Lizzy was getting ready in her room for Violet’s birthday party and Beatrice and Lisha were waiting on her. Lisha was looking through her phone and opened an email, eyes glowing brightly from the contents.

“Look babe, it’s Lizzy’s school pictures from today!” Lisha cheered, excited. “I love pictures! My yearbook picture was the best in mine!”

“Yours was probably a two-page spread.” Beatrice grumbled, taking the phone email from her.

Beatrice flipped through the children and glanced at a few students. Most of them weren’t too stand-out in terms of looks. Most of the girls were more makeup than face, and most of the guys were more acne than boy. Finally, she came to the photo marked “Elizabeth Hawthorne” and raised her eyebrow at it.

Lizzy was wearing a black top that read “Bigger is Beauty!” in large text. Her blue ripped denim shorts were on top of the black leggings and dark tennis shoes and made her look ready for a concert. Lizzy’s unruly hair was being held back in a tight ponytail by Sausage, who was curled around and serving as a hair tie. She was also striking a pose similar to some of Beatrice’s older magazine covers with a wide smile on her face.

“Looks like Lizzy took some notes from someone.” Lisha laughed.

“Yeah,” Beatrice agreed with a small smile. “I guess she did. She doesn’t look half bad striking the look either. Don’t tell her I said that though. Wouldn’t want it to go to her head.”

“I think she could afford the compliment if it’s from you.” Lisha retorted.

“What does that mean?”

“It means-” Lisha was interrupted by Lizzy walking out of her room. “It means that we’re ready to go now!”

“Do you remember her address, ma?” the girl asked. Lisha smiled and nudged Beatrice, who sighed and reached into her coat pocket, grabbing something and keeping it folded in her hand.

“So your mom and I have been talking-” Lisha started.

“We didn’t talk about this before ten minutes ago.” Beatrice clarified.

“So we were talking, and I think you’re old enough and responsible enough to have a key to the house!” Beatrice held out a key that was made of some kind of red metal with a devil tail design at the end. Lizzy took the key skeptically and examined it.

“So you two know I’m not exactly leaving the house to go anywhere in Hell, right?” she asked. “I’m not trying to be unappreciative, but… I’m not leaving to explore Hell or anything.”

“It’s not a key to the literal house.” Beatrice said, rolling her eyes. “It’s a key to Hell apparently.”

“And that means…?”

“It means you can go between Hell and the human world without us.” Lisha said, putting on a stern expression. “But if you abuse the key or leave without telling us where you are-”

“We will track you down and you’ll wish the world was wide enough for you to have enough hiding places from us.” Beatrice growled.

“Um… yeah, that.” Lisha chimed. “So be responsible and don’t lose it!”

Lizzy couldn’t believe that her parents were just giving her a key to Hell. She didn’t have to wait for her parents to be free if she wanted to go out anymore. She didn’t even need them to take her to and from school anymore! She already felt drunk on the newfound freedom. Well, freedom at her moms’ permission.

“Let’s just go already.” Beatrice unenthusiastically said, checking her phone.

“You can take us!” Lisha said with excitement, motioning for Lizzy to do something.

Lisha grabbed Beatrice’s and Lizzy’s hands and waited for her to do something. Not quite sure what to do, Lizzy closed her eyes and thought of Violet's house. She turned the key in the air like she was unlocking a door and in a surprising flash, all three of them were gone. When they reappeared, they were on the front lawn of Violet’s house. Lisha and Beatrice looked around cautiously.

“Try not to make us appear out in the open.” Beatrice fussed. “It’s too messy convincing the police someone was high enough to imagine us teleporting again.”

“I could’ve memory wiped them.” Lisha chimed.

“Didn’t tell me that until afterwards.”

“Oh, hey, I’ve gotta warn you two about something actually.” Lizzy remembered. “Violet’s got this aunt named Diane. Don’t mention food or her body or anything like that around her, ok?”

“Whatever.” Beatrice said, barely recognizing her request.

“If you say so.” Lisha bowed.

“Thanks.”

They walked up to the door and gave the doorbell a ring, but there was no sound. Lizzy rang again and a giant crash could be heard inside with some concerned yells. Impatiently, Beatrice brushed Lizzy aside and began to rapidly press the doorbell until the door was answered by a limping man in a pink tutu, dressed up like the tooth fairy.

“I’m going home.” Beatrice said.

“No you’re not.” Lisha laughed, adding a hint of a threat in there. Beatrice grumpily frowned and entered the house.

“I’m glad you could all make it.” the man said. “I’m Jack, Violet’s dad.”

“And I’m Sebastian, dad number two!” shouted a voice from a couple rooms over.

“Violet,” Jack called. “I think your friends are here! If not, we have strangers over for your party!” Jack rushed away to take care of something and Violet came down the stairs with a smile on her face.

“I’m glad you’re here.” she said shyly. “I don’t want to deal with my cousins alone again. They’re handfuls.”

“I would’ve come anyway.” Lizzy laughed.

“Well, it might be a bit until they show up. Come on, I’ve got something to show you!”

Violet grabbed Lizzy’s hand and they ran off together around the hallway. From around the corner a man emerged who waved at Lisha and Beatrice.

“Thank you two for bringing a friend for Violet.” he thanked. “She gets so lonely sometimes.”

“She keeps Lizzy lots of company too!” Lisha said proudly. “So we have your daughter to thank too!”

“Oh, well, we tried to raise her well.” Sebastian blushed. “If you want some cupcakes, they’re on the kitchen counter.”

“Yes!” Lisha cheered, parading to the kitchen and leaving Beatrice behind. 

Sebastian and Lisha made eye contact for a second and he looked and walked away, too intimidated by her deadly glare. Beatrice sighed and put her back against a wall, waiting for the party to be over.

“Hey,” said a voice to her left. “You think this party’s a drag too?” Beatrice looked up to see a woman in punk clothing looking up at her. She was short and curvy and reminded Beatrice too much of how she used to look.

“It was a drag the moment I left the house.”

“Aw, don’t say that.” she smiled. “I’m sure a kid will do something stupid before the night’s over.”

“Let’s hope.” Bea laughed. “I’m Beatrice, by the way.”

“Bella.”

“I like the platforms. Hella spiky.”

“I like the snake. Hella wild.”

“I don’t think I’ve been called wild by anyone but Lisha.” Beatrice laughed.

“That’s surprising.” Bella giggled. She leaned in close and started whispering to Beatrice. “You wanna hear some really wild stories?”