I had to go back home, to Carl's mansion, and what I saw was the least of my expectations.

The moment I pushed the door open, the air changed.

Carl's mother was sitting in the living room-legs crossed, arms folded, face twisted like she had been waiting all day to unleash venom. As soon as our eyes met, something snapped in her. She stood up so fast the chair screeched across the tiles.

Before I could blink, she marched toward me with thunder in her steps-

SLAP!

My face whipped to the ...