❝Why do always call me Cherry?❞
❝Because your lips taste like Cherries.❞
When teenage supervillain Havoc stands up to the head of the League of Villains, Colby Madden's family is forced to change their identities and relocate to a sleepy Texas subur...
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𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐋𝐄𝐃 up on the couch, her arm wrapped protectively around Colby as he nuzzled into her side with a blanket pulled up to his chin. The TV glowed with the orange-tinted light of a classic Halloween movie. The house smelled faintly of pumpkin candles and chocolate chip cookies left cooling in the kitchen. For the first time in days, Aveline finally felt peace.
Colby giggled at the screen. "Aveline, he really thinks the pumpkin is real."
Aveline tousled his hair lovingly. "Let him dream, Colbs. Anything can happen on Halloween."
Amy, standing behind the couch with her arms crossed, scoffed so loudly the couch practically vibrated. "Anything except that pumpkin showing up! I just spent an hour watching a guy stare at an empty field. Never again."
Aveline smiled. "Amy, it's a classic."
"It's a waste of my time," Amy muttered.
Before Aveline could respond, Hartley burst through the front door wearing a witch hat that sat crooked on her head and glitter on her cheeks. "Happy Halloween!"
Everyone jumped—except Aveline and Colby, who had gotten used to Hartley's dramatic entrances.
Hartley bounced on the balls of her feet. "I'm sorry, I know I scared you, but I am very excited. Halloween is my favorite day of the entire year."
She didn't wait for a response. "Come on! I have something to show you!"
Reluctantly, everyone followed her outside. When the door swung open, Colby gasped and Aveline blinked in surprise.
The yard had been transformed into a haunted carnival. There were floating ghost lanterns, a twelve-foot skeleton in a glittery cape, fake spiderwebs covering the bushes, gravestones with cheesy jokes carved into them, and a scarecrow wearing Amy's combat boots.
"Oh my," Aveline breathed. "Hartley... you did all this?"
Hartley beamed. "I wanted to make your first Halloween together extra special!"
Amy stared in horror. "This is... a lot."
"I think it looks great!" Jake chimed in. "Especially the way the lights make Amy look like she wants to crawl into the earth."
Aveline giggled behind her hand.
Amy made a face. "I'm going back inside before anyone thinks I'm festive."
She stormed in, slamming the door.
Hartley sighed but shook it off. "She'll warm up eventually."
Before anyone could comment, a loud buzzing noise echoed from inside. Eva appeared in the doorway holding something round, glowing, and definitely alive.
