Delayed Gratification; or The Carnival Really Was Evil

Bart didn't really know what to expect on Halloween. Last year had been a little creepy, more for some than others. But certainly hadn't expected to start the day off fighting for his life against the stuffed toys he'd helped Cissie win.

Especially since he was pretty sure Funshine Bear was chanting the name Kali over and over. He did not need that reminder, since he most definitely was not Batman and he didn't have a utility belt full of goodies. It had taken most of his knowledge just to get out of the bedroom in one piece, block the stairs out of the treehouse before anything escaped, and barricade himself in Bob's room. At least here he had the rope he used to making the climbing obstacles Bob loved, and it was strong enough to use to get down if he had to.

He just really didn't want to leave a bunch of killer toys in his home and pray they didn't escape. Bart just really didn't know what else to do. He really wished Tim was here, because his plans usually didn't work out in the long-run.

"Thank God we don't have many neighbors," Bart told Bob as he leaned back against the door, feeling the first rush of adrenaline giving way.