Later that night, Barbara arrived at the Graves Mansion with Tim Drake, the secret identity of Robin. Surrounded by other luxury houses, the dark, frightening mansion looked like something out of an old-time monster movie.

Jason Graves’ father, Stephen, owned the mansion. He had made his fortune writing dozens of best-selling horror novels. Each one sold tens of millions of copies all over the world. The money allowed him to live like a king.

Mr. Graves had been a horror buff since he was a kid and had always wanted to live in a haunted house. So when the millionaire couldn’t find a real one, he had one built. He nicknamed his creepy home “Halloween House” and filled it with all sorts of Halloween and horror antiques.

“Wow!” Tim said as Barbara parked the car in the Graves’ driveway. “What a house! It’s bigger than Wayne Manor.”

Barbara and Tim got out of the car and walked up to the front door. A sign on the entrance read, “Beware: Killer Party Inside!”

“Ha!” Tim laughed. “That’s funny! I like this Jason guy already.”

“Please don’t embarrass me tonight, Tim,” Barbara said. “I mean it.” She gave the teen a quick stare and headed inside.

Dozens of people in Halloween costumes packed the mansion. Many were dressed as their favorite super heroes, including Batman, Superman, the Flash, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman. Several others had dressed as super-villains. The party had three Jokers, two Penguins, three Riddlers, a Mr. Freeze, and four Catwomen. The remaining guests wore costumes of ghosts, witches, and monsters.

Tim and Barbara decided to wear their Batgirl and Robin uniforms as costumes. Halloween was the one time of year that they could dress as their secret identities without drawing attention.

“Nice costume,” someone said behind Barbara. She spun around to once again find herself face to face with Jason Graves. He was not wearing a Halloween costume.

“Hi, Jason! It’s me. Barbara,” she said.

“Wow! I didn’t even recognize you,” said Jason. “Where did you find that outfit?”

“A, um, friend made it for me,” replied Barbara with a smile. “Where’s yours?”

“I stopped dressing up when I turned thirteen,” he explained. “I think wearing costumes is pretty silly. No offense.”

“None taken,” said Barbara. “I never would have worn this costume if I wasn’t with him.” She pointed to Tim, who was already at the buffet table.

“No sweat, Barbara,” said Jason. “You’ll stop feeling silly once you see my dad’s costume. It’s completely embarrassing.”

Then suddenly, the lights in the mansion went out. Several of the guests began to scream. “What’s happening?!”

A loud clap of thunder echoed through the room. Then the lights came back on, and Stephen Graves was standing at the top of the stairs. He was dressed as Count Dracula.

Barbara pretended to be scared. She leaned into Jason, who put his arm around her. Jason shook his head as his father came down the stairs. Why does Dad always have to put on a show? he thought.

“Welcome,” shouted Mr. Graves, “to Halloween House! Bwah ha ha!!”

With a wave of his cape, Mr. Graves disappeared. Then he reappeared on the other side of the room. “Dear guests, there is nothing to fear. It was just a simple trick ­— one of many you’ll experience tonight,” he said. “Now come, let me show you my terrifying collections.”

As the other guests followed their host, Barbara and Tim stayed behind. Barbara took out her cell phone and called Batman, as he had instructed.

“Hi, Bruce,” she said into the phone.

“Is everything all right?” the Dark Knight replied.

“So far,” said Barbara. “It appears Gotham’s villains are behaving tonight.”

“Let me know if anything changes,” said Batman. “I just arrived at Arkham Asylum. Once I investigate the disturbance, I’ll be heading back to the Batcave.”

* * *

The Dark Knight switched off his mobile communicator. He stepped out of the Batmobile and headed inside the asylum. It was home to Gotham’s worst criminals.

At the asylum’s front door, two guards in bulletproof vests greeted Batman. “Thank you for coming,” said one of the men. He shook the super hero’s hand and then quickly took off down the hallway. “Her prison cell is down here.”

Batman followed the guards through a darkened corridor, which led to the maximum-security area of the asylum. This area contained the worst of the worst — criminals who would never again see the light of day. As they passed each cell, the sound of someone banging on the floor grew louder and louder.

“Is that her?” asked the Dark Knight.

“Yes, she’s been like that all day,” replied the guard. “Everyone here is afraid to enter her cell, even though she is in titanium shackles. That’s why we called you.”

Just then, Batman and the guards arrived at the final prison cell. Through the steel bars, the Dark Knight saw one of his trickiest enemies — Catwoman!

At the moment, however, the feline felon looked more mad than menacing. With her hands shackled to her feet, the villain rolled back and forth on the prison cell floor. She kicked wildly at the ground, trying to break free from her chains.

“Let me in,” demanded the Dark Knight.

“But,” began one of the guards, “we’re not supposed to open —”

“You called me here,” Batman said.

The guard pulled out a key, steadied his hand, and placed it in the lock. “We can’t be responsible for what happens,” he said.