The Black Heart Crypt

“So, have you heard from your dad?” Judy asked Azalea as they picked their way through the patch looking for their perfect pumpkin.

“Yeah,” said Azalea, whose father was in the army. “His deployment is almost up. He’ll be stateside in time for Christmas.”

“That’s great,” said Zack, who was pulling a little red wagon loaded with the two tumbling pumpkins he and Malik had already chosen because they were exactly what they were looking for: tall and oblong, perfect for carving a Frankenstein face or, in Malik’s case, the silhouette of a headless horseman galloping on his thundering steed while holding his head high above his shoulders.

Malik liked to carve.

Zipper was also riding in the wagon, his front paws perched on top of one of the pumpkins so he could stand up and ride his chariot like he was a pharaoh hound.

“Mrs. Jennings?” said Malik.

“Yes?”

“Zack and I have already selected our jack-o’-lanterns.”

“Oh. Do you guys want to go grab some cider or something?”

“No, thank you,” said Malik. “I’m more interested in attacking that corn maze.”

“Really?” said Zack. “Didn’t you get enough maze running a couple weeks ago?”

“You know me,” said Malik. “I love a puzzle and a fresh challenge.”

True. When Zack first met Malik, he was working two Sudokus at once.

“Would you like to join us in the maze, Azalea?” Malik asked.

“Nah. I still need to find my pumpkin or one of those mangel-wurzels.”

“Hang on,” said Judy. “We should probably all do the maze if that’s where Zack’s going.”

“You don’t have to,” said Zack, who loved his stepmom but didn’t want her babysitting him all the time. “You and Azalea should go find your pumpkins.”

“You sure, Zack? Your father and I are a little worried.”

“About what?”

“Well, it’s almost Halloween.”

“So?”

“You see ghosts,” Malik whispered. “Remember?”

“I know, but …”

“What?” said Azalea. “Do the spirits of the dead really swarm out of their graves for Halloween?”

“I think so,” said Judy.

“Today’s not Halloween,” said Zack.

“Well,” said Judy, “take Zip. Just in case you run into an early riser.”

“Fine,” said Zack.

Zipper hopped out of the wagon, his tail wagging.

“Azalea and I will meet you guys over there at the cider stand. And, Zack, if you see anything … or anybody …”

“All we’re gonna see is a bunch of dead cornstalks. Come on, Malik.”