The Black Heart Crypt

“Trick or treat, Norman!”

It was young Malik Sherman with two friends. And a dog. The kids were dressed up like the letter “B.” The dog kept wagging its tail and scooted under the counter to sniff Norman’s shoes.

He probably should’ve put on clean socks that morning.

“Don’t worry,” said one of Malik’s friends, a kid wearing glasses. “Zipper is very friendly.”

The dog gave the toe of his right shoe a double snort, whimpered a little, and trotted back to stand beside his owner.

“Neat costumes,” Norman said to Malik. “Are you guys characters from Sesame Street or something?”

“No,” said Malik. “We be the killer bees!”

“Sí, senor!” said the skinny “B” wearing glasses.

“Give us candy or we’ll sting you!” said the girl.

The dog growled.

“Here you go, guys.” Norman held up the plastic pumpkin bowl filled with candy bars. “Take as many as you want.”

“I think two will do,” said Malik, reaching into the bowl. “We want to make sure you have enough for those who come after us.”

The other two kids, the girl and the skinny one, did the same thing: They carefully selected two each. The dog just stood there, wagging his tail.

“Oh, Norman,” said Malik. “I brought this for you. Thought you might find it challenging.” He reached into his candy sack and pulled out a shiny black stone sculpted into the shape of a heart. “It’s a 3-D interlocking puzzle.”

“Interesting,” said Norman, even though he was much more interested in the mysterious Jenny waiting for him out on the sidewalk.

Malik handed him the black stone heart.

“Once you pry it apart, you’ll find a tiny black heart in the center of the black stone.”

“We think it’s onyx,” said the girl. “That’s a gemstone.”

“Great,” said Norman distractedly. “Can I keep it for a while? I’m kind of busy tonight.”

“Um, I guess so,” said the “B” with the glasses.

“This is my friend Zack,” said Malik. “Zack Jennings. The black heart stone belongs to his aunt.”

“Tell her thanks,” said Norman as he slid the hefty heart into a side pocket of his cargo pants.

He’d play with it later.

After the Halloween party with Jenny and the Icklebys, whoever the heck they were.