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.

She was a dead ringer for Mrs. Johansson, who had been his 4th grade math teacher - and also the woman who had killed his cousin Brett.

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.

It was made of fire. It’s voice sounded like the flickering of flames on wood. Its touch burned him.