The Laugh in the Dark.

Happy Halloween!
Oh, and this takes place in an AU where the movie events happened, just that in a modern time.

A fair had come to town. Or, more specifically, to its outskirts, several kilometers from Portorosso. They had already been there for a few weeks, but due to their chores at the pescheria and on the farm, none of the Underdogs had had time to go. But since the organizers announced that this weekend would be the last one the fair would be present, the Paguro and Marcovaldos agreed to let the children attend. While both marriages went to a party to which they had been invited.

So as night fell, Luca, Alberto, and Giulia headed to the carnival, a space illuminated by red, blue, green, yellow, and orange lights, full of mechanical games such as the rotary tea cups, a small roller coaster, bumper cars, a pendulum ride, a pirate ship, a carousel, a Ferris wheel, among many more. And, of course, the food stalls couldn't be missing; there were hot wings, popcorn, milkshakes, hamburgers, and banderillas, among others. And there were other games, such as dart throwing, ring throwing, roulette, scoring goals, face water gun clown, marbles, and many more.

Needless to say, the atmosphere was more alive than ever, as it seemed that all of Portorosso had attended that day. There were people everywhere. It was almost impossible to find a spot without somebody. There was laughter, children were running, and one could smell the aroma of melted butter, candy, caramels, and hot dogs.

The Underdgos had already ridden most of the attractions and now were enjoying some food, or in Luca's case, a chocolate milkshake since he needed the sugar to recover after his time on the roller coaster. While Giulia enjoyed a caramel apple and Alberto a cotton candy.

"So, where to now?" Alberto asked after taking a bite of his candy.

The three of them walked, thinking about what they could do next. That night, Alberto was dressed in a yellow t-shirt with a brown vest on top, black pants, and shoes of the same color. Giulia wore a red blouse and navy blue pants with her classic sandals. Luca was wearing a white polo shirt, blue-light jeans, and black shoes.

"Anything as long as they don't turn us upside down," Luca responded, taking another sip of his drink. He was still dizzy.

"We could do something more peaceful," Giulia suggested, lowering her apple, "maybe the strength tester."

"I don't know," Alberto continued before bending his arm, "I wouldn't want to brag about this."

Giulia just rolled her eyes while Luca laughed. Unfortunately, another laugh joined them; only this one was not friendly, quite the opposite. The Underdogs sighed before turning around and meeting Ercole and his henchmen, Guido and Ciccio, each with their hands stuck in the pockets of their leather jackets.

"Oh look, it's the losers' club ," Ercole mocked as they approached them.

" Underdogs ," Giulia corrected him as she walked in front.

But it only made the bullies laugh, which made Alberto raise his fists. The night was going well enough to be ruined by those three. Luca quickly put a hand on Alberto's arm and shook his head. He didn't want anyone to start a scene. Giulia realized this but told herself to calm down; she knew Ercole and how to handle him and his minions.

"What do you want, Ercole? Another humiliating defeat like last summer?"

That made Alberto smile, who nodded and looked at Ercole maliciously. The bully just made a face.

"Only because you cheated."

"If that makes you feel better, keep thinking about it," Alberto mocked.

Things remained silent, with each team with their eyes on the other. None of them moved or breathed; it seemed that even people surrounded them so as not to intervene in their staring duel. Luca swallowed and looked at his friends. They hadn't had a fistfight ever since the week before the race that summer, and not only had they been punished to the point that they were almost not allowed to compete in the Cup, but they had also been left with bruises and scratches, of course, Ercole and his gang also got their share part of injuries, but it was an experience that Luca did not want to repeat.