The Chair That Waits

Dr. Skull crouched on a warm roof in Phoenix, right above a dental office that stayed too bright for nighttime. His long black hair hung to his back, and his bangs hid one eye like a curtain.

Below, four kids hovered by a saguaro-shaped sign.

Brooke hugged her backpack. “That chair is going to bite me.”

Collin pressed his lips together hard. “Dentists always hurt.”

Brandon frowned at the glass door. “My overbite makes my mouth look… dumb.”

Will shook his head fast. “Nope. Not opening my mouth.”

Dr. Skull’s bat wings twitched. He liked scaring people into doing the right thing. He also liked not being seen.

His phone buzzed.

Dr. Pinkie: Don’t do your spooky thing.

Inside, Dr. Hearts and Dr. Mikey waited by the big chair, lined up like it was a stage.

Dr. Skull dropped to the sidewalk and placed a tiny baby tooth in Brooke’s palm.

Her eyes widened. “Okay… what now?”

Dr. Skull’s fingers closed around a folded salon appointment card in his pocket as he said, “Now you walk in.”

Buzzing Glass

Brooke pushed the glass door, and the office smell hit fast—mint and something like clean towels.

Dr. Pinkie, a tooth-fairy dentist with bright pink hair in a high ponytail, popped her head from a hallway. “Shoes stay on. Mouths stay closed until you’re ready.”

Collin muttered, “That is… oddly nice.”

A SCREEEAK scraped the front window.

Brandon jumped. “What was that?”

Outside, a window cleaner dangled in a harness, his squeegee squealing as it slid. The man waved like he was on a ride.

Will yelped and backed out the door. “Nope! I’m done!”

Dr. Skull—vampire tooth fairy, fangs and bat wings tucked tight—lunged after him.

“Don’t run,” Dr. Skull snapped, then hissed, “Okay, run slower!”

His fingers brushed the salon card in his pocket. A tiny flick of magic stuck it to the inside glass.

Will froze, squinting. “Is that… a haircut appointment? For you?”

Dr. Skull’s one green eye went wide. He slapped at the door, and the lock clicked