Original subtitles

[♪♪♪]

Mom? Finn?

[Mom] Sam?

[Finn] Sam, is that you?

You remember me!

[♪♪♪]

Mom? Finn?

[Mom, distantly] Sam?

[Finn] Sam?

[Mom, louder and echoing] Sam! Sam!

[Finn] Sam?

[Sam] Finn?

-[Mom] Sam! -[Sam] Mom?

[Mom] Sam?

[Finn] Sam!

[Mom] Sam?

Where are you?

[Finn] Sam...

[Mom] Sam?

[Mom] Sam?

[high-pitched screeching]

Mom? Finn?

[high-pitched screeching]

[high-pitched whining]

[roaring]

Ahh!

[gasping]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[Rusty] Where do I start?

For 20 years, this town was under a curse.

Every year, a kid was taken,

turned into a pumpkin.

Yep, you heard that right... pumpkin.

[Pumpkinhead roaring]

It kept the crops growing, and the lands thrived.

And then, the curse tried to take Sam's brother.

Ah! Ah! Ahh!

Ahh! Ahh!

[Rusty] But the curse didn't just take the kids...

it took everyone's memory of them.

So, Sam found the old ritual book,

used it to break the curse,

saved his brother,

and brought back the memory of all those kids.

Except one. Sam.

The town didn't know what to do

about all those missing kids.

Theories out the wazoo.

But when you can't solve something that big,

what's left to do, but leave?

But here's the thing...

curses never let go.

Sam's family had forgotten about him.

To them, Sam was a stranger.

So, for the last year,

he's been staying with me,

until we can find that book again,

and figure out a way to undo it...

and that's what I'm looking for.

[customer service] Uh, sorry, sir...

I meant, what are you looking for...

in terms of coverage?

We're calling about

your vehicle's extended warranty.

Oh!

Well, I... I'm-I'm more of a cyclist.

Thanks anyway. Bye.

-[claps shut] -Huh.

Ahh.

[whistling a cheerful tune]

[Sam yawns]

Oh, there he is!

Hey, good news...

no eggshells this morning,

so we are trending in the right direction.

Here you go, Sam.

Thanks, Rusty.

You are welcome, my friend!

So, hey, I was thinking

that maybe we should get outta town today?

Oak Falls has that Shakespeare festival...

people wearing tights

for reasons that no one fully understands.

What do you think?

I'm gonna go check by the east field again,

with Becka.

I think the storm last week might've loosened the soil.

Thanks, Rusty!

Yeah. Yeah, yeah.

I'll, uh... I'll see ya out there.

-[Sam] See ya! -Yeah.

Huh.

-[crunch] -[gag]

I lied!

Eggshells.

Oh, so many eggshells!

[♪♪♪]

Anything?

A small society of worms.

Think I interrupted something important.

No ancient ritual book.

You know...

you really don't have to spend all your spare time here.

I know we're not our parents, but...

my dad did unleash a curse

that sacrificed kids for decades.

I'm gonna overcompensate a little.

[shovel hits stone]

[♪♪♪]

So...

not that I don't "dig" the manual labor,

but...

maybe it's time to admit that it's not here?

Mm-mm.

It's been a year.

11 months... 14 days.

Right.

I'm just saying...

Look, we've gutted this place.

Flipped every bookshelf in town,

and, after asking literally everyone with a pulse

about their experience with the supernatural,

we've officially become "the Weird Kids".

A title I'm proud of, but...

Yeah.

So...

I'm worried about you.

Maybe it's time to stop?

Maybe focusing on you is how you get through this?

I'm gonna go check by the barn again.

[♪♪♪]

[indistinct exchange]

[♪♪♪]

[sighs]

[♪♪♪]

Hey!

So, what do you think?

Should I go "responsible guardian,"

who owns a minivan, pays taxes, or...

"cool hipster"?

This guy roasts his own coffee,

reads articles on recycled bark.

Yeah. It comes with a hat!

What do you think?

[♪♪♪]

It's Parent Night tomorrow!

Oh! Uh...

wear whatever you're comfortable being disappointed in.

Sam! You just started the eighth grade.

You got plenty of time to turn it around

before high school.

You know, I failed the seventh grade twice.

Look at me now.

[♪♪♪]

Definitely not the cargo shorts.

Right, yeah. Yeah.

Hey! Listen, so...

I was thinking that...

maybe it's time to sell this place, Sam.

What?

Inheriting a cursed farm

wasn't really in my life bingo card.

Y-You can't.

The book's here.

It's not, kid.

It's gone. It's time to move on.

And I know how hard that sounds,

but it is.

Don't you want to see your sister again?

[clap]

Lily's gone, Sam.

The book could bring her back!

It won't!

We could move somewhere with less dirt.

Less Texas Chainsaw Massacre vibes.

Somewhere that delivers Uber Eats?

What do you think?

I'm not giving up, Rusty.

The book's out there... somewhere.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[school bell rings]

[♪♪♪]

Oh, look, new artwork!

Look, you're a werewolf

and I'm... what is that?

A Victorian ghost?

[lock clatters]

They're getting more creative.

[Chad] Evan, hey!

So... what do orphans do on Parents' Evening?

Guess you're off the hook, huh?

[boys chortling]

[Chad] Ah, no one here, no one at home...

Damn.

It's like you're the problem.

-[boys laughing] -Leave him alone, Chad.

[Chad] Oh, look.

It's the Creep Club.

What're you gonna do? Put a spell on me?

Yeah, we tried one...

to lower your cognitive function,

but the baseline was already too low.

Huh?

Move along, Chad.

Whatever, loser. Huh.

Ignore them.

They're peaking in middle school.

Thanks.

[♪♪♪]

[tubes bubbling]

[Sam, muttering] Terra...

sanguine...

corrupt a...

Then what was it?

Sacrificium?

I've tried every memory-recall trick there is.

That is all I can remember of the ritual.

[Teacher] Ahem!

[♪♪♪]

Doesn't look like

you're measuring reaction rates, Sam.

You can have it back later, at Parents' Evening.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

I assume nothing but praise?

I could be failing everything, and my mom would still be fine.

She'd probably encourage it.

She's still trying to over correct for my dad.

This is such a waste of time.

I should be searching the farm.

Tonight's not for you. It's Parents' Night.

Uh, do you see my mom here?

No.

But I do see someone very excited to be here for you.

Hey, hey!

[growls] You ready?

Looking good, Rusty.

Yeah, you think? It's not too much, is it?

On anyone else? Yes.

Now, I know Sam's only been here for a year...

Mm-hmm.

But I was hoping

he'd be a little bit more settled by now.

He's, um... distracted.

His grades haven't improved,

homework's not getting turned in,

and that's gonna affect

what classes he's placed in next year,

when he moves on to high school.

"Failing."

[pen scratching paper]

No, no, no, you...

You don't have to write that down.

Um, from what I understand,

this living situation is temporary?

Well...

Yes. Yes.

My mom

is...

away for work,

and I'm staying with Rusty, for now.

Well, you want my advice?

Please, yes.

Make it a home... even if it is temporary.

Routine and structure are important.

Yes, they are.

Uh, okay, so I just have one quick question here.

Uh... One sec.

Sorry.

Where is it? Oh, there it is.

Is it more important to study in short bursts,

or one long, miserable session?

Uh, well...

And what's going on with the whiteboard situation?

'Cause I can get him whiteboard.

-Um, Mister...? -Rusty.

Mr. Rusty... it's clear that you care.

I do.

And support at home,

it-it really does help,

but, at a certain point,

Sam is going to have to meet you halfway.

[♪♪♪]

[TV playing indistinctly]

Evan!

Grab me another beer, will ya?

[gulping]

Oh, come on, ref! Ya blind?

Is there any left?

You can have what's left.

Thanks.

[burping loudly]

[♪♪♪]

[flies buzzing]

Ugh... gross.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[crack]

[Rusty] Gosh, this thing.

[Sam] I was right!

Last week's storm loosened the east field.

Oh! That's good.

Well, welcome... to your new study hub.

Got a desk here, new lamp for you,

and a swivel chair

that may, or may not, have been assembled completely wrong.

I skipped step four. Wasn't really needed, so.

Uh... cool. Thanks.

So, Sam, um...

we should probably talk about tonight.

I'm failing.

What else is there to talk about?

All right, then, young man,

you're grounded until your grades improve.

It's not like I go anywhere anyway.

Well, then, no more digging.

I don't care about school.

This... finding the book... is all that matters.

[clap]

It's gone.

[sighs]

Sam, it...

-[click-whump] -Oh!

Guess that was step four.

Listen.

I know what it's like

to feel completely helpless against that curse.

But come on, kid.

You can't let it take more than it already has.

[thumps book down]

Just because you've given up, doesn't mean I will.

If you'd stood up to Palmer back then,

none of this would've happened.

Maybe if you weren't such a coward,

you could've saved Lily.

[Rusty] Ahem.

I know, kid.

I know.

[sighs]

[footsteps on stairs]

Evan!

Take out the trash, will ya?

Yeah.

[stomping heavily]

[sighing]

[sighing]

[eerie music rises]

[♪♪♪]

Who drew these?

[whooshing]

[♪♪♪]

"Let none

who enter the circle

ever walk alone."

[electricity surging]

[♪♪♪]

[reading uncertainly] Ligati...

in aeternum,

surgite iterum.

Per sanguinem unum,

familia una manet.

Ex terra surgite

et iterum...

Memorium...

[continues indistinctly]

[dramatic music surges]

[Rusty muttering irately to himself]

Come on, Rusty!

[sighing heavily]

Give the kid a chance.

You gotta give him a break!

You gotta be a reasonable adult here.

I know that just seems wildly unnatural,

but you gotta give it a shot, you know?

He's been through a lot.

It's not always about you, you know?

He's lost his mom.

-Oh, but... -[harrowing screech]

All right...

time to stop talking to yourself in the dark, Rusty-boy.

Sam...

[footsteps locking step]

[♪♪♪]

[growling]

Rusty?

[♪♪♪]

Rusty?

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[Becka] Did he sleep in his bed?

Rusty's room always looks like a crime scene,

so it's hard to tell.

I definitely crossed a line.

It's Rusty. He understands.

What if we never find it?

What if my family never remember me?

Then you'll still have me...

and Rusty.

[♪♪♪]

You're both right.

The book's gone.

[♪♪♪]

[pencil scratching paper]

[boys talking, indistinct]

[Chad] Ooh.

Give it back, Chad!

[Chad] What do we have here?

No way!

Is that... Is that you, Evan?

As a superhero?

[boys chortling]

Are-Are you drawing friends?

[snickers] Oh, my god, this is too good!

[Chad chuckling]

I-I didn't think you could get sadder.

"We're family!"

[cackling]

[laughter grows]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[Uncle Jerry] Evan!

[stomping approaches]

[♪♪♪]

I give you one simple job...

you can't even do that.

[roars] Trash is all over the backyard!

You didn't put the lid on properly.

I'm sorry. I-I thought I did.

You got time to draw?

You got time to do your chores properly!

-[tearing] -No!

This is the thanks I get for taking you in?

[♪♪♪]

-[TV plays indistinctly] -[awakens with gasp]

[♪♪♪]

[exhaling groggily]

[can clatters]

[♪♪♪]

[tab cracks]

[♪♪♪]

[Jerry exhales]

[♪♪♪]

Goddamn it, Evan.

[thud]

[♪♪♪]

[static crackling]

Aw, shit.

Goddamn thing better not be busted again.

[♪♪♪]

[Jerry grunting]

[♪♪♪]

[eerie wheezing]

[vines creaking]

[screaming]

[scream echoes]

[dull thud]

[♪♪♪]

Uncle Jerry?

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[floorboard creaks] Who's there?

Who are you?

[vines creak and crack]

Are you going to hurt me?

[Pumpkinhead grumbles]

Did you...

do that to him?

[Pumpkinhead hissing]

Why?

[♪♪♪]

Me?

You did it because of me?

[Jerry gasps] For you!

You did it... for me?

Yeah...

[♪♪♪]

[strained voice] Friend.

You're my friend?

[Pumpkinhead as Jerry] More...

More... friends?

Yeah!

[eagerly] What do I do?

[♪♪♪]

[floorboards creaking]

What if he just... left?

He wouldn't just leave you, Sam.

I would, after how I acted.

I messed up, just like with Mom and Finn.

It's all my fault.

Okay.

First of all, we're allowed to make mistakes.

And second, Rusty's probably camping again.

Guy spent years as a forest hermit...

the outdoors is his comfort zone.

No.

Something's wrong.

[♪♪♪]

[reading] "Per sanguinem...

unum...

familia una manet."

[ominous rumbling]

[Evan, echoing] "Ex terra surgite...

et iterum...

coniungimini."

[continuing indistinctly]

[continuing indistinctly]

[revenants growling]

[calling out] Rusty?

Rusty!

[♪♪♪]

[vines creaking]

[Sam] There!

Rusty!

Rusty, we've... been...

[grunting darkly]

Hard no.

Immediate no!

-[growling and squishing] -[Sam] What's happening?

I have no idea,

but I vote we don't stay to find out!

[all roaring]

Run!

Becka, get to the barn!

[♪♪♪]

[rumble-thud]

[growling and pounding]

[Pumpkinhead hissing]

[echoes of distant ethereal screeching]

[all grunting]

They're leaving.

I would like to go back

to when one murderous scarecrow was the problem.

What the hell were those?

Those were kids...

with pumpkins as heads?

You don't think they were...?

[shakily] The ones sacrificed by the curse?

But how?

We stopped the curse.

[rustling]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[both] Rusty!

Rusty?

Rusty! Wake up.

What happened to him?

I think the curse is back...

in some other form?

[♪♪♪]

There's more of you?

[vines creaking]

Family!

We're family?

[grumbling and hissing]

Evan safe now.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

Maybe we missed something last year?

How?

I'm pretty sure we exhausted this place.

[♪♪♪]

I'll hit up more of the archives.

[♪♪♪]

[stamp clacks]

And, uh, how many is that?

[Becka] My third.

That's three too many for a kid.

[Becka scoffs]

I'm 13, with a fast metabolism.

The caffeine barely has time to do anything.

[♪♪♪]

Are you new? Where's Gladys?

Uh, she's on a leave of absence.

I'm just stepping in, temporarily.

Well, I'm Becka.

You'll probably see me around a fair bit.

"Becka"?

[♪♪♪]

You made that?

Yep.

Why? You seen it?

No. Just... what is it?

It's a book full of ancient...

Latin... and stuff.

Not exactly "on the shelf" kinda material.

I've sort of misplaced it.

Need it back.

Oh, okay.

Well, let me know if you need any help with anything.

[♪♪♪]

Nothing in here about revenant pumpkin heads.

Do you think they were the same kids

that were sacrificed?

Or is this... something new?

That's what I'm wondering.

Do you think someone found it?

The book?

Check this out...

"Unusual activity in Redhaven."

"Eyewitness accounts of women talking to animals."

"Purple smoke from chimneys..."

"Chanting late at night..."

Apparently, people thought they were... witches.

[Becka] Okay, let's be honest...

were they women with magical abilities,

or just women who didn't fit the mold

and had opinions men didn't like,

so got slapped with that label?

Town meetings...

police reports...

[shocked] Letters to the paper?

How did we miss all this?

"Local woman arrested

after threatening to boil kids in cauldron."

[chuckles] Love her already.

[♪♪♪]

Uh... Becks?

That's your dad.

Do you know where he is?

[sighing]

[♪♪♪]

It'll be okay.

Will it?

[sighs] I've been ignoring his calls for months.

Apparently, forgiveness is essential to healing,

but I feel like the data set for that

didn't include parents

that initiate long-term, child-sacrificing curses.

[knocking]

[♪♪♪]

[door thumps wall]

Hey, Becks.

It's Becka.

Sam, how ya doing?

Since the curse you started caused my family to forget me?

Bad. Like, really bad.

Right, of course.

I'm so glad you guys called me...

What happened?

The curse is back.

You found it? The book?

No.

That's why you're here.

No, I-I-I told you everything last year.

I don't know where the book is.

Who is she?

I don't know.

That's you arresting her, isn't it?

Yeah, I arrested a lot of people.

Read it.

Maybe it'll jog your memory.

Sweetie...

Sorry.

Becka...

you shouldn't be digging into this.

Please forget it.

We don't get to forget.

Right. Poor choice of words.

This isn't something you should be digging into.

It's dangerous.

[♪♪♪]

You do know who she is.

How can we find her?

I don't know.

[♪♪♪]

I swear, kiddo!

Look, she disappeared from Redhaven

not long after I...

[♪♪♪]

Not long after I stole the book from her.

You stole it?

Why didn't you tell us this?

I was trying to protect you.

I didn't want you losing more than you already had.

I... lost... everything!

[♪♪♪]

I don't know if I can ever forgive you,

but if there is any chance

of us having a relationship again,

I need the truth...

all of it, Dad.

[♪♪♪]

Okay.

Her name was Cassandra.

[♪♪♪]

She lived on the edge of Redhaven forest.

[♪♪♪]

Kids used to go out there on dares,

and cause havoc... just small-town boredom stuff.

Every now and then, she'd catch one,

and she'd scare 'em half to death.

She'd never hurt 'em,

she just made sure that they would never come back.

[door creaks]

We gave her warnings at first, but, eventually,

we had to take her in.

I was told to go search her place

while she was at the station.

And while I was there,

I heard something...

Heard what?

It's hard to explain.

Something was calling me...

from inside that locked cabinet.

I should have walked away, but...

I couldn't.

I broke the lock...

[whump]

And there it was...

the book.

It felt... familiar.

It felt like...

an answer.

[thud echoes]

Half the town had left, you know?

The harvest was failing.

I'd just been made Detective.

Your mom and I wanted to start a family,

and that book, it felt like a chance...

a way to save the town.

That's your excuse?

That first year, after Lily Palmer was taken,

I tried to find Cassandra, I went back,

but her place was gone...

like it had never been there.

So, how do we find her?

I don't know.

This is dark magic I'm talking about.

It's dangerous,

and I want you to stay away from it.

You put us in this position.

We're just finishing the job.

I am so sorry.

More than you'll ever know.

But that book...

it takes a hold of you, it gets inside your head.

If you give me another chance, I swear I will make up...

If that's everything, we're done.

You need to let me help you. Please.

We don't need your help.

You've done enough.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

You guys were sloppy out there!

Try not to suck next time, huh?

[Chad huffs]

[bag zips]

[distant thud]

You losers forget something?

[♪♪♪]

[light thumping in distance]

Hello?

[♪♪♪]

Who is that?

You think this is funny?

[♪♪♪]

Whatever, loser.

[♪♪♪]

[pop music clicks on]

♪ I can't run

♪ From these feelings I got ♪

♪ No, I can't run

♪ And I don't wanna stop

♪ No, I can't run...

[locked handle thunks]

♪ ...From the strength of your love... ♪

The hell...?

[eerie theme rises]

Yo! I'm still here, asshats!

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

You wanna go?

Let's go!

I'm serious!

I'll put you in the ground.

[♪♪♪]

[Pumpkinhead shrieks]

[♪♪♪]

♪ ...From these feelings I got

♪ No, I can't run...

♪ And I don't wanna stop

♪ No, I can't run

♪ From the strength of your love ♪

♪ No, I can't run

♪ I can't run

♪ Not from you...

[Pumpkinhead seething and panting]

[♪♪♪]

[panting anxiously]

[♪♪♪]

[Pumpkinhead cracks its neck]

[♪♪♪]

[Pumpkinhead huffs irately]

[locker door creaks]

[♪♪♪]

-[shrieking] Ah! -[growling]

[whimpers] W-What do you want? What...?

[Pumpkinhead cracking its neck]

[whimpering] Oh, g...

Oh...

[gasping]

[hissing]

No, no, no, no!

[Chad whimpering as flesh squishes]

-[Chad crying out indistinctly] -[squishing and crunching]

[♪♪♪]

[bell ringing]

I still can't believe he hid all of this from me.

I'm sorry, Becks.

At least we've got a lead.

We now know where the book came from.

We just have to find this...

can we say... "witch"?

We've seen murderous scarecrows and revenant pumpkin heads.

At this point, "witch" seems pretty reasonable.

Hey, Evan.

[♪♪♪]

Uh... Becks?

Why is there a vine in there?

[♪♪♪]

[unzips bag]

[♪♪♪]

Useful life skill.

[clinking and clicking]

[lock pops, then clacks]

[gasping]

[♪♪♪]

Is that...?

The curse?

Yeah, I'd bet on it.

Why Chad?

-[distant thud] -[gasping]

Hang tight, Chad.

[thump]

We'll get you out...

[lock clicks] -...when we know how.

Also, stop being a jerk.

Maybe Evan saw something?

[♪♪♪]

Hey, Evan?

Hey.

Did you see anything weird earlier?

Like... Like, in the hallway?

We saw you looking at Chad's locker.

I-I gotta go.

Hey, no...

Evan? Evan. Evan, wait!

I didn't see anything, okay?

Evan!

Evan, you left your...

Becka.

Is that...?

The ritual book?

Yeah.

How does Evan know what it looks like?

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[knocking]

Evan!

That's...

That's a lot of vines.

How about that "life skill" of yours?

[♪♪♪]

You know...

this is technically breaking-and-entering,

but, you know...

we're trying to rescue a kid from an ancient curse,

so I feel like a jury

would call that a "heroic" felony, right?

Somethin' like that.

Hello?

[Becka] Uh...

Hi!

We're... friends of Evan's...

[♪♪♪]

Is he home?

[♪♪♪]

What if they've got Evan, too?

[♪♪♪]

Evan?

You there?

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[flies buzzing]

[♪♪♪]

[flies buzzing]

Evan?

You in here?

[♪♪♪]

Becka.

Look at this.

[♪♪♪]

[Becka] "Friends"?

He thinks they're friends?

-[door opening] -[gasping]

They asked me questions today...

some kids in school.

We have to be more careful now.

We're trapped.

[gasps alert]

Everyone... family.

"Everyone"?

What do you mean?

[Jerry Pumpkinhead] Redhaven...

[Evan] The whole town?

But I don't wanna hurt others.

My uncle and Chad, they were bullies.

But, like, can't it just be us now?

[Jerry Pumpkinhead] No pain.

Everyone... family.

How do we do that?

[♪♪♪]

Harvest... moon.

All... be... connected.

[floorboard creaks]

[grumbling and murmuring]

[grunts]

[♪♪♪]

[dish clatters, then crashes]

[Pumpkinhead gasps and seethes]

[wham]

[♪♪♪]

[clank]

Good time to run!

[wham]

[hissing]

[thump]

[♪♪♪]

Duck!

[thud]

Go, go, go, go, go!

Stop!

[♪♪♪]

[Pumpkin heads growling]

[police radio crackles]

Whoa, whoa! Slow down. You saw what?

The missing kids?

They're back...

just not exactly human anymore.

I know this might be a bit much.

Um... an ancient ritual book was stolen,

a curse was started,

and a child was sacrificed every year,

to ensure a full harvest.

Somehow, Evan Byers found the book,

and some of those children have

come back as revenant pumpkin heads.

Well...

that's a new one.

By far, the most creative conspiracy we've heard, hey?

[cops chuckling]

It's the truth!

Ah... look.

I get it, all right?

You want answers,

especially after your old man couldn't crack the case.

Poor guy.

The weight of it was too much for him,

and he had to leave, right?

It's not like any of it was his fault.

You know, how's he doing, anyway?

You need to search Evan Byers' home.

Yeah.

Tell you what.

'Cause it's you... and we all miss your old man,

we'll do a house call.

You two head on home now, you hear me?

Go on.

[knocking on door]

Hey, son. Is your uncle home?

Uh, he's sleeping.

We just have to do a quick look around.

You mind waking him up?

Sure, just give me a moment.

He hates being woken up.

[Sheriff, chuckling] Who does?

[door thumps shut]

[thumping inside]

Come in.

[♪♪♪]

Oh... bit of a horticulturalist, Mr. Byers?

[Jerry Pumpkinhead] Please... sit!

Sorry to bother you.

We're following up

on a report about some, uh, missing children here?

Oh, those are just made-up stories.

Kids at school like to play pranks on me.

All right, well...

they also mentioned you, Mr. Byers, and your, uh...

how did they put it...

vegetative state.

Oh, my uncle is on strong pain medication...

for his back.

Woof. I feel that.

You know, mine's been shot for 20 years.

Football.

Golf!

Golf?

Whoo-ee...

you must have a heck of a swing.

You have to give me some lessons.

[♪♪♪]

You know, I could've gone pro.

State championship game...

three scouts watching and... pop!

Herniated disc.

Doc said he's never seen a...

All right, then.

Sorry to have bothered you.

Oh, it's no trouble at all.

[♪♪♪]

Have a good night. Thanks.

[exhaling deeply]

[♪♪♪]

Where is it?

Evan, we need that book.

It's dangerous. It took my family away.

-Well... -[bangs locker shut]

it gave me one.

Evan, they're not your family!

The curse just wants to survive.

You're wrong!

Give... me...

the book!

Look.

I appreciate you standing up for me the other day,

so I'll let this one go...

[menacingly] ...but leave me alone.

You... have no idea what you're dealing with!

Hey. Break it up!

Get to class.

[♪♪♪]

We'll find another way.

[keys clacking]

[♪♪♪]

[frustrated groan]

[thump]

Might be time for a break, dear.

[Becka] No.

Just need more coffee.

[thump]

[♪♪♪]

"Devil worshipper"?

Code for "Woman we don't understand."

Well, fear always needs something to blame.

The dates on these files are wrong.

It says this was taken in 1977?

That seems about right.

The system timestamps everything.

[♪♪♪]

That's the same cabin, right?

This report says it was on the west side of Redhaven.

30 years later, it's...

-[thump] -here, miles away.

My dad said the place just vanished.

[♪♪♪]

Is that the same woman?

That... doesn't seem possible.

"Possible" isn't really a category I use anymore.

[♪♪♪]

Ugh. So, where's it now?

How about I help you with that cup?

But you're getting tea! No more coffee.

Fine. Just not Earl Grey!

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[door opens, footsteps]

I've got it!

W-What are you doing?

Getting the book back.

Even if it means I have to go through

Evan and his whole army.

Hear me out, Rambo.

We skip the army...

[thump]

And we go to the source.

This is where the cabin was

when my dad arrested her, in 2003.

This is where it was in the '70s.

Mm-hmm?

Both on the same line.

It's an old riverbed.

Most of Redhaven is built over old waterways.

So, it got me thinking...

what if she's following the old pathways?

Why?

A lot of old pagan practices were tied with water.

They believed it amplified energy.

Most of these channels are useless now.

Swamps, landfills, the empty mall...

[thump]

But this?

The old forest!

[♪♪♪]

If I were hiding a magic cabin,

I'd pick somewhere no one's looking.

Man... we'd be so lost without you.

Ah, well...

he's outta commission, so...

someone's gotta go full "guide" mode.

[♪♪♪]

We should be close.

That way.

[♪♪♪]

[brakes squeaking]

Looks like a walking situation from here.

[bike thuds]

[♪♪♪]

[birds calling]

She's, uh...

really leaning into the aesthetic, huh?

[♪♪♪]

[whoosh]

Did you see that?

Unfortunately.

[♪♪♪]

[murder of crows begins screeching]

Rethinking this.

[woman's voice] Why are you here?

We... We just wanna talk!

We're-We're... We're here about th-the book!

The-The one my dad stole.

[woman] Him! He cursed this town!

Maybe you should've left that part out.

[♪♪♪]

[both gasping]

Y-You're-You're the librarian!

Call me Cassandra.

You've come about the book your father stole?

I-I'm sorry. I-I didn't know.

It is his mistake.

Not yours.

We've been trying to undo it.

We need your help.

Let's start at the beginning.

Follow me.

[♪♪♪]

Tea?

Relax. It's not Earl Grey.

[Becka] ...so, that brings us to now.

Palmer, Rusty, Evan's pumpkin heads,

cursed agriculture...

Yep.

Feel like I nailed the recap?

That was impressively concise.

I knew the curse had stirred again.

That's why I came back.

So, you knew that we were looking for the...

Yes. Yes, I was aware of your efforts.

So, you watched us struggle for an entire year,

and said nothing?

The book is the key.

Without it, there is nothing to be done.

But I don't get it.

Why not just tell us who you were, in the library?

Struggle tells you more than answers ever will.

It's about balance.

This kind of energy demands something from you, first.

You were testing us?

Seeing if you were ready.

And... are we?

A mind that maps the unseen.

You see patterns other people miss.

That is power... if you know how to use it.

And you...

you carry it all...

the guilt, the loss...

but you keep moving anyway.

That takes bravery.

Everyone makes mistakes.

It's what you do after that defines you.

So...

you're a...

you know...

a witch?

Sorry! Sorry!

A-Are we allowed to say that?

It wasn't always an insult.

It simply meant

someone who understood how the world works...

before fear got involved.

So, that means you have powers.

Right?

You can make my family remember me?

The answers always lie...

in the beginning.

[splashing]

[drip]

[ominous whooshing]

Centuries ago, spells weren't weapons.

They were promises to heal the soil,

protect the land,

keep things in balance.

But balance is slow, and people rarely are.

Care became control.

Harmony became ownership.

[roots tearing]

What was meant to nurture was twisted into consumption.

Dark magic like that doesn't bargain...

it only takes,

and always more than one is willing to give.

Spells were twisted into darkness.

The book found its way to me a century ago.

[thumping at the door]

For the untrained...

the pull is hard to resist.

So, that's what it must've done to your dad.

No.

He should've fought it. He was weak.

It doesn't prey on weakness.

It feeds on longing...

promising more than you have...

if you don't ask where it comes from.

[Sam] Evan's planning something on the Harvest Moon.

He said that everybody's going to be...

"connected".

Like one big, happy family...

minus the "happy".

The curse wants to grow.

It needs more souls bound to it.

The magic is strongest on the Harvest Moon,

which happens to be tomorrow.

On Halloween.

Feels on-brand.

He'll choose somewhere central to town.

That way, the curse can reach the most people.

Central? Central...

Redhaven High's smack-dab in the middle of town!

Why are we waiting?

Let's just go to Evan's right now,

and get the book back.

You've got powers, right?

The book is bound to him.

I cannot take it.

But you can.

The book is bound to you, as well.

You can take it from him.

Bring it to me.

I'll finish it.

[♪♪♪]

[exhales with resolve]

First things first,

you mentioned someone needs help?

[sighs heavily]

[potion sloshes]

[♪♪♪]

[energy whooshes]

[Rusty exhaling deeply]

[gasping deeply]

[pained grumble]

[panting]

Well, that's gonna go down as the worst nap I've ever had.

[teens chuckle with relief]

You nailed the recap.

Thanks.

So...

Lily? Is she still alive?

No. It's not your sister.

There's no way to bring her back, is there?

The book must be destroyed.

The Harvest Moon gives us a window...

but it won't stay open long.

And once the book's destroyed,

my family will remember me?

[♪♪♪]

What are you saying?

I'll still be a nobody to them?

Sam, the curse already claimed you.

I can end it,

but I can't return what's been taken.

No, no, no, no.

I spent a year searching.

I told you... dark magic doesn't bargain.

It only takes.

You were supposed to fix this!

Sam? Sam!

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

I'm sorry, Sam.

[♪♪♪]

[Rusty] It is what it is, and you can't stop it...

it has to be this way.

And I'm serious.

[Cassandra] Rusty, just listen to me.

[Rusty] No, I'm done listening! I've listened to you.

Now, you listen to me!

I need to know that I can trust you.

This cannot be stop...

Tomorrow...

bring me the book.

[♪♪♪]

You can come out now, Sam.

[♪♪♪]

What was that about?

Uh, we, um...

w-we just... we c-couldn't...

we just couldn't, uh, we couldn't agree

on how things are gonna go.

About destroying the book?

You want to save Lily?

No, she's gone. I know that.

We're gonna do what we have to do.

-Listen... -Rusty.

I... need to say something.

I'm sorry for what I said the other day.

I didn't mean it.

None of this is your fault.

Not the curse,

not what happened to Lily,

definitely not what happened to me.

You took me in.

You didn't have to, but you did.

If ending this means they don't remember me...

I know what I have to do.

And I know that I'll have you.

You're a good kid, Sam.

You wanted to say something?

[takes a shaky, deep breath]

I don't even know what it is. I can't... I can't remember.

Yeah.

You should, um...

you should go and get some rest.

Tomorrow is... it's gonna be a day.

Yeah. Yeah.

You too.

[♪♪♪]

[crows cawing]

[♪♪♪]

So, uh...

these'll protect us from the curse tonight, right?

Why don't we just give one to everyone in town?

[Cassandra] First of all,

these aren't something you buy in bulk.

These pendants are centuries-old,

and, second,

protection magic doesn't block the curse...

it simply diverts it,

and that diversion has a cost.

Once I begin the ritual,

we'll have minutes, only... no more.

Cool. No pressure.

We'll have to separate Evan and his group of "friends".

She's got the magical diversion covered.

We'll take the one that involves a lot more running.

Yep.

You gonna be okay, Rusty?

[♪♪♪]

It's not Lily. Remember that, okay?

Yeah, I know. I know. I'm-I'm good.

Um...

so, who is this Evan kid?

He's... a sad kid.

Keeps to himself.

He lost his parents a few years back.

Moved in with his uncle.

Guy wasn't winning any kindness awards.

School wasn't better for him, either.

So, when someone, or something,

comes along and calls him family,

he's not gonna give that up easily.

[Cassandra exhales deeply]

It's time.

We'll get you the book.

Just... just be ready.

[♪♪♪]

[Pumpkin heads creaking and cracking]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

Do we have to do this?

-[Pumpkinhead grumbles] -[tap-tap]

[vines creaking]

[reading shakily] Ex terra venimus...

Ex generum radimus...

vinculum ten eat...

radix liget.

[energy begins whooshing]

[♪♪♪]

[bikes clanking]

[♪♪♪]

Whoa...

[♪♪♪]

I'm a little surprised these actually work.

I'm a little embarrassed I doubted her.

I didn't.

Cassandra is so that witch.

[♪♪♪]

[Evan, reciting] In unum ligamur...

in radice manemus...

[skin begins creaking]

What's happening?

[♪♪♪]

[ominous chords strike]

[awkwardly] T erra unum fimus.

Animae ligantur, messi...

[♪♪♪]

Okay, ready?

Go! Go.

[footsteps scattering]

[fire alarm begins shrieking]

[all gasping]

[Pumpkin heads grumbling]

[♪♪♪]

[echoing] Animae ligantur...

messi serviamus.

Radix omnes tenet.

[fire alarm screeching]

[grunting]

[zapping]

-[alarm stops] -Ah!

Thank you.

[vines clack]

Now I can hear myself think.

[hissing ominously]

Did I say "think"?

I meant... I meant panic.

Panic! Definitely panic!

[Pumpkin heads roaring]

[♪♪♪]

Under Harvest Moon,

I call what's owed.

By root and bone...

what's lost is sowed.

Is sowed... Is sowed...

[feedback squealing over P.A. system]

We know you're here, Evan.

You've got to stop.

We don't want you getting hurt, Evan!

I'm gonna tell you a story, okay?

About a young Becka

who thought she could win the school talent show.

I thought I could sing.

Turns out...

confidence and talent are not the same thing.

I thought,

"How hard could Adele be? Hello?"

Bad decision!

Then, I thought,

"Of course..."

[continues indistinctly]

No!

Evan, what have you done?

Give... it... back.

You don't know what you've gotten yourself into.

[Becka, over P.A.] ...about a young Becka,

who thought she could win the school talent show.

I thought I could sing.

Turns out... confidence and talent

-are not the same thing. -[doors thud]

[screeching]

[♪♪♪]

-[bangs glass] -[Becka gasping]

Oh, my god.

I hate that. Oh, I hate that!

-[seething] -[pounding]

[♪♪♪]

I know what it's like to want a family.

I lost mine, too.

I thought I was alone...

but I wasn't.

You have people.

They're the only ones who care!

The only ones who ever did anything!

They chose me.

[♪♪♪]

[growling]

[♪♪♪]

[clacking in distance]

[hissing malevolently]

[clacking]

[growling]

[thud]

[both gasping]

Rah!

[♪♪♪]

[banging on door]

Yeah, that's a hard no!

[banging and growling]

[♪♪♪]

Just give it back.

You're gonna make them angry.

[♪♪♪]

If you're not gonna help us, then get out of our way.

[♪♪♪]

Stop!

[thud]

[chains clanking]

No. No, no!

[♪♪♪]

-[banging] -Help!

[grunting]

[growling and hissing]

[Evan, in distance] Help!

[Pumpkin heads roaring]

-[banging] -[chair scrapes floor]

[thumping]

[glass shattering]

[♪♪♪]

-[cracks neck] -[roars]

[♪♪♪]

[hissing and growling in distance]

[Pumpkin heads grumbling]

[Becka pants]

[♪♪♪]

[crack]

Rawr!

[hissing]

[♪♪♪]

Oh!

[gasps] Oh! Sorry. System's a little deregulated.

Yeah, okay. Let's panic on the move.

Becka's waiting for us at the bikes.

Yeah. Yeah-yeah-yeah!

[♪♪♪]

[ominous chords strike]

-[shrieking] -[hissing]

Oh, wow! That's rancid. Ugh!

Sam? Rusty!

[distantly] A little help!

Sam! Rusty!

[♪♪♪]

[handle clunks]

[door creaks]

They have it... the book.

[grunting]

[♪♪♪]

[growling]

[whimpering]

-[Sam roars] -[whack]

[thud]

You okay?

Yeah, yeah. Yeah.

Sam!

Rusty, what are you doing?

[♪♪♪]

-What...? -It's Lily.

Rusty, it's not your sister!

I bought her this shirt for Christmas.

She hated it, but she wore it anyway.

I mean, that's... that's just the type of kid she was.

That's not who she is now.

[growling nearby]

Rusty, we need to go!

I just need a minute here, Sam.

Please, go! Bring the book to Cassandra! Go!

[Pumpkin heads growling and seething]

[♪♪♪]

[Rusty sobs]

[Rusty] I'm so sorry...

I failed you.

I miss you so much.

Do you know her?

She's my sister.

[sobs] My best friend.

[sniffling]

The book did this to her.

[♪♪♪]

I know you think they're real, and they're family,

and they care,

but it's not real.

This curse, kid?

It's cruel!

[hisses]

Ahh!

[growling]

[♪♪♪]

[hissing darkly]

[gasping]

[♪♪♪]

[thud]

Go!

Stop the curse!

[Lily Pumpkinhead growling]

You got it, kid!

Rawr!

[thud]

[♪♪♪]

[Cassandra] Earth that holds...

Earth that keeps...

lend your strength

from what runs deep.

[♪♪♪]

We're running out of time!

We're almost there!

[hissing and growling]

[♪♪♪]

-[Sam] No! -[thud]

[♪♪♪]

[Pumpkin heads grumbling sinisterly]

[vehicle approaching]

[♪♪♪]

[roaring] Ahh!

Dad?

-[pop] -[net whooshes]

[roaring] Ahh!

[grunts]

[♪♪♪]

-Ah! -[thud]

Go!

Come on!

Sorry! Can't stay!

What was written, now unmade!

What was bound, now set to fade!

[gasps, quietly] Just in time!

[♪♪♪]

Let ink return to dust and dark.

Let root unbind the cursed mark.

Not to rush the century-old witchcraft thing or anything,

but when do we get to the part where it works?

No more shall it take or claim...

[Pumpkinhead crying out]

I end the book... I end its name!

[energy roars and whooshes]

[howling in pain]

[howling persists, echoing]

[shrieking]

[♪♪♪]

Rusty...?

What are you doing?

[♪♪♪]

There's a way it can work, kid.

You can get 'em back.

Your family.

It's true...

but the balance demands a willing life...

freely given.

Rusty! Please, stop!

[hand bangs against energy field]

It's gonna be okay, Sam.

No. [sobs]

No! No!

Root and bone, the balance will sway.

[bang]

What was lost... you now repay.

Rusty, stop! Please?

Life for life,

the balance made...

[bang]

[Cassandra] ...One restored,

and one...

repaid.

-[words echoing] -Please. Rusty...

[weeps]

I'll see you later, Sam.

[whoosh]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[rumbling]

I'm so sorry...

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[whoosh]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[sighs]

[TV playing indistinctly]

[♪♪♪]

-[locker bangs open] -[Chad gasps]

[♪♪♪]

[grunts in acknowledgement]

[Chad whimpers]

[chuckling]

[♪♪♪]

I tried to stop him, but he never hesitated.

It's... really over?

The book is gone, but...

curses don't die.

They wait.

They find new soil.

Darkness is a part of this world,

but so is the choice to fight it.

You're leaving again... aren't you?

[chuckles softly]

You don't miss a thing.

How will we find you?

Hopefully...

you won't have to.

[♪♪♪]

My mom...

Finn!

[♪♪♪]

[quiet theme rises]

[♪♪♪]

[Finn] About time, bro.

[door closes]

Hey, you. Movie's starting.

We went with Fright Night. Hope that's okay?

Don't ask Sam... he's just gonna pick Aliens again.

[chuckles]

[♪♪♪]

Why do you look like you just saw a ghost?

[Sam laughs]

[♪♪♪]

Oh... you all right, sweetie?

Sucking up to Mom's not gonna make us change the movie.

Well, it might.

[♪♪♪]

Uh... okay, bro.

[♪♪♪]

[Sam sighs contentedly]

[ball bangs backboard]

Watch how it's done.

[radio playing indistinctly]

Wow, we really suck at this.

-Clearly! -[chuckling]

[thud]

Oh, uh, did you hear about Evan?

Left his uncle's place.

Got a new foster family.

They seem nice.

Good. He deserves that.

[reporter] It's time for the local Redhaven news.

Authorities say

the excavation at Palmer's Farm

concluded this morning,

with investigators recovering

what they believe to be the final victims.

Locals are already referring to Palmer

as "the Redhaven Child-Harvester..."

[click]

[♪♪♪]

I miss him, too.

[♪♪♪]

I keep expecting to see him. You know?

I just...

I wish that... getting all this back

didn't mean losing him.

So, make it count.

Come on. Redemption arc.

[whoosh]

Kids! Dinner's ready.

-Pizza? -Oh, nice try.

You need more veggies.

[indistinct exchange]

[Mom] Oh, my gosh. Make your own next time!

[♪♪♪]

[clown cackling maniacally]

[♪♪♪]

♪ Movement in the dark

♪ Approaching from the shadows

♪ You better run and hide

♪ It's coming closer

♪ Your time is up

♪ Listen when I say

♪ You better You better run and hide ♪

♪ It's gonna get ya

♪ It's gonna get ya Gonna get ya ♪

♪ Creeping Creeping around ♪

♪ It's gonna get ya

♪ It's gonna get ya

♪ Listen when I say

♪ You better You better run and hide ♪

[♪♪♪]