Page 5 of Trick or Stalk

The house comes into view through the trees, warm light glowing behind the tall windows. Against the dark wood siding and deepening October sky, it looks almost exactly the way it did last fall. Almost.

I follow the curved walkway toward the sprawling Victorian, past the turret and around to the wide porch.

My blanket is still on the swing, silently awaiting my return.

I grab it before opening the door and following Penny inside.

Closing the door behind me, I lock it, then slowly turn, my eyes roaming over the familiar furniture.

It’s as silent as a tomb.

I shiver.

Maybe I just need to decorate it. That’ll give me something to do. And liven the place up.

Poor choice of words.

I rub my hands over my arms, heading for the couch that sits in front of the roaring fireplace. Penny jumps up beside me, then curls on my lap.

I wrap the blanket around us and reach for the remote. I don’t care what show or movie is on right now. I just want to fill the silence.

“Tomorrow we decorate.”

Penny looks at me, eyes full of love.

I glance at the sappy show on TV, the two characters lost in a passionate embrace.

“Nope. Not doing this tonight.”

I keep going, stopping when I see a mask-wielding maniac chasing a woman through a house.

“Seems appropriate for the time of year.” I scratch Penny’s ears. “Ten more days until Halloween.”

Penny leans into my touch, unconcerned about Halloween or anything else.

I’m envious of her contentment.

One day, I’ll get there.

Just not today.

Probably not tomorrow, either.

CHAPTER 3

Hades

I pull the truck up to the shitty cabin in the woods.

Wilder leans forward, staring through the windshield. “You said move-in ready.”

“It has walls.”

“One of them is leaning.”

“It’s still standing.”

“For now.”