Oct. 18, 2025

Halloween Horror Novellas: Three Scary Stories for Spooky Season

Halloween Horror Novellas: Three Scary Stories for Spooky Season
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It’s the heart of spooky season, and Weekly Spooky is bringing you a triple feature of full-length Halloween horror stories that will keep you up all night. Each of these novellas dives deep into mature, unsettling terror—from cursed soil to haunted technology to the return of one of Strickfield’s darkest legends.

• Dirt Babies — by Bruce Haney
Something terrible is sprouting in the earth, and it’s hungry for more than sunlight. What happens when life—and death—take root in the same soil?

• ERASURE — by Morgan Moore
A group of teens discovers a mysterious VHS tape that doesn’t want to be turned off. Once it starts playing, it starts rewriting reality… and them.

• Return to the Cry Baby Bridge — by Rob Fields
The Strickfield legend continues when a group of thrill-seekers crosses the bridge after midnight—and learns that some urban legends cry for real.

These scary Halloween novellas are perfect for long autumn nights, pumpkin-scented candles, and anyone who loves mature, atmospheric horror stories. Turn off the lights, turn up the volume, and spend the night in fear with Weekly Spooky.

🎧 LISTEN NOW and subscribe for spine-tingling horror stories every week!

🎉 Unlock exclusive bonus episodes and support the show on Patreon!
👉 WeeklySpooky.com/Join

📬 Contact Us / Submit Your Horror Story!


🎵 Music by Ray Mattis 👉 Check out Ray’s incredible work here !
👨‍💼 Executive Producers: Rob Fields, Bobbletopia.com
🎥 Produced by: Daniel Wilder
🌐 Explore more terrifying tales at: WeeklySpooky.com
WEBVTT

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Hello, my spookies, Halloween is getting closer and closer, and

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tonight we're turning the lights down low and diving deep

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into something truly frightening. Three full length tails to carry

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you straight through the witching hour. These aren't your average

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bedtime stories, Oh No, We're talking about cursed soil that

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doesn't stay quiet, haunted technology that refuses to die, and

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a bridge that remembers every scream it's ever heard. So

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grab yourself a blanket, pour yourself something pumpkin, spy stoor,

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blood red if that's your thing, and settle in for

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three terrifying novellas that prove just one thing. Halloween is

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not a single night. It truly is a state of mind,

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because here at Weekly Spooky we celebrate Halloween all year long.

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Now let the stories begin. Dirt Babies by Bruce Haney, prologue,

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Halloween Night, nineteen forty six at the Locust Grove Insane Asylum.

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It's not right to judge everybody who's been institutionalized as

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some drooling, crazed killer. For some people, being put in

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a mental hospital is the thing that turns their lives around.

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Jonathan Allison was not one of those who was saved

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by his experience. If anything, he got worse, much worse

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after being put in the Locust Grove Insane Asylum. Modern

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day researchers have revealed that they were administering shock treatment

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to some patients as much as five times a week.

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Common practice was just twice a week. Not much is

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known about Jonathan Allison outside his time at the asylum.

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There were rumors that he had killed a few local boys,

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and that after being arrested, he was found not guilty

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by reason of insanity and put into the asylum to rod.

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The only other thing known about him is that he

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loved that old folk poem known as the Hearse Song.

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There are rumors that during his murder spree, he was

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heard reciting lines from it. For a drooling, crazed killer,

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he was smart enough to set up his night of horror,

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though it was a copy of a similar incident that

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happened at another Oregon hospital. It was October thirty first,

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nineteen forty six when his reign of terror began. He

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wanted to do it on Halloween. Luckily, for his plan,

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they had eggs for dinner. The first victim was Aaron Roots,

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who began to shake and then vomit blood onto the

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table and then, to everyone's horror, on to the other

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people that sat near him. Nurse Kleine saw this after

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swallowing her first bite of eggs and went to see

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what the matter was. She only made it a few

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feet before her legs gave out. Other patients didn't take

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notice or didn't put two and two together. Twenty more

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would die before the other nurses could stop them. The

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gluttons and suicidals guarded theirs and shoveled the food in

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as the nurses tried to take them away. Their deaths

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were most violent. Once the chaos was calming down, Jonathan

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Allison wanted more fun, so he made his way out

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of the lunch room, where he attacked the first patient

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he saw, an elderly gentleman named Bob. He grabbed the

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man and smashed his face against the wall repeatedly until

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his legs gave out and he fell to the floor.

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In the common room, he threw a chair at another patient.

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That patient dodged it and ran at Jonathan. The two

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fought hard until Jonathan bit his neck open and then

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reached into the gaping wound, grabbed the patient's jugular vein

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and pulled hard. Blood went all over the room and

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all over Jonathan. A patient who witnessed this, recalled him singing,

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the old gray hearse goes roll in by. You don't

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know whether to laugh or cry for No. Someday it'll

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get you two, and the Hearse's next load may consist

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of you. Later, while Jonathan was stomping the head of

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a nurse, witnesses heard him singing another refrain from the

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Hearse song.

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The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out. They crawl

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all over your chin and mouth. They invite their friends

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and their friends friends to and you look like hell

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when they're through with you. You would think that this

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chaos would have ended quickly with him being attacked by

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a group of people since he had no weapon, but

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his singing and being covered in blood kept everybody at bed,

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that is until he was gunned down by the police

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some forty minutes later. Within a week, he was buried

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with the others in the asylum cemetery. Two weeks after that,

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the whole facility was shut down. It was a big

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deal when the accidental egg poisoning happened at the other

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Oregon hospital. For it to happen again with intention this

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time was unthinkable and unforgivable. Just like the patient at

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the Oregon State Hospital. He had switched out the powdered

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milk for sodium fluoride, which the hospital kept in huge

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quantities to kill cockroaches. Halloween Night, nineteen ninety seven. Yes,

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Missus Gardner, no problem, Missus Gartner, Kristen said, lying through

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her teeth. It was a problem, but she agreed anyway

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to babysits Simon on Halloween night of all nights. Thank you,

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thank you, missus Gartner said, my sister was supposed to

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watch him, but something came up.

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It won't be bad. I'll leave you cash for pizza,

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since it's a holiday and all. And Simon has a

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project to do, so that should make the night go

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by fast. What kind of project, Kristin asked. He has

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everything to make a dirt baby. His whole class is

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making them and having a show and tell. Simon is

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excited about it. Missus Gartner said, what's a dirt baby?

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Kristin asked, let me tell her. A small voice could

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be heard saying then, after a few seconds of phone

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fumbling noises, Simon was on the phone Hi, Kristin, he said,

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Hi Simon, Kristen said in a friendly tone while checking

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her watch. Her smile slipped while looking at the time. Okay, Simon,

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tell me what a dirt baby is. A dirt baby

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is a plant with a face. Basically, you fill a

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stocking with dirt and grass seed, tie it off to

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make it head shaped, and then you decorate it to

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look like a person. Simon said, ah, so like a

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homemade chi ahead. Kristen asked, I guess. Simon said. We

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called them turf babies when I was a kid. Simon,

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can you put your mother back on the phone, Kristen said,

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after a couple more seconds of phone shuffling sounds, I'm back.

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Missus Gartner said, okay, easy, peasy. He has everything for it.

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Kristen asked, yeah, he oh, oh, dang, I forgot I

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was supposed to pick up the soil. Oh He's going

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to be so bummed. Missus Gartner said, don't worry about it.

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I can pick up soil on my way. Kristin offered,

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you sure, I don't want I'm sure I knew there

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was a reason I hadn't removed the basket off my

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bike yet. Okay, Okay, you are a life saver. I'm

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so glad that you're the one watching him on Halloween.

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He prefers you to my sister. Anyways, missus Gartner laughed.

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Kristin was bummed about the job. At fifteen years old,

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she was too old to trick or treat, but she

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had plans to hang out with her friends. They were

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meeting at the old abandoned Cemetery before going to Jennifer's

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house to listen to the new Gloom Macabre album. She

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was also thinking tonight might be the night that she

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tried pot for the first time, her friend Sid was

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always holding. Then there was the boy Bram was supposed

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to be in attendance, and she had a major crush

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on him, but missus Gartner's offer of one hundred dollars

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was too much to say no to it. She had

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been eyeing a pair of Doc Martin's at the mall

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that just happened to be one hundred bucks. All her

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favorite rock stars wore them. The most she had ever

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gotten before for babysitting was forty dollars, but since it

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was short notice and a holiday, they were paying much more.

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Kristin looked at her freshly done goth makeup in the mirror.

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She thought about washing it off for the babysitting gig. Typically,

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she would dress down when she had one, but she

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figured that since it was Halloween, she could dress like

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her typical self and play it off as a costume. Plus,

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she still had time to meet her friends at the

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cemetery and at least enjoy part of her original plans.

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She didn't want to do that in blue jeans in

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a sweater. She wasn't ready for Bram to see her

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dressed like a normy. Before she left her house, she

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grabbed a few items that she needed for the night's events.

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For the cemetery, she grabbed a black candle and her

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Book of Shadows. She only had it for a few weeks,

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but she made time to write a few spells in

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it from the last time she was able to get

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on the internet. At the library. Kristen was an exceptional artist,

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so she filled some pages with dark drawings. Once she

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caught herself absent mindedly drawing a picture of Bram on

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one of the pages, which wasn't good since she planned

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on showing the book to her friends to impress them,

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so she had to turn him into a creature. She

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could still tell it was him, though, because she left

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his nose intact. To her, he had the most beautiful

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and perfect nose, and she was so proud of herself

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forgetting it just right. As a professional babysitter, she kept

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some tools of the trade. She filled her backpack with

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a couple of coloring books, plus her craft box that

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included items like paint, various colored felt sheets, and a

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low temp hot gluegag, all the stuff that would make

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the best dirt baby that Simon could ever hope for.

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She was going to grab some candy for bribing purposes,

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but figured that the gardeners must have candy on hand

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for the holiday. Kristen thought they better. I am not

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responsible for any egging or tepeeing that happens because they

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didn't prepare. The last thing she did in preparation for

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the night was to look through the VHS tapes in

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the living room for something from her childhood that would

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be Halloween themed but not too spooky. Since Simon was

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only seven years old, she wasn't seeing much, but then

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she spotted one. Oh perfect, I haven't watched this in years.

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She always loved the spooky and she was excited to

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have a reason to rewatch The Witchy Woods again. It

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was scary to her the first time she saw it,

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but she was six at the time. She hoped that

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Simon wouldn't be too scared by that one scene. The

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main plot of the movie is about a young girl

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who gets lost in the woods when her family is camping.

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She gets so lost that she ends up in a

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part of the woods known as Witchy Woods, where people

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have been known to disappear. It sounds dark, and parts

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of it are, but it's also a kid's movie, so

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the main message is not to wander off and to

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not judge women who live in the woods by their looks,

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because that alone doesn't mean that they're evil. Kristin always

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had hoped the story would end with the little girl

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protagonist turning into a witch, but it didn't happen. The

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ending song and dance number about not judging a book

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by its cover was annoying and hard to stomach. Don't

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judge a book by its cover. Love one another. You

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just might discover a friend. But those first forty minutes

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were perfection in Kristin's eyes. Imetery was a few miles

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from her house, so if she wanted to make it

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on time, she had to use her bicycle with its

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pink color and white basket with daisies on it. She

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wasn't excited for her friends to see it. She had

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the bike since her preteen pre goth days. Her father

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was cheap and bought it a size bigger than what

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she could ride at the time so it would last longer.

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She had talked to her father about helping her paint

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it black, which she said he would, but had not

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gotten around to it yet. He wasn't a big fan

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of what he called her cure phase. As she went

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out the back door on her way to the garage

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to get her bicycle, she put on her hot topic

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Conjuror's coat that cost three months of babysitting money. The

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goth lifestyle wasn't cheap. The garage was full of old

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furniture and boxes, which to Kristen gave it a claustrophobic feel.

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She hated it being in there. She was always afraid

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that one day one of the piles would fall on

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her and it would be weeks until someone discovered her

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rotting body with her face half eaten by rats. Once

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she grabbed her bike. She heard the door she entered

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through close. Mom, she said, Dad, Still hearing nothing, she

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said her brother's name, Tommy. She was starting to get worried,

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then thought better of it. Whoever it was probably just

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swung it closed from the outside, not knowing I was

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in here. With her. Fear pushed aside, she made her

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way to the exit, being careful to look around to

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make sure nobody was in there hiding. Before she opened

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the door, she noticed a sheet that was draped that

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she didn't think she had seen before. She quickly pulled

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it off and yelled, gotcha, but it was just an

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old life lamp, Kristen laughed to herself. Ah, she suddenly

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heard behind her. She turned just in time to see

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a werewolf coming at her, screaming with its claws up

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ready to attack. Kristin screamed, reached for the door, and

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ran out. A moment later, she heard laughter. It was

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her older brother, Tommy, you jerk. I thought you were

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too old for Halloween, she yelled, too old for the treat,

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never too old for the trick. I can't believe you

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fell for that, Tommy said, yeah, yeah, Kristin replied, while

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getting on her bike. Then she flipped him off as

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she rode away. She cursed her brother's name the whole

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way to the cemetery. He knew she hated to be scared,

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but he still always did it, not just at Halloween

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time either. The previous month, on the first day of school,

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Tommy hid a fake rat in her backpack. The worst

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part was she didn't notice until she was at school

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putting her books away in her locker. Everybody heard her scream.

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She didn't talk to Tommy for a whole week after that.

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For today's incident, she thought maybe just a couple of

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days of the old cold shoulder would be sufficient. On

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her way to the cemetery, she rode past the hardware store.

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She thought about grabbing the soil first, but then thought

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better of it. I'll get the soil on the way back.

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No reason to carry the extra weight. Once she was

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no longer upset with her brother, her mind shifted to

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thoughts of Bram. She was nervous about this meeting. This

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was the first time they had hung out outside of school,

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and she suspected that he was more interested in her friend, Sarah.

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Kristin looked at her watch. She was only running a

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few minutes late. She hadn't expected the call from missus Gardner,

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nor did she expect it to go on as long

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as it did. Kristen sped up on her bike. She

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wanted to get there before Bram had too much time

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with Sarah. She didn't worry about Sarah stealing him, but

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didn't want to be the second choice either. Better to

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make sure he likes her before he decides who he

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likes best. The best way to the cemetery was through

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the woods by taco time, but from her house, the

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quickest way was to go through the parking lot of

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the abandoned asylum that the cemetery belonged to. Before getting

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to her friends, she ditched her bike near an old tree.

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She didn't want Bram or her friends to see her

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girly bike. At the cemetery, she saw Sarah sid and Bram.

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Bram was talking about something and was quite animated. As

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he spoke. She stopped and listened. I couldn't believe it.

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He was drenched in blood and walking through a church,

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Bram said. Kristin gave him a curious look. Then he

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made it to the pulpit just in time to sing

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the chorus. God doesn't know what you need. Yeah, he

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thinks we're just fleas. Yeah, we can be the disease. Yeah,

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because he can't be pleased, Bram sang. While he sings,

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they cut to the regular church goers in various stages

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of shock. That is, until don't spoil it. I haven't

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seen the new Gloom Macob video yet, Kristin piped up. Hey, Kristin,

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Bram said, we were wondering when you'd show up. Sid said, Kristin.

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Sarah yelled while walking, looking over and giving her a

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big hug. We were waiting for you before we started

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the first part of our Sarah was interrupted. Evening of debauchery.

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Bram said in a voice that he meant to sound

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smooth and sophisticated. Sarah pulled out a bottle of wine

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and a chalice from her backpack. Oh, Kristen said, did

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00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:26.480
you bring a new spell? Sarah asked I did, but

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Kristen said great, let's get set up by the tree.

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Sarah pointed, yeah, just so you know. Kristen started, Are

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you scared? Bram asked, no, I just need to Kristen

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00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:45.279
started once again to gather the blood of a virgin.

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Sid asked, can I finish a thought, Kristen said, feeling annoyed. Yeah, sorry,

294
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of course, Bram said, I can't stay long, Kristen said,

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and sighed she didn't want to disappoint her friends. What

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00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:06.839
we've been looking forward to this night all month, Sarah said,

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What could be more important than hanging out with your friends,

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listening to the new Gloom macab record and doing witchy things?

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00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:21.359
Sid asked, one hundred bucks? Kristin said, understandable. Sarah replied,

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00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:26.119
I get that, Brahm said, And what lurid thing are

301
00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:31.440
you doing to obtain these hundred bucks? Sid asked, just

302
00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:34.559
babysitting the hundred is because it was short notice and

303
00:21:34.640 --> 00:21:38.400
to holiday crad. I was worried that you would become

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00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:44.240
a teenage prostitute. Sid said, ha ha. Kristin replied, in

305
00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:48.039
a dismissive tone. At least I made it to the cemetery.

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00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:51.000
It was the most important part of the evening, wasn't it,

307
00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:55.480
Kristin asked, I thought, Sarah. Letting me get to second

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00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:58.720
base was the most important part of the evening. Sid said,

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00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:03.440
like you want that? Sarah said, of course I do.

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Sid replied, we know. Okay, you don't have to pretend.

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Sarah said, know what. Sid asked, you're gay? Sarah said, no,

312
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I not. Everyone knows it. Brahm said I don't, and

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00:22:21.839 --> 00:22:26.160
I would appreciate it if you stopped saying that. I

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00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:29.519
would appreciate it if you stopped objectifying me and talking

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00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:34.799
about touching my breasts. Sarah said, okay, I'll stop talking

316
00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:38.480
about your breasts and you stop talking about me being gay.

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Sid said, of course, we won't talk about it until

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00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:45.200
you're ready to come out of the closet. Sarah said,

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00:22:45.880 --> 00:22:49.599
fuck you. Sid replied and gave her the middle finger.

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Sarah hugged him, and then they both laughed together. Where

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00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:57.920
should we set up? Kristen asked, I was thinking over

322
00:22:57.960 --> 00:23:02.119
there under the tree. Sarah said, with an evil smile,

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00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:11.039
really under that tree. Kristin asked, why, what's wrong with

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00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:16.119
that tree? Brahm asked, that's where they buried the killer.

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Sid said, a murderer is buried over there. Brahm asked,

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not just a murderer, the murderer, probably the most infamous

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00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:34.200
killer in five hundred miles. Kristin explained, really, what did

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00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:39.799
he do? Brahm asked, poisoned forty people, most of whom

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died and then killed ten more with his bare hands.

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Sid said, while holding up his scrawny teenage arms and hands,

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imitating the killer. Where did this happen, Brahm asked. Sarah

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00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:59.200
pointed through the trees to the old asylum. What is

333
00:23:59.240 --> 00:24:05.119
that place, Bram inquired. It's the Locust Grove Insane Asylum.

334
00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:10.559
That's where his spree happened. This cemetery that we're hanging

335
00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:16.279
out in is the cemetery for that asylum. Kristin explained.

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So all these people buried here were crazy, Bram said, crazy, unwonted, handicapped,

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00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:32.039
whatever society deemed at that time as undesirable. Kristin explained,

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back then, Sid could have been putt in here. Sarah said,

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why why would I be putting there? Sid asked, um,

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never mind, we just agreed not to talk about it.

341
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Sarah replied, you could be putting an asylum for being gay.

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Sid asked, it's deviant, Unchristian behavior, my buddy, that's what

343
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makes you so cool, Hal Satan, Brahm said, and then

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00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:09.400
did devil horns. Thanks, I guess, Sid said. Kristin walked

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00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:13.519
over to Jonathan Allison's grave and the others followed. The

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00:25:13.599 --> 00:25:18.000
first step is to draw our circle. Kristin said, I'll

347
00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:21.319
do it. Bram was quick to find a broken limb

348
00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:25.240
for the task. Kristin was well studied on the history

349
00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:29.759
of magic, but lacked confidence, so she preferred chaos magic

350
00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:34.640
to the more well established spells. She did hers based

351
00:25:34.680 --> 00:25:37.920
on what she thought and felt would work with a

352
00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:41.960
bit of informed knowledge. The spell was a simple one,

353
00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:45.599
a modified version of one for bringing back the dead.

354
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Kristin didn't believe in that kind of power, and if

355
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she did, she didn't think a beginner like her could

356
00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:57.480
accomplish it anyway. The funny thing about Sid asking if

357
00:25:57.519 --> 00:26:00.480
she had trouble getting the virgin blood was that the

358
00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:04.240
original spell did have blood as a part of it,

359
00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:07.039
it didn't specify that it had to be from a virgin.

360
00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:11.480
She hoped that this modified spell would let them see

361
00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:18.319
a ghost. The circle was formed. Excellent, Can I see that?

362
00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:23.519
Kristin motioned towards the stick. Yeah. Bram handed it to

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00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:27.720
her while smiling and making eye contact. She could feel

364
00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:32.039
herself starting to blush, so she looked away and composed herself.

365
00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:36.400
Then she drew a strength symbol in the dirt next

366
00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:40.400
to the circle. See this it's just an X with

367
00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:42.799
a line through it. Can you draw three more of

368
00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:46.720
these around the circle? One for each of us? Kristin asked,

369
00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:51.039
of course, Bram said, while pushing his long hair from

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00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:55.440
his face. What can I do? Sid asked? Can you

371
00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:59.440
get the wine bottle open and fill the chalice? Kristin replied,

372
00:27:00.119 --> 00:27:05.480
of course, Sid said, a task for me, Great sorceress

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00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:09.920
Sarah inquired, do you recall how to make the protection symbol?

374
00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:15.799
Of course, but Sarah had misremembered and ended up drawing

375
00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:20.200
four energy symbols. This meant that they had strength and energy,

376
00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:27.240
but no protection. Once all the tasks were done, they

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00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:30.559
sat down in the circle on the murderer's grave and

378
00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:35.640
Kristin lit the candle. Okay, I need everyone to follow

379
00:27:35.680 --> 00:27:39.720
my direction and to follow my lead. It's of utmost

380
00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:44.599
importance that you take this seriously, or there could be

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00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:49.400
dire consequences. Kristin took a moment to look each of

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00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:55.079
her friends in the eyes. Is everybody ready? Yes? They

383
00:27:55.119 --> 00:28:01.279
all said in unison. She noticed that Sid was nervous. Relax.

384
00:28:02.119 --> 00:28:06.599
We're in a protected circle. We are amongst nature, the wind,

385
00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:10.359
the trees, and earth, Christin said as she took a

386
00:28:10.359 --> 00:28:13.319
small amount of dirt from the ground and poured it

387
00:28:13.359 --> 00:28:17.920
out over her hand, slowly around the candle. Then she

388
00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:24.640
picked up the chalice. Drink and speak after me, Christin said,

389
00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:27.759
as she handed it to Sid, who took a drink.

390
00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:35.160
We seek power, Christin said, we seek power. Sid repeated

391
00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:39.400
as he handed their hot topic chalice to Bram. We

392
00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:45.839
seek sight, Kristin said, we seek sight. Bram repeated. Sarah

393
00:28:45.920 --> 00:28:50.079
reached over and took the chalice. Kristin nodded to her,

394
00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:55.160
and then in unison, they said their magic phrase, we

395
00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:59.640
are receptive, we are ready. Then Sarah took a drink

396
00:29:00.119 --> 00:29:04.319
before handing it to Kristin. Show us the past. We

397
00:29:04.400 --> 00:29:09.119
wished to see here and speak with the spirit of

398
00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:15.039
Jonathan Allison, Kristen said. Sarah, Brahm, and Sid looked around

399
00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:19.400
the woods, noticing for the first time how dark it

400
00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:24.599
was getting. The candle flickered, though they felt no wind.

401
00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:30.200
Do you see that, Sarah asked. They all looked around.

402
00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:35.440
I don't see anything, Kristen said, look at the candle.

403
00:29:36.599 --> 00:29:41.079
They all did. I don't see anything. Sid began to say,

404
00:29:41.880 --> 00:29:47.920
is that a face? Bram asked. Kristin's heart filled with joy.

405
00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:52.440
She wasn't one hundred percent positive, but she too thought

406
00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:55.559
she could see a face in the flame of the candle.

407
00:29:56.440 --> 00:29:59.720
Had she, for the first time, had a result from

408
00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:04.200
her study of the so called black arts. The flame

409
00:30:04.319 --> 00:30:08.799
began to get bigger, and then a tiny voice was heard.

410
00:30:09.680 --> 00:30:14.599
Where am I? This freaked Sid out, who scooted backwards,

411
00:30:14.680 --> 00:30:19.599
ruining their circle. The flame went back to normal. Damn it, Sid,

412
00:30:20.119 --> 00:30:26.519
Sarah said, we were making contact. Kristin exclaimed that was

413
00:30:26.640 --> 00:30:34.200
so cool. Bram said, smiling. Kristin smiled too, Sorry, I panicked.

414
00:30:34.640 --> 00:30:39.480
Sid said, Let's do it again, that is, if Sid

415
00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:45.319
can control himself this time. Bram sneered, okay, but first

416
00:30:45.359 --> 00:30:50.319
we need Kristin said, beep, beep, beat. Kristen's watch alarm

417
00:30:50.359 --> 00:30:55.200
went off. Aw man, I gotta go. I'm gonna be late.

418
00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:59.039
I need to get to the Gartner's, Kristin said, bomber.

419
00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:06.880
Bram added, oh no. Kristin remarked what Sarah asked, I

420
00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:09.160
was supposed to pick up soil on the way back.

421
00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:15.759
We're making something called dirt babies tonight. Dirt babies, Bram

422
00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:19.440
commented and laughed. The kid has his heart set on it.

423
00:31:19.519 --> 00:31:23.759
But frick, I don't have time. Where does the kid

424
00:31:23.799 --> 00:31:29.200
live Sycamore Street? Kristin said, no problem, that's by my house.

425
00:31:29.559 --> 00:31:31.359
I could drop some off in an hour or so.

426
00:31:32.559 --> 00:31:36.039
Really that would be so helpful. I'll pay you back.

427
00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:38.920
Of course, it's the blue house with all the gnomes

428
00:31:38.920 --> 00:31:43.759
out front. Kristin explained, I know that house. Bram said

429
00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:47.319
to Kristin, who was already shoving her candle and book

430
00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:51.759
back in her bag. Thank you, see you, then, Kristin said,

431
00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:55.640
and ran off. What store are we stopping by before

432
00:31:55.640 --> 00:32:00.279
going to your house? Sid asked, store? Do you have

433
00:32:00.319 --> 00:32:04.319
dirt all around us? Brahm said, and then scuffed his

434
00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:10.400
foot on the grave. Seems like fairly soft soil. Brahm

435
00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:14.200
didn't look down as he scuffed his foot. If he had,

436
00:32:14.880 --> 00:32:19.839
he might have noticed the dirt swell and retract ever

437
00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:28.079
so slightly. Kristin jumped on her bike and made her

438
00:32:28.079 --> 00:32:31.880
way to the Gartner's house, not thinking of the implications

439
00:32:31.880 --> 00:32:36.319
of Sid breaking the circle and not closing the spell properly.

440
00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:39.799
By the time she made it to the Gartner's she

441
00:32:39.920 --> 00:32:43.680
was huffing and puffing from pushing herself so hard. Her

442
00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:46.759
biggest struggle was keeping up her speed while dodging all

443
00:32:46.799 --> 00:32:50.880
the kids walking around trick or treating, She nearly ran

444
00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:53.720
over a kid dressed as a Laddin and another one

445
00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:57.759
in a cryptkeeper mask. Aladdin was her fault, but with

446
00:32:57.799 --> 00:33:00.319
the kid in the mask, it was the fact that

447
00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:03.279
the mask was obviously too big on him and he

448
00:33:03.319 --> 00:33:07.039
couldn't see where he was going. Typically, she put her

449
00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:10.119
bike in the backyard, but she was in a hurry,

450
00:33:10.640 --> 00:33:15.440
so she just leaned against the front porch and knocked. Kristen,

451
00:33:15.480 --> 00:33:19.680
Are you okay, missus Gartner asked, yeah, sorry, I just

452
00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:22.799
got stuck at the store with my mother. Oh okay,

453
00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:27.680
missus Gartner said, while looking over the bike, where's the soil? Oh,

454
00:33:27.720 --> 00:33:30.279
don't worry, my friend is dropping it off on her

455
00:33:30.400 --> 00:33:34.279
way home in a little while. Kristen said, lying a

456
00:33:34.279 --> 00:33:37.400
little bit. Didn't you say you were at the store,

457
00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:41.319
missus Gartner asked, Uh, well, not that kind of store.

458
00:33:41.799 --> 00:33:46.599
We were clothes shopping. Kristin said, okay, but remember I

459
00:33:46.640 --> 00:33:50.160
don't want I know no friend's over. Have I ever

460
00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:56.559
disappointed you? Kristin asked, well, no, missus Gartner said, opening

461
00:33:56.640 --> 00:34:00.279
the door wider for Kristin to enter. Come in by

462
00:34:00.319 --> 00:34:04.279
the way, What are you supposed to be a cure fan,

463
00:34:04.759 --> 00:34:11.599
Kristen said and laughed to herself. Hmm was missus Gartner's response. Goth,

464
00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:16.840
Kristin explained, ah, trying out a different personality for all

465
00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:21.280
Hallows Eve. Missus Gartner asked, Yeah, it seemed like a

466
00:34:21.320 --> 00:34:25.800
fun look. It is, and you do look adorable, missus

467
00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:30.920
Gartner said. Kristin hated that she didn't want to look adorable.

468
00:34:31.920 --> 00:34:35.320
Just don't get into that witchy stuff. Missus Gartner laughed.

469
00:34:36.159 --> 00:34:42.079
Don't worry about that, Kristin said. Kristen. Simon yelled when

470
00:34:42.119 --> 00:34:44.960
he saw her. Then he looked her up and down.

471
00:34:45.840 --> 00:34:50.599
You look so cool, Simon exclaimed. He was sporting a

472
00:34:50.639 --> 00:34:54.360
pirate costume with a fake rubber sword and an eye patch.

473
00:34:55.320 --> 00:35:00.159
Kristen smiled, you look great too, nice eye patch. I

474
00:35:00.199 --> 00:35:05.960
get a pirate r R. Simon said, and then laughed,

475
00:35:06.960 --> 00:35:10.880
very impressive. Have you been practicing or did it just

476
00:35:11.000 --> 00:35:16.360
come naturally? Kristen asked missus Gartner, and Kristen watched as

477
00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:21.239
he thought about how to answer. I it just came naturally.

478
00:35:21.719 --> 00:35:28.719
Simon remarked, Wow, that's great. Kristen said, He's been practicing,

479
00:35:29.280 --> 00:35:34.440
Missus Gartner said, while turning and walking into the kitchen. Kristen,

480
00:35:34.639 --> 00:35:37.039
I'm going to need to leave soon to meet up

481
00:35:37.079 --> 00:35:41.880
with mister Gartner. Let's go over everything real quick, okay,

482
00:35:42.440 --> 00:35:46.679
Kristen said, and followed. On the fridge, missus Gartner pointed

483
00:35:46.719 --> 00:35:50.000
out all the contact numbers like she had every time

484
00:35:50.119 --> 00:35:53.440
she had babysat. The only new part was a post

485
00:35:53.480 --> 00:35:57.840
it note with seven numbers on it. What's this, Kristen asked.

486
00:35:58.400 --> 00:36:02.800
Missus Gartner sighed, my husband's dumb friends want to relive

487
00:36:02.840 --> 00:36:06.360
their youth and do a Halloween pub crawl. I don't

488
00:36:06.360 --> 00:36:08.400
know the order, but the plan is to have a

489
00:36:08.480 --> 00:36:14.119
drink at all these establishments. Missus Gartner said, Oh, so

490
00:36:14.480 --> 00:36:18.760
you have a taxi to get you home, asked Kristin. No,

491
00:36:19.039 --> 00:36:21.480
I'll be the sober one and make sure the hooligans

492
00:36:21.480 --> 00:36:25.800
don't get too wild. Missus Gartner replied, good on you.

493
00:36:26.400 --> 00:36:28.559
I don't think I'm going to drink when I'm old enough.

494
00:36:29.000 --> 00:36:33.079
Kristin lied, that's a good choice. It brings a lot

495
00:36:33.079 --> 00:36:37.599
of people down. After that, the typical speech about the

496
00:36:37.679 --> 00:36:41.519
ground rules. Missus Gartner again thanked her for getting the soil,

497
00:36:41.960 --> 00:36:45.360
but reminded Kristin that her friend was not allowed in

498
00:36:45.400 --> 00:36:49.599
the house. With all the speeches given, missus Gartner walked

499
00:36:49.639 --> 00:36:54.639
to the door. Have a fun night, and Simon behave

500
00:36:55.000 --> 00:37:00.039
for Kristen. I will, Simon said. As soon as the

501
00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:03.840
door was closed. Simon wanted to work on his craft project.

502
00:37:04.639 --> 00:37:09.079
Can we build the dirt babies now? Simon asked, not yet,

503
00:37:09.559 --> 00:37:14.679
I'm waiting for the soil to arrive. Oh, Simon said, disappointed,

504
00:37:15.679 --> 00:37:18.800
But that gives us time to set up everything. I

505
00:37:18.880 --> 00:37:22.960
brought some extra art supplies to make them fancy excellent?

506
00:37:23.519 --> 00:37:27.559
Can we make it scary? Sure? We can even make

507
00:37:27.599 --> 00:37:30.719
more than one if they sent you with enough material.

508
00:37:31.239 --> 00:37:33.519
When I was your age, they always sent extras in

509
00:37:33.559 --> 00:37:36.840
case you messed up. This was the case with his

510
00:37:36.920 --> 00:37:41.199
supplies too. They sent two sets of nylons so they

511
00:37:41.199 --> 00:37:43.920
would be able to create four if they didn't mess

512
00:37:43.960 --> 00:37:48.719
any up. On the table, they placed newspapers, the nylons,

513
00:37:48.880 --> 00:37:52.239
some rubber bands, and pipe cleaners, and then Kristin pulled

514
00:37:52.239 --> 00:37:56.400
out her art box. Wow, he brought all types of stuff.

515
00:37:57.199 --> 00:38:02.760
Simon commented, I want you to win. Kristin replied, well,

516
00:38:03.320 --> 00:38:07.000
you don't really win officially. Well, I want you to

517
00:38:07.039 --> 00:38:11.760
have something cool to show off. Yeah, Simon replied and

518
00:38:11.840 --> 00:38:14.960
hugged her. You choose what supplies you want to use,

519
00:38:15.000 --> 00:38:18.079
and I'll set up our special Halloween movie for the night.

520
00:38:18.840 --> 00:38:23.880
Kristin said, it's not too scary, is it not? Really?

521
00:38:24.519 --> 00:38:28.239
There is one scary scene, but we can fast forward

522
00:38:28.239 --> 00:38:32.960
that part if it gets to be too much for you. Okay.

523
00:38:33.119 --> 00:38:36.840
It's a favorite from my childhood. It's called The Witchy Woods.

524
00:38:37.280 --> 00:38:43.719
Kristin explained. That sounds scary. It's not, except for one scene.

525
00:38:44.320 --> 00:38:46.320
It's based on a book by one of my favorite

526
00:38:46.320 --> 00:38:52.039
writers from my youth, t L. Cloward, Kristin explained. While

527
00:38:52.119 --> 00:38:55.840
Simon looked through the various items that Kristin brought, she

528
00:38:55.960 --> 00:38:58.840
slipped the VHS tape out of its well worn sleeve.

529
00:38:59.480 --> 00:39:03.199
It was an earthly produced videotape, so the art was minimal.

530
00:39:03.719 --> 00:39:06.440
The box was all yellow, and the poster art was

531
00:39:06.519 --> 00:39:09.679
smushed into a square on the front cover. In that

532
00:39:09.760 --> 00:39:14.119
square was a young girl with oversized witch garbond walking

533
00:39:14.159 --> 00:39:18.480
into a wooded area deep in the woods. Barely noticeable

534
00:39:18.519 --> 00:39:21.119
on the too small artwork is a cabin with a

535
00:39:21.159 --> 00:39:25.480
plume of smoke coming out of its chimney. Kristin looked

536
00:39:25.480 --> 00:39:29.760
at the tape. At fifteen, she already had the nostalgia

537
00:39:29.800 --> 00:39:33.159
bug for her early youth. She slid the tape in

538
00:39:33.559 --> 00:39:36.679
and hit play on the front of the VCR, then

539
00:39:36.840 --> 00:39:39.519
made moves to find the remote to switch it to

540
00:39:39.599 --> 00:39:43.440
channel three. She had just pressed play on the VCR

541
00:39:44.079 --> 00:39:48.199
when there was a knock on the door. Finally, Kristin

542
00:39:48.320 --> 00:39:52.320
murmured to herself as she walked away, a commercial for

543
00:39:52.400 --> 00:39:55.480
a pizza chain came on. Do you want to win

544
00:39:55.599 --> 00:39:59.960
free pizza? An over excited announcer voice said over cutaway

545
00:40:00.079 --> 00:40:04.320
footage of pizza's being cut and removed from ovens. Then

546
00:40:04.360 --> 00:40:07.239
it cut to a young teen with swept over blonde hair.

547
00:40:07.840 --> 00:40:11.119
He wore a washed out jean jacket over a darker

548
00:40:11.199 --> 00:40:16.079
blue jean jacket, and he carried a skateboard. Yeah, how

549
00:40:16.119 --> 00:40:19.719
cool would that be? Outside of perfecting the nar flip

550
00:40:20.400 --> 00:40:22.880
was the last line Kristin heard as she made her

551
00:40:22.920 --> 00:40:27.159
way to the front door. Kristin opened the door, expecting

552
00:40:27.199 --> 00:40:31.000
to see Bram holding a bag of soil, but instead

553
00:40:31.079 --> 00:40:36.559
she was greeted by a menacing hockey masked killer trigger

554
00:40:36.639 --> 00:40:43.119
treat said the Jason wannabe, Oh, I almost forgot, Kristin said,

555
00:40:43.119 --> 00:40:46.400
and then rushed to grab the candy bowl. She gave

556
00:40:46.440 --> 00:40:49.079
a few pieces to the kid in the slasher outfit

557
00:40:49.599 --> 00:40:54.440
and then closed the door. Can we get pizza, Simon said,

558
00:40:54.719 --> 00:40:58.079
pointing to the commercial on TV which was just ending.

559
00:40:59.199 --> 00:41:02.679
On screen, the cool kid was sitting in the pizza restaurant,

560
00:41:03.000 --> 00:41:05.599
leaning back in his chair with his feet up on

561
00:41:05.719 --> 00:41:08.440
the table. He was holding a slice of pizza in

562
00:41:08.480 --> 00:41:11.480
one hand and a copy of T. L. Cloward's book

563
00:41:11.800 --> 00:41:16.239
The Witchy Woods in his other. Grind chow and read

564
00:41:16.719 --> 00:41:21.159
That's how I lived my life. The cool kid said, yes,

565
00:41:21.440 --> 00:41:24.400
we can get pizza. Your mother left me money for it.

566
00:41:25.199 --> 00:41:31.000
Kristin clarified yes. Simon beamed, what kind do you want?

567
00:41:31.559 --> 00:41:35.480
Kristin asked, though she knew the answer. She had babysat

568
00:41:35.559 --> 00:41:40.079
him long enough to know he would say pineapple and cheese.

569
00:41:40.280 --> 00:41:43.960
On the TV, the movie began. The first scene was

570
00:41:44.000 --> 00:41:46.880
a little girl being ignored by her family during a

571
00:41:46.920 --> 00:41:51.000
camping trip. It reminded Kristin of her life before she

572
00:41:51.159 --> 00:41:54.280
reinvented herself as a goth kid in the eighth grade.

573
00:41:55.480 --> 00:42:00.519
There was a knock at the door. Pizza. Simon yelled, no,

574
00:42:00.639 --> 00:42:05.480
not this soon, Probably just another trick or treater, Kristin said.

575
00:42:06.400 --> 00:42:09.320
Hopefully it's the soil so we can build the dirt babies.

576
00:42:10.079 --> 00:42:16.480
Simon bubbled hopefully, Kristin replied. She opened the door and

577
00:42:16.559 --> 00:42:20.320
a tall man was there in a robe and sickle.

578
00:42:21.320 --> 00:42:25.880
He didn't ask to come in, he just did. Kristin,

579
00:42:26.079 --> 00:42:30.480
in shock, tried to push the intruder out. Excuse me,

580
00:42:31.079 --> 00:42:34.639
who do you think you are? Behind her? She heard

581
00:42:34.679 --> 00:42:37.960
Simon's feet hit the floor and then started heading in

582
00:42:38.000 --> 00:42:41.679
her direction to see what was up. Get out of here,

583
00:42:42.159 --> 00:42:48.280
Kristin demanded, who's that, Simon? Get back to the front room.

584
00:42:48.719 --> 00:42:52.960
It's just a dumb tricker treater, Kristin explained, trying to

585
00:42:53.000 --> 00:42:58.239
protect the young boy. Get out. Kristin once again yelled,

586
00:42:59.280 --> 00:43:04.360
is this guy bothering you? A voice from outside was heard, Yes,

587
00:43:04.920 --> 00:43:09.760
Kristin said, and Bram entered behind him. Who's this guy?

588
00:43:10.559 --> 00:43:16.679
Death said? Kristin recognized that voice. Are you freaking kidding me? Tommy?

589
00:43:17.119 --> 00:43:20.880
Kristin yelled, come on, buddy, you gotta get out of here.

590
00:43:21.280 --> 00:43:25.400
Bram said as he grabbed his shoulder, Stand down, Bram,

591
00:43:25.800 --> 00:43:30.360
It's just my dumb brother. Quarterback of the football team, Tommy,

592
00:43:31.119 --> 00:43:38.000
Bram asked nervously, Yes, that one, Tommy said, well, uh,

593
00:43:38.400 --> 00:43:41.960
Bram knew what kind of damage could come from upsetting

594
00:43:42.000 --> 00:43:45.559
the football elite. I can't believe you would come to

595
00:43:45.599 --> 00:43:48.760
my babysitter gig and scare me. That's a new low,

596
00:43:49.320 --> 00:43:54.440
Kristin yelled at him. Trick or treat, Tommy asked. She

597
00:43:54.559 --> 00:43:58.119
grabbed the bucket and gave him two pieces. Thank you,

598
00:43:58.760 --> 00:44:03.679
see you at home, Tommy said, I'm telling mom, Kristin

599
00:44:03.760 --> 00:44:08.119
yelled after him. As he left. Bram walked back outside

600
00:44:08.159 --> 00:44:10.639
and picked up the soil that was in a makeshift

601
00:44:10.719 --> 00:44:15.639
bag made from his old school pe shirt. What's this,

602
00:44:16.280 --> 00:44:21.440
Kristin asked, the soil you requested, Bram smiled, handing the

603
00:44:21.519 --> 00:44:27.800
bag to her. Uh huh, I was expecting store bought soil,

604
00:44:28.400 --> 00:44:32.400
Kristin said, as she took the shirt of dirt. This

605
00:44:32.599 --> 00:44:35.639
is better than store bought soil. I dug this with

606
00:44:35.760 --> 00:44:39.639
my own hands, Bram said, while holding his dirty hands

607
00:44:39.679 --> 00:44:44.840
out to show her. Kristin laughed, okay, well, thank you.

608
00:44:45.760 --> 00:44:47.960
She placed the bag of dirt on the floor in

609
00:44:47.960 --> 00:44:51.880
the house. I'm going to need that shirt back by Monday,

610
00:44:52.199 --> 00:44:56.719
Bram said, no problem. You're sweet for doing this for me.

611
00:44:57.360 --> 00:45:02.679
Simon will appreciate it. Is everything okay now, Simon asked,

612
00:45:02.679 --> 00:45:06.960
appearing behind her. Everything was always fine. My brother was

613
00:45:07.039 --> 00:45:10.880
just stopping by for candy, and this is the soil

614
00:45:10.960 --> 00:45:16.639
delivery person, Kristin said, and then winked at Bram. Let's

615
00:45:16.639 --> 00:45:19.920
get going. A voice from the road could be heard.

616
00:45:20.800 --> 00:45:23.880
Kristin looked behind Bram and saw Sarah and Sid on

617
00:45:23.920 --> 00:45:31.840
the street waiting. Hey, Kristin, Sid said. Kristin waved, all right, yeah,

618
00:45:31.920 --> 00:45:35.159
I should be getting going. We have a full night planned.

619
00:45:36.360 --> 00:45:40.000
Have fun with the new record. Kristin said, Nah. I

620
00:45:40.159 --> 00:45:42.599
told them we should wait to hang with you. I

621
00:45:42.639 --> 00:45:44.239
can wait a day or two to listen to the

622
00:45:44.280 --> 00:45:48.079
new Gloom Macabre record with you. Bram said and smiled

623
00:45:48.119 --> 00:45:51.559
at her. We're going to watch Eraserhead and then stop

624
00:45:51.599 --> 00:45:55.840
at Walton's Home Haunt like we planned. I forgot about that.

625
00:45:56.480 --> 00:46:00.239
I'm gonna miss it this year. Kristin said, yeah, Yeah,

626
00:46:00.320 --> 00:46:03.679
that's a bummer. I was hoping you'd hold my hand

627
00:46:03.719 --> 00:46:07.119
through it so I wouldn't get too scared. Bram laughed

628
00:46:07.400 --> 00:46:12.239
and then walked back towards Sid and Sarah. Later by

629
00:46:13.119 --> 00:46:16.599
Kristin said, and began to close the door, but then

630
00:46:17.239 --> 00:46:21.039
she spotted the pizza person pulling up. With all the

631
00:46:21.119 --> 00:46:24.480
visitors out of the way, Kristin and Simon were ready

632
00:46:24.480 --> 00:46:28.880
to enjoy their Halloween night. Simon was smiling ear to

633
00:46:28.960 --> 00:46:31.880
ear as he watched the movie and ate his pizza.

634
00:46:32.519 --> 00:46:35.079
Kristin was happy that he seemed to be enjoying it,

635
00:46:35.599 --> 00:46:39.159
even laughing at the few funny moments. When they were

636
00:46:39.159 --> 00:46:42.079
done with the pizza, they moved to their craft project.

637
00:46:42.639 --> 00:46:45.519
Per the instructions, she put a scoop of soil in

638
00:46:45.559 --> 00:46:49.079
each stocking. For the first one, she showed Simon how

639
00:46:49.079 --> 00:46:52.480
to make legs and arms by pushing the soil around

640
00:46:52.800 --> 00:46:56.400
and using rubber bands to hold them in shape. Simon

641
00:46:56.480 --> 00:46:59.639
laughed as she added a purple mustache to it, using

642
00:46:59.679 --> 00:47:02.840
the high glue gun and a purple pipe cleaner. For

643
00:47:02.920 --> 00:47:05.440
the mouth, she brought out a piece of white felt

644
00:47:05.440 --> 00:47:08.480
from her art kit and cut out teeth. For this

645
00:47:08.639 --> 00:47:11.320
first one, she cut a couple of them bigger to

646
00:47:11.400 --> 00:47:14.280
give it buck teeth. The last step was to put

647
00:47:14.320 --> 00:47:19.400
on the googly eyes. That thing is looking funny, Simon laughed.

648
00:47:20.360 --> 00:47:25.840
That thing has a name. We're naming them. Simon asked, yeah,

649
00:47:26.239 --> 00:47:29.960
you have to name them. This one is Bucky, so

650
00:47:30.199 --> 00:47:35.760
named for his large teeth. Simon, to her surprise, wanted

651
00:47:35.760 --> 00:47:40.079
to make his scary. If I'm going to have the best,

652
00:47:40.599 --> 00:47:46.239
it needs to be halloweeny. Simon said, Okay, what do

653
00:47:46.280 --> 00:47:49.719
you want to make it? Simon thought about it momentarily

654
00:47:49.840 --> 00:47:55.880
before saying, a vampire. That's easy. I just need to

655
00:47:55.920 --> 00:47:59.159
cut you some fangs, Kristen said, while cutting out a

656
00:47:59.199 --> 00:48:02.960
couple of trying teeth. Then she grabbed the black piece

657
00:48:02.960 --> 00:48:06.079
of felt and cut out a couple of crooked black lines.

658
00:48:07.000 --> 00:48:11.000
What are those for, Simon asked. Kristin signaled for him

659
00:48:11.000 --> 00:48:14.440
to hand his dirt baby over, which he did. She

660
00:48:14.559 --> 00:48:19.400
held the lines at an angle, making scary eyebrows. That's great,

661
00:48:19.920 --> 00:48:24.480
Joey is going to be so jealous, Simon squealed, Wait

662
00:48:24.559 --> 00:48:27.920
until you glue these and the teeth on. Kristin said,

663
00:48:28.719 --> 00:48:32.760
I can glue it on sure with my assistance. I

664
00:48:32.800 --> 00:48:35.159
trust that you can be safe with the hot glue gun.

665
00:48:36.119 --> 00:48:41.440
I can, Simon exclaimed. Kristin wasn't too worried anyway. She

666
00:48:41.559 --> 00:48:44.239
was smart enough to bring her low temp hot glue gun,

667
00:48:44.719 --> 00:48:47.400
so even if he did get himself. It wouldn't be

668
00:48:47.559 --> 00:48:51.840
too bad. Simon was pleased with his creation and kept

669
00:48:51.880 --> 00:48:56.719
looking it over. What are you gonna name him? Kristin asked, hmm,

670
00:48:57.679 --> 00:49:01.400
I guess he looked the thing over trying to think

671
00:49:01.480 --> 00:49:08.039
of a proper name. Vampire Baby. Kristin laughed, that's great.

672
00:49:09.119 --> 00:49:13.159
Simon set Vampire Baby down and hugged Kristin. Thank you

673
00:49:13.199 --> 00:49:17.679
for your help. This guy is sure to impress, no problem.

674
00:49:18.119 --> 00:49:23.199
They're fun to make. Want to make two more? Yes, yes, yes,

675
00:49:23.760 --> 00:49:27.320
Simon beamed. What are you going to make? This time?

676
00:49:27.840 --> 00:49:32.679
A jack o' lantern? Simon said, interesting, I like it.

677
00:49:33.360 --> 00:49:36.320
Kristin took time on her next one. She cut out

678
00:49:36.360 --> 00:49:39.360
black circles to go under the googly eyes, and then

679
00:49:39.440 --> 00:49:42.800
cut lips out of the black felt. It looks like

680
00:49:42.840 --> 00:49:46.599
your costume, Simon said, not knowing that this was how

681
00:49:46.639 --> 00:49:51.360
she dressed every day when she wasn't babysitting. Kristin hated

682
00:49:51.440 --> 00:49:55.199
lying about who she was to her clients, especially the kids.

683
00:49:55.880 --> 00:49:59.719
It made her feel dirty. With its black lips and

684
00:49:59.800 --> 00:50:03.039
dark and eyes. It looked like a dirt baby version

685
00:50:03.079 --> 00:50:07.000
of Dave Vanian from The Damned. Of course, once its

686
00:50:07.039 --> 00:50:10.119
green hair comes in, it'll look a lot less goth.

687
00:50:11.280 --> 00:50:20.519
What's his name? Simon asked, uh, goth baby like vampire baby? Yep, cool.

688
00:50:21.639 --> 00:50:25.159
Kristen smiled, then looked to the TV. This is my

689
00:50:25.159 --> 00:50:29.039
favorite part of the movie, Kristin said. On screen. The

690
00:50:29.079 --> 00:50:32.239
little girl opened the door of the cabin and inside

691
00:50:32.239 --> 00:50:37.320
the decrepit building is nothing like its dark, cobwebbed exterior.

692
00:50:38.159 --> 00:50:43.119
It's dark, but it's also beautiful with its Victorian furniture.

693
00:50:44.760 --> 00:50:48.519
Who would drag all this amazing furniture out here, the

694
00:50:48.599 --> 00:50:53.639
girl on the screen asked out loud, that would be me,

695
00:50:54.519 --> 00:50:58.719
an off screen voice said. Then she walked out, dressed

696
00:50:58.840 --> 00:51:02.760
much like the little girl. Was big hat, black dress,

697
00:51:03.599 --> 00:51:06.239
but she didn't look silly like the little girl did.

698
00:51:06.920 --> 00:51:12.760
She looked powerful and confident. Are you a witch? The

699
00:51:12.840 --> 00:51:18.559
girl asked? Are you? The witch echoed, I want to be?

700
00:51:20.239 --> 00:51:23.079
Are you a wanna be witch or are you a

701
00:51:23.199 --> 00:51:29.000
real witch? What's the difference, the girl asked. The first

702
00:51:29.039 --> 00:51:33.559
step to being anything is declaring it. So, So are

703
00:51:33.639 --> 00:51:41.280
you a witch? The witch questioned yes. The girl replied, well,

704
00:51:41.519 --> 00:51:46.000
my sister in spirit, how can I assist you? The

705
00:51:46.079 --> 00:51:51.039
witch inquired. It was a simple scene, but Kristen, even

706
00:51:51.079 --> 00:51:54.639
at an early age, appreciated the message that the first

707
00:51:54.639 --> 00:51:58.079
part of being something is saying that you are that thing.

708
00:51:58.840 --> 00:52:02.679
Anybody can want to be something, but to be something

709
00:52:03.239 --> 00:52:06.000
one must have the courage to be it and then

710
00:52:06.119 --> 00:52:10.719
move towards making it. So. When does the scary scene happen?

711
00:52:11.280 --> 00:52:15.440
Simon questioned, soon when the witch tries to help the

712
00:52:15.480 --> 00:52:18.679
little girl back home. Are you almost done with the

713
00:52:18.719 --> 00:52:23.119
dirt baby, Kristin asked. Simon held his up to show

714
00:52:23.159 --> 00:52:26.760
her the triangle eyes glued to it. I just need

715
00:52:26.760 --> 00:52:29.719
to glue the teeth on. He reached for the hot

716
00:52:29.760 --> 00:52:35.239
glue gun. Then the door rang. Kristin hoped it was

717
00:52:35.280 --> 00:52:39.079
another tricker treater and not her dumb older brother. Again.

718
00:52:40.239 --> 00:52:43.719
At the door were two kids. One was dressed as

719
00:52:43.719 --> 00:52:47.000
a mummy and the other was dressed as a princess

720
00:52:47.519 --> 00:52:51.960
trigger treat. The two kids said in unison. In the

721
00:52:52.039 --> 00:52:55.599
other room, Simon realized that he didn't have enough teeth

722
00:52:55.719 --> 00:52:59.360
left for his dirt baby. He thought about waiting for Kristin,

723
00:53:00.079 --> 00:53:02.880
but decided that he could cut them out on his own.

724
00:53:03.639 --> 00:53:08.159
How hard could it be? Kristin put the bucket back

725
00:53:08.199 --> 00:53:12.639
where it had been, but the doorbell rang again. Trigger

726
00:53:12.719 --> 00:53:16.920
treat said. Two more kids, this time one was dressed

727
00:53:16.920 --> 00:53:19.639
as a vampire, while the other one was dressed as

728
00:53:19.679 --> 00:53:24.559
a baseball player. How is that a Halloween costume, Kristin

729
00:53:24.639 --> 00:53:28.519
thought to herself, but gave the two kids candy anyway.

730
00:53:29.599 --> 00:53:33.280
Simon had cut two teeth so far. He was cutting

731
00:53:33.320 --> 00:53:36.119
them into jagged shapes, like you would with a pumpkin.

732
00:53:37.039 --> 00:53:39.239
In the other room, He heard another knock at the

733
00:53:39.320 --> 00:53:43.000
door and thought, I'm sure glad I didn't wait for

734
00:53:43.000 --> 00:53:46.519
her to come back. On screen, the witch and the

735
00:53:46.559 --> 00:53:50.559
little girl were heading through the woods. It was very dark.

736
00:53:51.519 --> 00:53:54.800
As long as we have the moonlight, we should be

737
00:53:54.840 --> 00:53:59.119
able to find our way, said the witch. But then

738
00:53:59.639 --> 00:54:04.039
in the distance, howling could be heard. What was that,

739
00:54:04.840 --> 00:54:08.800
the little girl asked, We need to move a little faster.

740
00:54:08.960 --> 00:54:14.679
Don't worry about it, okay, the witch pleaded, Oh okay,

741
00:54:15.239 --> 00:54:19.079
the little girl replied. Simon was beginning to feel a

742
00:54:19.079 --> 00:54:22.360
little more tense. He was worried about the little girl

743
00:54:22.440 --> 00:54:26.159
and the witch. He continued cutting the teeth out while

744
00:54:26.199 --> 00:54:30.719
focusing on the television. He finished another tooth as the

745
00:54:30.760 --> 00:54:35.000
witch and the little girl hid behind a down tree.

746
00:54:35.159 --> 00:54:40.000
I'm scared the little girl confessed, it will be okay

747
00:54:40.440 --> 00:54:44.280
as long as we stay quiet. The witch tried to

748
00:54:44.280 --> 00:54:47.960
console her. At the door, Kristin was giving a couple

749
00:54:47.960 --> 00:54:52.079
of kids candy have a good night. In the other rooms,

750
00:54:52.079 --> 00:54:56.480
she heard a character from the TV yell run, oh no.

751
00:54:57.199 --> 00:55:00.039
Kristin thought the big scare was only a f a

752
00:55:00.039 --> 00:55:02.679
few moments away. She went to close the door to

753
00:55:02.719 --> 00:55:05.679
go fast forward the tape, but then a lone kid

754
00:55:05.719 --> 00:55:10.400
walked up in a dinosaur costume and said trick or treat.

755
00:55:10.679 --> 00:55:15.679
She hesitated, then said I'll be right back. A scream

756
00:55:15.840 --> 00:55:18.599
was heard from the other room. She thought it was

757
00:55:18.599 --> 00:55:24.559
from the TV, but then realized no, it was Simon's scream.

758
00:55:24.840 --> 00:55:27.559
Kristin swung the door closed on the young kid's face

759
00:55:27.599 --> 00:55:30.880
and ran to the living room, where she discovered Simon

760
00:55:31.360 --> 00:55:35.159
holding his hand. There were drops of blood spreading on

761
00:55:35.199 --> 00:55:40.039
the newspaper, and White felt, I'm sorry, Kristin. I was

762
00:55:40.079 --> 00:55:42.599
trying to cut some more teeth out for my dirt baby.

763
00:55:43.440 --> 00:55:45.800
Kristin looked at the dirt baby he was working on.

764
00:55:46.559 --> 00:55:50.239
It looked nearly done, with its various weird teeth glued

765
00:55:50.280 --> 00:55:55.199
haphazardly to it, and whose eyes were blank triangles. She

766
00:55:55.360 --> 00:55:58.280
also noticed that blood had landed on the two first

767
00:55:58.320 --> 00:56:02.840
dirt babies, on vampire Baby and her goth baby. None

768
00:56:02.880 --> 00:56:05.719
of his blood got on Bucky or the yet to

769
00:56:05.800 --> 00:56:10.159
be named Pumpkin dirt baby. Kristin grabbed Simon by the

770
00:56:10.159 --> 00:56:14.079
other arm and took charge of the situation. She was worried,

771
00:56:14.280 --> 00:56:17.920
but kept calm for his sake. It's no problem. Let's

772
00:56:17.920 --> 00:56:21.039
get you cleaned up. Kristin walked him to the bathroom,

773
00:56:21.599 --> 00:56:25.599
praying that he wouldn't need stitches. If they had stayed

774
00:56:25.639 --> 00:56:29.400
in the front room any longer, they might have noticed

775
00:56:30.119 --> 00:56:40.199
that two of the dirt babies began to move. In

776
00:56:40.280 --> 00:56:45.159
the bathroom, she ran cold water over Simon's cut. Kristin

777
00:56:45.320 --> 00:56:49.880
sighed in relief. It's fine, no, biggie, nothing that a

778
00:56:49.920 --> 00:56:53.800
band aid won't cure, she said, hoping that Simon's parents

779
00:56:54.159 --> 00:56:59.880
felt the same way. So what happened, she asked, I

780
00:57:00.199 --> 00:57:02.960
was cutting teeth and gluing them on my dirt baby,

781
00:57:03.480 --> 00:57:06.719
but I was also watching the movie, which was real scary.

782
00:57:07.280 --> 00:57:11.000
Simon said, sorry. I meant to be there for that scene,

783
00:57:11.039 --> 00:57:15.920
but I kept getting trigger treaters. It's all right. Can

784
00:57:15.960 --> 00:57:18.480
we turn that movie off and finish the dirt babies,

785
00:57:19.079 --> 00:57:30.039
Simon asked, Yes, of course, Kristen said, feeling awful about everything. Kristin, Yeah,

786
00:57:30.119 --> 00:57:32.880
does the little girl make it out of the woods?

787
00:57:33.880 --> 00:57:40.440
She does, and she learns the power of friendship. That's nice.

788
00:57:40.480 --> 00:57:44.039
Maybe sometime in the future you can bring it over

789
00:57:44.079 --> 00:57:47.800
again and I might be ready to watch it. Okay, Simon,

790
00:57:49.199 --> 00:57:51.559
Too bad. There was nobody in the room to watch

791
00:57:52.159 --> 00:57:57.159
as the dirt babies transformed, because it was quite the sight.

792
00:57:58.119 --> 00:58:02.360
The first one to change was the vampire. The eyes

793
00:58:02.440 --> 00:58:06.039
were the first thing to come to life. They transformed

794
00:58:06.079 --> 00:58:11.960
into large, moist orbs, almost like full sized human eyeballs

795
00:58:12.320 --> 00:58:15.639
on a thing the size of a potato, but with

796
00:58:15.719 --> 00:58:19.840
no ability to blink, as the kid didn't create any eyelids,

797
00:58:20.639 --> 00:58:25.239
the blacks of the eyes still shifted wildly as they moved.

798
00:58:25.800 --> 00:58:28.840
The next thing to happen was the rapid growth of

799
00:58:28.920 --> 00:58:32.800
green grass that popped out of its head, followed by

800
00:58:32.840 --> 00:58:37.639
the mouth forming with the vampire fangs. They were still

801
00:58:37.760 --> 00:58:43.000
stained with the boy's blood. His legs and arms popped

802
00:58:43.039 --> 00:58:46.400
out at the same time. His feet were formless, but

803
00:58:46.519 --> 00:58:49.719
each of his hands had five fingers that popped out

804
00:58:50.199 --> 00:58:55.159
like switchblades with fingernails that were just as sharp. As

805
00:58:55.199 --> 00:58:59.679
his transformation was finishing, the gothwe started to change too.

806
00:59:00.599 --> 00:59:04.079
The black felt behind the googly eyes became the dark

807
00:59:04.159 --> 00:59:08.440
circles of a creature of the night. Its black felt

808
00:59:08.519 --> 00:59:11.920
mouth became full black lips, like they just had a

809
00:59:11.920 --> 00:59:16.280
fresh coat of onyxx lipstick applied. When it smiled, you

810
00:59:16.320 --> 00:59:21.360
could see its mouth full of little, sharp, crooked teeth.

811
00:59:22.119 --> 00:59:26.559
The other two didn't transform at all. When the newly

812
00:59:26.679 --> 00:59:30.880
transformed dirt Babies heard the footsteps of Simon and Kristin

813
00:59:31.079 --> 00:59:34.440
coming back toward the living room, they looked at each other,

814
00:59:35.360 --> 00:59:40.000
then jumped down from the table and ran off. When

815
00:59:40.039 --> 00:59:44.320
Simon and Kristin entered the room, Simon noticed their absence.

816
00:59:45.800 --> 00:59:50.840
Where's the other two dirt babies? Simon inquired, Maybe they

817
00:59:50.880 --> 00:59:53.599
got knocked down during the chaos of you cutting your finger.

818
00:59:54.480 --> 01:00:00.880
Kristin offered, maybe, Simon said, unsure. Kristin got on her

819
01:00:00.960 --> 01:00:04.440
knees near the coffee table and looked around. She didn't

820
01:00:04.440 --> 01:00:08.960
see anything under it or underneath the couch. That's strange,

821
01:00:09.320 --> 01:00:15.280
Kristin said, yeah, Simon responded. Kristin hopped up and looked

822
01:00:15.400 --> 01:00:22.159
all around the room, nothing, she said. Then she peeked

823
01:00:22.199 --> 01:00:27.360
her head into the adjoining kitchen, and there too saw nothing.

824
01:00:28.840 --> 01:00:32.119
If she looked a little harder, she would have spotted

825
01:00:32.119 --> 01:00:35.719
the two of them hiding behind the clear flower and

826
01:00:35.880 --> 01:00:40.559
sugar containers on the counter. The two thought they were

827
01:00:40.559 --> 01:00:44.320
well hidden because both the flower and the sugar were

828
01:00:44.480 --> 01:00:49.280
just about to their eyes, so they were mostly covered, except,

829
01:00:49.360 --> 01:00:54.719
of course, for their tall green grass hair. That was close,

830
01:00:55.440 --> 01:01:00.719
said the vampire baby it was, now tell me again,

831
01:01:01.239 --> 01:01:05.840
why are we hiding? GoF Baby asked, well, we are

832
01:01:05.880 --> 01:01:10.599
about six inches tall and she's about a million. I

833
01:01:10.639 --> 01:01:13.239
want to get those other two moving before we make

834
01:01:13.280 --> 01:01:18.639
our move. Should we kill the little one first for practice?

835
01:01:19.320 --> 01:01:25.280
GoF Baby asked, maybe, but she might be easier. Vampire

836
01:01:25.360 --> 01:01:28.039
Baby said, and whipped his head to the right so

837
01:01:28.079 --> 01:01:32.840
that momentarily his googly pupils would be pointing towards the window.

838
01:01:33.719 --> 01:01:37.519
GoF Baby did the same to follow his gaze. From

839
01:01:37.519 --> 01:01:41.159
the window, they could see into the neighbor's house, where

840
01:01:41.199 --> 01:01:44.800
an old lady could be seen moving around slowly in

841
01:01:44.880 --> 01:01:51.480
her kitchen. That one will be for practice, Vampire Baby said.

842
01:01:52.000 --> 01:01:56.559
The dirt babies laughed an evil laugh together in the

843
01:01:56.599 --> 01:02:00.679
other room, Kristen could be heard saying, did you hear that?

844
01:02:02.039 --> 01:02:07.719
It sounded like laughter? Simon said, sh vampire baby said

845
01:02:07.760 --> 01:02:11.519
while putting his finger to his mouth. Kristin looked around

846
01:02:11.559 --> 01:02:15.280
the room for a potential weapon. She was putting two

847
01:02:15.320 --> 01:02:19.840
and two together. First the dirt babies went missing, and

848
01:02:19.920 --> 01:02:24.239
now she heard what sounded like an intruder. Her first

849
01:02:24.239 --> 01:02:29.760
thoughts were about protecting Simon from the threat. Then Kristin laughed,

850
01:02:30.280 --> 01:02:36.480
realizing what the most logical explanation was. I bet it's

851
01:02:36.519 --> 01:02:44.320
my brother again, Kristin groaned. You think I'm scared, don't

852
01:02:44.360 --> 01:02:47.480
be scared. He just scares other people because he's a

853
01:02:47.519 --> 01:02:54.679
scaredy cat. Kristin replied, really, Kristin began to whisper, So

854
01:02:55.639 --> 01:02:58.639
let's sneak in the kitchen and when we spot him,

855
01:02:59.079 --> 01:03:02.280
we yell as loud as we can, and maybe we

856
01:03:02.440 --> 01:03:07.760
can scare him. Yeah, Simon said in an excited whisper.

857
01:03:08.760 --> 01:03:13.400
They walked slowly to the kitchen, careful not to make

858
01:03:13.440 --> 01:03:17.679
a sound, but when they looked in, it was just

859
01:03:17.800 --> 01:03:20.360
as empty as the last time. She took a peek.

860
01:03:21.440 --> 01:03:25.119
Kristin pointed to the tall cupboard and then walked in

861
01:03:25.239 --> 01:03:30.960
that direction. Simon followed close by. She swung open the

862
01:03:31.039 --> 01:03:34.719
tall cabinet to reveal boxes of cereal and other shelf

863
01:03:34.800 --> 01:03:38.519
stable foods. I could have told you that nobody would

864
01:03:38.559 --> 01:03:43.599
fit in there, Simon whispered, Then why didn't you? Kristin

865
01:03:43.679 --> 01:03:47.280
looked around the room further, but saw no hiding spots

866
01:03:47.320 --> 01:03:51.400
except for the sink area. So she knelt in front

867
01:03:51.400 --> 01:03:55.599
of the cabinet under the sink and opened it slowly.

868
01:03:57.519 --> 01:04:01.239
There was nothing. As she stood up, she looked in

869
01:04:01.320 --> 01:04:06.000
the sink and saw the two evil dirt babies staring

870
01:04:06.519 --> 01:04:11.960
back at her. They weren't moving, but she knew something

871
01:04:12.079 --> 01:04:17.280
was up. Their legs and arms looked functional. Their eyes

872
01:04:17.400 --> 01:04:23.719
even looked realistic, yet somehow still googly. How did the

873
01:04:23.800 --> 01:04:27.480
grass grow so fast? She felt like she was losing

874
01:04:27.480 --> 01:04:33.400
her mind. Simon, can you come look at this, Kristen called.

875
01:04:34.400 --> 01:04:38.280
Simon walked to the sink and looked in. What the

876
01:04:39.280 --> 01:04:44.039
he trailed off. They look so real. It makes no

877
01:04:44.159 --> 01:04:49.760
sense that Kristen stopped as one moved slightly. It's magic,

878
01:04:50.320 --> 01:04:55.679
Simon said, It's insane. How do they already have grass growing?

879
01:04:55.800 --> 01:05:01.480
They look so different, They look alive. I feel like

880
01:05:01.480 --> 01:05:07.119
I'm losing my mind. Everything's okay, Simon said, and took

881
01:05:07.119 --> 01:05:11.360
her hand. This is just like a Disney movie. Maybe

882
01:05:11.360 --> 01:05:15.800
we get wishes now, only if that wish is to die,

883
01:05:16.440 --> 01:05:20.320
screamed the Vampire one. Then it grabbed a dirty fork

884
01:05:20.360 --> 01:05:22.400
that was next to him in the sink and threw

885
01:05:22.440 --> 01:05:25.360
it at Simon, who screamed as the projectile flew at

886
01:05:25.400 --> 01:05:29.000
his face, hid him in the cheek, and then fell

887
01:05:29.039 --> 01:05:33.199
to the ground, not harming him in any way. You

888
01:05:33.280 --> 01:05:37.400
a little turd, Kristin yelled and grabbed Vampire Baby, which

889
01:05:37.440 --> 01:05:41.159
immediately tried to bite her. Then Goth Baby began to

890
01:05:41.280 --> 01:05:45.719
move such a temper, it said, and then looked around.

891
01:05:46.480 --> 01:05:49.199
The only other utensil in the sink was a corn

892
01:05:49.280 --> 01:05:52.719
cob holder. Goth Baby picked it up and ran its

893
01:05:52.760 --> 01:05:57.159
finger on the tip. This just might do it, said,

894
01:05:57.280 --> 01:06:02.880
before stabbing Kristin in the hand. Fuck Kristin screamed. She

895
01:06:03.039 --> 01:06:07.679
dropped Vampire Baby. While Kristin was being stabbed, Simon grabbed

896
01:06:07.719 --> 01:06:10.519
the phone receiver from the wall and dialed nine one

897
01:06:10.679 --> 01:06:15.679
one Hello. Yes, my name is Simon, and we need

898
01:06:15.719 --> 01:06:18.760
a police car. Kristen turned and looked at him as

899
01:06:18.760 --> 01:06:23.079
he continued the call. Um my dirt babies came to

900
01:06:23.159 --> 01:06:28.519
life and just attacked my babysitter, Simon said reluctantly. Kristin

901
01:06:28.559 --> 01:06:33.239
could hear the laughter coming from the phone receiver. It's true,

902
01:06:33.480 --> 01:06:39.280
Simon said, and then listened. It's not a hello. Hearing

903
01:06:39.360 --> 01:06:44.079
no response, Simon hung up the phone. What did they say?

904
01:06:45.000 --> 01:06:52.159
Kristen demanded, Happy Halloween? Then they hung up. That's not good,

905
01:06:52.639 --> 01:06:59.800
Kristin said, yeah, Simon replied, defeated. It seemed like such

906
01:06:59.840 --> 01:07:04.559
a simple solution. Now, what should we do with these two?

907
01:07:05.119 --> 01:07:08.119
Kristin said, and turned back around to look at them,

908
01:07:08.760 --> 01:07:15.880
but they were gone. Uh oh, Kristin said, what do

909
01:07:15.920 --> 01:07:20.880
you mean? Uh oh, they're gone. Simon wrapped his arms

910
01:07:20.880 --> 01:07:25.320
around her for protection. What do we do? Simon looked

911
01:07:25.360 --> 01:07:30.039
up and asked, we catch them? The first thing they

912
01:07:30.079 --> 01:07:33.840
did was secure the two. That didn't change. Simon was

913
01:07:33.920 --> 01:07:36.880
tasked with holding the box. He held it out as

914
01:07:36.960 --> 01:07:41.480
far from himself as he could, his knees shook. The

915
01:07:41.559 --> 01:07:44.320
plan was for Kristin to grab them and put them

916
01:07:44.360 --> 01:07:47.480
in the box, but she kept chickening out because she

917
01:07:47.599 --> 01:07:52.039
was afraid that they could turn at any moment. Move closer.

918
01:07:52.639 --> 01:07:58.079
Kristin demanded, I am, Simon pleaded, though he was four

919
01:07:58.079 --> 01:08:03.280
feet away from the dirt babies and standing still. Come on, Simon,

920
01:08:03.320 --> 01:08:05.559
I need the box right next to the coffee table.

921
01:08:06.760 --> 01:08:10.760
I'm scared. Kristin sighed and walked over and grabbed the

922
01:08:10.760 --> 01:08:13.480
box from him and set it on the ground next

923
01:08:13.480 --> 01:08:17.319
to the table. Then she went to grab one, but

924
01:08:17.439 --> 01:08:21.199
pulled her hand away before touching it. Come on, Kristin,

925
01:08:21.279 --> 01:08:24.800
get them in the box before they turn, Simon begged.

926
01:08:25.600 --> 01:08:30.039
Kristin looked around the room for something to use. That'll work,

927
01:08:30.479 --> 01:08:33.000
she said to herself, as she walked over to the

928
01:08:33.039 --> 01:08:36.840
fireplace and made her selection of which fire pokers to use.

929
01:08:37.479 --> 01:08:40.760
She settled on the poker and the shovel. She put

930
01:08:40.800 --> 01:08:43.079
the poker on the left side and the shovel on

931
01:08:43.159 --> 01:08:46.520
the right, and picked up the first one she created,

932
01:08:47.279 --> 01:08:51.720
the one called Bucky, with its purple mustache and bucked teeth.

933
01:08:52.279 --> 01:08:56.079
It still made her want to laugh. She was almost

934
01:08:56.119 --> 01:08:58.920
to the box with it when she lost grip and

935
01:08:59.000 --> 01:09:02.159
it fell. Kristin was able to pick it up and

936
01:09:02.199 --> 01:09:05.920
move it to the box with one more attempt. Now

937
01:09:06.000 --> 01:09:08.079
for the one they made to look like a jack

938
01:09:08.079 --> 01:09:12.159
o' lantern, The only one not to have googly eyes.

939
01:09:13.119 --> 01:09:15.600
She got that one in the box with no incident.

940
01:09:16.239 --> 01:09:19.359
She was getting good at it. Kristin put the lid

941
01:09:19.399 --> 01:09:21.880
on the box and then moved it near the fireplace.

942
01:09:22.479 --> 01:09:25.359
She stacked some wood on top of the box as well,

943
01:09:25.880 --> 01:09:28.159
so that they couldn't lift the lid if they too

944
01:09:28.359 --> 01:09:33.039
became the world's dorkiest looking killers. If your parents let

945
01:09:33.079 --> 01:09:35.560
me use the fireplace, I would just chuck them in now.

946
01:09:36.600 --> 01:09:39.039
But then what would I bring to show and tell?

947
01:09:39.800 --> 01:09:45.520
Simon asked. Kristin gave him a long, serious look. Then

948
01:09:46.159 --> 01:09:51.680
Simon laughed. Kristin joined in his laughter. Their laughter was

949
01:09:51.720 --> 01:09:57.520
interrupted by the sound of screaming in the distance. Kristin

950
01:09:57.600 --> 01:10:01.800
and Simon locked their eyes, then broke to run to

951
01:10:01.840 --> 01:10:06.600
the window to look outside. At first, they saw nothing

952
01:10:07.159 --> 01:10:12.159
except a few tricker treaters walking on the sidewalk. Did

953
01:10:12.199 --> 01:10:16.680
you see that? Simon asked? What the kid in the

954
01:10:16.760 --> 01:10:21.680
Darth Vader costume? Kristen asked. Simon pointed to the window

955
01:10:21.720 --> 01:10:27.560
of the house next door. She watched, seeing nothing at first,

956
01:10:28.399 --> 01:10:32.319
Then the old lady who lived next door ran through

957
01:10:32.319 --> 01:10:39.079
her living room and headed upstairs. Do you think, Simon asked,

958
01:10:39.840 --> 01:10:45.239
But before Kristen could respond. They saw the vampire dirt

959
01:10:45.319 --> 01:10:48.920
Baby appear on the stairs, holding a kitchen knife above

960
01:10:48.960 --> 01:10:51.840
its head that was nearly as big as he was.

961
01:10:52.880 --> 01:10:56.720
Kristin handed Simon the poker and dragged him to the bathroom.

962
01:10:57.720 --> 01:10:59.800
She did a quick search of the room to make

963
01:10:59.800 --> 01:11:03.680
sure the other dirt baby wasn't in there. Stay here,

964
01:11:04.239 --> 01:11:11.600
I'll be back, Kristen said, I'm scared. Simon begged, don't worry.

965
01:11:11.720 --> 01:11:14.079
This door has a lock and the handle is three

966
01:11:14.159 --> 01:11:16.800
feet off the ground. They're not going to be able

967
01:11:16.800 --> 01:11:21.199
to get in here, she assured him. As she closed

968
01:11:21.199 --> 01:11:24.600
the door, she hit the button so it would lock

969
01:11:25.079 --> 01:11:30.159
behind her. The chaos next door started when Missus Kinders,

970
01:11:30.600 --> 01:11:33.640
the seventy five year old neighbor lady, was going to

971
01:11:33.720 --> 01:11:36.319
her kitchen to get another cup of coffee and a

972
01:11:36.319 --> 01:11:39.359
bag of chips. She was staying up late, as she

973
01:11:39.479 --> 01:11:43.720
always had on Halloween. Missus Kinders grew up during the

974
01:11:43.760 --> 01:11:47.359
first big wave of horror films. As a young kid,

975
01:11:47.399 --> 01:11:50.760
she got to see the original Dracula, Doctor Jekyl, and

976
01:11:50.800 --> 01:11:55.680
Mister Hyde and Frankenstein in theaters. She had been hooked

977
01:11:55.960 --> 01:12:00.840
ever since. Tonight. She wasn't feeling nostalgia for her youth,

978
01:12:01.000 --> 01:12:06.079
so she was watching Texas Chainsaw Massacre too. She paused

979
01:12:06.079 --> 01:12:10.600
the VHS right before her favorite character was introduced. She

980
01:12:10.720 --> 01:12:14.159
wanted snacks in place so she could sit and enjoy

981
01:12:14.319 --> 01:12:18.000
chop Top with all his weirdness without having to get

982
01:12:18.039 --> 01:12:21.800
back up. Her other friends her age never knew what

983
01:12:21.920 --> 01:12:25.560
she was talking about when she quoted his lines dog

984
01:12:25.680 --> 01:12:30.520
will hunt or It's like death eating a cracker, but

985
01:12:30.680 --> 01:12:34.319
her years of watching horror did nothing to prepare her

986
01:12:34.720 --> 01:12:38.920
for the terror of the dirt Babies. As a lifetime

987
01:12:38.960 --> 01:12:42.640
coffee drinker, she went through many different methods of preparing

988
01:12:42.680 --> 01:12:46.800
the sacred caffeine elixir. She had a French press, a

989
01:12:46.840 --> 01:12:53.000
poorover system, a regular coffee maker, and then her espresso machine.

990
01:12:53.039 --> 01:12:57.560
Tonight was an espresso night. She reached into her cupboard

991
01:12:57.640 --> 01:13:01.319
and grabbed her favorite coffee of the moment, Midnight Dreary,

992
01:13:01.840 --> 01:13:05.159
a dark roast named after a line from Poe's most

993
01:13:05.199 --> 01:13:09.159
famous poem. Because she always kept it in the same place,

994
01:13:09.640 --> 01:13:13.039
She grabbed it without looking and didn't notice goth Baby

995
01:13:13.520 --> 01:13:18.520
hiding in that cupboard waiting to attack. She measured the

996
01:13:18.560 --> 01:13:21.720
beams out and placed them in the grinder. Then she

997
01:13:21.840 --> 01:13:25.239
opened the cupboard to put the bag back, but something

998
01:13:25.800 --> 01:13:29.399
was in the way. She looked and saw goth Baby

999
01:13:29.479 --> 01:13:34.239
giving a seductive smile with its black lips. She screamed.

1000
01:13:34.880 --> 01:13:38.119
His eyes widened, but he waited for her to stop.

1001
01:13:39.039 --> 01:13:42.680
Don't worry, ma'am, none of this blood is mine, goth

1002
01:13:42.760 --> 01:13:46.640
Baby said, while pointing to Simon's dried blood that still

1003
01:13:46.680 --> 01:13:50.920
stained him. When Missus Kinders made her move to close

1004
01:13:50.960 --> 01:13:54.960
the cabinet, he jumped at her. Goth Baby was aiming

1005
01:13:55.000 --> 01:13:58.399
for her neck, but had to adjust his trajectory when

1006
01:13:58.439 --> 01:14:02.159
she turned to run, she didn't move fast enough, and

1007
01:14:02.239 --> 01:14:05.640
he caught her by the ear with his mouth. She

1008
01:14:05.800 --> 01:14:08.640
screamed when he bit through it. Because he didn't think

1009
01:14:08.680 --> 01:14:11.720
of the consequences, the dirt Baby fell to the floor

1010
01:14:11.720 --> 01:14:14.439
with her right lobe and a little bit extra in

1011
01:14:14.520 --> 01:14:19.000
his mouth. Missus Kinders screaming continued as she grabbed what

1012
01:14:19.119 --> 01:14:22.600
remained of her ear. The only thing that stopped her

1013
01:14:22.640 --> 01:14:26.079
from screaming was seeing the other dirt baby on the counter.

1014
01:14:27.800 --> 01:14:33.279
Is that one a fucking vampire? She yelled. Vampire Baby

1015
01:14:33.319 --> 01:14:36.399
showed its fangs and then pulled the biggest knife she

1016
01:14:36.479 --> 01:14:40.239
had from her countertop knife holder. What the hell is

1017
01:14:40.279 --> 01:14:45.239
going on? Missus Kinders yelled. Vampire Baby looked at her

1018
01:14:45.319 --> 01:14:48.079
for a moment, trying to come up with something clever.

1019
01:14:49.600 --> 01:14:56.560
Your death, Vampire Baby yelled. Missus Kinders screamed, that's the

1020
01:14:56.600 --> 01:15:00.359
best line you got. Goth Baby asked, and then like laughed.

1021
01:15:01.159 --> 01:15:04.359
Missus Kinders looked down on the ground as Goth Baby

1022
01:15:04.399 --> 01:15:11.560
looked at Vampire Baby. You got something better, Vampire Baby asked, Well,

1023
01:15:11.920 --> 01:15:15.479
she asked what the hell is going on? So you

1024
01:15:15.520 --> 01:15:20.119
should have responded with I am worse than hell. GoF

1025
01:15:20.159 --> 01:15:24.439
Baby said, that is slightly better. I think it's kind

1026
01:15:24.479 --> 01:15:26.960
of on her, though she didn't set it up well

1027
01:15:27.000 --> 01:15:30.199
for me to have a good She's running. GoF Baby

1028
01:15:30.239 --> 01:15:35.239
said that she is. Vampire Baby took his knife, jumped

1029
01:15:35.279 --> 01:15:37.720
down and chased after her as she ran into the

1030
01:15:37.760 --> 01:15:41.159
front room. They played ring around the chair for a

1031
01:15:41.239 --> 01:15:43.720
moment before she was able to make a break for

1032
01:15:43.800 --> 01:15:48.000
the stairs. All those years of horror movie watching, she

1033
01:15:48.079 --> 01:15:52.079
didn't learn the fundamentals of survival. Run out the door,

1034
01:15:52.800 --> 01:15:57.640
never upstairs. Vampire Baby ran after her, with his tiny

1035
01:15:57.720 --> 01:16:00.840
legs moving as fast as they could and his googly

1036
01:16:00.920 --> 01:16:04.800
eyes bouncing in every direction. It was quite the sight

1037
01:16:04.920 --> 01:16:08.359
to behold. Once on the stairs, he had to jump

1038
01:16:08.439 --> 01:16:11.680
to make it up each one. Back in the kitchen,

1039
01:16:12.000 --> 01:16:14.680
goth Baby was using a little spatula to put her

1040
01:16:14.720 --> 01:16:18.680
blood in a ziplock bag. Once it got all that

1041
01:16:18.760 --> 01:16:21.800
it could, it made its way towards the stairs to

1042
01:16:21.840 --> 01:16:25.600
help vampire Baby. But when he got near them, the

1043
01:16:25.640 --> 01:16:30.079
front door flung open. It was Kristin with a fireplace

1044
01:16:30.119 --> 01:16:35.119
shovel in hand. You you must want to die, goth

1045
01:16:35.199 --> 01:16:38.479
Baby said, I think I can take on two potato

1046
01:16:38.560 --> 01:16:43.279
sized cretans like you. Kristin said, what about when there

1047
01:16:43.279 --> 01:16:47.880
are four of us? Goth Baby asked, I've already secured

1048
01:16:47.920 --> 01:16:52.800
the others and they haven't transformed anyway, not yet, but

1049
01:16:52.960 --> 01:16:57.600
they will, goth Baby threatened. Kristin held up her weapons

1050
01:16:57.640 --> 01:17:00.920
in attack mode. She hit him with the metal place shovel,

1051
01:17:01.159 --> 01:17:03.600
which flung him across the room and over the couch.

1052
01:17:04.239 --> 01:17:06.720
On the flight, it lost the bag of blood it

1053
01:17:06.760 --> 01:17:11.239
was carrying. Kristin looked at it curiously, wondering why it

1054
01:17:11.279 --> 01:17:15.439
was collecting blood. When she looked behind the couch, he

1055
01:17:15.600 --> 01:17:21.119
wasn't there, of course not, Kristin said to herself. Then

1056
01:17:21.239 --> 01:17:23.920
she got on her hands and knees to look underneath.

1057
01:17:24.880 --> 01:17:27.920
Kristin wanted to catch him, but was afraid of looking

1058
01:17:27.960 --> 01:17:32.680
and seeing him ready to attack. She found nothing under

1059
01:17:32.680 --> 01:17:36.720
the couch except the usual a sock, a candy wrapper

1060
01:17:36.760 --> 01:17:39.800
in a bottle cap. Kristin put her hands out in

1061
01:17:39.840 --> 01:17:42.960
a push up position and prepared to lift herself back

1062
01:17:43.079 --> 01:17:46.680
up when suddenly, goth baby landed on her back and

1063
01:17:46.800 --> 01:17:50.359
began to run towards her neck. Kristin tried to get

1064
01:17:50.439 --> 01:17:53.600
up quickly and spin to look around at the same time,

1065
01:17:54.119 --> 01:17:57.319
but she lost her balance and fell hard on her back.

1066
01:17:58.199 --> 01:18:02.439
She felt him squish under her weight. She was thankful

1067
01:18:02.479 --> 01:18:05.880
that he didn't have a weapon with him, but then

1068
01:18:07.000 --> 01:18:12.239
she felt a chewing sensation. This thing was smashed and

1069
01:18:12.359 --> 01:18:15.600
was still attacking. It didn't take long for it to

1070
01:18:15.720 --> 01:18:21.359
chew through her conjuror's coat. Asshole, Kristin yelled. Then it

1071
01:18:21.399 --> 01:18:25.039
sunk its teeth into her flesh. She screamed in pain

1072
01:18:25.479 --> 01:18:29.159
as she jumped up. She stared down at the smashed

1073
01:18:29.199 --> 01:18:32.079
dirt baby on the ground, moving its jaw like it

1074
01:18:32.159 --> 01:18:35.560
was still chewing. It only took a few seconds of

1075
01:18:35.600 --> 01:18:38.840
her weight being off it for it to begin reinflating.

1076
01:18:39.840 --> 01:18:46.760
Go to hell, Kristin said, again it asked. Then Kristin

1077
01:18:46.800 --> 01:18:51.560
put the shovel through its body, severing it in. Two,

1078
01:18:51.840 --> 01:18:57.520
one down, one to go. Kristin smiled to herself, but

1079
01:18:57.680 --> 01:19:02.199
then goth Baby began to laugh as its body pulled

1080
01:19:02.199 --> 01:19:10.600
itself together. Damn it, Kristen said. Ah, Missus Kinders could

1081
01:19:10.600 --> 01:19:16.359
be heard yelling upstairs. Double damn it, Kristin said, then

1082
01:19:16.520 --> 01:19:21.239
left goth Baby behind to go save Missus Kinders. Goth

1083
01:19:21.319 --> 01:19:32.239
Baby didn't follow her. Simon was still in the bathroom

1084
01:19:32.680 --> 01:19:37.039
when Gothbaby returned to the Gartner house. He hoped the

1085
01:19:37.079 --> 01:19:41.159
sounds he heard were Kristin, but they didn't quite sound

1086
01:19:41.319 --> 01:19:47.680
like teenage footsteps. Dang it, Simon cursed. Then he heard

1087
01:19:47.760 --> 01:19:51.760
something fall onto the floor. Simon just knew this was

1088
01:19:51.800 --> 01:19:56.680
the box containing the other two dirt babies. Double dang it.

1089
01:19:58.079 --> 01:20:00.760
Goth Baby had to use one of the remaining fire

1090
01:20:00.840 --> 01:20:04.239
pokers to wedge between the wall and the wood to

1091
01:20:04.279 --> 01:20:10.520
get the job done. It looked up upon his accomplishment wonderful.

1092
01:20:11.520 --> 01:20:15.439
Then he leaped into the box ziplock bag in hand.

1093
01:20:16.760 --> 01:20:20.000
Each dirt baby was born with the knowledge of their creation,

1094
01:20:20.680 --> 01:20:23.079
so he knew he just had to add the blood

1095
01:20:23.079 --> 01:20:25.640
to the dirt that had the spell put upon it,

1096
01:20:26.159 --> 01:20:30.439
and they too would come alive. Goth Baby opened the

1097
01:20:30.560 --> 01:20:33.560
ziplock and squeezed the blood onto the dirt baby that

1098
01:20:33.600 --> 01:20:37.319
had buck teeth and a purple mustache, then put the

1099
01:20:37.399 --> 01:20:40.800
rest onto the one that had the characteristics of a pumpkin.

1100
01:20:42.079 --> 01:20:46.119
Knowing that the transformation took time, goth Baby jumped out

1101
01:20:46.119 --> 01:20:49.199
of the box. He knew the kid was hiding in

1102
01:20:49.239 --> 01:20:55.359
the house somewhere, and he wanted to find him. In

1103
01:20:55.439 --> 01:20:59.600
the Kinder's household, the homeowner was fighting for her life,

1104
01:21:00.199 --> 01:21:03.880
cornered in her bedroom, and vampire Baby was toying with her.

1105
01:21:04.720 --> 01:21:07.800
When Kristin arrived in the doorway to missus Kinder's room,

1106
01:21:08.279 --> 01:21:10.920
she saw the old woman stuck in the corner, up

1107
01:21:10.960 --> 01:21:14.279
against her nightstand, which didn't provide much in the way

1108
01:21:14.680 --> 01:21:18.239
of self defense items. All she had on it was

1109
01:21:18.279 --> 01:21:22.239
a small bowl of candy and a book. The candy

1110
01:21:22.279 --> 01:21:25.520
bowl was plastic, and the book was a paperback collection

1111
01:21:25.640 --> 01:21:29.640
of H. P. Lovecraft's stories. Though it was a scary read,

1112
01:21:29.760 --> 01:21:33.119
it's two hundred pages didn't add much weight to its

1113
01:21:33.119 --> 01:21:38.840
soft cover. Always a frugal shopper, she never splurged for hardcovers.

1114
01:21:39.439 --> 01:21:43.880
Missus Kinders was already bleeding, but mostly from superficial cuts

1115
01:21:44.159 --> 01:21:48.560
that Vampire Baby had inflicted upon her. You ready for another,

1116
01:21:49.359 --> 01:21:52.279
the Vampire Baby asked, as it jumped up and down

1117
01:21:52.319 --> 01:21:58.800
on her bed. No, Missus Kinders, screamed, too bad, it said,

1118
01:21:59.199 --> 01:22:02.119
and then threw it self adder. It slashed at her

1119
01:22:02.119 --> 01:22:04.680
shoulder and used her body to bounce back to the bed.

1120
01:22:05.399 --> 01:22:10.800
It laughed the entire time. When Missus Kinders noticed Kristen,

1121
01:22:10.960 --> 01:22:13.479
she looked like a baseball player going up to bat

1122
01:22:13.520 --> 01:22:16.680
with the bases loaded. The difference was that instead of

1123
01:22:16.680 --> 01:22:19.279
a bat in her hand, she had a cheap shovel

1124
01:22:19.319 --> 01:22:22.560
from a fireplace, cocked back, and the object she was

1125
01:22:22.600 --> 01:22:25.960
aiming for was moving up and down instead of coming

1126
01:22:26.000 --> 01:22:31.039
at her. Kristin breathed in and took her swing. The

1127
01:22:31.119 --> 01:22:34.880
shovel went right under Vampire Baby, which flipped itself to

1128
01:22:34.920 --> 01:22:39.920
face her direction in its next bounce. Strike one, Vampire

1129
01:22:39.960 --> 01:22:44.479
Baby said. Kristen swung again, this time only making contact

1130
01:22:44.479 --> 01:22:49.000
with the grass on his head. Strike two. Ha, fuck you,

1131
01:22:49.600 --> 01:22:52.960
Kristin said, and swung again. The little creature got a

1132
01:22:52.960 --> 01:22:55.840
big smile on its face as she went to swing

1133
01:22:55.920 --> 01:23:01.840
again and missed. Strike three, You're out. Vampire Baby leaped

1134
01:23:01.880 --> 01:23:04.199
at her. She backed up as fast as she could,

1135
01:23:04.640 --> 01:23:08.000
then swung up instead of at it. She made contact

1136
01:23:08.000 --> 01:23:10.239
with its bottom, and from the momentum of the hit,

1137
01:23:10.640 --> 01:23:14.119
it smashed into the ceiling. The dirt baby used the

1138
01:23:14.159 --> 01:23:17.319
momentum of the hit to bounce off and threw itself

1139
01:23:17.359 --> 01:23:21.439
towards Missus Kinders. Kinders watched in horror as the little

1140
01:23:21.439 --> 01:23:25.600
guy sailed towards her, smiling, holding his big knife in

1141
01:23:25.640 --> 01:23:29.039
front of him. She tried to move, but wasn't fast enough.

1142
01:23:29.279 --> 01:23:31.880
With the momentum that he had, the knife entered her

1143
01:23:31.880 --> 01:23:34.520
throat as easily as putting a straw through the hole

1144
01:23:34.800 --> 01:23:38.720
of a McDonald's coke lid, so little resistance that it's

1145
01:23:38.720 --> 01:23:42.760
not even worth mentioning For a moment, she stared in

1146
01:23:42.840 --> 01:23:46.119
shock at the little creature that hung from that blade.

1147
01:23:47.239 --> 01:23:51.920
It just smiled at her and then pulled the blade out.

1148
01:23:52.880 --> 01:23:56.720
With that, blood cascaded out of her neck and she

1149
01:23:56.840 --> 01:24:01.760
collapsed to the ground, taking him with her. Kristen had

1150
01:24:01.760 --> 01:24:04.680
watched in horror, with no time to try to help.

1151
01:24:05.439 --> 01:24:09.560
Now she wondered where the little dirt demon went. She

1152
01:24:09.720 --> 01:24:12.760
searched for a minute, shovel in hand, ready to smash

1153
01:24:12.800 --> 01:24:16.960
it if given the opportunity. Then she thought of Simon

1154
01:24:17.479 --> 01:24:20.760
and wondered where the other one had gone. It could

1155
01:24:20.760 --> 01:24:23.439
be heading up the stairs at this moment. Then it

1156
01:24:23.439 --> 01:24:26.239
would be two of them against her in a small room.

1157
01:24:27.720 --> 01:24:31.079
Missus Kinders was dead. There was no saving her. At

1158
01:24:31.079 --> 01:24:36.239
this point, Simon was back to being the number one priority.

1159
01:24:40.560 --> 01:24:43.279
There was a knock on the outside of the bathroom door.

1160
01:24:44.039 --> 01:24:49.439
Simon approached it with caution, Hey kid, goth Baby could

1161
01:24:49.479 --> 01:24:52.760
be heard saying on the other side, Simon stepped back

1162
01:24:52.800 --> 01:24:58.000
from the door. Kid, let me in. No, Simon said,

1163
01:24:58.520 --> 01:25:00.600
if I have to break my way in, you are

1164
01:25:00.680 --> 01:25:04.439
not gonna like it. Simon heard two thumps that seemed

1165
01:25:04.479 --> 01:25:09.560
to be further away. You hear that, kid, Simon said, nothing,

1166
01:25:10.319 --> 01:25:14.119
I bet you did. That was the sound of backup.

1167
01:25:14.920 --> 01:25:18.079
Simon heard more thumping, and it sounded like it was

1168
01:25:18.159 --> 01:25:23.159
coming closer and closer. Outside of the bathroom door, goth

1169
01:25:23.239 --> 01:25:27.119
Baby looked in the direction of the approaching dirt babies. Bucky,

1170
01:25:27.520 --> 01:25:30.760
the one with the giant buck teeth and a purple mustache,

1171
01:25:31.199 --> 01:25:34.600
was the first to enter the hallway. Goth Baby couldn't

1172
01:25:34.640 --> 01:25:40.720
help but laugh. What Bucky asked, goth Baby didn't respond.

1173
01:25:41.159 --> 01:25:44.640
She just waited for the other one to appear. Finally,

1174
01:25:45.159 --> 01:25:48.359
the pumpkin hopped into the hallway. As he was the

1175
01:25:48.399 --> 01:25:53.039
only one not given legs. He had large black triangle

1176
01:25:53.119 --> 01:25:57.039
eyes that gave no hint of life or personality. His

1177
01:25:57.199 --> 01:26:00.720
mouth was ghoulish, as any other pumpkin should be, with

1178
01:26:00.880 --> 01:26:05.359
sharp teeth going in every direction. I'll right you two,

1179
01:26:05.720 --> 01:26:08.720
We need to get into this door, goth Baby said.

1180
01:26:09.520 --> 01:26:14.439
The pumpkin made an approving, guttural, slimy growl sound. Why

1181
01:26:15.279 --> 01:26:19.239
Bucky asked to kill the little boy inside, of course,

1182
01:26:19.800 --> 01:26:24.479
goth Baby laughed. Inside the bathroom, Simon was freaking out.

1183
01:26:25.119 --> 01:26:27.560
He didn't think they could get in the door, even

1184
01:26:27.600 --> 01:26:30.840
if it was unlocked. They couldn't even reach the knob.

1185
01:26:31.399 --> 01:26:33.520
Even if they stood on each other's heads like in

1186
01:26:33.520 --> 01:26:38.359
a cartoon, the height wouldn't be enough. Simon's true worry

1187
01:26:38.840 --> 01:26:42.880
was for Christen. Could she fight off all of them?

1188
01:26:43.119 --> 01:26:45.560
And what if his mother and father came home before

1189
01:26:45.600 --> 01:26:49.880
it was handled. I need to warn them, Simon said

1190
01:26:49.920 --> 01:26:53.119
to himself. If only I had access to the phone,

1191
01:26:53.600 --> 01:26:58.039
he thought that was when he made the decision that

1192
01:26:58.159 --> 01:27:00.640
he had been thinking about the whole time he was

1193
01:27:00.680 --> 01:27:04.680
in there. He was going out the window. If he

1194
01:27:04.800 --> 01:27:08.159
was lucky the dirt babies wouldn't hear him, then he

1195
01:27:08.199 --> 01:27:11.640
could sneak back into the house, grab the cordless phone

1196
01:27:11.920 --> 01:27:15.359
and the note on the fridge to call his parents.

1197
01:27:15.880 --> 01:27:19.600
This was unbeknownst to Kristen as she quietly re entered

1198
01:27:19.600 --> 01:27:22.920
the Gartner house. The first sound she heard when she

1199
01:27:23.119 --> 01:27:27.079
entered was the sound of crunching wood. She walked as

1200
01:27:27.159 --> 01:27:32.159
lightly as she could towards the noise. Oh no, she thought,

1201
01:27:32.359 --> 01:27:35.000
as she realized the sound was coming from the hallway

1202
01:27:35.319 --> 01:27:38.640
that the bathroom was on. When she peered her head

1203
01:27:38.680 --> 01:27:42.079
down the hall, she was shocked to see three live

1204
01:27:42.199 --> 01:27:45.920
dirt babies, the goth one, the one that looked like

1205
01:27:45.960 --> 01:27:49.920
a pumpkin, and Bucky, who was using the buck teeth

1206
01:27:50.000 --> 01:27:52.800
she gave him to chew its way through the bathroom

1207
01:27:52.880 --> 01:27:57.039
door like it was a little beaver hey. She yelled

1208
01:27:57.039 --> 01:28:00.520
to get their attention. She had no plan, She just

1209
01:28:00.560 --> 01:28:04.079
wanted to stop them from going after Simon. All three

1210
01:28:04.079 --> 01:28:06.119
of them stopped what they were doing and looked at her.

1211
01:28:06.840 --> 01:28:10.079
To her, the pumpkin was the most frightening. With its

1212
01:28:10.199 --> 01:28:14.720
lack of any real human characteristics. It made its slimy,

1213
01:28:14.800 --> 01:28:20.359
guttural growl noise at her. She screamed, first from fright

1214
01:28:21.079 --> 01:28:24.119
then from the pain in her ankle. She looked down

1215
01:28:24.199 --> 01:28:27.159
to see Vampire Baby had followed her back from next

1216
01:28:27.159 --> 01:28:31.760
door and just bit into her ankle. She swung around,

1217
01:28:32.279 --> 01:28:36.399
you little shit. Without even thinking, she kicked the thing,

1218
01:28:36.760 --> 01:28:40.760
flinging it towards the front door. She thought, if only

1219
01:28:40.800 --> 01:28:43.640
I had those Doc Martins already, I could have kicked

1220
01:28:43.640 --> 01:28:47.239
it even further. Then she went down the hallway towards

1221
01:28:47.279 --> 01:28:51.920
the bathroom door, ready to fight the others. Vampire Baby

1222
01:28:51.920 --> 01:28:55.760
got itself back up and began walking towards Kristin and

1223
01:28:55.800 --> 01:28:58.960
the other dirt babies. He almost made it back to

1224
01:28:59.000 --> 01:29:03.520
the hallway when the front door opened. It was Simon

1225
01:29:03.800 --> 01:29:07.439
who stepped in quietly and made his way towards the kitchen.

1226
01:29:08.319 --> 01:29:12.399
He didn't notice Vampire Baby, but Vampire Baby noticed him.

1227
01:29:13.279 --> 01:29:16.119
It turned around and followed him to the kitchen and

1228
01:29:16.279 --> 01:29:19.319
watched as Simon grabbed the note off the fridge and

1229
01:29:19.359 --> 01:29:23.479
then the phone off the wall. Simon dialed one of

1230
01:29:23.520 --> 01:29:28.840
the numbers and waited for an answer. Hi, I'm calling

1231
01:29:28.840 --> 01:29:31.840
to see if my mom and dad are there, Simon said,

1232
01:29:32.359 --> 01:29:38.319
and then listened Gartner. Simon responded, then waited for an answer,

1233
01:29:38.479 --> 01:29:42.960
which was a negative. Okay, thank you. No, I have

1234
01:29:43.039 --> 01:29:48.640
other numbers to call, thank you, Simon said, disappointed. He

1235
01:29:48.760 --> 01:29:52.560
then hung up and started to dial the next number. Bill,

1236
01:29:53.399 --> 01:29:57.000
Vampire Baby said and jumped at Simon, whose response was

1237
01:29:57.039 --> 01:30:00.239
to scream and drop the phone. The phone looked like

1238
01:30:00.279 --> 01:30:03.279
it might have survived the fall, but Vampire Baby grabbed

1239
01:30:03.279 --> 01:30:07.359
it and ran from the room. Vampire Baby did seem

1240
01:30:07.439 --> 01:30:11.000
to be the most playful of the creatures. Simon ran

1241
01:30:11.079 --> 01:30:14.279
after it, following it through the front room to the hallway,

1242
01:30:14.439 --> 01:30:17.439
where it found Kristin fighting the other three dirt babies.

1243
01:30:17.960 --> 01:30:21.840
He and Vampire Baby stopped and watched as Kristin struggled.

1244
01:30:22.359 --> 01:30:24.640
She was kicking the one that looked like a pumpkin

1245
01:30:25.079 --> 01:30:28.640
while swinging the fire shovel at the bucktoothed one. Goth

1246
01:30:28.760 --> 01:30:31.239
Baby was climbing up her dress, and it had just

1247
01:30:31.359 --> 01:30:33.680
reached the small of her back when she noticed them.

1248
01:30:34.680 --> 01:30:39.199
Aren't y'all a motley crew, Vampire Baby said and smiled,

1249
01:30:39.560 --> 01:30:43.680
addressing his batch of monsters for the first time, the

1250
01:30:43.760 --> 01:30:47.079
dirt Baby stopped for a second and looked at him.

1251
01:30:48.199 --> 01:30:51.119
Vampire Baby then threw the phone to the pumpkin, who

1252
01:30:51.159 --> 01:30:54.279
caught part of it in his horrid mouth and chomped

1253
01:30:54.319 --> 01:30:57.760
a chunk right out of it, then another, until there

1254
01:30:57.800 --> 01:31:00.960
was nothing left but small bits of plaster and metal.

1255
01:31:02.239 --> 01:31:05.479
The others watched as it did this. Kristin used the

1256
01:31:05.520 --> 01:31:14.319
distraction as an opportunity to attempt escape. Simon run. Simon listened,

1257
01:31:14.640 --> 01:31:17.359
and she followed him towards the front door as goth

1258
01:31:17.439 --> 01:31:21.279
Baby continued to climb up her back. When they got outside,

1259
01:31:21.560 --> 01:31:25.199
it bit her. Damn it, get off me, she screamed,

1260
01:31:25.199 --> 01:31:27.399
and tried reaching for the thing that was now at

1261
01:31:27.399 --> 01:31:31.199
her neck. It bit her finger. Ugh, you little fucker,

1262
01:31:31.760 --> 01:31:36.479
Kristin scolded. Simon looked back at her in shock. Sorry,

1263
01:31:37.159 --> 01:31:40.079
you'll learn that there are appropriate times to curse, and

1264
01:31:40.159 --> 01:31:44.000
one an unholy little dirt demon is attacking you. That

1265
01:31:44.840 --> 01:31:50.840
is an appropriate time, Kristin clarified. Oh well, this night

1266
01:31:50.880 --> 01:31:55.239
has been fucked, little, Simon said with confidence. Goth Baby

1267
01:31:55.279 --> 01:31:59.920
and Kristin couldn't help but laugh. While goth Baby was laughing,

1268
01:32:00.119 --> 01:32:03.520
Kristin jumped into the air and threw herself to the ground,

1269
01:32:03.880 --> 01:32:07.520
smashing the dirt baby into the soil once again. She

1270
01:32:07.720 --> 01:32:12.399
screamed in pain as this hurt her too. This, of course,

1271
01:32:12.479 --> 01:32:15.000
wouldn't kill it, but it gave them enough time to

1272
01:32:15.039 --> 01:32:18.319
get it off her and make their escape before it reinflated.

1273
01:32:19.199 --> 01:32:22.359
They ran down the street until Simon couldn't run anymore.

1274
01:32:23.079 --> 01:32:26.399
Kristin looked behind them and was relieved to not see

1275
01:32:26.439 --> 01:32:29.920
any of the dirt babies coming after them. She stood

1276
01:32:29.960 --> 01:32:32.880
there for a moment as she caught her breath and

1277
01:32:33.000 --> 01:32:37.199
watched for them. Kristin, a familiar voice said that she

1278
01:32:37.279 --> 01:32:40.960
couldn't quite place. She turned around to see her friends

1279
01:32:41.000 --> 01:32:45.800
approaching from the direction she had been running. Kristin looked

1280
01:32:45.880 --> 01:32:53.159
up to see Bram, Sarah and Sid. Uh Hey, Kristin said, reluctantly,

1281
01:32:54.119 --> 01:32:58.840
you okay, Sid asked, you wouldn't believe the night we've had.

1282
01:32:59.279 --> 01:33:05.920
Simon entered. Kristin laughed, I have one question, Bram. Kristin said,

1283
01:33:06.720 --> 01:33:11.319
what Bram said, looking confused, Where did you get that

1284
01:33:11.439 --> 01:33:18.720
soil the graveyard? Bram answered, from the killer's grave, Sarah added.

1285
01:33:19.560 --> 01:33:22.880
Kristin pushed Bram, we did a spell on that dirt.

1286
01:33:22.920 --> 01:33:27.439
You idiot. Then Kristin looked over at Sid. A spell

1287
01:33:27.680 --> 01:33:32.000
that Sid fucked up. Also, you didn't close the spell,

1288
01:33:32.600 --> 01:33:38.439
Sarah said, and frowned. You're right, Kristin slumped. What are

1289
01:33:38.520 --> 01:33:43.239
you talking about? Who cares? Bram demanded. In the distance,

1290
01:33:43.319 --> 01:33:47.159
someone screaming could be heard, but they didn't notice as

1291
01:33:47.159 --> 01:33:51.560
they had their own thing going on. I care. It

1292
01:33:51.600 --> 01:33:53.880
all led to the worst night of my life where

1293
01:33:54.000 --> 01:33:57.920
little Simon could have Kristin was saying, until Simon pulled

1294
01:33:57.920 --> 01:34:02.359
at her dress back. All the kids looked down the

1295
01:34:02.439 --> 01:34:05.600
road to where Simon was pointing, and there they were.

1296
01:34:06.399 --> 01:34:11.039
All four were attacking three people. Blood flew and more

1297
01:34:11.119 --> 01:34:14.880
screams came as they bit, cut, and tore at the people.

1298
01:34:16.000 --> 01:34:19.199
It only took a few seconds before each body dropped

1299
01:34:19.239 --> 01:34:22.600
to the ground. But this didn't stop the dirt babies.

1300
01:34:23.039 --> 01:34:28.000
They continued their mutilations of the bodies. What the fuck?

1301
01:34:28.600 --> 01:34:35.800
What are those Brahm fretted, that's fucked. Sid added, I

1302
01:34:35.840 --> 01:34:40.359
don't understand what am I even looking at? Sarah blurted,

1303
01:34:41.600 --> 01:34:48.119
their killer dirt babies. Simon said, what Bram was bewildered.

1304
01:34:49.159 --> 01:34:51.800
Made from the grave dirt of a killer that you

1305
01:34:51.920 --> 01:34:54.840
brought us that had a spell put upon it. Kristen

1306
01:34:54.920 --> 01:35:02.000
explained what Brahm said in shock. That's beyond crazy. Sarah said,

1307
01:35:02.800 --> 01:35:08.359
that's not possible. Sid Wine. Tell that to those people

1308
01:35:08.399 --> 01:35:11.920
that are being murdered as we speak, Kristin said, pointing

1309
01:35:11.960 --> 01:35:15.640
at the dirt babies. Vampire Baby turned its head in

1310
01:35:15.680 --> 01:35:21.680
their direction. Kristin grimaced. Vampire Baby smiled at her. Then

1311
01:35:21.720 --> 01:35:24.640
it held up its kitchen knife and waved at her,

1312
01:35:24.680 --> 01:35:28.560
before jumping off the now dead body and running in

1313
01:35:28.600 --> 01:35:32.319
their direction. With each step, the black centers of its

1314
01:35:32.359 --> 01:35:37.359
googly eyes moved around wildly. The other dirt babies followed suit,

1315
01:35:37.760 --> 01:35:42.560
jumped down and ran toward Kristin. Now is the time

1316
01:35:43.000 --> 01:35:48.000
when we run, Kristin shrieked. They all ran. They ran

1317
01:35:48.119 --> 01:35:51.319
a few blocks to the Walter's House. We can lose

1318
01:35:51.359 --> 01:35:55.000
them in here. Follow me, Brahm said, taking the leadership role.

1319
01:35:55.800 --> 01:35:59.079
Kristin thought this was a bad idea, but went with it.

1320
01:35:59.800 --> 01:36:03.560
Walter's House was famous in these parts because it was

1321
01:36:03.600 --> 01:36:06.960
the best home haunt in the area. It was nothing

1322
01:36:07.000 --> 01:36:10.640
in comparison to a commercial haunted house with paid actors,

1323
01:36:11.119 --> 01:36:15.399
but it was impressive for a home made affair. Every

1324
01:36:15.479 --> 01:36:19.000
year mister Walters planned and built an epic home haunt

1325
01:36:19.319 --> 01:36:22.880
with a theme. The theme this year had been deemed

1326
01:36:22.920 --> 01:36:27.720
controversial because of the history of the town. This year,

1327
01:36:28.319 --> 01:36:33.279
asylum was the theme. Out front of Walter's house was

1328
01:36:33.319 --> 01:36:38.680
a cemetery featuring headstones with punny names like bary m

1329
01:36:38.760 --> 01:36:44.239
Deep and classic childish joke Ben Dover. The house had

1330
01:36:44.279 --> 01:36:48.199
fake bars over the window and an oversized, fake but

1331
01:36:48.359 --> 01:36:52.399
believable lock added to the front door, one that mister

1332
01:36:52.479 --> 01:36:57.800
Walters himself would operate to let people in. I mustn't

1333
01:36:57.920 --> 01:37:00.520
leave it unlocked for a moment, or the the inmates

1334
01:37:00.560 --> 01:37:03.359
will flood the neighborhood. You don't want to wake up

1335
01:37:03.399 --> 01:37:07.479
with an insane person in your bedroom, do you. Mister

1336
01:37:07.520 --> 01:37:11.520
Walters laughed and let a couple of kids in. Are

1337
01:37:11.560 --> 01:37:14.880
you ready to be committed to the Locust Grove Hospital

1338
01:37:15.119 --> 01:37:21.199
for the criminally insane? Mister Walters asked sure. A tall

1339
01:37:21.199 --> 01:37:24.239
guy and a girl with a letterman jacket said I

1340
01:37:24.279 --> 01:37:27.680
think so. A third kid with combed over bleach blonde

1341
01:37:27.720 --> 01:37:31.520
hair and a pukah necklace said and then laughed. The

1342
01:37:31.520 --> 01:37:35.079
big lock was undone. The tall kid put his arm

1343
01:37:35.159 --> 01:37:38.960
around his date and they walked in the Puka necklace.

1344
01:37:39.079 --> 01:37:43.359
Kid followed. Mister Walters gave the same speech again about

1345
01:37:43.399 --> 01:37:47.279
the insane roaming the streets if he wasn't careful to

1346
01:37:47.319 --> 01:37:50.680
relock the door. By the time it was their turn,

1347
01:37:51.520 --> 01:37:56.439
the dirt Babies had gotten close. Are you ready to

1348
01:37:56.520 --> 01:37:59.840
be committed? Yes, they all said, not giving him ach

1349
01:38:00.079 --> 01:38:04.760
chants to finish his line. Okay, if you dare, you're

1350
01:38:05.039 --> 01:38:09.840
in for a scare, mister Walters said. In any other instance,

1351
01:38:09.880 --> 01:38:11.600
one of the kids would have called him out for

1352
01:38:11.680 --> 01:38:16.199
the stolen goosebumps line or high fived him, depending on

1353
01:38:16.279 --> 01:38:21.760
their mood, but they were just happy to get in. Kristen,

1354
01:38:22.079 --> 01:38:29.760
Simon and Bram entered. Mister Walters closed the door behind them. Hey,

1355
01:38:30.479 --> 01:38:35.880
Sid said, three at a time. Mister Walters said, come on,

1356
01:38:36.760 --> 01:38:41.479
Sid replied. Sarah pushed past mister Walters and opened the door.

1357
01:38:42.039 --> 01:38:45.119
He tried to push it closed. Hey, it's just that

1358
01:38:45.239 --> 01:38:49.119
the haunt works, mister Walters tried to explain, but she

1359
01:38:49.199 --> 01:38:53.800
pushed him aside to enter. Sid looked behind her. Sarah

1360
01:38:54.560 --> 01:38:57.680
was all Sid was able to yell before he was

1361
01:38:57.720 --> 01:39:01.039
attacked by all four of the dirt baby who leaped

1362
01:39:01.079 --> 01:39:04.880
onto him. Mister Walters screamed and attempted to run away

1363
01:39:04.920 --> 01:39:08.800
from his own house, but Vampire Baby jumped from Sid

1364
01:39:09.319 --> 01:39:13.199
to him as they bit small chunks off Sid and

1365
01:39:13.239 --> 01:39:16.960
mister Walters. Sarah jumped off the front steps, picked up

1366
01:39:17.000 --> 01:39:20.720
one of the headstones and swatted at goth Baby. Being

1367
01:39:20.800 --> 01:39:25.880
that they were made of styrofoam, hitting them did nothing, fuck,

1368
01:39:26.600 --> 01:39:30.079
Sarah said as she frantically looked for some kind of weapon.

1369
01:39:31.319 --> 01:39:35.319
Is there anything not made of fucking styrofoam? She yelled

1370
01:39:35.319 --> 01:39:40.399
at mister Walters. Vampire Baby then slashed his throat before

1371
01:39:40.479 --> 01:39:46.119
he could answer. As mister Walter's body dropped, Vampire Baby

1372
01:39:46.199 --> 01:39:51.520
leaped back over to Sid. May I see that, goth

1373
01:39:51.600 --> 01:39:56.439
Baby asked vampire Baby while pointing to the knife. Vampire

1374
01:39:56.520 --> 01:40:00.199
Baby handed it over. Goth Baby repeated, what but he

1375
01:40:00.239 --> 01:40:04.600
had just seen happen to mister Walters. He slit Sid's throat.

1376
01:40:05.560 --> 01:40:09.680
Sid grabbed at the profusely bleeding wound, but the blood

1377
01:40:09.800 --> 01:40:14.840
still flew all over, including onto Sarah and the house,

1378
01:40:15.680 --> 01:40:20.399
adding more production value to the exterior of the home. Haunt.

1379
01:40:21.119 --> 01:40:25.640
A few seconds later, his body dropped. What an efficient

1380
01:40:26.039 --> 01:40:30.079
and simple method, goth Baby said, as he handed the

1381
01:40:30.159 --> 01:40:35.640
knife back to vampire baby. Kristen, Bram and Simon waited

1382
01:40:35.840 --> 01:40:40.640
just inside the doorway until they heard the screaming. They

1383
01:40:40.720 --> 01:40:44.199
tried to push the door open, but it wouldn't budge.

1384
01:40:45.720 --> 01:40:51.880
That's a total fire code violation, Brahm said. Sarah was brave,

1385
01:40:52.119 --> 01:40:55.720
but she wasn't dumb. Once she knew it was too

1386
01:40:55.840 --> 01:40:59.079
late to save Sid, she went back to the door,

1387
01:40:59.760 --> 01:41:06.319
opened the latching system, and entered the haunt. Sarah closed

1388
01:41:06.319 --> 01:41:10.000
the door behind her, but it swung slightly back open.

1389
01:41:11.000 --> 01:41:13.479
She looked for a way to get it to stay closed.

1390
01:41:14.520 --> 01:41:17.199
It's rigged to only latch and lock from the outside.

1391
01:41:17.640 --> 01:41:22.520
Bram said, what kind of bullshit is that? Sarah questioned,

1392
01:41:23.520 --> 01:41:29.840
total fire code violation. Bram reiterated, who cares? Do you

1393
01:41:29.880 --> 01:41:35.520
have a solution for the door? Kristin asked no. Bram replied,

1394
01:41:36.800 --> 01:41:41.439
then let's get moving. Kristin grabbed Simon's hand and began

1395
01:41:41.600 --> 01:41:45.600
to move down the hallway. The dirt babies were enjoying

1396
01:41:45.640 --> 01:41:51.800
themselves destroying Sid's body, so they slashed, bit and mutilated

1397
01:41:51.840 --> 01:41:55.399
for another minute before they were done having their fun.

1398
01:41:56.359 --> 01:42:02.079
After that, they entered the home haunt. Kristin, Simon, Bram

1399
01:42:02.119 --> 01:42:07.039
and Sarah were heading down the first hallway. Simon was scared.

1400
01:42:08.199 --> 01:42:12.880
Are we going to die? Simon asked, no, of course not.

1401
01:42:13.479 --> 01:42:17.880
Kristin said, what about your other friend and the people

1402
01:42:17.920 --> 01:42:24.239
on the street they died. Simon said, you will not die.

1403
01:42:24.880 --> 01:42:27.920
Rule number one in the babysitter's handbook. Don't let the

1404
01:42:28.039 --> 01:42:32.159
child die, Kristin said, as they hurried past a mannequin

1405
01:42:32.560 --> 01:42:36.199
dressed as a doctor with an oversized syringe in hand.

1406
01:42:37.439 --> 01:42:40.720
They had always enjoyed the haunt growing up, but in

1407
01:42:40.760 --> 01:42:43.680
their hurry they weren't taking the time to notice all

1408
01:42:43.720 --> 01:42:47.640
the decor choices, like the fake decrepit wall covering that

1409
01:42:47.760 --> 01:42:50.479
was tacked up, or the floor that had a long

1410
01:42:50.560 --> 01:42:54.800
carpet stained with fake blood. The flickering lights that were

1411
01:42:54.920 --> 01:42:59.079
used added to the scare factor as well. Okay, Bram,

1412
01:42:59.720 --> 01:43:03.439
entering the haunted house while being chased by killer dirt

1413
01:43:03.479 --> 01:43:09.079
babies was your big idea. So what now, Kristin asked.

1414
01:43:09.640 --> 01:43:15.680
Bram was only a few steps behind them. Bram uttered, great,

1415
01:43:16.760 --> 01:43:22.079
let me think. Bram demanded, have you not been thinking already?

1416
01:43:22.520 --> 01:43:26.880
Sarah asked, well, no, I was listening to Sid being

1417
01:43:26.960 --> 01:43:30.399
murdered by walking dirt clots. Kind of distracting to my

1418
01:43:30.520 --> 01:43:36.319
mental process. Bram defended himself. Well, the one benefit that

1419
01:43:36.359 --> 01:43:39.640
we have is that they are small, So let's just

1420
01:43:39.800 --> 01:43:42.640
find the kitchen, get some knives and cut them up.

1421
01:43:43.399 --> 01:43:47.279
It's three full sized humans against four baseball sized mutants.

1422
01:43:47.760 --> 01:43:52.840
We should be able to take them. Bram said confidently. Yeah,

1423
01:43:53.000 --> 01:43:59.039
sounds good, But I cut one open. Kristin replied, yeah,

1424
01:43:59.359 --> 01:44:06.760
Bram into rupted and it just reformed. Really, is there

1425
01:44:06.840 --> 01:44:12.479
something in your spell book? Sarah asked, maybe with Kristen said,

1426
01:44:12.520 --> 01:44:16.840
before being interrupted by Simon pointing behind them. They're here,

1427
01:44:17.560 --> 01:44:20.800
he yelled. They all looked behind to see the four

1428
01:44:20.840 --> 01:44:24.600
dirt babies coming down the hallway. Vampire Baby was holding

1429
01:44:24.680 --> 01:44:27.680
up its big knife still, and they were all dripping

1430
01:44:27.880 --> 01:44:32.640
with blood. Ah, so you have friends. The one outside

1431
01:44:32.760 --> 01:44:36.960
was easy to kill, Vampire Baby said, I wonder how

1432
01:44:37.000 --> 01:44:39.560
easy the rest of you will be to kill. Goth

1433
01:44:39.680 --> 01:44:43.880
Baby added. Simon let go of Kristen's hand and ran off.

1434
01:44:45.159 --> 01:44:49.520
How do we stop them, Sarah asked, I don't know.

1435
01:44:50.439 --> 01:44:54.159
I've only thought about getting away from them, Kristin explained.

1436
01:44:54.960 --> 01:44:58.279
Then she looked behind to check on Simon, but he

1437
01:44:58.479 --> 01:45:02.119
was nowhere to be seen. Kristin took off, running down

1438
01:45:02.159 --> 01:45:06.800
the hallway. Sarah and Bram jogged behind. Where the fuck

1439
01:45:06.840 --> 01:45:10.760
did he go? Kristin yelled. At the end of the hallway,

1440
01:45:11.199 --> 01:45:15.159
she could turn left or right. Suddenly she heard a

1441
01:45:15.199 --> 01:45:19.359
scream down the right hallway, so she went in that direction.

1442
01:45:20.439 --> 01:45:23.600
Kristin ran down and then around the corner where she

1443
01:45:23.720 --> 01:45:27.199
found Simon. He had screamed when he saw the dummy

1444
01:45:27.239 --> 01:45:30.359
in the room. This one was dressed as an inmate.

1445
01:45:30.800 --> 01:45:34.119
It wore a strait jacket. It had stringy, dirty hair,

1446
01:45:34.760 --> 01:45:37.640
and its fake teeth looked as gnarly as the pumpkin.

1447
01:45:38.640 --> 01:45:42.840
Sarah and Bram caught up. You found him, Bram exclaimed.

1448
01:45:43.640 --> 01:45:47.880
Kristin smiled at Bram, then grabbed Simon's hand. Then they

1449
01:45:47.920 --> 01:45:53.279
began moving again at a quickened pace. Around the next corner,

1450
01:45:53.319 --> 01:45:56.000
they ran into the kids that went in just before

1451
01:45:56.039 --> 01:45:59.920
they did. This place is pretty spooky, huh. The te

1452
01:46:00.000 --> 01:46:04.239
teenager with the combed over bleach blonde hair said, just wait.

1453
01:46:05.119 --> 01:46:10.159
Simon replied what the girl wearing the letterman jacket asked.

1454
01:46:10.680 --> 01:46:14.600
The tall kid gave Simon a puzzled look. They didn't

1455
01:46:14.640 --> 01:46:17.840
have to wait too long. The dirt babies caught up

1456
01:46:17.840 --> 01:46:21.039
to the group and each went for different victims, which

1457
01:46:21.159 --> 01:46:25.039
was a mistake. Goth Baby went after Simon, who ran.

1458
01:46:25.840 --> 01:46:29.960
Vampire Baby attacked Kristen, which kept her from chasing after Simon.

1459
01:46:30.560 --> 01:46:33.640
Bucky leaped at the jock, who caught it in his hand,

1460
01:46:34.119 --> 01:46:36.800
but Bucky bit him in between the index finger and

1461
01:46:36.840 --> 01:46:42.640
the thumb, which began spurting blood. Asshole, he said, and

1462
01:46:42.760 --> 01:46:45.520
then took his other hand and grabbed him from the

1463
01:46:45.600 --> 01:46:49.560
back so that Bucky was helpless to attack. Bucky struggled

1464
01:46:49.600 --> 01:46:52.560
to try and free himself from the jock's strong hands,

1465
01:46:52.960 --> 01:46:57.239
but was completely stuck. Hah, try and bite me now.

1466
01:46:58.279 --> 01:47:02.680
Vampire Baby stopped by Kristin, and the Pumpkins stopped his

1467
01:47:02.760 --> 01:47:06.960
ascent up the letterman jacket wearer's leg. They both leaped

1468
01:47:07.000 --> 01:47:10.840
over to the jock. Vampire Baby used his knife to

1469
01:47:10.920 --> 01:47:13.720
stab him, while the pumpkin made its way to the

1470
01:47:13.760 --> 01:47:16.920
hand that was holding Bucky and bit into the wrist.

1471
01:47:17.880 --> 01:47:20.880
In that one bite, the Pumpkin Baby took out a

1472
01:47:20.920 --> 01:47:24.880
plum sized amount of flesh. The jock lost control of

1473
01:47:24.920 --> 01:47:28.880
his hand, which opened, causing Bucky to fall to the floor.

1474
01:47:30.000 --> 01:47:34.359
Vampire Baby laughed at Bucky, then the jock started screaming.

1475
01:47:35.079 --> 01:47:39.359
Bucky looked at him flailing around, and then he too laughed.

1476
01:47:40.239 --> 01:47:45.640
The pumpkin made its slimy guttural noise. Kristin grabbed Sarah's

1477
01:47:45.680 --> 01:47:50.640
hand and began to run. Bram followed. Mister Walters had

1478
01:47:50.760 --> 01:47:54.359
used black tart material to create fake turns, of which

1479
01:47:54.399 --> 01:47:56.600
there were a few, and they must have made the

1480
01:47:56.640 --> 01:48:01.039
wrong choice because they could not find Simon. While they

1481
01:48:01.079 --> 01:48:04.800
were running around, they came across a fake operating room

1482
01:48:05.199 --> 01:48:08.760
with the one actor that the Haunt could afford. Are

1483
01:48:08.840 --> 01:48:14.199
you ready for your lobotomy? The deranged doctor asked. Once

1484
01:48:14.199 --> 01:48:17.199
it saw the dirt Babies on their tail, it broke

1485
01:48:17.319 --> 01:48:23.159
character immediately and ran away. Lucky for him, the dirt

1486
01:48:23.199 --> 01:48:28.359
Babies continued their pursuit of Kristin, Bram and Sarah. Eventually

1487
01:48:28.840 --> 01:48:32.479
they found their way back outside, where they saw that

1488
01:48:32.560 --> 01:48:36.239
a single police vehicle had arrived and was parked in

1489
01:48:36.279 --> 01:48:41.000
front of the house Freeze. An officer yelled while a

1490
01:48:41.119 --> 01:48:44.199
second one was checking for life from the heavily mutilated

1491
01:48:44.239 --> 01:48:49.119
corpses of Sid and mister Walters. Kristin, Bram, and Sarah

1492
01:48:49.359 --> 01:48:53.920
held up their arms come this direction, the officer said,

1493
01:48:53.960 --> 01:48:57.960
as he moved backwards. Once at the street, lay down

1494
01:48:58.199 --> 01:49:01.840
face forward on the cement. The three of them listened

1495
01:49:02.039 --> 01:49:05.159
and laid down on the ground, hands behind your back,

1496
01:49:05.560 --> 01:49:11.079
he said. They complied, I need to find Simon. Kristin said,

1497
01:49:11.600 --> 01:49:15.560
we need to find your spell book. Sarah retorted. They

1498
01:49:15.560 --> 01:49:18.800
were startled by the sound of screaming behind them as

1499
01:49:18.880 --> 01:49:22.760
vampire Baby, Bucky and the Pumpkin attacked the police officer

1500
01:49:22.800 --> 01:49:26.359
that was nearest to the house. What the hell, the

1501
01:49:26.399 --> 01:49:29.039
other officer said, and pointed the gun in their direction.

1502
01:49:29.920 --> 01:49:33.000
Being that their size was so small, he didn't even

1503
01:49:33.039 --> 01:49:35.880
attempt to shoot them for fear of hitting his partner.

1504
01:49:36.439 --> 01:49:40.000
Kristin looked around and down the road. That's when she

1505
01:49:40.079 --> 01:49:45.439
spotted Simon running with goth Baby on his tail. Being

1506
01:49:45.560 --> 01:49:48.560
young and able, she used her arms to jump up

1507
01:49:48.560 --> 01:49:52.880
in one fluid motion and ran towards Simon. Sarah and

1508
01:49:52.960 --> 01:49:56.720
Bram followed to make a break for it too. The

1509
01:49:56.840 --> 01:50:00.359
cop sensed their movement and turned away from the caseaos

1510
01:50:00.399 --> 01:50:04.359
he was witnessing. He had just watched in horror as

1511
01:50:04.399 --> 01:50:09.479
the one that had pumpkin features was biting, tearing, and

1512
01:50:09.560 --> 01:50:13.800
then spitting chunks off his partner's face. Another one was

1513
01:50:13.880 --> 01:50:18.640
biting his neck. What he didn't see because he turned

1514
01:50:18.640 --> 01:50:22.960
towards the teens a second too soon, was that Vampire Baby,

1515
01:50:23.399 --> 01:50:27.439
seeing that this officer was moments from death, decided to

1516
01:50:27.560 --> 01:50:32.359
head in his direction. Hold it, stay there, the cop

1517
01:50:32.479 --> 01:50:35.520
yelled at the fleeing teens while pointing his gun in

1518
01:50:35.560 --> 01:50:40.439
their direction. While this was happening, Vampire Baby approached from

1519
01:50:40.439 --> 01:50:44.399
behind and then slashed the tendon in the officer's ankle.

1520
01:50:45.279 --> 01:50:48.720
The officer screamed in pain, which caused his trigger finger

1521
01:50:48.760 --> 01:50:52.920
to flinch, and the gun went off. The bullet entered

1522
01:50:52.960 --> 01:50:56.560
the back of Sarah's exposed upper calf, which looked like

1523
01:50:56.640 --> 01:51:00.960
it had exploded. She instantly fell forward with full force

1524
01:51:01.359 --> 01:51:04.079
her body and such shock that she didn't even put

1525
01:51:04.079 --> 01:51:07.039
her arms out to break her fall, so she landed

1526
01:51:07.039 --> 01:51:11.560
on her face, shattering her nose. The amount of blood

1527
01:51:11.600 --> 01:51:15.199
coming from her broken nose was nearly comparable to the

1528
01:51:15.239 --> 01:51:19.359
amount coming from her leg. Kristin stopped her sprint and

1529
01:51:19.439 --> 01:51:22.239
turned around to see her friend splayed out on the

1530
01:51:22.319 --> 01:51:27.720
road bleeding horribly. Fuck, she said, but Christin was a

1531
01:51:27.720 --> 01:51:31.600
better babysitter than a friend, so she turned back around

1532
01:51:32.119 --> 01:51:36.840
to pursue Simon. Bram, being the good friend he was,

1533
01:51:37.439 --> 01:51:40.520
stopped to take care of Sarah, who had just started

1534
01:51:40.560 --> 01:51:44.479
to come out of shock. She began screaming and writhing

1535
01:51:44.520 --> 01:51:48.239
on the ground. Bram sat down next to her and

1536
01:51:48.319 --> 01:51:51.720
then picked her up to hold her and try to

1537
01:51:51.760 --> 01:51:56.159
comfort her. He then looked behind and saw the dirt

1538
01:51:56.199 --> 01:52:02.199
Babies heading their way. Simon was almost to his house,

1539
01:52:02.640 --> 01:52:06.880
but goth Baby was catching up to him. His youthful energy,

1540
01:52:07.119 --> 01:52:11.479
while strong, was no match for goth Baby's demon stamina.

1541
01:52:12.600 --> 01:52:17.640
Goth Baby leaped at Simon. I'm done chasing you, it said,

1542
01:52:17.680 --> 01:52:20.760
as it bit into the shoulder of Simon, who screamed

1543
01:52:20.800 --> 01:52:25.560
out in agony and then began to cry. You're so mean,

1544
01:52:26.359 --> 01:52:30.479
Simon yelled through his tears. You haven't seen anything yet,

1545
01:52:31.000 --> 01:52:35.920
goth Baby said, while laughing. Simon used this opportunity of

1546
01:52:36.000 --> 01:52:39.880
his laughter to grab him then flip him around so

1547
01:52:40.000 --> 01:52:43.319
his teeth were facing away from him. Unlike when the

1548
01:52:43.399 --> 01:52:48.000
jock did this move, goth Baby didn't have backups. Let

1549
01:52:48.039 --> 01:52:52.520
me go, goth Baby said, while struggling. I'm not gonna

1550
01:52:52.560 --> 01:52:56.479
let go of you, but I will, Simon said, and

1551
01:52:56.520 --> 01:52:59.920
then cocked his arm back and threw the dirt Baby

1552
01:53:00.199 --> 01:53:04.800
as far as he could, about two hundred feet. Throw you,

1553
01:53:05.640 --> 01:53:10.079
Simon said to himself, then took off toward his house.

1554
01:53:11.319 --> 01:53:14.279
Since Simon threw goth Baby in the direction that they

1555
01:53:14.319 --> 01:53:18.000
came from, Kristin ran into goth Baby only a minute later.

1556
01:53:18.800 --> 01:53:23.840
Where's Simon, you pile of crud? Dead, goth Baby lied,

1557
01:53:24.600 --> 01:53:29.199
Where is he? Kristin demanded, dead, I said, I don't

1558
01:53:29.239 --> 01:53:32.600
believe you. You must be the worst babysitter ever. You

1559
01:53:32.640 --> 01:53:36.479
can't even keep the kid alive. Ha ha, goth Baby laughed,

1560
01:53:37.239 --> 01:53:41.880
Fuck you, Kristin replied, there certainly were circumstances out of

1561
01:53:41.880 --> 01:53:46.039
my control, weren't there. I would have thought you would

1562
01:53:46.079 --> 01:53:50.920
be bawling or freaking out. Goth Baby said, confused. I

1563
01:53:50.920 --> 01:53:54.039
don't believe you, and I won't until I see his

1564
01:53:54.159 --> 01:53:58.399
corpse now for the last time, before I kick you

1565
01:53:58.520 --> 01:54:02.720
down the road. Where where is he? GoF Baby shook

1566
01:54:02.760 --> 01:54:05.600
his head down into the right so that his googly

1567
01:54:05.640 --> 01:54:09.520
eyes would for a second point to the right that way,

1568
01:54:10.119 --> 01:54:14.039
he said. As she looked to the right, GoF Baby

1569
01:54:14.119 --> 01:54:17.800
leaped at her. Before she could react, she felt something

1570
01:54:17.880 --> 01:54:20.640
hit her on the back, and then she felt something

1571
01:54:20.720 --> 01:54:25.279
poking her in her calf muscle. She looked Bucky was

1572
01:54:25.319 --> 01:54:28.439
on her back and Vampire Baby was pressing its knife

1573
01:54:28.520 --> 01:54:33.239
against her calf ow. She yelled. Behind her, she saw

1574
01:54:33.239 --> 01:54:37.720
the pumpkin dirt Baby bouncing to catch up. I wonder

1575
01:54:37.800 --> 01:54:40.720
how quickly you would drop if I pressed a little harder,

1576
01:54:41.199 --> 01:54:43.239
as hard as your friend back there did when the

1577
01:54:43.279 --> 01:54:47.680
cop shot her. Vampire Baby chuckled and then pressed ever

1578
01:54:47.800 --> 01:54:54.239
so slightly harder. Ah Kristin screamed. The dirt babies all laughed.

1579
01:54:55.039 --> 01:55:00.439
What do you want, Kristin begged, At first, I just

1580
01:55:00.479 --> 01:55:07.079
wanted you dead. Why it's fun to kill? Vampire Baby said,

1581
01:55:07.720 --> 01:55:12.840
you should try it. Goth Baby echoed, but then I

1582
01:55:12.920 --> 01:55:16.199
heard that girl, you know, the one that was hilariously

1583
01:55:16.239 --> 01:55:19.359
shot by the cops bullet. She mentioned that it was

1584
01:55:19.399 --> 01:55:23.159
a spell you did that was responsible for our creation,

1585
01:55:24.039 --> 01:55:30.520
Vampire Baby said, and Kristin asked, we thought you could

1586
01:55:30.600 --> 01:55:35.079
use your powers to Vampire Baby started to say, make

1587
01:55:35.159 --> 01:55:40.199
us bigger dirt babies. Bucky said, what, no, you idiot,

1588
01:55:40.720 --> 01:55:46.399
Vampire Baby said, we want human bodies. I can't. I

1589
01:55:46.439 --> 01:55:50.239
don't know how to do that, Kristin replied. The knife

1590
01:55:50.319 --> 01:55:54.079
was pushed in a little deeper her blood began to

1591
01:55:54.199 --> 01:55:58.079
run down the edge of the knife blade. I guess

1592
01:55:58.079 --> 01:56:03.359
I could figure it out. Kristin pled. Vampire Baby pulled

1593
01:56:03.359 --> 01:56:09.439
the knife out. Wonderful, much obliged, goth Baby said. The

1594
01:56:09.479 --> 01:56:14.600
pumpkin made its weird, slimy guttural noise. He's going to

1595
01:56:14.680 --> 01:56:19.720
make a weird human. Vampire Baby remarked, I can't wait

1596
01:56:19.760 --> 01:56:28.000
to see it. Goth Baby laughed. Simon found Kristen's backpack.

1597
01:56:28.720 --> 01:56:31.359
He remembered his mother saying that you never go in

1598
01:56:31.439 --> 01:56:35.039
a woman's purse or bag. But he figured, just like

1599
01:56:35.199 --> 01:56:37.880
he had learned tonight, that there is an appropriate time

1600
01:56:37.960 --> 01:56:40.960
to curse. This was the type of situation where it

1601
01:56:41.000 --> 01:56:45.359
was okay to go through a lady's bag. He unzipped it.

1602
01:56:45.840 --> 01:56:49.279
Inside he found a leather notebook. He pulled it out,

1603
01:56:49.920 --> 01:56:53.960
opened it, and flipped through the pages. I had better

1604
01:56:54.000 --> 01:56:56.880
not tell my mother about this. She would never let

1605
01:56:56.920 --> 01:56:59.159
Kristin Baby sit me again if she knew she was

1606
01:56:59.199 --> 01:57:03.199
a witch. Before he left the house in search of Kristin,

1607
01:57:03.760 --> 01:57:06.319
he went up to his room and traded the fire

1608
01:57:06.359 --> 01:57:11.760
poker for his aluminum baseball bat. Simon made his way downstairs,

1609
01:57:12.359 --> 01:57:17.279
then to the front door. You can do this, Simon said,

1610
01:57:17.399 --> 01:57:21.680
to hype himself up before opening the door. Simon was

1611
01:57:21.720 --> 01:57:26.600
greeted by Kristin and four dirt babies. Three of them

1612
01:57:26.640 --> 01:57:30.000
were walking on the ground, while Bucky had his mouth

1613
01:57:30.079 --> 01:57:33.479
on her neck, ready to bite her jugular if the

1614
01:57:33.640 --> 01:57:38.199
order was given. How cute you going to take us

1615
01:57:38.239 --> 01:57:42.560
on with your toy, goth Baby asked, Simon. You saw

1616
01:57:42.560 --> 01:57:44.920
how far I threw you. How far do you think

1617
01:57:44.960 --> 01:57:47.119
you'd go if I hit you with a baseball bat?

1618
01:57:47.600 --> 01:57:53.439
Simon asked, is that the book? Vampire Baby asked. Simon

1619
01:57:53.479 --> 01:57:55.720
looked down at her spell book that he was holding,

1620
01:57:56.119 --> 01:57:59.960
Getting no response, Vampire Baby once again poked her cat

1621
01:58:00.199 --> 01:58:06.000
with the knife. Yes, Kristin said, good Simon. Would you

1622
01:58:06.079 --> 01:58:09.920
be a deer and hand it to Kristin? Vampire Baby

1623
01:58:10.000 --> 01:58:13.800
asked Simon. Did getting the book in her hands was

1624
01:58:13.840 --> 01:58:17.960
his plan anyway? Kristin looked through the pages for a moment.

1625
01:58:19.039 --> 01:58:23.880
We're gonna need more dirt. Kristin said, all right, let's

1626
01:58:23.920 --> 01:58:26.840
get to the backyard. You can dig a hole for Simon.

1627
01:58:27.279 --> 01:58:32.520
Goth Baby said, it has to be from the graveyard. Okay,

1628
01:58:32.680 --> 01:58:37.319
let's go, Vampire Baby said. They all stood up and

1629
01:58:37.439 --> 01:58:42.000
headed to the door. Goth Baby started pushing Simon. We

1630
01:58:42.039 --> 01:58:47.840
don't need Simon, Kristin pleaded, true, GoF Baby said, then

1631
01:58:48.000 --> 01:58:51.399
started climbing up him. If you hurt him, I'm not

1632
01:58:51.520 --> 01:58:57.119
helping you, then we'll kill you. Vampire Baby said, all

1633
01:58:57.159 --> 01:59:00.159
I care about is saving Simon. If you kill him,

1634
01:59:00.239 --> 01:59:03.960
you might as well kill me. Right after stop, the

1635
01:59:04.039 --> 01:59:09.359
vampire Baby yelled, well, bring the boy, he reasoned. Goth

1636
01:59:09.479 --> 01:59:15.439
Baby frowned. Before they left, Kristin grabbed her backpack. Simon

1637
01:59:15.560 --> 01:59:17.840
rode on the back pegs of her bike while the

1638
01:59:17.880 --> 01:59:21.960
dirt babies rode in the basket. Vampire Baby sat with

1639
01:59:22.000 --> 01:59:25.319
its knife right next to him. Though they were quite

1640
01:59:25.399 --> 01:59:28.560
the sight to behold, none of the trigger treaters seemed

1641
01:59:28.560 --> 01:59:31.880
to notice them as they rode by. They were all

1642
01:59:31.920 --> 01:59:35.439
focused on finding those few houses that were still giving

1643
01:59:35.439 --> 01:59:40.319
out candy at this hour. Kristin kept moving forward as

1644
01:59:40.359 --> 01:59:43.800
she rode past Walter's house. Even though she saw two

1645
01:59:43.840 --> 01:59:47.079
bodies on the ground covered in white sheets, she could

1646
01:59:47.119 --> 01:59:52.039
only assume that both Sarah and Bram were dead. Tears

1647
01:59:52.119 --> 01:59:55.680
ran down her face, but she was now more determined

1648
01:59:55.720 --> 02:00:00.520
than ever to stop these creatures. She knew before she

1649
02:00:00.640 --> 02:00:03.640
got to her destination that she was going to try

1650
02:00:03.680 --> 02:00:07.000
to get rid of the vampire's knife. She watched for

1651
02:00:07.079 --> 02:00:11.479
a moment when Vampire Baby was distracted, then grabbed his

1652
02:00:11.560 --> 02:00:16.039
knife and threw it behind him. Hey, Vampire Baby, yelled,

1653
02:00:16.640 --> 02:00:19.960
should have been holding onto it. She said, you'll pay

1654
02:00:20.000 --> 02:00:26.359
for that. Vampire Baby replied, yeah, yeah. Kristin responded, Simon

1655
02:00:26.439 --> 02:00:30.960
held on to her tighter and smiled. Kristin cut through

1656
02:00:31.000 --> 02:00:33.720
the Taco Time parking lot to get to the woods.

1657
02:00:34.439 --> 02:00:37.159
She wished that she had brought a flashlight because it

1658
02:00:37.199 --> 02:00:41.079
was pitch dark before she got to the cemetery, she

1659
02:00:41.199 --> 02:00:44.600
saw lights. Being that it was Halloween and all, she

1660
02:00:44.760 --> 02:00:48.520
wasn't surprised. Daring your friends to go to the creepy

1661
02:00:48.560 --> 02:00:54.159
graveyard of the asylum was always a popular dare victims.

1662
02:00:54.680 --> 02:00:58.119
Vampire Baby said, s play dead if you want this

1663
02:00:58.239 --> 02:01:03.479
to work, Kristin said. The dirt Babies listened. At the

1664
02:01:03.520 --> 02:01:07.640
old cemetery, there were two kids around twelve years old.

1665
02:01:08.359 --> 02:01:11.399
One was dressed as Superman while the other one was

1666
02:01:11.479 --> 02:01:15.960
dressed as a Jedi. Both seemed scared as they looked

1667
02:01:16.000 --> 02:01:22.199
around the cemetery with their flashlights. Eventually, their flashlights landed

1668
02:01:22.239 --> 02:01:26.479
on Christen. They both screamed out of shock, but calmed

1669
02:01:26.479 --> 02:01:32.119
down when they realized who it was. Joey. Mike, what

1670
02:01:32.199 --> 02:01:35.880
are you doing here, she asked, but assumed she knew

1671
02:01:35.920 --> 02:01:39.159
the answer. Kids in these parts have been daring each

1672
02:01:39.159 --> 02:01:41.720
other to stay the night at the cemetery for decades,

1673
02:01:42.359 --> 02:01:47.920
especially on Halloween. Jacob dared us, Joey said, while looking

1674
02:01:47.960 --> 02:01:52.079
down at his feet. I figured, well, tell Jacob that

1675
02:01:52.119 --> 02:01:54.520
you ran into me and you were going to stay

1676
02:01:54.520 --> 02:01:58.960
the whole night, but I threatened to tell your parents. Okay,

1677
02:01:59.520 --> 02:02:03.840
Mike said, Thanks, Kristin, you're a life saver. Joey said,

1678
02:02:04.640 --> 02:02:08.960
Now hurry home, it's getting late. The two kids picked

1679
02:02:09.000 --> 02:02:14.600
up their candy bags and headed towards Kristin. Bye, Kristin. Hey, Simon,

1680
02:02:15.000 --> 02:02:21.560
Joey said, noticing Simon for the first time. Hey, Simon said, Hey, Joey,

1681
02:02:21.600 --> 02:02:26.680
Hey Mike, get home safe. Actually, guys, do you think

1682
02:02:26.720 --> 02:02:31.000
Simon could go home with one of you? What? Joey said,

1683
02:02:31.760 --> 02:02:35.760
We're not old enough to babysit, Simon, We're only Mike said,

1684
02:02:36.319 --> 02:02:38.680
of course, of course your parents are home, though, right

1685
02:02:39.279 --> 02:02:42.520
I just need an hour. I have something, Kristen started.

1686
02:02:43.119 --> 02:02:47.880
The boy stays goth Baby suddenly said. Joey and Mike

1687
02:02:47.960 --> 02:02:51.199
looked towards the voice and saw the four dirt babies

1688
02:02:51.279 --> 02:02:57.800
moving around. What the hell, Mike said. Vampire Baby leaped

1689
02:02:57.800 --> 02:03:00.520
out of the basket towards him, but Chris and caught

1690
02:03:00.560 --> 02:03:03.880
him mid air by his green hair, called down or

1691
02:03:03.920 --> 02:03:07.760
I'm not helping you, Kristin said, turning his body to

1692
02:03:07.760 --> 02:03:10.680
look her in the face. Let me just kill one

1693
02:03:10.720 --> 02:03:14.399
of them, It said, yeah, let us just kill one

1694
02:03:14.439 --> 02:03:18.199
of them. Bucky said. The two boys didn't wait around

1695
02:03:18.239 --> 02:03:20.760
to find out if she was going to sacrifice one

1696
02:03:20.760 --> 02:03:24.960
of them for those things. They ran fast. Goth Baby

1697
02:03:25.039 --> 02:03:29.199
jumped to the ground. Ah, let them go. There'll be

1698
02:03:29.279 --> 02:03:34.000
others to kill, Vampire Baby assured them, But I prefer

1699
02:03:34.039 --> 02:03:40.880
to kill children. GoF Baby said, that's awful. Simon retorted, yeah,

1700
02:03:41.000 --> 02:03:46.079
you're gross, Kristin said. Vampire Baby and Bucky both laughed.

1701
02:03:46.520 --> 02:03:50.720
Pumpkin made its noise. What I'm a murderer, What do

1702
02:03:50.760 --> 02:03:56.520
you expect? GoF Baby asked. Preferences make it creepy, especially

1703
02:03:56.560 --> 02:04:02.279
when the preference's kids, Kristin explained. Gothbaby bit her ankle hard,

1704
02:04:02.760 --> 02:04:07.720
tearing the flesh open. She dropped like a bag of bricks. No,

1705
02:04:08.560 --> 02:04:12.359
Simon called out. Goth Baby walked right up to her face.

1706
02:04:13.199 --> 02:04:17.239
It's not gross, it's not sexual, it's evil. They have

1707
02:04:17.399 --> 02:04:22.039
more life to lose, goth Baby said, then made its

1708
02:04:22.079 --> 02:04:26.439
way to her neck. Don't vampire Baby jumped to the

1709
02:04:26.479 --> 02:04:32.039
ground next to Gothbaby. We still need her, fine, goth

1710
02:04:32.119 --> 02:04:35.880
Baby said. The two walked over to the grave as

1711
02:04:35.920 --> 02:04:39.720
Simon moved to help Kristen up. As he did, she

1712
02:04:39.880 --> 02:04:43.600
whispered in his ear. The grave still had a hole

1713
02:04:43.640 --> 02:04:47.600
in it from where Bram had taken the soil. Kristin

1714
02:04:47.720 --> 02:04:51.359
stared at that grave for a second, noticing the faint

1715
02:04:51.479 --> 02:04:56.199
remnant of the symbols that Sarah had drawn. It wasn't

1716
02:04:56.239 --> 02:05:00.640
protection like it was supposed to be. Chris and handed

1717
02:05:00.680 --> 02:05:04.039
Simon the salt as she took a stick and carved

1718
02:05:04.079 --> 02:05:07.960
a new symbol around the grave. This time it would

1719
02:05:07.960 --> 02:05:13.239
be protection and another. She lit the black candle. She

1720
02:05:13.359 --> 02:05:16.439
hoped it would work by herself, as she no longer

1721
02:05:16.520 --> 02:05:21.800
had the others to help. Kristin. A voice said behind

1722
02:05:21.840 --> 02:05:28.079
her Bram. Kristin was puzzled. Bram looked like he had

1723
02:05:28.079 --> 02:05:31.199
been in quite the fight and had blood all over him.

1724
02:05:32.000 --> 02:05:36.840
I thought you were dead. I ran once they killed Sarah.

1725
02:05:37.760 --> 02:05:43.880
I promise I tried to savorr Bram explained Chicken. Bucky said,

1726
02:05:44.560 --> 02:05:48.920
buck Buck. The other two said. The pumpkin just garbled.

1727
02:05:49.760 --> 02:05:56.319
I'm here now, Bram said, dibbs. Goth Baby said Dibbs.

1728
02:05:57.000 --> 02:06:01.560
Vampire Baby asked, yeah, I want to be him. Look

1729
02:06:01.560 --> 02:06:04.359
at that chin line that knows he has a bit

1730
02:06:04.399 --> 02:06:09.399
of muscle plus like me, he's a goth. Goth Baby explained,

1731
02:06:10.479 --> 02:06:13.720
you're only goth because those two kids glued black pieces

1732
02:06:13.760 --> 02:06:17.439
of felt to you. Does that make you goth? Vampire

1733
02:06:17.479 --> 02:06:21.680
Baby asked. As they argued, Kristin grabbed Vampire Baby and

1734
02:06:21.760 --> 02:06:25.600
Goth Baby and threw them in the grave. Bram grabbed

1735
02:06:25.640 --> 02:06:29.640
Bucky and did the same. Then he reached for the pumpkin,

1736
02:06:30.199 --> 02:06:33.520
which turned and bit Bram's thumb off. With one bite,

1737
02:06:34.239 --> 02:06:38.319
Bram dropped him. Kristin was quick to respond and kicked

1738
02:06:38.359 --> 02:06:43.279
him into the hole. Now Simon, Kristin exclaimed. He quickly

1739
02:06:43.319 --> 02:06:46.920
poured the salt circle and Kristin frantically added the binding

1740
02:06:46.960 --> 02:06:49.880
cymbals and then went to a sped up and abbreviated

1741
02:06:50.000 --> 02:06:52.720
version of an opening that she made up on the spot.

1742
02:06:53.520 --> 02:06:57.000
From the powers of the north, south, west, and east.

1743
02:06:57.239 --> 02:07:01.560
I'd bind them to the dirt to this grave, Kristin commanded.

1744
02:07:02.159 --> 02:07:04.840
Vampire Baby was the first to try to jump out,

1745
02:07:05.359 --> 02:07:10.640
but failed, bouncing off the invisible protection barrier. And so

1746
02:07:10.720 --> 02:07:15.720
shall they remain, Kristin finished, and then reached down and

1747
02:07:15.840 --> 02:07:20.039
grabbed some of the loose soil. Wait, he still has

1748
02:07:20.039 --> 02:07:24.439
my thumb, Bram said. Kristin looked at the pumpkin, who

1749
02:07:24.479 --> 02:07:27.960
still had the nail side sticking out of its horrid mouth.

1750
02:07:28.640 --> 02:07:32.319
She contemplated trying to retrieve it for Bram, but then

1751
02:07:32.439 --> 02:07:35.880
the pumpkins started chewing it into pulp with just a

1752
02:07:35.920 --> 02:07:41.119
few bites. Never mind, go go. Kristin picked up a

1753
02:07:41.199 --> 02:07:46.119
handful of dirt. From dust to dust, Kristin said, and

1754
02:07:46.199 --> 02:07:49.479
then threw it on them. As the dirt landed, it

1755
02:07:49.520 --> 02:07:54.039
acted like acid. Their knitting dissolved and the dirt flowed out.

1756
02:07:54.720 --> 02:07:58.159
Help me, Christin yelled, as the four dirt babies began

1757
02:07:58.239 --> 02:08:01.000
to panic and try once again again to get out.

1758
02:08:01.800 --> 02:08:05.600
From dust to dust, Bram said, throwing a big handful

1759
02:08:05.680 --> 02:08:09.279
with his one good appendage at the pumpkin, whose left

1760
02:08:09.319 --> 02:08:13.680
side of his face dissolved and fell off from dust

1761
02:08:13.800 --> 02:08:17.960
to dust. Simon yelled, throwing his dirt at goth Baby.

1762
02:08:18.520 --> 02:08:21.600
It hit the front of his face, which dissolved and

1763
02:08:21.720 --> 02:08:26.000
fell off, taking much of its power away. Its arms

1764
02:08:26.079 --> 02:08:31.119
frantically flung around like it was in pain. This made

1765
02:08:31.159 --> 02:08:36.399
Simon smile. Two more handfuls each, and they were all dissolved,

1766
02:08:36.479 --> 02:08:40.880
leaving behind the pipe cleaners, felt and now plain old

1767
02:08:40.920 --> 02:08:45.880
googly eyes that had transformed back to their mass produced state.

1768
02:08:47.840 --> 02:08:56.079
It's done, Kristin exhaled, good writtance, Bram celebrated. Before they left,

1769
02:08:56.479 --> 02:08:59.159
They put out the candle and covered the rest of

1770
02:08:59.199 --> 02:09:02.840
the grave. Then Kristin took care of Bram's wound with

1771
02:09:02.880 --> 02:09:08.680
the first aid kit she always brought on babysitting gigs. Simon, Bram,

1772
02:09:08.760 --> 02:09:14.039
and Kristin walked back towards Simon's house. This is my street.

1773
02:09:14.399 --> 02:09:18.640
I need to, you know, have my parents take me

1774
02:09:18.720 --> 02:09:23.960
to the hospital. Bram explained, all right, see you at school.

1775
02:09:24.720 --> 02:09:30.239
Kristin said, Hey, just so you know, I was excited

1776
02:09:30.279 --> 02:09:37.079
for tonight. Bram confessed, yeah, because I wanted to hang

1777
02:09:37.119 --> 02:09:42.880
out with you. I did too. Kristin smiled, but it

1778
02:09:43.000 --> 02:09:47.279
ended up being the worst night of my life. He said, yeah,

1779
02:09:48.199 --> 02:09:53.039
sorry about all that. It's all right. I still like you,

1780
02:09:54.159 --> 02:09:59.720
Bram said, then walked away. Bye, take care of yourself,

1781
02:10:00.359 --> 02:10:04.439
Simon called out to him. Bram turned around and put

1782
02:10:04.439 --> 02:10:06.800
his hands up like he was giving two thumbs up,

1783
02:10:07.319 --> 02:10:10.560
but of course he was missing a crucial element of

1784
02:10:10.600 --> 02:10:14.960
being able to give a proper double thumbs up. Kristin,

1785
02:10:15.840 --> 02:10:21.960
Simon asked, yeah, she responded, looking down at him, covered

1786
02:10:21.960 --> 02:10:25.680
in dirt. Do you think my mother will ever let

1787
02:10:25.720 --> 02:10:32.319
you watch me again? No, Simon, I don't Yeah, I

1788
02:10:32.319 --> 02:10:42.560
don't think so either. Epilogue, Halloween Knight, nineteen ninety eight.

1789
02:10:44.239 --> 02:10:46.920
After the wreck that the house was in and the

1790
02:10:47.000 --> 02:10:51.359
rumors of killer dirt babies attacking the neighbors, missus Gartner

1791
02:10:51.520 --> 02:10:55.479
was hesitant to use Kristin for over two months, but

1792
02:10:55.600 --> 02:10:59.199
one night she couldn't get anybody else, and she didn't

1793
02:10:59.199 --> 02:11:02.319
really believe that killer dirt babies could be a thing,

1794
02:11:03.079 --> 02:11:07.880
so she called Kristen up. After a few months of

1795
02:11:07.920 --> 02:11:13.720
no other incidents, she became Simon's only babysitter again. Simon

1796
02:11:13.840 --> 02:11:17.479
was happy with this, and on Halloween of that following year,

1797
02:11:18.159 --> 02:11:22.039
he was finally ready to finish watching The Witchy Woods.

1798
02:11:23.159 --> 02:11:27.039
They watched it while eating pizza and drinking soda. They

1799
02:11:27.039 --> 02:11:31.920
had sworn off doing any arts and crafts. Across town,

1800
02:11:32.600 --> 02:11:36.920
a boy named Thomas stood in the old graveyard. He

1801
02:11:37.039 --> 02:11:40.560
was acting out a dare. He agreed to it after

1802
02:11:40.600 --> 02:11:43.800
a friend promised him a share of their candy hall.

1803
02:11:45.119 --> 02:11:48.640
Thomas had just moved to town during the summer. If

1804
02:11:48.680 --> 02:11:52.439
he had been there last Halloween, he might not have agreed.

1805
02:11:53.680 --> 02:11:59.079
Not many were accepting the dare this year. The boy

1806
02:11:59.239 --> 02:12:04.760
read the grave markers out loud. Thomas Leary, he read

1807
02:12:04.800 --> 02:12:10.119
on one of the graves, then Jonathan Allison. He read

1808
02:12:10.880 --> 02:12:15.439
that's the killer, I think so. Thomas pulled out a

1809
02:12:15.479 --> 02:12:20.119
baggie from his pocket, bent down, scooped up some of

1810
02:12:20.159 --> 02:12:24.399
the dirt, put it inside, and walked away to show

1811
02:12:24.439 --> 02:12:29.399
his friends. Where the dirt had been, a single googly

1812
02:12:29.479 --> 02:12:35.960
eye was exposed. If Thomas looked back, he would have

1813
02:12:36.079 --> 02:12:41.279
noticed the dirt moving. By the time the next kid

1814
02:12:41.319 --> 02:12:44.920
came out to complete the dare, all they would see

1815
02:12:45.840 --> 02:13:00.880
was an empty hole. Erasure by Morgan Moore McGhee, his

1816
02:13:01.039 --> 02:13:04.920
brother Chris, and Chris's friend Mac walked down Main Street

1817
02:13:05.279 --> 02:13:10.239
on a Chris October afternoon as normal. Joey was forced

1818
02:13:10.239 --> 02:13:13.239
to walk behind them. The other two not willing to

1819
02:13:13.319 --> 02:13:16.000
admit it, but it was due to them being afraid

1820
02:13:16.000 --> 02:13:19.239
of being seen out and about with a little kid.

1821
02:13:19.960 --> 02:13:22.640
They were at the age where all any kid cared

1822
02:13:22.680 --> 02:13:27.079
about was being cool and in. Joey didn't get it,

1823
02:13:27.439 --> 02:13:30.359
and usually when he said as such, his parents would

1824
02:13:30.399 --> 02:13:34.039
say that he would understand when he was older. Chris

1825
02:13:34.159 --> 02:13:36.840
usually said it was just because he was a seven

1826
02:13:36.880 --> 02:13:40.119
year old baby. Even if he had to stay in

1827
02:13:40.159 --> 02:13:43.279
the back, Joey didn't mind, since it meant he got

1828
02:13:43.279 --> 02:13:46.399
to hang out with his brother. They never did anymore

1829
02:13:46.479 --> 02:13:49.720
unless their parents made them, and Joey missed having fun

1830
02:13:49.760 --> 02:13:52.680
with Chris. It just sucked that they were out and

1831
02:13:52.720 --> 02:13:56.159
about with Mac, a kid Joey thought was the embodiment

1832
02:13:56.560 --> 02:14:01.119
of the big dumb dog from the Tom and Jerry cartoons. Besides,

1833
02:14:01.600 --> 02:14:04.600
Joey kept reminding himself that while Mac was hanging out

1834
02:14:04.640 --> 02:14:07.439
with them right now, it wasn't going to take away

1835
02:14:07.439 --> 02:14:11.279
from their weekend together. Mister and Missus mc gee were

1836
02:14:11.319 --> 02:14:13.560
going away for the weekend to visit some of their

1837
02:14:13.640 --> 02:14:17.840
extended family. They initially intended to bring Joey and Chris

1838
02:14:17.880 --> 02:14:21.800
with them. That was until Chris threw a fit, begged

1839
02:14:22.000 --> 02:14:26.319
and pleaded to stay home alone. Their mom and dad

1840
02:14:26.319 --> 02:14:29.479
agreed that it wasn't something they were extremely open to doing,

1841
02:14:29.960 --> 02:14:33.520
especially with it being the weekend of Halloween, when lord

1842
02:14:33.640 --> 02:14:36.600
knows what could happen to their boys, let alone what

1843
02:14:36.680 --> 02:14:40.079
they might get into. But they also agreed that Chris,

1844
02:14:40.119 --> 02:14:43.319
now being twelve, was old enough to stay home alone,

1845
02:14:43.720 --> 02:14:45.720
as that was the age they had been allowed to

1846
02:14:45.760 --> 02:14:49.159
start being left alone themselves, and so they made the

1847
02:14:49.199 --> 02:14:52.600
decision to let Chris stay home while they were gone,

1848
02:14:53.239 --> 02:14:57.800
but only under one condition. Joey got to stay and

1849
02:14:57.920 --> 02:15:00.640
Chris had to watch him for the entire of the

1850
02:15:00.720 --> 02:15:04.359
time they would be gone. Chris naturally threw a fit,

1851
02:15:05.000 --> 02:15:09.800
but eventually agreed to the condition. Joey was excited when

1852
02:15:09.800 --> 02:15:13.039
he heard the news. Finally he could spend some time

1853
02:15:13.119 --> 02:15:16.079
with his big brother, and maybe the two away from

1854
02:15:16.159 --> 02:15:21.119
Chris's friends or school, could finally reconnect. Their parents had

1855
02:15:21.159 --> 02:15:23.680
even given them some cash so they could run a

1856
02:15:23.720 --> 02:15:27.159
movie and order some pizza. It was the movie in

1857
02:15:27.279 --> 02:15:30.239
question that brought the two in mac out and walking.

1858
02:15:31.000 --> 02:15:34.399
They were headed to their local rental store, Binford Video.

1859
02:15:35.199 --> 02:15:38.000
The McGee's had been going there since Chris was little,

1860
02:15:38.359 --> 02:15:40.720
and while there were a few big name rental stores

1861
02:15:40.760 --> 02:15:45.960
around the area, they preferred the personal, homie feeling of Binford's.

1862
02:15:46.439 --> 02:15:48.720
The trio stopped as they reached the door of the

1863
02:15:48.800 --> 02:15:53.319
video store. Well here we are, Chris said to Mac.

1864
02:15:54.239 --> 02:15:59.840
You ready, he asked, Of course? Chris answered, ready for what?

1865
02:16:00.520 --> 02:16:04.279
Joey asked? The younger McGee went unanswered as the older

1866
02:16:04.319 --> 02:16:07.960
boys gave each other high fives, fist bumps, and friendly

1867
02:16:08.079 --> 02:16:11.239
shoves to amp each other up. When done, the two

1868
02:16:11.279 --> 02:16:14.800
of them looked at the video store in silence. So

1869
02:16:15.840 --> 02:16:21.479
who's going in? Mac questioned, Hugh mean you're not. Chris responded,

1870
02:16:22.239 --> 02:16:25.079
Why would I be the one doing it? His friend retorted,

1871
02:16:26.119 --> 02:16:31.520
doing what? Joey asked again, getting no answer, Quit being

1872
02:16:31.560 --> 02:16:35.360
a wimp and go in, Chris commanded his friend. Hell no,

1873
02:16:35.719 --> 02:16:39.559
it was your idea to begin with. Mac shot back, guys,

1874
02:16:40.239 --> 02:16:44.079
Joey shouted. What the two older boys shouted at their

1875
02:16:44.120 --> 02:16:47.600
young companion. Joey shrank back some at the two on

1876
02:16:47.600 --> 02:16:51.600
one verbal attack. What are you guys even talking about?

1877
02:16:52.040 --> 02:16:54.879
I thought we came here to run a movie. Why

1878
02:16:54.879 --> 02:16:58.520
does it matter who goes in? Joey asked, Now, that

1879
02:16:58.559 --> 02:17:02.920
he had their attention. Because we're not just getting any movie, twerp.

1880
02:17:03.440 --> 02:17:07.399
We're renting foot. Mac begins to explain before catching one

1881
02:17:07.440 --> 02:17:12.760
of Chris's elbows in his gut. Shut up, Chris intervened, No,

1882
02:17:13.120 --> 02:17:16.639
tell me, I can handle it. Whatever it is, Joey insisted.

1883
02:17:17.920 --> 02:17:21.600
The two older boys looked at each other. Chris sighed

1884
02:17:21.920 --> 02:17:25.360
and turned his back to his little brother. We're getting

1885
02:17:25.479 --> 02:17:28.479
flesh for the android. Mac is spending the night, and

1886
02:17:28.520 --> 02:17:32.479
we're gonna watch it. Joey frowned as disappointment set in.

1887
02:17:33.239 --> 02:17:35.120
He should have known Chris was going to have his

1888
02:17:35.200 --> 02:17:39.000
friend over instead of spending time with him. But while

1889
02:17:39.040 --> 02:17:43.959
disappointment took hold, a sudden realization came to Joey and

1890
02:17:44.000 --> 02:17:48.600
his eyes and mouth widened in shock. But but that's

1891
02:17:48.639 --> 02:17:53.159
a horror movie, an R rated horror movie, Joey stammered out,

1892
02:17:53.680 --> 02:17:56.959
Uh huh, and we're gonna get it. Mac chimed in,

1893
02:17:58.239 --> 02:18:00.600
and you're not going to say anything to mom and

1894
02:18:00.680 --> 02:18:04.440
dad about it. Of course, somebody has to stop being

1895
02:18:04.479 --> 02:18:07.760
a pussy and go in and get it, Chris explained,

1896
02:18:07.799 --> 02:18:11.879
before shoving Mac. Oh, screw you, Chris. It's your plan,

1897
02:18:12.000 --> 02:18:15.799
so you should do it Mac shot back. Joey watched

1898
02:18:15.840 --> 02:18:18.920
the two argue and thought it was one thing that

1899
02:18:19.000 --> 02:18:21.120
his weekend with his brother was going to be taken

1900
02:18:21.159 --> 02:18:23.600
away from him. It was another thing that the two

1901
02:18:23.600 --> 02:18:26.200
were going to get a movie that Joey wouldn't even

1902
02:18:26.200 --> 02:18:30.520
want to watch. Horror movies scared Joey to death, whether

1903
02:18:30.600 --> 02:18:33.360
they were old ones with no sound, kooky three D

1904
02:18:33.520 --> 02:18:36.840
ones from the fifties, or some more gruesome ones that

1905
02:18:36.959 --> 02:18:41.280
came out anymore. It was also that gruesomeness that made

1906
02:18:41.360 --> 02:18:45.840
Joey even more uncomfortable. Chris had been begging and pleading

1907
02:18:45.959 --> 02:18:48.639
to watch Flesh of the Android from the moment it

1908
02:18:48.719 --> 02:18:52.040
hit theaters, but while his begging got him his way

1909
02:18:52.079 --> 02:18:56.239
every so often, it wasn't working this time. Their parents

1910
02:18:56.280 --> 02:18:59.520
held strong. The movie was rated R, and from what

1911
02:18:59.520 --> 02:19:02.159
they had seen the scene of trailers and promotional images

1912
02:19:02.559 --> 02:19:05.479
was nothing more than a gross, garbage heap of celluloid.

1913
02:19:06.040 --> 02:19:11.120
Everything Chris found attractive about the film their parents found repulsive.

1914
02:19:12.239 --> 02:19:15.840
Joey supposed it wasn't too surprising that now that the

1915
02:19:15.920 --> 02:19:18.719
movie was on video, Chris was going to try and

1916
02:19:18.799 --> 02:19:21.600
watch it, but from what he was seeing of the

1917
02:19:21.600 --> 02:19:25.159
two boys arguing, it seemed like neither one of them

1918
02:19:25.239 --> 02:19:28.479
wanted to go through with whatever it was they were planning.

1919
02:19:29.639 --> 02:19:32.000
How are you going to get it? Anyways, there's no

1920
02:19:32.040 --> 02:19:34.559
way mister Binford is going to rent either one of

1921
02:19:34.559 --> 02:19:38.440
you a movie that's rated r Joey asked, that's the

1922
02:19:38.559 --> 02:19:41.559
genius part of our plan. We're going to take the

1923
02:19:41.639 --> 02:19:44.239
tape for Flesh of the Android and put it in

1924
02:19:44.280 --> 02:19:47.000
a case for a movie he would let us rent,

1925
02:19:47.680 --> 02:19:53.319
Mac explained, with excitement and accomplishment. Mac shut the hell up.

1926
02:19:54.040 --> 02:19:57.280
Chris nearly screamed at his friend, clearly upset that his

1927
02:19:57.360 --> 02:20:00.600
little brother now had even more info on their scheme.

1928
02:20:01.399 --> 02:20:03.840
What he was bound to figure out what we did

1929
02:20:03.920 --> 02:20:06.920
when we took it back to your place. Besides, at

1930
02:20:07.000 --> 02:20:08.959
this rate, we aren't going to get it, since you're

1931
02:20:09.000 --> 02:20:12.000
too chicken to go in and do it, Mack argued.

1932
02:20:12.639 --> 02:20:15.840
The two boys fought more. While Joey pondered the situation.

1933
02:20:16.840 --> 02:20:19.559
A light bulb went off in his head. Then an

1934
02:20:19.639 --> 02:20:22.760
idea to get his time with his brother that he

1935
02:20:22.879 --> 02:20:28.520
desperately wanted. I'll do it, he announced. The two older

1936
02:20:28.600 --> 02:20:31.719
kids looked at the younger one and burst out laughing,

1937
02:20:32.520 --> 02:20:38.520
you're serious, Chris, asked, in between laughter. Why not, Joey asked,

1938
02:20:39.520 --> 02:20:44.239
Because you're a baby. Mac answered, at least I'm willing

1939
02:20:44.280 --> 02:20:48.000
to do it, unlike you two, Joey said. The two

1940
02:20:48.040 --> 02:20:51.399
bigger boys looked at him in annoyance. Joey knew that

1941
02:20:51.520 --> 02:20:53.680
while they had to be mad for what he said,

1942
02:20:54.200 --> 02:20:58.440
that they couldn't admit that he was indeed right. While

1943
02:20:58.479 --> 02:21:01.000
they bickered about who was going to do it, he

1944
02:21:01.239 --> 02:21:05.000
had volunteered. Let's say we let you go do it?

1945
02:21:05.559 --> 02:21:09.520
What then, Chris asked, you get the movie you want,

1946
02:21:10.440 --> 02:21:14.680
but there's a price. Joey told his brother that being

1947
02:21:15.399 --> 02:21:18.639
Chris questioned, I get to watch it with you too,

1948
02:21:19.200 --> 02:21:24.319
Joey explained. Chris laughed uncontrollably and was eventually joined by Mac.

1949
02:21:24.959 --> 02:21:28.799
You you're going to watch Flesh of the Android with us?

1950
02:21:29.280 --> 02:21:34.600
Get real? Why not? Kid? That movie is supposed to

1951
02:21:34.639 --> 02:21:40.000
be like the grossest thing ever. Mac told Joey, you're

1952
02:21:40.040 --> 02:21:43.719
scared of Frank and Weeney. Hell, you're scared of Garfield Halloween.

1953
02:21:44.399 --> 02:21:49.719
Yet you're going to watch this, Chris questioned mockingly. Yes,

1954
02:21:50.360 --> 02:21:55.399
Joey stated, doubt it. Chris retorted, well, I don't think

1955
02:21:55.399 --> 02:21:57.120
you have much of a choice. If you want to

1956
02:21:57.120 --> 02:21:59.680
watch the movie unless the two of you grow a

1957
02:21:59.680 --> 02:22:03.799
set of balls and do it yourselves. Besides, mister Binford

1958
02:22:03.879 --> 02:22:08.959
likes me more anyways, Joey said angrily. Mac gasped and

1959
02:22:09.079 --> 02:22:12.879
softly laughed in surprise at the younger McGee's sudden exclamation.

1960
02:22:13.840 --> 02:22:17.559
Chris stared down at his little brother, Knowing that Joey

1961
02:22:17.600 --> 02:22:21.440
had him beat, Chris pulled cash out of his pocket

1962
02:22:21.840 --> 02:22:25.719
and shoved it into Joey's hand. All right, then, since

1963
02:22:25.719 --> 02:22:28.799
you think you're some hot tough shit, you do it,

1964
02:22:29.239 --> 02:22:32.319
grabbed the movie and swap its tape into another case.

1965
02:22:32.879 --> 02:22:38.440
Simple as that, in and out, Chris explained, Easy peasy.

1966
02:22:39.000 --> 02:22:43.760
Joey said, uh huh, we'll see. You don't exactly have

1967
02:22:43.799 --> 02:22:46.440
a good track record of not spilling the beans or

1968
02:22:46.479 --> 02:22:51.479
folding under pressure. Chris responded, I won't this time, I promise.

1969
02:22:51.920 --> 02:22:56.200
Joey insisted you better not, little man, or else your

1970
02:22:56.280 --> 02:22:59.840
ass will be in some deep trouble. Mac told Joey

1971
02:23:00.920 --> 02:23:03.799
he means it too. If you mess this up, mister

1972
02:23:03.840 --> 02:23:06.440
Binford won't be who you'll be in trouble with the most.

1973
02:23:07.079 --> 02:23:09.079
Mom and Dad won't even be the worst you could

1974
02:23:09.120 --> 02:23:12.760
be in trouble with, not even the police'll be because

1975
02:23:12.799 --> 02:23:17.200
for all intents and purposes, you'll be stealing. Naw bro,

1976
02:23:17.600 --> 02:23:20.440
I will be the one to be afraid of, especially

1977
02:23:20.440 --> 02:23:22.920
if you wrap me out. You screw this up in

1978
02:23:22.959 --> 02:23:25.799
any way, shape or form, and I'll make you pay,

1979
02:23:26.600 --> 02:23:33.559
Chris explained intensely and menacingly to his little brother. Yeah, yeah, yeah,

1980
02:23:33.920 --> 02:23:36.399
Joey said, as he pushed past the two toward the

1981
02:23:36.440 --> 02:23:41.079
door of the video store. He stopped and stared into

1982
02:23:41.120 --> 02:23:44.600
the glass door hazily, able to make out the insides

1983
02:23:44.639 --> 02:23:48.120
of the lobby. Joey turned around and looked at Chris

1984
02:23:48.159 --> 02:23:51.159
and Mack. The two of them made a shoeing motion

1985
02:23:51.319 --> 02:23:55.280
with their hands, gesturing for him to hurry up. Joey

1986
02:23:55.319 --> 02:23:58.200
looked at the front door and gulped before grabbing the

1987
02:23:58.239 --> 02:24:05.120
handle and pulling the door open. A bell rang as

1988
02:24:05.159 --> 02:24:08.920
the door to the video store opened and Joey stepped inside.

1989
02:24:09.600 --> 02:24:12.159
The interior was the same as it always had been

1990
02:24:12.440 --> 02:24:15.920
since Joey and his family had started going there. Walls

1991
02:24:15.959 --> 02:24:19.840
lined with film reels, posters, and various cutouts of movie

1992
02:24:19.840 --> 02:24:23.799
scenes and stars. Shelves were placed in almost every nook

1993
02:24:23.799 --> 02:24:27.079
and cranny, and were organized in ways Joey could only

1994
02:24:27.159 --> 02:24:32.200
call weirdly specific. The owners, mister and Missus Binford, were

1995
02:24:32.239 --> 02:24:37.200
both film lovers and wanted the store to reflect that love. Well,

1996
02:24:37.239 --> 02:24:41.319
would you look at that, Joey mc gee, my favorite customer,

1997
02:24:41.840 --> 02:24:44.079
the old shop keep called out as he watched the

1998
02:24:44.120 --> 02:24:48.440
seven year old walk in. Hi, mister Binford, Joey replied,

1999
02:24:49.399 --> 02:24:52.360
this is probably a silly question since you're in the shop,

2000
02:24:52.399 --> 02:24:55.680
but what brings you in to day? Mister Binford looked

2001
02:24:55.680 --> 02:25:01.040
around as if trying to find somebody alone too at that. Oh,

2002
02:25:01.159 --> 02:25:04.559
is that a problem? My brother and his friend are outside.

2003
02:25:05.000 --> 02:25:06.600
I could go get them if you need me to,

2004
02:25:07.120 --> 02:25:10.120
Joey said with a blush. Oh, it isn't a problem

2005
02:25:10.120 --> 02:25:12.879
at all. I'm just not used to seeing you by yourself.

2006
02:25:13.280 --> 02:25:16.520
So what brings you in? Mister Benford asked with a smile.

2007
02:25:17.440 --> 02:25:20.120
My parents are away for the weekend, so we're using

2008
02:25:20.159 --> 02:25:22.079
some of the money they left us to get a movie.

2009
02:25:22.399 --> 02:25:26.399
Joey explained. This year guy's first time being left alone.

2010
02:25:26.799 --> 02:25:31.120
The shop keep asked, yeah, big milestone for kids to

2011
02:25:31.159 --> 02:25:34.639
be left alone for the weekend, right in time for Halloween, too,

2012
02:25:35.440 --> 02:25:39.440
got any scary movies in mind to rent, mister Benford

2013
02:25:39.479 --> 02:25:43.079
asked with a grin. The Benfords liked all kinds of movies,

2014
02:25:43.360 --> 02:25:45.879
but from what little Joey knew of the couple, it

2015
02:25:45.920 --> 02:25:50.079
was horror movies mister Binford liked, especially the old ones.

2016
02:25:51.200 --> 02:25:53.440
I don't know. Chris just sent me in to get

2017
02:25:53.479 --> 02:25:56.719
a movie. Didn't say what he wanted. Joey felt a

2018
02:25:56.760 --> 02:26:01.200
tinge of pain at lying to the old man. See, well,

2019
02:26:01.559 --> 02:26:04.440
I'm running a special right now for the holiday. Rent

2020
02:26:04.479 --> 02:26:07.319
one horror movie and get one with the price slashed

2021
02:26:07.479 --> 02:26:11.639
in half, mister Binford said with an excited menace, before

2022
02:26:11.719 --> 02:26:15.760
slamming a fake meat cleaver down onto the counter. Surprised

2023
02:26:15.760 --> 02:26:18.760
by the sudden action, Joey jumped back a little before

2024
02:26:18.799 --> 02:26:22.399
smiling and laughing a little bit, the old man laughing

2025
02:26:22.479 --> 02:26:25.479
along with him. Right, I'll have to see if I

2026
02:26:25.479 --> 02:26:28.719
find anything I like, the seven year old said. Can

2027
02:26:28.799 --> 02:26:32.000
never go wrong with the classics. But that's a ramble

2028
02:26:32.079 --> 02:26:34.639
for another time. I'm holding you up while your brother

2029
02:26:34.680 --> 02:26:38.239
and his friend wait outside. Mister Binford jabbed a thumb

2030
02:26:38.280 --> 02:26:41.360
toward the door the two older boys peered in through

2031
02:26:41.360 --> 02:26:44.680
its glass. I'll be up here rewinding some tapes. If

2032
02:26:44.680 --> 02:26:48.799
you need anything, kiddo, Thanks mister Binford, Joey said, before

2033
02:26:48.840 --> 02:26:53.360
heading off into the maze of shelves. Despite boasting about

2034
02:26:53.399 --> 02:26:56.360
how he would do it, Joey couldn't help but feel

2035
02:26:56.399 --> 02:27:00.600
bad about the whole thing, especially after talking to mister Binford.

2036
02:27:01.200 --> 02:27:03.760
He really liked the guy and didn't want to disappoint him.

2037
02:27:04.440 --> 02:27:08.559
Joey shook his head and took a deep breath. Come on, McGhee,

2038
02:27:08.760 --> 02:27:11.639
we have a mission to do. Joey walked through the

2039
02:27:11.680 --> 02:27:15.760
shelves and looked at case after case and thought about

2040
02:27:15.760 --> 02:27:19.959
his mission in question. It certainly was an easy enough plan.

2041
02:27:20.680 --> 02:27:23.719
Swapped the cassette of Flesh of the Android with another movie,

2042
02:27:24.200 --> 02:27:26.680
any movie, and it would look like he was renting

2043
02:27:26.879 --> 02:27:30.959
anything other than an R rated horror film. Only problem

2044
02:27:31.079 --> 02:27:33.000
was trying to pick out a movie to do it with.

2045
02:27:33.760 --> 02:27:37.600
It couldn't just be any movie. Joey needed a movie

2046
02:27:37.600 --> 02:27:41.239
that mister Binford wouldn't think twice about him renting. He

2047
02:27:41.399 --> 02:27:44.799
was hesitant to make it be another horror film. Mister

2048
02:27:44.879 --> 02:27:48.200
Binford had to have remembered he didn't like scary movies.

2049
02:27:48.639 --> 02:27:52.360
Renting two of them might make him suspect something was

2050
02:27:52.399 --> 02:27:56.920
going on. Mindlessly Joey wandered into the action section and

2051
02:27:56.959 --> 02:27:59.760
looked around. He was about to turn a corner and

2052
02:27:59.840 --> 02:28:04.479
leave when he had an idea. Joey turned around and

2053
02:28:04.639 --> 02:28:07.000
smiled a bit as he stared at the case for

2054
02:28:07.079 --> 02:28:11.120
a movie called Quantum Cop. It was a film he

2055
02:28:11.120 --> 02:28:14.120
had seen loads of times, and while he hadn't seen

2056
02:28:14.200 --> 02:28:17.680
too many movies in his life to make a definitive statement,

2057
02:28:18.079 --> 02:28:21.959
he did consider it his favorite. It was one that

2058
02:28:22.000 --> 02:28:25.159
he and his family rented numerous times, and if he

2059
02:28:25.200 --> 02:28:27.159
saw it was going to be on TV, he would

2060
02:28:27.239 --> 02:28:30.440
drop everything to watch it. He had toys for it

2061
02:28:30.680 --> 02:28:33.360
and even acted it out with some of his friends.

2062
02:28:33.920 --> 02:28:38.719
Most importantly, it was rated PG. Joey knew if he

2063
02:28:38.799 --> 02:28:42.959
did the swap with Quantum Cop, mister Binford would expect nothing.

2064
02:28:44.000 --> 02:28:46.600
Joey took the tape off the shelf and made his

2065
02:28:46.680 --> 02:28:49.879
way to the horror section. Like the rest of the sections,

2066
02:28:49.920 --> 02:28:53.399
it was decorated to its theme with cobwebs and masks

2067
02:28:53.680 --> 02:28:57.600
and cutouts of various monsters and other things from horror films.

2068
02:28:58.040 --> 02:28:59.920
It amped up even more so with the rest of

2069
02:29:00.200 --> 02:29:05.559
the store for Halloween. Joey was always intimidated by the decorations.

2070
02:29:05.600 --> 02:29:08.920
But this was worse. Whether it be its crank to

2071
02:29:08.959 --> 02:29:12.440
eleven nature for the holiday, or because of what he

2072
02:29:12.479 --> 02:29:16.520
was planning, he found himself deathly frightened of walking through it.

2073
02:29:17.399 --> 02:29:20.559
He gulped and started down the path, making sure he

2074
02:29:20.600 --> 02:29:23.559
didn't look around too much so that he wouldn't see

2075
02:29:23.600 --> 02:29:27.079
something he didn't want to. The way the horror section

2076
02:29:27.280 --> 02:29:30.360
was set up, Joey went from classic horror movies up

2077
02:29:30.399 --> 02:29:33.840
through to current ones, the boxes getting more and more

2078
02:29:33.879 --> 02:29:37.520
intense as he went along, shielding his eyes as they

2079
02:29:37.559 --> 02:29:41.639
did so. And yet you're wanting to watch a gross

2080
02:29:41.639 --> 02:29:45.079
out movie just to be with your brother, he told himself.

2081
02:29:46.040 --> 02:29:49.239
Joey stopped when he came to his destination. In front

2082
02:29:49.239 --> 02:29:51.520
of him. On the rack was a shiny, near brand

2083
02:29:51.559 --> 02:29:56.840
new VHS tape. It was Flesh of the Android. The

2084
02:29:56.840 --> 02:29:59.840
front cover depicted what he could only describe as a

2085
02:30:00.280 --> 02:30:03.319
between a zombie and a robot ripping its way through

2086
02:30:03.319 --> 02:30:07.639
a person, blood and viscera flying every which way, while

2087
02:30:07.680 --> 02:30:10.639
the title was printed in such a way that it

2088
02:30:10.719 --> 02:30:16.559
looked like it had been carved into human flesh. Joey, handshaking,

2089
02:30:17.040 --> 02:30:20.000
turned it around to look at the back, while the

2090
02:30:20.040 --> 02:30:23.799
front had been drawn or painted artwork. Joey was greeted

2091
02:30:23.840 --> 02:30:27.079
by images from the movie showing the creature chained to

2092
02:30:27.159 --> 02:30:30.959
a wall and on fire, people looking afraid and huddled together,

2093
02:30:31.440 --> 02:30:34.559
a scientist with an eye gouged out, and a girl

2094
02:30:34.600 --> 02:30:38.159
with no shirt having what looked like her chest but

2095
02:30:38.319 --> 02:30:42.639
more balloon shaped, being squeezed while puss oozed out of it.

2096
02:30:43.680 --> 02:30:46.040
Joey quickly put it back on the shelf and covered

2097
02:30:46.079 --> 02:30:49.079
his mouth with his now free hand while he gagged,

2098
02:30:50.000 --> 02:30:53.559
Get it together, Joey, It's only a movie. It's only

2099
02:30:53.600 --> 02:30:58.520
a movie. It's only a movie. The young boy gathered

2100
02:30:58.559 --> 02:31:02.600
his composure and took the film off the shelf. He

2101
02:31:02.719 --> 02:31:05.399
stared at it and the other movie in his hand.

2102
02:31:06.879 --> 02:31:10.319
One was a simple and fun action movie. The other

2103
02:31:10.479 --> 02:31:14.399
contained images that, based on the box, were going to

2104
02:31:14.399 --> 02:31:17.360
live up to how Chris and Mack had been describing it.

2105
02:31:18.079 --> 02:31:21.840
Quantum cop in one hand and Flesh of the Android

2106
02:31:21.879 --> 02:31:25.760
in the other. Joey looked back and forth between the two.

2107
02:31:26.639 --> 02:31:29.959
He sighed and placed Flesh of the Android back on

2108
02:31:30.000 --> 02:31:34.200
the shelf. Afterward, he pulled the cassette of Quantum cop

2109
02:31:34.239 --> 02:31:38.520
Out and laid it on another movie. Joey then repeated

2110
02:31:38.520 --> 02:31:41.799
the action for Flesh of the Android before slipping its

2111
02:31:41.799 --> 02:31:46.360
cassette into the case for Quantum Cop. He sighed after

2112
02:31:46.399 --> 02:31:50.000
doing so and paused for a second before sliding Quantum

2113
02:31:50.040 --> 02:31:54.559
Cop into the case of Flesh of the Android. The

2114
02:31:54.639 --> 02:31:58.799
deed was done. Joey had successfully completed Chris and Mack's

2115
02:31:58.799 --> 02:32:02.280
plan to rent an R rated horror movie right under

2116
02:32:02.319 --> 02:32:06.680
the nose of mister Binford. Joey smiled faintly at having

2117
02:32:06.760 --> 02:32:10.840
completed his task, but could already feel the guilt eating

2118
02:32:10.879 --> 02:32:15.760
him up inside. All right, McGee, you did it. Now,

2119
02:32:15.799 --> 02:32:18.040
you just have to check out and get it out

2120
02:32:18.040 --> 02:32:22.280
of the store. Joey turned around and started back down

2121
02:32:22.360 --> 02:32:26.200
the horror section. As he walked, he suddenly remembered mister

2122
02:32:26.239 --> 02:32:30.200
Binford's words, rent one horror movie and get one with

2123
02:32:30.280 --> 02:32:34.280
the price slashed in half. The old ShopKeep might find

2124
02:32:34.319 --> 02:32:38.000
it weird that Joey had only grabbed not just one movie,

2125
02:32:38.600 --> 02:32:42.239
but a non horror title. At that, he began to

2126
02:32:42.280 --> 02:32:46.639
feel anxiety at how his plan might crumble. Joey stopped

2127
02:32:46.639 --> 02:32:50.079
when he got to the classic horror section. Maybe if

2128
02:32:50.120 --> 02:32:53.319
I rent one of these, mister Binford won't suspect anything.

2129
02:32:54.360 --> 02:32:59.040
Joey looked over the movies and blindly picked one. After all,

2130
02:32:59.079 --> 02:33:02.520
it didn't really matter what the movie was, just that

2131
02:33:02.600 --> 02:33:05.159
he had another one to distract from the ruse he

2132
02:33:05.239 --> 02:33:09.280
was attempting to pull. Newly satisfied, Joey made his way

2133
02:33:09.319 --> 02:33:12.040
out of the horror section and through the maze of

2134
02:33:12.120 --> 02:33:16.200
shelves and movies until he reached the front counter. After

2135
02:33:16.280 --> 02:33:19.239
a couple of moments, mister Binford turned around from his

2136
02:33:19.360 --> 02:33:23.840
task of rewinding tapes. The customers hadn't ah if it

2137
02:33:23.920 --> 02:33:27.520
isn't mister McGhee back with some plunder. Let's see what

2138
02:33:27.559 --> 02:33:30.559
you got, the man said with a smile, holding out

2139
02:33:30.559 --> 02:33:34.079
his hand for the tapes. Joey returned the smile and

2140
02:33:34.159 --> 02:33:37.879
handed him the movies. Mister Binford looked at the two tapes.

2141
02:33:38.680 --> 02:33:42.239
Let's see what we have here, quantum cop my mi.

2142
02:33:42.520 --> 02:33:45.120
You never tire of this one, do you, with how

2143
02:33:45.159 --> 02:33:47.000
many times you rent it? You should save up some

2144
02:33:47.040 --> 02:33:50.479
allowance and buy yourself a copy, mister Binford said, with

2145
02:33:50.559 --> 02:33:56.600
his usual friendly smile. Yeah maybe, Joey responded, and let's

2146
02:33:56.600 --> 02:34:00.959
see we also have Ooh. Phantom of the Opera, the

2147
02:34:01.040 --> 02:34:05.799
nineteen forty three version starring Claude Rains. Very very nice

2148
02:34:05.879 --> 02:34:09.159
choice here, Joey. It's a personal favorite of mine. I

2149
02:34:09.200 --> 02:34:12.000
remember seeing this in the theater when I was close

2150
02:34:12.040 --> 02:34:15.120
to twenty years old and before I got shipped off

2151
02:34:15.120 --> 02:34:18.680
to Europe. Mister Binford explained, with a glee and twinkle

2152
02:34:18.680 --> 02:34:22.840
in his eye that Joey never remembered seeing before. That's

2153
02:34:22.920 --> 02:34:27.440
really cool, mister Binford. Joey said he genuinely enjoyed seeing

2154
02:34:27.479 --> 02:34:31.879
the shop owner talk about his childhood. Indeed, those were

2155
02:34:31.920 --> 02:34:35.799
the days. Oh, I'm sorry, Joey, I'm rambling and getting

2156
02:34:35.840 --> 02:34:39.040
nostalgic again. I'll make sure these are rewound and then

2157
02:34:39.079 --> 02:34:42.399
get you checked out and on the way, mister Binford explained.

2158
02:34:44.280 --> 02:34:47.559
Joey's mind went blank and then flooded with a surge

2159
02:34:47.559 --> 02:34:53.079
of anxiety. Rewinding the tapes. That meant mister Binford would

2160
02:34:53.079 --> 02:34:55.639
have to take the tapes out of their cases. That

2161
02:34:55.799 --> 02:34:58.600
meant he would have to see the cassettes, and that

2162
02:34:58.719 --> 02:35:01.559
he would see the title of the movies on the

2163
02:35:01.559 --> 02:35:06.520
plastic shells. Joey's plan was about to crumble. That would

2164
02:35:06.600 --> 02:35:10.079
mean he'd get in trouble with mister Binford, with his parents,

2165
02:35:11.239 --> 02:35:14.920
maybe with the police. Worst of all, he knew that

2166
02:35:15.000 --> 02:35:17.520
when they asked him about why he did the switch,

2167
02:35:18.200 --> 02:35:22.079
he would eventually crumble and reveal that it was Chris's idea,

2168
02:35:22.719 --> 02:35:28.719
and then he'd be in deep, deep trouble. Joey nervously

2169
02:35:28.840 --> 02:35:32.559
stood watching as mister Binford began the process of checking

2170
02:35:32.559 --> 02:35:35.959
the tapes and where or if they had been rewound.

2171
02:35:36.600 --> 02:35:39.000
He paused at one point and turned to look out

2172
02:35:39.040 --> 02:35:42.879
the glass door, catching Chris and Max staring in and

2173
02:35:42.959 --> 02:35:45.840
quickly disappearing when they knew they had been seen by

2174
02:35:45.840 --> 02:35:49.680
the shop owner. Mister Binford turned his attention back to

2175
02:35:49.719 --> 02:35:54.040
his task and started humming while doing so. After what

2176
02:35:54.159 --> 02:35:58.120
seemed like an eternity to Joey, mister Binford turned around,

2177
02:35:58.440 --> 02:36:02.559
holding both movies in their cases in his hand and

2178
02:36:02.639 --> 02:36:07.159
stared at Joey. Joey, we have a problem here. The

2179
02:36:07.239 --> 02:36:10.360
young McGee gulped and could feel his heart starting to

2180
02:36:10.479 --> 02:36:17.440
pound faster and faster. What problem, he stammered out, Well, Joey,

2181
02:36:18.559 --> 02:36:22.120
you only have one horror movie here. Remember the special

2182
02:36:22.200 --> 02:36:24.760
is if you rent one horror movie, you get another

2183
02:36:24.799 --> 02:36:29.840
horror movie half off. Oh I guess I wasn't thinking,

2184
02:36:30.319 --> 02:36:34.719
Joey said, mm hmm, Well tell you what. Since you're

2185
02:36:34.840 --> 02:36:37.879
my favorite customer, I'll let you have the deal anyways,

2186
02:36:38.639 --> 02:36:42.600
Just don't go telling anybody. How's that sound, mister Binford

2187
02:36:42.639 --> 02:36:46.079
asked with a smile. Joey felt a wave of relief

2188
02:36:46.120 --> 02:36:50.399
come over him. He smiled and nodded his head. Sounds great,

2189
02:36:51.280 --> 02:36:55.040
Mister Binford smiled and nodded his head in agreement. Joey

2190
02:36:55.079 --> 02:36:57.360
handed the cash for the movies to the shop owner

2191
02:36:57.760 --> 02:37:00.600
and watched as mister Binford bagged up the two movies

2192
02:37:01.079 --> 02:37:04.639
and handed them over to his young patron. You boys,

2193
02:37:04.760 --> 02:37:08.319
enjoy yourselves, he told Joey. As the young McGhee headed

2194
02:37:08.319 --> 02:37:12.079
toward the door, Joey turned around and waved goodbye with

2195
02:37:12.120 --> 02:37:16.000
a smile. Before leaving the store. He walked away to

2196
02:37:16.040 --> 02:37:20.120
where Chris and Mack were standing well. The two asked

2197
02:37:20.159 --> 02:37:25.000
in both curiosity and simmering agitation. Joey pulled out the

2198
02:37:25.040 --> 02:37:28.280
case for Quantum cop then slid out the cassette that

2199
02:37:28.360 --> 02:37:31.319
sat inside of it. Chris and Mack looked at the

2200
02:37:31.360 --> 02:37:35.159
tape and grinned like a cheshire cat when they saw

2201
02:37:35.479 --> 02:37:39.079
flesh of the Android printed on the black plastic in

2202
02:37:39.159 --> 02:37:44.680
stuttered white. All right, way to go, joe Mac cheered

2203
02:37:44.719 --> 02:37:48.440
before giving Joey a playful punch. Good job, little bro,

2204
02:37:49.040 --> 02:37:53.440
Good job, Chris told his brother with a smile. Joey's

2205
02:37:53.440 --> 02:37:56.840
face grew warm and he smiled, nearly tearing up and

2206
02:37:56.959 --> 02:38:01.280
hearing his brother giving him praise. All right, girls, let's

2207
02:38:01.319 --> 02:38:04.879
go get some pop and pizza and head back, Chris said,

2208
02:38:05.639 --> 02:38:08.920
Mac and Joey nodded in agreement, and the three walked

2209
02:38:08.959 --> 02:38:12.399
off towards their next destination before what was sure to

2210
02:38:12.479 --> 02:38:22.680
be a terrifyingly fun night. After the video store, the

2211
02:38:22.719 --> 02:38:25.280
boys made their way to the supermarket and filled a

2212
02:38:25.360 --> 02:38:29.399
cart with soda, popcorn, and everything they needed to make nachos.

2213
02:38:30.000 --> 02:38:32.479
Once done, they went down the street to a pizza

2214
02:38:32.559 --> 02:38:36.239
joint called Haha Pizza. They argued over what to get

2215
02:38:36.319 --> 02:38:40.000
until they eventually settled on extra cheese with sausage, onions,

2216
02:38:40.239 --> 02:38:44.360
and banana peppers. With pizza and various snacks in hand,

2217
02:38:44.719 --> 02:38:48.760
the trio headed on back to the McGee's. Once they arrived,

2218
02:38:48.799 --> 02:38:51.159
the boys got to work on setting up shop for

2219
02:38:51.200 --> 02:38:54.760
the night. The pizza box got tossed onto the coffee

2220
02:38:54.799 --> 02:38:57.760
table along with the sodas, while the kitchen became an

2221
02:38:57.760 --> 02:39:03.040
aroma of salt, butter, tortilla chips, cheese, jlapinoes and tomatoes.

2222
02:39:03.840 --> 02:39:06.600
Done in the kitchen, and with the sun starting to set,

2223
02:39:07.040 --> 02:39:09.559
the trio headed into the living room with their plunder

2224
02:39:09.639 --> 02:39:14.040
of buttery, greasy goodness. The older McGee instructed Mac to

2225
02:39:14.079 --> 02:39:16.239
put out a bowl of candy their parents left for

2226
02:39:16.280 --> 02:39:19.280
tricker treaters and turn off the porch lights so that

2227
02:39:19.319 --> 02:39:23.000
when the sun went down they wouldn't be disturbed. With that.

2228
02:39:23.159 --> 02:39:27.280
Taking care of, Mac returned and handed Chris their feature presentation.

2229
02:39:28.479 --> 02:39:31.600
He pulled out the in disguise flesh of the Android

2230
02:39:32.040 --> 02:39:36.280
and headed toward the VCR. What about the other movie,

2231
02:39:36.680 --> 02:39:41.159
Joey asked, what about it? Chris countered, aren't we going

2232
02:39:41.200 --> 02:39:45.520
to watch it? As if Chris and Max said in unison,

2233
02:39:46.360 --> 02:39:50.200
why not? Joey questioned, who wants to watch an older

2234
02:39:50.239 --> 02:39:54.479
than dirt movie? Not us, that's for sure. Chris explained,

2235
02:39:55.319 --> 02:39:58.200
what if I wanted to? Mister Binford said it was

2236
02:39:58.280 --> 02:40:03.319
really good. Joey said, please, As if mister Binford knows

2237
02:40:03.360 --> 02:40:06.680
anything about quality, the man is older than time itself.

2238
02:40:07.239 --> 02:40:11.959
Mac said, tauntingly, Besides, we have more important things to do,

2239
02:40:12.559 --> 02:40:17.440
like watching this awesomeness. Chris told his companions as he

2240
02:40:17.440 --> 02:40:20.360
held up the flesh of the Android tape as if

2241
02:40:20.399 --> 02:40:23.520
it was a trophy. Aren't you scared of these kinds

2242
02:40:23.520 --> 02:40:26.120
of movies anyway? Squirt? Why do you want to watch

2243
02:40:26.159 --> 02:40:30.840
that one? Mac asked mockingly. I don't know, I guess

2244
02:40:30.840 --> 02:40:35.200
I just wanted to try mister Binford's suggestion, Joey explained

2245
02:40:35.239 --> 02:40:38.280
as he bowed his head. Well, we're going to show

2246
02:40:38.319 --> 02:40:41.879
you real horror, that is, if you can make it

2247
02:40:41.959 --> 02:40:45.600
past the trailers, Chris said, with a snicker that was

2248
02:40:45.680 --> 02:40:49.879
soon followed by Mac. Shut up, Joey shouted as he

2249
02:40:49.879 --> 02:40:52.000
plopped himself down on the floor in front of the

2250
02:40:52.000 --> 02:40:56.799
coffee table. Play the movie. Chris and Mack pretended as

2251
02:40:56.799 --> 02:40:59.520
if they were intimidated by the youngest of the group

2252
02:40:59.600 --> 02:41:03.719
before having another chuckle. Chris slid the cassette into the

2253
02:41:03.799 --> 02:41:08.479
VCR and turned on the television. The older boys settled

2254
02:41:08.520 --> 02:41:11.360
in on the couch and relegated Joey to turning off

2255
02:41:11.399 --> 02:41:15.360
the lights. He sighed and reluctantly did so before sitting

2256
02:41:15.399 --> 02:41:18.440
on the floor in front of the couch. Chris powered

2257
02:41:18.479 --> 02:41:22.040
on the VCR using the remote, hit play and the

2258
02:41:22.079 --> 02:41:27.000
trio waited for the tape to start. Staticky black faded

2259
02:41:27.040 --> 02:41:30.200
into pitch black before the logo of the video company

2260
02:41:30.239 --> 02:41:34.319
appeared with its jingle. The boys were then shown trailer

2261
02:41:34.399 --> 02:41:37.879
after trailer of various movies the company is about to

2262
02:41:37.959 --> 02:41:43.200
release or has released. Genres ranged from the expected horror,

2263
02:41:43.239 --> 02:41:46.799
to drama, to sci fi, and even to romance, albeit

2264
02:41:46.920 --> 02:41:51.159
of a steamier variety. Joey found the majority of the

2265
02:41:51.159 --> 02:41:54.239
trailers not to his liking. He had to grit his

2266
02:41:54.319 --> 02:41:57.159
teeth to make it through the horror trailers, but he

2267
02:41:57.239 --> 02:42:00.239
stuck through them. If he backed out now because of

2268
02:42:00.280 --> 02:42:03.000
some trailers, he would never hear the end of it.

2269
02:42:03.920 --> 02:42:07.719
Once the trailer stopped, the company logo appeared again and

2270
02:42:07.799 --> 02:42:12.239
gave way to the opening credits. Blood curdling red splashed

2271
02:42:12.280 --> 02:42:16.360
onto a black as night background. Then the title appeared

2272
02:42:16.399 --> 02:42:19.319
with a shriek that Joey could only liken to a

2273
02:42:19.360 --> 02:42:23.879
small dog having its tail stomped on. When the movie

2274
02:42:23.920 --> 02:42:27.360
proper started up, Joey found himself able to handle it

2275
02:42:27.479 --> 02:42:30.959
for the most part, having not seen a lot of horror.

2276
02:42:31.000 --> 02:42:33.639
It seemed boring to him that there was a bunch

2277
02:42:33.680 --> 02:42:37.719
of talk about science and not having any viable options left,

2278
02:42:37.920 --> 02:42:42.040
and some other junk about morality and stuff he didn't understand,

2279
02:42:42.120 --> 02:42:45.760
but seemed to make Chris and Mack excited and what

2280
02:42:45.879 --> 02:42:49.639
Joey assumed meant embarrassed with how red they got. But

2281
02:42:49.760 --> 02:42:53.959
once the horror started, Joey quickly concluded that despite how

2282
02:42:54.040 --> 02:42:56.840
much he wanted to show the two older boys how

2283
02:42:56.920 --> 02:43:01.000
tough and brave he was, and specially how much he

2284
02:43:01.040 --> 02:43:03.840
wanted to spend time with his older brother over the weekend,

2285
02:43:04.639 --> 02:43:08.239
he simply couldn't handle the horror in the film. The

2286
02:43:08.280 --> 02:43:12.680
way everything looked dark and grimy, the music, and the

2287
02:43:12.719 --> 02:43:17.680
special effects. By god, the special effects were simply too

2288
02:43:17.719 --> 02:43:21.719
much for him. From the crazed doctor dissecting and then

2289
02:43:21.840 --> 02:43:25.840
forming his abomination, to how that creature looked once completed

2290
02:43:26.079 --> 02:43:29.639
and moving around, to the red oozing blood and the

2291
02:43:29.639 --> 02:43:33.559
tortuous cries of agony, Joey did his best to watch

2292
02:43:33.600 --> 02:43:36.799
as much as he could. However, when the creature skinned

2293
02:43:36.799 --> 02:43:39.879
an arm and ripped open the victim's veins to feed

2294
02:43:39.920 --> 02:43:44.719
on their blood, Joey could take no more. He ran

2295
02:43:44.799 --> 02:43:47.680
out of the living room hand over mouth. Chris and

2296
02:43:47.799 --> 02:43:51.799
Mack laughed hysterically while he fled. I told you, he

2297
02:43:51.840 --> 02:43:54.959
wouldn't be able to handle it. Mac Shrilly said through

2298
02:43:54.959 --> 02:43:59.319
his laughter, that's my baby brother for you being a big,

2299
02:43:59.600 --> 02:44:04.000
fat baby. Chris mocked, and like a baby, I think

2300
02:44:04.040 --> 02:44:08.479
he crapped himself too, Max shouted in humored excitement. The

2301
02:44:08.559 --> 02:44:11.399
two continued to watch the movie and make fun of Joey.

2302
02:44:11.600 --> 02:44:14.920
As he made his way upstairs. Tears flowed from his

2303
02:44:15.000 --> 02:44:17.600
eyes and he was doing his best to not let

2304
02:44:17.639 --> 02:44:21.079
out the sobbing whimpers building up in his throat. In

2305
02:44:21.159 --> 02:44:24.159
the safety of his own room, he buried himself under

2306
02:44:24.159 --> 02:44:27.879
his comforter with his face and his pillow. Then Joey

2307
02:44:27.959 --> 02:44:31.879
let out his embarrassment and sadness. Confident that the two

2308
02:44:31.959 --> 02:44:35.600
wouldn't be able to hear him now, he screamed and

2309
02:44:35.680 --> 02:44:39.239
sobbed and cursed what little curse words he knew. Joey

2310
02:44:39.280 --> 02:44:41.760
swore that he hated the two of them, his brother

2311
02:44:41.840 --> 02:44:44.559
in particular for ruining what was supposed to be their

2312
02:44:44.680 --> 02:44:48.840
weekend together. It was just like Chris to twist everything

2313
02:44:48.879 --> 02:44:53.360
into what he wanted and not what others or Joey wanted.

2314
02:44:54.159 --> 02:44:57.520
I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, Joey

2315
02:44:57.559 --> 02:45:01.040
shouted into his pillow. He turned to stare at the

2316
02:45:01.040 --> 02:45:04.920
clock on his bedside table. To him, knowing what time

2317
02:45:04.959 --> 02:45:08.239
it was didn't really matter, it was simply something to

2318
02:45:08.319 --> 02:45:12.639
look at to help him fall asleep. He certainly wanted to,

2319
02:45:12.959 --> 02:45:15.760
but every time he closed his eyes, the images of

2320
02:45:16.280 --> 02:45:20.639
flesh of the android replayed in his mind, distorted in

2321
02:45:20.719 --> 02:45:25.239
even more nightmarish ways. Joey cursed Chris for wanting to

2322
02:45:25.280 --> 02:45:28.760
watch such a thing, but equally cursed himself forgetting the

2323
02:45:28.799 --> 02:45:31.760
tape for them and watching something that he knew he

2324
02:45:31.799 --> 02:45:35.239
couldn't handle. Their father would say he had polluted his

2325
02:45:35.360 --> 02:45:37.719
mind and that it would poison him for the rest

2326
02:45:37.760 --> 02:45:42.040
of his life. Garbage in, garbage out, his father would say.

2327
02:45:43.040 --> 02:45:47.000
Joey continued to stare blankly at the clock as he sobbed.

2328
02:45:47.559 --> 02:45:50.200
The red glow of the numbers began to blur from

2329
02:45:50.200 --> 02:45:53.719
the tears, before blurring more so from an inability to

2330
02:45:53.840 --> 02:46:00.799
keep his eyes open. Eventually, mercifully, even Joey fell asleep.

2331
02:46:02.239 --> 02:46:06.319
A loud thud woke Joey up from his slumber. Dazed

2332
02:46:06.360 --> 02:46:09.879
from the sudden awakening, he sat himself up and stared

2333
02:46:09.879 --> 02:46:14.239
off into the darkness of his room, his eyes half shut,

2334
02:46:14.639 --> 02:46:20.280
widened quickly when screams filled his ears, Joey turned to

2335
02:46:20.360 --> 02:46:26.159
his clock. Midnight too late for tricker treaters to still

2336
02:46:26.200 --> 02:46:29.520
be out having fun. It could be older kids trying

2337
02:46:29.559 --> 02:46:33.280
to scare people. Joey tried to think it through logically

2338
02:46:33.680 --> 02:46:37.959
so that his mind his imagination wouldn't kick in due

2339
02:46:38.000 --> 02:46:41.399
to the influence of the movie. Maybe it's Chris and

2340
02:46:41.520 --> 02:46:44.520
Mack trying to have more fun at my expense, he

2341
02:46:44.639 --> 02:46:48.639
told himself. Joey laid back down and closed his eyes.

2342
02:46:49.760 --> 02:46:53.799
The sound of something crashing, followed by shrieks, disturbed Joey

2343
02:46:53.799 --> 02:46:57.399
from his attempt to sleep. He bolted upright in his bed,

2344
02:46:57.680 --> 02:47:02.479
eyes wide open, and crashing was one thing. It was

2345
02:47:02.559 --> 02:47:06.040
the shrieks that had Joey upright and starting to be afraid.

2346
02:47:06.959 --> 02:47:09.719
They sounded too close to be coming from outside the

2347
02:47:09.760 --> 02:47:12.760
house and didn't sound as if they were emanating from

2348
02:47:12.760 --> 02:47:18.520
the television, which left only Chris and Mac. Are they

2349
02:47:18.559 --> 02:47:23.840
pretending or is it? Joey found his train of thought

2350
02:47:23.920 --> 02:47:26.760
cut off as the sound of footsteps pounding up the

2351
02:47:26.760 --> 02:47:30.559
stairs assaulted his ears. At the top. They continued down

2352
02:47:30.600 --> 02:47:34.200
the hall and only ended once a door was slammed shut.

2353
02:47:35.200 --> 02:47:38.879
Shocked from the sudden and frantic sequence of events, Joey

2354
02:47:38.920 --> 02:47:42.719
sat stunned and unsure of what to do. The boy,

2355
02:47:42.760 --> 02:47:46.000
who was known to be greatly susceptible to fear, was

2356
02:47:46.079 --> 02:47:50.959
equally horrified at what he had heard, but was also curious.

2357
02:47:51.559 --> 02:47:54.520
It could well be Chris and Mac simply messing with

2358
02:47:54.600 --> 02:47:58.280
him as one final Halloween prank and to taunt him

2359
02:47:58.280 --> 02:48:01.680
for being unable to handle the movie despite all his boasting.

2360
02:48:02.600 --> 02:48:07.040
But what if it wasn't. What if something really did

2361
02:48:07.120 --> 02:48:11.079
happen that was so horrific that it scared even his

2362
02:48:11.159 --> 02:48:16.079
older brother and Mac. Joey weighed his options and eventually

2363
02:48:16.159 --> 02:48:19.639
took a calming, deep breath before climbing out of bed.

2364
02:48:20.680 --> 02:48:23.479
He squeezed his fingers into his palms as he walked

2365
02:48:23.479 --> 02:48:26.879
towards his bedroom door, the only action he could do

2366
02:48:27.040 --> 02:48:30.719
to keep himself steady in his decision to investigate and

2367
02:48:30.799 --> 02:48:34.200
not just hide under the covers. Whatever was going on,

2368
02:48:34.879 --> 02:48:38.040
Joey was determined to not let it get to him

2369
02:48:38.280 --> 02:48:42.479
as much as possible. You can do it. You can

2370
02:48:42.520 --> 02:48:44.520
do it. You can do it, You can do it.

2371
02:48:45.479 --> 02:48:48.760
The young McGhee reached his bedroom door and stared at

2372
02:48:48.799 --> 02:48:53.079
it doubt crept into his mind. It has to just

2373
02:48:53.120 --> 02:48:55.799
be a trick, just a trick to scare me one

2374
02:48:55.799 --> 02:48:59.479
more time. Don't let them get the satisfaction, joe just

2375
02:48:59.559 --> 02:49:03.239
climb back back into bed and go back to sleep. Yet,

2376
02:49:03.799 --> 02:49:07.719
even with the doubt, Joey's curiosity was too much to

2377
02:49:07.760 --> 02:49:11.959
not indulge in. He unclenched his right hand and took

2378
02:49:12.000 --> 02:49:16.959
hold of the doorknob. Joey took several deep breaths, turned

2379
02:49:17.000 --> 02:49:21.000
the knob, and pulled his door open. He stuck his

2380
02:49:21.120 --> 02:49:26.559
head out dark nothing but darkness in the hallway. The

2381
02:49:26.639 --> 02:49:29.920
shapes of picture frames were there, but the images inside

2382
02:49:29.959 --> 02:49:34.159
were hidden. Not only that, but so was the light switch.

2383
02:49:35.239 --> 02:49:38.920
Sure Joey knew where in theory it should be, but

2384
02:49:39.040 --> 02:49:42.360
with the pitch black blanket of darkness, it was as

2385
02:49:42.479 --> 02:49:46.280
lost as those images in the picture frames. He looked

2386
02:49:46.319 --> 02:49:50.559
to where the stairs were nothing, or at least nothing

2387
02:49:50.600 --> 02:49:54.360
that seemed to be lurking or out of place. Joey

2388
02:49:54.399 --> 02:49:56.159
turned his head to the other side of the hall

2389
02:49:56.239 --> 02:50:02.200
where hiding behind closed doors where the remain rooms a bathroom,

2390
02:50:02.760 --> 02:50:06.319
Chris's room, and their parents room, along with a closet.

2391
02:50:07.120 --> 02:50:15.200
Again nothing, What's going on, Joey wondered aloud. He shrugged

2392
02:50:15.200 --> 02:50:18.600
as he continued to stare in the darkness. The door

2393
02:50:18.680 --> 02:50:22.120
to a room down the hall burst open and out

2394
02:50:22.200 --> 02:50:25.440
flew a body into the wall across from it. Joey

2395
02:50:25.479 --> 02:50:28.120
screamed in response to the suddenness of the event and

2396
02:50:28.280 --> 02:50:31.799
ran back into his room. His mind screamed at him

2397
02:50:32.159 --> 02:50:36.760
to hide, but one thought shut down that idea. He

2398
02:50:36.879 --> 02:50:40.239
didn't know who it was he saw flung into the wall.

2399
02:50:41.360 --> 02:50:46.000
It could be Mac, it could be his brother. Joey

2400
02:50:46.000 --> 02:50:49.520
scrambled to his bedside table and opened the drawer under

2401
02:50:49.600 --> 02:50:53.319
the top of it. He searched frantically and sighed until

2402
02:50:53.319 --> 02:50:55.840
his hand found the shape of the object he was

2403
02:50:55.879 --> 02:51:00.559
looking for. Joey pulled his hand out a flashlight grasped

2404
02:51:00.559 --> 02:51:03.639
in it. He pushed the power button on and a

2405
02:51:03.719 --> 02:51:07.879
yellowish white light shined out from it. Joey ran into

2406
02:51:07.959 --> 02:51:11.200
the hallway and shined the light down where the body was.

2407
02:51:12.120 --> 02:51:17.079
The light revealed that the body was of Mac. He

2408
02:51:17.159 --> 02:51:21.040
rushed to the older boy and kneeled down by his side. Mac,

2409
02:51:21.639 --> 02:51:25.559
what happened? What's going on? Joey asked in a frantic manner.

2410
02:51:26.399 --> 02:51:31.040
Mac looked at Joey, his movement slow and pained. His

2411
02:51:31.159 --> 02:51:35.000
eyes were partially glazed over and showed to be unaffected

2412
02:51:35.000 --> 02:51:38.840
by the light being shined directly into them. Mac's lips

2413
02:51:38.879 --> 02:51:42.479
moved in an attempt to speak, but no sound came out.

2414
02:51:43.440 --> 02:51:47.079
Joey didn't know much about injuries outside of scrapes, cuts,

2415
02:51:47.120 --> 02:51:50.120
and bruises, but he had heard and seen his dad

2416
02:51:50.239 --> 02:51:53.200
care for Chris and himself if they got hit roughly

2417
02:51:53.280 --> 02:51:56.319
on their head. He remembered the word he heard his

2418
02:51:56.399 --> 02:52:04.040
father used in those situations. Joey set the flashlight down

2419
02:52:04.079 --> 02:52:07.639
and put his hands on Mac's shoulders gently. He tried

2420
02:52:07.639 --> 02:52:11.319
to remember everything his father would do in situations like this.

2421
02:52:12.840 --> 02:52:16.079
Come on, Mac, stay with me. What's your full name?

2422
02:52:16.399 --> 02:52:20.360
Where are you countdown from twenty? Who's your best friend?

2423
02:52:20.639 --> 02:52:25.200
Who am I? Joey asked each question frantically, but also

2424
02:52:25.280 --> 02:52:28.319
with brief pauses to try and give Mac an opportunity

2425
02:52:28.760 --> 02:52:33.719
to answer. Mac's eyes slowly became less glazed as Joey

2426
02:52:33.799 --> 02:52:37.399
talked to him, repeating each question in no particular order.

2427
02:52:38.040 --> 02:52:40.879
He stared at the younger McGhee and tried to gather

2428
02:52:41.000 --> 02:52:45.079
strength to speak. His eyes widened suddenly, as if he

2429
02:52:45.120 --> 02:52:48.319
had awakened in the middle of the night, not unlike

2430
02:52:48.440 --> 02:52:54.079
Joey had earlier. Max stared at Joey and gulped Mac.

2431
02:52:54.760 --> 02:53:01.000
Joey asked, surprised at the older boy's sudden awareness and expression, run,

2432
02:53:01.760 --> 02:53:06.840
Mac stammered out. Joey blinked, confused by the statement. Before

2433
02:53:06.879 --> 02:53:10.239
he could respond, Mac was suddenly pulled away by an

2434
02:53:10.319 --> 02:53:14.760
unseen force, his body being dragged forcefully down the stairs,

2435
02:53:14.920 --> 02:53:18.799
screaming all the way. Joey screamed in shock, in horror,

2436
02:53:18.920 --> 02:53:21.920
and ran back into his bedroom and quickly shut the

2437
02:53:21.959 --> 02:53:25.159
door he ran to and then jumped into his bed,

2438
02:53:25.360 --> 02:53:30.280
hiding under the covers. What the what the heck just happened?

2439
02:53:30.440 --> 02:53:32.559
How can somebody just fly out of a room and

2440
02:53:32.559 --> 02:53:36.399
then get pulled away? Whatever the answer was, Joey could

2441
02:53:36.479 --> 02:53:39.879
definitely say that Mac and Chris were not playing a joke.

2442
02:53:40.680 --> 02:53:43.040
How could they? There was no way they could have

2443
02:53:43.079 --> 02:53:46.399
done all that. Maybe Chris could have pushed or thrown

2444
02:53:46.479 --> 02:53:49.120
Mac out of a room, but pull him down the

2445
02:53:49.159 --> 02:53:52.680
stairs without being seen, not even with a rope or

2446
02:53:52.680 --> 02:53:57.000
a cable could his brother do that? Seeing what happened

2447
02:53:57.040 --> 02:54:00.360
to Mac only moments ago, left Joey unsure what to

2448
02:54:00.399 --> 02:54:04.239
do next. Every fiber of his being screamed in fear

2449
02:54:04.799 --> 02:54:08.000
and told him to simply stay in his room and hide,

2450
02:54:09.520 --> 02:54:13.040
stay unseen, and eventually the sun would come up and

2451
02:54:13.120 --> 02:54:17.879
all the darkness would be gone. Then he could explore

2452
02:54:17.920 --> 02:54:20.920
the house and see what exactly was going on, or

2453
02:54:21.399 --> 02:54:26.760
at that point, what all had happened. However, Joey knew that,

2454
02:54:26.799 --> 02:54:29.520
as much as he wanted to do just that, there

2455
02:54:29.600 --> 02:54:32.639
was something that would not let him do it. The

2456
02:54:32.719 --> 02:54:35.239
knowledge that it was Mac who ran upstairs to hide

2457
02:54:35.239 --> 02:54:40.280
before being pulled away meant that Chris was likely still downstairs.

2458
02:54:41.040 --> 02:54:43.799
Joey wasn't sure what had caused Mac to be thrown

2459
02:54:43.879 --> 02:54:46.520
from whatever room he had hid in, and even less

2460
02:54:46.559 --> 02:54:48.520
of a clue as to how he had been dragged

2461
02:54:48.559 --> 02:54:52.360
down the stairs by an unseen force, even with Joey

2462
02:54:52.399 --> 02:54:56.440
having a flashlight handy to illuminate the darkness, But he

2463
02:54:56.600 --> 02:54:59.280
did know that meant Chris was downstairs where all the

2464
02:54:59.319 --> 02:55:02.719
commotions stood gard and was likely where whatever had taken

2465
02:55:02.799 --> 02:55:08.040
Mack was now at. Chris, Joey's older brother, one of

2466
02:55:08.079 --> 02:55:10.920
the people whom he loved most in the world, was

2467
02:55:11.000 --> 02:55:14.200
down on that first story with some unknown being that

2468
02:55:14.280 --> 02:55:18.520
had hunted down Mac and dragged him downstairs without being seen.

2469
02:55:20.280 --> 02:55:23.559
Joey crawled out from under his blanket and stared at

2470
02:55:23.559 --> 02:55:27.000
his door again. He couldn't begin to imagine what was

2471
02:55:27.040 --> 02:55:32.280
happening to mac Let alone. In general, however, Joey did

2472
02:55:32.360 --> 02:55:34.879
know that none of it was good, and that most

2473
02:55:35.000 --> 02:55:37.280
likely what happened to Mac was bound to happen to

2474
02:55:37.280 --> 02:55:40.639
his older brother. Normally, when the two boys were in

2475
02:55:40.719 --> 02:55:43.799
trouble or something bad happened, they would turn to their

2476
02:55:43.840 --> 02:55:47.120
father and mother to help them. They weren't in the house,

2477
02:55:47.159 --> 02:55:52.399
though they were miles away visiting family. Joey couldn't even

2478
02:55:52.440 --> 02:55:55.760
recall who they had gone to see. No phone call

2479
02:55:55.799 --> 02:55:59.760
would likely bring them back. Chris was in an unknown state,

2480
02:56:00.280 --> 02:56:03.719
and Mac was likely no longer able to help. That

2481
02:56:03.920 --> 02:56:07.760
left only one option, and Joey, while aware of it,

2482
02:56:08.479 --> 02:56:11.319
did not want to admit it. If there was going

2483
02:56:11.360 --> 02:56:13.840
to be any happy ending to what was going on,

2484
02:56:14.840 --> 02:56:19.079
it was up to Joey to do it. Trepidaciously, Joey

2485
02:56:19.159 --> 02:56:22.559
climbed out of bed and walked back to his bedroom door.

2486
02:56:23.559 --> 02:56:25.760
He was not sure as to what was down there,

2487
02:56:26.159 --> 02:56:28.719
and even less so that he would be able to

2488
02:56:28.760 --> 02:56:31.120
do much of anything to either help Chris and Mac

2489
02:56:31.680 --> 02:56:35.760
or stop whatever it was. But Joey knew deep down

2490
02:56:36.079 --> 02:56:38.959
that he had to at least try both for his

2491
02:56:39.040 --> 02:56:44.479
brother and perhaps even more so, for himself. After all,

2492
02:56:44.799 --> 02:56:48.239
if his parents, Mac and Chris weren't going to save him,

2493
02:56:48.879 --> 02:56:52.000
then he had to do it himself. Just like switching

2494
02:56:52.000 --> 02:56:55.760
from a tricycle to a bicycle, Joey couldn't rely on

2495
02:56:55.879 --> 02:56:59.799
training wheels in this case others to help him get

2496
02:56:59.840 --> 02:57:03.799
a long Joey told himself that was a pretty cheesy

2497
02:57:04.040 --> 02:57:07.719
and probably dumb comparison, but it was a way to

2498
02:57:07.760 --> 02:57:12.079
motivate himself. Maybe he needed that silly level of TV

2499
02:57:12.239 --> 02:57:15.840
sitcom Dad pep talk to do what he knew he

2500
02:57:16.000 --> 02:57:21.319
had to do. Joey closed his eyes and prayed for

2501
02:57:21.399 --> 02:57:24.600
protection and the courage to get through the night and

2502
02:57:24.719 --> 02:57:28.440
protect his brother and himself from whatever it was that

2503
02:57:28.520 --> 02:57:32.760
had come into the McGee's house. The youngest McGhee opened

2504
02:57:32.760 --> 02:57:37.000
his eyes, took a deep breath, and grasped the knob

2505
02:57:37.040 --> 02:57:42.040
of his door. He twisted it, and, with a newfound

2506
02:57:42.120 --> 02:57:47.079
courage and intent, pulled open his bedroom door and stepped

2507
02:57:47.120 --> 02:57:51.879
out into the hallway. Joey looked up and down the

2508
02:57:51.920 --> 02:57:55.239
hallways for any sign of whatever it was that was

2509
02:57:55.280 --> 02:57:59.719
inside the house and terrorizing the boys. He couldn't see

2510
02:57:59.719 --> 02:58:02.600
anything that looked out of place, nor could he see

2511
02:58:02.639 --> 02:58:06.360
anything that looked like it was moving. Thinking through the

2512
02:58:06.399 --> 02:58:10.399
sequence of events that had happened only minutes ago, Joey

2513
02:58:10.479 --> 02:58:14.000
came to the conclusion that unless this presence had come

2514
02:58:14.079 --> 02:58:17.799
back upstairs to get him, it was most likely downstairs

2515
02:58:17.840 --> 02:58:21.760
where Chris was. Joey thought briefly about why it hadn't

2516
02:58:21.799 --> 02:58:25.360
come back upstairs to get him. After all, whatever it

2517
02:58:25.520 --> 02:58:28.639
was must have seen or sensed, or had some way

2518
02:58:28.639 --> 02:58:32.479
of knowing he was there. When it took mac not

2519
02:58:32.600 --> 02:58:35.719
to mention that if Joey's worst fears were true and

2520
02:58:35.760 --> 02:58:39.159
the presence had already done something to Chris, then why

2521
02:58:39.200 --> 02:58:43.840
not come back upstairs and finished the trio off. Maybe

2522
02:58:43.920 --> 02:58:46.399
Chris had ran out of the house and whatever it

2523
02:58:46.559 --> 02:58:50.760
was had chased after him. Perhaps it wanted to save

2524
02:58:50.879 --> 02:58:55.000
Joey for last. Maybe it didn't want Joey at all.

2525
02:58:55.840 --> 02:59:00.760
All of these possibilities the young McGee thought about. Joey

2526
02:59:00.760 --> 02:59:04.200
shook his head. While his thoughts were of genuine concern

2527
02:59:04.280 --> 02:59:07.440
as to what was going on, and why this thing

2528
02:59:07.639 --> 02:59:10.680
hadn't come back for him. He also knew it was

2529
02:59:10.719 --> 02:59:14.280
partially him trying to talk and psych himself out of

2530
02:59:14.319 --> 02:59:18.639
going downstairs. Get it together, Joey, you can do this.

2531
02:59:19.239 --> 02:59:22.399
You can do this. The young McGhee headed to the

2532
02:59:22.479 --> 02:59:26.920
stairs and started to descend them. He briefly considered going

2533
02:59:26.959 --> 02:59:30.040
back up to retrieve his flashlight, but opted not to,

2534
02:59:30.239 --> 02:59:33.959
if only because he suspected Chris and Mack had continued

2535
02:59:33.959 --> 02:59:38.120
to watch TV after finishing Flesh of the Android, and

2536
02:59:38.239 --> 02:59:41.879
thus the television would still be on and provide some

2537
02:59:42.000 --> 02:59:45.959
form of light that or, at the very least the

2538
02:59:45.959 --> 02:59:48.840
windows that were peppered on the first floor would allow

2539
02:59:48.959 --> 02:59:51.559
light from the moon and street lamps to illuminate the

2540
02:59:51.600 --> 02:59:55.319
house just enough for Joey to make his way through.

2541
02:59:56.159 --> 02:59:59.079
Joey continued down the stairs, and when at the bottom,

2542
02:59:59.520 --> 03:00:03.799
looked in the entryway and to the front door. The

2543
03:00:03.879 --> 03:00:07.200
door was shut, meaning either Chris was still in the

2544
03:00:07.239 --> 03:00:10.639
house somewhere or he had left and closed it on

2545
03:00:10.680 --> 03:00:13.639
his way out. If the latter was the case, then

2546
03:00:13.680 --> 03:00:16.760
it must have been before this thing had gone after mac.

2547
03:00:17.719 --> 03:00:21.840
Joey wasn't quite sure which option seemed more likely. He

2548
03:00:21.920 --> 03:00:25.639
thought about it and how to proceed. Ultimately, Joey landed

2549
03:00:25.680 --> 03:00:29.000
on continuing to look around the house for Chris and

2550
03:00:29.079 --> 03:00:33.360
to see what had happened to Mac. Joey made his

2551
03:00:33.440 --> 03:00:37.719
way toward the living room. There he found, as he suspected,

2552
03:00:38.200 --> 03:00:42.239
the television was on its screen a bright blue, the

2553
03:00:42.319 --> 03:00:45.440
default sign for when the VCR was on, but no

2554
03:00:45.600 --> 03:00:49.360
tape was playing. Joey looked around the room and saw

2555
03:00:49.440 --> 03:00:52.959
no sign of his brother or of Mac. However, Joey

2556
03:00:53.000 --> 03:00:56.120
did see that a lamp had been knocked over, as

2557
03:00:56.159 --> 03:00:59.760
had the coffee table. Picture frames and other various objects

2558
03:00:59.760 --> 03:01:04.840
in the room were strewn about. The couch itself had

2559
03:01:04.879 --> 03:01:08.840
its cushions half off the frame. Broken bottles of pop

2560
03:01:09.000 --> 03:01:11.920
lined the floors, with the glow of the television showing

2561
03:01:12.280 --> 03:01:16.440
where the fragments of glass were. What in the world

2562
03:01:16.559 --> 03:01:21.280
happened here? The younger McGee questioned both himself and the room.

2563
03:01:22.520 --> 03:01:24.920
With the living room empty of his brother and Mac,

2564
03:01:25.360 --> 03:01:29.159
that left only the kitchen, the downstairs bathroom, and the

2565
03:01:29.200 --> 03:01:34.200
garage of his options. Joey decided to check the bathroom first,

2566
03:01:35.079 --> 03:01:38.399
empty with no signs of a disturbance like in the

2567
03:01:38.440 --> 03:01:43.360
living room. One down, two to go. The young McGee

2568
03:01:43.440 --> 03:01:47.399
walked to the kitchen, light faintly shining through the window

2569
03:01:47.479 --> 03:01:50.479
over the sink and the glass sliding door that led

2570
03:01:50.520 --> 03:01:54.360
to the backyard. With this, Joey was met with a mess.

2571
03:01:55.399 --> 03:01:57.799
Parts of it were clearly left over from when he,

2572
03:01:58.079 --> 03:02:01.159
Chris and Mac had prepared the food for their movie,

2573
03:02:01.840 --> 03:02:05.879
but containers of flour and sugar, a cutting block and board,

2574
03:02:06.200 --> 03:02:10.239
pots and pans, dishes, and a nearly tipped over refrigerator

2575
03:02:10.719 --> 03:02:14.200
were not something that the three boys had caused. At

2576
03:02:14.280 --> 03:02:16.719
least Joey and the other two hadn't caused it when

2577
03:02:16.760 --> 03:02:20.239
they were prepping for the movie. Did Chris and Mac

2578
03:02:20.360 --> 03:02:24.680
do this or did whatever this thing is do this?

2579
03:02:26.360 --> 03:02:29.479
Joey scratched his head and felt his brain starting to

2580
03:02:29.559 --> 03:02:32.920
hurt from trying to deduce what exactly was going on.

2581
03:02:33.879 --> 03:02:37.280
He could also feel himself tensing up as he hadn't

2582
03:02:37.319 --> 03:02:41.000
found his brother yet, which meant all that was left

2583
03:02:42.040 --> 03:02:46.239
was the garage. He turned and looked down a small

2584
03:02:46.319 --> 03:02:50.040
hallway on the left hand side of the kitchen. There

2585
03:02:50.079 --> 03:02:52.920
he saw the outline of the door that led to

2586
03:02:52.959 --> 03:02:57.040
the garage. Joey gulped and felt a chill run down

2587
03:02:57.040 --> 03:03:01.159
his spine and the cold stickiness of sweat starting to

2588
03:03:01.239 --> 03:03:05.120
drip down his face. With another gulp, to regain his

2589
03:03:05.200 --> 03:03:09.159
composure and summon some bravery, Joey headed down the hall,

2590
03:03:10.120 --> 03:03:13.280
stood at the door to the garage and clutched the

2591
03:03:13.319 --> 03:03:18.639
knob and threw it open. Stepping into the garage, Joey

2592
03:03:18.760 --> 03:03:22.520
was once more met with darkness that was darker than

2593
03:03:22.559 --> 03:03:25.879
the darkness he had been met with upstairs. How much

2594
03:03:25.879 --> 03:03:28.719
of his fear was from the unknown and how much

2595
03:03:28.760 --> 03:03:31.799
of it was the usual unsettling feeling he always had

2596
03:03:31.920 --> 03:03:34.799
when he was in the garage, or maybe the real

2597
03:03:34.879 --> 03:03:38.280
fear was of not finding Chris in this final room,

2598
03:03:39.040 --> 03:03:41.799
of having no real answers as to just what was

2599
03:03:41.840 --> 03:03:46.280
going on in their house. Unlike the other rooms in

2600
03:03:46.319 --> 03:03:48.719
the house, the garage did not have a light switch

2601
03:03:48.799 --> 03:03:51.479
to flip. The only way to have light on in

2602
03:03:51.559 --> 03:03:54.479
the garage was to either pull a cord attached to

2603
03:03:54.559 --> 03:03:57.079
the ceiling to turn on a light bulb, or to

2604
03:03:57.120 --> 03:04:00.600
open the garage door and let light in. The latter

2605
03:04:00.680 --> 03:04:04.079
option was not possible in the dead of night. Joey

2606
03:04:04.120 --> 03:04:06.040
would need to turn on the light in the garage

2607
03:04:06.280 --> 03:04:09.079
if he had any hope of actually seeing what all

2608
03:04:09.239 --> 03:04:13.079
was inside. Joey held his arms straight out and started

2609
03:04:13.120 --> 03:04:15.719
to walk toward the center of the garage, where the

2610
03:04:15.799 --> 03:04:19.639
cord should be. While walking, he moved his hands in

2611
03:04:19.680 --> 03:04:22.840
twisting motions to try and find and grab on to

2612
03:04:22.959 --> 03:04:26.760
the cord. After what seemed like an eternity to him,

2613
03:04:27.200 --> 03:04:30.319
he found the cord with his left hand. He let

2614
03:04:30.319 --> 03:04:34.639
out a sigh of relief and yanked on it. Nothing.

2615
03:04:35.719 --> 03:04:40.319
No light came on. Joey looked up in surprise. He

2616
03:04:40.360 --> 03:04:41.000
pulled again.

2617
03:04:42.399 --> 03:04:42.799
Nothing.

2618
03:04:43.680 --> 03:04:47.440
He pulled a third time, this time harder, and once

2619
03:04:47.520 --> 03:04:53.239
more nothing happened. Joey felt an unsettling feeling flood his

2620
03:04:53.319 --> 03:04:56.280
whole body, a dread of not being able to search

2621
03:04:56.319 --> 03:05:01.000
the basement and being stuck in pitch blackness. Along with that,

2622
03:05:01.600 --> 03:05:04.799
he felt an anger he couldn't remember ever feeling before.

2623
03:05:05.719 --> 03:05:08.600
In that anger, Joey thought about moments he had seen

2624
03:05:08.600 --> 03:05:11.760
his father and even his grandfather angry at something that

2625
03:05:11.879 --> 03:05:16.680
wasn't going their way. Shit, he shouted in the same

2626
03:05:16.680 --> 03:05:19.840
way he heard his father and grandfather do so when

2627
03:05:19.879 --> 03:05:23.879
they were upset. Joey thought about what to do next.

2628
03:05:24.840 --> 03:05:26.639
I guess I could turn on all the lights in

2629
03:05:26.680 --> 03:05:29.559
the house. I could get my flashlight, and then I

2630
03:05:29.600 --> 03:05:32.440
could see in the garage with a new on the

2631
03:05:32.479 --> 03:05:37.600
fly plan made, Joey turned to leave. As he exited,

2632
03:05:37.639 --> 03:05:41.639
facing the door, Joey saw a face illuminated in yellowish

2633
03:05:41.680 --> 03:05:47.239
white light that was coming from a flashlight. Joey, A

2634
03:05:47.360 --> 03:05:52.159
voice said, in relief, it was Chris. Chris. Joey cried

2635
03:05:52.200 --> 03:05:55.079
in joy at being reunited with his brother. He flung

2636
03:05:55.159 --> 03:05:58.760
himself into him and the two hugged. Where have you been?

2637
03:05:59.239 --> 03:06:05.440
Chris asked, looking for you. Where have you been? Joey responded, hiding.

2638
03:06:06.000 --> 03:06:08.600
I was hiding for a while in the pantry. Then

2639
03:06:08.639 --> 03:06:11.120
I remembered you were upstairs, and so I went to

2640
03:06:11.120 --> 03:06:14.280
get you, but you weren't there. I found the flashlight

2641
03:06:14.319 --> 03:06:16.200
in the hallway and saw some of mom and Dad's

2642
03:06:16.239 --> 03:06:20.840
pictures knocked off the wall. Chris explained, Joey remembered what

2643
03:06:20.920 --> 03:06:26.239
had happened upstairs, mac he he came flying up the stairs,

2644
03:06:26.280 --> 03:06:31.799
and then he Chris, what's going on? Joey asked his brother.

2645
03:06:33.280 --> 03:06:37.239
I don't even know how I could explain it. We

2646
03:06:37.319 --> 03:06:40.760
watched Flesh of the Android, rewound the tape and watched

2647
03:06:40.799 --> 03:06:45.079
it again. Well, we tried to. We fell asleep, and

2648
03:06:45.120 --> 03:06:49.120
then Jesus, I can't just out of nowhere, this thing

2649
03:06:49.360 --> 03:06:54.159
or force or whatever it is appeared and came after us.

2650
03:06:54.719 --> 03:06:56.799
I ran and hid, and Mac ran the other way.

2651
03:06:57.600 --> 03:07:01.360
Chris explained as best he could, his voice heavy with terror,

2652
03:07:01.920 --> 03:07:06.559
something that Joey had never heard before. What do we do,

2653
03:07:07.280 --> 03:07:10.920
he asked his older brother. I don't know what to

2654
03:07:10.959 --> 03:07:14.639
tell you, Joey. Mom and dad aren't here. It's too

2655
03:07:14.719 --> 03:07:17.319
late to go to any of the neighbors too. We

2656
03:07:17.399 --> 03:07:22.479
can't really call the police, either, So what do we do?

2657
03:07:23.120 --> 03:07:27.000
Joey asked again. I guess just go to our rooms,

2658
03:07:27.079 --> 03:07:31.559
turn on a light, and then wait until morning, Chris suggested,

2659
03:07:32.719 --> 03:07:36.959
And then what, Joey asked? I don't know. Let's just

2660
03:07:37.040 --> 03:07:39.799
get through the night and go from there, Chris said.

2661
03:07:40.479 --> 03:07:44.920
Joey nodded in acceptance, and he and Chris left the garage.

2662
03:07:45.079 --> 03:07:48.520
The brothers walked through the house, passing the entryway to

2663
03:07:48.600 --> 03:07:51.319
the living room. Joey turned his head and saw the

2664
03:07:51.360 --> 03:07:56.200
television was still on. He stopped. Chris noticed and looked

2665
03:07:56.200 --> 03:08:00.959
at his brother, then the TV, then back to his brother.

2666
03:08:01.879 --> 03:08:06.319
What is it? Chris asked? Shouldn't we turn the TV off?

2667
03:08:06.760 --> 03:08:12.120
Joey said, does it matter? Chris asked in honest confusion

2668
03:08:12.159 --> 03:08:14.200
as to why his brother felt the need to turn

2669
03:08:14.239 --> 03:08:19.600
off a television. I mean, I guess not, but it's

2670
03:08:19.639 --> 03:08:22.040
something we always do before we go to bed if

2671
03:08:22.079 --> 03:08:26.280
we've been watching it, Joey explained. Chris looked at his brother.

2672
03:08:27.040 --> 03:08:31.840
He smiled at the simplicity of his brother's explanation. Okay, squirt,

2673
03:08:32.200 --> 03:08:35.680
I'll humor you. Joey smiled, and Chris returned it with

2674
03:08:35.760 --> 03:08:39.680
a loving punch. The two walked to the television and

2675
03:08:39.799 --> 03:08:44.200
Chris turned off the VCR and then the TV. Joey

2676
03:08:44.200 --> 03:08:48.319
and Chris walked out of the living room into the staircase. Suddenly,

2677
03:08:48.879 --> 03:08:51.559
they heard the click of both the TV and the

2678
03:08:51.639 --> 03:08:55.479
VCR turning on, and the glow from the television shining

2679
03:08:55.879 --> 03:08:59.520
into the hallway. The brothers McGee looked at each other

2680
03:08:59.559 --> 03:09:04.600
in surprise and growing dread. They cautiously walked into the

2681
03:09:04.639 --> 03:09:09.840
living room and stared in awe at the sight. How

2682
03:09:10.440 --> 03:09:16.120
Joey started, I don't know, Chris stammered out. Chris grabbed

2683
03:09:16.159 --> 03:09:19.399
the remotes to both the TV and VCR and powered

2684
03:09:19.440 --> 03:09:22.959
both of them. He then threw the remotes into the hallway.

2685
03:09:23.520 --> 03:09:26.600
Not even a minute later, they powered back on. The

2686
03:09:26.600 --> 03:09:29.760
blue of the VCR screen started to distort in colors.

2687
03:09:30.239 --> 03:09:33.159
Flesh of the android flickers on and off in its

2688
03:09:33.200 --> 03:09:37.280
goorious moments, the screen eventually turning into black and white static.

2689
03:09:38.680 --> 03:09:42.000
Joey and Chris stare at each other in surprise and

2690
03:09:42.120 --> 03:09:46.760
horror at the scene unfolding before them. They turned their

2691
03:09:46.760 --> 03:09:49.600
attention back to the television and see the black of

2692
03:09:49.639 --> 03:09:52.120
the static dripping down to the bottom of the screen

2693
03:09:52.559 --> 03:09:56.440
until none of it is left only white. The dust

2694
03:09:56.479 --> 03:09:59.319
cover of the VCR shoots open, and the boys watch

2695
03:09:59.360 --> 03:10:02.840
in horror as a blackish brown substance begins to drip

2696
03:10:02.879 --> 03:10:06.559
out of it. At first liquid and substance, it begins

2697
03:10:06.600 --> 03:10:12.159
to solidify and become almost transparent. As it solidified, it

2698
03:10:12.200 --> 03:10:16.479
took on monstrous and exaggerated human qualities. Joey and Chris

2699
03:10:16.559 --> 03:10:20.000
watched as a black and nearly transparent hand reached out

2700
03:10:20.000 --> 03:10:23.760
of the VCR and dug into the carpeted floor In

2701
03:10:23.840 --> 03:10:26.959
a violent, jerky motion, the hand pulled the rest of

2702
03:10:27.000 --> 03:10:29.799
the growing form out of the VCR and onto the

2703
03:10:29.840 --> 03:10:33.559
floor of the McGee's living room. Joey and Chris stood

2704
03:10:33.639 --> 03:10:36.440
in shock and horror at the scene that was unfolding.

2705
03:10:36.840 --> 03:10:39.959
Joey tried to gather the strength to say something, but

2706
03:10:40.159 --> 03:10:44.440
was quickly silenced by the form shooting itself upright. The

2707
03:10:44.559 --> 03:10:48.680
creature stood almost to the ceiling, and, save for its limbs,

2708
03:10:48.920 --> 03:10:53.280
had no other features recognizably human. Both Joey and Chris

2709
03:10:53.319 --> 03:10:55.920
saw from the glow of the television that the creature

2710
03:10:56.000 --> 03:10:59.680
still had a transparent nature to it. However, they also

2711
03:10:59.760 --> 03:11:03.360
saw that all over the creature's body it looked as

2712
03:11:03.399 --> 03:11:09.840
if something was moving back and forth. Joey, in shocked,

2713
03:11:09.879 --> 03:11:13.399
awe and unable to think of anything else, likened it

2714
03:11:13.440 --> 03:11:16.399
in his mind to a video cassette being re wound

2715
03:11:16.639 --> 03:11:21.000
and fast forwarded to him. It made sense considering where

2716
03:11:21.040 --> 03:11:27.040
this thing had come from, Chris, Joey started, Yeah, Joey,

2717
03:11:27.520 --> 03:11:32.520
Chris stammered out, what do we do? The younger McGhee asked,

2718
03:11:33.200 --> 03:11:36.319
almost exactly at the end of Joey's question, the creature

2719
03:11:36.440 --> 03:11:40.399
leaped to the ceiling and began crawling around on it run.

2720
03:11:40.920 --> 03:11:43.399
Chris shouted and shoved Joey out of the living room

2721
03:11:43.440 --> 03:11:46.559
and towards the stairs. Joey looked back toward the room

2722
03:11:46.959 --> 03:11:50.600
and started to head back. Chris was no longer in sight,

2723
03:11:50.959 --> 03:11:53.879
but he heard him, and the sounds emanating from Chris

2724
03:11:54.120 --> 03:11:57.680
were inhuman and the most pained and terror filled noises

2725
03:11:57.760 --> 03:12:02.840
Joey had ever heard. Poe Run, run, goddamn it, run.

2726
03:12:04.079 --> 03:12:06.559
Joey began to tear up at his brother's words as

2727
03:12:06.600 --> 03:12:08.959
he turned around and rushed up the stairs and into

2728
03:12:08.959 --> 03:12:11.719
his bedroom. He slammed the door shut and moved his

2729
03:12:11.840 --> 03:12:14.200
dresser and anything else he could get in front of

2730
03:12:14.200 --> 03:12:17.639
the door as a barricade. He then ran to and

2731
03:12:17.680 --> 03:12:21.159
slid under his bed. The young McGee curled up in

2732
03:12:21.200 --> 03:12:25.360
a ball and continued to cry, hearing the sounds of

2733
03:12:25.399 --> 03:12:30.040
the living room and likely his brother being torn apart.

2734
03:12:31.280 --> 03:12:34.159
It's only a dream, It's only a dream. It's only

2735
03:12:34.200 --> 03:12:38.840
a dream, Joey shouted to himself, repeating the statement until finally,

2736
03:12:39.520 --> 03:12:42.719
due to exhaustion and the stress of what was happening,

2737
03:12:43.559 --> 03:12:49.200
he fell asleep. Joey woke up, gasping for breath and

2738
03:12:49.319 --> 03:12:53.559
covered in sweat. He looked around, remembering that he had

2739
03:12:53.600 --> 03:12:57.079
hid and spent the remainder of the night under his bed.

2740
03:12:57.879 --> 03:13:01.319
He remembered watching flesh of the an until he ran

2741
03:13:01.399 --> 03:13:06.079
out nearly vomiting. He remembered seeing mac throne and dragged

2742
03:13:06.120 --> 03:13:11.000
around in the darkness Chris, not even knowing what ultimately

2743
03:13:11.040 --> 03:13:15.799
happened to Chris and that creature, that thing which came

2744
03:13:15.920 --> 03:13:21.040
spilling out of the VCR. Joey started to hyperventilate and

2745
03:13:21.120 --> 03:13:25.200
felt tears starting to run down his face. The young

2746
03:13:25.280 --> 03:13:29.000
McGhee caught himself and started to take slow and deep

2747
03:13:29.040 --> 03:13:33.000
breaths and counted back from ten to rein in his

2748
03:13:33.040 --> 03:13:37.799
panic attack. When the anxiety was at a manageable level,

2749
03:13:38.319 --> 03:13:42.239
Joey crawled out from under his bed and slowly stood up.

2750
03:13:42.760 --> 03:13:45.719
His eyes blink and then widen as he sees that

2751
03:13:45.799 --> 03:13:50.959
his room, barricaded to protect him from whatever that thing was,

2752
03:13:50.959 --> 03:13:56.479
was back to normal. Every piece of furniture, every item,

2753
03:13:56.879 --> 03:14:00.000
everything was as it was before the horror had happened.

2754
03:14:01.319 --> 03:14:08.319
Joey turned to look at his clock. Nine to thirty am. Noises.

2755
03:14:09.159 --> 03:14:14.840
Joey heard noises emanating from downstairs. Was it Chris, mac

2756
03:14:15.840 --> 03:14:20.719
the creature, somebody or something else. He had to know

2757
03:14:20.760 --> 03:14:24.280
what it was and perhaps figure out why his room

2758
03:14:24.440 --> 03:14:28.559
was back to normal. Joey quickly got dressed and rushed

2759
03:14:28.559 --> 03:14:32.840
out of his bedroom and down the stairs. Once downstairs,

2760
03:14:32.920 --> 03:14:36.159
Joey immediately went to the living room and found it

2761
03:14:36.239 --> 03:14:38.760
not in the state of chaos it was last night,

2762
03:14:39.799 --> 03:14:44.680
but in a state of ideal cleanliness and organization, just

2763
03:14:44.840 --> 03:14:47.680
like it was before the boys took it over for

2764
03:14:47.760 --> 03:14:54.280
their movie. This is Surreal. The young McGee heard noises

2765
03:14:54.319 --> 03:14:58.920
emanating from elsewhere in the house. He followed them, deducing

2766
03:14:58.959 --> 03:15:02.319
that the noises are com from the kitchen. Joey slowly

2767
03:15:02.399 --> 03:15:06.680
moved closer and closer to the kitchen, readying himself in

2768
03:15:06.760 --> 03:15:10.559
case the creature was back. His heart drummed fiercely in

2769
03:15:10.600 --> 03:15:12.799
his chest, to the point where he could hear it

2770
03:15:12.840 --> 03:15:15.000
in his ears. Over the sounds that were coming from

2771
03:15:15.000 --> 03:15:19.559
the kitchen, Joey stopped right near the entryway. He closed

2772
03:15:19.559 --> 03:15:22.639
his eyes and let out a breath before jumping into

2773
03:15:22.639 --> 03:15:26.040
the kitchen with what he thought was a battle cry.

2774
03:15:26.799 --> 03:15:30.879
What was that about, Joey, an older male asked. That's

2775
03:15:30.920 --> 03:15:33.319
certainly a way for you to say good morning, sweetie,

2776
03:15:33.719 --> 03:15:38.000
an older female said. Joey opened his eyes and found

2777
03:15:38.000 --> 03:15:41.159
his mom and dad in the kitchen. His father sat

2778
03:15:41.200 --> 03:15:43.680
at the kitchen table, a cup of coffee in one

2779
03:15:43.719 --> 03:15:46.639
hand and a pencil in the other He used it

2780
03:15:46.680 --> 03:15:50.000
to work on a crossword. His mother was hopping between

2781
03:15:50.000 --> 03:15:55.280
the stovetop and the fridge in preparing breakfast. Mom, Dad,

2782
03:15:55.479 --> 03:15:59.479
why what I thought you guys were out of town,

2783
03:16:00.200 --> 03:16:04.479
Joey questioned, in utter confusion. We were until we got

2784
03:16:04.479 --> 03:16:08.680
home last night, his father explained, But I didn't see

2785
03:16:08.680 --> 03:16:12.399
her hear you, guys, Joey said, you were out cold

2786
03:16:12.399 --> 03:16:16.040
in bed when we got home. His mother added, what

2787
03:16:16.200 --> 03:16:20.120
time did you get home, Joey asked, Oh, about eleven,

2788
03:16:20.719 --> 03:16:24.600
his mom answered. Joey walked to the kitchen table and

2789
03:16:24.639 --> 03:16:27.639
took a seat across from his father, His head hurt

2790
03:16:27.680 --> 03:16:30.600
from the shock of seeing his parents and the revelation

2791
03:16:30.760 --> 03:16:35.200
that they had been home last night. Joey's thoughts swirled

2792
03:16:35.280 --> 03:16:38.200
with the possibility that the creature might have gone after

2793
03:16:38.239 --> 03:16:44.799
them first before Mac and Chris. If so, why, maybe

2794
03:16:44.840 --> 03:16:47.280
it was surprising that two people came into the house

2795
03:16:47.479 --> 03:16:50.719
and attacked them in response, But that left the question

2796
03:16:51.360 --> 03:16:54.840
that plagued Joey from the moment the horror started and

2797
03:16:54.920 --> 03:16:58.200
still had yet to be answered. Why did it go

2798
03:16:58.280 --> 03:17:03.559
after them? And seeming he left Joey alone? Are you okay? Sport?

2799
03:17:04.120 --> 03:17:10.440
Joey's dad asked, yeah, why, Joey said, you look clammy.

2800
03:17:10.920 --> 03:17:16.719
His father replied, oh, I didn't sleep that well, Joey

2801
03:17:16.760 --> 03:17:19.959
offered as an answer, I think it's more that you

2802
03:17:20.120 --> 03:17:23.239
ate too much candy and junk food for Halloween. Does

2803
03:17:23.280 --> 03:17:27.879
your stomach hurt? His mother asked him, yeah, Joey answered

2804
03:17:28.479 --> 03:17:31.479
it was the truth, though Joey didn't think he had

2805
03:17:31.520 --> 03:17:34.200
eaten too much junk food and was chalking it up

2806
03:17:34.239 --> 03:17:37.120
to how anxious and scared he had been and still was.

2807
03:17:38.280 --> 03:17:41.159
I think your mother's right then. That isn't to say

2808
03:17:41.200 --> 03:17:43.920
you didn't toss and turn, but eating all that crud

2809
03:17:43.959 --> 03:17:47.719
won't do you any favors. His father said, I guess

2810
03:17:47.760 --> 03:17:52.840
you're right, Joey responded. Joey looked around the kitchen. Everything

2811
03:17:52.920 --> 03:17:55.559
was put back in place and clean, just like it

2812
03:17:55.639 --> 03:17:58.639
had been in the living room. If the creature had

2813
03:17:58.680 --> 03:18:02.520
gone after his parents, for Chris Mack and himself, then

2814
03:18:02.559 --> 03:18:07.000
who did the cleaning? Did Chris survive his encounter, defeat

2815
03:18:07.040 --> 03:18:11.159
the creature and then clean up? How did his parents

2816
03:18:11.200 --> 03:18:13.280
come back if the thing had gotten hold of them?

2817
03:18:13.879 --> 03:18:16.920
If they were back, did that mean so was Mac.

2818
03:18:17.639 --> 03:18:21.200
It was in this avalanche of thoughts that something struck Joey.

2819
03:18:22.079 --> 03:18:25.399
Chris wasn't down yet. Sure, it was still the weekend

2820
03:18:25.440 --> 03:18:28.559
and his brother usually slept in, but their mom was

2821
03:18:28.600 --> 03:18:31.559
making her homemade biscuits and gravy, and that was one

2822
03:18:31.559 --> 03:18:34.200
of the few things Chris would wake up for, no

2823
03:18:34.319 --> 03:18:40.479
matter the time. Where's Chris, Joey asked his parents. I

2824
03:18:40.520 --> 03:18:45.280
don't know who's Chris. His mom answered, and then asked

2825
03:18:46.159 --> 03:18:50.959
the question hit Joey like a freight train. Who's Chris?

2826
03:18:51.760 --> 03:18:57.280
You know Chris, Chris McGee, my brother, Joey said. The

2827
03:18:57.360 --> 03:19:02.040
older mcgeees chuckled a little at what their son was saying. Oh, Joey,

2828
03:19:02.120 --> 03:19:06.440
you don't have a brother, his father explained, But I do.

2829
03:19:06.639 --> 03:19:11.959
It's Chris, Joey stated, Oh, Bill, maybe this is Joey's

2830
03:19:11.959 --> 03:19:14.639
way of telling us he wants to be a big brother,

2831
03:19:15.239 --> 03:19:19.280
his mother suggested. Joey's father snapped his fingers to what

2832
03:19:19.319 --> 03:19:22.239
his wife was saying. That's gotta be it. Are you

2833
03:19:22.319 --> 03:19:25.040
ready to be a big brother, joe How can I

2834
03:19:25.079 --> 03:19:27.920
be a big brother to Chris? He's older than me.

2835
03:19:28.959 --> 03:19:32.799
Is this Chris maybe an imaginary friend that you believe

2836
03:19:32.920 --> 03:19:37.440
is your big brother? His mom asked, it's okay, if

2837
03:19:37.440 --> 03:19:40.959
you have an imaginary friend, joe we all did. After all,

2838
03:19:41.000 --> 03:19:44.360
it can be lonely being an only child, his father explained.

2839
03:19:45.239 --> 03:19:49.479
Joey cannot believe what he's hearing. An only child, how

2840
03:19:49.600 --> 03:19:53.000
is that possible. I've known Chris my whole life. Mom

2841
03:19:53.040 --> 03:19:57.040
and dad know him too. What's going on? Joey stood

2842
03:19:57.079 --> 03:19:59.079
up from the table and ran out of the kitchen,

2843
03:19:59.440 --> 03:20:02.959
his parents shrugging at his action. His feet carried him

2844
03:20:03.000 --> 03:20:05.040
back to the living room and right up to where

2845
03:20:05.040 --> 03:20:08.760
the family's fireplace was. Joey looked at the mantle above

2846
03:20:08.799 --> 03:20:12.520
it and the row of family photos. There were the

2847
03:20:12.520 --> 03:20:15.479
ones of just Joey and Chris's parents, the ones of

2848
03:20:15.559 --> 03:20:18.239
Joey as a baby and a school photo, and the

2849
03:20:18.239 --> 03:20:21.399
ones of their other family members. But photos that were

2850
03:20:21.440 --> 03:20:24.079
supposed to have Chris in them, whether it was of

2851
03:20:24.239 --> 03:20:29.520
just him or with other family members, were missing. Chris

2852
03:20:29.600 --> 03:20:32.559
was somehow now absent in all the photos he was

2853
03:20:32.600 --> 03:20:38.120
supposed to be in. This this can't be happening, Joey

2854
03:20:38.200 --> 03:20:42.000
choked out. The young McGhee bolted upstairs to where Chris's

2855
03:20:42.120 --> 03:20:45.079
room should be and flung open the door, only to

2856
03:20:45.159 --> 03:20:48.959
discover the room was filled with various supplies and stations

2857
03:20:48.959 --> 03:20:53.040
for his mother's sewing and crafting. Normally, Joey had seen

2858
03:20:53.079 --> 03:20:56.719
these items in the downstairs office where his father usually worked,

2859
03:20:57.319 --> 03:21:00.319
apparently having been moved from where Joey's room was was.

2860
03:21:00.639 --> 03:21:05.079
After the mcgeese found out they were expecting this isn't right,

2861
03:21:06.000 --> 03:21:08.879
Joey ran back downstairs to the office and found it

2862
03:21:08.959 --> 03:21:12.040
filled with everything he knew should be there that belonged

2863
03:21:12.079 --> 03:21:14.920
to his father, and only those items that belonged to

2864
03:21:14.959 --> 03:21:18.479
his father. No cramp, tight space, no room divided by

2865
03:21:18.520 --> 03:21:21.760
sports memorabilia in his father's work area along with his

2866
03:21:21.840 --> 03:21:25.760
mother's sewing and crafts. What the hell is going on?

2867
03:21:26.559 --> 03:21:30.200
Joey asked the room, finding the situation appropriate for what

2868
03:21:30.319 --> 03:21:33.280
he was told was a curse word but frequently heard

2869
03:21:33.319 --> 03:21:37.559
and saw in church. A thought shot through Joey's mind,

2870
03:21:38.600 --> 03:21:42.879
the tape flesh of the Android. The boy walked to

2871
03:21:42.920 --> 03:21:46.280
where the TV stand was. Joey kneeled down and looked

2872
03:21:46.319 --> 03:21:49.840
at the VCR. Sweat started to drip down his face.

2873
03:21:50.479 --> 03:21:53.319
Joey hit the eject button, not sure if he wanted

2874
03:21:53.360 --> 03:21:56.600
flesh of the Android to pop out, have another movie

2875
03:21:56.639 --> 03:22:01.079
be ejected, or have nothing happen at all. The VCR

2876
03:22:01.200 --> 03:22:04.840
made various worrying and clicking sounds before ejecting the cassette.

2877
03:22:05.440 --> 03:22:08.399
With his hand shaking, Joey took hold of the videotape

2878
03:22:08.760 --> 03:22:11.239
and pulled it out. He moved it to where he

2879
03:22:11.280 --> 03:22:15.000
could read the label. His mouth gaped and a sound

2880
03:22:15.040 --> 03:22:19.079
of horror and confusion came from his throat. Flesh of

2881
03:22:19.120 --> 03:22:23.120
the Android was printed in blood red on a bright

2882
03:22:23.159 --> 03:22:30.040
white label. How, Joey questioned, how was any of this possible?

2883
03:22:30.399 --> 03:22:32.840
If Chris no longer existed to the point that he

2884
03:22:32.959 --> 03:22:37.799
wasn't in pictures or more shockingly, their parents memory, then

2885
03:22:38.319 --> 03:22:40.559
that would mean the trio of the two macgees and

2886
03:22:40.719 --> 03:22:45.000
Mac never went to Biinford's video to get the movie.

2887
03:22:45.159 --> 03:22:47.920
So how was the tape? How was Flesh of the

2888
03:22:48.000 --> 03:22:53.920
Android here Binford's video? Joey sprinted upstairs and hastily put

2889
03:22:53.959 --> 03:22:56.920
on and then tied his shoes. He threw on a

2890
03:22:57.000 --> 03:23:00.760
zip up hoodie before rushing back downstairs, through the kitchen

2891
03:23:01.079 --> 03:23:06.360
and into the garage. Whoa speed racer, Joey's dad called out.

2892
03:23:07.000 --> 03:23:09.600
Joey ignored his father as he hit the button to

2893
03:23:09.639 --> 03:23:13.399
open the garage door. Once opened, Joey hopped on his

2894
03:23:13.399 --> 03:23:16.840
bike and sped out of the garage, hands clasped on

2895
03:23:16.920 --> 03:23:19.799
the handlebars, with the tape gripped in his right hand,

2896
03:23:20.680 --> 03:23:24.879
high hose silver away. His feet pedaled harder and harder

2897
03:23:24.879 --> 03:23:28.079
to build up speed, Joey leaning forward to try and

2898
03:23:28.200 --> 03:23:32.680
do so even more. Joey kept pedaling down his street

2899
03:23:32.719 --> 03:23:35.479
and through the town. The seven year old paid no

2900
03:23:35.600 --> 03:23:39.040
attention to anybody on the sidewalks or even traffic lights

2901
03:23:39.040 --> 03:23:43.040
and cars. He heard the screeching of tires and disgruntled

2902
03:23:43.120 --> 03:23:45.719
drivers shouting and cursing at him as he rode on.

2903
03:23:46.799 --> 03:23:49.440
Joey had only one thing on his mind, and that

2904
03:23:49.639 --> 03:23:53.120
was Binford's video, and he was hell bent on getting there.

2905
03:23:53.680 --> 03:23:56.200
Everything seemed as if it could be traced back to

2906
03:23:56.319 --> 03:24:01.159
flesh of the Android. But why and how? How was

2907
03:24:01.200 --> 03:24:03.799
it that a movie played in theaters and had been

2908
03:24:03.840 --> 03:24:06.719
seen by others on tape? But yet this happened to

2909
03:24:06.840 --> 03:24:10.479
Joey and his family. Has it happened to anybody else?

2910
03:24:11.280 --> 03:24:14.159
Joey didn't know for sure if mister Binford could give

2911
03:24:14.200 --> 03:24:16.719
him the answers he wanted, but it was his best

2912
03:24:16.799 --> 03:24:20.520
chance of figuring out what was going on. If only slightly.

2913
03:24:21.680 --> 03:24:25.399
Joey approached a hill that, once descended, would take him

2914
03:24:25.440 --> 03:24:28.719
to Binford's video. The young boy pedaled as hard as

2915
03:24:28.719 --> 03:24:32.440
he could before beginning to go downhill, letting his momentum

2916
03:24:32.520 --> 03:24:36.000
carry him down. His left hand poised over the break

2917
03:24:36.040 --> 03:24:39.600
on the left handle. Joey winced as he flew downhill,

2918
03:24:40.159 --> 03:24:43.799
hoping that he wouldn't crash when he braked. When close

2919
03:24:43.920 --> 03:24:47.760
enough to the bottom, Joey began to slowly break, making

2920
03:24:47.799 --> 03:24:50.520
sure to not do it too hard or too fast

2921
03:24:50.959 --> 03:24:53.159
and cause him to go flying off of the bike.

2922
03:24:53.879 --> 03:24:56.879
Just before he reached the end of the hill, Joey

2923
03:24:56.920 --> 03:25:02.120
gave one final break, this time harder than he breathed

2924
03:25:02.159 --> 03:25:04.879
a sigh of relief as he successfully came to a

2925
03:25:04.959 --> 03:25:09.680
stop at the bottom of the hill. With the video

2926
03:25:09.719 --> 03:25:13.479
store in sight, Joey went back to peddling and raced

2927
03:25:13.559 --> 03:25:16.440
up to the storefront. He hopped off of his bike

2928
03:25:16.760 --> 03:25:20.399
and let it fall to the ground. Videotape in hand,

2929
03:25:20.879 --> 03:25:25.040
Joey ran to the door, threw it open, and then

2930
03:25:25.559 --> 03:25:30.399
rushed inside. The bell to the store rang as Joey

2931
03:25:30.479 --> 03:25:34.399
rushed inside and went straight to the counter. Mister Binford

2932
03:25:34.440 --> 03:25:37.760
stared at the boy in surprise. Why if it isn't

2933
03:25:37.840 --> 03:25:41.159
Joey McGhee, what has you up this early? And out

2934
03:25:41.159 --> 03:25:45.799
of breath, the man asked his patron. Joey nearly slammed

2935
03:25:45.840 --> 03:25:48.159
the tape for Flesh of the Android down on the

2936
03:25:48.200 --> 03:25:52.040
counter while he tried to catch his breath. Mister Binford

2937
03:25:52.079 --> 03:25:55.520
stared at it while Joey composed himself before his eyes

2938
03:25:55.639 --> 03:25:58.760
shifted to the boy. Joey stared at the elder man

2939
03:25:58.879 --> 03:26:02.559
until he was back to a relatively normal state. What

2940
03:26:02.719 --> 03:26:06.799
is this tape, Joey asked. It looks like a videotape

2941
03:26:06.799 --> 03:26:10.040
for a movie, horror movie at that, and one which

2942
03:26:10.079 --> 03:26:14.000
is rated R. I'm actually curious as to why you

2943
03:26:14.079 --> 03:26:17.319
have it, both the movie itself and why you don't

2944
03:26:17.360 --> 03:26:21.239
also have a case for it. Mister Binford responded, No,

2945
03:26:21.399 --> 03:26:27.000
I mean, what is this tape? Joey asked again, I

2946
03:26:27.000 --> 03:26:29.879
don't know if I follow. Mister Binford said in a

2947
03:26:29.920 --> 03:26:34.520
calm and collected manner. Look, me and my brother and

2948
03:26:34.600 --> 03:26:37.680
his friend came here yesterday. They wanted to rent this

2949
03:26:37.879 --> 03:26:40.559
stupid movie, but were too chicken shit to come in

2950
03:26:40.760 --> 03:26:43.680
and do their stupid plan to swap it with another movie,

2951
03:26:43.879 --> 03:26:46.879
so they could rent it, so I said I would

2952
03:26:46.959 --> 03:26:49.040
do it, and I came in and I did it

2953
03:26:49.040 --> 03:26:51.559
by swapping it with quantum cop because I knew you

2954
03:26:51.559 --> 03:26:54.879
wouldn't bat and eye at me renting that again. We

2955
03:26:55.000 --> 03:26:57.680
went home and put it on, but I couldn't finish

2956
03:26:57.760 --> 03:27:01.040
it because it was too terrible, so I went to bed.

2957
03:27:01.559 --> 03:27:03.680
Then in the middle of the night, my brother and

2958
03:27:03.719 --> 03:27:06.719
his friend started screaming and running all over the place

2959
03:27:06.879 --> 03:27:10.920
and woke me up doing it. Some thing got spat

2960
03:27:10.959 --> 03:27:14.280
out or crawled out of the VCR and attacked us.

2961
03:27:15.079 --> 03:27:19.159
It did who knows what to Mack apparently also did

2962
03:27:19.200 --> 03:27:22.360
something to my mom and dad, and then I don't

2963
03:27:22.360 --> 03:27:24.440
know what it did to Chris because he told me

2964
03:27:24.479 --> 03:27:27.639
to run, so I did. I hid under my bed

2965
03:27:27.719 --> 03:27:31.879
until morning. But then I woke up to find my

2966
03:27:32.000 --> 03:27:34.719
house not in a mess. It was last night, my

2967
03:27:34.879 --> 03:27:38.559
parents going about their day like normal, but they don't

2968
03:27:38.600 --> 03:27:43.120
remember Chris. His room's now my mom's sewing room, and

2969
03:27:43.159 --> 03:27:45.360
he isn't in any pictures that he should be in.

2970
03:27:46.440 --> 03:27:50.040
And guess what, this stupid movie was still in the VCR,

2971
03:27:50.399 --> 03:27:54.719
So what is this damned thing? Mister Vinford looked at

2972
03:27:54.799 --> 03:27:57.879
Joey as he unloaded the whole story on him. He

2973
03:27:58.000 --> 03:28:00.879
watched as when finished, joe He had to catch his

2974
03:28:00.920 --> 03:28:04.399
breath again and cool off. He hadn't meant to get

2975
03:28:04.440 --> 03:28:07.040
as fired up as he did, but it was the

2976
03:28:07.079 --> 03:28:09.799
only way he could think to get mister Binford's attention,

2977
03:28:10.360 --> 03:28:12.799
and he found it came naturally. As he went on

2978
03:28:12.920 --> 03:28:16.639
about the previous day, the elder man looked at Joey,

2979
03:28:16.959 --> 03:28:19.639
then at the tape of flesh of the android, then

2980
03:28:19.760 --> 03:28:23.280
back at Joey. He took a deep breath before leaning

2981
03:28:23.319 --> 03:28:28.159
his elbows onto the countertop. I know, Joey, he said.

2982
03:28:29.319 --> 03:28:34.440
Joey blinked. What I know everything that you just said.

2983
03:28:35.239 --> 03:28:38.760
I know what happened. Actually, it's more accurate to say

2984
03:28:39.639 --> 03:28:44.600
I knew it would happen, mister Binford explained. Joey's face

2985
03:28:44.639 --> 03:28:48.120
went blank, then a scowl formed and tears started to

2986
03:28:48.120 --> 03:28:54.200
bubble up. What mister Binford gave a smile the kind

2987
03:28:54.280 --> 03:29:00.239
only an older person could let me explain. Joey knew

2988
03:29:00.280 --> 03:29:03.920
exactly what was going on yesterday. I might be getting

2989
03:29:04.000 --> 03:29:07.479
older and losing some of my faculties, but my peepers

2990
03:29:07.520 --> 03:29:10.920
worked just fine. I saw that you would swap the

2991
03:29:10.920 --> 03:29:13.799
movie with quantum cop, and I saw how Chris and

2992
03:29:13.840 --> 03:29:16.959
his friend were acting. I've seen a lot of kids,

2993
03:29:17.000 --> 03:29:21.000
both here and in general over my years, people too,

2994
03:29:21.280 --> 03:29:24.280
so I know when a person, especially a kid, is

2995
03:29:24.319 --> 03:29:27.280
trying to do something they shouldn't. So I let you

2996
03:29:27.319 --> 03:29:30.799
take the movie and I let them have it. Mister

2997
03:29:30.840 --> 03:29:35.799
Binford explains, I don't get it. What did you let

2998
03:29:35.879 --> 03:29:38.079
them have and what does this have to do with

2999
03:29:38.120 --> 03:29:41.719
what happened to us and why Chris is just gone?

3000
03:29:42.559 --> 03:29:47.159
Joey asked, what you saw was an eredaire or if

3001
03:29:47.200 --> 03:29:50.760
you don't want to use Latin and erasure. It's a

3002
03:29:50.799 --> 03:29:54.200
creature that has been used throughout history to eliminate things

3003
03:29:54.239 --> 03:29:57.879
that have been deemed unneeded or for a multitude of

3004
03:29:57.879 --> 03:30:01.520
other uses. It depends on entirely on who the summoner

3005
03:30:01.600 --> 03:30:05.959
needs it for, Mister Binford explained, like a teacher explaining

3006
03:30:06.040 --> 03:30:09.639
history or any other subject. Joey stared at the old man,

3007
03:30:09.719 --> 03:30:15.319
open mouthed and visibly confused. In simpler terms, Joey, it's

3008
03:30:15.360 --> 03:30:18.959
a monster that people have used to make things disappear completely.

3009
03:30:20.760 --> 03:30:26.959
But but how Joey started but trailed off. The monster,

3010
03:30:27.079 --> 03:30:30.319
once summoned, goes after who or what it has been

3011
03:30:30.360 --> 03:30:33.959
told to erase, and it does not stop until its

3012
03:30:34.000 --> 03:30:37.719
task is done. When it erases something, it does so

3013
03:30:37.920 --> 03:30:42.479
completely from existence and history. In this instance, it erased

3014
03:30:42.559 --> 03:30:48.040
Chris and Mack. Mister Binford told Joey. So that means

3015
03:30:48.559 --> 03:30:53.159
Joey started, they have been utterly erased from existence. That's

3016
03:30:53.200 --> 03:30:56.159
why your parents don't remember Chris and why he isn't

3017
03:30:56.159 --> 03:30:59.399
in photos, and all of his belongings are gone, the

3018
03:30:59.440 --> 03:31:04.079
same with family. Joey wanted to throw up. He felt

3019
03:31:04.079 --> 03:31:06.959
his stomach churning, and his body began the motions of

3020
03:31:07.000 --> 03:31:10.799
heaving before vomit would be produced, but nothing came up.

3021
03:31:11.600 --> 03:31:14.440
Joey dropped to his knees while he continued dry heaving,

3022
03:31:14.840 --> 03:31:17.200
and only stood up once he was able to control

3023
03:31:17.200 --> 03:31:24.319
his body again. That's that's terrible. Why why did you

3024
03:31:24.440 --> 03:31:31.120
do this, Joey demanded. Mister Benford sighed, Joey, I've seen

3025
03:31:31.159 --> 03:31:34.040
how people act over the years. There are those that

3026
03:31:34.120 --> 03:31:37.239
are some of the finest examples of goodness and humanity

3027
03:31:37.280 --> 03:31:41.319
you'll ever see. Some are so so or middle of

3028
03:31:41.360 --> 03:31:44.719
the road, Some aren't the best, but you can tell

3029
03:31:44.760 --> 03:31:48.760
there's some good deep down. But then there are those

3030
03:31:48.840 --> 03:31:52.159
you can look at and just tell their bad apples.

3031
03:31:52.920 --> 03:31:55.000
I hate to say this so matter of fact to you,

3032
03:31:55.120 --> 03:31:59.360
but Chris was the latter. I've known him since he

3033
03:31:59.440 --> 03:32:01.639
was little, and over the years I've seen him act

3034
03:32:01.799 --> 03:32:06.719
like to be frank and utter brat. I've seen how

3035
03:32:06.719 --> 03:32:10.040
he manipulates your parents and how he treats you. When

3036
03:32:10.079 --> 03:32:12.159
the three of you came yesterday, I saw how they

3037
03:32:12.159 --> 03:32:15.680
were acting, in particular, how they were when I looked

3038
03:32:15.680 --> 03:32:18.879
out my window when I was rewinding the tapes. I

3039
03:32:18.920 --> 03:32:21.440
had seen what the movie was, and once I saw them,

3040
03:32:21.959 --> 03:32:26.399
I knew what was up. Joey, You're a good kid,

3041
03:32:26.799 --> 03:32:30.079
a good person, one of the kindest and most honest

3042
03:32:30.079 --> 03:32:33.239
I've ever seen. I know you would never do anything

3043
03:32:33.280 --> 03:32:36.719
wrong purposefully, so it was easy to piece together that

3044
03:32:36.760 --> 03:32:39.440
you had been put up to this. I know you

3045
03:32:39.479 --> 03:32:42.360
said you volunteered to do it, but I know deep

3046
03:32:42.479 --> 03:32:45.879
down you wanted to impress your brother so he would

3047
03:32:45.959 --> 03:32:50.680
like you more. That is why I gave you the movie.

3048
03:32:50.920 --> 03:32:55.440
But how how are you able to do this? Joey questioned.

3049
03:32:56.680 --> 03:32:58.600
Back when I was a younger man, I served in

3050
03:32:58.639 --> 03:33:01.680
World War Two over in Europe. While we were in Italy,

3051
03:33:01.760 --> 03:33:05.000
I had found a book containing old dark magic. A

3052
03:33:05.040 --> 03:33:08.639
combination of my natural curiosity and the pool I've always

3053
03:33:08.680 --> 03:33:12.840
had to things otherworldly or dark or horror. I've had

3054
03:33:12.840 --> 03:33:16.079
an interest in the occult. Once I moved out on

3055
03:33:16.120 --> 03:33:19.479
my own, I slowly started to practice it. So when

3056
03:33:19.520 --> 03:33:22.319
I found the book, I couldn't just leave it there.

3057
03:33:22.840 --> 03:33:24.760
I put it in my bag and brought it home.

3058
03:33:25.639 --> 03:33:29.399
I studied it and found out about the Eradaire spell

3059
03:33:29.440 --> 03:33:32.520
and all. At first, I tried it out on a

3060
03:33:32.600 --> 03:33:35.840
random drunkard at a local bar. When I saw that

3061
03:33:35.920 --> 03:33:39.280
it did, in fact work, I started using it more.

3062
03:33:40.200 --> 03:33:43.440
Despite my interest and practice of the occult, I still

3063
03:33:43.479 --> 03:33:45.879
believe in doing right and being the best you can be.

3064
03:33:46.719 --> 03:33:50.000
So when I would observe the worst of humanity and

3065
03:33:50.079 --> 03:33:53.440
felt that something needed to be done, I did something

3066
03:33:53.879 --> 03:33:57.639
and used the Eradaire. Mister Binford explained to the boy.

3067
03:33:58.719 --> 03:34:02.319
Joey listened and took it everything in. He didn't fully

3068
03:34:02.399 --> 03:34:05.239
understand all of it, nor could he believe what he

3069
03:34:05.280 --> 03:34:08.079
was hearing. Stuff like this was the kind of thing

3070
03:34:08.120 --> 03:34:11.079
he would find in books or movies. Not to mention,

3071
03:34:11.200 --> 03:34:13.719
it was hard for him to believe that mister Binford

3072
03:34:13.799 --> 03:34:16.719
would be into stuff like that. Or do something that

3073
03:34:16.840 --> 03:34:21.440
was so terrible, erasing people completely from the world to

3074
03:34:21.440 --> 03:34:24.639
where nobody could remember them and there were no signs

3075
03:34:24.639 --> 03:34:28.360
that they ever existed. Joey looked mister Binford in the

3076
03:34:28.399 --> 03:34:32.319
eyes and took a deep breath to calm and assure himself.

3077
03:34:33.399 --> 03:34:38.440
So my parents, Joey said, it never went after them.

3078
03:34:39.799 --> 03:34:42.959
Why was the tape still there this morning, Joey asked.

3079
03:34:43.799 --> 03:34:46.719
The Aradare was simply placed into the tape by me

3080
03:34:46.959 --> 03:34:49.559
using the spell. At the end of the day, it

3081
03:34:49.600 --> 03:34:54.079
is still just a videotape of flesh of the Android. Usually,

3082
03:34:54.079 --> 03:34:57.280
if the Aradare is placed in an object, the object

3083
03:34:57.360 --> 03:35:01.200
still remains unless the summoner wants to object to vanish

3084
03:35:01.280 --> 03:35:05.360
as well, mister Binford told the boy. Joey thought for

3085
03:35:05.399 --> 03:35:10.200
a second and then gulped. So why didn't it come

3086
03:35:10.239 --> 03:35:15.600
after me? And why do I still remember him? Joey asked.

3087
03:35:16.399 --> 03:35:21.200
Mister Binford smiled sweetly as I said a moment ago,

3088
03:35:21.479 --> 03:35:23.479
you are one of the best kids I've ever seen

3089
03:35:23.600 --> 03:35:26.520
or met. You're as pure and honest as anybody I've

3090
03:35:26.559 --> 03:35:29.479
ever had the pleasure of meeting. And while you could,

3091
03:35:29.520 --> 03:35:32.520
in theory use the creature to go after anybody. I

3092
03:35:32.559 --> 03:35:35.959
don't like using it for just anybody, only for those

3093
03:35:36.000 --> 03:35:39.520
that are examples of the worst of humanity, or those

3094
03:35:39.559 --> 03:35:43.200
I think need to learn their actions and character have consequences.

3095
03:35:44.000 --> 03:35:46.879
In this case Chris and how he treated you in

3096
03:35:46.920 --> 03:35:50.440
your parents and probably others. As for his friend, well,

3097
03:35:51.440 --> 03:35:55.120
let's just call that a bonus. Bad apples tend to

3098
03:35:55.159 --> 03:36:00.360
attract bad apples after all. For your other question, I suppose,

3099
03:36:00.399 --> 03:36:02.840
if anything, it's so that you can remember how he

3100
03:36:03.040 --> 03:36:06.280
was and where it led him. I know he had

3101
03:36:06.280 --> 03:36:09.520
his moments of being good, most likely, but he still

3102
03:36:09.639 --> 03:36:12.879
chose to be the way he was. Think of it

3103
03:36:13.520 --> 03:36:18.520
in a way as a cautionary tale. Joey wasn't really

3104
03:36:18.600 --> 03:36:21.440
sure what to think. He loved his brother and had

3105
03:36:21.440 --> 03:36:24.479
looked up to him even when Chris wasn't being that great.

3106
03:36:25.360 --> 03:36:28.719
Life without him, especially having the knowledge of what happened

3107
03:36:29.239 --> 03:36:32.680
was something Joey didn't know if he could handle. He

3108
03:36:32.719 --> 03:36:35.520
had just been told that magic and monsters were in

3109
03:36:35.559 --> 03:36:38.680
fact real, and that it was because of this his

3110
03:36:38.719 --> 03:36:42.440
brother was gone in every sense of the word. But

3111
03:36:42.559 --> 03:36:45.239
Joey had to admit that Chris wasn't always the best

3112
03:36:45.239 --> 03:36:49.639
to him, let alone how he might be toward other people. Still,

3113
03:36:49.680 --> 03:36:52.399
it was hard to fathom that he would never see

3114
03:36:52.440 --> 03:36:57.520
Chris again. Joey turned away from mister Binford and started

3115
03:36:57.520 --> 03:37:02.319
to head to the door. Joey, Mister Binford called out.

3116
03:37:03.120 --> 03:37:05.760
Joey stopped at the sound of his name. He turned

3117
03:37:05.799 --> 03:37:08.920
around and looked at mister Binford. The old man using

3118
03:37:08.959 --> 03:37:12.760
a hand to beckon the young McGee over. Joey walked

3119
03:37:12.760 --> 03:37:16.959
back to the counter and stared at mister Binford. What

3120
03:37:17.120 --> 03:37:23.799
is it, mister Benford, he asked, Well, I was wondering something, what,

3121
03:37:24.680 --> 03:37:29.319
Joey asked. You know, Joey, you remind me a lot

3122
03:37:29.360 --> 03:37:31.760
of me when I was younger. Back when I was

3123
03:37:31.799 --> 03:37:34.079
a kid, my father got me a job at a

3124
03:37:34.120 --> 03:37:37.040
general store. I didn't earn much of anything, but it

3125
03:37:37.079 --> 03:37:40.000
did teach me about how to work hard, and it

3126
03:37:40.079 --> 03:37:43.799
helped me build my character. So I was wondering, would

3127
03:37:43.799 --> 03:37:46.280
you like to work at the store with me, mister

3128
03:37:46.319 --> 03:37:53.280
Binford questioned. Joey was dumbstruck by the offer me work here.

3129
03:37:54.360 --> 03:37:59.600
I couldn't. Why not, mister Binford asked, I'm only seven

3130
03:37:59.639 --> 03:38:02.520
and I don't know anything about movies. What would I

3131
03:38:02.559 --> 03:38:06.520
even do? Joey asked the old man, I can teach

3132
03:38:06.520 --> 03:38:09.399
you about movies. As for what you would do, you

3133
03:38:09.440 --> 03:38:11.719
could help me put the movies back and make sure

3134
03:38:11.760 --> 03:38:14.200
they're in the right spots and help me tidy up

3135
03:38:14.200 --> 03:38:18.239
a little bit. What about how old I am? That

3136
03:38:18.440 --> 03:38:21.399
is true, but I'm sure if I explained my reasoning

3137
03:38:21.399 --> 03:38:24.799
to your parents they would understand. Besides, I would make

3138
03:38:24.840 --> 03:38:27.959
your pay free rentals of any movie you like. Mister

3139
03:38:28.000 --> 03:38:33.600
Binford elaborates, I don't know, Joey said, well, I'll tell

3140
03:38:33.600 --> 03:38:36.360
you what then. How about we call this an offer

3141
03:38:36.479 --> 03:38:39.159
for down the road when you're a little older. But

3142
03:38:39.239 --> 03:38:41.040
if you still want to come in every so often

3143
03:38:41.079 --> 03:38:43.760
and learn about movies, I'll talk to you about them,

3144
03:38:44.319 --> 03:38:46.159
and if you want to do some stuff to help out,

3145
03:38:46.200 --> 03:38:49.440
I can pay you with those free rentals. How's that sound,

3146
03:38:50.120 --> 03:38:55.040
mister Binford asked, with a hand outstretched to Joey. Joey

3147
03:38:55.079 --> 03:38:58.399
stood there thinking he liked the idea of being able

3148
03:38:58.399 --> 03:39:01.040
to rent movies free of charge, and he was sure

3149
03:39:01.040 --> 03:39:04.200
his parents would enjoy it too. He also liked mister

3150
03:39:04.239 --> 03:39:06.799
Binford and liked that he might be able to learn

3151
03:39:06.799 --> 03:39:10.680
more about movies. At the same time, though he thought

3152
03:39:10.719 --> 03:39:12.879
it would be weird working with the man who made

3153
03:39:12.879 --> 03:39:17.920
his brother disappear and had apparently been using some creature

3154
03:39:18.000 --> 03:39:21.079
to do the same for others. In any story that

3155
03:39:21.120 --> 03:39:24.040
he had ever been told that would make mister Binford

3156
03:39:24.079 --> 03:39:28.000
a bad guy. Yet Joey could understand mister Binford's reasoning

3157
03:39:28.040 --> 03:39:31.559
for doing it, and, if he was being honest with himself,

3158
03:39:32.200 --> 03:39:34.799
felt a pull to wanting to be able to do

3159
03:39:34.920 --> 03:39:38.440
the same. Could I ask for an extra way of

3160
03:39:38.479 --> 03:39:44.040
being paid? Joey asked mister Binford, chuckled. Only seven years

3161
03:39:44.040 --> 03:39:47.639
old and already negotiating for pay, What do you have

3162
03:39:47.719 --> 03:39:52.559
in mind? Joey looked the old man in the eyes. Well,

3163
03:39:53.639 --> 03:39:59.479
could you teach me about this magic of yours? Mister

3164
03:39:59.520 --> 03:40:04.559
Binford smiled widely, My boy, I would gladly do that.

3165
03:40:06.040 --> 03:40:09.799
Joey smiled in return and took mister Benford's hand with his.

3166
03:40:10.920 --> 03:40:16.000
Then you have a deal. Nine years later, Joey stood

3167
03:40:16.000 --> 03:40:20.000
behind the counter of Binford's video organizing tapes that had

3168
03:40:20.040 --> 03:40:24.440
been recently returned. Mister Benford sat on a stool behind him,

3169
03:40:24.760 --> 03:40:30.159
rewinding tapes. Now sixteen years old, Joey had been officially

3170
03:40:30.200 --> 03:40:33.840
working at the store for about two years up until

3171
03:40:33.840 --> 03:40:36.360
that point. Joey would go into the store once a

3172
03:40:36.360 --> 03:40:39.399
week to help mister Binford with some odd tasks and

3173
03:40:39.479 --> 03:40:45.360
talk movies with him along with learning other nuggets of information. Surprisingly,

3174
03:40:45.440 --> 03:40:48.239
his parents were okay with him having a job, his

3175
03:40:48.319 --> 03:40:51.079
father even saying it made sense as he too had

3176
03:40:51.120 --> 03:40:53.639
worked as early as eight years old with a paper route.

3177
03:40:54.520 --> 03:40:57.319
The only thing they probably didn't enjoy was the love

3178
03:40:57.360 --> 03:41:01.840
of collecting films Joey now had. Mister Binford once said

3179
03:41:01.920 --> 03:41:05.159
he had become quite the cinophile, and it certainly showed

3180
03:41:05.159 --> 03:41:08.959
in his bedroom that had become cramped with a TV VCR,

3181
03:41:09.319 --> 03:41:14.000
LaserDisc player and shelves and stacks of videotapes, laser discs,

3182
03:41:14.040 --> 03:41:17.040
and books about film, as well as walls that were

3183
03:41:17.079 --> 03:41:21.399
covered with posters. The bell on the door rang, letting

3184
03:41:21.440 --> 03:41:26.600
the two know they had a customer. Welcome to Binford's video,

3185
03:41:26.799 --> 03:41:30.360
Joey started to greet, before stopping mid sentence. A group

3186
03:41:30.399 --> 03:41:32.680
of teenagers had walked in, and it was a group

3187
03:41:32.920 --> 03:41:36.319
Joey knew well. They were a bunch of kids from

3188
03:41:36.319 --> 03:41:39.399
his class in high school, mostly a mix of quote

3189
03:41:39.440 --> 03:41:43.440
unquote cool kids. Leading the pack was a wrestler named

3190
03:41:43.479 --> 03:41:48.280
Fred Tennyson and his girlfriend Cameron Collins. Joey was frequently

3191
03:41:48.319 --> 03:41:50.920
bullied by most of the kids in the group, but

3192
03:41:51.120 --> 03:41:55.520
was tormented the most by Fred. If a person could

3193
03:41:55.600 --> 03:41:58.159
name the things a typical bully would say and do

3194
03:41:58.360 --> 03:42:02.360
to somebody, Fred had done them to Joey. The animosity

3195
03:42:02.440 --> 03:42:06.280
stemmed from Joey being labeled a weirdo, but Joey knew

3196
03:42:06.360 --> 03:42:08.840
it was most likely due to the fact that he

3197
03:42:08.920 --> 03:42:12.520
had a crush on Cameron. For every bit of bad

3198
03:42:12.600 --> 03:42:17.440
Fred was, Cameron was that good? Hey there, it's the

3199
03:42:17.600 --> 03:42:22.040
film fairy, Fred called out to Joey. The kids laughed,

3200
03:42:22.120 --> 03:42:25.719
save for Cameron. She gave Joey a small smile and

3201
03:42:25.760 --> 03:42:29.479
a wave. What do you want, Fred, Joey asked, in

3202
03:42:29.559 --> 03:42:33.079
as flat and annoyed a tone as he could. A

3203
03:42:33.159 --> 03:42:37.959
movie duh, a kid said mockingly, didn't know you were

3204
03:42:37.959 --> 03:42:43.680
that stupid Josephine. Another taunted, don't give me shit, McGee.

3205
03:42:43.920 --> 03:42:46.159
I don't want to be here either, but Blockbuster in

3206
03:42:46.239 --> 03:42:49.799
Hollywood Video didn't have what we wanted, so unluckily for

3207
03:42:49.920 --> 03:42:54.959
me and you, we came here. Fred explained he matched

3208
03:42:55.079 --> 03:42:57.879
Joey's tone, but with the upped ante of getting in

3209
03:42:57.959 --> 03:43:01.479
his face. Well, and get whatever it is you want

3210
03:43:01.520 --> 03:43:04.159
and get out. I don't have time for your bullshit,

3211
03:43:04.680 --> 03:43:08.600
Joey countered behind him. Mister Binford turned his head to

3212
03:43:08.680 --> 03:43:13.959
the conversation behind him. Fred gave Joey a push before he, Cameron,

3213
03:43:14.000 --> 03:43:16.399
and the rest of their group headed to a wall

3214
03:43:16.440 --> 03:43:20.120
of new releases. Mister Binford joined Joey at the counter

3215
03:43:20.600 --> 03:43:24.079
and watched the group with him. What was that all about,

3216
03:43:24.639 --> 03:43:28.559
he asked his young employee and friend. Oh, just some

3217
03:43:28.639 --> 03:43:35.239
blowhards from school. Joey told him. They give you trouble always, Well,

3218
03:43:35.879 --> 03:43:38.799
all of them, but one, Joey said, as he pointed

3219
03:43:38.840 --> 03:43:43.639
to Cameron. Mister Binford smiled at Joey. Is she somebody

3220
03:43:43.639 --> 03:43:47.280
that you're sweet on? Joey blushed and smiled a little.

3221
03:43:47.840 --> 03:43:52.600
I wish you should tell her sometime, mister Binford told Joey.

3222
03:43:53.440 --> 03:43:57.159
I can't. She's taken by Fred, the guy I had

3223
03:43:57.200 --> 03:44:01.280
in my face, Joey explained, And that means you can't,

3224
03:44:01.319 --> 03:44:04.920
at the very least talk to her. Mister Binford asked,

3225
03:44:05.680 --> 03:44:08.559
pretty much, She's off limits unless I want to get

3226
03:44:08.559 --> 03:44:11.879
put in an early grave. The two return their attention

3227
03:44:12.000 --> 03:44:15.079
to the group they watch as Cameron pulls a movie

3228
03:44:15.120 --> 03:44:18.200
off of the shelf and shows it to Fred. Unable

3229
03:44:18.239 --> 03:44:21.120
to hear them, Joey can only make an educated guess

3230
03:44:21.120 --> 03:44:23.680
as to what was being said, but was able to

3231
03:44:23.719 --> 03:44:27.040
clear his day see that she said or did something

3232
03:44:27.399 --> 03:44:30.719
to tick Fred off. The next thing, the two clerks

3233
03:44:30.799 --> 03:44:33.440
knew they were watching as the two started to have

3234
03:44:33.479 --> 03:44:36.399
an argument that ended with Fred chewing his friends away.

3235
03:44:37.680 --> 03:44:41.360
Believing that no one was watching, Fred smacked Cameron with

3236
03:44:41.399 --> 03:44:44.719
the tape she had picked out. Joey clenched his hands

3237
03:44:44.719 --> 03:44:47.719
into tight fists at the scene. It was not the

3238
03:44:47.719 --> 03:44:50.559
first time he had observed how Fred treated her when

3239
03:44:50.559 --> 03:44:54.680
he believed no one was paying attention. Mister Binford watched

3240
03:44:54.680 --> 03:44:56.959
the scene unfold in front of him and how his

3241
03:44:57.079 --> 03:45:04.520
protege was reacting Joey. Things change Sometimes people are into

3242
03:45:04.520 --> 03:45:08.920
something one day and then simply forget about it the next.

3243
03:45:09.479 --> 03:45:12.959
Mister Binford explained, he giving Joey a pat on the back.

3244
03:45:13.799 --> 03:45:17.319
Joey looked at his mentor a small smirk on his mouth.

3245
03:45:18.159 --> 03:45:22.120
Excuse me, geezer and nerder rama. The two returned their

3246
03:45:22.120 --> 03:45:24.840
attention to the counter. It was Fred with a movie

3247
03:45:24.920 --> 03:45:28.680
in hand. You found what you're looking for, son, mister

3248
03:45:28.719 --> 03:45:34.440
Binford asked. Finally, Fred said, in his usual gruff fashion, Well,

3249
03:45:34.479 --> 03:45:36.559
I'll get you checked out while Joey here, make sure

3250
03:45:36.559 --> 03:45:41.079
the movie's been rewound, mister Binford tells the teen. Yeah, yeah, yeah,

3251
03:45:41.239 --> 03:45:44.520
just make it snappy, all right, Fred told the two

3252
03:45:44.600 --> 03:45:48.760
before shoving the movie into Joey's hands. Joey turned around

3253
03:45:48.799 --> 03:45:51.879
and headed for the tape rewinder. He slid the movie

3254
03:45:51.879 --> 03:45:55.120
out of its case and popped it into the machine.

3255
03:45:55.200 --> 03:45:59.200
As he watched the tape rewind, mister Binford's words echoed

3256
03:45:59.239 --> 03:46:02.959
in his head. Sometimes people are into something one day,

3257
03:46:03.559 --> 03:46:09.399
then they simply forget about it the next forget. Joey

3258
03:46:09.479 --> 03:46:12.959
hung on that word. He thought back to everything mister

3259
03:46:12.959 --> 03:46:16.120
Binford had taught him, both for movies and for what

3260
03:46:16.159 --> 03:46:21.120
the two decided to refer to as extracurriculars. A grin

3261
03:46:21.280 --> 03:46:25.879
formed across Joey's lips. He held a hand over the rewinder,

3262
03:46:26.399 --> 03:46:30.000
and under his breath he uttered a series of words

3263
03:46:30.040 --> 03:46:34.120
in Latin that mister Binford had taught him, and all

3264
03:46:34.200 --> 03:46:37.840
two important string of words Joey had learned about all

3265
03:46:37.920 --> 03:46:42.120
those years ago. Once finished with the string of words,

3266
03:46:42.159 --> 03:46:46.280
the taper winder stopped and popped open. Joey took the

3267
03:46:46.319 --> 03:46:49.799
tape out and slid it back into its case. He

3268
03:46:49.920 --> 03:46:52.600
returned to the register and placed it on the counter.

3269
03:46:53.440 --> 03:46:55.479
That'll be two dollars and fifty cents for the night,

3270
03:46:55.879 --> 03:46:59.000
Joey tells Fred. Fred fishes the money out of his

3271
03:46:59.079 --> 03:47:03.000
pocket and pushes it towards Joey before picking up the tape.

3272
03:47:03.680 --> 03:47:06.799
As the two finish their transaction, Cameron and the other

3273
03:47:06.879 --> 03:47:10.440
kids walk back up to Fred. Enjoy your movie night,

3274
03:47:10.879 --> 03:47:16.479
Joey tells them, whatever freak Fred said, Is it good?

3275
03:47:17.040 --> 03:47:20.799
Cameron asked, in her always cheerful but matter of fact voice,

3276
03:47:21.200 --> 03:47:25.040
a voice that Joey compared to Barbara Stanwick. What do

3277
03:47:25.040 --> 03:47:29.879
you mean, Joey replied the movie? Is the movie any good?

3278
03:47:30.520 --> 03:47:35.559
She asked him again. Joey smiled at her, Yeah, I

3279
03:47:35.600 --> 03:47:39.280
think you'll like it. That doesn't tell us if it's good,

3280
03:47:39.639 --> 03:47:44.559
dumbass A kid said, yeah, you only said she'd like it.

3281
03:47:45.040 --> 03:47:49.719
What about the rest of us? Fred questioned, Oh, don't worry.

3282
03:47:50.319 --> 03:47:53.680
You have my word that it's something you'll never forget.

3283
03:47:54.239 --> 03:47:59.200
Joey told them, with his best customer service smile. Whatever

3284
03:47:59.719 --> 03:48:03.079
Fred said, before he and the others head towards the door.

3285
03:48:04.079 --> 03:48:08.079
Mister Benford stood beside Joey, whose smile was turning into

3286
03:48:08.079 --> 03:48:14.680
a smirk. What's you thinking about, my boy, he asked Joey. Oh,

3287
03:48:15.120 --> 03:48:18.479
just something my father used to tell me. What was that?

3288
03:48:20.079 --> 03:48:24.479
Garbage in? Joey started as the bell to the door rang.

3289
03:48:24.639 --> 03:48:27.680
As the group of teenagers left the video store, the

3290
03:48:27.760 --> 03:48:40.239
door closing behind them, Garbage Out returned to cry Baby

3291
03:48:40.280 --> 03:48:46.360
Bridge by Rob Fields. Ah Man, Yeah, I suppose I

3292
03:48:46.360 --> 03:48:49.239
ought to be glad. Ariel Mirrn invited me to another

3293
03:48:49.280 --> 03:48:53.319
one of her parties. There's two problems with this. The

3294
03:48:53.399 --> 03:48:58.200
first one it's another mirror and only event. These parties

3295
03:48:58.239 --> 03:49:02.040
take place at a different mirror, Man inside the gated community.

3296
03:49:02.879 --> 03:49:06.520
This time up it's at Ariels. If you're wondering if

3297
03:49:06.559 --> 03:49:10.360
I'm feeling kind of scared right now, you ain't far off.

3298
03:49:11.120 --> 03:49:13.600
Imagine you being the only one at this thing who

3299
03:49:13.639 --> 03:49:17.479
ain't a mirror. Everybody's dressed all fancy and stuff. The

3300
03:49:17.559 --> 03:49:20.879
gents are wearing nice suits and the ladies are wearing gowns.

3301
03:49:21.360 --> 03:49:24.079
I'm the only one here who ain't wearing fancy clothes.

3302
03:49:24.920 --> 03:49:28.360
I'm sure getting dirty looks from people either. For the

3303
03:49:28.399 --> 03:49:31.600
clothes I'm wearing, or because they know I ain't a mirror.

3304
03:49:32.399 --> 03:49:35.680
Maybe it's both, which brings me to the second problem.

3305
03:49:36.440 --> 03:49:39.840
Tonight is Halloween. I was hoping to be out trick

3306
03:49:39.879 --> 03:49:44.479
or treating with Carter Cross, my next door neighbor and buddy. Unfortunately,

3307
03:49:45.079 --> 03:49:48.120
Ariel intercepted me when she saw me at Strickfield Town

3308
03:49:48.200 --> 03:49:51.760
Center Mall with Mom this afternoon. As soon as she

3309
03:49:51.840 --> 03:49:56.000
saw me going into Spirit Halloween, Ariel all but cornered

3310
03:49:56.040 --> 03:49:58.559
me and said I was coming to her party, and

3311
03:49:58.600 --> 03:50:03.319
with Ariel, you can't it really refuse because she's Ariel.

3312
03:50:03.959 --> 03:50:06.120
So here I am at Ariels and keeping on high

3313
03:50:06.159 --> 03:50:09.799
alert while holding a saucer and drinking a cup of coffee.

3314
03:50:10.319 --> 03:50:12.399
I almost got half a mind to bail and go

3315
03:50:12.479 --> 03:50:15.280
trick or treating with Carter, but I know I'll never

3316
03:50:15.360 --> 03:50:18.680
hear the end of it from Ariel, speaking of whom

3317
03:50:18.760 --> 03:50:22.920
she's back, I'm telling you, Mouse, the only reason I

3318
03:50:22.920 --> 03:50:25.639
think Mom makes me attend these parties is to keep

3319
03:50:25.639 --> 03:50:28.840
my little goober of a cousin, Stewart away from everything.

3320
03:50:29.319 --> 03:50:33.040
Ariel tells me he's the cousin. You're always babysitting, right,

3321
03:50:33.440 --> 03:50:37.600
I ask Ariel, groans, I might as well be his mom,

3322
03:50:37.719 --> 03:50:40.639
since I'm the only person who has to watch him

3323
03:50:40.639 --> 03:50:43.920
all the time. Either Aunt Margaret drops him off here

3324
03:50:43.959 --> 03:50:46.479
for me to babysit, or I'm told to entertain him

3325
03:50:46.479 --> 03:50:49.719
at family events to keep him out of trouble. I've

3326
03:50:49.760 --> 03:50:52.440
been meaning to ask Ariel why she keeps inviting me

3327
03:50:52.479 --> 03:50:55.319
to these things. I think I get it now. I'm

3328
03:50:55.319 --> 03:50:59.680
probably the one person here keeping her saying. Also, Ariel's

3329
03:50:59.680 --> 03:51:02.639
mom told her, on no uncertain terms that Mona Abeles

3330
03:51:02.680 --> 03:51:06.120
and Bailey Downs ain't allowed at mir and only functions.

3331
03:51:06.239 --> 03:51:10.520
So what makes me so special? Ariel's dressed like a

3332
03:51:10.559 --> 03:51:14.319
proper princess like the other girls here her age. I

3333
03:51:14.360 --> 03:51:16.799
know what you're thinking, Mouse. I invite you to these

3334
03:51:16.799 --> 03:51:20.479
events because I've got to have someone I know that

3335
03:51:20.520 --> 03:51:24.000
I can talk to. Mom can't stand Bailey and Mona,

3336
03:51:24.440 --> 03:51:28.719
but seems to like you. I barely even know your parents, Ariel.

3337
03:51:29.079 --> 03:51:32.680
I tell her, my mom knows your mom. She explains,

3338
03:51:33.159 --> 03:51:34.879
she pays your mom to do the artwork for the

3339
03:51:34.959 --> 03:51:38.159
video games. My mom codes she's got another one coming

3340
03:51:38.200 --> 03:51:41.639
out just in time for the holidays. Don't you mean

3341
03:51:41.760 --> 03:51:46.079
your mom knows me? I say, and then I'm in trouble.

3342
03:51:46.719 --> 03:51:49.639
Next thing, I know Ariel's mom, Adrian comes over to

3343
03:51:49.680 --> 03:51:53.399
where we are. Now, She's given me this weird scowl,

3344
03:51:54.079 --> 03:51:58.799
probably upset i'm here. Then again, she always looks like that.

3345
03:51:59.479 --> 03:52:03.079
Next thing, I I know, Adrian's examining my scarf. Do

3346
03:52:03.120 --> 03:52:07.000
you always dress this way, Madeline? She asks me. I

3347
03:52:07.000 --> 03:52:10.760
ain't really sure how to answer. He is everything okay, mom,

3348
03:52:11.000 --> 03:52:15.479
Ariel asks her. Oh yeah, Ariel's practically a smaller, younger

3349
03:52:15.600 --> 03:52:18.920
version of her mom. By the way, May I ask

3350
03:52:18.959 --> 03:52:22.639
where you purchase your berets and scarves? Adrian asks me,

3351
03:52:23.120 --> 03:52:26.840
ignoring Ariel. I start to talk to Adrian, but then

3352
03:52:26.879 --> 03:52:29.920
I remember Ariel telling me not to talk too loosely

3353
03:52:30.000 --> 03:52:33.559
around her. I buy them at Dillard's store at your

3354
03:52:33.600 --> 03:52:36.520
family's mall. It's the only place I know that sells them.

3355
03:52:37.079 --> 03:52:40.479
Adrian looks me over again. I'm the only female here

3356
03:52:40.520 --> 03:52:43.479
who ain't wearing a dress, just wearing a pair of

3357
03:52:43.559 --> 03:52:46.879
dress pants, a nice blouse with a match in vest, dress,

3358
03:52:46.920 --> 03:52:50.520
shoes with comfy socks, and my beret and scarf. Oh

3359
03:52:50.559 --> 03:52:55.360
in my velma dinkly looking glasses. Then Adrian lets go

3360
03:52:55.440 --> 03:52:57.959
of my scarf. Next thing, I know her eyes are

3361
03:52:58.000 --> 03:53:05.239
wide open. Are you drinking coffee, Madeline? It's quite delicious, ma'am,

3362
03:53:05.600 --> 03:53:09.920
I reply. She raises an eyebrow. Aren't you a bit

3363
03:53:10.079 --> 03:53:14.360
young to be drinking coffee? Well, you did tell me

3364
03:53:14.399 --> 03:53:17.159
to help myself to whatever I wanted. I remind her,

3365
03:53:17.760 --> 03:53:20.360
I wanted to try some of your coffee. I'm guessing

3366
03:53:20.399 --> 03:53:23.120
you don't buy it from anywhere here in town. Out

3367
03:53:23.159 --> 03:53:25.239
of the corner of my eye, I can see Ariel

3368
03:53:25.280 --> 03:53:28.200
giving me a worried look, like she's asking me what

3369
03:53:28.239 --> 03:53:32.760
I'm doing. Then I quickly compose myself. I'm thinking you

3370
03:53:32.799 --> 03:53:35.159
offered some of your coffee to mom when you invited

3371
03:53:35.159 --> 03:53:37.399
her here to talk about her artwork for your games.

3372
03:53:37.879 --> 03:53:40.440
She brought some home and let me try some. I've

3373
03:53:40.479 --> 03:53:44.440
been drinking coffee since I was nine. Adrian nods once.

3374
03:53:45.280 --> 03:53:47.280
Then I'll give you some more to take home with you.

3375
03:53:48.000 --> 03:53:51.399
I actually don't drink coffee myself. My sister brought it

3376
03:53:51.399 --> 03:53:54.120
for me from one of her travels in Brazil. I

3377
03:53:54.159 --> 03:53:57.680
only put coffee out at our family gatherings. She reaches

3378
03:53:57.719 --> 03:54:01.000
over and picks up the cathay. Then she tops me off.

3379
03:54:01.639 --> 03:54:04.079
I'll be sending your mom's artwork home with you as well.

3380
03:54:04.479 --> 03:54:07.280
Don't worry, I've approved it, so she'll be pleased to

3381
03:54:07.319 --> 03:54:11.040
know that. Adriane and I talk a little longer. Then

3382
03:54:11.079 --> 03:54:14.959
she excuses herself and walks away. Now I slowly turn

3383
03:54:15.040 --> 03:54:17.879
and face Ariel. You could have at least made a

3384
03:54:17.879 --> 03:54:22.079
little plate of cheese or something. Ariel groans, Oh, cause

3385
03:54:22.120 --> 03:54:24.159
you call me mouse right? I reply.

3386
03:54:24.959 --> 03:54:25.200
Now.

3387
03:54:25.280 --> 03:54:28.319
Ariel just looks at me and tightens her fists. I

3388
03:54:28.479 --> 03:54:32.239
hate you, mouse Ah, What I do now? I ask?

3389
03:54:32.879 --> 03:54:35.680
I get another Ariel groan before she grabs my arm

3390
03:54:35.719 --> 03:54:38.280
and pulls me into the garage, turning on the light.

3391
03:54:38.840 --> 03:54:42.200
After she pulls the door shut, she faces me. Mom

3392
03:54:42.479 --> 03:54:46.200
never talks to me at these parties, she confesses, not

3393
03:54:46.360 --> 03:54:49.559
unless Stuart's getting into trouble again. You want to know

3394
03:54:49.600 --> 03:54:52.239
the real reason Mom doesn't want Mona and Bailey here.

3395
03:54:53.079 --> 03:54:55.559
I invited them once and told them they needed to

3396
03:54:55.639 --> 03:55:00.040
dress up. Know what they wore school clothes? Can do

3397
03:55:00.120 --> 03:55:05.280
you believe Mona and Bailey don't own any dresses? I

3398
03:55:05.319 --> 03:55:08.959
don't own any either, I pipe up. Ariel growls again,

3399
03:55:09.840 --> 03:55:12.319
you three are girls. What do you mean you don't

3400
03:55:12.360 --> 03:55:15.959
own any dresses? I shrug, Give me something to wear

3401
03:55:16.000 --> 03:55:19.000
a dress for, and I'll go buy one. Ariel balls

3402
03:55:19.000 --> 03:55:22.639
her fists. I told you to wear a dress when

3403
03:55:22.680 --> 03:55:26.840
I invite you to family gatherings. Then she clears her throat.

3404
03:55:27.959 --> 03:55:31.760
Mom immediately recognized Mona and Bailey and practically threw them out.

3405
03:55:32.479 --> 03:55:36.520
That was great Uncle Bartholomew's ninetieth birthday party, by the way,

3406
03:55:37.440 --> 03:55:40.000
But ain't mere and family party supposed to be that,

3407
03:55:40.799 --> 03:55:45.319
I ask. Ariel closes her eyes and sighs. I'm so

3408
03:55:45.680 --> 03:55:50.959
bored of these things. Mouse. I hate these parties. Unfortunately,

3409
03:55:51.040 --> 03:55:53.840
Mom won't let me skip them, at least if I'm

3410
03:55:53.840 --> 03:55:56.479
going to attend them, then I want somebody I know

3411
03:55:56.600 --> 03:55:59.639
here with me. Since Mona and Bailey are out, that

3412
03:55:59.680 --> 03:56:04.200
only leaves you face it. Mom likes you. That's why

3413
03:56:04.239 --> 03:56:06.079
she's never kicked you out of any of the family

3414
03:56:06.159 --> 03:56:10.760
parties I've invited you to. I smirk that end you

3415
03:56:10.799 --> 03:56:13.079
always say, and you'll kill me at the next slumber

3416
03:56:13.120 --> 03:56:16.840
party if I didn't come, which you know I would.

3417
03:56:17.639 --> 03:56:21.559
Ariel grins and points right at me. See, there are

3418
03:56:21.680 --> 03:56:24.239
a few things I can own you on. Then she

3419
03:56:24.360 --> 03:56:27.760
tightens her jaw. Now I just have to figure out

3420
03:56:27.760 --> 03:56:31.120
how to own Carter Cross and all can be right

3421
03:56:31.239 --> 03:56:35.799
in my world. Suddenly the garage door we came through opens.

3422
03:56:36.360 --> 03:56:41.200
Ariel's Mom's right there now. I thought I specifically instructed

3423
03:56:41.239 --> 03:56:44.559
you to keep little Stewart from getting into things. He

3424
03:56:44.760 --> 03:56:47.079
just climbed up onto one of the buffet tables and

3425
03:56:47.159 --> 03:56:50.239
knocked all kinds of food to the floor. Get in

3426
03:56:50.360 --> 03:56:54.319
here and get him. Ariel surprises her mom by tightening

3427
03:56:54.319 --> 03:56:57.719
her fists and growling, how about you go after that

3428
03:56:57.799 --> 03:57:02.799
little goober for once? And gasps, I beg your pardon.

3429
03:57:03.440 --> 03:57:07.120
I am done being Stuart's babysitter. Ariel hits the main

3430
03:57:07.159 --> 03:57:10.520
garage door opener, and just where do you think you're going,

3431
03:57:10.600 --> 03:57:14.959
young lady, Adrian demands, don't you dare think for one

3432
03:57:15.120 --> 03:57:18.639
second that you're leaving this event. Next thing I know,

3433
03:57:19.120 --> 03:57:23.079
Ariel's grabbing my arm. Come on, we're leaving. I give

3434
03:57:23.120 --> 03:57:26.399
Adrian an apologetic look as Ariel's tugging me out of

3435
03:57:26.399 --> 03:57:29.959
the garage with her. You'll be sorry for this, Ariel

3436
03:57:30.000 --> 03:57:34.479
renaissance mirror, we hear Adrian calling out behind us. Soon

3437
03:57:34.479 --> 03:57:37.760
as we start moving down the driveway, the door closes.

3438
03:57:38.239 --> 03:57:41.879
Ariel breathes a huge sigh of relief. I'm sorry you

3439
03:57:41.920 --> 03:57:46.399
saw that. Not sorry, I'm just looking at her. Now.

3440
03:57:47.120 --> 03:57:49.280
You don't think your mom's gonna get you when you

3441
03:57:49.319 --> 03:57:52.840
get back home. Then, Ariel sees, I still got my

3442
03:57:52.920 --> 03:57:56.920
cup of coffee. Finish your drink and don't break those

3443
03:57:57.440 --> 03:58:00.879
mom really will go ballistic. Then, and she holds herself

3444
03:58:00.879 --> 03:58:05.520
and shivers. Okay, I didn't think this through. Nope, my

3445
03:58:05.639 --> 03:58:08.600
jacket's still at your place too. I sip my coffee.

3446
03:58:09.079 --> 03:58:11.639
We can always go back to my place and get jackets.

3447
03:58:11.959 --> 03:58:16.159
I don't live far from your gated community. Ariel shivers more.

3448
03:58:16.200 --> 03:58:19.600
Now I guess we're going to your little mouse hole.

3449
03:58:20.360 --> 03:58:22.920
Ariel and I walk quickly to the main gate and

3450
03:58:23.000 --> 03:58:25.159
step through the side door to leave the mir and

3451
03:58:25.200 --> 03:58:29.600
gated community. We keep walking fast. Good thing it's a

3452
03:58:29.639 --> 03:58:32.760
straight shot from the Miran's main gate to my place.

3453
03:58:33.760 --> 03:58:38.600
Is that coffee still warm? Ariel asks, not much. I reply,

3454
03:58:38.879 --> 03:58:42.920
knowing what she's implying. You ain't gonna like it. When

3455
03:58:42.959 --> 03:58:45.159
Ariel's still looking at me, I hand her the rest

3456
03:58:45.200 --> 03:58:48.000
of the coffee. She takes it and takes a drink.

3457
03:58:48.319 --> 03:58:48.600
Augh.

3458
03:58:49.399 --> 03:58:51.520
I look at her with wide eyes. When the cup

3459
03:58:51.559 --> 03:58:54.680
and the saucer both fall and shatter on the sidewalk.

3460
03:58:55.239 --> 03:58:58.600
Then she looks at me again. I don't know how

3461
03:58:58.639 --> 03:59:03.559
you drink this crap mouse. I point down. Um, yes,

3462
03:59:03.799 --> 03:59:07.360
I broke them, Ariel snaps. Mom can disown me for

3463
03:59:07.440 --> 03:59:11.399
all I care. I sigh. Come on, we ain't far

3464
03:59:11.440 --> 03:59:14.799
from my place. I want to offer Ariels something to

3465
03:59:14.879 --> 03:59:17.959
help cover her bare arms. That's what you get for

3466
03:59:18.040 --> 03:59:22.399
running away in just a princess dress. Right anyway, We

3467
03:59:22.520 --> 03:59:26.399
keep walking fast until we get to my place. Nice house.

3468
03:59:26.719 --> 03:59:30.879
Ariel mutters, looking at the red brick one. Oh that's

3469
03:59:30.959 --> 03:59:34.719
Carter's place. I tell her I live in this one.

3470
03:59:34.799 --> 03:59:37.879
My place looks more like an American dream type place,

3471
03:59:38.360 --> 03:59:41.440
you know, the nice white house with the picket fence,

3472
03:59:41.680 --> 03:59:46.159
with two cars in a garage. Suddenly, the back porch

3473
03:59:46.239 --> 03:59:48.799
light next door comes on. As Ariel and me are

3474
03:59:48.840 --> 03:59:52.360
about to reach my back porch. We both turn to

3475
03:59:52.360 --> 03:59:57.719
see Carter Cross opening up and stepping outside. Madeline donnerly, Hey,

3476
03:59:58.399 --> 04:00:01.280
he points at me. Your parents wanted me to tell

3477
04:00:01.319 --> 04:00:03.079
you that they went to North Ridgeway to see your

3478
04:00:03.120 --> 04:00:06.920
aunt and uncle there. Yeah, they said they might, I reply.

3479
04:00:07.719 --> 04:00:11.680
Now Carter sees Ariel, what are you doing here, shouldn't

3480
04:00:11.719 --> 04:00:15.239
you be sitting on your throne at your palace, your highness,

3481
04:00:15.879 --> 04:00:19.600
Ariel growls and points at him. You can just shut up,

3482
04:00:19.639 --> 04:00:24.200
Carter Cross. Carter laughs, Hey, you ain't in your wald

3483
04:00:24.200 --> 04:00:27.200
off kingdom now, Princess. You're out here with the rest

3484
04:00:27.200 --> 04:00:32.239
of us peasants. Now. Then he notices, Oh, I get it.

3485
04:00:32.639 --> 04:00:34.920
Since you got ice water in your veins, you're nice

3486
04:00:34.920 --> 04:00:38.920
and comfy in the cold, right, Ariel screams and runs

3487
04:00:39.000 --> 04:00:42.040
right up onto his porch. Real easy, since Carter and

3488
04:00:42.079 --> 04:00:45.760
I share our wide driveway. Carter tries to hurry in

3489
04:00:45.799 --> 04:00:49.399
and slam the door, but he greatly underestimated both how

3490
04:00:49.440 --> 04:00:53.239
close Ariel was and how fast she can run, even

3491
04:00:53.399 --> 04:00:57.559
in her princess dress. Ah man, I mutter and walk

3492
04:00:57.600 --> 04:01:00.879
to Carter's I come inside and see Harder and Ariel

3493
04:01:01.159 --> 04:01:05.920
circling each other at his kitchen table. Ariel tightens her fists.

3494
04:01:06.159 --> 04:01:09.120
Oh you just wait, Carter Cross. Just as soon as

3495
04:01:09.120 --> 04:01:12.399
I get my hands on you, what you're gonna call

3496
04:01:12.440 --> 04:01:14.920
your royal guards and have them boil me in oil?

3497
04:01:14.959 --> 04:01:19.639
Out in the driveway, Princess, Carter teases, Yeah, time to

3498
04:01:19.680 --> 04:01:22.239
put this thing to bed for the moment I open

3499
04:01:22.319 --> 04:01:27.799
Carter's refrigerator and grab a coke here, Ariel ooh. Ariel

3500
04:01:27.840 --> 04:01:31.079
takes the can and quickly cracks it. Carter's given me

3501
04:01:31.159 --> 04:01:36.479
his weird look. Now, really, Madeline, I shrug. You wanna

3502
04:01:36.559 --> 04:01:40.239
keep tempting fate with Ariel? Carter sees I'm right and

3503
04:01:40.280 --> 04:01:45.159
backs off. He comes over to us. Now, okay, so

3504
04:01:45.280 --> 04:01:48.079
what are you guys doing here? What happened to her

3505
04:01:48.159 --> 04:01:52.520
Majesty's royal ball? Ariel looks at him and growls again.

3506
04:01:53.239 --> 04:01:56.559
Her hands are starting to crush the can. I quickly

3507
04:01:56.600 --> 04:02:00.440
step in between them. Her Majesty escaped from the ball

3508
04:02:00.520 --> 04:02:03.440
to avoid the stroke of midnight. I look at Ariel.

3509
04:02:03.920 --> 04:02:07.040
She didn't want to turn back into a Halloween pumpkin.

3510
04:02:07.920 --> 04:02:12.120
Ariel gawks at me. Now I hate you mouse. I

3511
04:02:12.200 --> 04:02:16.680
laugh a little, sorry, couldn't resist. Then I get serious.

3512
04:02:17.360 --> 04:02:21.559
Ariel had to escape from yet another family party. She

3513
04:02:21.879 --> 04:02:27.959
really hates doing them. Carter laughs, Well, looks like Princess

3514
04:02:28.040 --> 04:02:33.920
Ariel is human after all, Carter. Ariel yells, hey, rich girl,

3515
04:02:34.440 --> 04:02:38.079
you're in my house now. He reminds her, I'm the

3516
04:02:38.159 --> 04:02:46.600
king here, Queenie great Ariels hoppin mad again? Oh you

3517
04:02:46.600 --> 04:02:51.559
you before? Ariel can scream her blood curdling scream. I

3518
04:02:51.680 --> 04:02:55.239
quickly raise my hands in between them. Come on, you

3519
04:02:55.360 --> 04:03:00.840
two truce just for tonight. They both look at me.

3520
04:03:01.559 --> 04:03:06.719
Now they're looking at each other again. Nah, they utter together.

3521
04:03:07.920 --> 04:03:11.959
Carter points at Ariel. Come on, your majesty, what are

3522
04:03:11.959 --> 04:03:17.440
you doing here? Huh? Ariel growls again. Mouse just told you,

3523
04:03:17.440 --> 04:03:21.719
you buffoon. What's the matter you got butter in your ears?

3524
04:03:22.280 --> 04:03:27.639
Carter sneers better than rocks in your head? Ah man.

3525
04:03:28.360 --> 04:03:32.200
Ariel screams her blood curdling scream and drops the pop.

3526
04:03:33.000 --> 04:03:35.920
Now she's right on top of Carter and attacking him

3527
04:03:36.000 --> 04:03:39.920
like a wild creature. Carter's holding her wrists and laughing.

3528
04:03:40.920 --> 04:03:45.319
I sigh and work on cleaning up the pop. Next thing,

3529
04:03:45.360 --> 04:03:49.399
I know, they just stop. I look right at him

3530
04:03:49.440 --> 04:03:54.040
and see they're just looking right at each other. Ariel's

3531
04:03:54.040 --> 04:03:58.159
still mad, and Carter's still holding her wrists. You want

3532
04:03:58.159 --> 04:04:02.200
to know what, I know? Carter and Ariel like each other.

3533
04:04:02.639 --> 04:04:06.479
They don't want to admit it, but I can see it. Yeah, yeah,

3534
04:04:06.520 --> 04:04:10.159
I know. They fight all the time. Ariel's always drinking

3535
04:04:10.159 --> 04:04:13.760
his SODA's and treating him like he's beneath her. Carter

3536
04:04:13.879 --> 04:04:16.360
won't give in to Ariel at school and makes fun

3537
04:04:16.399 --> 04:04:19.399
of her instead. But I seen this kind of thing

3538
04:04:19.479 --> 04:04:22.719
between them. I even caught Carter looking at picks of

3539
04:04:22.719 --> 04:04:26.319
her on his phone. And no, he don't know. I know.

3540
04:04:27.639 --> 04:04:32.520
I quickly move to him. Now truce, you guys, please.

3541
04:04:33.760 --> 04:04:37.159
Carter slowly lets Ariel's risks go when I help her up.

3542
04:04:37.719 --> 04:04:41.159
Then Carter gets up too. He holds out his hand

3543
04:04:41.159 --> 04:04:47.319
to Ariel. Okay, truce. Ariel's still looking mad, but she

3544
04:04:47.399 --> 04:04:53.040
shakes his hand. Truce, but just for tonight. Suddenly there's

3545
04:04:53.079 --> 04:04:57.200
a knocking at the front door. Probably tricker treaters, I

3546
04:04:57.280 --> 04:05:01.719
tell Carter. He shakes his head. Can't be Madeline. I

3547
04:05:01.719 --> 04:05:04.719
ain't got the front porch light on. Besides, I'm about

3548
04:05:04.719 --> 04:05:07.799
to go trick or treating myself. You two can come

3549
04:05:07.840 --> 04:05:11.559
with open up. We know you're in there. Don't make

3550
04:05:11.639 --> 04:05:15.319
us kick this door in, Carter. We hear from the

3551
04:05:15.360 --> 04:05:21.799
front door. Ariel groans and moves to the front door.

3552
04:05:22.479 --> 04:05:25.920
She opens it to reveal Mona Abels and Bailey Downs,

3553
04:05:26.360 --> 04:05:30.040
two of Ariel's besties. I look at Carter, who gives

3554
04:05:30.040 --> 04:05:32.360
me a kind of angry look for Ariel letting her

3555
04:05:32.399 --> 04:05:36.840
friends in his house. I just shrug. Ariel's gonna be Ariel.

3556
04:05:37.719 --> 04:05:40.639
How did you two know I was here? Ariel asks him.

3557
04:05:41.319 --> 04:05:44.600
Bailey laughs, Mona, and I heard you scream when we

3558
04:05:44.680 --> 04:05:47.879
passed by while we were trick or treating. She's dressed

3559
04:05:47.959 --> 04:05:52.879
up like a Ghostbuster, complete with a replica proton pack. Yeah,

3560
04:05:53.040 --> 04:05:55.000
you're the only girl we know who can scream the

3561
04:05:55.000 --> 04:05:58.639
way you do. Mona adds. She's the one who threatened

3562
04:05:58.639 --> 04:06:02.280
to kick Carter's door in, and she's dressed up like food.

3563
04:06:03.280 --> 04:06:07.399
Mona sees me, now, what are you looking at? Mouse? Yes,

3564
04:06:07.879 --> 04:06:12.440
I'm a Denoyer's grilled cheeseburger. Shut up, I shrug, you

3565
04:06:12.520 --> 04:06:16.520
do you? Then Carter speaks up, long as you three

3566
04:06:16.559 --> 04:06:18.840
are here in my house, you ain't picking on Madeline.

3567
04:06:19.639 --> 04:06:23.559
Ariel actually backs him up. Truce for tonight, you guys.

3568
04:06:24.319 --> 04:06:28.600
Then Bailey notices, hey, wait a minute, ain't you supposed

3569
04:06:28.600 --> 04:06:31.719
to be at your party? Mouse and I both made

3570
04:06:31.719 --> 04:06:35.479
a jail break, Ariel told him in a nutshell, now

3571
04:06:35.680 --> 04:06:40.680
we're here, Bailey and Mona listen to Ariel's story. Okay,

3572
04:06:40.799 --> 04:06:44.920
so what now? Mona asks? Then her eyes go wide,

3573
04:06:45.719 --> 04:06:49.479
what are you looking at? Carter? Then she's walking into

3574
04:06:49.520 --> 04:06:52.959
the den. The rest of us follow her. Then we're

3575
04:06:53.000 --> 04:06:57.000
all around the computer. Carter sits down and tells us

3576
04:06:57.479 --> 04:07:00.799
I was just looking over some strickfield life local legends

3577
04:07:00.799 --> 04:07:04.680
on the university's website. He looks at Mona. What's the

3578
04:07:04.719 --> 04:07:09.399
big deal? Bailey answers for her. Mona and I were

3579
04:07:09.440 --> 04:07:13.159
actually just talking about that legend, the one you're looking

3580
04:07:13.200 --> 04:07:17.280
at right now, Carter, what are the chances? Carter looks

3581
04:07:17.319 --> 04:07:21.520
at the screen the cry Baby Bridge. I was just

3582
04:07:21.600 --> 04:07:25.479
looking at it. Never really heard of this legend. I

3583
04:07:25.559 --> 04:07:30.879
look his way now, really Nope. Then he looks at

3584
04:07:30.920 --> 04:07:34.479
Mona and Bailey. Okay, so you two were saying this

3585
04:07:34.639 --> 04:07:39.600
is a local legend. Yeah right, it is a local legend.

3586
04:07:39.959 --> 04:07:43.959
Mona snaps. The bridge is located on Indian Hollow Road.

3587
04:07:44.360 --> 04:07:48.120
It ain't far from Denoyer's grill. Ariel rolls her eyes.

3588
04:07:48.879 --> 04:07:53.000
Listen to you talking about ghosts and things again, Mona

3589
04:07:53.120 --> 04:07:56.559
growls and bumps. Ariel, you don't get to go there,

3590
04:07:56.879 --> 04:08:00.319
especially when we all ended up seeing Bloody Mary last month.

3591
04:08:01.159 --> 04:08:03.239
When the three of them see Carter and me just

3592
04:08:03.600 --> 04:08:08.000
looking at him, they sure get quiet fast. Something you

3593
04:08:08.559 --> 04:08:13.440
want to tell us, Carter asks, No, they all say together.

3594
04:08:14.360 --> 04:08:17.959
Ariel points at me, now and you be quiet, Mouse,

3595
04:08:18.879 --> 04:08:23.200
I just shrug. I ain't said nothing. We pinky promised

3596
04:08:23.200 --> 04:08:28.319
on that, remember now. Carter looks at me. Sorry, buddy,

3597
04:08:28.680 --> 04:08:32.040
but a pinky promise is a pinky promise. We made

3598
04:08:32.079 --> 04:08:35.639
a few ourselves. Ariel's gotta tell you because I can't.

3599
04:08:36.319 --> 04:08:40.719
Carter nods. Then he asks Mona and Bailey, what made

3600
04:08:40.760 --> 04:08:44.360
you two talk about the cry baby bridge anyway? People

3601
04:08:44.440 --> 04:08:48.479
were talking about it at Roth's rings. Bailey says, we

3602
04:08:48.559 --> 04:08:51.360
stopped there for a little bit, then we came this way.

3603
04:08:51.680 --> 04:08:56.479
Heard Ariel scream. You know the rest. Okay, since we're

3604
04:08:56.520 --> 04:09:01.239
all here together, Now, what's the plan? Ariel asks? Carter says,

3605
04:09:02.159 --> 04:09:04.360
I guess we can all go trick or treating since

3606
04:09:04.399 --> 04:09:08.479
everybody's dressed for it, Ariel and me ain't wearing costumes,

3607
04:09:08.760 --> 04:09:11.719
I point out. Ariel smirks and puts a hand on

3608
04:09:11.760 --> 04:09:17.559
her shoulder, Princess. Then she puts a hand on my shoulder, Aristocrat.

3609
04:09:18.079 --> 04:09:22.719
Problem solved, mouse or maybe put mickey Mouseer's on her.

3610
04:09:23.159 --> 04:09:26.719
Mona cracks. Carter's about to get on her, but Ariel

3611
04:09:26.719 --> 04:09:30.319
beats him to it. Truce tonight. That means you and

3612
04:09:30.440 --> 04:09:34.479
Bailey too. Mona ain't wanting none of it, but Bailey

3613
04:09:34.559 --> 04:09:37.200
puts a hand on her shoulder. Come on, girl, we

3614
04:09:37.239 --> 04:09:41.159
can truce for one night. It's Halloween. Let's just have

3615
04:09:41.280 --> 04:09:47.079
some fun. Mona size fine truce, but we're going to

3616
04:09:47.120 --> 04:09:50.840
Denoyer's grill right after we're done trick or treating. Sounds

3617
04:09:50.879 --> 04:09:55.440
like a plan. Carter agrees. Carter's wearing his Strickfield Junior

3618
04:09:55.520 --> 04:09:58.959
High football uniform as his costume. Then he gets Ariel

3619
04:09:59.000 --> 04:10:01.600
in me a couple of how Halloween trick or treat baskets.

3620
04:10:02.079 --> 04:10:05.040
Ariel's is a green skull and mine's a purple jack

3621
04:10:05.079 --> 04:10:08.360
a lantern. After he gets Ariel and me jackets, he

3622
04:10:08.440 --> 04:10:11.479
grabs his pillow sack and we're all out the front door.

3623
04:10:12.159 --> 04:10:14.239
The five of us make the rounds in the village

3624
04:10:14.239 --> 04:10:17.159
and get all kinds of goodies. Carter and me went

3625
04:10:17.200 --> 04:10:20.159
trick or treating a few times this week. Sure is

3626
04:10:20.280 --> 04:10:22.559
nice that the people of Strickfield voted it a week

3627
04:10:22.639 --> 04:10:27.680
long and there's no school today or tomorrow. Also, you

3628
04:10:27.799 --> 04:10:31.600
should see all the decorations. People really go all out

3629
04:10:31.639 --> 04:10:34.959
for Halloween here. It's the most wonderful time of the

3630
04:10:35.040 --> 04:10:39.399
year for sure. We eventually decide after Denoyer's grill that

3631
04:10:39.479 --> 04:10:42.000
will all gather in my living room since mom and

3632
04:10:42.079 --> 04:10:45.680
dad ain't coming home till tomorrow afternoon, sometime, we'll watch

3633
04:10:45.719 --> 04:10:49.239
scary movies and just hang out. I think I suggested

3634
04:10:49.280 --> 04:10:53.399
that because it's Halloween and because Ariel's mom called. We

3635
04:10:53.520 --> 04:10:55.520
all just looked at each other as Ariel and her

3636
04:10:55.559 --> 04:10:58.959
mom got into it. Ariel ended up screaming and dropping

3637
04:10:58.959 --> 04:11:01.799
her phone into a creek on purpose as we crossed

3638
04:11:01.799 --> 04:11:06.159
a bridge. That was when I suggested movies. We end

3639
04:11:06.239 --> 04:11:08.879
up dropping back at Carter's a few times to drop

3640
04:11:08.920 --> 04:11:11.719
off all the candy we got. When we drop by

3641
04:11:11.760 --> 04:11:16.159
there again, Mona speaks up, guys, let's go to Denoyer's grill.

3642
04:11:16.239 --> 04:11:21.079
I'm really hungry. You already ate three candy bars, Ariel says,

3643
04:11:21.840 --> 04:11:25.040
and those caramel apple donuts you just had at Roth's rings.

3644
04:11:25.799 --> 04:11:30.680
Bailey ads, Mona groans, I'm sorry you guys. All the

3645
04:11:30.719 --> 04:11:35.040
walking we're doing is making me hungry. Then Carter asks everybody,

3646
04:11:35.959 --> 04:11:39.520
you guys think we got enough candy? Looks like Mona's

3647
04:11:39.520 --> 04:11:43.120
gonna win. We got more than enough candy, so we

3648
04:11:43.200 --> 04:11:46.360
stop trick or treating. Around nine thirty and walk out

3649
04:11:46.360 --> 04:11:50.079
to Denoyer's grill. About twenty minutes later, we're going in.

3650
04:11:50.760 --> 04:11:53.280
Denoyer himself seats all of us in a booth and

3651
04:11:53.319 --> 04:11:57.079
gives us menus. I can't wait, I've been thinking about

3652
04:11:57.079 --> 04:12:01.959
this place all day, Mona says excitedly. Bailey turns to her,

3653
04:12:02.559 --> 04:12:05.639
why don't you just move out here already? I'm sitting

3654
04:12:05.639 --> 04:12:08.879
outside the booth with a chair from another table. Carter

3655
04:12:08.959 --> 04:12:10.920
and Ariel kind of look at each other as they

3656
04:12:10.959 --> 04:12:14.639
sit together and watch Mona and Bailey bicker. Truth is,

3657
04:12:15.200 --> 04:12:18.280
I've been hanging out with everybody here for years. Mona

3658
04:12:18.399 --> 04:12:22.000
loves to eat. Fortunately for her, she doesn't show it.

3659
04:12:22.799 --> 04:12:25.479
When we have pizza at Ariels sleepovers every Friday night,

3660
04:12:25.639 --> 04:12:29.079
Mona eats the most. Anyway, I'm used to her and

3661
04:12:29.159 --> 04:12:33.639
Bailey's bickering. By now, Denoyer comes and takes our orders

3662
04:12:33.879 --> 04:12:37.120
and puts a cheeseburger that almost resembles Mona's costume down

3663
04:12:37.120 --> 04:12:42.399
in front of her Mona. Ariel asks, Mona's got a

3664
04:12:42.440 --> 04:12:45.399
big smile now. When she sees us looking at her,

3665
04:12:45.440 --> 04:12:48.280
she points to the door. Fler there says, if you

3666
04:12:48.319 --> 04:12:51.520
come dressed like a Denoyer's cheeseburger on Halloween, you get

3667
04:12:51.520 --> 04:12:55.959
one for free, and there's yours. Denoyer tells her. I

3668
04:12:56.040 --> 04:12:58.559
look up at him. How many of you given away

3669
04:12:58.600 --> 04:13:02.399
for that today? Mona here makes six? He tells me.

3670
04:13:03.200 --> 04:13:05.719
Not too many people take it seriously. I do it

3671
04:13:05.760 --> 04:13:08.840
every year. Soon as we give our orders, it ain't

3672
04:13:08.879 --> 04:13:13.360
long before there's more surprises. Maddie, I look and see

3673
04:13:14.000 --> 04:13:18.760
Aine Aine's short for Einstein, a name cousin Aileen's older

3674
04:13:18.799 --> 04:13:23.360
brother Martin gave her years ago. Wow they really are twins,

3675
04:13:23.920 --> 04:13:27.799
I hear Ariel whisper to Carter. People say, cousin Aileen

3676
04:13:27.879 --> 04:13:32.360
and I look exactly alike, twin cousins. We got the

3677
04:13:32.440 --> 04:13:37.120
same long brown hair, same faces, same height, same voices,

3678
04:13:37.760 --> 04:13:42.319
and even the same velma dinkly looking glasses. Keep in mind,

3679
04:13:42.399 --> 04:13:46.559
though I'm in the seventh grade, Aileen's a senior at

3680
04:13:46.559 --> 04:13:51.319
Strickfield High. Now everybody else at my table can gawk

3681
04:13:51.360 --> 04:13:54.760
when cousin Aileen and I hug. Then I see she

3682
04:13:54.799 --> 04:14:00.959
ain't alone. Bell's Hi, bella Tabon smiles. Didn't think Ainie

3683
04:14:01.000 --> 04:14:04.319
and I would run into you here, Maddie. Cousin Aileen

3684
04:14:04.440 --> 04:14:07.120
and Bell's sit in the booth across from mars So

3685
04:14:07.200 --> 04:14:09.959
I sit with them. It's all the same, since we're

3686
04:14:10.000 --> 04:14:12.479
all here to eat and have fun. I can see

3687
04:14:12.520 --> 04:14:17.319
Ariels admiring Bells's costume. She's dressed up kind of like Elvira,

3688
04:14:17.639 --> 04:14:21.079
except she's got her vampire face on. For the record,

3689
04:14:21.799 --> 04:14:25.600
Bell's is a real vampire cousin. Aleen's dressed up like

3690
04:14:25.639 --> 04:14:29.200
an eighties chick. Anyway, you should have seen the faces

3691
04:14:29.239 --> 04:14:33.079
on everybody I came here with. When Bells gives her order, yep,

3692
04:14:33.559 --> 04:14:37.719
they heard her order five bacon cheeseburger platters and a

3693
04:14:37.760 --> 04:14:42.120
big pitcher of coke. See, Bell's is a different kind

3694
04:14:42.159 --> 04:14:45.639
of vampire. She don't drink blood. She's a day walker,

3695
04:14:45.719 --> 04:14:49.600
and she eats lots and lots of food. And you

3696
04:14:49.639 --> 04:14:53.360
guys give me a hard time about my appetite, Mona mutters.

3697
04:14:53.879 --> 04:14:56.280
So the seven of us are just hanging out and

3698
04:14:56.360 --> 04:15:00.000
enjoying the great food. Much to the surprise of everybody else,

3699
04:15:00.399 --> 04:15:04.239
Bella eats every bite. She even orders a whole pumpkin

3700
04:15:04.399 --> 04:15:08.120
silk pie for dessert. And then Bells gives everybody a

3701
04:15:08.239 --> 04:15:12.600
huge treat by paying for everybody. Yeah, being a tab on,

3702
04:15:12.760 --> 04:15:15.920
she's definitely got money. I don't know if it's like

3703
04:15:16.079 --> 04:15:20.200
Ariel's money. But but Bells can definitely afford to eat

3704
04:15:20.319 --> 04:15:23.559
and pay her fair share of everything since she lives

3705
04:15:23.559 --> 04:15:29.360
with Iiny, I'm stuffed. Ainy says, you only ate a

3706
04:15:29.360 --> 04:15:33.200
plate of fries. Maddie, you never eat much. I eat

3707
04:15:33.239 --> 04:15:35.639
what I gotta eat, and I'm done. I tell her.

3708
04:15:36.440 --> 04:15:40.680
Bell's sneers more like you drink what Iiny eats. That's

3709
04:15:40.719 --> 04:15:44.879
your fifth cup of coffee, I shrug. Denoyer's got pumpkin

3710
04:15:45.000 --> 04:15:48.000
chie death wish coffee. That and I gotta stay up

3711
04:15:48.040 --> 04:15:53.440
all night with my people movies, Iiny asks, Yeah, Mom

3712
04:15:53.479 --> 04:15:55.760
and dadd ain't home, so I can host at my place.

3713
04:15:56.159 --> 04:16:00.719
You and Bells should come, I say, Iiny yawns. I

3714
04:16:00.719 --> 04:16:03.440
don't think it's gonna happen. I got up way too

3715
04:16:03.440 --> 04:16:06.040
early this morning, forgot we didn't have school today and

3716
04:16:06.399 --> 04:16:09.600
couldn't get back to sleep. When we're all done, I

3717
04:16:09.639 --> 04:16:13.399
share hugs with Bells and Iiny. We leave Denoyer's grill

3718
04:16:13.559 --> 04:16:17.760
just after they do. Q two could be sisters. Mona

3719
04:16:17.840 --> 04:16:20.479
tells me, ain't the first time I heard that one?

3720
04:16:20.719 --> 04:16:23.719
I reply, I don't think I can tell them apart.

3721
04:16:24.000 --> 04:16:30.079
Ariel says, I can. Bailey speaks up. How Mona challenges her.

3722
04:16:30.760 --> 04:16:35.520
Bailey smirks, it's all in the eyes. No, come on,

3723
04:16:36.040 --> 04:16:40.879
Ariel groans, how do you know, Bailey? I just told you?

3724
04:16:41.479 --> 04:16:45.200
She groans back. When Ariel and Mona sigh like they've

3725
04:16:45.239 --> 04:16:49.120
been crushed, I snicker to myself, Get what Bailey's trying

3726
04:16:49.159 --> 04:16:53.360
to tell them. That's right, it's our eyes. Aleen's got

3727
04:16:53.399 --> 04:16:57.559
brown ones and mine are blue. Okay, let's go to

3728
04:16:57.600 --> 04:17:01.600
Madeline's and watch some movies, Carter said. Then he says

3729
04:17:01.639 --> 04:17:04.760
to Ariel, I still can't believe you just tossed your

3730
04:17:04.799 --> 04:17:08.239
phone in the water like that. Mom will get over it.

3731
04:17:08.719 --> 04:17:14.000
Ariel replies. As we're almost off Denoyer's property, Mona suddenly

3732
04:17:14.040 --> 04:17:18.680
stops us. You guys, remember when we were talking about

3733
04:17:18.680 --> 04:17:22.520
the cry Baby Bridge earlier. We're not far from there.

3734
04:17:22.959 --> 04:17:27.639
We should totally go and check it out. Bailey's excited now.

3735
04:17:28.280 --> 04:17:32.159
Mona's right, Indian Hollow Road ain't far from here, maybe

3736
04:17:32.159 --> 04:17:35.440
a half hour walk to that bridge. Tops. Let's go

3737
04:17:35.559 --> 04:17:38.280
check it out. Then we can go to Mouse's house

3738
04:17:38.280 --> 04:17:42.479
and watch movies. Carter bumps my shoulder a little. What

3739
04:17:42.520 --> 04:17:48.319
do you think, Madeline? I shrug. It's Halloween right for

3740
04:17:48.399 --> 04:17:52.159
at least another half hour anyway, Ariel says, looking at

3741
04:17:52.159 --> 04:17:55.799
her smart watch. Yeah, but who really goes by the

3742
04:17:55.879 --> 04:18:00.120
clock on Halloween night? Bailey mutters, people are still I'm

3743
04:18:00.120 --> 04:18:03.040
going to be celebrating into the late hours, kind of

3744
04:18:03.120 --> 04:18:08.079
like us. Now I get a little goofy. I don't know, Carter,

3745
04:18:08.639 --> 04:18:11.120
I don't think these other girls want to tempt fate

3746
04:18:11.520 --> 04:18:14.559
going out to that bridge. I point to him. Now,

3747
04:18:15.280 --> 04:18:18.280
remember you three said you saw Bloody Mary last month

3748
04:18:18.319 --> 04:18:23.159
at one of Ariel's sleepovers. Ariel holds yourself a little Oh,

3749
04:18:23.200 --> 04:18:28.520
shut up, Carter and I start laughing. Ariel titans her fists.

3750
04:18:29.399 --> 04:18:33.639
I hate you mouse, I'm just funning. Come on, you guys,

3751
04:18:34.000 --> 04:18:38.360
it's Halloween, I remind him. So we turn and start

3752
04:18:38.399 --> 04:18:42.760
walking to Indian Hollow Road. Mona kind of shivers a little. Now,

3753
04:18:43.520 --> 04:18:46.040
thank god, we ain't seen Bloody Mary in our mirrors

3754
04:18:46.079 --> 04:18:50.760
again since last month, assuming we weren't really just seeing

3755
04:18:50.799 --> 04:18:55.040
things to begin with, You three afraid of ghosts? Carter

3756
04:18:55.159 --> 04:19:00.319
asks him. Then Ariel slaps his arm. Ow shut up, Carter,

3757
04:19:00.920 --> 04:19:05.079
she mutters. After Carter pulls his phone out, what are

3758
04:19:05.120 --> 04:19:08.879
you looking at? Bailey asks him, Since it'll take us

3759
04:19:08.920 --> 04:19:10.959
a little bit to get to the cry Baby Bridge.

3760
04:19:11.440 --> 04:19:15.120
We might as well look into it, he answers. Here

3761
04:19:15.159 --> 04:19:20.319
we are right on Strickfield University's website. Carter tells us

3762
04:19:20.360 --> 04:19:23.440
the story about how the bridge was built. During the

3763
04:19:23.479 --> 04:19:27.959
American Civil War years, Abigail Tomlin was promised to this

3764
04:19:28.159 --> 04:19:32.200
rich lord named Alvin. Abigail had no real desire to

3765
04:19:32.280 --> 04:19:35.159
marry Alvin and fought him every step of the way.

3766
04:19:35.920 --> 04:19:39.559
And even though Abigail became pregnant with Alvin's child, she

3767
04:19:39.799 --> 04:19:44.239
still refused to marry him. Shortly after she'd given birth

3768
04:19:44.280 --> 04:19:49.520
to Arthur, Abigail took her son and fled. It wasn't

3769
04:19:49.559 --> 04:19:53.079
long before Alvin learned she ran away and pursued her.

3770
04:19:53.840 --> 04:19:56.639
It was on that bridge we're all on her way

3771
04:19:56.680 --> 04:20:00.959
to now where Alvin caught up to her. Abigail Tomlin

3772
04:20:01.079 --> 04:20:05.719
still refused to marry him. Furthermore, she refused to hand

3773
04:20:05.840 --> 04:20:09.479
Arthur over to him. She knew Alvin had a pistol

3774
04:20:10.239 --> 04:20:14.840
Abigail had won herself. They both drew and were at

3775
04:20:14.879 --> 04:20:19.760
a standoff. Alvin was more treacherous and shot her first.

3776
04:20:20.799 --> 04:20:24.479
Abigail shot and wounded him too. More shots were fired

3777
04:20:24.520 --> 04:20:28.559
until Abigail was about to die, she still refused to

3778
04:20:28.639 --> 04:20:32.639
marry Alvin and give the crying Arthur to him. Since

3779
04:20:32.680 --> 04:20:36.360
Alvin knew he could never have Abigail's heart, he shot

3780
04:20:36.399 --> 04:20:41.159
her and finished her off. Alvin hadn't planned on Abigail

3781
04:20:41.280 --> 04:20:45.079
leaning against the bridge's railing and taking both her and

3782
04:20:45.159 --> 04:20:48.840
their son into the raging waters of the Castalia River.

3783
04:20:49.920 --> 04:20:53.680
It was said Arthur was crying all the way down.

3784
04:20:54.920 --> 04:20:57.239
Carter gets a few shivers out of the other girls

3785
04:20:57.239 --> 04:21:00.639
when he says how both Abigail Tomlin and baby Arthur's

3786
04:21:00.639 --> 04:21:04.680
bodies were never found and there were huge search parties

3787
04:21:04.719 --> 04:21:07.840
out looking for him. Then he finishes up in an

3788
04:21:07.840 --> 04:21:12.200
eerie tone, and it was on such a night just

3789
04:21:12.360 --> 04:21:17.920
like tonight. Bailey, Mona and Ariel shriek. Ariel wants to

3790
04:21:17.959 --> 04:21:20.799
smack him again, but he quickly moves out of her way.

3791
04:21:21.520 --> 04:21:25.559
Then Carter moves behind Bailey and grabs her shoulders. On

3792
04:21:25.799 --> 04:21:30.639
nights just like tonight, he resumes, just go to that

3793
04:21:30.920 --> 04:21:35.319
very bridge off Indian Hollow Road and wait there. He

3794
04:21:35.360 --> 04:21:38.760
moves his head right next to Bailey's just for a while,

3795
04:21:39.959 --> 04:21:46.440
you might just might hear the sounds of little baby Arthur. Crying.

3796
04:21:47.799 --> 04:21:51.639
Bailey laughs. Now, maybe if you ask Veranda, Queen of

3797
04:21:51.680 --> 04:21:54.559
the Knight nicely, she might let you be your assistant

3798
04:21:54.600 --> 04:21:58.719
on Friday Night. Fright. Carter moves out from behind Bailey

3799
04:21:59.040 --> 04:22:04.200
and this time does slap his arm again. Creep. Suddenly,

3800
04:22:04.239 --> 04:22:09.680
Carter turns and makes these ghostly groans. Ariel cries out

3801
04:22:09.719 --> 04:22:13.799
and runs as Carter's chasing her. I'm going to kill you, Carter,

3802
04:22:14.360 --> 04:22:19.920
Ariel yells you already did. Carter cries back in a

3803
04:22:19.959 --> 04:22:24.639
ghostly groan. Your driver ran me over with your limo

3804
04:22:24.840 --> 04:22:31.600
last week. Now I'm back to claim you, my darling. Ariel,

3805
04:22:32.639 --> 04:22:38.079
No stop, Ariel laughs, still running. Then Carter trips on

3806
04:22:38.120 --> 04:22:41.799
a route and falls over. Suddenly Ariel's on top of

3807
04:22:41.840 --> 04:22:45.000
him and trying to slap him some more. I'm going

3808
04:22:45.239 --> 04:22:50.120
to kill you, Carter's laughing as Ariel growls and tries

3809
04:22:50.159 --> 04:22:53.079
to pry his arms apart so she can slap his face.

3810
04:22:53.719 --> 04:22:57.319
He's too strong for her, though. Then Carter makes Ariel

3811
04:22:57.360 --> 04:22:59.840
cry out when he grabs her and turns her onto

3812
04:22:59.879 --> 04:23:03.040
her back. Now they're just looking at each other again.

3813
04:23:04.200 --> 04:23:08.319
Like I told you earlier, these two really like each other.

3814
04:23:09.040 --> 04:23:12.520
Get off me, Carter, Ariel says in a menacing voice,

3815
04:23:13.159 --> 04:23:16.959
or I shall kill you when Carter don't get off her.

3816
04:23:17.159 --> 04:23:20.360
She surprises him by suddenly lifting her head and clacking

3817
04:23:20.399 --> 04:23:24.799
her teeth. Carter quickly gets off. Mona, Bailey and Me

3818
04:23:25.040 --> 04:23:27.879
laugh when Ariel's on her feet and chasing him around.

3819
04:23:27.920 --> 04:23:31.000
Now you just wait until I get my hands on you,

3820
04:23:31.239 --> 04:23:35.159
Carter cross, Ariel shouts, I'll teach you to scare me.

3821
04:23:36.120 --> 04:23:39.600
Ariel does catch Carter and actually takes him down to

3822
04:23:39.639 --> 04:23:42.360
the grass. I ain't gonna be the one to tell

3823
04:23:42.399 --> 04:23:46.000
Ariel she's got green stains on her dress. Then again,

3824
04:23:46.799 --> 04:23:51.000
I don't think she even cares. Remember, Ariel did drop

3825
04:23:51.040 --> 04:23:53.520
her cell phone in a creek earlier when she didn't

3826
04:23:53.520 --> 04:23:56.920
want to talk to her mom anymore. Now it's Ariel's

3827
04:23:56.920 --> 04:24:02.959
turn to stare at Carter. Then she lowers herself. Is

3828
04:24:03.040 --> 04:24:10.079
Ariel really gonna kiss him? Yuck? Carter cries out when

3829
04:24:10.159 --> 04:24:13.719
Ariel sticks out her tongue and licks all the way

3830
04:24:13.799 --> 04:24:18.000
up his face. Cooties. Now the three of us are

3831
04:24:18.079 --> 04:24:22.399
laughing so hard we're falling onto the grass ourselves. Then

3832
04:24:22.440 --> 04:24:25.840
I feel myself crying when I hear Carter yelling get

3833
04:24:25.879 --> 04:24:29.959
off me. You crazy Freako. By the time we finish

3834
04:24:30.079 --> 04:24:33.159
laughing it up, Carter and Ariel are waiting at the road.

3835
04:24:33.719 --> 04:24:37.360
We're making our way to him, slowly, but surely. I'm

3836
04:24:37.399 --> 04:24:41.600
so glad we can make your night. Ariel mutters, yeah,

3837
04:24:41.639 --> 04:24:45.719
thanks a lot, Madeline. Carter adds, you know you could

3838
04:24:45.760 --> 04:24:50.239
have pulled Ariel off me. I quickly shake my head. Nope,

3839
04:24:50.559 --> 04:24:54.319
you're the one who tempted fate. Then Carter resumes his

3840
04:24:54.399 --> 04:24:59.399
eerie tone again. But do we dare tempt fate? Do

3841
04:24:59.479 --> 04:25:03.319
we dare take those steps to the bridge told in

3842
04:25:03.479 --> 04:25:07.920
local stric Field legend. He quickly steps out in front

3843
04:25:07.959 --> 04:25:12.559
of us. This might very well be our last opportunity

3844
04:25:12.639 --> 04:25:16.760
to turn back. Suddenly, he pulls a flashlight out from

3845
04:25:16.799 --> 04:25:19.680
behind him and turns it on to light up his face,

3846
04:25:20.120 --> 04:25:25.000
making Ariel, Mona and Bailey shriek while we still can.

3847
04:25:26.760 --> 04:25:30.520
When Carter turns off the flashlight, Ariel turns and gives

3848
04:25:30.559 --> 04:25:34.760
me a little slap on my shoulder. And again, you

3849
04:25:34.840 --> 04:25:39.319
never get scared, and on Halloween, what's with you? Mouse?

3850
04:25:40.239 --> 04:25:44.239
I shrug like I keep telling you give me something

3851
04:25:44.280 --> 04:25:49.479
to be scared about. Ariel growls her usual growl. I

3852
04:25:49.600 --> 04:25:54.079
hate you mouse. How much further we gotta go? Mona asks,

3853
04:25:54.440 --> 04:25:58.680
we can't be too far now. Carter points ahead. We

3854
04:25:58.840 --> 04:26:01.959
just gotta go down that hill and we're there. I

3855
04:26:02.079 --> 04:26:06.879
think I think I can see it, Bailey says, so

3856
04:26:07.000 --> 04:26:10.120
can I. I add, when we're at the top of

3857
04:26:10.159 --> 04:26:12.920
the hill, we can see the metal skeleton bridge going

3858
04:26:12.959 --> 04:26:18.760
over the Castalia River. That's really it. Mona whispers, yep.

3859
04:26:19.319 --> 04:26:23.159
Carter lets Mona look at his phone. You guys, look

3860
04:26:23.200 --> 04:26:27.479
at this, Mona says, showing us the phone. The picture

3861
04:26:27.520 --> 04:26:31.760
looks just like that bridge. Well, looks like the bridge

3862
04:26:31.840 --> 04:26:36.639
rusted over time. Carter notes, must still be a good bridge,

3863
04:26:36.639 --> 04:26:40.360
since it's never been closed. So how do we do this?

3864
04:26:40.719 --> 04:26:45.159
Ariel asks, I mean, we don't really just wait up here, right.

3865
04:26:46.319 --> 04:26:50.799
Ariel's right. Carter agrees, I think we're supposed to actually

3866
04:26:50.799 --> 04:26:55.639
go to the bridge and just hang out there. Believe

3867
04:26:55.680 --> 04:26:57.879
it or not, none of us are moving to head

3868
04:26:57.920 --> 04:27:01.120
down the hill and go to the bridge, truth be told.

3869
04:27:01.559 --> 04:27:04.799
I'm waiting to see who's gonna do it first. Then,

3870
04:27:04.959 --> 04:27:09.639
Ariel says, we'll follow you and Mona. Carter, let's go,

3871
04:27:09.959 --> 04:27:14.280
Carter replies. Carter and Mona are leading the way. They

3872
04:27:14.280 --> 04:27:16.600
get a little bit ahead of us. Then I hear

3873
04:27:16.680 --> 04:27:21.000
Bailey and Ariel talking. You know you like him, Bailey

3874
04:27:21.079 --> 04:27:28.000
tells Ariel. Excuse me, Ariel mutters. Bailey smiles, flashing teeth.

3875
04:27:28.559 --> 04:27:31.159
That's right. You keep telling Mona and me how you

3876
04:27:31.280 --> 04:27:34.920
hate Carter Cross, but we can see you really like him.

3877
04:27:35.479 --> 04:27:40.680
Oh shut up, Ariel snaps, but Bailey keeps going. He'll

3878
04:27:40.719 --> 04:27:44.399
become boyfriend and girlfriend next year. I'm guessing then you'll

3879
04:27:44.399 --> 04:27:47.840
be high school sweethearts. You'll be dating and going to

3880
04:27:47.959 --> 04:27:52.719
the Strickfield High dances together. You'll marry Carter after graduation

3881
04:27:52.959 --> 04:27:56.959
and start a family. When Ariel doesn't reply, I think

3882
04:27:57.040 --> 04:28:00.479
Bailey and me both know it. Ain't no secret in

3883
04:28:00.520 --> 04:28:04.079
our group. That's for sure. Ariel and Carter really like

3884
04:28:04.159 --> 04:28:07.920
each other more than they ever want to admit. I

3885
04:28:08.040 --> 04:28:14.159
hate you, Bailey, Ariel mutters. Truth hurts. Bailey says. We're

3886
04:28:14.200 --> 04:28:16.719
a quarter of the way down the hill behind Carter

3887
04:28:16.799 --> 04:28:19.799
and Mona. We keep going until we're all at the

3888
04:28:19.799 --> 04:28:22.719
bottom of the hill. Then we follow the road to

3889
04:28:22.760 --> 04:28:26.600
the right curve. Shortly after we walk into the left curve.

3890
04:28:27.000 --> 04:28:31.239
Then we all stop just at the bridge. Ain't nobody

3891
04:28:31.280 --> 04:28:35.600
walking out onto it? Right away. Before long. I go

3892
04:28:35.719 --> 04:28:38.399
for it and walk right on to the cry Baby

3893
04:28:38.479 --> 04:28:42.200
bridge and stop when I reach the middle. Then I

3894
04:28:42.319 --> 04:28:45.600
turn and go lean on the rail. Carter's on my

3895
04:28:45.680 --> 04:28:49.159
left and Ariel's on my right. Now Bailey stands on

3896
04:28:49.200 --> 04:28:51.600
the other side of Carter, and Mona's on the other

3897
04:28:51.639 --> 04:28:57.440
side of Ariel. Okay, we're here, what now, Bailey asks.

3898
04:28:57.959 --> 04:29:00.319
I don't see anything else on the university's web site.

3899
04:29:00.680 --> 04:29:04.280
Carter tells her it just says we wait. Looks like

3900
04:29:04.319 --> 04:29:08.079
we got here just in time. It's ten minutes till midnight.

3901
04:29:09.000 --> 04:29:13.399
Mona takes a big, deep breath. Wow, I can't believe

3902
04:29:13.440 --> 04:29:18.120
we're really doing this on Halloween night, the five of us. Yeah,

3903
04:29:18.319 --> 04:29:21.719
we normally don't hang out with you, Carter. Ariel says.

3904
04:29:22.399 --> 04:29:25.920
It's just usually Mona, Bailey, and me. Then there's you

3905
04:29:26.079 --> 04:29:30.360
and Mouse, except for Friday night sleepovers, I remind her,

3906
04:29:30.760 --> 04:29:32.879
and all the other times you text me saying I

3907
04:29:32.920 --> 04:29:36.799
gotta meet up with you guys right now. Yeah, i'd

3908
04:29:36.840 --> 04:29:40.079
say Madeline's a part of your little girl group, Carter says.

3909
04:29:40.760 --> 04:29:43.879
Mona points at Carter. Don't you think you're going to

3910
04:29:43.920 --> 04:29:47.680
start hanging out with us after tonight? Carter laughs a little.

3911
04:29:48.200 --> 04:29:50.440
Why do you and Bailey even stop over at the

3912
04:29:50.479 --> 04:29:52.920
house if you didn't want to hang out with Madeline

3913
04:29:52.959 --> 04:29:57.639
and me? But Ariel ain't having this. You two just

3914
04:29:58.000 --> 04:30:02.239
stop it. Remember we're having a truth tonight. How come

3915
04:30:02.280 --> 04:30:04.440
you want to hang out with Carter and Mouse, Ariel

3916
04:30:04.840 --> 04:30:10.159
Mona asks. Ariel turns to her, Well, like Mouse said

3917
04:30:10.159 --> 04:30:12.799
at Carter's, we jail broke and got away from a

3918
04:30:12.840 --> 04:30:16.840
boring family gathering at my house. So Mouse and I

3919
04:30:16.920 --> 04:30:20.360
were kind of stuck with each other. I wasn't going

3920
04:30:20.399 --> 04:30:22.799
to just kick her to the curb. I mean, I

3921
04:30:23.000 --> 04:30:27.120
made her come to my party tonight. Also, I didn't

3922
04:30:27.120 --> 04:30:31.120
want to be alone. We actually had fun tonight. You

3923
04:30:31.239 --> 04:30:33.559
know how long it's been since I got to actually

3924
04:30:33.680 --> 04:30:38.719
do Halloween. Did you ever do Halloween? Bailey asks her.

3925
04:30:39.680 --> 04:30:44.239
Ariel size not much. My parents often wouldn't let me.

3926
04:30:44.680 --> 04:30:47.799
They'd always tell me to learn my place. They never

3927
04:30:47.840 --> 04:30:50.040
cared if I had a Friday night's sleepover with all

3928
04:30:50.040 --> 04:30:53.319
of you. But we never celebrate holidays at my house,

3929
04:30:53.760 --> 04:31:00.479
well except Christmas. Anyway, we're supposed to be proper aristocratic, arrands.

3930
04:31:01.360 --> 04:31:05.200
Carter shakes his head. Wait a minute here, Ariel If

3931
04:31:05.239 --> 04:31:08.200
what you say is true, how come you're in public

3932
04:31:08.239 --> 04:31:11.719
school with us and not at Strickfield Academy. From what

3933
04:31:11.799 --> 04:31:14.520
I heard, they have kindergarten through twelfth grade over there.

3934
04:31:15.600 --> 04:31:20.200
Ariel looks his way. Oh, believe me. They tried in

3935
04:31:20.360 --> 04:31:23.719
rolling me at Strickfield Academy. Mom and dad both went

3936
04:31:23.760 --> 04:31:27.200
to and graduated from there, But I wasn't having it.

3937
04:31:27.879 --> 04:31:31.479
She snickers a little, carter. You know how you've called

3938
04:31:31.520 --> 04:31:35.040
me a spoiled brat at school before. Well this was

3939
04:31:35.120 --> 04:31:39.120
one time it would have been warranted. We listen as

3940
04:31:39.159 --> 04:31:42.879
Ariel tells us how her parents enrolled her at Strickfield Academy.

3941
04:31:43.479 --> 04:31:46.280
A few hours into her first day of kindergarten, her

3942
04:31:46.319 --> 04:31:49.239
parents had to come and get her. Ariel went on

3943
04:31:49.280 --> 04:31:53.159
a rampage and literally wrecked anything and everything she came

3944
04:31:53.200 --> 04:31:56.639
into contact with. Even the nuns running the place couldn't

3945
04:31:56.680 --> 04:31:59.520
get their hands on her. I think I did tell

3946
04:31:59.559 --> 04:32:04.360
you Ariel could run really fast. Anyway. Head Mistress Hiltonson

3947
04:32:04.399 --> 04:32:07.920
told Ariel's parents, on no uncertain terms that she was

3948
04:32:08.040 --> 04:32:12.840
never to return to Strickfield Academy ever again. Not only that,

3949
04:32:13.280 --> 04:32:15.680
Ariel's parents had to pay a large sum of money

3950
04:32:15.719 --> 04:32:20.479
for everything she wrecked. I was horrid Carter, she admitted

3951
04:32:20.479 --> 04:32:24.120
to end her story. Mom's still very angry with me

3952
04:32:24.200 --> 04:32:27.479
to this day for it. You know what, I really

3953
04:32:27.520 --> 04:32:30.360
don't care. I'm glad my little goober of a cousin

3954
04:32:30.399 --> 04:32:33.760
wrecked that party. She looks up into the dark sky. Now,

3955
04:32:34.600 --> 04:32:36.680
I'd much rather be here with all of you right now.

3956
04:32:37.719 --> 04:32:42.120
She looks at Mona truce. Okay, just until we're all

3957
04:32:42.159 --> 04:32:47.760
done with Halloween. Please. I think we were all speechless.

3958
04:32:48.280 --> 04:32:51.440
Ariel Miron was the one person we knew who never

3959
04:32:51.520 --> 04:32:55.959
had the word please in her vocabulary. But she'd finally

3960
04:32:56.000 --> 04:32:58.239
said it, and we were all there to hear it.

3961
04:32:58.799 --> 04:33:01.559
Even Carter looked like his jaw was ready to drop

3962
04:33:01.600 --> 04:33:07.720
through the bridge deck. Mona nods once. Okay, Ariel still Truce.

3963
04:33:08.479 --> 04:33:12.000
Ariel nods herself. I just want to be with all

3964
04:33:12.040 --> 04:33:14.119
of you tonight. I want to leave here and go

3965
04:33:14.159 --> 04:33:17.279
watch scary movies at Mouse's when we're done. I think

3966
04:33:17.319 --> 04:33:19.840
all the pizza places are open super late tonight, so

3967
04:33:20.200 --> 04:33:22.240
I'll pay for pizza if we want to order any

3968
04:33:22.799 --> 04:33:28.080
Just let's enjoy Halloween while we have it. Okay. Mona

3969
04:33:28.159 --> 04:33:32.439
nods quickly. Okay. The five of us just stand on

3970
04:33:32.479 --> 04:33:36.560
the bridge. Then the wind starts to pick up. Must

3971
04:33:36.639 --> 04:33:38.959
be the spirit of Halloween, letting us know it's the

3972
04:33:39.000 --> 04:33:44.880
witching hour, Bailey says, kind of half joking, maybe I reply.

3973
04:33:46.080 --> 04:33:49.599
After a few minutes, we start hearing these sounds. We

3974
04:33:49.720 --> 04:33:51.520
all look at each other and see none of us

3975
04:33:51.560 --> 04:34:00.840
ain't doing it. The sounds are baby cries. Ah man, Look,

3976
04:34:01.360 --> 04:34:05.200
Ariel suddenly yells. We see she's pointing down at the

3977
04:34:05.279 --> 04:34:09.240
now raging waters of the Castalia River. Then the rest

3978
04:34:09.240 --> 04:34:13.000
of us see what Ariel's seeing. You wouldn't believe it

3979
04:34:13.040 --> 04:34:15.159
unless you were here with us, But we ended up

3980
04:34:15.200 --> 04:34:19.880
seeing the faces of three boys, boys who disappeared a

3981
04:34:19.959 --> 04:34:24.880
year ago tonight. It's kind of like how Mary Worth

3982
04:34:24.919 --> 04:34:27.799
and I communicate with each other. I'll tell you more

3983
04:34:27.840 --> 04:34:30.520
about that in a little bit. We all see the

3984
04:34:30.520 --> 04:34:36.840
faces of Richie Horton, Bill Chapman, and Brian Chunk. It's

3985
04:34:36.919 --> 04:34:43.000
like there calling out to us, go away, get out

3986
04:34:43.000 --> 04:34:47.799
of here, Leave before it's too late. Don't stay here.

3987
04:34:49.000 --> 04:34:53.159
The ghost is coming. Run now. I'd like to think

3988
04:34:53.240 --> 04:34:56.639
those guys didn't disappear out here, not when a search

3989
04:34:56.720 --> 04:34:59.919
for him after last year's Halloween led to village cemetery

3990
04:35:00.360 --> 04:35:04.000
where all their candy was found. I remember reading a

3991
04:35:04.040 --> 04:35:08.240
few articles about those guys in the Strickfield Journal. But

3992
04:35:08.319 --> 04:35:13.080
what are they doing in the river, you guys? I

3993
04:35:13.759 --> 04:35:17.599
don't think I like where this is headed. Carter stammers.

3994
04:35:18.000 --> 04:35:21.040
Then we hear another voice quickly overshadow the ones in

3995
04:35:21.080 --> 04:35:27.759
the river. You are being very bad. Children. You were

3996
04:35:27.880 --> 04:35:33.439
told never to communicate with mortals. We're still looking into

3997
04:35:33.439 --> 04:35:37.000
the water to see those boys get chased off. Next

3998
04:35:37.040 --> 04:35:41.919
thing we know, the face of a ghastly, ghostly woman

3999
04:35:42.680 --> 04:35:47.000
is looking right at us. More children, Mother shall come

4000
04:35:47.040 --> 04:35:51.240
for you this instant. The wind's really starting to pick up. Now,

4001
04:35:52.599 --> 04:35:55.639
let's get out of here, I yelled to the others. Man,

4002
04:35:55.720 --> 04:35:59.759
I can barely move against this wind. Carter yells, feels

4003
04:35:59.759 --> 04:36:02.840
like this there's a tornado out here. Mona yells back.

4004
04:36:03.560 --> 04:36:06.000
It seems like. It takes us almost a few minutes

4005
04:36:06.040 --> 04:36:09.279
to get off the bridge. Soon as we do, we

4006
04:36:09.360 --> 04:36:13.599
all get that bad feeling. We ain't alone. Bailey confirms

4007
04:36:13.599 --> 04:36:17.040
our feelings when she screams. Then we turn to see

4008
04:36:17.040 --> 04:36:21.799
that ghastly woman standing on the center of the bridge.

4009
04:36:21.880 --> 04:36:24.959
She looks like she's drenched from the rage in waters.

4010
04:36:25.479 --> 04:36:29.080
She's glowing bright enough to light up the whole bridge.

4011
04:36:29.119 --> 04:36:33.599
She also looks hideously decayed, and her eyes are glowing

4012
04:36:33.720 --> 04:36:37.000
bright red. But we all know who this ghost is

4013
04:36:37.080 --> 04:36:41.520
for sure when we see her blood stained wedding gown,

4014
04:36:42.799 --> 04:36:47.159
Abigail Tomlin aw Man. Something tells me I should have

4015
04:36:47.240 --> 04:36:51.040
talked to Mary Worth about this first. Abigail Tomlin holds

4016
04:36:51.080 --> 04:36:56.360
out her arms. New children. I already have three boys

4017
04:36:56.400 --> 04:37:01.840
from last Halloween, but I do so love children. I

4018
04:37:01.880 --> 04:37:09.279
can bring five more into the afterlife. Come to me now.

4019
04:37:09.840 --> 04:37:12.599
We're practically tripping over our own feet when we turn

4020
04:37:12.639 --> 04:37:16.360
around and run for it. This enough to scare you. Mouse,

4021
04:37:16.720 --> 04:37:21.040
Ariel yells, what do you think? I call back, man,

4022
04:37:21.080 --> 04:37:24.319
that wind's really slowing us down. I look over my

4023
04:37:24.360 --> 04:37:28.880
shoulder and see Abigail Tomlins just walking casual, like the

4024
04:37:28.919 --> 04:37:32.439
wind ain't bothering her at all. There's no use trying

4025
04:37:32.479 --> 04:37:36.479
to escape my new children. You shall join my boys

4026
04:37:36.680 --> 04:37:41.840
very soon, and my son Arthur will have some more playmates.

4027
04:37:42.560 --> 04:37:45.919
When I look over my shoulder again, she points right

4028
04:37:45.959 --> 04:37:50.279
at me. I've always wanted a little girl, but to

4029
04:37:50.439 --> 04:37:56.639
have four not happening. Lady Ariel screams, defiantly, even in

4030
04:37:56.680 --> 04:38:02.040
this horrifying Halloween experience, Ariel's gonna be Ariel split up.

4031
04:38:02.360 --> 04:38:04.799
Bailey yells that ghost can't get us all if we

4032
04:38:04.840 --> 04:38:08.400
split up. I don't want to split up, but that's

4033
04:38:08.439 --> 04:38:11.400
what we end up doing. Mona and Bailey go in

4034
04:38:11.400 --> 04:38:14.680
a direction. Carter grabs Ariel's hand and pulls her in

4035
04:38:14.720 --> 04:38:19.919
another Madeline over here. Carter yells, I'm trying to run

4036
04:38:19.919 --> 04:38:22.840
his way, but I end up tripping. Just go, I'll

4037
04:38:22.840 --> 04:38:26.479
find you. Go. You are such a cute little girl.

4038
04:38:27.159 --> 04:38:30.759
The ghost murmurs and almost touches me. I quickly get

4039
04:38:30.840 --> 04:38:34.959
up and face her. Me. Nah, you ain't seeing straight

4040
04:38:34.959 --> 04:38:37.639
with them glowing eyes. I hold up my hands in

4041
04:38:37.680 --> 04:38:41.279
front of me and smile and shake my head. I

4042
04:38:41.279 --> 04:38:47.159
I ain't cute at all, No way, I'm just ah Yeah.

4043
04:38:47.400 --> 04:38:50.599
Ariel would miss out on that one too. For the

4044
04:38:50.680 --> 04:38:54.000
longest time she'd been trying to scare me. First time

4045
04:38:54.040 --> 04:38:56.319
I got scared was when I first met Mary Worth.

4046
04:38:57.159 --> 04:39:02.000
And this one's number two. Anyway, I turn and run

4047
04:39:02.040 --> 04:39:05.880
for all I'm worth. Ah man, this is really really bad.

4048
04:39:06.680 --> 04:39:09.840
Two bad bells ain't here right now. Then I see

4049
04:39:09.880 --> 04:39:12.360
a barn and run to it. I hope I can

4050
04:39:12.360 --> 04:39:15.720
find a mirror in there and summon Mary Worth. Okay,

4051
04:39:16.680 --> 04:39:20.119
here's my story with her. Over the summer, I ended

4052
04:39:20.200 --> 04:39:23.639
up watching Urban Legend with Bells and Aileen. I did

4053
04:39:23.680 --> 04:39:27.159
some more research into Bloody Mary the Urban Legend after

4054
04:39:27.200 --> 04:39:30.040
seeing Rebecca Gayheart and Alicia Witt acting like they were

4055
04:39:30.040 --> 04:39:33.040
summoning her. I couldn't get Bloody Mary out of my

4056
04:39:33.119 --> 04:39:37.639
head and kept reading into her. Then I decided to

4057
04:39:37.639 --> 04:39:40.840
go into the bathroom across from my bedroom and try

4058
04:39:40.880 --> 04:39:46.439
playing the game. So I kept chanting Bloody Mary many

4059
04:39:46.479 --> 04:39:51.639
different times. Nothing happened, so then I remember her real name,

4060
04:39:52.799 --> 04:39:59.959
Mary Worth. Enchanted three times. When Maryworth appeared, I got

4061
04:40:00.240 --> 04:40:03.639
real scared and screamed. I tried running away, but the

4062
04:40:03.680 --> 04:40:07.799
bathroom door suddenly closed in front of me. Mary Worth

4063
04:40:07.840 --> 04:40:11.319
assured me she wouldn't hurt me, and then she told

4064
04:40:11.400 --> 04:40:16.520
me her story. Long story short here. She was a

4065
04:40:16.560 --> 04:40:21.360
witch who practiced white magic. The villagers of Salem, Massachusetts

4066
04:40:22.119 --> 04:40:25.840
didn't really like her. She ended up being wrongfully tried

4067
04:40:25.959 --> 04:40:30.119
for black magic witchcraft when children disappeared from the village,

4068
04:40:30.599 --> 04:40:33.799
and was sentenced to burn at the stake. When the

4069
04:40:33.840 --> 04:40:37.240
burning was gonna happen. A mirror was brought up to

4070
04:40:37.319 --> 04:40:41.279
Mary for her to see how evil she was. All

4071
04:40:41.360 --> 04:40:44.040
Mary did was use the mirror to escape her body

4072
04:40:44.080 --> 04:40:48.520
and enter the afterlife in a less fiery and tormented way.

4073
04:40:49.360 --> 04:40:52.720
I believed Mary and wanted to help her, so we

4074
04:40:52.840 --> 04:40:55.880
became friends. She told me she could only come into

4075
04:40:55.880 --> 04:40:58.319
the mortal realm if I agreed to let her possess

4076
04:40:58.400 --> 04:41:02.240
me more like bond with me. All I'd have to

4077
04:41:02.279 --> 04:41:04.479
do is say her name three times while looking in

4078
04:41:04.520 --> 04:41:07.279
a mirror to let her possess me and have my body.

4079
04:41:07.880 --> 04:41:10.360
When she'd finish whatever it would be, I'd summoned her

4080
04:41:10.360 --> 04:41:13.400
for she'd return to the afterlife through the mirror and

4081
04:41:13.479 --> 04:41:17.360
give me my body back. Sure would be nice to

4082
04:41:17.360 --> 04:41:20.200
have a mirror right about now. I'm sure Mary Worth

4083
04:41:20.200 --> 04:41:23.119
could drive this ghost away. I'd gotta be able to

4084
04:41:23.119 --> 04:41:25.639
make it to the barn first. These heavy winds are

4085
04:41:25.639 --> 04:41:28.520
making me so tired, even with all the death wish

4086
04:41:28.560 --> 04:41:31.560
coffee I drank it the Noyer's grill. Come to me,

4087
04:41:31.720 --> 04:41:36.880
my precious little darling, Abigail Tomlin says, I groan and

4088
04:41:36.959 --> 04:41:39.840
keep running until I can get inside the barn. The

4089
04:41:39.919 --> 04:41:42.639
winds practically slam the door on my back. After I

4090
04:41:42.720 --> 04:41:46.000
go in, I turn around and pull the latch across it.

4091
04:41:46.639 --> 04:41:50.279
This shall not keep me out, little one. I hear

4092
04:41:50.360 --> 04:41:54.040
the ghost outside. Now that the wind ain't blowing at me,

4093
04:41:54.159 --> 04:41:56.959
I can think for a sec. I got an idea,

4094
04:41:57.439 --> 04:42:01.119
but it's gonna be risky. Gotta go. When I reach

4095
04:42:01.240 --> 04:42:04.720
the car sitting in here, I remember they got mirrors

4096
04:42:04.720 --> 04:42:07.360
on him. As I'm ready to call out Mary Worth,

4097
04:42:07.880 --> 04:42:13.919
I groan, really, I mutter, both door mirrors are broken off.

4098
04:42:14.439 --> 04:42:19.080
Ain't no rear view mirror either, Oh man. I quickly

4099
04:42:19.119 --> 04:42:21.759
climb in the open window and wonder if I'm even

4100
04:42:21.799 --> 04:42:26.479
gonna have time to Abigail Tomlin just passed right through

4101
04:42:26.520 --> 04:42:30.319
the door. Not good. I know you're playing hide and

4102
04:42:30.400 --> 04:42:34.799
seek with me, little girl, she calls out. I look

4103
04:42:34.880 --> 04:42:37.880
up at the sun visor. Can't be that easy, right,

4104
04:42:38.479 --> 04:42:41.319
I pull it down and gasp when the keys fall

4105
04:42:41.439 --> 04:42:44.319
right into my lap. I pick them up and slide

4106
04:42:44.360 --> 04:42:54.360
them into the ignition. Please start, Please start, Please start? Yes,

4107
04:42:55.240 --> 04:43:00.360
the motor roars to life. Okay, Molsie, Remember cruising the USA?

4108
04:43:00.520 --> 04:43:04.680
No better yet, Grand Tarismo. Now the ghost is standing

4109
04:43:04.759 --> 04:43:08.639
in front of the big door, looking at me. Found you,

4110
04:43:09.279 --> 04:43:13.119
little one. Now it's time for you to come home

4111
04:43:13.840 --> 04:43:18.080
with your new mother. I take the biggest deep breath

4112
04:43:18.119 --> 04:43:22.000
I ever took. Here goes nothing. I put the car

4113
04:43:22.040 --> 04:43:24.759
in gear and stomp on the gas. I cry out

4114
04:43:24.759 --> 04:43:28.360
when the car shoots forward. I go right through Abigail

4115
04:43:28.439 --> 04:43:33.000
Tomlin and crash right through the big door. I'm almost

4116
04:43:33.159 --> 04:43:36.520
Indian Hollow Road. When I remember to play the game.

4117
04:43:37.040 --> 04:43:39.240
I stomp on the brake and turn the car onto

4118
04:43:39.279 --> 04:43:42.959
the road. Then I hit the gas again. I gotta

4119
04:43:42.959 --> 04:43:46.959
find the others. I look at the gas gauge. Oh man,

4120
04:43:47.840 --> 04:43:51.959
the needle's on the big e. But the car ain't stopping. Yeah,

4121
04:43:52.159 --> 04:43:55.279
the gauge ain't working. Guess I gotta take my chances

4122
04:43:55.360 --> 04:43:59.520
until the gas runs out unless I'm just driving on fumes.

4123
04:44:00.159 --> 04:44:04.000
So far, I ain't seeing that horrible ghost nowhere. Those

4124
04:44:04.119 --> 04:44:06.639
darn winds make it a little tricky to steer, but

4125
04:44:06.680 --> 04:44:09.680
I keep the car on the road. Can't believe I'm

4126
04:44:09.720 --> 04:44:13.080
really driving this thing. It ain't long before I hit

4127
04:44:13.159 --> 04:44:16.639
the brakes when I see Mona and Bailey waving. What

4128
04:44:16.759 --> 04:44:22.720
the Mona shrieks? Mouse, Bailey ads you come in or staying?

4129
04:44:23.200 --> 04:44:26.560
I ask when they're screaming. That tells me the ghost

4130
04:44:26.680 --> 04:44:29.880
is close. They quickly climb through the passenger window and

4131
04:44:29.919 --> 04:44:33.439
get in the back. I floor the gas again. I

4132
04:44:33.560 --> 04:44:36.720
gotta look for Carter and Aeriel. When did you learn

4133
04:44:36.720 --> 04:44:41.560
to drive a car? Mouse? Bailey demands, kind of like,

4134
04:44:41.919 --> 04:44:46.360
uh now, I answer. I glance over my shoulder and

4135
04:44:46.360 --> 04:44:51.479
see Mona and Bailey looking at each other. Then they scream, oh,

4136
04:44:51.599 --> 04:44:55.360
give me a break, will you. I mutter, we're gonna die.

4137
04:44:55.959 --> 04:45:01.400
Mona whales Shut up, Mona, we are not Bailey's. Then

4138
04:45:01.520 --> 04:45:06.279
she says to me, we ain't even old enough to drive. Mouse. Yeah,

4139
04:45:06.520 --> 04:45:09.799
tell me something I don't know. I return, Come on,

4140
04:45:09.959 --> 04:45:13.560
where are you guys? Mona and Bailey scream When Abigail

4141
04:45:13.560 --> 04:45:16.520
Tomlin appears in the road ahead of us, Hang on,

4142
04:45:17.119 --> 04:45:20.919
I tell him, and remember Grand Tarismo again. I quickly

4143
04:45:20.959 --> 04:45:23.560
make the car spin around so the back end's facing

4144
04:45:23.639 --> 04:45:28.200
the ghost. Then I floor the gas again. There's Carter

4145
04:45:28.279 --> 04:45:32.919
and Ariel. Bailey shouts, pointing at him. Go mouse on it, Bailey,

4146
04:45:33.840 --> 04:45:37.520
Just don't run them over, you little squeaker. Mona tells me, hey,

4147
04:45:37.799 --> 04:45:41.200
you wanna take the wheel be my guest? I say, oh,

4148
04:45:41.240 --> 04:45:43.959
shut up, I drive the car up the grass and

4149
04:45:44.040 --> 04:45:46.560
turn to go to Carter and Ariel. Then I hit

4150
04:45:46.599 --> 04:45:52.200
the brakes, Madeline. Carter gasps in surprise. Yeah, I'm driving

4151
04:45:52.240 --> 04:45:55.680
this thing. I tell him quickly, get in here already.

4152
04:45:56.919 --> 04:45:59.119
Carter climbs through the window and sits in the back

4153
04:45:59.159 --> 04:46:02.360
with Mona and Bailey. Ariel climbs in and rides shotgun.

4154
04:46:03.439 --> 04:46:07.439
Then Ariel screams when Abigail Tomlin's face is in her window,

4155
04:46:08.119 --> 04:46:11.919
drive you, little mouse, drive. I floor the gas again

4156
04:46:12.279 --> 04:46:15.639
and get us out of there. Then Ariel hears me, gulpin.

4157
04:46:16.560 --> 04:46:19.279
You're really gonna be gulpin if you crash this car, mouse,

4158
04:46:19.720 --> 04:46:23.759
Ariel tells me, because I'll kill you first, and you

4159
04:46:23.759 --> 04:46:25.959
could write that one in my senior yearbook before we

4160
04:46:26.040 --> 04:46:33.040
graduate too, I tell her. Then Ariel gulps. You two

4161
04:46:33.040 --> 04:46:35.680
think you can ease up a little? Carter tells Mona

4162
04:46:35.720 --> 04:46:39.279
and Bailey no doubt they were probably clinging to him.

4163
04:46:39.720 --> 04:46:43.599
Anybody seeing that ghost back there? I ask, I ain't

4164
04:46:43.639 --> 04:46:46.759
got no mirrors on this thing. Looks like we're in

4165
04:46:46.759 --> 04:46:52.599
the clear, Madeline, Carter says, First, bloody Mary, Now Abigail Tomlin.

4166
04:46:53.119 --> 04:46:57.400
Mona groans, why does this happen to us, and then

4167
04:46:58.599 --> 04:47:03.119
the car sinks a little mouse. Bailey cries, what are

4168
04:47:03.159 --> 04:47:06.759
you doing? I think one of the tires blue, I

4169
04:47:06.840 --> 04:47:09.959
tell her. With those winds, it doesn't take long for

4170
04:47:10.000 --> 04:47:12.759
the car to come to a stop. We quickly get

4171
04:47:12.799 --> 04:47:17.319
out and look around. You think we lost that ghost,

4172
04:47:18.040 --> 04:47:22.680
Mona stammers. We get our answer when Ariel screams, we

4173
04:47:22.759 --> 04:47:26.880
look and see that glowing ghost floating our way. Come

4174
04:47:27.000 --> 04:47:32.159
my new children, no more running away. It's time to

4175
04:47:32.200 --> 04:47:37.319
come home, she calls out. Over there, Carter yells, pointing

4176
04:47:37.319 --> 04:47:41.080
to a nearby house. Are you kidding? Mona yells back,

4177
04:47:41.639 --> 04:47:45.000
That place looks like it ain't been lived in for years.

4178
04:47:45.479 --> 04:47:49.639
You got a better idea, Mona, Carter demands. When she don't,

4179
04:47:49.799 --> 04:47:52.680
we go up and into the house. It doesn't do

4180
04:47:52.799 --> 04:47:54.880
much to keep the winds out, since there ain't much

4181
04:47:54.880 --> 04:47:58.080
in the way of windows. We can't stay here long.

4182
04:47:58.360 --> 04:48:01.919
I tell everybody she can float right through walls. I

4183
04:48:02.000 --> 04:48:04.919
tell him about the barn before getting the car, and

4184
04:48:04.959 --> 04:48:09.759
then Ariel and Mona both run upstairs. Classic horror movie mistake.

4185
04:48:10.439 --> 04:48:12.680
But I'm gonna make that mistake myself when I have

4186
04:48:12.720 --> 04:48:16.439
an idea. I know I'm taking a gamble, but it

4187
04:48:16.520 --> 04:48:19.720
may be a chance to finally bring Mary Worth out.

4188
04:48:21.560 --> 04:48:25.200
I follow Ariel and Bailey upstairs. When I'm at the top,

4189
04:48:25.520 --> 04:48:30.799
I find a nasty looking bathroom. Drat, no mirrors. I

4190
04:48:30.880 --> 04:48:33.919
run out and into the bedroom across the hall. Nope,

4191
04:48:34.639 --> 04:48:38.000
running out of options here. Then I run into another

4192
04:48:38.040 --> 04:48:42.119
bedroom and end up scaring Ariel and Bailey. Don't do that, mouse.

4193
04:48:42.599 --> 04:48:48.639
Bailey shrieks, sorry, I reply, and then my eyes get wide.

4194
04:48:49.599 --> 04:48:53.720
There it is right behind Ariel. I quickly go to it.

4195
04:48:54.400 --> 04:48:56.720
How can you think of looking in the mirror at

4196
04:48:56.720 --> 04:49:00.880
a time like this, mouse, Ariel snaps. We hear Carta

4197
04:49:00.959 --> 04:49:06.599
and Mona screaming downstairs. Peekaboo. We hear Abigail Tomlin downstairs.

4198
04:49:07.200 --> 04:49:09.880
Then Ariel and Bailey run out of the room. I

4199
04:49:09.959 --> 04:49:13.159
got a risk of hearing me and say Maryworth's name

4200
04:49:13.319 --> 04:49:20.479
three times. Suddenly, the face of Mary Worth appears in

4201
04:49:20.520 --> 04:49:24.319
the mirror. Then her ghostly form comes out of the

4202
04:49:24.319 --> 04:49:29.279
mirror and enters my body. In no time, I see

4203
04:49:29.279 --> 04:49:33.319
Mary Worth looking at herself. Now I'm kinda along for

4204
04:49:33.400 --> 04:49:38.080
the ride now with Mary in charge. Mouse, stop looking

4205
04:49:38.119 --> 04:49:41.479
in that mirror. Ariel snaps, coming back into the room

4206
04:49:42.439 --> 04:49:45.720
soon as she sees Mary Worth standing right there. She

4207
04:49:46.159 --> 04:49:50.840
really screams. Before Ariel can run away, Mary grabs her

4208
04:49:50.959 --> 04:49:55.319
arm and pulls her behind her remain here. Then she

4209
04:49:55.400 --> 04:49:59.720
pulls Bailey back into the room. You as well. Then

4210
04:49:59.759 --> 04:50:03.520
she turns to them, No harm shall befall your friends.

4211
04:50:04.479 --> 04:50:07.759
Mary turns and floats out into the hallway and down

4212
04:50:07.799 --> 04:50:11.439
the stairs. It ain't long before Mona sees Mary and

4213
04:50:11.560 --> 04:50:16.560
screams Carter. Mona grabs his sleeve and turns him to

4214
04:50:16.599 --> 04:50:20.479
see Mary. Get behind me, both of you. Mary tells

4215
04:50:20.520 --> 04:50:25.560
him I'm here to protect you. Then Abigail Tomlin sees

4216
04:50:25.639 --> 04:50:32.080
Mary Worth, who are you? You shall not claim these mortals,

4217
04:50:32.279 --> 04:50:38.439
Abigail Tomlin, They are under my protection now. Mona and

4218
04:50:38.479 --> 04:50:42.080
Carter hesitate before they choose Mary and move behind her.

4219
04:50:42.680 --> 04:50:46.319
Abigail Tomlin's real mad. Now, I shall not allow you

4220
04:50:46.400 --> 04:50:50.119
to take from me what I have already claimed. They

4221
04:50:50.159 --> 04:50:53.840
shall never be yours so long as I am here.

4222
04:50:54.880 --> 04:50:58.200
Mary glances at Carter and Mona. Go and join your

4223
04:50:58.240 --> 04:51:03.319
friends upstairs. They don't question Mary and bolt right upstairs.

4224
04:51:03.840 --> 04:51:06.880
Then Mary floats up after them, uttering one of her

4225
04:51:06.919 --> 04:51:10.840
witch spells. Then Mary finds the others together in the

4226
04:51:10.840 --> 04:51:15.279
bedroom with the mirror and finishes the spell. The mirror

4227
04:51:15.319 --> 04:51:18.759
glows white now and to the mirror if you wish

4228
04:51:18.799 --> 04:51:23.759
to be safe, Mary tells everybody they don't argue and

4229
04:51:23.840 --> 04:51:29.880
do what she says. Suddenly, the five of us are

4230
04:51:29.919 --> 04:51:34.599
back at Carter's house. No more bad wins and no

4231
04:51:34.680 --> 04:51:38.680
more Abigail Tomlin. Ariel quickly comes to me and shakes

4232
04:51:38.720 --> 04:51:43.959
me where were you mouse? Then she actually hugs me,

4233
04:51:44.959 --> 04:51:51.159
something she only does very rarely. I'm here, I assure her.

4234
04:51:52.040 --> 04:51:54.959
Mary must have stayed in the mirror after putting me

4235
04:51:55.040 --> 04:51:59.400
back here with the others. Wow, I can't believe we're

4236
04:51:59.439 --> 04:52:04.479
all back in my house. Carter says, yeah, we're all

4237
04:52:04.520 --> 04:52:07.959
glad we ain't back at the cry Baby Bridge. But

4238
04:52:08.000 --> 04:52:12.959
there are things I gotta know. Carter, you mind if

4239
04:52:13.000 --> 04:52:16.279
I use your bathroom real quick? Carter motions in the

4240
04:52:16.319 --> 04:52:20.400
direction you know where it is, Madeline. I turn and

4241
04:52:20.439 --> 04:52:23.159
go to the stairs. I head on up and walk

4242
04:52:23.240 --> 04:52:26.639
into the bathroom. I close the door behind me and

4243
04:52:26.720 --> 04:52:30.400
walk to the sink and mirror. Mary Worth is looking

4244
04:52:30.439 --> 04:52:34.560
back at me. Now, thanks for saving all of us,

4245
04:52:34.959 --> 04:52:39.040
I say, I shall never allow harm to come to innocence,

4246
04:52:39.639 --> 04:52:42.479
so long as you call upon me to protect them.

4247
04:52:43.319 --> 04:52:48.639
Mary tells me, will Abigail Tomlin find us? I ask,

4248
04:52:50.279 --> 04:52:53.439
it would depend on how powerful her ghostly aur is

4249
04:52:53.560 --> 04:52:57.240
and what powers she possesses from it? Should she come

4250
04:52:57.279 --> 04:53:01.880
to you here? Call upon me once more? Then I

4251
04:53:01.959 --> 04:53:05.439
tell her what happened with us seeing Richie Horton, Bill Chapman,

4252
04:53:05.759 --> 04:53:09.759
and Brian Chunk in the Castalia River. They disappeared a

4253
04:53:09.840 --> 04:53:12.759
year ago tonight when we were at the bridge. They

4254
04:53:12.799 --> 04:53:16.720
were trying to warn us. Mary, you know anything about that?

4255
04:53:18.240 --> 04:53:20.959
I can show you what transpired with those children that

4256
04:53:21.000 --> 04:53:27.759
you speak of. I nod quickly, Yeah, show me very well.

4257
04:53:29.599 --> 04:53:34.360
Mary's face is replaced by what looks like village cemetery.

4258
04:53:35.200 --> 04:53:39.200
I listen as Mary explains the events that happened one

4259
04:53:39.279 --> 04:53:44.599
year ago. Ritchie, Bill and Brian were finishing up with

4260
04:53:44.720 --> 04:53:48.599
trick or treating. They each had a pillowcase full of candy.

4261
04:53:49.680 --> 04:53:51.840
They were on their way back to their clubhouse at

4262
04:53:51.840 --> 04:53:55.639
Brian's place when they heard noises. The guys found some

4263
04:53:55.680 --> 04:53:59.880
little kids playing in village cemetery late on Halloween night.

4264
04:54:01.200 --> 04:54:04.400
Knowing something wasn't right, the guys went in to check

4265
04:54:04.439 --> 04:54:09.520
it out. The kids were playing a game called ghost

4266
04:54:09.560 --> 04:54:13.639
in the graveyard. One of the kids named Arthur, convinced

4267
04:54:13.720 --> 04:54:19.520
Richie Bill and Brian to play. Everything seemed innocent enough.

4268
04:54:20.319 --> 04:54:23.599
Turns out Arthur was a ghost who was luring other

4269
04:54:23.720 --> 04:54:28.880
kids to his mother, Abigail Tomlin, who brings the souls

4270
04:54:28.880 --> 04:54:33.279
of children into the afterlife to keep as her own kids.

4271
04:54:34.080 --> 04:54:37.119
It seemed that Richie Bill and Brian had escaped Abigail

4272
04:54:37.119 --> 04:54:42.479
Tomlin before and were looking to settle the score. She

4273
04:54:42.639 --> 04:54:44.720
ended up coming out of a crypt she was hiding

4274
04:54:44.759 --> 04:54:49.639
in and chasing him down. I don't get it, Mary,

4275
04:54:50.119 --> 04:54:52.599
If Abigail Tomlin is tied to that old bridge on

4276
04:54:52.639 --> 04:54:56.360
Indian Hollow Road, what was she doing in Village Cemetery

4277
04:54:56.439 --> 04:55:01.479
last Halloween? I asked. The water flowing underneath the bridge

4278
04:55:01.599 --> 04:55:06.400
you ask of also branches into separate creeks. A few

4279
04:55:06.479 --> 04:55:12.279
such creeks flow into Village Cemetery, allowing Abigail Tomlin free

4280
04:55:12.319 --> 04:55:17.400
reign so long as she stays close to the water.

4281
04:55:18.560 --> 04:55:22.840
I continue watching the mirror. Richie Bill and Brian escaped

4282
04:55:22.840 --> 04:55:26.200
from Abigail Tomlin a second time. They could have got

4283
04:55:26.240 --> 04:55:31.240
away and stayed away. Knowing those other kids were still inside,

4284
04:55:31.360 --> 04:55:35.200
they went back into the cemetery and distracted Abigail long

4285
04:55:35.319 --> 04:55:38.919
enough to let the kids escape. It wasn't until the

4286
04:55:39.040 --> 04:55:43.479
last kid was out that Abigail Tomlin finally touched them

4287
04:55:44.479 --> 04:55:49.240
and brought them into the afterlife. Whither ain't nobody seen

4288
04:55:49.319 --> 04:55:53.639
those guys since until we did a little while ago.

4289
04:55:54.840 --> 04:55:58.479
All that was found of those kids after Abigail got

4290
04:55:58.520 --> 04:56:03.040
them were their pillow sacks full of Halloween candy. But

4291
04:56:03.119 --> 04:56:06.400
how did Richie, Bill and Brian escape Abigail Tomlin the

4292
04:56:06.439 --> 04:56:10.919
first time? Mary, I ask, I shall show you that

4293
04:56:11.799 --> 04:56:16.479
as well. Mary shows me the summer night a few

4294
04:56:16.520 --> 04:56:20.000
months before Halloween where the three of them were camping

4295
04:56:20.040 --> 04:56:22.840
out off Indian Hallow Road, not too far from the

4296
04:56:22.880 --> 04:56:26.520
cry Baby Bridge. It was in the middle of the

4297
04:56:26.639 --> 04:56:30.000
night and they decided to check out the legend of

4298
04:56:30.040 --> 04:56:33.400
the bridge and see if it was just that much

4299
04:56:33.520 --> 04:56:37.200
like we were doing. You know, they ended up finding

4300
04:56:37.200 --> 04:56:40.119
out the same way we did that it ain't just

4301
04:56:40.200 --> 04:56:44.720
a story. Abigail Tomlin appeared and tried to claim Richie,

4302
04:56:44.759 --> 04:56:47.919
Bill and Brian as her children, like how she wanted

4303
04:56:47.919 --> 04:56:50.759
to claim the five of us. The only way they

4304
04:56:50.840 --> 04:56:56.240
ended up surviving was sunrise. Mary told me before. There

4305
04:56:56.279 --> 04:56:58.919
are many ghosts who can't be out during the daylight.

4306
04:57:00.000 --> 04:57:05.639
Abigail Tomlin was just such a ghost. Abigail Tomlin sore

4307
04:57:06.279 --> 04:57:11.319
she would claim those boys Madeline Mary finishes. Last Halloween,

4308
04:57:11.799 --> 04:57:14.880
she resurrected her son as a ghost to assist her

4309
04:57:14.880 --> 04:57:18.799
in bringing those boys to her. I've already shown you

4310
04:57:18.880 --> 04:57:25.360
that outcome. I'm sad. Now, are those guys really dead?

4311
04:57:25.479 --> 04:57:25.759
Mary?

4312
04:57:26.919 --> 04:57:29.119
The fact that they were able to communicate with you

4313
04:57:29.240 --> 04:57:33.119
the way they did says that they are not truly dead.

4314
04:57:34.200 --> 04:57:39.799
Their life essences have been ensnared by Abigail Tomlin. I

4315
04:57:39.840 --> 04:57:43.560
feel my tummy hurting with hope. Is there any way

4316
04:57:43.599 --> 04:57:46.919
to save them? Bring them back? Can you do anything?

4317
04:57:48.360 --> 04:57:52.400
I'm afraid that even my powerful White magics have limitations.

4318
04:57:52.919 --> 04:57:57.560
Abigail Tomlin herself must release their essences. I believe I

4319
04:57:57.639 --> 04:58:00.119
have an idea that may persuade her to do so.

4320
04:58:01.720 --> 04:58:06.119
It will require us to return to the bridge. Before

4321
04:58:06.119 --> 04:58:10.200
I can ask Mary her plan, I hear Ariel calling upstairs.

4322
04:58:11.040 --> 04:58:14.840
You fall in mouse, Perhaps you would best return to

4323
04:58:14.880 --> 04:58:19.040
the others for now, Mary suggests, I want to save

4324
04:58:19.119 --> 04:58:24.040
those guys. Mary, I tell her, and we shall Madeleine.

4325
04:58:24.840 --> 04:58:27.639
But it may not be for the best that your

4326
04:58:27.639 --> 04:58:32.639
friends know of our connection to one another unless you disagree.

4327
04:58:33.200 --> 04:58:36.880
And suddenly I got a plan. I know what I

4328
04:58:36.919 --> 04:58:40.639
gotta do. When I'm heading back down to the others.

4329
04:58:44.360 --> 04:58:50.560
You okay, Madeline, Carter asks, fine, I tell everybody. Then

4330
04:58:50.639 --> 04:58:55.319
Carter comes to me. Talk to me, Madeline, what's up nothing,

4331
04:58:55.759 --> 04:58:59.720
I quickly say. He shakes his head. You ain't being

4332
04:58:59.759 --> 04:59:02.479
hone with me. We've known each other since we were

4333
04:59:02.520 --> 04:59:07.680
in second grade. Come on, what's on your mind? I sigh. No.

4334
04:59:08.000 --> 04:59:11.479
I ain't a very good liar and never was. Carter's

4335
04:59:11.560 --> 04:59:15.279
right about us knowing each other that well. Even Ariels

4336
04:59:15.319 --> 04:59:17.639
told me that before, which is why I can never

4337
04:59:17.680 --> 04:59:20.240
get out of going to her family events. That I

4338
04:59:20.279 --> 04:59:24.159
don't really want to go to that, and I more

4339
04:59:24.240 --> 04:59:27.560
or less do it for Ariel's sake. I really don't

4340
04:59:27.560 --> 04:59:29.479
want to tell the others what's on my mind, but

4341
04:59:29.880 --> 04:59:34.159
Carter's gonna make me talk. Also, I definitely can't outrun Ariel.

4342
04:59:34.959 --> 04:59:37.319
Maybe if she was wearing heels with her dress, but

4343
04:59:37.959 --> 04:59:40.799
her dress shoes are flat enough to wear, she can run.

4344
04:59:41.759 --> 04:59:46.560
Carter puts his hands on my shoulders, Madeline, I can't

4345
04:59:46.599 --> 04:59:51.560
lie to my buddy. I'm going back what. Everybody utters

4346
04:59:51.599 --> 04:59:55.880
all at once, just what I said? I say, do

4347
04:59:55.919 --> 05:00:01.680
you have any idea how insane that sounds? Mouse Bailey snaps, yeah,

4348
05:00:01.919 --> 05:00:07.040
I kind of sort of do, I tell her? Just why?

4349
05:00:07.599 --> 05:00:11.959
Mona shrieks. I always knew you were crazy, but this.

4350
05:00:13.520 --> 05:00:17.720
You ain't gotta come with me, I say. Ariel quickly

4351
05:00:17.759 --> 05:00:20.639
moves up behind me. We don't have to let you

4352
05:00:20.720 --> 05:00:25.479
go either. Carter looks me in the face. Now, why Madeline.

4353
05:00:26.599 --> 05:00:29.959
At least he's being calm because there might be a

4354
05:00:30.080 --> 05:00:33.439
chance to save Richie Horton, Bill Chapman and Brian Chunk.

4355
05:00:33.919 --> 05:00:37.119
I say, we all saw him in the river earlier.

4356
05:00:38.040 --> 05:00:41.400
Ariel tightens her grip on my shoulders a little. How

4357
05:00:41.400 --> 05:00:45.919
can you possibly save them? Mouse? Yeah, I really want

4358
05:00:45.919 --> 05:00:49.959
to hear this, Mona adds. I don't want to tell

4359
05:00:50.000 --> 05:00:52.400
them about Mary Worth, and I don't want to put

4360
05:00:52.439 --> 05:00:56.119
any of my friends in danger. This is something I

4361
05:00:56.159 --> 05:00:59.400
gotta do by myself, or at least once I call

4362
05:00:59.439 --> 05:01:02.959
on Mary to take my body again. I only got

4363
05:01:02.959 --> 05:01:06.520
two options here. Either one's gonna have to be sneaky.

4364
05:01:07.319 --> 05:01:10.080
One I can try slipping away from Ariel and getting

4365
05:01:10.080 --> 05:01:13.240
out of the front door. Two, I can try slipping

4366
05:01:13.240 --> 05:01:16.840
away from Ariel and running back upstairs. The other girls

4367
05:01:16.880 --> 05:01:19.560
call me mouse, so I think it's time to act

4368
05:01:19.639 --> 05:01:23.479
like one. I quickly drop to the floor. Both Carter

4369
05:01:23.560 --> 05:01:26.040
and Ariel try grabbing me, but then I scurry in

4370
05:01:26.080 --> 05:01:29.680
between Ariel's legs. When I'm back up, I quickly head

4371
05:01:29.720 --> 05:01:34.200
back upstairs. Get her. Mona yells, I know I ain't

4372
05:01:34.240 --> 05:01:36.560
got much time. When I hear people on the stairs.

4373
05:01:37.119 --> 05:01:39.439
If Carter's in front, I got a little more time.

4374
05:01:40.279 --> 05:01:45.200
You just stop Mouse. Ariels in front of Carter. Not good.

4375
05:01:45.799 --> 05:01:48.720
I move with everything I got and quickly lock myself

4376
05:01:48.759 --> 05:01:53.360
in Carter's room. Open the door, Madeline. Carter calls out,

4377
05:01:53.759 --> 05:01:57.360
come on, don't do this. Open this door, you, you

4378
05:01:57.520 --> 05:02:01.720
wicked little rodent. Mona yell. I quickly get to the

4379
05:02:01.720 --> 05:02:05.360
window next to Carter's bed and open it. I'm outside

4380
05:02:05.400 --> 05:02:08.880
and on the old TV antenna. Before climbing down, I

4381
05:02:08.959 --> 05:02:13.040
close the window back up should buy me a few seconds.

4382
05:02:13.479 --> 05:02:15.959
I'm on the ground and running away from Carter's house.

4383
05:02:16.680 --> 05:02:21.080
Madeleine Carter yells from his window, I ain't got much

4384
05:02:21.119 --> 05:02:25.000
time now. When Carter's mountain the antenna himself, I quickly

4385
05:02:25.040 --> 05:02:27.439
get in my garage and ride my bike out of there.

4386
05:02:28.040 --> 05:02:29.759
I got to ride around the other side of my

4387
05:02:29.799 --> 05:02:33.720
house so Carter don't grab me. I shriek. When Carter's

4388
05:02:33.799 --> 05:02:37.880
right there, Like I said, we know each other very well.

4389
05:02:38.720 --> 05:02:42.080
Quick decision. I hit my brakes and spin my bike around.

4390
05:02:42.439 --> 05:02:46.599
Carter's running after me. Now, ah no, Now Ariel's right

4391
05:02:46.599 --> 05:02:51.040
there to box me in. Ah man. Quick decision again.

4392
05:02:51.560 --> 05:02:54.159
I slide my bike into the ground. When Ariel jumps

4393
05:02:54.159 --> 05:02:58.080
at me, I hear her take Carter down. I'm back

4394
05:02:58.159 --> 05:03:01.159
up fast and back on my bike. I ride around

4395
05:03:01.200 --> 05:03:04.639
the house and easily avoid Mona and Bailey. Now I'm

4396
05:03:04.680 --> 05:03:07.759
out on the road and pedling fast. Unless they're gonna

4397
05:03:07.799 --> 05:03:10.400
try driving a car like what I did earlier, they

4398
05:03:10.439 --> 05:03:13.240
ain't catching me in a big hurry. I'm a master

4399
05:03:13.599 --> 05:03:17.720
at riding my mongoose. I end up taking several shortcuts

4400
05:03:17.759 --> 05:03:19.680
to make sure Carter don't catch up with me in

4401
05:03:19.720 --> 05:03:24.319
a hurry. He will definitely find me, though, especially since

4402
05:03:24.319 --> 05:03:27.599
they all know where I'm going. Only questions whether or

4403
05:03:27.680 --> 05:03:31.639
not Carter will come after me himself. I'll be honest here,

4404
05:03:32.119 --> 05:03:36.000
I'm really scared right now. I'm definitely afraid Carter's gonna

4405
05:03:36.000 --> 05:03:39.439
get to me before I can reach the cry Baby Bridge. Also,

4406
05:03:39.959 --> 05:03:42.840
you know, I'm kind of scared to death of Abigail

4407
05:03:42.880 --> 05:03:46.759
Tomlin right now, I'm more scared of the former. I

4408
05:03:46.799 --> 05:03:49.840
can't let Carter stop me. If there's any chance in

4409
05:03:49.919 --> 05:03:55.599
saving Richie Horton, Bill Chapman and Brian Chunk, I gotta try. Okay,

4410
05:03:56.159 --> 05:03:59.759
let's be honest here. If I wasn't tied to Mary Worth,

4411
05:04:00.520 --> 05:04:03.880
I'd probably feel helpless and get agitated about it. But

4412
05:04:04.000 --> 05:04:06.880
since mary Worth and I are tied together, I've been

4413
05:04:06.919 --> 05:04:10.919
trying to use our connection to help people. Want to

4414
05:04:10.959 --> 05:04:16.080
know something the others don't. Aleen and Bells know my secret.

4415
05:04:16.360 --> 05:04:18.799
In fact, I've been out with them when they've been

4416
05:04:18.799 --> 05:04:22.479
out looking for baddies around Strickfield. Why don't I trust

4417
05:04:22.520 --> 05:04:27.159
Carter with my secret? Simple? I don't want anything happening

4418
05:04:27.200 --> 05:04:30.040
to him. You don't know how many times I wanted

4419
05:04:30.040 --> 05:04:33.799
to tell him, or even Ariel. I know under pinky

4420
05:04:33.880 --> 05:04:37.080
promises they both keep my secret, but I don't want

4421
05:04:37.080 --> 05:04:41.119
to risk either of them. I can't. After taking enough

4422
05:04:41.119 --> 05:04:44.680
short cuts, I finally reached Denoyer's grill. I can see

4423
05:04:44.680 --> 05:04:49.200
the places packed now usually is on Halloween night, especially

4424
05:04:49.200 --> 05:04:51.799
when people are still out and about after the witching hour.

4425
05:04:52.439 --> 05:04:56.279
I keep pedaling hard and fast. I'm taking other shortcuts

4426
05:04:56.319 --> 05:04:59.560
to get me to Indian Hollow Road faster. My gut

4427
05:04:59.599 --> 05:05:04.080
tells me to look over my shoulder. Ah, No, Carter's coming.

4428
05:05:04.479 --> 05:05:06.799
I got a good lead on him, but he figured

4429
05:05:06.799 --> 05:05:11.520
me out. Madeleine stop. I gotta take a real risk now.

4430
05:05:11.919 --> 05:05:14.000
I'm riding fast enough to where I can make the

4431
05:05:14.040 --> 05:05:17.159
big jump coming up. I've been able to make it before,

4432
05:05:17.279 --> 05:05:21.720
but it ain't easy. I hit wrong. I'm gonna really

4433
05:05:21.840 --> 05:05:25.080
wipe out. I'm faster on a bike than Carter, but

4434
05:05:25.520 --> 05:05:28.319
he can make the big jumps better, or I should

4435
05:05:28.360 --> 05:05:31.560
say he makes them look real easy. If I want

4436
05:05:31.560 --> 05:05:33.680
to have any chance of getting Carter off my back

4437
05:05:33.759 --> 05:05:36.159
long enough to get back to the bridge and summon Mary,

4438
05:05:36.720 --> 05:05:40.680
I gotta make my jump. Don't do it, Madeline. Carter

4439
05:05:40.799 --> 05:05:45.919
yells no turning back now. I feel my tummy dropping

4440
05:05:45.959 --> 05:05:49.040
out of me fast. When I'm airborne. I gotta hit

4441
05:05:49.080 --> 05:05:52.080
this jump just right. Feels like I'm in the air

4442
05:05:52.119 --> 05:05:56.840
for the longest time. Always does. I always try being calm,

4443
05:05:56.919 --> 05:06:03.040
but it never works out. I'm going down, down, down,

4444
05:06:04.000 --> 05:06:07.479
boom landed. It had to use my feet to keep

4445
05:06:07.479 --> 05:06:10.159
from wiping out, but I make it. I quickly pedal

4446
05:06:10.200 --> 05:06:12.639
again and coast down the hill on Indian Hollow Road

4447
05:06:12.959 --> 05:06:17.240
leading to the cry Baby Bridge. Can't let Carter stop

4448
05:06:17.279 --> 05:06:20.119
me now. I get off my bike and feel warm

4449
05:06:20.240 --> 05:06:23.799
enough from all the riding I did. Now, I just

4450
05:06:23.840 --> 05:06:27.759
gotta wait, and I ain't gotta do it long. The

4451
05:06:27.799 --> 05:06:30.959
winds starting to pick up again. Won't be long before

4452
05:06:30.959 --> 05:06:35.479
Abigail Tomlin's gonna show up. I'm really scared now. I'm

4453
05:06:35.479 --> 05:06:42.720
not gonna lie. Huh is somebody moving over in the trees? Yeah?

4454
05:06:43.000 --> 05:06:49.959
I do see somebody? Is that a little kid? Oh? Man?

4455
05:06:50.560 --> 05:06:55.000
I really don't need this right now, Abigail Tomlin's gonna appear.

4456
05:06:55.520 --> 05:06:57.479
I was gonna be the bait, but I ain't risking

4457
05:06:57.560 --> 05:07:00.279
a little boy being out here with me. I move

4458
05:07:00.360 --> 05:07:03.040
until I reach him. What are you doing out here

4459
05:07:03.080 --> 05:07:06.080
so late? Kid? The little boy don't seem to be

4460
05:07:06.119 --> 05:07:10.319
afraid just outside. I don't live far from here. What

4461
05:07:10.400 --> 05:07:13.959
are you doing out here? The winds are really picking

4462
05:07:14.080 --> 05:07:17.639
up now. I turn the kid around. We gotta move,

4463
05:07:18.200 --> 05:07:21.560
but we can't stay here, I yell. The ghost will

4464
05:07:21.560 --> 05:07:25.159
be here any second. Now the little boy looks confused

4465
05:07:26.279 --> 05:07:29.959
ghost and then I see Carter making the jump and

4466
05:07:30.000 --> 05:07:33.360
making it look so easy. Like I said, he's better

4467
05:07:33.400 --> 05:07:36.119
at jump stunts than I am. I wait for him

4468
05:07:36.159 --> 05:07:40.319
to turn away. Then I look over my shoulder and

4469
05:07:40.400 --> 05:07:44.400
see Abigail Tomlin appearing on the bridge in her disgusting,

4470
05:07:44.599 --> 05:07:50.880
glowing ghostly manifestation. You've returned to me, my darling, little girl,

4471
05:07:51.639 --> 05:07:55.159
she says, floating for me and the little boy. Come

4472
05:07:55.840 --> 05:07:59.400
to your new mother. I take a huge breath and yell,

4473
05:07:59.840 --> 05:08:03.919
ain't happening, lady. I point to her, and I want

4474
05:08:03.919 --> 05:08:07.720
you to let those three guys go. Now she stops.

4475
05:08:08.360 --> 05:08:14.040
I'm thinking she's surprised. They are my children, little girl.

4476
05:08:14.599 --> 05:08:20.279
They can never return to the mortal realm again, yeah,

4477
05:08:20.680 --> 05:08:24.479
says you. Then I pull the compact I snagged from

4478
05:08:24.520 --> 05:08:28.240
the sink drawer in Carter's bathroom out of my pocket. Okay,

4479
05:08:28.279 --> 05:08:33.279
Abigail Tomlin, let's finish this. I yell. Carter and the

4480
05:08:33.279 --> 05:08:36.080
little boy are gonna see, but I gotta do this.

4481
05:08:36.560 --> 05:08:39.560
I open the compact to bring Mary Worth back. But

4482
05:08:39.680 --> 05:08:44.720
then no, I checked the compact when I took it

4483
05:08:44.720 --> 05:08:49.599
out of Carter's bathroom. The mirror was perfect. Now it's shattered.

4484
05:08:50.639 --> 05:08:53.040
Mary told me the mirror glass has gotta be whole

4485
05:08:53.400 --> 05:08:56.400
or she can't come through. I must have busted it

4486
05:08:56.439 --> 05:08:59.639
on the jump. I feel hands on my shoulders. Now

4487
05:09:00.319 --> 05:09:04.119
it's Carter. Leave her alone, he shouts at the ghost.

4488
05:09:04.799 --> 05:09:07.080
Then he grabs my hand and turns. The little boy.

4489
05:09:07.639 --> 05:09:10.880
Come on, no chance getting on the bikes with Abigail

4490
05:09:10.919 --> 05:09:13.759
Tomlin that close, Not with that little boy with us.

4491
05:09:14.240 --> 05:09:18.080
We gotta leave him and run this way, Carter yells

4492
05:09:18.119 --> 05:09:21.439
over the winds. We follow Carter down the slope beside

4493
05:09:21.479 --> 05:09:25.040
the raging river. Do you really think you can escape

4494
05:09:25.080 --> 05:09:29.400
that way, my new children, The ghost calls out. With

4495
05:09:29.520 --> 05:09:32.279
the river water raging, there ain't no chance of getting

4496
05:09:32.319 --> 05:09:36.240
a reflection. Oh man, I really messed up, and I

4497
05:09:36.360 --> 05:09:39.400
mean bad. We ain't gonna get away from Abigail Tomlin

4498
05:09:39.479 --> 05:09:42.520
this time. No way for me to regroup and find

4499
05:09:42.560 --> 05:09:45.360
another mirror. But we ain't gonna make it easy for

4500
05:09:45.439 --> 05:09:49.400
that ghost to catch us. We're tired and exhausted, but

4501
05:09:49.520 --> 05:09:52.240
we keep moving. We go under the bridge and make

4502
05:09:52.279 --> 05:09:55.560
our way back up. The winds almost make us fall back,

4503
05:09:55.840 --> 05:09:59.319
but we lunge forward and climb. When we're back on top.

4504
05:09:59.599 --> 05:10:03.200
We run, and again there's no use running any further.

4505
05:10:03.680 --> 05:10:07.799
You belong to me now, No way. Abigail Tomlin's getting

4506
05:10:07.880 --> 05:10:10.240
us if I can help it. I turn around and

4507
05:10:10.279 --> 05:10:13.439
face her. Take me, but you ain't getting Carter or

4508
05:10:13.479 --> 05:10:19.520
the kid, Madeline. No, Carter, yells, come on, no Carter,

4509
05:10:20.400 --> 05:10:24.520
just go. When Carter turns me around, I see that

4510
05:10:24.639 --> 05:10:27.759
barn where I found the car earlier. The three of

4511
05:10:27.840 --> 05:10:31.799
us pour it on, making one final attempt. We run

4512
05:10:31.919 --> 05:10:36.439
for all we're worth. You children are just delaying the inevitable.

4513
05:10:36.840 --> 05:10:39.680
We're so close to the barn. Now as I'm ready

4514
05:10:39.680 --> 05:10:43.479
to open the small door, the little boy suddenly stands

4515
05:10:43.479 --> 05:10:46.159
in front of it. I try to move him aside,

4516
05:10:46.680 --> 05:10:50.119
but he won't budge. The game is over, you two.

4517
05:10:51.119 --> 05:10:54.639
It's time for you both to come home with your

4518
05:10:54.680 --> 05:11:01.240
new mother. Isn't that right? Arthur? We see little boy smiling,

4519
05:11:01.360 --> 05:11:06.000
a wicked little smile. You're right, mom. Now he's all

4520
05:11:06.119 --> 05:11:08.959
soaking wet like his mom, and we can hear his

4521
05:11:09.080 --> 05:11:13.040
voice as clearly as we hear Abigail's. And now, my son,

4522
05:11:14.040 --> 05:11:19.000
you shall have new playmates. We're gonna have so much

4523
05:11:19.080 --> 05:11:25.400
fun together. Arthur cheers excitedly, no way, Carter shouts. As

4524
05:11:25.439 --> 05:11:28.279
Carter and I turn and run, A huge gust of

4525
05:11:28.319 --> 05:11:31.959
wind makes us both fall and tumble downward away from

4526
05:11:31.959 --> 05:11:35.959
the barn. When I stop rolling, I look to see

4527
05:11:36.000 --> 05:11:41.439
Carter ain't moving. Carter, I yell shaken him. He still

4528
05:11:41.479 --> 05:11:45.360
isn't moving. Oh man, he must have got knocked out.

4529
05:11:45.799 --> 05:11:50.040
I'm so exhausted now I can't run no more. I

4530
05:11:50.119 --> 05:11:53.599
can't run no more. I feel like crying at having failed.

4531
05:11:54.279 --> 05:11:56.599
I shake my head fast. I ain't gonna let that

4532
05:11:56.680 --> 05:12:00.119
ghost take me like that. I'm gonna go no, and

4533
05:12:00.200 --> 05:12:07.520
I stood up to her. Suddenly the winds die down.

4534
05:12:07.880 --> 05:12:15.200
What is this, Abigail Tomlin growls, Morning is several hours away. Yeah,

4535
05:12:15.479 --> 05:12:19.360
but I ain't. A voice that makes my heart pound fast,

4536
05:12:19.479 --> 05:12:25.680
tells her. I turned to face her. Belle's Bella Tabon

4537
05:12:25.840 --> 05:12:29.799
is still wearing her Elvira looking dress, but she has

4538
05:12:29.880 --> 05:12:34.319
her normal face. Surprised. I know we are at seeing

4539
05:12:34.360 --> 05:12:39.520
you out here, we I ask. Then cousin Aileen appears

4540
05:12:40.279 --> 05:12:43.720
we were out doing our thing with hunting supernatural batties, Maddie.

4541
05:12:44.319 --> 05:12:46.720
Then we heard people saying they saw that ghost out

4542
05:12:46.720 --> 05:12:51.279
by Denoyer's grill. She points at Abigail Tomlin. Did you

4543
05:12:51.360 --> 05:12:54.919
summon her? I just wanted to rescue the boys. Abigail

4544
05:12:54.919 --> 05:12:58.479
Tomlin took a year ago. I tell him I messed

4545
05:12:58.560 --> 05:13:02.279
up though. I point to Arthur and now her boys

4546
05:13:02.319 --> 05:13:07.479
in the picture. Then Abigail Tomlin smiles. Twin girls and

4547
05:13:07.720 --> 05:13:13.759
so cute. I shall have you both. Bella faces the ghost. Now,

4548
05:13:14.360 --> 05:13:17.799
uh huh, ain't happen in ghosty. Even you don't hold

4549
05:13:17.840 --> 05:13:20.759
power over a vampire. How do you think I stopped

4550
05:13:20.759 --> 05:13:24.919
your wins? Then she suddenly looks down in Arthur's face

4551
05:13:25.360 --> 05:13:30.560
and vamps out buzz off. Arthur cries out and runs away,

4552
05:13:31.119 --> 05:13:36.560
but the ghost laughs, Arthur will return. Even you, vampire,

4553
05:13:36.919 --> 05:13:41.040
with all your powers, cannot save these children. You wanna

4554
05:13:41.080 --> 05:13:44.599
bet on that, Belle says boldly. If I could just

4555
05:13:44.639 --> 05:13:48.439
find a mirror, I mutter. Then Bella turns to Aileen.

4556
05:13:49.200 --> 05:13:52.919
Give matt to your flashlight fast. Aileen hands it to me.

4557
05:13:53.639 --> 05:13:56.759
Belle's looks at me. Now take off your glasses and

4558
05:13:56.799 --> 05:14:00.319
shine the light on them. I gasp, Why why didn't

4559
05:14:00.319 --> 05:14:03.680
I think of that? Oh right, I didn't have a light.

4560
05:14:04.479 --> 05:14:07.560
I take the flashlight from Aileen and do what bell says.

4561
05:14:08.159 --> 05:14:11.000
When I think I got a reflection. I quickly say

4562
05:14:11.040 --> 05:14:17.919
Mary Worth's name three times. Nothing happens. I try again.

4563
05:14:19.919 --> 05:14:30.200
Still nothing, ha ha, Come on, I cry please. Aileen

4564
05:14:30.319 --> 05:14:33.080
quickly takes my glasses and holds them. You have to

4565
05:14:33.080 --> 05:14:36.880
shine it on yourself, Maddie. Then I finally see myself

4566
05:14:36.919 --> 05:14:41.959
in the lenses and say Mary Worth's name three times again. Yes,

4567
05:14:42.560 --> 05:14:46.240
I shriek. The ghostly energies come out of the lenses

4568
05:14:46.799 --> 05:14:50.159
and into me again. I'm in the back of Mary's

4569
05:14:50.200 --> 05:14:53.880
mind as she takes over my body and appears again.

4570
05:14:54.880 --> 05:14:59.479
Bell's asks Mary, you know what's going on? I do,

4571
05:15:00.400 --> 05:15:05.479
Mary tells her. Then she faces Abigail Tomlin, release those

4572
05:15:05.520 --> 05:15:10.159
boys to me. Their souls do not belong to you, never,

4573
05:15:10.799 --> 05:15:17.439
Abigail Tomlin roars. Suddenly, Tomlin changes into something scary like

4574
05:15:17.599 --> 05:15:20.479
right out of the opening scene of the original Ghostbusters,

4575
05:15:21.080 --> 05:15:23.639
you know, the scene in the library after Dan Ackroyd

4576
05:15:23.680 --> 05:15:28.319
yells get her. Mary easily floats away from her. Now

4577
05:15:28.360 --> 05:15:32.880
I feel Mary's eyes glowing bright, Then her face glows bright.

4578
05:15:33.680 --> 05:15:37.720
Soon her whole body's glowing bright. Do not feel that

4579
05:15:37.799 --> 05:15:43.000
you hold power over me, Abigail Tomlin, You are only

4580
05:15:43.040 --> 05:15:46.040
a ghost. I hold power of the white light. Be

4581
05:15:46.279 --> 05:15:52.520
gone never, Tomlin roars again. She gets real ugly now.

4582
05:15:53.159 --> 05:15:57.080
Then she starts glowing and eerie red. Even though I'm safe,

4583
05:15:57.119 --> 05:16:00.759
seeing Abigail Tomlin like that really scares me. Now I

4584
05:16:00.759 --> 05:16:03.720
can see Bells easily lifting Carter into her arms and

4585
05:16:03.759 --> 05:16:07.919
carrying him to safety. Aileen goes with her. It's up

4586
05:16:07.959 --> 05:16:11.919
to Mary now. Suddenly these hot lights come out of

4587
05:16:11.959 --> 05:16:16.040
Tomlin's eyes and mouth. Mary is sent flying backward and

4588
05:16:16.080 --> 05:16:18.439
goes through a couple of trees before she falls near

4589
05:16:18.479 --> 05:16:22.639
the Castalia River. Mary's floating back into the air. She

4590
05:16:22.799 --> 05:16:25.639
utters one of her witch spells before discharging her white

4591
05:16:25.720 --> 05:16:30.759
light at Tomlin. Tomlin screams and flies back herself, but

4592
05:16:30.840 --> 05:16:35.639
she's quickly back up again. I will never surrender my boys,

4593
05:16:36.119 --> 05:16:41.000
Tomlin declares. Mary laughs a little. Do not be so

4594
05:16:41.200 --> 05:16:44.360
certain you shall release them back to the mortal realm

4595
05:16:44.439 --> 05:16:49.639
this very night. Tomlin roars again and charges at Mary.

4596
05:16:50.319 --> 05:16:52.720
Now I know enough about ghosts to know you don't

4597
05:16:52.759 --> 05:16:56.279
want one passing through another. If Tomlin passes through Mary,

4598
05:16:56.599 --> 05:17:00.400
that can make for a bad night. As tom Tomlin's

4599
05:17:00.439 --> 05:17:03.479
about to collide with Mary, a blue energy appears in

4600
05:17:03.520 --> 05:17:08.119
between them and repels Tomlin. You forget that we are

4601
05:17:08.159 --> 05:17:12.840
not the same, Abigail, Tomlin, you became a ghost in death.

4602
05:17:13.759 --> 05:17:17.520
I am an astral projection. I left my body of

4603
05:17:17.560 --> 05:17:22.560
my own free will. In other words, our energies are

4604
05:17:22.680 --> 05:17:26.639
not the same. I look and see that Ariel, Bailey,

4605
05:17:26.680 --> 05:17:29.799
and Mona finally reached the area. They rode the other

4606
05:17:29.880 --> 05:17:33.599
bikes in Carter's garage, Bell's and Aleen moved to them.

4607
05:17:34.080 --> 05:17:36.520
I can hear how scared Ariel is when she sees

4608
05:17:36.520 --> 05:17:39.919
Bell's holding Carter. I know the others are safe. Now

4609
05:17:40.680 --> 05:17:43.520
that means Mary and I don't have to worry about him.

4610
05:17:44.360 --> 05:17:48.759
I offer you one last opportunity. Relinquish those boys to me.

4611
05:17:49.720 --> 05:17:53.279
Mary tells Abigail. If you do not, then you shall

4612
05:17:53.360 --> 05:17:56.759
leave me no other choice but to force your hand.

4613
05:17:57.400 --> 05:18:01.520
Tomlin glows red hot. Now never even you do not

4614
05:18:01.639 --> 05:18:05.919
have the power to ultimately destroy me. I am aware

4615
05:18:05.959 --> 05:18:11.479
of this, and that was never my intention. Then she

4616
05:18:11.639 --> 05:18:17.840
utters another incantation, Mom help. Tomlin turns to see little

4617
05:18:17.919 --> 05:18:22.200
Arthur's ghost in some kind of glowing sphere. Mom, I

4618
05:18:22.279 --> 05:18:27.000
can't get out, help me, Arthur cries. Now. Arthur's mom

4619
05:18:27.680 --> 05:18:32.040
is the maddest we've ever seen release my son at once,

4620
05:18:32.880 --> 05:18:37.119
Not until you allow Richard Horton, William Chapman and Brian

4621
05:18:37.279 --> 05:18:41.319
Chunk to return to the mortal realm once more, and

4622
05:18:41.400 --> 05:18:44.400
you shall give your word that you shall never pursue

4623
05:18:44.400 --> 05:18:50.599
them again. Only then shall I release your son. Decide now,

4624
05:18:51.959 --> 05:18:55.680
even though Abigail Tomlin's a bad ghost, she's still a

4625
05:18:55.799 --> 05:19:00.840
mom deep down. Arthur is her actual kid. Tomlin turns

4626
05:19:00.880 --> 05:19:05.040
back to Mary and howls with rage again, but Mary

4627
05:19:05.080 --> 05:19:08.360
ain't swayed. She even tries using her own power to

4628
05:19:08.400 --> 05:19:12.119
break Arthur free, but Mary just said their energies ain't

4629
05:19:12.119 --> 05:19:16.479
the same. Finally, Tomlin turns back to Mary, curse you,

4630
05:19:18.240 --> 05:19:22.919
I shall release them. Mary watches as Tomlin points to

4631
05:19:22.959 --> 05:19:26.479
the Castalia River. The river glows red for a moment.

4632
05:19:27.240 --> 05:19:31.200
Then yes, Richie, Bill and Brian are coming out of

4633
05:19:31.200 --> 05:19:34.959
the river. They're holding themselves at being wet and cold,

4634
05:19:35.040 --> 05:19:40.080
but there they are. Now, give me your word that

4635
05:19:40.159 --> 05:19:44.720
you shall never pursue them again. Abigail Tomlin looks at

4636
05:19:44.720 --> 05:19:50.159
the boys. Then she laughs, a long, scornful laugh. Do

4637
05:19:50.360 --> 05:19:55.599
you really think it's that simple? Now? The boys are

4638
05:19:55.639 --> 05:19:59.400
scared when they see both Abigail Tomlin and Mary Worth together.

4639
05:20:00.520 --> 05:20:03.560
Tomlin points to them, You boys are in the mortal

4640
05:20:03.599 --> 05:20:08.159
realm again, but know that you shall never be free.

4641
05:20:08.360 --> 05:20:12.000
I claimed you last Halloween. There can never truly be

4642
05:20:12.319 --> 05:20:16.200
any return for you three. Richie turns to Bill and Brian.

4643
05:20:17.040 --> 05:20:21.400
You mean we're going to stay dead. I have only

4644
05:20:21.439 --> 05:20:24.080
allowed for you to be in the mortal realm. You

4645
05:20:24.159 --> 05:20:27.319
shall continue to be in your ghostly forms from the

4646
05:20:27.400 --> 05:20:31.759
time when I claimed you last Halloween. Then Abigail says

4647
05:20:31.799 --> 05:20:34.560
to Mary, you never said I had to restore them

4648
05:20:35.119 --> 05:20:39.119
to life. Mary utters another spell and puts a white

4649
05:20:39.200 --> 05:20:42.639
light on the guise that should dry and warm the

4650
05:20:42.680 --> 05:20:46.080
three of you, and do not trouble yourselves over Abigail

4651
05:20:46.119 --> 05:20:53.840
Tomlin any longer. But Brian utters. Mary tells Tomlin again, promise.

4652
05:20:55.319 --> 05:21:00.040
Tomlin growls angrily in defeat. I promise, now release this

4653
05:21:00.240 --> 05:21:04.040
my son. Mary speaks a spell again and removes the

4654
05:21:04.200 --> 05:21:07.639
energy on Arthur. He floats to his mother right away.

4655
05:21:08.680 --> 05:21:12.720
Tomlin points to Mary, you have made an enemy today.

4656
05:21:13.159 --> 05:21:16.599
This shall not be the last time we meet. Perhaps

4657
05:21:17.599 --> 05:21:22.759
perhaps not. Then Bells comes back for the boys. Come on,

4658
05:21:23.360 --> 05:21:27.560
come with me. Richie, Bill and Brian quickly go to

4659
05:21:27.639 --> 05:21:30.639
Bell's and let her take them to be with the others.

4660
05:21:31.279 --> 05:21:35.000
After that, Abigail and Arthur Tomlin return to the cry

4661
05:21:35.080 --> 05:21:39.200
Baby Bridge. Once they're at the center, the two of

4662
05:21:39.240 --> 05:21:43.919
them disappear. She'll be back, won't she? I ask Mary?

4663
05:21:45.279 --> 05:21:50.840
Even I cannot truly end her Madeline. Mary tells me, however,

4664
05:21:51.159 --> 05:21:54.560
I can make it most difficult for her and Arthur

4665
05:21:54.639 --> 05:21:59.040
to return. Should there be foolhardy mortals who wish to

4666
05:21:59.159 --> 05:22:05.159
explore this particular local legend. Mary speaks her which language

4667
05:22:05.200 --> 05:22:09.000
again and makes me awe when she changes the road

4668
05:22:09.080 --> 05:22:12.400
so that it don't cross the bridge. Then she puts

4669
05:22:12.400 --> 05:22:17.639
an energy around the bridge to make it invisible. Will

4670
05:22:17.680 --> 05:22:22.200
that keep people away? Mary? I ask? It shall prove

4671
05:22:22.279 --> 05:22:25.959
difficult for mortals to find this accursed bridge, But do

4672
05:22:26.119 --> 05:22:31.159
remember that everything has limitations. I cannot promise that Abigail

4673
05:22:31.200 --> 05:22:35.520
Tomlin will never return again. My work is finished here.

4674
05:22:36.119 --> 05:22:38.000
I think it is best for you to return to

4675
05:22:38.040 --> 05:22:44.560
your friends now. But there ain't no mirrors. No. Mary

4676
05:22:44.639 --> 05:22:49.400
produces the busted compact and restores it. Then she opens

4677
05:22:49.439 --> 05:22:52.599
it and gives me back my body. When she goes

4678
05:22:52.639 --> 05:22:57.400
back into the little mirror. It ain't long before Bells

4679
05:22:57.439 --> 05:23:00.560
finds me and brings me to where everybody's at. Looks

4680
05:23:00.599 --> 05:23:04.639
like quite a group here. Then Ariel comes and grabs me.

4681
05:23:05.439 --> 05:23:09.400
Don't you ever do that again, Madeleine? Then she actually

4682
05:23:09.479 --> 05:23:13.240
hugs me in front of everybody. She only calls me

4683
05:23:13.319 --> 05:23:18.479
Madeline when she's dead serious. I'm sorry, I tell her.

4684
05:23:19.240 --> 05:23:22.200
When we come apart, I tell everybody else I'm sorry.

4685
05:23:23.240 --> 05:23:28.279
Then I look at the guys. We just saved you. Okay,

4686
05:23:28.439 --> 05:23:32.080
how can we be? Okay? Bill yells. Then he points

4687
05:23:32.119 --> 05:23:37.200
to the river. Didn't you hear? Abigail Tomlin? We're still ghosts, right,

4688
05:23:38.200 --> 05:23:41.439
are you? Bell's asks, Then she shoves him a little.

4689
05:23:42.279 --> 05:23:47.159
You can't do that to a ghost. But but Brian sputters.

4690
05:23:47.639 --> 05:23:52.159
Bell's smirks. Now even ghosts can lie same as people.

4691
05:23:52.959 --> 05:23:58.200
So who's hungry? Brian quickly brightens up. Oh I could

4692
05:23:58.200 --> 05:24:01.119
sure go for some sweet potato pope at Denoyer's grill

4693
05:24:01.240 --> 05:24:07.040
right now. Uh no way, Chunker, Bill mutters, Yeah, that's right.

4694
05:24:07.520 --> 05:24:13.680
Brian's nickname is Chunker. Forget it, Chunker. Richie adds, but

4695
05:24:13.840 --> 05:24:17.360
I am hungry. Then let's get you guys some food,

4696
05:24:17.759 --> 05:24:21.599
Aileen says. After that, we'll get you back to your families.

4697
05:24:22.560 --> 05:24:25.439
The lot of us leave Indian Hollow Road and make

4698
05:24:25.479 --> 05:24:29.279
our way to Denoyer's grill. Looks like our Halloween parties

4699
05:24:29.279 --> 05:24:36.200
turning into a celebration. Boy, did copies of the Strickfield

4700
05:24:36.279 --> 05:24:39.240
Journal sell out fast when it read that Richie Bill

4701
05:24:39.319 --> 05:24:42.360
and Chunker returned. It sure was nice to see the

4702
05:24:42.439 --> 05:24:46.159
parents crying for joy at having their kids back. Definitely

4703
05:24:46.159 --> 05:24:50.919
a Halloween to remember for many reasons. When November two came,

4704
05:24:51.400 --> 05:24:54.639
everything was kind of sort of back to normal. Ariel

4705
05:24:54.720 --> 05:24:57.240
Bailey and Mona were back to picking on me, but

4706
05:24:57.360 --> 05:25:01.439
our group ended up being expanded by three. Yep, Richie

4707
05:25:01.479 --> 05:25:05.479
Bill and Chunker became our new friends, which I don't

4708
05:25:05.479 --> 05:25:08.240
really mind. We're all gonna have to get to know

4709
05:25:08.319 --> 05:25:12.759
each other. But hey, Fortunately for me, nobody saw me

4710
05:25:12.840 --> 05:25:16.159
call Mary Worth at the cry Baby Bridge. I think

4711
05:25:16.200 --> 05:25:18.319
at least someone would have gave me a hard time

4712
05:25:18.400 --> 05:25:21.680
about it if they did so far, only cousin Aileen

4713
05:25:21.759 --> 05:25:25.720
and Bells know my secret. Speaking of Mary Worth, I

4714
05:25:25.799 --> 05:25:29.520
still hear Ariel Bailey and Mona talk about her. Sounds

4715
05:25:29.599 --> 05:25:32.599
like Mary's still giving him the creeps. At least they

4716
05:25:32.599 --> 05:25:36.040
ain't seeing her in their mirrors. Right When it came

4717
05:25:36.080 --> 05:25:38.720
to Carter He was mad at me for a while,

4718
05:25:39.560 --> 05:25:42.799
but after a day of cooling off, we were buddies again.

4719
05:25:43.560 --> 05:25:45.639
I could tell he wanted to tell me never to

4720
05:25:45.759 --> 05:25:48.959
risk my life the way I did. Ever again he

4721
05:25:49.040 --> 05:25:53.400
couldn't though, not after Free and Richie, Bill and Brian, Oh,

4722
05:25:53.520 --> 05:25:57.799
that's right, they go by Horton, Chapman and Chunker. Oh,

4723
05:25:58.080 --> 05:26:00.279
and they end up not Humor and Ariel and call

4724
05:26:00.360 --> 05:26:04.279
me Maddie, just like cousin Aileen does. It don't take

4725
05:26:04.360 --> 05:26:07.080
him long to start getting under Ariel's skin when they

4726
05:26:07.119 --> 05:26:10.360
won't acknowledge her as the queen of Strickfield Junior High.

4727
05:26:10.520 --> 05:26:15.159
So Carter's got some friends there. As for school, it

4728
05:26:15.240 --> 05:26:17.319
takes a little bit for everybody to get used to

4729
05:26:17.360 --> 05:26:21.439
seeing Horton, Chapman and Chunker alive and well again, those

4730
05:26:21.520 --> 05:26:24.119
guys are just glad to be walking the halls of

4731
05:26:24.119 --> 05:26:34.439
Strickfield Junior High again. Friday comes again. I'm sitting with

4732
05:26:34.479 --> 05:26:37.279
our new friends at lunch period. Then I hear the

4733
05:26:37.319 --> 05:26:43.119
familiar hands slamming on the table. Yes, I say, Ariel

4734
05:26:43.159 --> 05:26:46.880
gives me her usual menacing look. Now, you wouldn't be

4735
05:26:46.919 --> 05:26:50.560
thinking of skipping my sleepover at my house tonight, would you? Mouse.

4736
05:26:51.360 --> 05:26:54.279
I turned to face her. You mean your mom didn't

4737
05:26:54.319 --> 05:26:58.080
massacre you for running out on Halloween night? Ariel tightens

4738
05:26:58.080 --> 05:27:01.119
her fists. You really, I think I'd let mom do

4739
05:27:01.240 --> 05:27:05.200
that to me. I hate you Mouse. Then she sees

4740
05:27:05.240 --> 05:27:08.639
the guys and what are you looking at? Chapman just

4741
05:27:08.680 --> 05:27:12.840
looks at her and yawns. Hum, you guys hear anything.

4742
05:27:13.400 --> 05:27:18.200
Horton looks at Ariel. The sound of self importance chunk

4743
05:27:18.279 --> 05:27:22.840
or grins sounds about right. Horton, Oh does that make

4744
05:27:22.959 --> 05:27:28.680
Ariel mad? Oh? You you? I quickly stand up before

4745
05:27:28.720 --> 05:27:32.799
Ariel can belt out another one of her blood curdling screams. Yeah,

4746
05:27:32.880 --> 05:27:37.959
I'll be there, what time, same gatecode. I'd have expected

4747
05:27:38.000 --> 05:27:40.959
Ariel to give me a hard time, but she just

4748
05:27:41.040 --> 05:27:43.720
looks at me. Then she says, to where only I

4749
05:27:43.720 --> 05:27:47.319
can hear her, you're a good friend, Madeline. I just

4750
05:27:47.360 --> 05:27:50.400
want to tell you that. Then she points right at me.

4751
05:27:50.959 --> 05:27:53.360
You repeat what I just said to anyone, and I'll

4752
05:27:53.360 --> 05:27:59.119
deny it. Repeat what I utter exactly. Then she tells

4753
05:27:59.159 --> 05:28:03.159
me seven and I texted you the new gatecoade. Then

4754
05:28:03.240 --> 05:28:05.880
she points to the guys and you three will learn

4755
05:28:05.919 --> 05:28:11.200
your places here at my school. Okay, Chapman tells her

4756
05:28:11.279 --> 05:28:15.520
in a crazy tone. Then I quickly diffuse, Ariel, see

4757
05:28:15.560 --> 05:28:20.400
you soon. I'll bring those scary movies tonight. Ariel nods

4758
05:28:20.479 --> 05:28:24.080
and leaves us alone. There really ain't much more to tell.

4759
05:28:24.560 --> 05:28:28.319
We survived Halloween and saved our new friends. I guess

4760
05:28:28.360 --> 05:28:31.319
this means you'll be seeing more of us again. It

4761
05:28:31.360 --> 05:28:33.759
may be a few of us, or it may be

4762
05:28:33.880 --> 05:28:37.959
all eight of us, who knows, but we'll have more

4763
05:28:38.000 --> 05:28:48.200
adventures coming real soon. Until next time. The end, and

4764
05:28:48.360 --> 05:28:55.360
that my Spookies wraps up our Halloween novella compilation. Three

4765
05:28:55.720 --> 05:29:01.439
long chilling tales to carry you through the heart of October.

4766
05:29:02.400 --> 05:29:06.080
But before we wander too far into the dark, I

4767
05:29:06.119 --> 05:29:12.040
should mention something strange has been happening again. Every once

4768
05:29:12.080 --> 05:29:15.520
in a while, a broadcast seems to find its way

4769
05:29:16.119 --> 05:29:23.520
into our feet. Old voices, crackling, static, strange music from

4770
05:29:23.599 --> 05:29:28.560
seemingly nowhere. I never upload it, I never schedule it,

4771
05:29:29.400 --> 05:29:34.799
but it always arrives on Sunday. If you listen tomorrow

4772
05:29:35.400 --> 05:29:40.639
you might hear it too. Stories whispered from another time

4773
05:29:41.360 --> 05:29:46.959
about men who tempt fate, music that kills, and things

4774
05:29:47.040 --> 05:29:51.959
that live in the dark. Between the notes It's a

4775
05:29:52.080 --> 05:29:57.119
truly unknown broadcast. I don't know where it comes from.

4776
05:29:57.799 --> 05:30:03.080
I only know it's come. So tune in tomorrow if

4777
05:30:03.119 --> 05:30:06.560
you dare, and don't hold me accountable.