The Black Heart Crypt

Norman Ickes was stuck behind the front counter of his father’s stupid hardware store, handing out stupid candy bars to stupid kids in stupid costumes.

A very pretty girl his own age stood behind the clump of children. She was costumed in a black hooded cape, like a witch or a wizard.

“Um, d-do you want a candy bar?” Norman stammered. The girl had kinky blond hair and piercing green eyes.

“No,” she said, her voice husky. “I want you.”

Norman started to perspire. “Uh, excuse me?”

“I find I am strangely attracted to you …” She paused. “Norman Ickes.”

She sounded like one of those prerecorded messages that fill in a blank with your name. Norman didn’t care. No girl as pretty as this one had ever showed him even this much attention.

She pushed forward, leaned on the counter. Her hair smelled like vanilla ice cream.

“I sense that you and I are soul mates, Norman,” she whispered.

“Really?” Norman blinked. Slid his aviator-frame glasses up the bridge of his nose.

“Yes. A little birdie told me where to find you.”

Norman dabbed his sweaty forehead with the tip of his necktie. All of a sudden, he loved birds, wanted to study ornithology, maybe rescue a pelican.

“What time do you get off work?” the girl asked.

“Tonight?”

“Yes. Tonight. Halloween.”

“Uh, about seven. Seven-thirty. My dad put me in charge of the candy.”

“Your father is a coward. Afraid to embrace his destiny.”

“Well, I wouldn’t call him a—”

“I would. The bird told me all about him, too.”

“Oh-kay.”

“I’ll wait for you. Outside.”

“Huh?”

“When you are finished here, you and I are going for a ride.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I need to take you up to the graveyard. Haddam Hill Cemetery.”

“Really?” Cemetery Road on Haddam Hill was North Chester’s “lovers’ lane,” the spot where all the high school and college kids went.

Norman tried not to let his nervousness show. He pretended he was smooth and suave. He leaned on the counter to gaze into the witch girl’s dreamy green eyes. “You want to take me up to Cemetery Road? On our first date?”

She nodded. “Yes, Norman. Everybody will be waiting.”

“Oh. Is it a party?”

Her smile broadened. “Yes. A Halloween party hosted by the Icklebys.”

A new group of kids rushed up to the counter.

“Trick or treat!”

“I’ll wait outside,” said the girl, moving toward the door as Norman robotically dished out the candy bars.

“Wait a second,” he called out. “I don’t know your name.”

“Jenny.”

“Cool. Oh, by the way, Jenny, I love your costume! It’s very … bewitching.”

She smiled and Norman could already tell: This was going to be the most amazing night of his life!