“So what do we do?” he asked grimly.
Kellen looked surprised that he was asking for advice. “We keep each other’s backs. That’s what we do.”
Nick nodded. “Thanks, man.”
“Now, let’s get this shit done so I can suffer through day two of my hangover in peace tomorrow,” Kellen said.
“Okay, people,” Nick said, clapping his hands. “Everyone has their assignments. Let’s get to work. Remember, no one gets access to this house!”
“Is anyone else excited?” Jasmine asked. “This is even better than the fire and the spiders.”
Nick opened the door and froze.
“Surprise!”
“Fuck me.”
37
6:08 p.m., Wednesday, October 30
Riley felt her mouth drop open.
“How long were we in there?” Jasmine wondered out loud as they stared at the spectacle before them.
There was a Halloween party in full swing in their house. Music thumped to life, and a rainbow of LED lights showered the foyer courtesy of a live DJ. Food and drinks were everywhere. Skeletons danced with mermaids. Pirates partied with sharks.
“What the hell, Thorn? You didn’t think to give us a heads-up?” Kellen demanded.
“I-I didn’t know,” she admitted.
“Don’t be mean to Riley. She’s being the best psychic she’s capable of being,” Sesame said, patting her brother’s arm.
“She thinks I’m a bad psychic,” Riley explained to Nick, who still appeared to be in shock.
“Happy Birthday, Nick,” Blossom said, pushing her way to them through the crowd. She was dressed in a long, rumpled black robe and wore a stringy gray wig.
“Thanks?” Nick said, regaining the power of speech.
“I like your witch costume,” Sesame told Riley’s mom.
“Oh, honey. I’m a crone, not a witch,” Blossom said. “Come on. I’ll tell you all about crones over some party punch.”
“Happy birthday!” Wander Sonny approached with Gabe Cher’s huge arm around her.
“I hope you are very surprised,” Gabe said solicitously.
“I’m fucking flabbergasted,” Nick admitted.
“Let’s get this party started,” Blossom shouted from somewhere in the crowd. “Who wants some spiked-kombucha party punch?”
Riley’s dad waved to them from across the foyer. He was dressed as a farmer in overalls and a straw hat. Riley took a peek around just to make sure he hadn’t decided to bring Daisy the spite cow as a plus one.
“I swear, this wasn’t supposed to happen until Halloween,” she told Nick.
The doorbell rang, and a chorus of “Come in!” rang out over the music.
Kellen appeared on Nick’s right. “This is a fucking disaster. How are we supposed to keep an eye out for the bad guys when everyone’s in costume and no one’s watching the door?”
