Eugene’s dad stood at the corner, where parents had gathered to watch their children trick-or-treat down the street and back.
The sun disappeared behind the trees, and the street slowly began to change. The brightness of day was replaced by creeping shadows. Flashlights clicked on. Glow sticks were snapped and shaken.
Captain Awesome and Nacho Cheese Man rode the MI-TEE Mobile and the Cheesy Rider to the spooky house at the end of the street. In the daytime it was creepy, but now, with the yard wrapped in darkness, the house looked like it was waiting to swallow any trick-or-treater foolish enough to step onto the porch.
The two heroes leaned their bikes against the squeaky, broken fence, took a deep breath, and dug deep into their pillowcases full of chocolately, energy-boosting candy. They each pulled out a Super Dude Super Crunch Bar full of nougatty goodness and little crunchy things. Nacho Cheese Man squirted some new pumpkin-flavored Halloween cheese onto his Super Crunch Bar, then offered the can to Captain Awesome.
“No, thanks,” Captain Awesome whispered. “I don’t mess with perfection.”
“I’m ready when you are,” said Nacho Cheese Man.
“Then let’s get MI-TEE!” Captain Awesome whispered loudly. The superheroes made their way through the twisted trees and long grass toward the front door.
Each step up one of the porch stairs was met with the loud noise of old, splintered steps.
So much for sneaking up on the ghost, Captain Awesome thought.
They stopped at the top step. The only thing louder than Captain Awesome’s heart pounding in his chest was Nacho Cheese Man’s heart pounding in his. Captain Awesome took a step onto the porch.
MEOW!
SCREAM!
RUN!
The two heroes bolted down the steps and tumbled into a heap at the horrible sound of . . . a cat?
“Hey! That’s Mr. Whiskersworth!” Captain Awesome whispered. “Sally’s cat! What’s he doing here?”
Mr. Whiskersworth scampered onto the porch and sat, licking his paws.
Captain Awesome jumped to his feet. “He’s here to lead the charge! Come on! Let’s go!” CHAAARRRGE!” Nacho Cheese Man shouted, wildly squirting the pumpkin-flavored Halloween cheese all over the place.
“MI-TEEEEEEEEEEEE!” Captain Awesome yelled while trying to avoid being hit by wildly squirted pumpkin-flavored Halloween cheese. “By the authority of the Sunnyview Superhero Squad, we command you to show your headless head, Sunnyview Spirit!”
CREAK!
Captain Awesome’s eyes went wide. It was just like in his dream.
GROAN!
And then, from around the corner of the house, came something that was not a cat! It raised its arms above its head. In the light of the full moon, Captain Awesome and Nacho Cheese Man could see that it was . . .
