"Ruby, this is such a bad idea!" Misery said.

"Nothing bad is going to happen," Ruby assured her.

Misery looked distant for a moment. "That's exactly what my cousin Maudlin's best friend told her on her fourteenth birthday. And she believed her. Then, they went and had a delightful tea party."

"See, happy ending. Come on, let's-"

"Unfortunately, the tea turned out to be poisoned. They both died that night," she said sadly.

The last thing Ruby wanted to do was admit it to Misery, but these stories were beginning to make her the tiniest bit worried. Still, she forced herself to keep smiling.

"I think you need to get out of the house," Ruby said.

"Finally, I got through to you! I'll be back tomorrow if I'm still here. If not... it's been nice knowing you. Don't worry, I won't linger. Goodbye."

"No, Misery. I meant we need to get out of the house. To do something fun."

A bolt of lightning hit Misery. "Let the fun begin."

"See what I mean? The lightning? I told you today was going to be bad!" Misery cried as Ruby dragged her across the front yard.

"But that happens to you every day," Ruby replied.

"That was only the beginning!" Misery said ominously. "First, it's the lightning. Then, a tornado comes out of nowhere and sweeps us away, spinning us around and around until we feel thoroughly sick, destroying all of Gloomsville before finally dumping us unmercifully into the ocean. I'm telling you, you really need to stay a safe distance away from me today."

"You know what, Misery? Even if something does happen, we can deal with it much better together than any of us on our own, right? We need to stick together. That way, on the slim chance that something bad happens, we can help each other to get through it. We're going to be okay."

"I appreciate the thought, Ruby, but you don't understand. It just happens, and there's nothing we can do about it!"

"Birthdays are supposed to be fun. Come on, let's go to the amusement park! You guys with me?"

"Sounds great!" Iris said. The others nodded.

"Hmm... Maybe I'm descended from a long line of amusement park owners! This is a good opportunity to find out!" Skull Boy said.

Misery just groaned. "I have a bad feeling about this."