Chapter 10

Finn returned to a group of 4; Amanda, Willa, Philby, and Maybeck. He went into a panic.

"Where are Charlene and Jess? The parade starts in 2 minutes! What happened?" Finn said with alarm.

"Chill, dude. There was a villains meet and greet that they had to find a way around. Charlene said they're down the street." Maybeck retorted.

"Jeez, who's the jumpy one now? I mean, I'm still freaking out because this place is practically an Overtaker convention and we have to separate, but really! And thanks for the candy… I think the sugar is overriding agitation…." All eyes went to Amanda. Clearly, she was right about the sugar. Finn's face went red, but then he saw two heads of blonde hair bobbing towards them.

"Hey! Why the ruffled feathers?" Jess asked.

"Finn freaked out because when he came back from getting me jelly beans to calm me down about everyone not being back yet, everyone was here but you two and then we had to explain to him the text you sent and then you guys showed up! Wow these jelly beans are good… Where's a garbage can?" Amanda slurred.

"Oh my God Amanda! You finished them already? That bag was full of about 250 beans!"

"Well Finn, you totally called it, what can I say? If I'm near jellybeans when I'm nervous I binge. I guess having Mrs. Nash's food my body isn't quite used to all of this sugar."

"Ok then…" Finn said awkwardly. They stood there for a moment, no one quite knowing how to disperse the heavy fog of awkward.

"Hey, the parade's starting. Time to watch for problems." Philby said, breaking the silence.

The parade was going as planned. The DHI's weren't noticing anything suspicious. There were the classic characters, like Mickey and his gang, dressed in different costumes. There were some other movie characters, like Alice and the Hatter. There were various Haunted Mansion and Graveyard themed floats. The gravedigger came through with his dog and lantern. They saw two full cycles of the zombie waltz, but by the time they had seen the sixth cycle of the butlers they had realized something was wrong.

"Philby? Is there a float up ahead that opens up with performers like the Block Party Bash?" Finn inquired.

"Um… I don't know how to put this. No."

"Houston, we have a problem."