The Town That Hated Scissors

Harristown was not like other towns.

Sure, it had a bakery that smelled like cinnamon rolls, a park with a broken fountain, and a grumpy mailman named Gerald who complained about everything. Normal enough.

But Harristown also had a problem. A big, shaggy, mop-headed problem.

Jackie stood at the corner of Maple and Third, her long black hair hanging down her back and her bangs flopped completely over her eyes. She could barely see. She didn't care.

"Jack!" a voice called out.

That was Ollie. He came sprinting around the corner with hair so wild it looked like a small animal had nested in it and decided to stay forever.

Behind him came Remi, Mike, Jacob, and Carson — all equally fluffy-headed, all equally out of breath.

"They're setting up again," Ollie gasped, hands on his knees.

Jackie pushed her bangs aside just enough to squint down the street.

A pink-and-black striped sign was going up.

The Sign That Screamed First

The pink-and-black striped sign read: MANE EVENT SALON — GRAND OPENING TODAY. FREE HAIRCUTS FOR KIDS.

"Free," Mike whispered, like the word itself had teeth.

"That's how they get you," Carson said.

Jackie squinted harder. Below the sign, two girls were hauling equipment out of a little white van. One carried a bright red toolbox. The other dragged something long and black wrapped in a canvas bag.

Clippers.

Jackie's stomach dropped straight to her shoes.

"Okay," Remi said quietly. "We run."

They ran.

All six of them bolted down Maple Street, sneakers slapping the pavement, hair flying everywhere. Ollie's wild mop practically lifted off his head like a tumbleweed with ambitions.

They dove behind the wall of Mr. Fenwick's shoe repair shop, breathing hard. The old shoemaker was outside polishing a boot and didn't even blink at six panting children crashing into his wall.

"They've got clippers," Jackie gasped, pressing her back against the brick.

"If those devils get near my head," Ollie wheezed, "I'm gonna die from the baldness."

"Same," said Jacob.

But then — a parrot screamed from inside the salon.

Everyone froze.