The early morning mist clung to The House of Granny like a shroud, curling around the ancient statues that lined the pathway to the mansion. Tsarina, or "Snitcheru" as Edd had mockingly dubbed her, stood at the entrance, staring at the hollow pedestal where the bronze figure of the founder had once stood. Now, it was gone.
Her brow furrowed, messy hair falling over her eyes. The competition hadn't even started yet, and something was already wrong. The statue had been there yesterday, polished and proud, one of Grandma Glory's favorite icons. She had overheard Glory boasting about it just last week.
"Snitcheru," came a smug voice from behind.
She didn't need to turn around to know who it was. Edd, his head slightly obscured by the rising mist, was walking up the path with that insufferable grin plastered on his pineapple-shaped head. Of all the people to be here, it had to be him.
"Guess the bird's flown the coop," he smirked, glancing at the empty pedestal. "Or in this case, the statue."
Tsarina rolled her eyes. "You're not funny, Edd."
He stepped closer, his eyes scanning the ground. "You're just mad because I got here first." His gaze flicked up to meet hers. "But you noticed it too, right? It's not just missing, it's like it was never there."
She hadn't wanted to admit it, but he was right. There were no marks of removal, no scratches or scuffs, no clues of what could have happened to the massive sculpture. It was as if the statue had simply evaporated into thin air.
"What do you think happened?" she asked, ignoring his self-satisfied grin.
Edd shrugged, circling the base of the pedestal. "Could be anything. Maybe someone had a strong enough back to haul it away overnight. Or..." His eyes twinkled with amusement. "Maybe it vanished."
"Vanished?" Tsarina snorted. "You really believe in that supernatural nonsense?"
"Believe? No." He leaned closer, his voice low and teasing. "But I know you do."
She clenched her fists. Edd always did this—poked at her weaknesses until she snapped. Not this time. "It's not about belief," she said. "It's about solving this before you do."
"Ah, and there's the real Snitcheru spirit!" He threw his head back in mock celebration. "Always trying to outdo me. But, of course, I'll win again."
"Keep dreaming, Pen Pineapple."
Edd's grin faltered for just a second, his hand instinctively brushing over his spiky hair. But he quickly recovered. "We'll see."
Just then, the soft clack of heels echoed through the mist. Both of them turned to see a figure approaching, regal as ever—Grandma Glory herself. The Chief Broadway Queen, dressed in her usual flamboyant colors, her head held high as she approached the empty pedestal. Her eyes flicked between Snitcheru and Edd, lips curling into an amused smile.
"Well, well," she said in a voice that seemed to both soothe and unsettle. "It appears you two have already discovered our first mystery."
Snitcheru's heart quickened. So this was the first challenge—finding the missing statue.
"Only one of you will be able to solve it," Grandma Glory continued, her voice calm but carrying an edge. "The one who does will be closer to the Golden Paper Bird Trophy." Her eyes twinkled, full of mischief. "I trust you're both ready to begin?"
Edd, always quick to speak, nodded confidently. "I was born ready."
Snitcheru stayed silent, her mind racing through the possibilities. The statue was gone, but there had to be some clue, some detail they were missing. Grandma Glory watched them both closely, as though waiting for them to make the first move.
The game had officially begun.
"Let the best detective win," Grandma Glory said, turning to leave, her footsteps fading into the mist.
Snitcheru locked eyes with Edd. He gave her a mocking salute before heading toward the mansion, his pace quick and determined. But she wasn't going to let him get ahead—not this time.
With a deep breath, she followed him, her mind already churning through theories. Somewhere within The House of Granny, the answer to this mystery was waiting. She just had to find it before Edd did.
And in this game, there would be no second chances.