Okay, so here's the restart. I hope you guys like it :3

Also, I'm leaving the first story up and separating the books. So here's book one: Pride and Joy.

Hoffa Residence
6:50 P.M.

"Seriously?" Megan (Maggie) Hoffa frowned as her parents stood in front of her. "I'm not going."

The young girl with honey brown hair and milky blue eyes glared at her parents; daring them to tell her otherwise.

"Yes, you are." Christina Hoffa crossed her arms with a stern tone.

"Christina," Daniel Hoffa started.

"No, Daniel. We're not going to discuss this. You're going."

"Daaaaaad!" Maggie turned to her father with pleading eyes.

Daniel looked between his wife and his daughter; then sighed. "Sorry, Kiddo. Gotta listen to your mother."

"Oh come on!" Maggie threw her hands in the air. "The kids don't even like me!"

Christina waggled her finger as she reached for her coat. "You don't know what unless you try, Sweetie."

Wilder Residence...
7:22 P.M.

"Maggie!" A shrill voice called. Maggie perked to see Molly Hayes running towards her with her arms wide open. "Maggie, you made it!"

"The other kids don't like you, eh?" Christina Hoffa elbowed her daughters shoulder. Maggie rolled her eyes with a smirk.

"Maggie? Is that you?" Karolina Dean asked as she walked over to Maggie. "I love the outfit. It's so…today."

Maggie looked down at her green tank top and khaki pants. It was so today. How blasé.

"ALEX! Get down here, please! We have company!" Mrs. Wilder called at the stairs. A door opened and slammed shut; letting the room view Alex Wilder as he trudged down the stairs.

"Al-EX! What's happenin', brother!" Chase Stein greeted as he spotted Alex from the bottom steps.

"Hey, Chase." Alex grimaced.

"Gotta love the enthusiasm on that one." Maggie whispered to Karolina.

"He looks so excited to be here, too, don't you think?" Gertrude Yorkes agreed as she stood adjacent to Maggie.

"Sorry we're late all!" Mr. Minoru shouted as he entered the house with a bright smile on his face and two bags in his arms; his wife and daughter were in tow. "Big pile up on Cliffside!" He spotted Alex. "Alex! You remember our daughter Nico, don't you?"

"Holy..." Alex whispered.

"Nico!" Karolina suddenly shouted; startling Maggie. She ran up to Nico and tugged slightly at her outfit. "God, you are so hot. Where'd you get that outfit?"

"Oh, thanks, Karolina. Actually, I made it." Nico smiled.

"Gert!" Molly called as she popped from behind Maggie; holding onto her hips. "Could you talk to me about girl stuff?"

"Under no circumstances." Gert didn't even flinch.

"Gert," Maggie chuckled as she slightly elbowed her.

"Well, now that we're all here, I believe the adults will be retiring to the library for a few hours." Mr. Wilder stated.

"Why don't you kids hang out in the game room for a bit?" Mrs. Wilder placed her hand on Alex's shoulder.

Alex shrugged and walked off.

The Game room...
8:46...

Maggie curled her feet under her and tipped her head back.

Nico yawned.

"What she said." Gert pointed at Nico.

"Listen, I know we'd all rather be somewhere else right now, but we're stuck here for at least another hour. So we might as well try to amuse ourselves." Alex stated.

"So what's the plan, man?" Karolina asked.

"Please be beer; please be beer please be beer..." Chase whispered as he grabbed the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. Molly giggled.

Maggie snorted. "Sure, let's go ask the 'rents." She jabbed her thumb towards the door.

"There's an idea." Alex perked. "Let's go spy on our 'rents."

"What?" Maggie looked up. "How?"

"She's right," Nico agreed, "Our parents always lock themselves so they can...you know, whatever."

"Maybe," Alex stood up, "but my father's obsessed with surveillance, and he built all sorts of secret passageways throughout the house to keep an eye on stuff."

"Gross." Gert looked up at Alex.

"Oh, he's not a peeping tom or anything, just paranoid about security." Alex assured as he pushed behind one of the games. The console slid to the side, allowing a door to open. "My dad doesn't know I know, but I found this when I was snooping for Christmas presents a few months ago."

And that's when Maggie heard it. It was always at random times, and when it did happen, she spaced out. She could hear their heartbeats. And she could tell who was who somehow. Nico's was racing slightly; Molly's was normal, as was Chase's, Gert's, and Karolina's. But Alex's...his heart was slightly off. Maggie's mouth twisted as she shook her head.

"Okay," Gert finally said as she pointed at the passage way. "Lame secret passage way it is."

"Oh, we're going?" Maggie blinked.

"Weren't you listening?" Karolina smiled.

"Uh, no. I spazzed out." She wiggled her fingers. "But, shit, let's go."

The Corridors...
9:15 pm...

"This is like the Haunted Mansion at Disney...only boringer." Molly said as she pushed herself through the corridors.

"The Haunted Mansion is boring." Maggie corrected.

"Shush, guys." Alex growled. "I'm pretty sure these walls are sound proof. But I don't want to take the chance."

"What about those windows, bro? Wouldn't they be able to see us?" Chase asked as he pointed at the large windows to the left of the group.

"No, they're actually one way mirrors. Or is it two way? I always forget." Alex whispered.

"Can I hold on to you, Alex?" Nico asked as she grabbed Alex's hand, "My night vision stinks."

"Uh, yeah sure." Alex blushed.

And Maggie could feel it again, this time, all their hearts were racing. Maggie began to tremble at all the thoughts that were racing in her head.

"Maggs?" Chase whispered. "Are you okay?"

"Huh?" She asked as she looked up at him. "Uh, yeah. I'm fine. Just a little…dizzy."

"Very well, Ladies and Gentlemen. If we're all satisfied with Mr. and Mrs. Dean's plans for our off world enemies, I suggest we move onto the Pride's final order of business." Mr. Wilder announced.

"Is that my mom and dad?" Chase asked.

Maggie observed over Chase. Her parents looked like the old Japanese priest and priestesses; sitting near the end of the table along with all of the other parents, who were all wearing odd outfits as well.

"The 'Pride'?" Gert asked as she leaned over Maggie carefully.

"Check out those costumes." Nico pointed out.

"Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking?" Alex asked softly.

"Yeah," Chase nodded as he placed an elbow on Maggie's shoulder, "Our parents are totally gay."

"No..." Alex adjusted his glasses. "Our parents are superheroes."

"Dear, would you bring out our guest of honor, please?" Mr. Wilder asked kindly.

"With pleasure, Love." Mrs. Wilder walked over to an old book case and yanked it open; revealing a young girl with blue hair and lips while wearing a full pink outfit.

"Whoa, who's that piece?" Chase asked slyly.

"Is that a Prostitute?" Maggie twisted her head to the side.

"Okay, this is starting to get a little Eyes Wide Shut..." Gert cocked a brow.

"Karolina, I think you should take Molly back to the Game Room...now." Alex ordered.

"But I wanna see the Superheroes." Molly protested.

Again...Maggie could hear it. A heartbeat. But only one. It was the girl's. She was scared out of her mind, unsure, and somewhat excited. Her heartbeat was all over the place. Maggie placed her hand on her head; feeling the thumping of the girl's heartbeat in her head.

"Is that a working girl, Wilder?" Mr. Yorkes asked. "I thought you and your wife only handled drugs and gambling in this town?"

"Why not add Prostitution to the list?" Mr. Hoffa offered with a sarcastic tone.

"Local matters are none of your concern, Yorkes. Nor yours, Hoffa. I don't question what you do, do I?" Mr. Wilder grabbed the young girl by the hand and led her towards the center of the room.

"Did...did he just say drugs?" Alex whispered.

"Alex, what if they're not the good guys?" Nico looked over at him.

"You don't really think that…right?" Maggie let out a slight chuckle through her words. Now her heart was racing.

"Oh, please." Gert rolled her eyes. "I've known our parents were evil since I was five. This perverted little gathering only confirms it."

"Speak for yourselves, Freak. My parents are practically saints." Chase defended.

"Relax, you three. We still don't know anything. Maybe that girl is some runaway they rescued." Alex guessed.

"Dr. Hayes, will you and your husband kindly restrain the girl?" Mr. Wilder ordered.

"Already on it." Mrs. Hayes and her husband's eyes began to glow a light pink as the girl's arms were pulled to the side of her body and her head slightly tilted back. She was frozen in place.

"W-What are you-?" The girl started.

Maggie could feel their hearts race. It sent shivers down her spine and a pounding pain in her head.

"Does your machine need time to charge, Stein?" Mr. Wilder looked at Mr. Stein.

"It runs on self-replicating string of unstable molecules. We're ready when you are." Mr. Stein confirmed.

"Mrs. Hoffa, you may now cleanse the girl's soul of any sins." Mr. Wilder stepped aside as Mrs. Hoffa stepped in front of the girl.

"She's full of sins, Wilder. So this is gonna sting." Mrs. Hoffa grabbed a golden cross that dripped a form of liquid. She raised it and pushing it against the girl's head. She cried out in pain as the cross glowed brightly.

"What the hell!" Chase gasped.

"What's your mom, doing!" Nico whispered loudly.

"I-I don't know!" Maggie shook her head frantically.

Mrs. Hoffa pulled the cross away and hid her hand behind the long sleeve. "Sorry, hun, but they don't like sinful souls."

"Who's they?" Gert asked.

"Thank you, Mrs. Hoffa. Now, Mr. Minoru, the floor is all yours." Mr. Wilder announced.

Mr. Minoru opened a large red book and began to read from it. "Antin Krek Varin."

"They are bad guys." Nico stated.

"Don't worry, Nico." Alex assured. "They're using their real names. If they were villains, they'd be calling themselves, Red Skull...and...And Electro."

Mr. Wilder grabbed the young girl's chin and pulled it up slightly. "I want you to know that you're helping us forge a better tomorrow for our children."

Their heartbeats were thumping inside Maggie's head. As if someone was drumming on her head. She gripped Chase's shirt to keep upright. All their heartbeats were pounding...except Alex's...

"On Behalf of Everyone in The Pride, we truly appreciate you sacrifice." He then pulled the dagger from his pocket...

And shoved it in the girl's heart.

The Heartbeat stopped.

Nico Screamed.

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