Night Owls

Jerry glanced down at the photograph in his hand, then back up again at the woman sitting alone at the back of the cafe.

The photograph was weathered with age, and the crease from being kept in a wallet obscured half of her face.

All at once a blinding light coursed through the space. Jerry and the woman froze. And then a creature appeared, seemingly from the air itself.

The creature had latched onto the woman’s soul. It was far too late to help her. Jerry reached into his bag and felt around for his atomic proton equalizer. His heart was heavy as he took aim. He knew what needed to be done.