Late October, I was trudging home from my friend's house around 6:20pm, a bit later than I normally make my way home since the sun will set soon. Taking an old dirt path withered and chiseled from all the other feet to walk this same way, it was my first time taking the path at this time, the trees seeming much taller than normal, everything appeared very stately and imposing to me now. As I walked, a cottage catches my eye, its gray front stood out well from the background, odd never seen it before in the day time, as I made my way approaching it became clear, it was no abandoned house or something of that nature, but was a little run down shop, looked decayed or maybe just well loved, glancing up a hanging wood sign swayed a bit in the breeze, “Tiny Trinkets”, I have never heard of this before and I have lived my whole life in this small town. I descended down the slippery steps, grabbing for the gold door handle making my way inside, the lights flickering with every step I took. Walking through the aisle of shelves it was complete separation from the living world, as i'm overlooking the rows of jars of shimmering dust and sparking potions sitting displayed on top of carved wooden counters, the walls of the store covered in vibrant tapestries, the abrupt startlement of wind chimes shakes me out of my utter awe. 

The moonlight shining through the stained glass windows, I see a shadow like figure quickly run past, frantically my eyes dart across the store for I'm now not alone in this unknown place. Catching a glimpse of the creature I can describe its jet-black fur seeming to absorb all light around it, eyes glowing, if I stand still maybe I could make it out safe, this thing gives off an unsettling aura. A book fell off the shelf in front of me opening to a page “Shadow Walkers”, a silent creature with razor sharp claws and fangs. A chilling whisper echoed suddenly through the air, I spin around frantically trying to keep track of the creature now known as a shadow walker, I can feel eyes following me piercing my every move. Feeling now very unsafe, still a far way from home, now pitch black outside I make a break for the door, as I turn I hear a click of a lock, now being fully turned I see a floating skinny skeleton key quickly pulling out of the key hole and rushing by my face making my hair whip up, I watch it disappear into the darkness in the back of the shop, turning back around i’m met with the shadow walker, holding eye contact it makes a bone chilling grin. Without warning it lunges towards me, its claws grazing against me, the straight force pushes me on to the ground, it goes black. 

Waking up with a sharp and heavy gasp, my heart still pounding, my head throbbing, touching the back of my head there is dried blood from where my head hit the wooden floor beneath me or the wooden floor that use to be beneath me , the sun shining bright in my face, I reach my hand out over my eyes to block it, covered in dirt, in the same spot that the shop once stood, it's the next day my parents must be worried sick about me being all alone, alone? That's what I thought but something lays in my lap, the book of the shadow walker, carved in the spine of the book reads, “Until next time.'' A chill rushes down my spine, but I am just a boy sitting alone in the dirt. I don't want there to be a next time. I want it to be just me with the quiet and lonely hills surrounding me.

Putting her key into the ignition of her car, Heidi pulled out of her driveway. Tonight was going to be the riskiest night of her life, but the blonde had no fear. She had a job to do. As the most respected and beloved member of MTV’s Angels, she only found joy in executing the tasks provided to her by Chris McCarthy. Tonight was believed to be a night of fame, admiration, talent, and the corresponding reprimand. Heidi, however, knew the truth. She knew the secret behind the Grammy Awards, and she had to put a stop to it.

After parking a block away, Heidi got out of the car and began making her way to the venue of the famed award show. With the live broadcasting and surrounding crowds, she knew it was going to be rough. Nevertheless, her eyes shined with determination. She had to do this. It was the only way to expose the truth!

Spotting a security duo guarding one of the emergency exits, Heidi poured a bit of chloroform into a washcloth. With each approaching step, she started to grow more anxious. Any slip-up could be detrimental. After one of the guards turns, she sees a clearing! Heidi immediately takes the opportunity, and renders both the guards unconscious. Once the adrenaline wore off, she took a moment to look at her work. Nice.

Using her psychotic husband’s advice, she began to pick the lock. She became focused, but was immediately pulled out of her mindset when she felt a hand gently grab her wrist. Startled, Heidi fell back on her reflexes and delivered a powerful kick in the direction of the figure's face, but it was successfully blocked. Small setback, but Heidi was compelled to neutralize the disturbance until they spoke.

“I’m on your side!”
With those four words, Heidi contained herself and focused her eyes on the brunette woman standing before her. She scanned her up and down before asking, “What’s your business?”

“My name is Tove Lo, and I’m a Swedish pop artist,” she replied. “I know all about the secrets of the annual Grammy Awards, and I’m here to help you expose the truth.”

“Oh hey,” Heidi recognized the name. “I know you! You made that song with the ooh-we-oo vocals, or whatnot.”

“Mhm, and I totally tanked after that release, despite only improving in my career. The music industry is full of this,” Tove used her eyes to signal the award show venue, “and this is the head of it all. I’ve wanted to take initiative for a while, but I needed a capable partner. I knew you’d be the one.”

Heidi was a little weary to trust the woman, but the fact that she even knows a little about the conspiracy proves that she must be on her side. Even if her reading is wrong, she’s Heidi Montag. There is nothing she can’t overcome.

As Tove offers her hand, Heidi takes it and the two infiltrate the facility. Getting caught on any cameras was not a concern. The women didn’t really know what exactly they were looking for. All they knew was they needed to take down whoever was at the top of this organization and expose the truth to the rest of the world.

Running through the halls and up and down the stairs, Heidi asks Tove, “so, if we get caught, do you think they’re gonna kill us?”

“Worse,” Tove replies, “you’ll get put on Epstein’s List. There’s no coming back after that.”

Heidi took the words roughly. Oh my God, we really are risking our lives here. While the running and searching was exhausting, both the women finally reached a promising entryway. Unfortunately, it was locked with a passcode. Whatever or whoever is behind it is important.

“Stay back, I got this,” Heidi assured. Wasting no time, she pulled out a bottle of new, untested Hydroxycut pills. Her partnership got her to fit back into her favorite dress, and now it is going to save the world. In mere seconds, the pills slimmed her figure and she was able to slip underneath the metallic door and unlock it from the other side. Moments later, she began returning to her recognizable self.

“What?!” Tove was in disbelief.

“Don’t question it. C’mon, let’s go!”

Both Heidi and Tove ran down the hall until they came to a pair of double doors. It looked like an executive office. Heidi turned to Tove, and her eye contact was returned. In unison, the two nodded their heads before kicking open the doors.

“Oh my God…” Tove murmured.

Struck with disbelief, Heidi stepped back as the man turned around. His face was all too familiar to the entire world.

“Jeff Bezos…”

The bald anomaly turned robotically, as if he had absorbed the mannerisms of Mark Zuckerberg. With a net worth of one hundred and seventy-seven billion dollars, he was not one to be messed with. If it wasn’t already, Heidi’s life was surely on the line now. Tove Lo is no different. The blonde had to be fearless. She had a mission to complete.

The two parties lunged at each other. Trove was knocked unconscious by a never-before-seen model of Alexa and she was forced to sign up for Amazon Prime! Heidi had the upper hand, though, and defeated Bezos.

Using the little bit of energy she had left, Heidi made her way down to the main stage and used the microphone.

“Everybody, can I have your attention, please?”
Those already seated looked up, over at the blonde. It looks like she definitely had a day.

“Hey, so uh, this whole thing is rigged. Every award show is fixed. I mean, did you really think Taylor Swift deserved 2023’s VMA for Best Video over SZA? Didn’t think so. That’s it. Just go home.”