Revenge

There was only one rule: don’t open the door on Halloween night. Stay inside. Don’t go out.

Family lore, handed down. But when George bugged Maria about going to his friend’s party, she gave in with a tiny thrill. Superstitions were for her grandmother’s generation, not for her.

As they walked down the street, a loud growl startled them a block from the subway entrance. Up ahead, sudden flames appeared out of the darkness—glowing red eyes.

“Cadejo,” Maria breathed.

The creature flowed towards them in a rush. From behind, the low growl became a ferocious snarl, and a black dog sailed over their heads to stop the white one in mid-leap. George grabbed Maria’s hand and they ran, the snarls of the fight fading into the distance.

They slammed their way inside their apartment and George locked the door behind them. “What was that?”

Maria crossed herself. “Two men cursed for all eternity.”

“Men? They were dogs.”

“Black magic,” she said bitterly. Her costume’s makeup seemed garish now instead of fun. Maria was an angel, glitter trailing down her cheeks like silver tears. “My ancestors cursed two brothers to this form. Once per generation, on the anniversary of their transformation, they compete to take a tribute from my family in flesh and blood. I never believed before this—”

“Your father,” George made the connection. “You said he was killed at night.”

She glanced away. “My family warned me not to go out on Halloween—oh, God, I wish I’d never tempted fate—”

“It’s okay.” He took her into his arms. Her fake halo pressed against his shoulder.

But as she started to relax, she heard something she shouldn’t have. Something impossible. The creak of the front door, the door George had locked, being slowly pushed open behind them.