Two weeks remained until Halloween, and Bradford Elementary was preparing for its annual Halloween dance. Unfortunately, Mason and Mackenzie were still grounded, which made their chances of attending the dance seem very slim. However, Mackenzie had an idea that she believed just might work.

"Hey, Mom, hey, Dad," she began. "The annual Halloween dance is coming up, and since I know there's no chance you'll lift our punishment early, I’m prepared to propose a deal."

"We're listening," said David.

"If you lift our punishment for one night so we can attend the dance, we will accept an extension of our punishment for an additional two weeks," Mackenzie explained.

"I think that's a fair deal," said Melissa. "What about you, dear?"

"I think we can manage that," David replied.

"Awesome! Thanks, Mom and Dad!" Mackenzie exclaimed, heading back upstairs to discuss the plan with Mason.

"Why do I get the feeling we've just been outsmarted?" David asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I think it’s only fair to give them one night of fun after being grounded for so long, don’t you?" Melissa suggested. "Plus, with the kids out, we’ll have the house to ourselves for a night."

"So we’re all set to go to the dance," Mackenzie informed Mason, "but there’s a catch. The only way we can attend is by extending our punishment for two more weeks. I'm sorry, but it was the only option."

"That's fine," Mason replied. "At least we can go to the dance! What are you dressing up as?"

"I'm going as Atomic Phantom, and Olivia is going as a witch," he said.

"I haven't decided yet," Mackenzie admitted.

Finally, the night of the dance arrived, and the twins eagerly donned their costumes before heading to the school. Mason was dressed as The Atomic Phantom, while Mackenzie chose to go as a cowgirl. Just as they were about to leave, they encountered Olivia waiting at their front door.

"I'm surprised your parents are letting you attend this party," Olivia remarked.

"The only way they agreed to it was because I proposed a deal to extend our grounding by another two weeks," Mackenzie replied as they made their way to the school.

Upon arrival, they found the entire school transformed into a Halloween wonderland, complete with festive lights, a DJ, and an array of Halloween-themed snacks. While Mackenzie and Olivia engaged in girl talk, Mason decided to investigate the prize for the costume contest. However, his excitement quickly turned to alarm when he made a startling discovery, prompting him to rush back to the girls in a panic.

"Uh, Mackenzie, we have a problem—a serious one," he said, breathless.

"Mason, what's wrong?" Mackenzie asked, concern washing over her.

"You know the prize for the costume contest? It's missing," Mason revealed, his voice strained.

"What do you mean, missing?" Mackenzie responded, frowning. "Do you think someone took it?"

"That’s definitely a possibility," Mason replied. "We should head over there and look for clues."

"Mason, I think you should talk to some of the other guests to see if they might know anything," Mackenzie suggested. "It might give us a lead on who could be responsible."

"And Mason," she added, "let's hold off on telling the principal for now. We need to be absolutely certain the pumpkin was stolen."

"Right," Mason agreed.

Mackenzie and Olivia made their way to the area where the prize had been, while Mason dispersed into the crowd, questioning guests about their knowledge of the situation. An hour later, he regrouped with the girls.

"Did you find any clues at the scene?" he asked with anticipation.

"Not a thing," Olivia replied, shaking her head.

"And it doesn’t seem like the other guests were much help either," Mason added, disappointment creeping in. 

"This gym is so spacious, and with everyone in costume, it would be easy for someone to make off with the pumpkin unnoticed," Mackenzie said, crossing her arms thoughtfully.

"So, how are we supposed to figure out who took it?" Mason inquired.

"Good question," Mackenzie admitted. "I’ll need some time to think about it."

"Do you still think we shouldn’t inform the principal?" Mason pressed.

"Honestly, we may not have much choice," Mackenzie conceded reluctantly.

The three of them set out to find Mr. Andrews, anxious to inform him that the prize pumpkin for the costume contest had been stolen. "We’ve searched the entire school and haven’t found Mr. Andrews. Do you think he could be behind this?" Mackenzie asked. "What would he want with a pumpkin full of candy?" Mason questioned. 

"Perhaps we've been approaching this the wrong way," Mackenzie suggested. "Instead of trying to pinpoint who took the pumpkin, we should focus on why it was taken. I think it would be wise to research past contests to see if anyone might have held a grudge against previous losers. Mason, you and I can talk to some of the other guests and chaperones, while Olivia heads to the computer room to look into past events," she proposed. 

"How does that sound, Olivia?" Mason asked. 

"Honestly, I don’t need you to look after me. I can handle myself," Olivia replied firmly. 

“Olivia, I wasn't trying to babysit you; I was just making sure you were okay with the plan," he clarified. 

"I’m perfectly fine with it," Olivia assured him. With that, Mason and Mackenzie returned to the gym, while Olivia began her research.

"What was that all about?" Mason asked, puzzled. "Did I say something to upset her?" 

"We’ll discuss it later, okay?" Mackenzie replied, trying to move on. 

"Uh, okay," Mason said, still confused.

Once back in the gym, the twins started asking guests about previous contests when a boy named Justin approached them. 

"Hey, guys!" he greeted them. 

"Hi, Justin," Mason replied. "What’s up?"

"Someone stole the prize for the costume contest, and we’re trying to figure out who did it," Mason said. 

"Do you know anything about the school’s past contests?" Mackenzie inquired.

"I remember that back in the '70s, there was a kid who won every contest for four or five years straight, until one day he lost to another student. You can probably guess that he wasn't too happy about it," Justin recounted. "His name was Jeremy Samuels." 

"Mason, does Jeremy have a child at this school?" Mackenzie asked.

"I think he does, actually, but I couldn’t tell you which costume belongs to him," Justin replied.

“If Jeremy's son discovered that his father's winning streak had come to an end, it would provide a compelling motive for him to seek revenge,” Mason remarked. “We need to determine which costume belongs to Jeremy's son,” Mackenzie added.

After a while, Olivia returned with some news. “Olivia, did you find anything?” Mason inquired. “Actually, yes,” she replied. “What did you uncover?” asked Mackenzie.

Olivia explained, “It turns out that back in the '70s, there was a boy named Jeremy Samuels who won every contest until one year when he lost. He has a son who attends this school.” Mackenzie continued, “We believe that's the reason the pumpkin was stolen—an act of revenge for Jeremy's loss.” 

Mason nodded. “You’re correct, but there’s more to the story,” Olivia added. “Jeremy didn’t just lose; he was caught cheating and disqualified, which clearly upset him.” 

“That certainly provides a motive for revenge,” Mason responded. “We were told that Jeremy’s son goes to this school,” Mackenzie said. 

“You’re right again, and I bet you won’t guess who he is,” Olivia replied, showing them a photo. “Is that Justin?” Mason asked. “Yep,” Olivia confirmed. “Justin Samuels. We need to find Justin quickly,” Mackenzie urged. “Where did he go? He was just here!" 

“Let’s split up and search the school; he has to be around here somewhere,” Mason suggested. “We don’t have much time before the contest starts.” The three of them scattered throughout the school in search of Justin. 

“He could be in any costume; this is going to be nearly impossible,” Olivia lamented. Suddenly, Mackenzie had an idea. “Oh, Justin! The judges just told us that you won the costume contest! You better come out and claim your prize!” 

Sure enough, this enticed Justin to emerge. “We know what happened with your father and that he got caught cheating. We also know you took the prize pumpkin in retaliation for his disqualification. Now, where is it?” asked Mackenzie.

"What makes you think I’m going to tell you?" Justin replied sharply. 

"Because we can strike a deal," Mackenzie offered. "Tell us where the pumpkin is, and we’ll make sure the principal never discovers you were the one who took it." 

"Fine, it’s in my locker," Justin admitted. 

"Give me the combination, now," Mackenzie demanded. 

"23-85-92," he responded. 

“Justin, I understand you were trying to do right by your father after everything that happened, but stealing the prize pumpkin was never the right choice,” Mackenzie said gently. “You could have honored him by entering the contest fairly.” 

“I know,” Justin replied, remorse evident in his voice. “I’m sorry.” 

With the prize pumpkin returned to its rightful place, the students were finally free to return to the party—the costume contest was about to begin, and Olivia was among the favorites to win. 

Once the contest concluded, the kids were free to dance until it was time to leave. Mason seized the moment to approach his girlfriend, who was sitting alone. 

“I think you should go talk to her,” Mackenzie encouraged. 

"What did you two discuss while I was gone?" Mason asked, curious. 

"I'll tell you later," Mackenzie replied, “but right now, you should ask her to dance.” 

Mason walked over to Olivia, a hopeful smile on his face. “Would you care to dance?” he asked. 

"I’d love to," Olivia responded. 

"I’m sorry if I ever made you feel unappreciated or that you needed constant protection,” Mason said earnestly. 

"It’s okay," Olivia reassured him. “I know you’re looking out for me, and I truly appreciate it, but I am capable of taking care of myself.” 

“I understand,” Mason replied. “I’ll do my best to give you some space from time to time.”

After the dance concluded, it was time for everyone to head home. "Would you mind if I walked you home? I won’t be able to see you for a while," Mason asked. "Sure," responded Olivia, and the two of them walked home together. Before she went inside, they shared a kiss. Mason then returned home, aware that he would likely be grounded again, along with Mackenzie. However, after the events of that night, he felt it would all be worthwhile.

"So, how was the dance?" their mother inquired. "It was better than I ever imagined," Mason replied. "Not only did Olivia and I share our first dance, but we also had our first kiss." "That's wonderful, dear," Melissa beamed. "But remember our agreement, son," David reminded him. "Yes, I know. We’re still grounded. Is Mackenzie upstairs?" Mason asked. "Yep," David confirmed. "Alright, goodnight, Mom and Dad," Mason said as he ascended the stairs to talk to Mackenzie.

"So, how did it go with Olivia?" she asked. "It went great. We not only shared our first dance but also our first kiss," Mason replied. "Mason, that’s amazing!" Mackenzie exclaimed. "I’m so happy for you two." "Thanks, sis," Mason said. "It turns out that extending our punishment so we could go to the dance was worth it after all." "I knew it would be," Mackenzie grinned. "It’s been a long day; I think it’s time for both of us to get some rest," Mason concluded. "Goodnight, sis." "Goodnight, Mason," Mackenzie replied, and they both went to bed, pleased with the evening's memories and eager for the mysteries yet to unfold.