“We should totally high-five right now,” Freddie said before adding in a baby voice, “Shouldn’t we, Stanley. Yes, we should. Puppy, high paw.”
“Please stop,” I said, rubbing my head. “This whole situation is weird enough.”
“But we totally saved the day! Okay, well, granted, you did most of the work this time, but you wouldn’t have come if it weren’t for me and Otter Lake Security, and Candace is alive because of us! Think about that. Maybe we’re not hungover. Maybe we’re sick from wielding the power of life and death.”
I belched softly. Oh God, that hurt. I brought my hand to the middle of my chest. “I don’t think that’s it.”
“Seriously,” Freddie said, voice rising with excitement. How he could even raise his voice to that level without his head exploding was beyond me. “And we didn’t screw up in any major way.” He gasped. “Your Year of the Adult curse has come to fruition.”
“It’s not a curse. It’s a resolution … or a theme. I can’t remember.”
“Speak for yourself, witch,” Freddie said. “I guess it’s not all bad though. It is kind of nice getting through one of these things without feeling like we have to send out Sorry I nearly got you killed cards.”
“Did we really get through it though? We saved Candace. But what about the Arthurs? Were they really the ones responsible? Did they get away? Why are we so hungover? And why do I still have handcuffs on my ankle?”
“Wow, I’m really starting to wonder if we have brain damage. You more than me.” Then he gasped. “Oh no! I just remembered! My snowmobile! I’m gonna kill that kid!”
“What are you talking about now?”
Freddie turned his horrified face to me. “You really don’t remember any of what happened next?”
I threw a pillow at him. “No!”
“Hey! You nearly hit Stanley!”
“Sorry, Stanley,” I mumbled. “So last thing I remember…”