CHAPTER 8: THE NEW HOUSE

Everyone helped Heidi and Reed unpack at their house the next day. Dex was elated that Heidi would be staying in Florida, and she was happy that she would be seeing him more. Plus Reed liked Dex and, despite his appearance with his Mohawk and wild clothes, he was very polite and respectful. Plus Silas and Maureen also liked Heidi's new suitor, as well. He was also helpful at moving things around for them.

After much of the moving in was finished, the kids all went to the boardwalk as Snoopy was putting on another grand performance. The folks who owned the pavilion told him that Jones, the security guard that gave them trouble before, would not harass them anymore. So, Snoopy was free to do his tricks without any harassing security guards ruining the fun. He had the same assistants to help him with the tricks.

"And now, the Great Houndini will perform his doppelganger trick," said the brunette. "He will need a young volunteer to help with this trick."

"I can help," said a young girl, who went to the stage. Snoopy draped a veil over the girl and then himself. After a few seconds, the blonde assistant pulled the veil off of both of them, to reveal that there was now two of the girl.

"Good grief!" gasped Charlie Brown. "Where did Snoopy go?!" He felt a tap on his arm. He looked to see Snoopy standing right next to him, but not before draping the veil back over himself. And the assistants did the same to the girls. And then after a while, the girl was back to just one, and Snoopy was back in his original spot next to her. Charlie Brown looked to see there was a figure still under the veil. He removed it to reveal his baby brother Wyatt!

"Wyatt!" gasped Charlie Brown. "How did you get under there?!"

"That's the Great Houndini's secret, Charlie," said Wyatt. And they continued to watch the show.

"For the Great Houndini's next trick," announced the brunette, "he will perform quite possibly his greatest feat. The Death Trap trick!"

"THE DEATH TRAP TRICK?!" yelled the Brown kids, Frieda, Michael, and Dex.

"In this trick, the Great Houndini will be wearing a straight-jacket, chains, and all will be padlocked with the key hidden out of sight," said the blonde. "And he will be locked in this box, which will then be set ablaze out here on the beach."

"Okay, Snoopy has completely lost his mind!" Sally retorted.

"Don't do this, Snoopy!" pleaded Charlie Brown. Snoopy just waved off his owner and gave a wink assuring him everything would be fine. Snoopy was then placed in the straight-jacket. Then the assistants wrapped a bunch of chains around him, and placed a padlock on him. Then they carried him into the box, and locked the box up. Once inside, the assistants doused the box with lighter fluid.

"I don't believe this!" said a shocked Charlie Brown.

"Can't someone put a stop to this madness?!" asked a frantic Frieda.

"Don't you dare strike that match, girlie!" warned Heidi to the brunette assistant. She ignored her and struck the match and set the box on fire.

"SNOOPY!" wailed Charlie Brown.

"SOMEONE CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT!" yelled Sally.

Then the kids heard someone go "ahem". They turned around to see Snoopy was by the nearby hot dog stand eating a hot dog, calm and collected, as the box was now a charred mess. Snoopy had performed his greatest magic trick ever. And everyone roared with thunderous applause.

"I think I just died," said a relieved Charlie Brown.

"You and me both, baby," agreed Frieda.

"Snoopy, I think it's time you retired the Great Houndini," said Michael. "Your owner nearly had a heart attack from that last trick you did."

"Man, what a show!" said Dex.

"Snoopy," said Charlie Brown, "I think you should pick up another hobby. One that's less dangerous. Like fighting the Red Baron like you usually do." And everyone laughed and headed back towards Heidi's house.

Later that evening, Heidi was on her new back porch with Dex on the porch swing. Charlie Brown and Frieda had gone to the movies, while Sally and Michael went to go souvenir shopping. Snoopy was doing another nighttime show, though Charlie Brown told him not to do the Death Trap Trick ever again. He couldn't take another scare like that.

"I was so surprised when my father showed up and said we would be living down here," said Heidi. "I thought the only way I'd be talking to you is through webchat back in Sparkyville."

"I am glad you are staying, Heidi," said Dex. "Now we can get to know one another even better than we already have."

"You know, Dex, before I met you I didn't have anyone that I thought could be a boyfriend to me. I was pretty much an outcast at my school, and while I did have friends, I didn't have anyone who wanted to date me. And those who showed any interest was only out for one thing, and I'm not doing that!"

"I totally get it, Heidi."

"But, I feel like you have my best interests at heart. And now that I will be staying here in Florida, we can see where this goes. Dex, I want to be yours and only yours."

"And I want the same, Heidi. I think I am falling in love with you."

And the two leaned in closer and started kissing each other. Heidi was over the moon in love with Dex and he was with her. She wouldn't have to worry about him taking advantage of her, as he was her rock. Heidi was so glad that her father decided to get a job and move down to Florida. Now she and Dex could be together.

NEXT CHAPTER: RETURN HOME