:08:22.319
crosses are on fire too. Harmony moves her mouth to201502:08:22.359 --> 02:08:26.680
Ariel's ear, and exactly how will you light up my201602:08:26.760 --> 02:08:31.880
Christmas display when there's no power? She seems to calm201702:08:31.920 --> 02:08:35.880
down a little bit. I would love to see Christmas201802:08:35.920 --> 02:08:40.319
lights one more time. There hasn't been a Christmas since201902:08:40.359 --> 02:08:45.439
the plague came years ago. I'm so very hungry, but202002:08:45.479 --> 02:08:49.119
I would forsake my hunger just to see my mal202102:08:49.239 --> 02:08:54.920
brightly lit for Christmas one more time. We can talk, then,202202:08:55.479 --> 02:08:59.680
Ariel asks Harmony lets her go, then morphs her face202302:08:59.720 --> 02:09:03.760
back to normal. I would hear you. She points to202402:09:03.800 --> 02:09:08.359
a table in the food court. Sit. We reluctantly move202502:09:08.479 --> 02:09:11.640
to the table and sit with Harmony. As Ariel's digging202602:09:11.640 --> 02:09:15.800
into her backpack, Harmony quickly snatches her wrist. Do not202702:09:16.399 --> 02:09:20.000
try and trick me, and especially do not play on202802:09:20.119 --> 02:09:24.960
my generosity. Ariel pulls out a coke. I just needed202902:09:24.960 --> 02:09:29.880
something to drink. Harmony nods. After Ariel has her drink203002:09:30.199 --> 02:09:33.239
She explains to Harmony that we can't get the power203102:09:33.279 --> 02:09:37.920
back on completely. However, Ifslmo's Hardware still has a gas203202:09:38.000 --> 02:09:42.239
power generator, we can siphon gas from the cars. Then203302:09:42.319 --> 02:09:45.079
we can connect extension cords to the Christmas trees and203402:09:45.079 --> 02:09:49.039
the animatronics to get them working at least for a203502:09:49.079 --> 02:09:56.640
little while. Harmony considers Ariel, then she says, my parents203602:09:56.640 --> 02:10:00.000
were too greedy to install backup generators when they build203702:10:00.119 --> 02:10:03.000
this mall. I wish I'd have thought to correct that203802:10:03.119 --> 02:10:08.159
mistake in life. Okay, I'll take you to Solmo's Hardware.203902:10:09.039 --> 02:10:14.039
One wrong move and it's dinner time. I won't worry204002:10:14.079 --> 02:10:18.520
about Christmas Day candlelight. We leave the food court and204102:10:18.640 --> 02:10:21.920
walk to the hardware store. Using our smartphone lights. We204202:10:22.000 --> 02:10:27.399
look around until we find what we're looking for perspective204302:10:27.760 --> 02:10:32.800
aerial mirror. We find only four gas power generators still204402:10:32.840 --> 02:10:35.680
in the box. We're probably not going to be able204502:10:35.680 --> 02:10:38.479
to light up your whole mall, Harmony, I just want204602:10:38.520 --> 02:10:42.239
the Christmas lights, the big tree, and the displays around204702:10:42.279 --> 02:10:46.319
the food court powered Harmony replies, I point to Mona,204802:10:47.000 --> 02:10:50.560
grab all the extension cords. I point to Bailey gas204902:10:50.600 --> 02:10:53.760
cans and a rubber hose to siphon the fuel. Harmony205002:10:53.800 --> 02:10:56.079
and I start ripping open the boxes and getting the205102:10:56.079 --> 02:11:00.880
generators ready. When my girls return, we talk. I piled205202:11:00.920 --> 02:11:04.079
up all the extension chords at the store's entrance. Mona says.205302:11:04.920 --> 02:11:06.880
I also piled up as many gas cans as I205402:11:06.880 --> 02:11:11.800
could find, which wasn't much. Bailey adds, then she glares205502:11:11.800 --> 02:11:15.000
at me. I suppose Mona and I get to siphon205602:11:15.039 --> 02:11:18.680
the gas. Now I get where Bailey's coming from. No,205702:11:19.600 --> 02:11:21.960
I'll go out and do it. We don't have time205802:11:22.000 --> 02:11:26.199
for this. Bailey quickly puts a hand on my shoulder. No,205902:11:27.159 --> 02:11:30.359
you're right, I'm sorry. Go get the generators and the206002:11:30.399 --> 02:11:33.359
extension chord set up. I'll go out and get the gas.206102:11:33.720 --> 02:11:36.800
I ain't letting you go out there by yourself. Mona snaps,206202:11:37.520 --> 02:11:41.079
you know what, let's all go get the gas. I suggest.206302:11:41.479 --> 02:11:43.239
At least it'll be one thing we won't have to206402:11:43.239 --> 02:11:48.600
do later. Harmony suddenly appears. Do not even think about escaping.206502:11:49.079 --> 02:11:52.399
I am too resolved for things such as that. I206602:11:52.479 --> 02:11:55.119
tell Harmony, we're just going down to the parking garage206702:11:55.159 --> 02:11:58.479
to siphon gas from the cars there. Maybe you could206802:11:58.520 --> 02:12:01.000
come with us. You can say were your slaves if206902:12:01.039 --> 02:12:04.600
any other vampires show up. When she's still not sure,207002:12:04.720 --> 02:12:08.479
I groan, Harmony, come on, where are we going to go?207102:12:09.319 --> 02:12:12.720
Harmony accompanies us to the parking garage and watches us207202:12:12.800 --> 02:12:16.760
fill the gas cans. Since she doesn't breathe, she can't207302:12:16.800 --> 02:12:20.319
really help us. She can warp the cans back into207402:12:20.359 --> 02:12:22.880
the mall and bring us more to fill, until we207502:12:23.000 --> 02:12:26.439
filled every single container we were able to find. All207602:12:26.479 --> 02:12:28.439
I have to say is that mouse better still be207702:12:28.520 --> 02:12:33.399
making tracks. Yuck. I'll never get that taste of gasoline207802:12:33.399 --> 02:12:36.760
out of my mouth. Eugh. We go back into the207902:12:36.760 --> 02:12:39.640
mall and work to connect as many extension cords as208002:12:39.640 --> 02:12:42.880
we can to the generators to show Harmony my plan208102:12:43.000 --> 02:12:45.960
will work. We gas up a generator and plug some208202:12:46.039 --> 02:12:49.640
stuff in. I fire it up. You should have seen208302:12:49.840 --> 02:12:53.199
the bright smile on Harmony's face when she sees a208402:12:53.239 --> 02:12:57.039
few Christmas trees and some lights and a few animatronic208502:12:57.079 --> 02:13:00.359
displays come to life. Then the big tree and the208602:13:00.399 --> 02:13:06.439
Santa House lights burst into life. Yes, Harmony breathes like208702:13:06.520 --> 02:13:10.199
she's a little girl seeing her first Christmas all over again.208802:13:11.239 --> 02:13:13.720
It takes us some more time, but we get everything208902:13:13.720 --> 02:13:16.960
we're able to get hooked up connected when the generators209002:13:17.000 --> 02:13:21.680
are all running, Harmony's very happy. At one point, she's209102:13:21.760 --> 02:13:24.399
kneeling down in front of the very big Christmas tree209202:13:24.399 --> 02:13:28.079
next to Santa's house. For the record, this tree is209302:13:28.239 --> 02:13:32.119
not in our mall back home, unless our Harmony put209402:13:32.119 --> 02:13:34.199
it in just after she banned us all from the209502:13:34.239 --> 02:13:38.840
mall last weekend. It surprises me that this particular vampire209602:13:39.239 --> 02:13:43.119
seems more interested in Christmas than in drinking our blood.209702:13:43.159 --> 02:13:46.840
I mean, you should see how Harmony's eyes are glowing,209802:13:47.840 --> 02:13:51.760
not literally glowing. I mean, I don't know. Christmas must209902:13:51.840 --> 02:13:57.520
hold some special value in her undead heart somewhere. If210002:13:57.520 --> 02:14:01.359
our Harmony holds Christmas in the same regard, she certainly210102:14:01.439 --> 02:14:03.159
never showed it the way this one does.210202:14:04.520 --> 02:14:09.720
It's been so very long, she whispers. It feels like210302:14:09.800 --> 02:14:14.920
I've waited a lifetime just to experience Christmas Day like210402:14:15.039 --> 02:14:15.600
this again.210502:14:16.720 --> 02:14:20.279
She slowly turns to look at me. And many of210602:14:20.359 --> 02:14:24.119
us died so long ago when we were suddenly turned210702:14:24.159 --> 02:14:31.640
into vampires. Mona and Bailey slowly approach. Is everything okay?210802:14:32.399 --> 02:14:36.880
Mona asks, we got all we could started up for you, Harmony,210902:14:37.279 --> 02:14:41.520
Bailey ads sorry, we couldn't get it all working. We211002:14:41.640 --> 02:14:47.600
just didn't have enough generators. Harmony stands up. Now she's211102:14:47.680 --> 02:14:54.840
crying human tears. I heard the ones back home cried blood. Anyway,211202:14:55.279 --> 02:14:59.439
I never thought vampires were even capable of crying. Of course,211302:15:00.000 --> 02:15:04.359
I recall meeting my first real vampire last weekend. Harmony211402:15:04.399 --> 02:15:08.840
puts gentle hands on both Mona and Bailey's shoulders. You211502:15:08.960 --> 02:15:13.079
gave me enough, then I have a burning question.211602:15:15.000 --> 02:15:15.399
Do you.211702:15:17.199 --> 02:15:22.880
Who did this to you? Harmony's still crying softly. I211802:15:22.920 --> 02:15:26.520
can't say for sure how it all began, but I211902:15:26.600 --> 02:15:31.720
do know our esteemed mayor was heavily involved. Mayor Patrick212002:15:31.760 --> 02:15:34.680
Gunter and a few of his converts tried to take212102:15:34.760 --> 02:15:40.039
my mall, but I drove them out. Before Harmony can212202:15:40.119 --> 02:15:44.960
finish her story, we hear fluttering noises coming. Harmony hisses212302:15:45.000 --> 02:15:49.199
in the direction and looks at us. It's Mayor Gunter again.212402:15:49.600 --> 02:15:51.920
He and his army must know you three are in here.212502:15:52.319 --> 02:15:57.119
She says, you are my Christmas dinner mine. He can't212602:15:57.119 --> 02:16:01.760
have you. Mona gulps are still gonna kill us after212702:16:01.800 --> 02:16:05.560
what we did for you. Harmony vamps out again, making212802:16:05.600 --> 02:16:10.800
a shriek and raises her claws. He can't have you.212902:16:11.840 --> 02:16:16.119
She snatches up, Bailey, you belong to me. Now, she213002:16:16.359 --> 02:16:20.239
sounds really crazy. I quickly reach into my pack and213102:16:20.319 --> 02:16:22.479
slap one of the Holy Wafers on the back of213202:16:22.520 --> 02:16:27.119
my hand. Harmony shrieks, causing her to drop Bailey. Then213302:16:27.199 --> 02:16:29.560
she holds her hand as she falls to her knees213402:16:29.920 --> 02:16:34.719
and cries again. I hate being this way, she chokes out.213502:16:35.399 --> 02:16:38.639
I've consumed so many mortals just to satisfy my never213602:16:38.760 --> 02:16:41.879
ending hunger. I hate being so hungry all the time.213702:16:42.079 --> 02:16:46.239
I hate that it drives me to this insanity. I213802:16:46.280 --> 02:16:51.399
don't want to kill you, but I'm so very hungry.213902:16:52.159 --> 02:16:55.639
You won't have the chance to satisfy your hunger, Harmony mirring.214002:16:56.280 --> 02:16:59.600
A new voice calls out. We all turn and face214102:16:59.680 --> 02:17:03.319
Mayor Patrick Gunter and his army of the living dead.214202:17:04.360 --> 02:17:07.200
I think it's safe to say we've never been so214302:17:07.360 --> 02:17:11.319
scared in all our lives. Mona quickly leans in and214402:17:11.360 --> 02:17:14.920
whispers that the Blu ray player is set up and ready.214502:17:15.600 --> 02:17:17.840
Then Bailey nods to one of the monitors in the214602:17:17.840 --> 02:17:22.360
food court. The movie Doorway to Horror is playing. Now214702:17:23.079 --> 02:17:26.040
soon we may be able to return home. But now214802:17:26.079 --> 02:17:32.079
I'm feeling despair, just like Harmony Mouse. I choke out.214902:17:32.719 --> 02:17:35.600
We can't leave her here, We can't, you guys, she's215002:17:35.639 --> 02:17:39.959
our friend, she's one of us. Bailey nods quickly, but215102:17:40.040 --> 02:17:43.120
Mona doesn't look so sure. I'm ready to smack her215202:17:43.200 --> 02:17:46.120
arm and tell her to just grow up, but then215302:17:46.760 --> 02:17:50.280
she explains her. Look, if Mouse was gonna find her215402:17:50.319 --> 02:17:53.520
way back here, she would have done it already, right,215502:17:54.479 --> 02:17:59.879
Mona shakes her head. Those vamps probably got her. Don't215602:18:00.079 --> 02:18:02.680
you think Mouse would want us to go back. That's215702:18:02.680 --> 02:18:05.120
why she dropped us off here and sped off herself.215802:18:06.159 --> 02:18:10.159
Mayor Gunter points right at us. You foolish children think215902:18:10.159 --> 02:18:13.120
I can't hear what you're saying. You will end that216002:18:13.239 --> 02:18:18.120
movie immediately. He waves his hand. Two of his vampires216102:18:18.120 --> 02:18:23.040
bring Mouse out. No, these vampires were the bats chasing us.216202:18:23.799 --> 02:18:27.600
They did catch up to Mouse. What happened to you?216302:18:28.200 --> 02:18:32.760
I ask her? Car ran out of gas? She mutters,216402:18:33.239 --> 02:18:35.559
I said the gas gage was busted. I was hoping216502:18:35.879 --> 02:18:37.959
he got away and made it back home. By now,216602:18:38.879 --> 02:18:42.440
Mayor Gunter suddenly grabs Mouse and lifts her up to him.216702:18:43.200 --> 02:18:46.079
You will stop the movie now, or I satisfy my216802:18:46.200 --> 02:18:54.000
hunger with this little morsel. Decide fast. I quickly raise216902:18:54.120 --> 02:18:57.639
my hands out in front of me. Okay, okay, stop,217002:18:58.559 --> 02:19:07.600
we surrender perspective. Bailey downs. Mayor Gunter's still holding Mouse217102:19:07.680 --> 02:19:10.200
up to him. He arches her neck and is ready217202:19:10.200 --> 02:19:14.559
to bite her. No way, Mona sneers, I ain't giving217302:19:14.639 --> 02:19:17.319
myself up for a little rodent. Go ahead and eat her.217402:19:17.719 --> 02:19:20.319
Look at her, Mayor, just look at her. There ain't217502:19:20.360 --> 02:19:23.559
no meat on her bones. She won't have nearly enough217602:19:23.559 --> 02:19:26.639
blood to satisfy you. She probably don't even have half217702:19:26.680 --> 02:19:29.879
the blood the rest of us have. Bailey turns to her,217802:19:30.719 --> 02:19:35.239
what are you doing? Mona ignores her. Don't you see217902:19:35.799 --> 02:19:39.719
she's just a troublesome little rodent. She don't belong with us,218002:19:40.000 --> 02:19:42.680
she never did, so go ahead put her out of218102:19:42.680 --> 02:19:46.840
her misery. Mouse tightens her jaw and glares right at Mona.218202:19:47.680 --> 02:19:52.120
She doesn't say anything, but if looks could kill. I218302:19:52.200 --> 02:19:54.239
think this is as close to madd as I've ever218402:19:54.280 --> 02:19:58.040
seen little Madeline Donnerly get. Then I see the first218502:19:58.079 --> 02:20:01.840
signs of flickering near the TV and see what looks218602:20:01.959 --> 02:20:07.760
like a portal starting to form. Mayor Gunter roars with anger.218702:20:08.479 --> 02:20:11.399
I sent that disk to your universe and hope one218802:20:11.440 --> 02:20:14.639
of you mortals would find it and bring more food218902:20:14.760 --> 02:20:19.559
back to us, proving our latest experiment to success. But219002:20:19.719 --> 02:20:23.559
none of you are returning to your universe last time.219102:20:24.120 --> 02:20:27.239
Stop playing the movie, or I make a quick snack219202:20:27.280 --> 02:20:31.319
out of your friend here, then I'll claim the rest219302:20:32.440 --> 02:20:36.639
take her. Then Mona goads him on. Then she tells Mouse,219402:20:37.440 --> 02:20:40.479
I never did like you. Now I'll finally be rid219502:20:40.520 --> 02:20:43.040
of you. In fact, why don't you have a drink219602:20:43.079 --> 02:20:47.440
of this before you become vampire chow? Mona throws Mouse219702:20:47.479 --> 02:20:52.120
a bottle of water. Then my spirit lifts. Mouse catches219802:20:52.159 --> 02:20:55.000
the bottle and quickly opens it. She splashes the water219902:20:55.040 --> 02:20:59.200
in Mayor Gunter's face, which sizzles and burns immediately. Once220002:20:59.239 --> 02:21:03.000
he drops Mouth, she immediately comes to us. He really220102:21:03.040 --> 02:21:07.879
had me going there. Mouse tells Mona, what oops, I220202:21:07.879 --> 02:21:11.760
guess I gave you the wrong bottle. Mona snaps, yeah.220302:21:11.959 --> 02:21:14.719
Mona never likes to show how she really feels to Mouse.220402:21:14.799 --> 02:21:18.319
But Mona's not moving to shove Mouse back to the vampires,220502:21:18.360 --> 02:21:21.920
so I know she truly meant to save her. I220602:21:22.040 --> 02:21:26.000
do know my best friend Mayor Gunter points to all220702:21:26.040 --> 02:21:31.399
of us, kill them. Then he really vamps out. I mean,220802:21:31.760 --> 02:21:33.920
if this is a head vampire and he's got an220902:21:33.959 --> 02:21:38.120
ultimate form, this must be it. He's much bigger now,221002:21:38.200 --> 02:21:42.799
he looks much uglier. He looks like a scary bat221102:21:42.959 --> 02:21:46.840
like creature, but with clothes on. He turns and focuses221202:21:46.840 --> 02:21:49.520
on the movie. The portal's not ready yet, but if221302:21:49.559 --> 02:21:53.159
he destroys the TV or the player, we're never going home.221402:21:53.920 --> 02:21:56.760
I'm pulling out my holy water and wafers and am221502:21:56.799 --> 02:21:59.879
ready to make a last stand. Ariel sees what I'm221602:21:59.879 --> 02:22:03.280
doing and is joining me. Just as Mona's digging into221702:22:03.319 --> 02:22:07.920
her pack, Harmony Miron suddenly flies right onto Mayor Gunter's back.221802:22:08.319 --> 02:22:12.680
She's clawing with rage at him. Unfortunately, Harmony's just too221902:22:12.760 --> 02:22:16.200
small and not nearly powerful enough to win against Mayor Gunter.222002:22:17.079 --> 02:22:20.920
Now he's holding her up by her throat. Winning the222102:22:20.959 --> 02:22:26.879
office of mayor was so easy, he brags, bringing this222202:22:27.000 --> 02:22:33.200
vampire existence to our world was even easier. But destroying you,222302:22:34.959 --> 02:22:36.360
I'm going to enjoy this.222402:22:37.440 --> 02:22:38.079
You have been.222502:22:38.000 --> 02:22:41.479
Nothing but a thorn in my side, Harmony Miren. You222602:22:41.639 --> 02:22:44.399
fought to keep me out of office. You even failed222702:22:44.399 --> 02:22:47.559
to stop me from conquering this world, and you will222802:22:47.719 --> 02:22:53.280
fail to save your new friends. But suddenly, Harmony's face222902:22:53.360 --> 02:22:59.000
starts to burn. What gives? Then her mouth practically irrupts223002:22:59.200 --> 02:23:05.239
when she blasts something into his face. Holy yeah, that's it,223102:23:05.520 --> 02:23:08.840
holy water. She must have found our bottles in our packs,223202:23:08.840 --> 02:23:12.840
and she's really trying to help us get home. Mayor223302:23:12.879 --> 02:23:16.879
Gunter and Harmony both fall. Harmony's face looks just awful,223402:23:16.959 --> 02:23:21.200
but you should see Mayor Gunter, Harmony got him good.223502:23:21.520 --> 02:23:24.559
Now the other vampires start coming at us. Just as223602:23:24.639 --> 02:23:28.559
the portal is finally open, Harmony forces herself to her feet.223702:23:28.600 --> 02:23:33.319
Now she looks just hideous. I don't think she's going223802:23:33.360 --> 02:23:36.680
to heal up from this. She grabs us and turns223902:23:36.760 --> 02:23:40.319
us to the portal. Get out of here, go back224002:23:40.319 --> 02:23:45.520
to your home you live. What about you? Ariel yells,224102:23:45.959 --> 02:23:49.680
you'll die if you stay here. I can't come to224202:23:49.760 --> 02:23:54.559
your universe with you, Harmony tells her, anticipating what Ariel's thinking.224302:23:55.639 --> 02:24:00.440
I'm so tainted. I've devoured mortals before, and I'll want224402:24:00.479 --> 02:24:05.760
to devour your people to satisfy my hunger. I'll stay224502:24:05.799 --> 02:24:11.680
here and see that you all get home. Safely go. Now,224602:24:12.520 --> 02:24:14.559
the four of us turn and run to the portal.224702:24:15.000 --> 02:24:21.879
Harmony's pushing us along, Move faster, closer, closer, so close,224802:24:22.479 --> 02:24:26.520
almost there. When we finally reach the portal, I'm wondering224902:24:26.559 --> 02:24:28.799
if this is going to truly take us back home225002:24:29.360 --> 02:24:33.120
or we'll end up in some other universe. I'll destroy225102:24:33.200 --> 02:24:37.120
the disc. Once you're through, Harmony promises us, thank you225202:24:37.200 --> 02:24:42.159
for giving me Christmas again, even if just for a225302:24:42.200 --> 02:24:47.319
few short minutes. Now I give you your freedom and return225402:24:49.319 --> 02:24:54.000
Merry Christmas. Before we can say anything in the way225502:24:54.000 --> 02:24:57.399
of thanks, Harmony grabs each of us with her vampire225602:24:57.479 --> 02:25:01.280
speed and shoves us through the portal. All we see225702:25:01.280 --> 02:25:05.799
are many flashes of different colored lights, kind of Christmasy.225802:25:06.360 --> 02:25:08.360
Before the four of us will find out if we225902:25:08.440 --> 02:25:17.200
made it home or not. Perspective Mona abels I gasp226002:25:17.280 --> 02:25:20.760
and suddenly sit up to see I'm in Ariel's living room.226102:25:21.799 --> 02:25:26.040
I'm seeing everybody else is awake now too. Bailey gets226202:25:26.040 --> 02:25:29.040
off her couch and comes to us, Are you guys226302:25:29.040 --> 02:25:33.000
all right? The rest of us nod quickly. There's enough226402:25:33.120 --> 02:25:37.360
light in here to tell it's probably morning. In fact,226502:25:37.920 --> 02:25:41.360
Ariel goes right to the curtains and opens them. Warm226602:25:41.479 --> 02:25:45.440
light comes in. Then Ariel goes right to Mouse. You226702:25:45.520 --> 02:25:49.680
weren't turned. Mouse shakes her head quickly. Once they got me,226802:25:49.760 --> 02:25:52.319
I really thought i'd had it. All I thought about226902:25:52.399 --> 02:25:56.520
was hoping you guys got home. Yeah, I'm lucky, all right.227002:25:57.360 --> 02:26:00.920
I'm actually surprised when Ariel pulls Mouse into her arms227102:26:00.959 --> 02:26:05.799
and hugs her. Then Mouse hugs her back. Eventually they227202:26:05.799 --> 02:26:09.319
come apart. I always wondered what Ariel saw in that227302:26:09.399 --> 02:26:14.040
wicked little rodent. I mean, she totally clashes with the227402:26:14.079 --> 02:26:18.920
rest of us. She's just a nerd. Seriously, why does227502:26:18.959 --> 02:26:23.680
Ariel like her so much? Mouse quickly picks up her smartphone.227602:26:23.719 --> 02:26:27.120
It's almost ten. The rest of us go to our phones.227702:26:27.639 --> 02:26:31.200
I can see my watch is working right again. Looks227802:26:31.200 --> 02:26:34.879
like we're really home, you guys, Bailey says. I can227902:26:34.959 --> 02:26:38.079
even feel how nice and warm it is here compared228002:26:38.120 --> 02:26:42.600
to when we woke up in that vampire universe. Then228102:26:42.680 --> 02:26:47.040
Mouse has a thought and checks something. Yep, looks like228202:26:47.079 --> 02:26:49.719
both your Blu ray player and that disc mona Brot228302:26:50.120 --> 02:26:54.559
are gone. Ariel. She sighs, I really don't care about228402:26:54.600 --> 02:26:57.879
that right now. Then she looks at her phone. Hey,228502:26:58.840 --> 02:27:02.120
it's not Christmas like was there. We're still in the228602:27:02.120 --> 02:27:05.000
second weekend of December, like before we went to that228702:27:05.639 --> 02:27:09.559
other universe. Then she puts her phone down and claps228802:27:09.559 --> 02:27:12.600
her hands together. You guys don't have to come with me,228902:27:12.719 --> 02:27:16.639
but I'm going out to the mall. But we're banned229002:27:16.680 --> 02:27:21.079
from there. Mouse reminds her. I don't care, Mouse, I229102:27:21.200 --> 02:27:27.159
have to know. Mouse shrugs, Okay, but I'm coming with you.229202:27:28.360 --> 02:27:32.600
Bailey and I decide to tag along too, Like Ariel said,229302:27:33.639 --> 02:27:38.879
we gotta know. Ariel calls us an uber and takes229402:27:38.959 --> 02:27:42.040
us out to Strickfield Town Center Mall. Once we get229502:27:42.120 --> 02:27:45.440
dropped off, we waste no time going in. It's just229602:27:45.559 --> 02:27:49.239
like any other December weekend in Strickfield, packed with people229702:27:49.280 --> 02:27:53.760
and nearly every store filled and open. Our mall only229802:27:53.799 --> 02:27:57.040
gets like this around November and December. The rest of229902:27:57.079 --> 02:28:01.159
the year, there are many vacancies. People sometimes say them230002:28:01.159 --> 02:28:06.200
all's going to close for good eventually, but it never does. Yeah,230102:28:06.840 --> 02:28:10.760
all the decorations are still up, Ariel says, looks like230202:28:10.799 --> 02:28:14.799
we really made it back home. Bailey replies, it's daylight230302:28:15.239 --> 02:28:18.680
and we never saw anybody burning up when they were outside.230402:28:18.799 --> 02:28:22.959
Then Ariel stops us. Hey, let's go into caffeine Junction230502:28:23.079 --> 02:28:26.520
for breakfast. My treat Mouse, I'm going to buy you230602:28:26.799 --> 02:28:29.840
the biggest coffee they got. Go on in, you, guys.230702:28:30.559 --> 02:28:33.319
I think Ariel's just glad we're back home and we're230802:28:33.319 --> 02:28:36.319
all safe. True to her words, she lets us order230902:28:36.360 --> 02:28:39.840
whatever we want. When Bailey and Ariel both got their orders,231002:28:40.200 --> 02:28:43.280
they head off to a booth. Now it just leaves231102:28:43.319 --> 02:28:46.600
Mouse and me to wait for our stuff. Mouse kind231202:28:46.639 --> 02:28:49.440
of gives me a look that says she ain't sure231302:28:49.479 --> 02:28:53.799
about me. Just so you know, I wouldn't have really231402:28:53.879 --> 02:28:57.799
let you die back there. I tell her, I don't231502:28:57.799 --> 02:29:00.920
know what Ariel's season you or what Bailey's you, But231602:29:01.840 --> 02:29:04.840
why do you hate me so much? Mona Mouse asks,231702:29:06.120 --> 02:29:09.319
I don't hate you. I tell her, I just don't231802:29:09.319 --> 02:29:15.680
feel like you belong with us. You're just so so weird.231902:29:17.159 --> 02:29:20.440
Maybe to me you might be the weird one. She says,232002:29:21.000 --> 02:29:24.319
you ever thought about that? We just look at each other.232102:29:24.920 --> 02:29:28.520
When Ariel and Bailey ain't looking, I extend my hand.232202:29:29.440 --> 02:29:35.200
Truce Mouse shakes my hand. Truce. I lean in and say,232302:29:36.079 --> 02:29:40.360
you say anything about this, and I'll deny it fair enough.232402:29:41.200 --> 02:29:43.760
When we get our food, we join the others at232502:29:43.760 --> 02:29:47.440
the booth. Surprisingly, we make it through the whole length232602:29:47.479 --> 02:29:50.680
of the mall. Just after Ariel's called us another uber232702:29:51.079 --> 02:29:54.959
Harmony Miron is right there. She points to Ariel and Mouse.232802:29:55.719 --> 02:29:58.879
Last I checked. You two are banned from my mall.232902:29:59.479 --> 02:30:01.760
Tell me now why I shouldn't bring you to my233002:30:01.840 --> 02:30:05.799
office and have you both arrested. Ariel and Mouse look233102:30:05.840 --> 02:30:09.120
at each other. Then Ariel digs into her purse and233202:30:09.159 --> 02:30:12.040
pulls out receipts. She hands them to her and says,233302:30:12.879 --> 02:30:15.000
because I wanted to treat my girls to some of233402:30:15.040 --> 02:30:18.479
your fine establishments. We all ended up having a near233502:30:18.520 --> 02:30:21.879
death experience, and I just wanted us to celebrate that233602:30:21.920 --> 02:30:26.239
we're still alive for another Christmas season. This mall has233702:30:26.239 --> 02:30:29.159
been our hangout place for a long time. You want233802:30:29.159 --> 02:30:32.079
to call the police, you go right ahead. But we233902:30:32.120 --> 02:30:36.040
didn't cause any trouble here. Besides, I thought you like234002:30:36.159 --> 02:30:40.520
the idea of people spending money at your mall. Harmony's234102:30:40.559 --> 02:30:45.399
still holding Ariel's receipts and keeps looking sour at us. Finally,234202:30:45.879 --> 02:30:50.600
she hands back the receipts. Okay, you two can come back,234302:30:51.000 --> 02:30:55.200
she says. Then she points sharply at them. You're on probation.234402:30:55.799 --> 02:30:58.559
In other words, if I ever see cousin Stewart back234502:30:58.559 --> 02:31:01.200
in here with you again, we're all going to be234602:31:01.280 --> 02:31:06.719
permanently banned. Do we understand each other? We all quickly234702:31:06.760 --> 02:31:11.760
tell her we do. Then Harmony nods once. Okay, then,234802:31:12.239 --> 02:31:17.280
but remember, I'll be watching. Like Santa Claus. I'm always234902:31:17.319 --> 02:31:21.479
watching now that we have our arrangement out of my sight.235002:31:22.600 --> 02:31:26.200
I guess money really does talk, Ariel says, and snickers.235102:31:26.600 --> 02:31:30.559
When we're far enough away from Harmony, that means you235202:31:30.600 --> 02:31:34.559
ain't bringing Stuart here ever again. Mouse replies. Then I235302:31:34.639 --> 02:31:40.000
quickly smack Ariel's arm. What was that for? She demands? Look.235402:31:40.479 --> 02:31:43.280
I tell her. We see Ariel's mom and her aunt235502:31:43.319 --> 02:31:47.840
together with Stuart. When they see us. Ariel's mom points235602:31:47.920 --> 02:31:52.399
right at her. Run you, guys, Ariel yells. Aunt Margaret235702:31:52.399 --> 02:31:55.079
wants to hand Stuart off to me. We turn and235802:31:55.159 --> 02:31:57.760
run for all we're worth. Boy, do we ever hear235902:31:57.799 --> 02:32:00.600
Ariel's mom and aunt yelling at her, He runs straight236002:32:00.639 --> 02:32:03.639
past Harmony, miron and write out them all Entrance. We236102:32:03.719 --> 02:32:05.680
could tell she was about to call out to us,236202:32:06.040 --> 02:32:09.280
but when she sees Ariel's mom and aunt and Stuart.236302:32:10.040 --> 02:32:13.440
She starts going off on both of them. Now as236402:32:13.479 --> 02:32:16.520
soon as we're outside the ubers right there, we quickly236502:32:16.559 --> 02:32:20.760
climb in go, Ariel orders him. As soon as the236602:32:20.840 --> 02:32:24.799
driver pulls away. That's when Ariel's mom and aunt are outside,236702:32:25.319 --> 02:32:28.399
Ariel rolls down her window and waves to them, have236802:32:28.520 --> 02:32:31.959
fun with Stuart, you two. Ariel's Mom's going to let236902:32:31.959 --> 02:32:34.719
her have it when they're both home later, but Ariel237002:32:34.760 --> 02:32:38.239
really doesn't care about that. Right now, we needed this,237102:32:38.360 --> 02:32:42.000
you guys, Ariel says. I know it's not quite the237202:32:42.079 --> 02:32:49.680
day yet, but after everything we've been through, well, Merry Christmas,237302:32:50.479 --> 02:32:53.879
we don't hesitate and wish her the same. I think237402:32:53.920 --> 02:32:57.079
this is why I'm glad we have our group. I237502:32:57.120 --> 02:33:00.399
still don't think Mouse belongs in it, but Ariel wants237602:33:00.440 --> 02:33:04.639
her around. She's definitely grown on Bailey. I guess I237702:33:04.760 --> 02:33:08.000
tolerate her because she don't cause trouble. To be fair,237802:33:08.079 --> 02:33:11.399
she did risk her life for us both on Halloween237902:33:11.479 --> 02:33:15.520
night and last night. In light of that, I'll keep238002:33:15.559 --> 02:33:19.280
the truce with Mouse. Like I said, I'll deny it238102:33:19.319 --> 02:33:24.200
if she says anything about it. Besides, Ariel's right, we've238202:33:24.200 --> 02:33:28.360
all been through the absolute most horrifying experience together to date.238302:33:29.200 --> 02:33:32.120
I can tell you one thing, It'll be one sleepover.238402:33:32.200 --> 02:33:37.360
None of us we'll ever forget. But Ariel's right, at238502:33:37.440 --> 02:33:41.840
least we have another Christmas. Deep down, I'm hoping the238602:33:41.879 --> 02:33:45.760
Harmony mirror of that other universe succeeded in destroying that disk,238702:33:46.879 --> 02:33:50.239
because if she didn't, No, I don't even want to238802:33:50.280 --> 02:33:55.200
think about that. It's going to be Christmas soon. Speaking238902:33:55.239 --> 02:33:58.559
of soon, that's when you'll see us again, and with239002:33:58.639 --> 02:34:09.479
a new adventure in the meantime. Merry Christmas, Home Sweet239102:34:09.520 --> 02:34:17.639
Horror by Rob Fields Part one Bailey Downs. I can't239202:34:17.639 --> 02:34:20.959
believe I totally messed up on the dates. Good thing, Missus.239302:34:21.000 --> 02:34:24.040
Emma Gibson from Home Sweet Home Orphanage over in Pendleton239402:34:24.159 --> 02:34:28.920
called me to confirm. After confirming the date, I realized239502:34:28.959 --> 02:34:32.520
the upcoming event was for the day before you see.239602:34:32.879 --> 02:34:35.600
Missus Gibson called me at home a few months back239702:34:35.639 --> 02:34:37.920
and asked if I wouldn't mind coming to the orphanage239802:34:37.959 --> 02:34:41.159
in December to help out with the big Christmas event there.239902:34:41.680 --> 02:34:45.280
At first I didn't want to. However, after really thinking240002:34:45.319 --> 02:34:49.280
about it, I reconsidered Mom and Dad were more than240102:34:49.319 --> 02:34:52.639
willing to take me to Pendleton for the event, except240202:34:52.639 --> 02:34:55.399
now there's a problem. The event is going to be240302:34:55.440 --> 02:34:59.639
on December sixteenth, which is a Saturday. I thought it240402:34:59.680 --> 02:35:02.920
was on Sunday, the seventeenth. When I told my parents240502:35:02.920 --> 02:35:05.239
about the mix up, they told me they wouldn't be240602:35:05.239 --> 02:35:08.200
able to take me on the sixteenth because they'll both240702:35:08.280 --> 02:35:13.200
be too busy. Dad's working mandatory overtime at Strickfield Automotive240802:35:13.600 --> 02:35:15.840
and Mom's got to deliver mail and won't be done240902:35:15.879 --> 02:35:19.280
until later in the afternoon. If you can find another241002:35:19.319 --> 02:35:21.200
way there, Bailey, then you can go ahead and go241102:35:21.239 --> 02:35:24.760
to Pendleton. Mom told me. Otherwise, you better call missus241202:35:24.760 --> 02:35:28.920
Gibson back and clear things up. Like I said, I241302:35:29.000 --> 02:35:32.239
really don't want to do the event, but two things,241402:35:32.680 --> 02:35:35.760
it's a Christmas celebration, so it would be morally wrong241502:35:35.840 --> 02:35:39.840
to back out. And two and only a select few241602:35:39.840 --> 02:35:44.840
people know I was adopted. I don't know the circumstances241702:35:44.840 --> 02:35:47.079
to where I ended up at Home, Sweet Home, but241802:35:47.159 --> 02:35:48.879
I do know I was there from when I was241902:35:48.920 --> 02:35:52.639
a baby and only known as Bailey. I grew up242002:35:52.639 --> 02:35:55.440
in the orphanage until the day came when Monty and242102:35:55.559 --> 02:35:58.879
Vera downs came in looking to adopt a daughter. I242202:35:58.920 --> 02:36:00.799
was seven years old at the time, by the way,242302:36:01.319 --> 02:36:04.280
but they took one look at me and the rest242402:36:04.399 --> 02:36:07.760
was history. I ended up leaving to go to Strickfield242502:36:07.799 --> 02:36:12.319
with them one week later and officially became Bailey Downs.242602:36:12.799 --> 02:36:15.319
I actually laughed last night when we watched a Christmas242702:36:15.360 --> 02:36:18.840
horror story at Ariel Mirr and Slumber Party funny thing.242802:36:19.399 --> 02:36:21.959
The town in that movie and in Ginger Snaps are242902:36:22.000 --> 02:36:27.239
called Bailey Downs. Lucky me, believe it or not. I'm243002:36:27.239 --> 02:36:30.399
probably one of the few cases where being in orphanage243102:36:30.440 --> 02:36:34.319
care actually wasn't bad. I was never mistreated in any way.243202:36:34.879 --> 02:36:36.600
It was nice to have other kids to play with243302:36:36.639 --> 02:36:38.879
and everything, and Missus Gibson and the rest of the243402:36:38.920 --> 02:36:43.040
staff were very motherly to all of us. I suppose243502:36:43.079 --> 02:36:46.159
I agreed to come back to the orphanage because Missus243602:36:46.200 --> 02:36:48.680
Gibson kept in touch with me after I was adopted.243702:36:49.280 --> 02:36:51.600
In a way, I'd kind of like to visit there243802:36:51.680 --> 02:36:55.440
again and see how things are there now. So I'm243902:36:55.520 --> 02:36:58.000
sitting here in the living room and racking my brain244002:36:58.120 --> 02:36:59.840
trying to think of a way I can get a244102:37:00.280 --> 02:37:04.239
to Pendleton. At first, I thought about calling a ride service.244202:37:04.280 --> 02:37:08.159
But after hearing Mona Abels tell me how expensive an244302:37:08.280 --> 02:37:10.040
uber was for her and her mom to get to244402:37:10.120 --> 02:37:13.479
North Ridgeway a few months ago, I decided not to244502:37:13.559 --> 02:37:18.760
go that route, and then a rather risky idea hit me.244602:37:20.600 --> 02:37:24.319
Getting a car wouldn't be a problem. It's the driver244702:37:24.520 --> 02:37:28.319
that I'll have to do some convincing on. I sigh244802:37:28.360 --> 02:37:31.440
and pull out my smartphone. I open the texting app244902:37:31.520 --> 02:37:35.120
and tap my thread with Mouse. I message her and245002:37:35.239 --> 02:37:38.120
ask if she can call me. When I don't get245102:37:38.159 --> 02:37:41.239
an answer after several minutes, I'm thinking she's probably busy245202:37:41.319 --> 02:37:45.239
doing something and not looking at her phone. Then I245302:37:45.319 --> 02:37:48.760
know exactly where she's likely to be. I get out245402:37:48.760 --> 02:37:53.520
of the recliner and put my coat on. I open245502:37:53.600 --> 02:37:56.360
the door to Roth's Rings, a twenty four hour donut245602:37:56.360 --> 02:38:01.200
shop and video game arcade in downtown village. I see245702:38:01.239 --> 02:38:03.840
Mouse sitting behind the wheel of a full sized driving245802:38:03.920 --> 02:38:08.040
cabinet for the brand new Grand Turismo game. Her real245902:38:08.120 --> 02:38:11.440
name is Madeline Donnerley, and she's just a happy, go246002:38:11.520 --> 02:38:16.239
lucky kind of girl. I mean, nothing ever really bothers her.246102:38:17.360 --> 02:38:20.600
The reason people call her Mouse is because she's short, skinny,246202:38:20.639 --> 02:38:23.799
and has a mousey voice. She's also a geek with246302:38:23.879 --> 02:38:27.559
all the stuff she's into video games and horror movies.246402:38:27.959 --> 02:38:30.040
You wouldn't think she was a geek when you'd see246502:38:30.040 --> 02:38:33.920
her wearing her beret and scarf like she's a cultured person.246602:38:34.600 --> 02:38:37.079
I never really asked her why she wears them, but246702:38:37.280 --> 02:38:40.600
nobody really gives her a hard time about it. Plus246802:38:41.000 --> 02:38:44.639
she drinks coffee the same way her mom does. Let's246902:38:44.719 --> 02:38:48.840
just say she's very mature for a seventh grader. I247002:38:48.879 --> 02:38:51.440
know you're probably thinking I've got a screw loose somewhere,247102:38:51.440 --> 02:38:55.799
but Mouse is the only shot I got. Like I said,247202:38:55.879 --> 02:38:58.760
she's a fellow seventh grader at Strickfield Junior High, But247302:38:59.600 --> 02:39:03.319
that little squeaker can actually drive a car. You should247402:39:03.319 --> 02:39:06.360
have seen Mouse on Halloween night when we were checking247502:39:06.399 --> 02:39:09.559
out the legend of cry Baby Bridge and found the247602:39:09.639 --> 02:39:13.479
legend to be true. When Abigail Tomlin's ghost was chasing247702:39:13.559 --> 02:39:16.799
us down, Mouse found this beat up car and ended247802:39:16.879 --> 02:39:19.879
up driving it to save all of us. Okay, we247902:39:19.959 --> 02:39:23.440
didn't quite get away since the tire blew out, but248002:39:24.120 --> 02:39:26.520
she really surprised me that day with how well she248102:39:26.680 --> 02:39:30.360
was driving. This is going to take some real convincing248202:39:30.399 --> 02:39:33.040
on my part, but I think I can do it.248302:39:34.239 --> 02:39:37.399
I wait until Mouse finishes and wins a race. Then248402:39:37.479 --> 02:39:39.440
she reaches out for her cup of coffee on the248502:39:39.479 --> 02:39:42.600
stand next to the game and sees me standing there.248602:39:43.520 --> 02:39:47.719
Oh hey, Bailey, how you doing? She asks? What brings248702:39:47.760 --> 02:39:51.840
you in here? Then she looks out where's Mona and248802:39:51.879 --> 02:39:57.959
ariel I'm here alone? Actually, I tell her I was248902:39:58.040 --> 02:40:00.239
wondering if I could talk to you for a little bit.249002:40:01.280 --> 02:40:05.479
Mouse comes out of the game. You okay, is something wrong?249102:40:05.639 --> 02:40:09.159
You in trouble? I quickly shake my head. No, no,249202:40:09.239 --> 02:40:13.399
nothing like that. I mean, okay, Yes, I'm I'm kind249302:40:13.440 --> 02:40:16.120
of in trouble. I quickly raise my hands in front249402:40:16.120 --> 02:40:20.120
of me. Don't worry, it's nothing real bad. I'm just249502:40:20.200 --> 02:40:22.079
in a bit of a bind and need your help.249602:40:22.559 --> 02:40:25.719
So can we talk? Mouse points to a table in249702:40:25.760 --> 02:40:29.879
the far corner. That good. I nod. Before I sit249802:40:29.920 --> 02:40:32.760
down with Mouse, I order a peppermint hot chocolate. I249902:40:32.760 --> 02:40:35.360
don't want the girl behind the counter to think I'm loitering.250002:40:36.280 --> 02:40:38.680
After I get my drink, I sit down with Mouse250102:40:38.959 --> 02:40:42.600
and tell her my problem. Mouse has this weird look250202:40:42.600 --> 02:40:45.440
on her face when I'm done, so you're saying you250302:40:45.479 --> 02:40:48.879
want me to drive your dad's old SUV de Pendleton.250402:40:49.799 --> 02:40:52.399
You do understand I was only driving that night because250502:40:52.440 --> 02:40:54.719
of I quickly raise a hand in front of me.250602:40:55.319 --> 02:40:59.360
I know, Mouse, believe me. I remember. I sigh and250702:40:59.399 --> 02:41:02.840
lower my hand, and you're really my only hope here.250802:41:03.360 --> 02:41:06.040
It's a Christmas celebration at the Orphanage, and I really250902:41:06.040 --> 02:41:09.280
want to help out there. I know asking you is251002:41:09.319 --> 02:41:11.200
a long shot, but you're the only one I can251102:41:11.239 --> 02:41:14.239
turn to. I can pay you money to drive if251202:41:14.239 --> 02:41:18.200
that's what you want. Oh, it ain't that, Bailey. If251302:41:18.200 --> 02:41:20.879
I recall you did tell me in the car Halloween251402:41:20.959 --> 02:41:23.799
night that we ain't old enough to drive. What if251502:41:23.799 --> 02:41:27.000
something happens and we get pulled over? You really want251602:41:27.000 --> 02:41:30.520
to face your parents after the cops bust us? I251702:41:30.559 --> 02:41:32.479
know I don't want to be explaining to mom and251802:41:32.559 --> 02:41:34.879
dad why I was driving a car and got arrested.251902:41:35.760 --> 02:41:37.639
For a long moment, the two of us look at252002:41:37.639 --> 02:41:43.120
each other. Then Mouse sighs. But I'm gonna do it, Bailey.252102:41:43.600 --> 02:41:49.000
I'll take you to Pendleton. My heart's skipping several beats. Okay,252202:41:49.280 --> 02:41:52.159
but what made you decide to do it? After all?252302:41:52.239 --> 02:41:56.000
Mouse I've been kind of itching to drive a real252402:41:56.040 --> 02:42:00.719
car again after Halloween night, Mouse admits, But you're willing252502:42:00.799 --> 02:42:04.239
to trust me now. Hugh and Bailey weren't too trusted252602:42:04.280 --> 02:42:07.600
to me that night. You know, like I said, you're252702:42:07.639 --> 02:42:10.520
my only hope. I'm willing to do a big favor252802:42:10.600 --> 02:42:13.399
for you or give you money if that's what you want.252902:42:14.479 --> 02:42:18.079
Mouse and I talk about it some more. Ultimately she's willing,253002:42:18.120 --> 02:42:21.440
and we make a plan. I can't believe what we're253102:42:21.479 --> 02:42:25.000
going to do. We're really doing it sounds crazy, right,253202:42:25.959 --> 02:42:28.040
but I'm just not willing to let Home Sweet Home253302:42:28.159 --> 02:42:33.760
Orphanage down. It's Friday at school. I'm walking the halls253402:42:33.760 --> 02:42:36.440
with my very best friend, Mona Abels and telling her253502:42:36.479 --> 02:42:40.200
about what's going down. I expected Mona to give me253602:42:40.280 --> 02:42:43.559
her odd look. I know I could have kept this quiet,253702:42:43.600 --> 02:42:48.000
Like I said, Mona's my dearest friend. Though, Little Mouse253802:42:48.079 --> 02:42:50.719
is going to drive you to Pendleton, she asked for253902:42:50.799 --> 02:42:54.760
the fifth time. Yes, already, you want me to write254002:42:54.760 --> 02:42:59.479
it on your palm? I snap, I'm desperate here. Mona sighs.254102:43:00.159 --> 02:43:02.879
I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but I'm coming254202:43:02.959 --> 02:43:07.280
with you. You don't have to, I tell her somebody's254302:43:07.319 --> 02:43:09.559
got to look out for you in case that wicked254402:43:09.600 --> 02:43:13.719
little rodent crashes the car. She raises her finger. Not254502:43:13.879 --> 02:43:18.959
up for debate, Bailey, I smile, okay, okay, you can come.254602:43:19.760 --> 02:43:23.879
Then I see the worried look on Mona's face. Uh oh,254702:43:24.200 --> 02:43:28.680
things just got bad. Turn around, I do, and we254802:43:28.760 --> 02:43:32.760
both see a very angry Ariel Miran coming right at us.254902:43:33.159 --> 02:43:37.920
Where is he? Who? Mona asks? Who do you think255002:43:38.399 --> 02:43:43.840
Carter cross? Ariel yells last I saw him. He was255102:43:43.840 --> 02:43:47.319
sitting in the cafeteria with Horton, Chapman and Chunker, I say.255202:43:47.959 --> 02:43:51.479
Ariel quickly pulls out her smartphone. Look what Carter just255302:43:51.559 --> 02:43:55.319
posted on Facebook. Look at it. Mona and I both255402:43:55.360 --> 02:43:57.799
see a video of Ariel and her little cousin Stewart,255502:43:57.799 --> 02:44:00.639
at Roth's rings. She bought him a slice of pie255602:44:00.719 --> 02:44:03.719
and a soft drink. Little Stuart was in a really255702:44:03.799 --> 02:44:06.639
foul mood, since he ended up throwing both the pie255802:44:06.719 --> 02:44:10.079
and the soda at Ariel. The soda was the worst,255902:44:10.079 --> 02:44:13.239
since it exploded all over. Carter had to have been256002:44:13.280 --> 02:44:17.200
there since he recorded it. The comment said, little Stewie256102:44:17.239 --> 02:44:22.360
treats Princess Ariel to a coke Ariel growls. Then we256202:44:22.479 --> 02:44:25.559
carefully follow her when she marches right to the cafeteria.256302:44:26.159 --> 02:44:29.879
Sure enough, Ariel finds Carter right where I said. Soon256402:44:29.879 --> 02:44:33.200
as he sees a very angry Ariel coming, he quickly256502:44:33.239 --> 02:44:35.479
gets up and moves to keep a table in between256602:44:35.600 --> 02:44:39.120
him and her. Ariel points right at him. You are256702:44:39.280 --> 02:44:43.440
so dead, Carter cross. Carter raises his hands in front256802:44:43.440 --> 02:44:46.399
of him. Hey, princess, it ain't my fault. You'd rather256902:44:46.440 --> 02:44:49.040
wear your coke instead of drink it. What did you257002:44:49.079 --> 02:44:51.479
do tell the kid he couldn't come to your royal257102:44:51.600 --> 02:44:57.159
palace anymore? Then, Ariel gives him an evil grin. I257202:44:57.200 --> 02:45:00.000
should just drop that little goober off at your house.257302:45:00.479 --> 02:45:03.520
Then I can post on social media how he runs257402:45:03.559 --> 02:45:08.559
around and destroys everything while you're losing your mind. Carter laughs,257502:45:09.159 --> 02:45:11.479
I don't think your little cousin would like being among257602:45:11.559 --> 02:45:16.600
us peasants. Now. Ariel looks at Richie Horton, Bill Chapman257702:45:16.639 --> 02:45:20.319
and Brian Chunk. What are you three snickering about? You257802:45:20.360 --> 02:45:23.239
think this is all funny? She points right at them.257902:45:23.719 --> 02:45:27.200
Remember you're in my school. You three will know your258002:45:27.280 --> 02:45:30.319
place here. I don't see your name out there on258102:45:30.360 --> 02:45:34.959
the sign, Chapman says, last I checked, it says Strickfield258202:45:35.000 --> 02:45:38.280
Junior High School. He's the rough looking guy with the258302:45:38.319 --> 02:45:41.959
buzz haircut. Yeah, there ain't no school named after any258402:45:42.000 --> 02:45:46.000
mirrors in Strickfield. Last I checked. Horton ads he's the258502:45:46.040 --> 02:45:50.000
skinny toothpick of a kid with circular lensed glasses. Then258602:45:50.079 --> 02:45:53.239
Carter points at her. But you could probably buy the258702:45:53.319 --> 02:45:58.040
sign and rename it to Princess Ariel Miron's Royal Peasant Camp.258802:45:58.879 --> 02:46:04.520
Ariel suddenly points right at him, Oh you you. Everybody258902:46:04.559 --> 02:46:07.600
puts their hands to their ears when Ariel belts out259002:46:07.600 --> 02:46:10.760
her infamous scream that can be heard throughout the whole259102:46:10.799 --> 02:46:15.280
building and could probably wake the dead. Ariel and Carter259202:46:15.360 --> 02:46:18.399
are both circling each other. Now I'm trying to get259302:46:18.440 --> 02:46:20.639
their attention, but neither of them are wanting to look259402:46:20.680 --> 02:46:26.040
my way. Hey, we got company. Chunker calls out, helping me.259502:46:26.719 --> 02:46:29.719
He's the heavy set guy who's always wearing cargo shorts259602:46:29.760 --> 02:46:32.680
and the open Hawaiian shirt over a T shirt. When259702:46:32.719 --> 02:46:35.319
Ariel and Carter both look at Chunker, he nods in259802:46:35.360 --> 02:46:39.520
the direction before Ariel and Carter know it. Principal Benjamin259902:46:39.600 --> 02:46:43.799
Van dist is right there, you two again, He demands,260002:46:44.360 --> 02:46:47.040
what is it this time? Then he raises his hand260102:46:47.040 --> 02:46:50.840
and shakes his head. You know what, I really don't260202:46:50.840 --> 02:46:54.399
want to know. He points to Ariel. Get to class.260302:46:55.280 --> 02:46:58.920
Ariel's face is really red now. Then she points to Carter.260402:46:59.680 --> 02:47:04.440
You just wait. Ariel storms out of the cafeteria. Then260502:47:04.479 --> 02:47:07.799
Principal van dest waits for Carter to leave. Next, he260602:47:07.799 --> 02:47:10.760
looks at the rest of us but doesn't say anything.260702:47:11.520 --> 02:47:14.559
After a little bit, he leaves and goes back to260802:47:14.600 --> 02:47:19.399
the office. I'm sorry you guys had to see that,260902:47:19.920 --> 02:47:23.719
I tell them. Chapman waves me off. Yeah, we're used261002:47:23.760 --> 02:47:27.479
to Ariel mirran By now. Yeah, we've known her for years,261102:47:27.799 --> 02:47:32.680
Chunker says, even before we disappeared last year. Mona and261202:47:32.719 --> 02:47:36.280
I both nod quickly. She's your friend, we get it.261302:47:36.680 --> 02:47:41.159
Horton says, in his squeaky, nerdy voice. Anyway, we've dealt261402:47:41.159 --> 02:47:46.600
with way worse people. I know, Abigail Tomlin, right, I ask,261502:47:47.120 --> 02:47:49.920
Then I wink. Chunker was in the middle of drinking261602:47:49.959 --> 02:47:56.120
his pop when he spits it out. What ah, come on, Bailey, Yeah,261702:47:56.200 --> 02:48:00.079
that ain't nothing to be joking about. Chapman agrees, then261802:48:00.360 --> 02:48:05.399
gives me that look again. Really, I smirk a little. Okay,261902:48:05.600 --> 02:48:09.600
I take it back, my bad. Something on your mind, Bailey.262002:48:10.079 --> 02:48:14.639
Chapman asks, you kinda got that look. Mona and I262102:48:14.680 --> 02:48:16.639
have been hanging out with these guys since all of262202:48:16.719 --> 02:48:21.079
us rescued them from Abigail Tomlin on Halloween. They're really262302:48:21.079 --> 02:48:25.159
good guys. Yeah, Chunker likes to eat, same as Mona,262402:48:25.479 --> 02:48:28.399
but he's really gentle in a way. I think he's262502:48:28.680 --> 02:48:32.239
kind of cute, like a teddy bear. Mona and I262602:48:32.280 --> 02:48:34.600
sit down with the guys and tell them what's going on.262702:48:35.920 --> 02:48:38.120
You should see the looks on their faces when I262802:48:38.159 --> 02:48:41.559
tell the mouse is driving us tomorrow. You realize how262902:48:41.600 --> 02:48:47.000
crazy that sounds, right, Horton asks Madeline Donnerly, I know right.263002:48:47.479 --> 02:48:51.399
Mona agrees, Man. I'd love to see her drive a car,263102:48:51.799 --> 02:48:56.719
Chunker says. Chapman turns to him, Seriously, you've been eating263202:48:56.719 --> 02:49:00.559
too much of Denoyer's sweet Potato pie again, haven't you what?263302:49:01.319 --> 02:49:03.920
You wouldn't want to see Madeline Donnerley driving a car?263402:49:04.319 --> 02:49:07.680
Horton cuts in. I've seen her playing those car games263502:49:07.760 --> 02:49:10.520
at Roth's rings. I really think she could do it.263602:49:11.239 --> 02:49:14.799
Chapman gives his buddies his evil eyes. Then he gives263702:49:14.840 --> 02:49:17.879
them to me. How about you let us tag along263802:49:17.920 --> 02:49:21.159
and see for ourselves. At first, I'm not keen on263902:49:21.200 --> 02:49:24.520
the idea, but then I figure missus Gibson would love264002:49:24.639 --> 02:49:27.399
to have the extra help at the Orphanage, so I264102:49:27.479 --> 02:49:29.680
tell them that's the only way they can come along.264202:49:30.360 --> 02:49:32.879
I'd have expected them to scoff and say no way,264302:49:32.920 --> 02:49:37.000
but they're all quick to agree. So it's gonna be264402:49:37.000 --> 02:49:42.440
the six of us going to Pendleton tomorrow with Mouse driving.264502:49:45.879 --> 02:49:52.159
Part two. The next morning, Saturday, the six of us264602:49:52.159 --> 02:49:55.239
are at my house. We're packing in the old suv.264702:49:56.000 --> 02:49:58.959
Mouse is sitting in the driver's seat and looking over everything.264802:49:59.600 --> 02:50:02.680
Then I hand her the keys. You sure you're going264902:50:02.719 --> 02:50:05.200
to be able to drive this thing, Mona asks her.265002:50:05.840 --> 02:50:09.360
I think I can get us there, okay, Mouse says confidently.265102:50:09.920 --> 02:50:13.079
Of course, I didn't know all of you were tagging along.265202:50:14.000 --> 02:50:16.760
We're all gonna work at the orphanage. Chapman tells her,265302:50:17.280 --> 02:50:21.920
you gonna help too, Mouse makes her usual shrug. Why not?265402:50:22.479 --> 02:50:25.920
I mean, we're all going to Pendleton, right, I know,265502:50:26.000 --> 02:50:27.520
I don't want to be sitting here in the car265602:50:27.559 --> 02:50:30.639
all day. Once we're all seated and ready to go.265702:50:30.799 --> 02:50:37.319
Mouse starts the car. Yeah, we're all gonna die. Mona mutters, Oh,265802:50:37.520 --> 02:50:41.440
we already did that. Mona, don't you remember, Mouse says,265902:50:41.920 --> 02:50:45.079
I really did crash the car on Halloween night. Now266002:50:45.120 --> 02:50:48.280
we're hanging out here in the afterlife together. We all266102:50:48.440 --> 02:50:51.520
jeer Mouse as she snickers. Even I have to admit266202:50:51.559 --> 02:50:54.840
little Mouse can be funny when she wants to be. Anyway,266302:50:55.159 --> 02:50:57.239
it's us girls in the front and the guys in266402:50:57.280 --> 02:51:00.159
the back. Mouse finally starts the car and takes a266502:51:00.200 --> 02:51:04.200
deep breath before she shifts the gears. Then we're moving266602:51:04.280 --> 02:51:07.639
forward until we're out on the road itself. So far,266702:51:07.760 --> 02:51:12.159
so good. Just please don't get us pulled over mouse,266802:51:12.680 --> 02:51:16.879
Mona says, shakingly. Don't worry. I've been studying up since266902:51:16.879 --> 02:51:20.600
Bailey asked me to drive today. Mouse replies, I know267002:51:20.639 --> 02:51:24.799
what I'm doing. I think everybody was worried, especially when267102:51:24.799 --> 02:51:28.559
a few police cars passed us. We really panic when267202:51:28.559 --> 02:51:31.760
a police car suddenly turns around with its flashers on.267302:51:32.399 --> 02:51:37.159
We probably thought they recognized Mouse and that was it. Nope,267402:51:37.319 --> 02:51:39.840
Mouse does pull over, only for the police car to267502:51:39.879 --> 02:51:42.639
pass right by us on the way to an emergency.267602:51:43.680 --> 02:51:46.920
We all breathe big sighs of relief. Then Mouse starts267702:51:47.000 --> 02:51:50.920
driving again. We're all feeling better when we finally leave267802:51:50.959 --> 02:51:55.520
Strickfield and are en route to Pendleton. We only have267902:51:55.600 --> 02:51:57.680
to make one stop to put gas in the car.268002:51:58.200 --> 02:52:01.159
We get some weird looks from people, but nobody asks268102:52:01.200 --> 02:52:04.680
and nobody turns us in. We get back on the268202:52:04.760 --> 02:52:09.239
road and eventually make it to Pendleton. From there, I268302:52:09.280 --> 02:52:12.799
give Mouse the directions to the home, Sweet Home, Orphanage.268402:52:12.840 --> 02:52:15.440
Mouse finally pulls us into the parking lot and backs268502:52:15.440 --> 02:52:20.360
into a spot. Nice and neat. Wow, we really made it.268602:52:20.680 --> 02:52:25.159
Mona says, we're still alive. Yeah, I really thought those268702:52:25.200 --> 02:52:27.479
people at the gas station were gonna call the police,268802:52:27.879 --> 02:52:32.319
Horton admits. Then Mona looks at Mouse. You did good.268902:52:32.719 --> 02:52:37.040
Mouse turns off the motor. Not bad for my second time. Huh.269002:52:37.360 --> 02:52:41.200
Like Mona said you did good, Mouse, I say, I269102:52:41.239 --> 02:52:46.200
owe you one. Mouse waves me off. Nah. We get269202:52:46.239 --> 02:52:49.479
out and head into the Orphanage. Sure enough, Missus Gibson269302:52:49.559 --> 02:52:52.120
is at the front door waiting for us. Believe it269402:52:52.200 --> 02:52:55.079
or not, she doesn't even ask who brought us here. Hey,269502:52:55.600 --> 02:52:59.760
don't ask, don't tell, right, Missus Gibson and I hug.269602:53:00.559 --> 02:53:03.559
She's kind of my third grandma when you think about it.269702:53:04.360 --> 02:53:06.959
Missus Gibson invites us inside and takes us for a269802:53:07.000 --> 02:53:11.200
tour around the orphanage, which is all decorated for the holidays.269902:53:11.559 --> 02:53:14.959
There are plenty of kids around here. I don't recognize270002:53:15.000 --> 02:53:17.479
a single one from back when I was here. I'm270102:53:17.479 --> 02:53:20.559
pretty sure they've all been adopted, because Home Sweet Home270202:53:20.600 --> 02:53:24.159
doesn't pass their kids off to other orphanages. When Missus270302:53:24.200 --> 02:53:26.719
Gibson takes us into the kitchen, I remember the head270402:53:26.799 --> 02:53:31.680
cook immediately. She remembers me too. Oh Bailey, it's so270502:53:31.799 --> 02:53:34.760
good to see you. Back when Emma told us you270602:53:34.799 --> 02:53:38.600
were coming to help with today's celebration, I was overjoyed.270702:53:39.239 --> 02:53:42.159
I go and hug Miss Barrett. I'm glad to see270802:53:42.200 --> 02:53:45.479
you too. We talk for a little bit. Then Miss270902:53:45.600 --> 02:53:48.239
Barrett asks Missus Gibson if she can keep me in271002:53:48.280 --> 02:53:50.879
the kitchen. I could use an extra hand with all271102:53:50.879 --> 02:53:55.159
the preparations for our big Christmas dinner. I'm afraid I'm271202:53:55.200 --> 02:53:58.479
going to need Bailey with me today. Missus Gibson says,271302:53:59.200 --> 02:54:01.280
I need her to help me with the other kids here.271402:54:01.799 --> 02:54:04.680
But maybe you can have one of these others. Miss271502:54:04.760 --> 02:54:08.840
Barrett immediately points to Mouse. How about you, young lady,271602:54:09.159 --> 02:54:12.200
Could I have you help me here in the kitchen? Sure?271702:54:12.360 --> 02:54:16.159
Why not? Mouse says. When Mouse goes to her, Miss271802:54:16.200 --> 02:54:19.360
Barrett quickly gives her an apron. Looks like mouse may271902:54:19.360 --> 02:54:22.040
get lost in the shuffle here. I know what it's272002:54:22.079 --> 02:54:25.319
like helping out in the kitchen. Mouse'll be in good hands.272102:54:26.159 --> 02:54:29.280
After missus Gibson finishes our tour of the orphanage, she272202:54:29.399 --> 02:54:32.200
brings us into the living room. Looking over all the272302:54:32.280 --> 02:54:34.239
kids here, it looks like some of them might be272402:54:34.319 --> 02:54:37.440
easy going. I can already see the sneers on the272502:54:37.479 --> 02:54:40.959
three boys that are kind of rough looking. Even when272602:54:41.000 --> 02:54:44.159
I was here, we had a few such kids. Then272702:54:44.200 --> 02:54:46.879
I remember Ariel and how she calls her little troublesome272802:54:46.959 --> 02:54:51.680
cousin Stewart a goober. Well, I don't feel threatened, knowing272902:54:51.719 --> 02:54:54.879
I've got Mona and the guys here. But it's the273002:54:54.879 --> 02:54:57.479
next woman here I've got to tell you about. The273102:54:57.559 --> 02:55:00.200
second she comes in, It's like the room gets cold273202:55:00.239 --> 02:55:03.920
and quiet fast. You ever see that movie The Goonies.273302:55:04.440 --> 02:55:08.000
If you did, I'm sure you remember Mama for Telly. Well,273402:55:08.239 --> 02:55:12.079
picture her, but with longer hair and skinny like mouse273502:55:12.120 --> 02:55:15.799
and Horton. Okay, that alone probably won't scare you, But273602:55:15.920 --> 02:55:20.600
that glare and that scowl she's showing now, this is273702:55:20.639 --> 02:55:25.200
miss Stanlan, missus Gibson says. She's my assistant director here273802:55:25.239 --> 02:55:28.760
at Home, Sweet Home. I know Miss Stanlan wasn't working273902:55:28.760 --> 02:55:31.559
here when I was here. Missus Gibson must have hired274002:55:31.559 --> 02:55:33.719
her at some point after I was long gone and274102:55:33.799 --> 02:55:37.440
living in Strickfield. I told you we didn't need extra274202:55:37.479 --> 02:55:43.200
help here, Emma, She practically growls, Oh nonsense. Missus Gibson replies,274302:55:43.520 --> 02:55:46.719
it's Christmas time, Helga. We've got more children here in274402:55:46.760 --> 02:55:49.079
the last couple of years, and it would be nice274502:55:49.120 --> 02:55:52.440
to have these kids interact with our children. Besides, we've274602:55:52.479 --> 02:55:56.479
got a lot going on for the big Christmas celebration today, Helga.274702:55:56.559 --> 02:55:59.440
Stanlan grunts and looks ready to raise one of her274802:55:59.479 --> 02:56:03.040
bony face. I'm almost wondering if she's going to roar274902:56:03.319 --> 02:56:08.399
or cackle like a witch. She doesn't, though, come on, Bailey,275002:56:08.440 --> 02:56:12.360
you're imagining things. Maybe Abigail Tomlin's still somewhere in the275102:56:12.360 --> 02:56:15.879
back of your mind. Miss Stanlin can't be any worse275202:56:15.920 --> 02:56:19.360
than the ghost of the cry, Baby Bridge back in Strickfield.275302:56:19.559 --> 02:56:22.920
Still something doesn't feel right about her. When she turns275402:56:22.920 --> 02:56:26.520
and storms off, Missus Gibson takes the five of us275502:56:26.559 --> 02:56:28.840
into her office and tells us what she needs us275602:56:28.879 --> 02:56:31.639
to do. She reminds us she wants us to interact275702:56:31.719 --> 02:56:34.639
with the other kids here. We're supposed to help serve275802:56:34.719 --> 02:56:37.840
the big turkey dinner later on. Then we're going to275902:56:37.879 --> 02:56:42.559
help hand out presents. Chunker raises his hand when Missus276002:56:42.639 --> 02:56:45.799
Gibson points to him. He asks her, how come you're276102:56:45.840 --> 02:56:49.719
celebrating Christmas here today instead of actually on Christmas Day.276202:56:50.559 --> 02:56:56.159
Missus Gibson doesn't even blink. We actually celebrate two Christmases here, Brian.276302:56:56.760 --> 02:57:00.120
Of course, we have the real celebration on Christmas Day itself.276402:57:00.559 --> 02:57:03.200
The children will get more presents and an even better276502:57:03.239 --> 02:57:08.000
holiday feast. As for today, Mayor Eloise Parkhurst will be276602:57:08.120 --> 02:57:11.479
visiting here later. She often drops by home, sweet home,276702:57:11.520 --> 02:57:14.879
and make sure everything's good here. She's been a true276802:57:14.920 --> 02:57:18.000
friend of the orphanage for many years, even after she276902:57:18.120 --> 02:57:23.760
was elected the village mayor. Sounds good to me, Chunker says, satisfied.277002:57:24.520 --> 02:57:28.440
Missus Gibson points to me. Mayor Parkhurst also wants to277102:57:28.479 --> 02:57:32.280
see you again, Bailey. Ah, I think I now understand277202:57:32.319 --> 02:57:34.959
why missus Gibson asked me to come here and help.277302:57:35.719 --> 02:57:39.239
But that's okay. Like I said, this place was a277402:57:39.239 --> 02:57:41.760
good home until mom and Dad adopted me and took277502:57:41.799 --> 02:57:45.040
me home to live with them. Suddenly we hear a loud,277602:57:45.120 --> 02:57:49.840
screaming noise. What the chapman mutters. The rest of us277702:57:49.879 --> 02:57:52.920
follow Missus Gibson through a couple of doors until she277802:57:53.000 --> 02:57:56.520
goes into an office. Miss Stanlin, what is going on277902:57:56.639 --> 02:57:59.520
in here? We hear her say. We can see that278002:57:59.559 --> 02:58:03.280
Miss Stanyn's got what appears to be shaving cream all278102:58:03.319 --> 02:58:06.479
over her hands. I don't know about the others, but278202:58:06.559 --> 02:58:08.879
I can see it in the desk drawer, which she278302:58:09.000 --> 02:58:13.239
must have been going into. Miss Stanlan points outside. It278402:58:13.399 --> 02:58:18.200
was those blasted monsters. Again, we didn't do anything. Horton278502:58:18.239 --> 02:58:22.799
pipes up. Missus Gibson sees us. Richie is right, Helga.278602:58:23.000 --> 02:58:26.040
These children have been with me the entire time, well278702:58:26.079 --> 02:58:28.920
except for Madeline, who's with Miss Barrett in the kitchen.278802:58:29.680 --> 02:58:33.799
I see Miss Stanlan's face turn really red. Now I'm278902:58:33.799 --> 02:58:37.719
not talking about these brats. She points right at missus Gibson,279002:58:38.319 --> 02:58:42.239
you know what brats I'm talking about. Suddenly we hear279102:58:42.280 --> 02:58:45.479
another cry just by us. We turn to see Chapman279202:58:45.559 --> 02:58:48.159
with one of those mean looking goober kids in a279302:58:48.159 --> 02:58:51.920
hammer lock. Chapman, I call out, what are you doing?279402:58:52.600 --> 02:58:55.719
Chapman looks over his shoulder. Look on the floor there.279502:58:55.760 --> 02:58:57.879
Look what this little whimp just tried to do to me.279602:58:58.760 --> 02:59:02.360
We all see the canon shaving cream there. Chapman turns279702:59:02.440 --> 02:59:05.559
him around. Yeah, thought you'd come up behind me and279802:59:05.639 --> 02:59:08.200
lather me up. Huh. I gotta hang you upside down279902:59:08.239 --> 02:59:11.760
from the upstairs banister for that. When Missus Gibson tells280002:59:11.840 --> 02:59:15.200
Chapman to let the kid go, he does. She turns280102:59:15.239 --> 02:59:19.000
the kid around. Butch, were you three giving Miss Stanlin280202:59:19.040 --> 02:59:22.639
a hard time again? Butch doesn't even try hiding it.280302:59:23.239 --> 02:59:26.399
That old hag deserves it. All she does is yell280402:59:26.440 --> 02:59:28.879
at us and make us all do the dirtiest jobs280502:59:28.920 --> 02:59:32.079
around here. We're sick of cleaning the bathrooms every day.280602:59:32.840 --> 02:59:38.120
Missus Gibson nods, I see stan Joe, you boys come280702:59:38.159 --> 02:59:42.159
out here too. The lead Goober's two pals come out.280802:59:42.639 --> 02:59:45.920
They both have shaving cream cans in their hands too.280902:59:46.159 --> 02:59:49.719
Makes me wonder where and how they got them. Just281002:59:49.760 --> 02:59:53.319
as they're about to reach missus Gibson, Miss Stanlan screams281102:59:53.319 --> 02:59:57.040
and comes right out of the office. You rotten little devils,281202:59:57.399 --> 03:00:00.479
she yells, grabbing one of the other kids. I'm gonna281303:00:00.479 --> 03:00:03.200
make your bottom so red you'll never sit down ever again.281403:00:04.120 --> 03:00:06.879
Before she can make good on her promise, missus Gibson281503:00:06.959 --> 03:00:10.399
quickly gets in between them, Miss Stanlin, you stop this281603:00:10.639 --> 03:00:15.319
right now, Miss Stanlin points past her. Those wretched little281703:00:15.360 --> 03:00:19.000
monsters never appreciate anything they get here. They have a281803:00:19.040 --> 03:00:21.440
roof over their heads and three squares a day, and281903:00:21.559 --> 03:00:25.200
all they do is run rampant and play their mean282003:00:25.399 --> 03:00:30.680
tricks on the other kids and on me. Seriously, Emma,282103:00:30.799 --> 03:00:33.879
either you do something about those boys or I will.282203:00:34.879 --> 03:00:38.360
And just then, the one called Butch has this wicked282303:00:38.399 --> 03:00:42.120
little smile on his face. When Miss Stanlin goes back282403:00:42.159 --> 03:00:45.239
in her office, he throws these little white paper wads282503:00:45.280 --> 03:00:47.959
at her. They make these popping noises when they hit282603:00:48.000 --> 03:00:51.799
the floor, startling her. Then her hands end up back282703:00:51.840 --> 03:00:54.399
in the desk door filled with the shaving cream. She282803:00:54.520 --> 03:00:58.920
gasps and trips over her chair to fall onto her side.282903:00:59.079 --> 03:01:01.200
Mona and I quickly go into the office to help283003:01:01.239 --> 03:01:03.239
her up, but she's grabbing things that fell on the283103:01:03.239 --> 03:01:06.840
floor and throwing them at us. We quickly back off283203:01:06.840 --> 03:01:09.559
and get out of the office. We see Miss Stanlan's283303:01:09.600 --> 03:01:12.360
all right. When she gets back up, with her hands283403:01:12.360 --> 03:01:15.360
slickened with shaving cream, she nearly slips on the desktop283503:01:15.600 --> 03:01:19.799
and falls again. She doesn't though. When Miss Stanlan sees283603:01:19.840 --> 03:01:22.479
those three goobers pointing at her and laughing it up,283703:01:22.799 --> 03:01:25.879
she points right back at them. You just wait, you283803:01:26.040 --> 03:01:29.000
rotten brats. You're going to regret the day you ever283903:01:29.079 --> 03:01:34.239
started messing with me. Yeah, whatever, you old hag. Butcher284003:01:34.239 --> 03:01:37.399
returns now. Missus Gibson is upset and points to the284103:01:37.440 --> 03:01:41.760
three goobers go into the main living room right now.284203:01:42.600 --> 03:01:45.120
When they don't obey her, Chapman moves up to Butch.284303:01:45.959 --> 03:01:47.920
Since you got rocks in your head, let me tell284403:01:47.920 --> 03:01:52.600
you what she means. He shoves Butch. Move it. Butch284503:01:52.680 --> 03:01:55.440
and his two friends, No, Chapman means business and do284603:01:55.559 --> 03:01:58.399
what he says. Seeing the looks on their faces, they're284703:01:58.399 --> 03:02:02.120
planning something else possible. On Chapman, I'm going to have284803:02:02.159 --> 03:02:05.079
faith at him. Since he doesn't let even Ariel Miron284903:02:05.120 --> 03:02:08.120
get to him. I notice the look on Mona's face,285003:02:08.600 --> 03:02:11.399
not because of what Chapman's doing, but because we both285103:02:11.440 --> 03:02:15.920
feel something real bad's going to go down. Yeah, you'd285203:02:15.920 --> 03:02:20.120
expect that justin Strickfield, right. Truth is, there have been285303:02:20.159 --> 03:02:23.360
other things going on here in Feltner County. All you285403:02:23.440 --> 03:02:26.120
have to do is go to the Strickfield University website285503:02:26.200 --> 03:02:29.639
and click on the local legends tab. Then I get285603:02:29.680 --> 03:02:32.120
a shiver down my back when I remember how one285703:02:32.159 --> 03:02:36.120
of those actually came true back in October, back when285803:02:36.159 --> 03:02:39.000
some of us went and explored the myth of the285903:02:39.040 --> 03:02:44.120
cry Baby Bridge. Anyway, Mona and I both feel something286003:02:44.200 --> 03:02:47.520
really bad's about to go down. When Horton and Chunker286103:02:47.559 --> 03:02:50.280
look at us, I sigh. Then the four of us286203:02:50.399 --> 03:02:53.280
go into the living room to meet up with Chapman286303:02:53.840 --> 03:03:05.000
and Missus Gibson. Part three. Helga Stanlein had just finished286403:03:05.159 --> 03:03:08.440
washing all the shaving cream off of her hands. She286503:03:08.479 --> 03:03:12.159
had just finished cleaning out her desk drawer prior. Helga286603:03:12.280 --> 03:03:16.079
wasn't always the menacing figure the children assumed she was.286703:03:16.959 --> 03:03:19.920
What few people knew was that Helga herself had grown286803:03:20.000 --> 03:03:23.479
up at the Home Sweet Home orphanage, and fortunately for her,286903:03:24.239 --> 03:03:28.079
no potential parents would ever adopt her. As she got older,287003:03:28.120 --> 03:03:30.440
it was clear that she would still be an orphan287103:03:30.959 --> 03:03:35.600
going into adulthood. Helga never let being an orphan bother her,287203:03:35.639 --> 03:03:38.319
since she had a warm place to live and three287303:03:38.360 --> 03:03:41.719
meals a day. Even the other kids who were there287403:03:41.760 --> 03:03:44.280
with her at the time never gave her any problems.287503:03:44.760 --> 03:03:49.239
In fact, they were her friends and family. But the287603:03:49.319 --> 03:03:52.040
years went by and many of them had been adopted287703:03:52.120 --> 03:03:56.360
or had grown to adulthood and ended up leaving. Helga287803:03:56.479 --> 03:03:59.200
was given the opportunity to work at a sister location287903:03:59.680 --> 03:04:02.840
of Home Sweet Home over in Ridgeway Heights and went288003:04:02.879 --> 03:04:06.559
there to train and live, which would explain how she288103:04:06.600 --> 03:04:09.600
had missed out on seeing Bailey Downs when she was288203:04:09.600 --> 03:04:13.959
an orphan in Pendleton. Then Edith Hensley retired from her288303:04:14.000 --> 03:04:17.719
assistant director position in Pendleton only a few years ago,288403:04:18.159 --> 03:04:21.680
and Helga had the opportunity to return to her home288503:04:21.760 --> 03:04:26.280
if she wanted to. Helga accepted the position and became288603:04:26.399 --> 03:04:30.920
Missus Gibson's assistant. When she got there, these new kids288703:04:30.959 --> 03:04:33.120
were nothing like the ones she had grown up with.288803:04:33.639 --> 03:04:36.840
To her, many of them seemed to feel entitled, didn't288903:04:36.840 --> 03:04:38.879
want to be around others, didn't want to be there289003:04:38.920 --> 03:04:43.680
at all, or were just simply bad seeds. From the289103:04:43.719 --> 03:04:46.879
moment she had met Butch, Joe and Stan, they started289203:04:46.920 --> 03:04:49.879
playing mean tricks on her. A joke or too was289303:04:49.959 --> 03:04:54.360
okay every once in a blue moon, but enough was enough.289403:04:55.280 --> 03:04:58.520
When Missus Gibson refused to give them severe punishments for289503:04:58.559 --> 03:05:01.479
the cruel pranks the boy's play he or some of289603:05:01.479 --> 03:05:05.760
the other children, she started to turn sour. This place289703:05:05.799 --> 03:05:08.719
had been her home and these kids and her boss289803:05:08.760 --> 03:05:12.719
were ruining it. Finally, Helga had reached the point to289903:05:12.760 --> 03:05:15.719
where she would give the kids tasks to do. If290003:05:15.719 --> 03:05:19.799
they didn't do them, she would punish them severely. No,290103:05:20.120 --> 03:05:22.680
she couldn't give them the kinds of punishments the children290203:05:22.680 --> 03:05:25.920
of her generation received back in her day, but she290303:05:26.000 --> 03:05:29.520
could take things they valued away from them or lock290403:05:29.639 --> 03:05:33.040
them in other rooms. The more Helga would take away290503:05:33.040 --> 03:05:36.440
from Butch, Joe and Stan, the more dirty tricks they290603:05:36.440 --> 03:05:39.840
would play on her. Although she wouldn't admit it, she290703:05:40.000 --> 03:05:43.040
almost smiled when she had seen Bill Chapman put Butch290803:05:43.120 --> 03:05:46.559
in his place just the same. She was upset with290903:05:46.639 --> 03:05:50.040
Bill because this junior high brat could get away with291003:05:50.079 --> 03:05:53.360
the things she herself wanted to do. She could have291103:05:53.440 --> 03:05:58.000
easily returned to Ridgeway Heights, but this location in Pendleton291203:05:58.760 --> 03:06:01.399
was her home. She would not give it up to291303:06:01.479 --> 03:06:05.000
these little hooligans. She would get rid of each and291403:06:05.079 --> 03:06:10.040
every last one of them first. Just then the front291503:06:10.079 --> 03:06:14.799
doorbell rang, Helga, could you please get that missus, Gibson291603:06:14.840 --> 03:06:18.680
called out. Helga growled in disgusted and marched right out291703:06:18.680 --> 03:06:22.159
of the bathroom. She stormed through the downstairs hallway and291803:06:22.319 --> 03:06:24.799
was soon at the front door. She opened it to291903:06:24.840 --> 03:06:27.559
see a postal carrier in his late forties to early292003:06:27.639 --> 03:06:31.719
fifties standing there with a beautifully gift wrapped package in292103:06:31.760 --> 03:06:35.360
his hands. I have a very special delivery for a292203:06:35.799 --> 03:06:40.559
Helga Stanlin, the man said, pleasantly. Helga looked at his292303:06:40.639 --> 03:06:47.040
name tag E. Tinker. That would be me, Helga told him,292403:06:47.399 --> 03:06:49.440
But I have no idea who would send me a292503:06:49.520 --> 03:06:55.840
Christmas gift. You must be mistaken, mister Tinker. Tinker smiled, Now, no,292603:06:56.520 --> 03:06:59.600
your name is clearly marked on the card, ma'am. Of course,292703:06:59.639 --> 03:07:01.719
I can't force you to accept it if you don't292803:07:01.760 --> 03:07:07.879
want to. Helga groaned, Fine, where do I sign? Tinker292903:07:07.959 --> 03:07:11.600
handed her the electronic clipboard and stylus pen. Once she293003:07:11.639 --> 03:07:15.159
had signed it, she traded him for the package. This293103:07:15.239 --> 03:07:20.040
thing sure is heavy, Helga observed, upon taking the package.293203:07:20.200 --> 03:07:22.799
I'm sure everything will be all right, ma'am. Then he293303:07:22.920 --> 03:07:26.440
gave her a pleasant nod. Isley Tinker at your service.293403:07:26.959 --> 03:07:31.600
Good day to you, and have a very merry Christmas.293503:07:31.879 --> 03:07:36.799
Helga growled and slammed the door. Eisley Tinker turned away293603:07:36.840 --> 03:07:40.440
and looked up at the sky. I do so love293703:07:40.520 --> 03:07:43.719
being a shopkeeper. It's even better when I can branch293803:07:43.799 --> 03:07:49.159
out into delivery, he chuckled. No, you most certainly did293903:07:49.200 --> 03:07:53.000
not order what I've given you, Helga Stanlenn, But you294003:07:53.079 --> 03:07:56.399
shall most certainly be thankful for the contents. Once you294103:07:56.440 --> 03:08:00.719
have come to accept its power, then you shall have294203:08:00.799 --> 03:08:04.520
your heart's desire. The college girl who wielded it in294303:08:04.600 --> 03:08:09.120
the previous Christmas Eve chose to throw that power away.294403:08:10.200 --> 03:08:14.799
But I believe that you shall become the perfect vessel.294503:08:15.719 --> 03:08:19.079
Isley Tinker got into his mail truck and drove away.294603:08:20.079 --> 03:08:23.799
He would return to Strickfield Town Center Mall and manage294703:08:23.799 --> 03:08:27.360
his store there again. It would only be a matter294803:08:27.440 --> 03:08:30.840
of time before someone would enter his shop and look294903:08:30.879 --> 03:08:38.600
for something that would change their lives literally. Helga took295003:08:38.639 --> 03:08:41.239
the package up to her room and closed the door.295103:08:41.840 --> 03:08:44.760
She sat at her desk and opened it up. She295203:08:44.879 --> 03:08:48.159
kept wondering who would possibly send her a Christmas gift.295303:08:48.840 --> 03:08:52.159
When she had finished removing the wrapping paper, she worked295403:08:52.159 --> 03:08:56.799
off the top of the box and looked inside. Oh,295503:08:57.760 --> 03:09:02.440
she gasped. She reached inside the box and removed a295603:09:02.600 --> 03:09:06.399
large snow globe. She was right about it being heavy.295703:09:07.200 --> 03:09:09.239
It was a full foot from the top of the295803:09:09.319 --> 03:09:13.479
glass to the bottom of the rocky pedestal. She put295903:09:13.520 --> 03:09:17.520
it down and stared at it. The artificial snow inside296003:09:17.559 --> 03:09:21.920
it began to fall within the contained water. Now, who296103:09:22.000 --> 03:09:27.760
would send you to me? Helga murmured. The figure inside296203:09:27.760 --> 03:09:32.920
the globe made her smile. It was Crampus, sitting upon296303:09:32.959 --> 03:09:37.719
his wintry throne and holding a scepter. The figure looked296403:09:37.760 --> 03:09:41.360
every bit like the story she and her former childhood296503:09:41.399 --> 03:09:44.479
friends had grown up with and shared with each other296603:09:44.559 --> 03:09:49.479
around this time of year. The figure had big, curly horns,296703:09:50.000 --> 03:09:53.840
brown to graying fur, bright red eyes, and cloven hoofs296803:09:53.879 --> 03:09:58.399
for feet. Those bright red eyes glowed hot as she296903:09:58.520 --> 03:10:02.440
looked at them. Helga didn't know why but she just297003:10:02.559 --> 03:10:04.920
couldn't seem to take her own eyes off of them.297103:10:06.280 --> 03:10:11.079
Well what are you waiting for? She heard in her mind.297203:10:12.159 --> 03:10:15.000
You know you wish to make those little trouble makers297303:10:15.239 --> 03:10:20.120
pay for their sins. They've been very naughty? Have they297403:10:20.159 --> 03:10:28.040
not accept my power and claim what is yours? Helga297503:10:28.120 --> 03:10:33.559
looked around but didn't see anyone. Who's there? It better297603:10:33.600 --> 03:10:37.639
not be you kids playing your cruel pranks again. When297703:10:37.680 --> 03:10:40.200
I get a hold of you, I'll have your breeches297803:10:40.280 --> 03:10:43.760
down and tan you good. She darted right out of297903:10:43.799 --> 03:10:49.200
her room, but didn't see anybody. Then a little girl298003:10:49.239 --> 03:10:52.120
came out of one of the bedrooms and just looked298103:10:52.120 --> 03:10:55.559
at her. Helga wanted to make good on her promise,298203:10:55.879 --> 03:10:57.879
but she knew the little girl well enough to know298303:10:58.639 --> 03:11:01.799
she wouldn't have heard a fly. After a little bit,298403:11:02.479 --> 03:11:09.959
the little girl moved and made her way downstairs. A298503:11:10.000 --> 03:11:13.639
little bit later, she made her way back downstairs herself.298603:11:14.239 --> 03:11:16.760
Then she remembered that the rest of the mail was298703:11:16.920 --> 03:11:20.440
likely still in the mailbox. She knew she only had298803:11:20.479 --> 03:11:22.440
to go to the end of the walkway to get it,298903:11:22.520 --> 03:11:26.360
so she didn't bother putting on her coat. She opened299003:11:26.399 --> 03:11:30.959
the front door and stepped outside. When Helga reached the mailbox,299103:11:31.200 --> 03:11:34.399
she opened it and pulled out the short stack of envelopes.299203:11:35.280 --> 03:11:37.920
Then she saw the car pulling out of the parking299303:11:37.959 --> 03:11:42.159
lot and knew it was Miss Barrett. She also saw299403:11:42.200 --> 03:11:45.120
the mousey junior high girl who came with those other299503:11:45.239 --> 03:11:50.200
kids sitting in the passenger seat. Probably ran out of something.299603:11:50.600 --> 03:11:54.239
Helga muttered, Emma should have fired her a long time ago.299703:11:55.159 --> 03:11:57.520
Helga turned and made her way back to the door.299803:11:58.280 --> 03:12:01.600
She had the door halfway opened when she suddenly felt299903:12:01.680 --> 03:12:05.840
it being pushed hard against her and slammed shut. The300003:12:05.920 --> 03:12:09.799
lock clicked Shortly after, she dug into her pocket for300103:12:09.879 --> 03:12:13.639
her keys. When she couldn't find them, she knew she300203:12:13.680 --> 03:12:17.959
had left them upstairs in her room. Helga started pushing300303:12:18.000 --> 03:12:22.399
on the doorbell button, but no sound was heard inside,300403:12:22.600 --> 03:12:25.959
at least not the one she was listening for. A300503:12:26.000 --> 03:12:28.840
few moments later, she heard some tapping on one of300603:12:28.879 --> 03:12:33.799
the windows and saw Butch, Joe, and Stan looking out300703:12:33.840 --> 03:12:37.399
at her. They gave her their mischievous looks as they300803:12:37.440 --> 03:12:41.520
waved at her. Open this door right now, you rotten300903:12:41.600 --> 03:12:46.120
little brats, Helga yelled in response. The three boys were301003:12:46.120 --> 03:12:50.079
making even worse faces at her. Then Butch opened the window.301103:12:50.959 --> 03:12:56.399
You stay outside, you old witch. Yeah, Joe added, go away,301203:12:57.719 --> 03:13:02.079
We don't want you here. Stand further. Then the boys301303:13:02.120 --> 03:13:06.200
started pushing clothes out of the window. Helga immediately knew301403:13:07.159 --> 03:13:11.079
they were hers. You little monsters. You just wait till301503:13:11.120 --> 03:13:15.040
I get back inside. The last thing the mischievous boys301603:13:15.040 --> 03:13:20.159
throughout was the snow globe she had just received. When301703:13:20.159 --> 03:13:22.319
I get back inside, I'm going to see to it.301803:13:22.399 --> 03:13:27.000
You never leave your bedrooms ever again. Helga yelled, yeah,301903:13:27.040 --> 03:13:31.559
but you ain't never getting back inside, Butch teased. Suddenly302003:13:31.600 --> 03:13:35.200
the front door opened up. Helga rushed right in and302103:13:35.280 --> 03:13:39.879
saw Brian Chunk standing there. Then she grabbed him, You302203:13:40.000 --> 03:13:44.559
rotten little boy, she yelled, I'm gonna tan your hide.302303:13:44.879 --> 03:13:48.920
What I didn't do nothing, Brian returned as he broke302403:13:49.000 --> 03:13:52.079
loose from her. I just came by and heard yelling outside,302503:13:52.360 --> 03:13:54.120
so I opened the door to see what was up.302603:13:55.000 --> 03:13:58.079
Just then, Butch appeared and saw Helga had been let302703:13:58.159 --> 03:14:01.920
back in. Then he put it to Brian, this ain't302803:14:01.920 --> 03:14:05.079
none of your business, fat stuff. He looked back at302903:14:05.120 --> 03:14:09.280
Helga and made a hideous face. You wanna fight, Come303003:14:09.319 --> 03:14:12.879
and get me The ugly old bat. Helga turned and303103:14:12.920 --> 03:14:16.239
went straight after Butch. As she was about to grab him,303203:14:16.440 --> 03:14:19.120
the other two boys sprung out of their hiding places303303:14:19.120 --> 03:14:22.239
and came together to make Helga trip over their backs303403:14:22.680 --> 03:14:26.879
and hit the floor hard. Then the three troublesome boys303503:14:26.920 --> 03:14:32.559
came together, pointed down at Helga and laughed. Brian Chunk303603:14:32.639 --> 03:14:35.280
pushed right past them and went to help Helga up.303703:14:35.959 --> 03:14:39.840
That was when the boys moved and jumped him from behind. However,303803:14:39.920 --> 03:14:44.040
they had greatly underestimated Brian. Not only was he taller303903:14:44.079 --> 03:14:47.639
than all of them, but he was also strong. True304003:14:47.760 --> 03:14:50.040
he looked overweight on the account of loving to eat,304103:14:50.680 --> 03:14:54.440
but he also exercised and lifted weights. Brian had no304203:14:54.520 --> 03:14:58.079
problem getting the troublesome boys off of him before Butch304303:14:58.159 --> 03:15:01.239
and his pals could come at Brian again. His friends304403:15:01.280 --> 03:15:04.159
came to his aid when they saw Bill Chapman, they304503:15:04.239 --> 03:15:08.719
knew they didn't want to tangle with him again. Miss Stanlan,304603:15:08.760 --> 03:15:11.840
are you all right, missus Gibson asked when she finally304703:15:11.959 --> 03:15:15.399
arrived on the scene. Brian Chunk and Mona Abels were304803:15:15.440 --> 03:15:18.479
trying to help Helga up, but she shoved them away304903:15:19.000 --> 03:15:22.000
when she was almost to her feet. She pointed right305003:15:22.040 --> 03:15:25.680
at missus Gibson. That's the last straw I have had305103:15:25.719 --> 03:15:29.760
it with these little brats, Miss Stanlan, we do not305203:15:29.959 --> 03:15:33.120
call them that here at Missus Gibson started to say,305303:15:33.440 --> 03:15:36.760
but they are. Every last one of these rotten children305403:15:36.840 --> 03:15:42.399
here are just that rotten, especially those three little boys.305503:15:42.959 --> 03:15:46.440
Then she heard the voice in her mind again. Come305603:15:46.479 --> 03:15:50.680
back outside and pick me up, accept my power, and305703:15:50.799 --> 03:15:55.399
you shall have your revenge. Helga marched to the front305803:15:55.440 --> 03:15:59.200
door and opened it, not wanting to waste an opportunity,305903:15:59.559 --> 03:16:04.200
but quickly moved up behind her and shoved her back outside.306003:16:04.239 --> 03:16:08.120
Everybody could hear Helga fall down the front steps. Then306103:16:08.200 --> 03:16:12.479
Butch closed the door and locked it. When Helga was306203:16:12.520 --> 03:16:16.079
picking herself up off the snowy ground, she saw something306303:16:16.120 --> 03:16:20.639
glowing nearby and went to it. She found and picked306403:16:20.719 --> 03:16:25.239
up the snow globe. As before, the crampest figure's eyes306503:16:25.799 --> 03:16:29.959
glowed brightly. As she looked into them. She could hear306603:16:30.040 --> 03:16:34.760
the voice in her mind one more time. Those children306703:16:34.879 --> 03:16:39.520
deserve to be punished. There are no good children in306803:16:39.600 --> 03:16:44.040
that house. All you have to do is accept me306903:16:45.120 --> 03:16:52.280
and invite me in use my power. Helga Stanlen, Yes,307003:16:53.000 --> 03:16:58.799
Helga replied quickly yes. Then Helga's own eyes began to307103:16:58.840 --> 03:17:02.600
glow brightly as she felt the incredible surge of energy307203:17:02.680 --> 03:17:06.760
flowing from the snow globe and into her body. It307303:17:06.920 --> 03:17:11.360
was then when she started to feel herself transforming. She307403:17:11.520 --> 03:17:14.760
groaned with pain when her muscles started to burn as307503:17:14.760 --> 03:17:19.319
they swelled, her bones began to grow, Her skin turned white,307603:17:19.520 --> 03:17:22.639
and she was growing two very large horns out of307703:17:22.680 --> 03:17:26.479
the top of her head. Gray fur was starting to form,307803:17:26.639 --> 03:17:31.319
and her feet were transforming into hoofs. Her eyes were307903:17:31.360 --> 03:17:33.639
now just as red as the figures in the snow308003:17:33.680 --> 03:17:37.040
globe and were glowing. She looked at her hands and308103:17:37.120 --> 03:17:42.959
saw they were now clawlike. When the transformation was complete,308203:17:43.000 --> 03:17:46.719
she was still holding the snow globe. She moved to308303:17:46.840 --> 03:17:49.920
a nearby tree and reached up to break off the308403:17:50.000 --> 03:17:54.520
branch that she wanted. Then she put one end of308503:17:54.559 --> 03:17:57.319
the branch to the bottom of the snow globe and308603:17:57.399 --> 03:18:03.079
watched them fuse together to make her staff. Crampis turned308703:18:03.360 --> 03:18:06.239
and looked at the home, Sweet Home Orphanage as a whole.308803:18:07.639 --> 03:18:12.760
Those naughty children shall pay for their sins soon enough,308903:18:14.040 --> 03:18:20.120
But first Crampus raised the staff to the sky. Moments later,309003:18:20.479 --> 03:18:24.920
wintery storm clouds came together fast. Soon the winds were309103:18:24.920 --> 03:18:30.440
blowing hard and heavy snow was coming down fast. Crampis309203:18:30.520 --> 03:18:33.799
knew that eventually traveling would be next to impossible.309303:18:34.639 --> 03:18:39.680
Everybody would be trapped inside the orphanage. She wanted to309403:18:39.719 --> 03:18:43.040
burst through the front door, but she decided to wait309503:18:43.120 --> 03:18:46.799
until everything was just right before she would make those309603:18:46.920 --> 03:18:51.719
children pay for their sins. She wanted to take them309703:18:51.760 --> 03:18:54.440
back to her layer and make them stay in her309803:18:54.520 --> 03:19:00.360
many cages there forever and ever. You shall pay for309903:19:00.440 --> 03:19:05.280
your sins as well, Emma Gibson. You've let those monsters310003:19:05.280 --> 03:19:10.239
get away with everything for far too long. Then she310103:19:10.360 --> 03:19:14.280
saw a car turning into the parking lot and knew310203:19:14.360 --> 03:19:19.639
who it was immediately. Ah, seems the Mayor of Pendleton310303:19:19.639 --> 03:19:24.159
has arrived. This night shall prove to be most interesting.310403:19:25.399 --> 03:19:31.719
Get comfortable, Mayor, because you shall never be leaving. You310503:19:31.799 --> 03:19:38.959
and everyone else shall soon belong to Crumpus. Part four310603:19:39.479 --> 03:19:44.840
perspective Bailey downs. Missus Gibson has those three goobers sitting310703:19:44.879 --> 03:19:47.719
down in the main living room. Listening to her. It310803:19:47.840 --> 03:19:51.520
sounds like Butch, Joe and Stan have been nothing but trouble.310903:19:52.520 --> 03:19:55.040
Joe and Stan both came here a month apart a311003:19:55.079 --> 03:19:58.000
few years ago and seemed to be distant from everybody.311103:19:58.639 --> 03:20:01.280
As soon as Butch came along, he ended up getting311203:20:01.280 --> 03:20:05.639
with those two. Since then, he's been their fearless leader,311303:20:05.840 --> 03:20:09.040
and together they've been causing all kinds of problems here.311403:20:10.040 --> 03:20:12.559
Looking at them, they don't seem to have any remorse311503:20:12.639 --> 03:20:17.040
for what they've done, especially to Miss Stanley. Yeah, they're311603:20:17.079 --> 03:20:21.319
making their wicked little smiles. Go figure. They're probably around nine,311703:20:21.719 --> 03:20:24.319
maybe ten or eleven, and they act like they run311803:20:24.360 --> 03:20:28.440
the orphanage. When Missus Gibson emphasizes how they've driven many311903:20:28.479 --> 03:20:32.280
potential parents away, she tells them she really doesn't know312003:20:32.360 --> 03:20:35.200
how much longer she'll be able to keep them there,312103:20:36.479 --> 03:20:41.159
can't hear you, old lady, Butch says, not listening, Joe312203:20:41.200 --> 03:20:46.040
ads forget it, stand further ads. A moment later, an312303:20:46.079 --> 03:20:49.399
important looking middle aged woman walks into the living room.312403:20:50.000 --> 03:20:53.239
When Missus Gibson sees her, she points to the boys,312503:20:54.040 --> 03:20:56.559
you three will stay right here and not move a312603:20:56.639 --> 03:21:02.120
muscle whatever. Butch says defiantly, Who'll do whatever we want?312703:21:02.879 --> 03:21:06.159
But when they try getting off the couch, Chunker, Mona312803:21:06.200 --> 03:21:09.760
and Chapman are right there to make them reconsider. Those312903:21:09.840 --> 03:21:13.040
goobers only scowl at my friends, but they can't really313003:21:13.079 --> 03:21:16.680
do much to them, since they're bigger and stronger. The313103:21:16.760 --> 03:21:19.760
important looking woman is definitely younger than any of the313203:21:19.760 --> 03:21:23.680
staff women we've seen working here. She's about my mom's age.313303:21:24.159 --> 03:21:29.879
In fact, I know her. Then I realize something. Hey313403:21:30.120 --> 03:21:32.879
have you guys seen miss Barrett or Mouse? I ask?313503:21:33.479 --> 03:21:37.479
Missus Gibson raises her finger. Oh dear, I'm so sorry.313603:21:37.879 --> 03:21:40.959
I should have told you all. They just left here.313703:21:41.159 --> 03:21:43.600
Miss Barrett went to Strickfield to pick up some things313803:21:43.639 --> 03:21:47.280
and took your friend with her. The important looking woman313903:21:47.399 --> 03:21:50.559
takes off her coat. I hope they'll be all right, Emma.314003:21:50.879 --> 03:21:53.719
The weather just got really nasty all of the sudden.314103:21:54.639 --> 03:21:58.639
Are you serious, Eloise, missus Gibson asked, It wasn't that314203:21:58.719 --> 03:22:02.000
bad when I looked outside a while ago. When I314303:22:02.040 --> 03:22:05.920
pulled in here, it was snowing really hard with heavy winds.314403:22:06.440 --> 03:22:10.840
Eloise points to a nearby window. See for yourself. Missus314503:22:10.879 --> 03:22:15.600
Gibson goes and looks outside. Oh my, She turns back314603:22:15.639 --> 03:22:19.159
to Eloise. It wasn't supposed to be like this, The314703:22:19.239 --> 03:22:21.239
news said. It was supposed to be a clear day.314803:22:21.959 --> 03:22:25.239
I can't believe how dark it looks outside. You'd think314903:22:25.280 --> 03:22:28.840
it was night and it's only going on one. She315003:22:29.040 --> 03:22:33.000
sighs and turns around. Guess you can't always trust the weatherman.315103:22:33.959 --> 03:22:37.079
Then Eloise looks at all of us. Are these your315203:22:37.079 --> 03:22:42.120
helpers for today? Yes, missus Gibson answers cheerfully and introduces us.315303:22:42.600 --> 03:22:47.200
Then she tells us kids, this is Mayor Eloise Parkhurst,315403:22:47.520 --> 03:22:50.840
a huge supporter of Home, Sweet Home. She's been the315503:22:50.920 --> 03:22:55.600
driving force behind us keeping our doors open. Indeed, Mayor315603:22:55.680 --> 03:22:58.920
Parkhurst degrees, my husband and I have adopted and are315703:22:59.000 --> 03:23:02.200
raising two children from here. Then she points to me315803:23:02.760 --> 03:23:06.639
and I do remember you, Bailey? Come here. I go315903:23:06.680 --> 03:23:09.399
to her so he can hug. It's nice to see316003:23:09.399 --> 03:23:14.799
you again, I say. Indeed, she replies, you've really grown316103:23:14.920 --> 03:23:17.120
since I last saw you the day you left here316203:23:17.360 --> 03:23:21.200
with your new parents. When we finish our hug, Horton316303:23:21.319 --> 03:23:25.319
goes and looks outside. Geez, you were right, Missus Gibson.316403:23:25.959 --> 03:23:28.719
He turns to look at us. It really does look316503:23:28.760 --> 03:23:33.840
like it's night outside. Mona hugs herself and shivers. Why316603:23:33.840 --> 03:23:36.360
do I get the feeling things are gonna be bad?316703:23:37.120 --> 03:23:40.479
I put my hand on Mona's shoulder. Hey, it's okay.316803:23:41.040 --> 03:23:46.200
We're all here together. Only now I'm a little scared myself.316903:23:47.120 --> 03:23:49.879
I hope Miss Barrett and Mouse make it back here safely.317003:23:50.639 --> 03:23:53.639
Then Chunker turns and moves to the window to see317103:23:53.680 --> 03:23:57.760
for himself. Aw man, how to become night all? A317203:23:57.799 --> 03:24:01.959
sudden Horton shrugs. Your guess is as good as mine.317303:24:04.959 --> 03:24:09.559
As Chunker turns back around, the window seemingly explodes right317403:24:09.600 --> 03:24:14.760
behind him, and these two hideous claw like hands grab him.317503:24:15.559 --> 03:24:19.600
Come to me, you little porker. Chunker screams and fights317603:24:19.639 --> 03:24:25.680
to lean forward. Hell. Then he screams again. We scream317703:24:25.719 --> 03:24:28.879
ourselves and quickly move to help Chunker. We grab hold317803:24:28.920 --> 03:24:31.879
of him and pull back with our combined weight. There's317903:24:31.959 --> 03:24:36.120
no use trying to help your friend. He belongs to Crampus.318003:24:36.159 --> 03:24:39.360
Now I'll place him in my sack and take him318103:24:39.360 --> 03:24:42.799
back to my lair with me. You shall be caged318203:24:42.879 --> 03:24:47.399
up forever and ever. All of you shall soon belong318303:24:47.520 --> 03:24:51.959
to Crampus. Chunker screams again, get your hands off me.318403:24:52.200 --> 03:24:55.799
I ain't goin nowhere with you. Then Mona makes a318503:24:55.959 --> 03:24:59.760
very bold move and slips him between that thing and Chunker.318603:25:00.319 --> 03:25:04.120
Let him go, you ugly monster. She growls and kicks318703:25:04.120 --> 03:25:07.000
that thing right in the face, making it finally let318803:25:07.040 --> 03:25:10.239
go of Chunker. We all cry out and fall on318903:25:10.280 --> 03:25:14.000
the floor. Snow and heavy winds are blowing into the orphanage.319003:25:14.520 --> 03:25:17.239
Looking at those three goobers, they're not looking as cool319103:25:17.280 --> 03:25:20.559
as they thought they were. When the thing reappears in319203:25:20.600 --> 03:25:24.280
the broken out window. We're all screaming now. Then she319303:25:24.399 --> 03:25:27.600
points to the three goobers on the couch. Just give319403:25:27.680 --> 03:25:30.440
me those boys right there, and you may get to319503:25:30.600 --> 03:25:36.680
enjoy your Christmas after all. What are you, missus, Gibson stammers,319603:25:37.040 --> 03:25:42.440
Then she makes this weird look. Helga, is that you319703:25:44.159 --> 03:25:45.200
the thing? Laughs?319803:25:46.200 --> 03:25:52.360
There is no more Helga Stanlen. Now there is only Crampus,319903:25:52.840 --> 03:25:56.879
and I want those mischievous boys. You can either give320003:25:56.920 --> 03:26:01.399
them to me, or I'll just have to come in320103:26:01.440 --> 03:26:06.040
there and claim them myself. Why are you doing this, Helga,320203:26:06.520 --> 03:26:10.559
missus Gibson demands. The goobers quickly stand up on the couch.320303:26:11.239 --> 03:26:13.799
Then they move over the top and stand behind it.320403:26:14.440 --> 03:26:17.239
Next thing we know, they turn and run away, screaming320503:26:18.600 --> 03:26:22.520
because you refuse to punish them. Emma, how many times320603:26:22.520 --> 03:26:25.280
have you let those brats practically get away with whatever320703:26:25.319 --> 03:26:30.319
they wanted to here she raises her hand. Well, now320803:26:30.399 --> 03:26:33.680
you don't have to do anything. Crampush shall do what320903:26:33.719 --> 03:26:38.760
you were unwilling to do. Crampis laughs a long, horrible,321003:26:38.959 --> 03:26:42.760
evil laugh before she comes in through the window. We321103:26:42.799 --> 03:26:46.399
all scream again and scatter in different directions. Horton and321203:26:46.440 --> 03:26:49.079
I run down one of the downstairs hallways into another321303:26:49.120 --> 03:26:52.680
living room area. Hey, this place is big enough to321403:26:52.719 --> 03:26:53.399
have three of them.321503:26:54.239 --> 03:26:56.200
Oh man, oh man, oh man, oh man, oh man,321603:26:56.239 --> 03:27:00.360
oh man, oh man. Horton practically breathes out why things321703:27:00.399 --> 03:27:04.559
like this keep happening? Before I can answer him, Crampis321803:27:04.600 --> 03:27:07.520
is suddenly coming in behind us. She points at us321903:27:07.559 --> 03:27:12.159
and says, your souls belong to Crampis now. Horton and322003:27:12.200 --> 03:27:15.920
I both scream again and run into another hallway. It322103:27:16.000 --> 03:27:19.840
seems like Crampis is practically floating after us. We both322203:27:19.879 --> 03:27:22.040
have the same idea and start pulling stuff to the322303:27:22.079 --> 03:27:26.280
floor to try making the monster stagger. You two naughties322403:27:26.520 --> 03:27:30.120
might as well just jump into my sack. No way,322503:27:30.520 --> 03:27:34.440
I yell, get away from us. We make our way322603:27:34.479 --> 03:27:37.760
back around into the previous living room. When we get there,322703:27:37.840 --> 03:27:40.399
I quickly grab a glass sculpture off of a table322803:27:40.799 --> 03:27:44.559
and throw it at Crampus. She's got this devilish smile322903:27:44.639 --> 03:27:47.920
on her face when she catches it and easily crumbles323003:27:47.959 --> 03:27:51.639
it in her hands. Then Horton starts grabbing books off323103:27:51.639 --> 03:27:55.879
the shelf and heaving a matter, what a shame. A323203:27:55.959 --> 03:27:59.920
mind is a terrible thing to waste, she teases, knock323303:28:00.200 --> 03:28:03.799
the books away. Suddenly someone comes running from out of323403:28:03.840 --> 03:28:09.840
nowhere and tackles Crampis Chunker. Horton cries excitedly. He quickly323503:28:09.840 --> 03:28:12.959
gets off the monster and comes to us. I can't323603:28:12.959 --> 03:28:16.760
believe it just did that, run, I yell. The three323703:28:16.760 --> 03:28:20.000
of us keep moving through the orphanage. Then we've only323803:28:20.040 --> 03:28:23.639
got one choice available and do the one horror movie323903:28:23.680 --> 03:28:28.959
thing you should never do. We head upstairs. It surprises324003:28:29.000 --> 03:28:31.639
me how Chunker can keep up with us, being a324103:28:31.639 --> 03:28:34.639
little on the portly side, and all we can hear324203:28:34.760 --> 03:28:40.319
Crampis following us on up Help me, Chunker yells. At first,324303:28:40.319 --> 03:28:43.959
I'm thinking he's in trouble. When I turn around, Horton's324403:28:44.000 --> 03:28:46.600
moving to Chunker to help him push a big, heavy324503:28:46.639 --> 03:28:49.600
shelf down the stairs. I quickly move to help them.324603:28:50.280 --> 03:28:54.840
You really need to just stop. The demon groans. We324703:28:54.920 --> 03:28:57.440
get the shelf to tumble down the stairs at Crampis,324803:28:57.879 --> 03:29:00.280
it slams into her and makes her hit the wall324903:29:00.040 --> 03:29:04.200
all hard. We turn and keep running. Where are we325003:29:04.239 --> 03:29:07.559
going to run to? Up here? Horton yells, follow me.325103:29:07.959 --> 03:29:10.440
I tell them I know my way around this place.325203:29:11.079 --> 03:29:13.319
I lead Horton and Chunker down to the end of325303:29:13.360 --> 03:29:15.799
this hallway so we can take a quick left and325403:29:15.920 --> 03:29:19.760
keep moving. I would imagine since miss stanlin Is Crampis now,325503:29:20.280 --> 03:29:24.040
she probably knows where we're heading. Still, we can't let325603:29:24.040 --> 03:29:26.680
her just trap us up here. We make it to325703:29:26.719 --> 03:29:30.719
the other stairway and start heading back down. Suddenly Crampis325803:29:30.760 --> 03:29:33.719
is right there. We all scream and turn back around.325903:29:34.799 --> 03:29:38.079
Face it. You'll never escape me, and believe me when326003:29:38.120 --> 03:29:43.040
I say, no naughty escapes me. How are we naughty?326103:29:43.360 --> 03:29:47.200
Chunker calls back, what did we do? None of you326203:29:47.280 --> 03:29:51.200
are ever satisfied with anything you've been given, especially those326303:29:51.280 --> 03:29:55.559
three rotten brats. You're trying to protect them, so that326403:29:55.719 --> 03:30:01.799
makes you sinful and naughty. Then the absolute weirdest thing326503:30:01.920 --> 03:30:05.440
happens when we reach the stairway we came up. Chunker326603:30:05.479 --> 03:30:08.000
trips on a bunched up part of the hallway carpet326703:30:08.319 --> 03:30:12.239
and is diving at the stairs in trying to stop Chunker.326803:30:12.319 --> 03:30:15.399
I fall onto his back and we start sliding down326903:30:15.440 --> 03:30:19.079
the stairs together. Then I feel skinny little Horton land327003:30:19.120 --> 03:30:22.239
on top of me, and he's sliding with us as327103:30:22.280 --> 03:30:26.120
a triple decker sandwich. We reach the bottom, separate and327203:30:26.200 --> 03:30:28.479
quickly get up in time to see Crampis at the327303:30:28.479 --> 03:30:32.040
top of the stairs and getting ready to jump. We327403:30:32.200 --> 03:30:35.639
scream and run again, talk about needing that stroke of327503:30:35.719 --> 03:30:39.200
luck again as Crampis lands on the floor hard and327603:30:39.360 --> 03:30:44.680
falls right through it to land in the basement. Hey over,327703:30:44.719 --> 03:30:47.840
hear you, guys. We turned to see Chapman called out327803:30:47.879 --> 03:30:50.559
to us and motioning for us to come to the kitchen.327903:30:51.239 --> 03:30:53.639
We turn down that hallway and move until we're all328003:30:53.639 --> 03:30:57.239
in the kitchen. Missus Gibson, Mayor Parkhurst, and all the328103:30:57.280 --> 03:31:00.559
other kids and our other two friends are all in there.328203:31:01.559 --> 03:31:04.600
Chapman and Mona work to slide the big metal door shut.328303:31:05.760 --> 03:31:10.280
Of course, I quickly say, realizing I should have remembered328403:31:10.280 --> 03:31:13.719
this orphanage uses the kitchen as a tornado shelter. I328503:31:13.799 --> 03:31:16.959
really have been away from here for too long. What328603:31:17.479 --> 03:31:20.799
you want to come live here again? Mona cracks. I328703:31:20.879 --> 03:31:23.879
laugh a little and gently slap her shoulder. Then I328803:31:23.959 --> 03:31:27.440
noticed those three goobers ain't in here with us. Chapman328903:31:27.520 --> 03:31:31.120
sees the look on my face. Yeah, they ended up329003:31:31.159 --> 03:31:33.840
going into the pantry over there and locking it behind them.329103:31:34.680 --> 03:31:36.520
They got most of the food in there and won't329203:31:36.559 --> 03:31:39.799
open up. Mona walks to the door and punches and329303:31:39.879 --> 03:31:44.600
kicks it. Open up, you stupid little goobers. No, you're329403:31:44.639 --> 03:31:48.760
all stupid. Stan jeers from behind the door. Yeah, that329503:31:48.879 --> 03:31:52.239
think you get all of you, butch Ads, we ain't329603:31:52.239 --> 03:31:57.399
opening up. Chapman slams his fist into the door. Yeah, clearly,329703:31:57.440 --> 03:32:00.639
you dummies ain't thinking things through. If if that monster329803:32:00.719 --> 03:32:02.879
gets all of us, how long do you think it'll329903:32:02.920 --> 03:32:05.200
be before she'll be coming right through this door to330003:32:05.280 --> 03:32:10.159
get you, Especially when it's you three she wants, Horton adds.330103:32:11.280 --> 03:32:14.760
Then we hear butch making mocking noises at us, kind330203:32:14.760 --> 03:32:16.920
of like those squeakers tend to do if you run330303:32:16.959 --> 03:32:20.440
into any when you're playing video games online. Now, a330403:32:20.479 --> 03:32:22.600
little girl comes up to me and holds onto me.330503:32:23.360 --> 03:32:27.639
I'm scared. I squat down to give her, a gentle hug. Hey,330603:32:28.280 --> 03:32:31.600
I'm scared too, we all are, but we've got to330703:32:31.639 --> 03:32:34.639
be strong if we're going to get through this. Chunker330803:32:34.680 --> 03:32:39.559
asks Missus Gibson. Any ideas what we can do? She330903:32:39.680 --> 03:32:43.479
gives Chunker a confused look. I can't believe any of331003:32:43.520 --> 03:32:48.120
this is real. You and me both, Mayor Parkhurst tells her.331103:32:48.840 --> 03:32:52.319
Mona turns to them. Yeah, be glad neither of you331203:32:52.360 --> 03:32:55.520
live in Strickfield. This sort of thing tends to happen331303:32:55.520 --> 03:32:58.799
all the time there. She looks at me. Now, I'd331403:32:58.879 --> 03:33:01.319
rather have to deal with seeing Bloody Mary again then331503:33:01.360 --> 03:33:06.120
face down Crampis. I nod quickly. At least Bloody Mary331603:33:06.159 --> 03:33:09.360
only scared us. Then I'm looking around for Mouse and331703:33:09.399 --> 03:33:13.719
the cook, And then remember, at least Mouse and Misbarrett331803:33:13.719 --> 03:33:16.840
are safe. They won't be if they end up coming331903:33:16.920 --> 03:33:21.239
back here, Horton says. Suddenly, we hear a huge thud332003:33:21.600 --> 03:33:25.159
at the metal door. You really think this door will332103:33:25.239 --> 03:33:29.520
keep Crampus out, foolish Mortals. All I want are those332203:33:29.559 --> 03:33:32.799
three rotten little boys. Just give them to me and332303:33:32.840 --> 03:33:36.840
I'll leave you here in peace. Yeah, like we're stupid332403:33:36.920 --> 03:33:40.639
enough to believe that she was just chasing chunker Horton332503:33:40.680 --> 03:33:43.079
in me, she's going to try and grab all of332603:33:43.159 --> 03:33:47.680
us before she's through here. Then Mona states the obvious.332703:33:48.200 --> 03:33:50.799
We got two choices here the way I see it.332803:33:51.600 --> 03:33:54.559
One we either try and tough it out in here.332903:33:55.479 --> 03:33:58.399
Two we gotta try and get out of here before333003:33:58.440 --> 03:34:01.239
missus Gibson can say anything, raises her hand up in333103:34:01.239 --> 03:34:03.920
front of her. I know, I know it's easier said333203:34:03.959 --> 03:34:08.760
than done with that nasty weather out there. Thud, boom333303:34:09.319 --> 03:34:15.159
bang crash. Then I have an idea. What about using333403:34:15.200 --> 03:34:19.399
the bus outside? Even if we could get everybody there,333503:34:19.600 --> 03:34:22.040
there's no guarantee the bus will start or that we'll333603:34:22.040 --> 03:34:25.840
be able to get away. Missus Gibson counters, well, we333703:34:25.920 --> 03:34:30.120
can't just stay here, Missus Gibson. Chapman states boldly, how333803:34:30.159 --> 03:34:33.520
long do you think that door's gonna hold out? Okay, yeah,333903:34:33.680 --> 03:34:35.959
we're between a rock and a hard place here, but334003:34:36.040 --> 03:34:43.159
we gotta do something. Crash, boom, bang, slam h If334103:34:43.159 --> 03:34:47.680
only mouse we're here to drive, Mona groans, Missus Gibson,334203:34:48.120 --> 03:34:51.280
can you drive the bus? I ask her. When she's334303:34:51.280 --> 03:34:54.040
still looking scared and confused, I slap her on the arm.334403:34:54.520 --> 03:34:58.159
Missus Gibson snap out of it. She finally does and334503:34:58.200 --> 03:35:01.920
looks right at me. I'm sorry, sorry, what Bailey? Can334603:35:01.959 --> 03:35:04.040
you drive the bus if we can get it started?334703:35:04.319 --> 03:35:08.600
I repeat, Oh, yes, yes I can. But how will334803:35:08.639 --> 03:35:11.719
you get out there to start it? She returns. Horton334903:35:11.799 --> 03:35:15.600
raises his finger. I think you just answered your own question, Lady.335003:35:16.280 --> 03:35:20.040
Chapman steps up next to him. Horton's right, ma'am. You335103:35:20.159 --> 03:35:22.559
got the keys. We can go out there and see335203:35:22.559 --> 03:35:25.879
if we can fire it up. But what if miss Stanlin.335303:35:26.079 --> 03:35:28.399
The five of us suddenly all have the same idea335403:35:28.719 --> 03:35:31.319
and quickly point to the door, which is starting to335503:35:31.440 --> 03:35:35.639
dent pretty good. Now. Oh yes, yes, missus Gibson's quick335603:35:35.639 --> 03:35:39.040
to agree, I see what you mean. We would have335703:35:39.120 --> 03:35:41.280
thought she would need to go to the office or something,335803:35:41.319 --> 03:35:43.399
but it turns out there's a board next to the335903:35:43.440 --> 03:35:47.239
sliding metal door with many key rings on it. She336003:35:47.360 --> 03:35:49.479
suddenly takes the one she knows has the key for336103:35:49.559 --> 03:35:53.520
the bus on it. There are two buses outside, Missus336203:35:53.520 --> 03:35:57.719
Gibson says, handing me the keys. I nod once get336303:35:57.760 --> 03:36:01.120
ready to open up. I'm going for it. Chunker comes336403:36:01.159 --> 03:36:04.079
over to me. You ain't going there by yourself, Bailey,336503:36:04.120 --> 03:36:09.120
I'm coming with you, me too. Mayor Parkhurst quickly says, Hugh,336603:36:09.200 --> 03:36:13.840
kids can't drive the bus. Missus Gibson quickly agrees, Yes,336703:36:14.040 --> 03:36:17.399
you go with them, Eloise. My place is here. I336803:36:17.479 --> 03:36:22.399
need to be with the children. Mayor Parkhurst nods in agreement. Hey,336903:36:23.000 --> 03:36:27.360
if mouse can drive, why can't we. Mona disagrees because337003:36:27.399 --> 03:36:32.399
we don't play driving games religiously like mouse does I return? Okay,337103:36:32.440 --> 03:36:37.559
Mayor Parkhurst, it's you, Chunker and me and me. Mona states,337203:36:38.120 --> 03:36:40.520
you're my best friend, Bailey. No way I'm leaving you337303:36:40.639 --> 03:36:44.000
like that. No way I'm arguing with Mona on this,337403:36:44.440 --> 03:36:47.239
especially when I do the same thing for her. Mona337503:36:47.319 --> 03:36:49.399
was the first real friend I made since leaving the337603:36:49.399 --> 03:36:53.000
Home Sweet Home Orphanage and coming to Strickfield. As Bailey downs,337703:36:53.680 --> 03:36:55.719
Mona and I have been through thick and thin with337803:36:55.760 --> 03:36:58.440
each other, even before we came to meet Ariel mir337903:36:58.559 --> 03:37:01.879
and Carter Cross and Madeline Honorly, it doesn't take me338003:37:01.959 --> 03:37:05.319
long to remember we screamed through Bloody Mary together and338103:37:05.399 --> 03:37:09.959
survived Abigail Tomlin this last Halloween. I quickly hug Mona.338203:37:10.719 --> 03:37:13.319
She hugs me back. Then we look at each other338303:37:14.239 --> 03:37:18.440
we're really doing this, Mona states. I nod quickly right.338403:37:19.280 --> 03:37:22.200
Then I point to Chapman. Can you stand at the338503:37:22.239 --> 03:37:26.440
back door? You got it, Bailey, He gestures around the kitchen.338603:37:27.120 --> 03:37:31.600
But at least arm yourselves first, right, I repeat. We338703:37:31.639 --> 03:37:34.120
each open drawers and grab something to take out with338803:37:34.200 --> 03:37:38.600
us when we're ready. Chapman stands at the back door. Unfortunately,338903:37:38.680 --> 03:37:40.959
our jackets are in the walk in coat closet near339003:37:41.000 --> 03:37:43.360
the main living room, so we're going to have to339103:37:43.399 --> 03:37:46.840
brave the blowing winds and snow wearing just the clothes339203:37:46.840 --> 03:37:50.319
on our backs alone. I look at Mayor Parkhurst, Mona339303:37:50.360 --> 03:37:55.799
and Chunker. You guys ready, Chunker scoffs, you kidding? How339403:37:55.840 --> 03:37:59.479
would we be ready for crampis? Oh? Shut up? Mona339503:37:59.559 --> 03:38:04.280
groans really scared. Chunker looks at Chapman. Open up, buddy.339603:38:05.040 --> 03:38:09.600
Chapman nods once on three. He unlocks the door, makes339703:38:09.639 --> 03:38:12.879
the count, then pulls hard. The blowing snow and wind339803:38:12.879 --> 03:38:15.239
blast right into the kitchen, but the four of us339903:38:15.239 --> 03:38:17.840
shoot right outside and are running for it. We hear340003:38:17.959 --> 03:38:20.280
Chapman yelling for Horton and some of the other kids340103:38:20.280 --> 03:38:22.319
to come and help him slide the door shut again.340203:38:23.239 --> 03:38:26.120
It seems like a long long way to get to340303:38:26.159 --> 03:38:30.079
the buses. It gets even longer when we hear Crampis's340403:38:30.120 --> 03:38:34.959
horrible laughter echoing in the darkness. I can tell you340503:38:35.079 --> 03:38:37.639
right now, I have never been as scared as I340603:38:37.680 --> 03:38:41.280
am right now. We're all scared, but we gotta save340703:38:41.319 --> 03:38:44.760
the orphanage. Also, I know I want to see my340803:38:44.879 --> 03:38:48.879
adopted mom and dad again and have Christmas with them.340903:38:49.719 --> 03:38:53.360
Part five. The four of us are powering our way341003:38:53.360 --> 03:38:56.600
through the winds and snow. Chunker's leading the way, so341103:38:56.680 --> 03:38:59.879
we just follow him. It's actually pretty easy to see341203:38:59.879 --> 03:39:03.760
the bright colors on his Hawaiian shirt. I can't see anything,341303:39:04.319 --> 03:39:09.120
Mayor Parkhurst says, I can. Chunker tells her we're almost there.341403:39:09.879 --> 03:39:12.399
In the back of my mind, I keep hoping and341503:39:12.479 --> 03:39:16.319
praying that Crampis isn't anticipating what we're doing. If she341603:39:16.440 --> 03:39:18.840
shows up back here, we can plan on spending the341703:39:18.879 --> 03:39:23.040
next several holiday seasons in some dark place where we'll341803:39:23.079 --> 03:39:27.000
never see the light of day ever again. Bailey, give341903:39:27.040 --> 03:39:30.879
me those keys, Chunker says. When we reach the bus here,342003:39:31.440 --> 03:39:34.000
I hand them to him. He takes them and tries342103:39:34.040 --> 03:39:38.200
to push open the bus door. Locked. Chunker works through342203:39:38.200 --> 03:39:41.520
the key ring quickly, wouldn't you know it. It's gotta342303:39:41.559 --> 03:39:45.200
be the last key that finally works. Chunker unlocks the342403:39:45.200 --> 03:39:48.879
bus and pushes the door open. Once we're in, Mayor342503:39:48.920 --> 03:39:52.719
Parkhurst closes the door. Chunker hands her the keys and again,342603:39:53.239 --> 03:39:55.319
it's gotta be the last one, she uses. But the342703:39:55.319 --> 03:39:57.840
Mayor slips the key in and turns it. As the342803:39:57.879 --> 03:40:01.000
rest of us are crossing our fingers, the bus makes342903:40:01.040 --> 03:40:05.079
a few weak cranks. Oh, come on, come on, Mayor343003:40:05.159 --> 03:40:09.000
Parkhurst groans. The Mayor of Pendleton takes a deep breath343103:40:09.040 --> 03:40:12.639
and turns the key one more time. It's another weak crank,343203:40:13.159 --> 03:40:19.000
then it finally fires up. Yes, Mona shrieks, Yes, is343303:40:19.079 --> 03:40:23.440
right Mona. Mayor Parkers degrees sharply. Okay, you kids, sit down.343403:40:23.920 --> 03:40:26.319
We get this mobile fortress up by the door, Get343503:40:26.319 --> 03:40:29.479
everybody on and get out of here. The Mayor puts343603:40:29.520 --> 03:40:32.239
the bus in gear. At first, it seems like we're343703:40:32.280 --> 03:40:35.399
spinning our tires on the snow covered parking lot, but343803:40:35.479 --> 03:40:39.440
the bus does finally move along. Then we start cheering.343903:40:40.360 --> 03:40:43.600
Mayor Parkers drives the bus towards the building, turning it.344003:40:43.639 --> 03:40:47.000
When we're near the back door, she stops and opens344103:40:47.040 --> 03:40:50.040
the bus doors. Chunker and I climb off the bus344203:40:50.079 --> 03:40:53.920
and knock on the back door. Chapman opens up. Come on,344303:40:54.159 --> 03:40:58.239
let's load up, Chunker tells him. Chapman glances over his shoulder.344403:40:59.000 --> 03:41:02.479
We can get out of here. Let's go. But Horton's344503:41:02.559 --> 03:41:05.719
kind of being a Debbie downer with good reason. We344603:41:05.879 --> 03:41:10.360
still got those what did you call them, Bailey goobers.344703:41:10.719 --> 03:41:13.600
I tell him. I march right inside and go right344803:41:13.639 --> 03:41:16.440
to the locked pantry door. We're getting out of here,344903:41:16.479 --> 03:41:19.959
you little goobers. I mean it. Crampis is almost in here.345003:41:20.239 --> 03:41:22.920
Last chance you don't come. You can send us all345103:41:22.959 --> 03:41:27.479
postcards from Crampis's layer each and every Christmas, of course,345203:41:27.719 --> 03:41:32.440
butch has to talk in that stupid idiotic voice. Oh okay,345303:41:33.040 --> 03:41:36.959
then his two friends are making their stupid idiotic noises again.345403:41:37.680 --> 03:41:40.959
Chapman quickly taps my shoulder. We gotta go, Bailey. A345503:41:41.000 --> 03:41:44.239
few more hits, and Crampis is coming in again. Those345603:41:44.280 --> 03:41:49.200
idiots won't stop with their stupid noises. Okay, goobers, we're leaving.345703:41:49.719 --> 03:41:54.680
I tell them one last time, goodbye forever. Chapman and345803:41:54.719 --> 03:41:57.280
Horton and I are the last ones out Chapman and345903:41:57.319 --> 03:42:00.200
I are just sliding the back door shut when Crampus346003:42:00.319 --> 03:42:03.959
finally comes through the other one. She's really mad and346103:42:04.000 --> 03:42:07.879
her eyes are glowing red hot. Come on, we gotta346203:42:07.879 --> 03:42:11.120
get out of here, Chunker calls out. Suddenly, those little346303:42:11.159 --> 03:42:14.479
goobers burst out of the pantry, screaming their brains out.346403:42:14.879 --> 03:42:17.879
Guess they finally realized we weren't stooping to their level.346503:42:17.920 --> 03:42:20.239
After all, they can't get out through the back door346603:42:20.280 --> 03:42:23.319
and get on the bus fast enough. Crampis snarls and346703:42:23.360 --> 03:42:26.280
points her staff with some snow globe on it at us.346803:42:26.840 --> 03:42:31.399
You truly underestimate my power. I shall have those naughty boys.346903:42:31.760 --> 03:42:35.639
I shall have you all. I barely comprehend things when347003:42:35.680 --> 03:42:38.479
Crampis is almost on me. I shriek when I feel347103:42:38.520 --> 03:42:41.520
myself being lifted off my feet and am draping over347203:42:41.600 --> 03:42:45.399
Chapman's shoulder. He's literally carrying me in a fireman's carry347303:42:45.479 --> 03:42:49.879
out the back door. Close it, Chunker, he yells. Chunker347403:42:49.959 --> 03:42:53.159
quickly slides the back door shut. Then I feel Chapman347503:42:53.280 --> 03:42:58.079
shaking me. Hey you okay, Bailey. I quickly look around347603:42:58.079 --> 03:43:01.280
and see I'm on a very crowded bus. Mayor parkerst347703:43:01.399 --> 03:43:03.760
is pulling away from the back door and driving across347803:43:03.760 --> 03:43:06.559
the parking lot to get us to the road. I347903:43:06.600 --> 03:43:10.360
look back at Chapman and nod quickly. Yeah, I'm okay,348003:43:10.680 --> 03:43:13.639
I'm I'm sorry. I really thought cramp has had me.348103:43:14.079 --> 03:43:17.639
That's how close she got. Thank you for saving me.348203:43:18.360 --> 03:43:22.879
Chapman nods back. We're getting out of here. Go faster, stupid,348303:43:23.280 --> 03:43:26.440
Butch tells the mayor. Chapman grabs him and plants him348403:43:26.440 --> 03:43:29.520
in a seat. Fact check. The roads are dangerous out348503:43:29.520 --> 03:43:32.159
here right now. One wrong move and we'll turn onto348603:43:32.200 --> 03:43:36.280
our side. Where would we go then again? Butch makes348703:43:36.319 --> 03:43:39.520
with the dorky noises. He quickly shuts up when Chapman348803:43:39.600 --> 03:43:43.200
gives him a mean look. At last, Mayor Parkers pulls348903:43:43.200 --> 03:43:46.280
out onto the road. Then I remember I have my349003:43:46.360 --> 03:43:52.000
smartphone and pull it out. Ah no, I mutter, no signal.349103:43:52.760 --> 03:43:55.719
The storm must have knocked out the cell towers. I349203:43:55.760 --> 03:43:59.360
can't text Mouse and Warner to stay away from the orphanage. Suddenly,349303:43:59.399 --> 03:44:02.719
Horton's got this weird look on his face. What the349403:44:03.319 --> 03:44:05.200
He scurries to the back of the bus and looks349503:44:05.239 --> 03:44:09.840
out the window. Uh, guys, we have a huge problem.349603:44:10.520 --> 03:44:13.319
The other kids who see what Horton's seeing are screaming. Now.349703:44:13.639 --> 03:44:16.840
Mona quickly comes up behind him. Then she turns to349803:44:16.840 --> 03:44:20.239
look our way. He's right. Crampis has a sleigh and349903:44:20.319 --> 03:44:25.040
some zombie looking reindeer pulling it. I can't drive any faster,350003:44:25.559 --> 03:44:28.600
Mayor Parkhurst groans, I'm barely keeping this bus on the350103:44:28.680 --> 03:44:31.639
road as it is. When the goobers start doing their350203:44:31.680 --> 03:44:35.440
stupid stuff again, I quickly say maybe we should take350303:44:35.520 --> 03:44:38.319
these three and throw them out the back. I'll bet350403:44:38.360 --> 03:44:42.680
Crampis would finally leave us alone. That definitely shut those350503:44:42.680 --> 03:44:47.159
goobers up, and I mean fast. This road ends up ahead,350603:44:47.159 --> 03:44:50.959
eluise missus. Gibson mourns her. You'll have to turn the bus.350703:44:51.760 --> 03:44:55.719
I'm aware of that, Emma. The mayor quickly replies, hang on.350803:44:56.879 --> 03:44:59.360
When we reach the intersection where this road ends, Mayor350903:44:59.399 --> 03:45:03.280
parkers to try and turn. Unfortunately, the roads are too351003:45:03.319 --> 03:45:05.280
snow covered for her to make the turn at the351103:45:05.319 --> 03:45:08.799
speed she's driving. We end up going through the intersection351203:45:08.879 --> 03:45:11.520
and over the curb. The Mayor hits the gas and351303:45:11.639 --> 03:45:15.159
drives right across the open area. Do you know where351403:45:15.159 --> 03:45:19.000
you're going? I ask her. Little lady I'm the mayor351503:45:19.000 --> 03:45:22.479
of Pendleton, she replies, I know this village like I351603:45:22.520 --> 03:45:25.200
know my own house. Don't worry, I don't plan on351703:45:25.239 --> 03:45:27.399
getting us caught. You want to get back to your351803:45:27.440 --> 03:45:29.399
parents in Strickfield, and I want to get back to351903:45:29.440 --> 03:45:33.840
my husband and my kids. Hang on, look, Chunker yells,352003:45:33.879 --> 03:45:37.360
pointing straight ahead. The mayor gasps when Crampis's sleigh and352103:45:37.479 --> 03:45:40.559
zombie reindeer pull across the way to block us. The352203:45:40.639 --> 03:45:43.680
Mayor's still keeping her lead foot on the gas I352303:45:43.760 --> 03:45:46.239
get it. Trying to stop the bus might cause us352403:45:46.280 --> 03:45:49.040
to turn sharply and make us flip onto one side.352503:45:49.719 --> 03:45:51.799
On the other hand, Crampis is going to have to352603:45:51.879 --> 03:45:57.120
move or be moved or not. Crampis hops off the352703:45:57.159 --> 03:46:00.000
sleigh and quickly stops the bus dead in its track.352803:46:00.799 --> 03:46:02.959
Before any of us can think of what to do next,352903:46:03.440 --> 03:46:06.200
Crampis pulls off the hood like it's a cardboard top.353003:46:06.760 --> 03:46:09.879
Then she reaches in and rips the huge motor clean353103:46:09.920 --> 03:46:12.280
out so she can toss it over her shoulder like353203:46:12.319 --> 03:46:16.799
an empty soda can. End of the road. Everybody out,353303:46:17.440 --> 03:46:20.680
Crampis jeers. She walks to the bus doors and rips353403:46:20.719 --> 03:46:23.360
them off. She looks in and points right at Butch.353503:46:24.000 --> 03:46:27.959
You belong to me, you little naughty. Then Crampis sees353603:46:28.000 --> 03:46:30.920
the bus as getting more and more empty, turns out.353703:46:30.959 --> 03:46:33.559
Horton open the emergency door in the back is Mona353803:46:33.600 --> 03:46:36.719
and missus Gibson got everybody to go out. Now all353903:46:36.760 --> 03:46:40.399
the kids are running for their lives. No, I shall354003:46:40.399 --> 03:46:45.000
not be robbed of my prizes, Crampis declares. Suddenly, Crampis354103:46:45.079 --> 03:46:47.760
drops her staff and walks to tip the bus onto354203:46:47.760 --> 03:46:51.239
its left side. I have a gut feeling about that staff.354303:46:51.719 --> 03:46:55.159
Without even thinking of whatever repercussions may result, I dive354403:46:55.239 --> 03:46:57.120
right out of the bus entrance and hit the snow.354503:46:57.959 --> 03:47:01.360
Then I get up and grab Crampis's staff. I just354603:47:01.440 --> 03:47:05.120
turn in a direction and run for all I'm worth,354703:47:05.760 --> 03:47:10.200
you dare. Crampis roars so loudly that the force actually354803:47:10.280 --> 03:47:13.680
knocks me down. I quickly get back up, still holding354903:47:13.719 --> 03:47:18.520
the staff. You want those goobers or me, Crampis. Crampis355003:47:18.559 --> 03:47:21.760
comes after me. Now give me my staff, you little355103:47:21.840 --> 03:47:24.920
naughty I shall have your soul for this. Bailey downs.355203:47:25.719 --> 03:47:28.159
I'm still holding onto the staff. When I turn and355303:47:28.239 --> 03:47:32.280
run again, I hear Crampis roaring behind me. The next355403:47:32.319 --> 03:47:34.639
thing I know, I get clipped and I'm being shoved355503:47:34.680 --> 03:47:38.559
into the snow face first. Crampis is incredibly strong as355603:47:38.559 --> 03:47:41.120
she holds me down while trying to take her staff back.355703:47:41.920 --> 03:47:47.479
Let go, she demands. No, I yell back. Suddenly Crampis355803:47:47.520 --> 03:47:49.760
lifts me right off the ground and slams me onto355903:47:49.760 --> 03:47:52.479
my back. I groan when I feel the wind get356003:47:52.520 --> 03:47:56.159
knocked out of me. I can't move. Just as Crampis356103:47:56.200 --> 03:47:58.959
grabs her staff, she gets taken down for the second356203:47:59.040 --> 03:48:02.559
time today by Chunker. He quickly gets off her and356303:48:02.600 --> 03:48:05.559
grabs the staff. Then I feel Chapman lifting me up356403:48:05.600 --> 03:48:10.239
into a fireman's carry. Let's go, Chunker. Chapman yells, I'm going.356503:48:10.360 --> 03:48:13.920
I'm going. He yells back. Chapman's running with me like356603:48:14.000 --> 03:48:16.559
I'm a pillow. I know he works out like Chunker,356703:48:16.600 --> 03:48:19.680
but he doesn't look as strong as Carter Cross. Yeah,356803:48:19.719 --> 03:48:24.000
I ain't complaining. He got me far away from Crampis. Man.356903:48:24.040 --> 03:48:27.760
It's really freezing out here. I hear Chunker groan. You357003:48:27.920 --> 03:48:32.639
think Chapman returns, Just keep running, You're gonna be okay, Bailey.357103:48:33.520 --> 03:48:36.120
Then I'm starting to feel I can move again as357203:48:36.120 --> 03:48:39.319
I'm getting my wind back. The guys managed to make357303:48:39.360 --> 03:48:42.559
it to a nearby building and move by the loading docks.357403:48:43.200 --> 03:48:46.040
You can put me down now, Chapman, I tell him,357503:48:46.440 --> 03:48:53.000
I'm okay. Chapman, does you sure you're okay? I nod, yeah,357603:48:53.079 --> 03:48:56.079
I'm fine. Now what do we do with this thing?357703:48:56.360 --> 03:48:59.680
Chunker asked me. You went after it for a reason, Bailey,357803:49:00.319 --> 03:49:04.239
Chapman gets it. I'm thinking without this, Crampis doesn't have357903:49:04.280 --> 03:49:07.399
any power. You're right, Chapman, that is what I think.358003:49:07.639 --> 03:49:11.079
I agree. Crampis'll come for us before she goes after358103:49:11.120 --> 03:49:15.920
the others, even those goobers. Suddenly, Crampis drops right down358203:49:15.920 --> 03:49:19.959
in front of us. I'll take that now. I leap358303:49:20.000 --> 03:49:23.120
at Crampis and let her catch me. Run, Chunker, run.358403:49:23.879 --> 03:49:26.719
Chapman and Chunker both turn and run. I hold on358503:49:26.840 --> 03:49:29.680
to Crampis's face, hoping to blind her so she can't358603:49:29.680 --> 03:49:33.319
see where the guys ran off to. Crampis eventually proves358703:49:33.360 --> 03:49:36.159
too strong and grabs hold of me. She lifts me358803:49:36.280 --> 03:49:39.360
high into the air and throws me really far. I358903:49:39.479 --> 03:49:42.280
land on snowy ground and feel the wind get knocked359003:49:42.280 --> 03:49:47.280
out of me again. No, I can't move, but I359103:49:47.399 --> 03:49:51.559
groan and grit my teeth. I won't let Crampis win.359203:49:53.479 --> 03:49:56.120
I push to sit up with all the determination I359303:49:56.159 --> 03:50:00.399
can muster. Then I feel myself finally sitting up. I359403:50:00.520 --> 03:50:02.959
use more will power and force myself to get to359503:50:03.000 --> 03:50:06.360
my feet. I fall to my knees, but I force359603:50:06.440 --> 03:50:10.200
myself to stand again. I can only manage short trots359703:50:10.200 --> 03:50:13.639
as I'm trying to run. Before long, I have my359803:50:13.719 --> 03:50:17.719
wind back again, and I run to find Crampis. When359903:50:17.719 --> 03:50:20.200
I get back to the loading docks, I see the360003:50:20.239 --> 03:50:24.120
cloven hoof prints and know where to follow. Soon I360103:50:24.200 --> 03:50:27.520
see she's caught up to Chunker and Chapman. She's about360203:50:27.520 --> 03:50:30.120
to take the staff away from Chunker when I run360303:50:30.159 --> 03:50:34.280
to them and snatch it up myself. Na, Na can't360403:50:34.319 --> 03:50:37.799
catch me. I jeer at Crampis. I know I can't360503:50:37.799 --> 03:50:41.120
outrun that monster. If she easily caught up to me first,360603:50:41.200 --> 03:50:44.440
then the guys she'll catch up to me again. I360703:50:44.479 --> 03:50:47.879
have one last ditch idea I can try. I'm scared360803:50:47.879 --> 03:50:51.239
for my life, but I'm also determined. I never forgot360903:50:51.280 --> 03:50:55.120
what happened on Halloween night when Bloody Mary showed up361003:50:55.680 --> 03:51:00.079
to save us from Abigail Tomlin. Just seeing that it361103:51:00.159 --> 03:51:03.120
made me want to be a better person. I stop361203:51:03.239 --> 03:51:06.319
trying to be more like Ariel. I've been trying so361303:51:06.479 --> 03:51:10.479
hard to be nice to others. Well, now's my big361403:51:10.559 --> 03:51:13.920
chance to really do some good. I can keep Crampis361503:51:13.959 --> 03:51:16.840
here with me and make sure she doesn't get the others.361603:51:17.440 --> 03:51:20.440
What do you think you're doing? Child? Give me back361703:51:20.479 --> 03:51:22.799
my staff, or I shall rip it from your hands,361803:51:23.360 --> 03:51:27.319
along with your very soul. I tighten my hands on361903:51:27.360 --> 03:51:31.559
the staff. You can't have it. Really, all of this362003:51:31.760 --> 03:51:35.159
because of three rotten little kids who don't know any better.362103:51:35.440 --> 03:51:38.280
Give me a break. We've all done stupid things in362203:51:38.319 --> 03:51:41.239
our lives. I know I have, you know what. I362303:51:41.319 --> 03:51:44.559
may be doing something really stupid right now, but I'm362403:51:44.639 --> 03:51:48.280
doing it. I feel my anger. Now you ain't getting362503:51:48.319 --> 03:51:52.479
this staff back, Helga. Crampis roars at me and knocks362603:51:52.520 --> 03:51:56.000
me down again. Then I feel myself being lifted up362703:51:56.040 --> 03:51:59.639
along with the staff. Now I'm looking Crampis right in362803:51:59.680 --> 03:52:02.520
the face as I'm hanging off the staff like a362903:52:02.559 --> 03:52:06.680
pull bar at a gym. You are mine, Bailey Downs.363003:52:06.920 --> 03:52:11.399
You shall never return to your family again. I growl363103:52:11.479 --> 03:52:14.479
with anger and determination as I hold onto the staff363203:52:14.559 --> 03:52:17.200
and push my feet to kick off her stomach. Then363303:52:17.239 --> 03:52:19.680
I come back into her while still holding the staff363403:52:19.840 --> 03:52:22.600
and give her a kick real hard in the gut.363503:52:22.799 --> 03:52:26.319
She's momentarily stunned, but she drops me and the staff.363603:52:26.959 --> 03:52:29.920
I pick myself up and hold onto that staff tight.363703:52:30.600 --> 03:52:33.280
Crampis comes for me again, but I lash out and363803:52:33.360 --> 03:52:36.040
hit her with the snow globe. I can't believe how363903:52:36.120 --> 03:52:39.479
fast Crampis goes down. Chapman and I were on the364003:52:39.479 --> 03:52:43.559
same page. This snow globe is the source of Crampis's power.364103:52:44.079 --> 03:52:47.639
Without it, she can be beaten. When Crampis gets up again,364203:52:47.719 --> 03:52:51.079
I step up to bat and swing. I connect with364303:52:51.159 --> 03:52:54.840
Crampis again and knock her down fast. As she's getting364403:52:54.879 --> 03:52:58.440
back up, Chunker tackles her one more time. He gets364503:52:58.520 --> 03:53:01.760
up and gets away from her. When Crampis gets up again,364603:53:01.879 --> 03:53:05.399
this time Chapman tackles her. I know we can't just364703:53:05.520 --> 03:53:09.239
keep hitting her. Then I have an idea. I move364803:53:09.360 --> 03:53:11.360
to the side of the building and swing the snow364903:53:11.360 --> 03:53:14.200
globe to try and shatter it. I swing with all365003:53:14.280 --> 03:53:18.719
my strength again and again, but the globe just will365103:53:19.079 --> 03:53:22.840
not shatter. I scream at the top of my lungs365203:53:22.959 --> 03:53:27.840
and hit the building one more time. Yes, okay, I365303:53:27.920 --> 03:53:30.200
still couldn't shatter the snow globe, but I made it365403:53:30.239 --> 03:53:34.239
come off the wooden staff. I quickly pick it up. Think, Bailey,365503:53:34.360 --> 03:53:39.200
Think what can I do to stop crampis? Okay? What365603:53:39.200 --> 03:53:42.959
would mouse do? Of course, I'll just think outside the365703:53:43.000 --> 03:53:46.360
box here, and then I have an idea. I turn365803:53:46.440 --> 03:53:48.959
the snow globe and look at the Crampis figure sitting365903:53:49.040 --> 03:53:53.920
on its throne. Its eyes are glowing red hot. Take me,366003:53:54.680 --> 03:53:57.479
I tell it. I'll give myself to save the others.366103:53:57.760 --> 03:54:01.440
Take me. I know I'm flawed. I know I've been366203:54:01.479 --> 03:54:03.680
a bad person and was mean to others at school,366303:54:03.680 --> 03:54:07.840
but I've been trying to do right. Take me. Take366403:54:07.879 --> 03:54:10.639
my soul if you've gotta have one, But I'm begging366503:54:10.680 --> 03:54:14.000
you to let the others go. Suddenly, the snow globe366603:54:14.040 --> 03:54:20.319
begins to glow brightly. Take me. I hold onto the366703:54:20.319 --> 03:54:24.840
globe tightly as the light illuminates the entire area. Suddenly,366803:54:24.840 --> 03:54:29.319
the very bright light is all I can see. I366903:54:29.319 --> 03:54:32.120
don't know where I am now, but I still won't367003:54:32.159 --> 03:54:34.959
let go of the Crampis snow glow. I can even367103:54:35.000 --> 03:54:40.399
feel the light shooting out of my own eyes. Take me,367203:54:41.399 --> 03:54:46.840
I say weekly, and then the light dims and slowly367303:54:46.959 --> 03:54:51.040
turns to darkness. If this is truly the end for me,367403:54:51.920 --> 03:54:54.159
then I pray that if there is a higher power367503:54:54.200 --> 03:54:57.719
I have to answer to that I'll be judged fairly.367603:54:59.479 --> 03:55:03.239
I gave it my best shot in life. I just367703:55:03.360 --> 03:55:08.440
hope and pray beyond all hope that the others are saved.367803:55:12.959 --> 03:55:20.959
Epilogue perspective. Bailey downs Mouse can't believe the story I'm367903:55:21.000 --> 03:55:26.639
telling everybody. As she's driving us back to Strickfield. Wow,368003:55:27.440 --> 03:55:32.120
you really met up with crampis? She gawks. She's telling368103:55:32.159 --> 03:55:36.520
the truth. Mattie Horton says, backing me up. Yeah, why368203:55:36.520 --> 03:55:41.079
would we lie about something like that? Chunker ads never368303:55:41.120 --> 03:55:45.079
said you guys did? Mouse replies, And I wouldn't call368403:55:45.120 --> 03:55:47.479
you a liar, Bailey. Not after our meeting up with368503:55:47.719 --> 03:55:52.479
Abigail Tomlin on Halloween and Bloody Mary back in September368603:55:52.479 --> 03:55:57.200
at Ariel Mirrn's sleepover, Mona adds I finished the story368703:55:57.239 --> 03:56:00.479
with a little help from Chapman and Chunker. Turns out,368803:56:00.520 --> 03:56:04.360
after I passed out, the disastrous winter weather suddenly just368903:56:05.520 --> 03:56:09.799
stop dead. When Mayor Parkhurst and missus Gibson found us,369003:56:10.440 --> 03:56:13.319
they found me unconscious with the crampist snow globe in369103:56:13.399 --> 03:56:18.000
my hands. Not too far away, they found Helga Stanlein369203:56:18.120 --> 03:56:22.920
back to normal and lying in the snow. Mayor Parkhurst369303:56:22.959 --> 03:56:27.360
took care of everything since cell signal was miraculously restored.369403:56:28.360 --> 03:56:31.000
Only thing I can figure was that Crampis got pulled369503:56:31.000 --> 03:56:35.200
out of Helga and back into the snow globe. Also,369603:56:35.399 --> 03:56:38.440
the night that happened during the afternoon ended up becoming369703:56:39.399 --> 03:56:43.399
daylight again. We ended up getting the orphanage cleaned up369803:56:43.440 --> 03:56:47.399
and still having the Christmas celebration. It was a little late,369903:56:47.520 --> 03:56:52.120
but better late than never. As for the three Goobers,370003:56:52.920 --> 03:56:56.479
they were given a choice. Either they could help clean370103:56:56.559 --> 03:57:01.319
up or they could be shipped off to another orphanage.370203:57:01.440 --> 03:57:04.440
Both Mayor Parkhurst and Missus Gibson put their feet down370303:57:04.479 --> 03:57:08.239
on them. The Goobers realized they had it better at370403:57:08.280 --> 03:57:12.440
Home Sweet Home and helped clean up. And you know what,370503:57:13.440 --> 03:57:16.840
they actually did a good job. They were even good370603:57:16.840 --> 03:57:20.959
boys when potential parents came to Home Sweet Home looking370703:57:21.040 --> 03:57:24.920
to adopt, Butch's little gang may end up being broken up.370803:57:25.600 --> 03:57:28.399
Both Joe and stan are likely going to be adopted.370903:57:29.520 --> 03:57:31.520
I think the two of them know they're better off371003:57:31.559 --> 03:57:34.879
having parents and a real home than staying in the371103:57:35.000 --> 03:57:39.760
orphanage system. Don't get me wrong, Home Sweet Home wasn't371203:57:39.760 --> 03:57:43.000
a bad place to be again. I was glad I371303:57:43.040 --> 03:57:45.920
had a roof over my head, good food to eat,371403:57:47.159 --> 03:57:51.399
and people who really cared about us. Deep down, I'm371503:57:51.520 --> 03:57:53.639
very thankful for the man and woman who came to371603:57:53.680 --> 03:57:58.600
Home Sweet Home and adopted me. I'm hoping Joe and371703:57:58.639 --> 03:58:01.680
stan will think so too when they go to their371803:58:01.719 --> 03:58:07.440
new homes with their new parents. And here's the really371903:58:07.520 --> 03:58:11.360
messed up part about all of this. That Crampis snow372003:58:11.360 --> 03:58:15.239
globe just disappeared. We looked all over the Orphanage for it,372103:58:15.879 --> 03:58:18.639
but it was nowhere to be found. We had to372203:58:18.680 --> 03:58:21.040
give it up for lost and head back to Strickfield372303:58:21.040 --> 03:58:26.399
without it. This Saturday turned out to be quite the eventful.372403:58:26.399 --> 03:58:30.600
One mouse ended up missing out on Crampis, but it372503:58:30.680 --> 03:58:34.079
was for the best. I tried and tried to remember372603:58:34.079 --> 03:58:37.639
what I could before I passed out, but there wasn't372703:58:37.680 --> 03:58:41.079
anything else. Like I said, I was found and brought372803:58:41.120 --> 03:58:44.440
back to the Orphanage. I was revived and everything was372903:58:44.840 --> 03:58:49.760
back to normal again. As for Helga Stanlan, she was373003:58:49.840 --> 03:58:53.239
fired from the Orphanage, she was told on no uncertain373103:58:53.360 --> 03:58:57.680
terms by Missus Gibson to pack up and leave. Helga373203:58:57.719 --> 03:59:02.319
didn't need to be told twice. What's more, those goobers373303:59:02.360 --> 03:59:04.799
even tried to apologize to her for what they did,373403:59:05.840 --> 03:59:09.520
but she wouldn't even acknowledge them. He got to hand373503:59:09.520 --> 03:59:12.319
it to him, though. They tried to make things right,373603:59:12.360 --> 03:59:16.440
but Helga wasn't going to be redeemed. On a much373703:59:16.479 --> 03:59:21.719
brighter note, nobody got hurt or killed. When it came373803:59:21.760 --> 03:59:24.559
to the big celebration dinner, Miss Barrett and Mouse prepared.373903:59:25.319 --> 03:59:28.760
It was definitely a nice turkey dinner with all the trimmings.374003:59:29.239 --> 03:59:31.000
I don't think we're going to want to eat anything374103:59:31.079 --> 03:59:35.879
until tomorrow, even Chunker ate good. Turns out, Miss Barrett374203:59:35.879 --> 03:59:37.879
and Mouse went all the way to Denoyer's grill to374303:59:37.920 --> 03:59:43.360
get dessert pies, including Chunker's favorite sweet potato pie. The374403:59:43.479 --> 03:59:45.959
truck that was supposed to deliver the dessert pies to374503:59:46.000 --> 03:59:49.280
the Orphanage broke down coming from North Ridgeway, so Miss374603:59:49.360 --> 03:59:53.120
Barrett took Mouse and made their emergency run to Denoyer's374703:59:53.159 --> 03:59:57.600
grill back in Strickfield go figure. To end the day,374803:59:58.440 --> 04:00:02.079
Mouse would get us back to Strickfield just fine. I374904:00:02.079 --> 04:00:04.319
can't believe how well she can drive, for all of375004:00:04.399 --> 04:00:07.680
us being in seventh grade. She even managed to put375104:00:07.680 --> 04:00:11.280
the suv right back where it was. From there, we375204:00:11.360 --> 04:00:15.520
got out and set our goodbyes before parting ways. Of course,375304:00:16.040 --> 04:00:19.079
I thanked Mouse again and told her I owed her375404:00:19.079 --> 04:00:24.719
one again. Mouse just waved me off. Nah, we're good, Bailey.375504:00:25.479 --> 04:00:28.040
We did it for a good cause. See you at375604:00:28.079 --> 04:00:33.719
school on Monday. Yeah, have a good one, Mouse, Thanks again.375704:00:35.159 --> 04:00:39.000
Mom and Dad eventually came home. They never did find375804:00:39.000 --> 04:00:43.079
out about our little adventure with the suv. I hated375904:00:43.120 --> 04:00:45.959
to do it, but I told them a little white376004:00:46.000 --> 04:00:49.200
lie and said Mona and I took an uber and376104:00:49.280 --> 04:00:54.159
that was the end of that. We went through our376204:00:54.200 --> 04:00:56.879
final week of school before we went on Christmas vacation.376304:00:57.920 --> 04:01:03.079
Then we ended up having another adventure just before Christmas Day. Horton, Chapman,376404:01:03.120 --> 04:01:06.159
and Chunker weren't part of this one, but let's just376504:01:06.239 --> 04:01:08.559
say it was another one where we barely made it376604:01:08.600 --> 04:01:12.520
by the skins of our teeth. Of all the things376704:01:12.559 --> 04:01:15.639
that could come and cause trouble for us, it was376804:01:15.680 --> 04:01:18.719
an old school VR video game console that was possessed376904:01:18.719 --> 04:01:22.840
by some really advanced code that came to life, and377004:01:22.879 --> 04:01:24.120
that's all I'm going to say.377104:01:24.159 --> 04:01:24.600
On that.377204:01:26.079 --> 04:01:30.159
Christmas Day finally came, I would have a wonderful dinner377304:01:30.159 --> 04:01:33.319
with the man and woman who adopted me, whom I377404:01:33.399 --> 04:01:36.959
gladly call Mom and Dad. I've been told by my377504:01:37.040 --> 04:01:39.799
friends that our home is a small one, but Mom377604:01:39.840 --> 04:01:42.959
and Dad made more than enough room for me. I377704:01:43.040 --> 04:01:46.479
excused myself from the table and went to my room377804:01:46.520 --> 04:01:49.879
for a little bit. I felt so emotional about my377904:01:49.959 --> 04:01:53.520
life and my adoptive parents. I cried for a little while.378004:01:54.680 --> 04:01:56.600
I've been trying to be the best daughter to my378104:01:56.639 --> 04:01:59.840
adoptive parents that I can be. Believe me when I378204:01:59.840 --> 04:02:03.920
say say, I'm very thankful for everything I have. That378304:02:04.159 --> 04:02:07.200
was the biggest lesson I took away from the Home378404:02:07.280 --> 04:02:12.600
Sweet Home, Orphanage then and now. I finished crying for378504:02:12.760 --> 04:02:17.360
joy and returned to the table. After dinner, we sat378604:02:17.360 --> 04:02:20.440
down in the living room and watched some Hallmark Christmas378704:02:20.440 --> 04:02:24.520
movies on TV. Later on, Mona came over and we378804:02:24.600 --> 04:02:27.799
hung out. My parents never care that Mona comes over.378904:02:28.840 --> 04:02:33.000
I'm also very thankful for Mona. Like I said, she379004:02:33.200 --> 04:02:37.840
was my first real friend that I made since being Bailey. Downs.379104:02:38.600 --> 04:02:41.479
Mom and Dad got me wonderful presents like they always do.379204:02:41.879 --> 04:02:45.079
But Mona and my parents continue to be the very379304:02:45.159 --> 04:02:48.520
best gifts that keep on giving. I know I'll always379404:02:48.559 --> 04:02:51.840
have my parents, but when it comes to Mona, I379504:02:51.920 --> 04:02:55.360
truly hope we never lose touch with one another, even379604:02:55.399 --> 04:02:58.920
when we move into adulthood and go our separate ways379704:03:00.159 --> 04:03:03.879
overthinking things, ain't I No, I better stick to the379804:03:03.920 --> 04:03:06.840
here and now. Mona and I are lying on my379904:03:06.920 --> 04:03:10.360
bed and watching a few Christmas horror movies together and380004:03:10.440 --> 04:03:15.920
guess what, right, we're actually watching Crampus. Yeah, I know,380104:03:16.440 --> 04:03:20.719
call us crazy. Afterwards, we watch a Christmas horror story again.380204:03:21.559 --> 04:03:23.520
I already told you we watched this one at one380304:03:23.520 --> 04:03:27.319
of Ariel's Friday night sleepovers earlier this month, but Mona380404:03:27.319 --> 04:03:29.879
and I wanted to see it again. Like I said,380504:03:29.920 --> 04:03:31.879
it's one of the few horror movies where the town380604:03:32.040 --> 04:03:35.399
is the same name as mine, and this one does380704:03:35.479 --> 04:03:38.920
have a few stories about Crampus in it. Even though380804:03:38.920 --> 04:03:41.520
we went through that horrible ordeal with the real thing,380904:03:42.200 --> 04:03:45.600
we're still here and doing the things we love with381004:03:45.719 --> 04:03:49.399
each other. When it comes to the Home, Sweet Home orphanage,381104:03:49.920 --> 04:03:52.639
I actually found myself missing that place. When we left,381204:03:53.280 --> 04:03:56.440
Missus Gibson and Mayor Parkhurst both asked us if we'd381304:03:56.479 --> 04:03:59.440
consider coming back next holiday season to help out for381404:03:59.479 --> 04:04:04.799
their big celebration. We all promised we would. Mouse said381504:04:04.840 --> 04:04:07.200
she'd even drive us to Pendleton again as long as381604:04:07.200 --> 04:04:10.879
we could get a hold of another car. I really381704:04:10.920 --> 04:04:14.840
am happy and thankful for everyone and everything in my life.381804:04:14.959 --> 04:04:17.559
I love Halloween and Christmas just the same, and always381904:04:17.600 --> 04:04:20.760
look forward to celebrating them both, even if we've got382004:04:20.799 --> 04:04:26.280
ghosts and demons chasing us down. Speaking of which I382104:04:26.360 --> 04:04:28.639
have the feeling this won't be the last time we're382204:04:28.680 --> 04:04:32.360
going to be dealing with such things. Mona and I382304:04:32.399 --> 04:04:34.879
are going to finish Christmas together, enjoy the rest of382404:04:34.879 --> 04:04:37.319
our holiday break with the rest of our circle of friends,382504:04:37.920 --> 04:04:41.520
and then return to school. And you just know we're382604:04:41.520 --> 04:04:44.920
going to be heading into some other wild adventures down382704:04:44.959 --> 04:04:48.200
the road. In other words, we're going to be back382804:04:48.239 --> 04:05:00.239
again in the meantime. Merry Christmas. And that is three382904:05:00.479 --> 04:05:07.079
holiday horror novella's Down My Spookies, Three big heavy gifts,383004:05:07.479 --> 04:05:12.200
ripped open and scattered across the snow. If you made383104:05:12.239 --> 04:05:18.479
it to the end, congratulations you survive. The marathon. Your383204:05:18.559 --> 04:05:25.079
reward is sleep, or at least the idea of it.383304:05:25.959 --> 04:05:31.520
But before you go, the holidays love a grand finale.383404:05:31.600 --> 04:05:36.399
They love one last surprise, one last package under the383504:05:36.479 --> 04:05:41.600
tree that you swear wasn't there an hour ago. So383604:05:41.840 --> 04:05:46.319
if you check the weekly spooky Feed tomorrow and Monday383704:05:46.600 --> 04:05:52.120
and Tuesday and Wednesday, you'll find something new and scary383804:05:52.239 --> 04:05:59.200
to enjoy. Don't overthink it, just unwrap it, and no383904:05:59.479 --> 04:06:04.040
one thing this holiday season. Some gifts are meant to384004:06:04.079 --> 04:06:10.639
be opened, and some gifts open you. Merry Christmas, my spookies.384104:06:11.719 --> 04:06:15.200
Keep the lights on unless you don't want to.
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