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.

Twenty years ago, that photograph was taken, but her appearance hasn’t changed a bit; shivers run down Jerry’s spine.

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.

“They have saved a seat for you, Jerry,” the creature rasped. The woman took two steps toward the monstrosity and reached her hand out to Jerry.