Page 118 of Phobia

“Even though my vision was blurry, I could see him going up the stairs, falling and getting up again. A few seconds later, I could move my legs better but he was already at Gabby’s bedroom door. I ran the rest of the way up the staircase after him. That’s when I heard my sister scream. I called for her as I entered the door of her room. She was up against the wall and slid down to floor. Her throat was cut deep, and she was dead. He already killed her. He was trying to escape through her window. I grabbed him. pulled him back inside, and slammed his hand and wrist against the side of the bed post, making him drop the knife. While he was screaming in pain, I landed a punch to his throat that dropped him. Then I grabbed the knife and buried it in the side of his neck. In a rage, I stabbed him over and over again. The blood drained from his body, and I watched the light in his eyes go out.

“When I stood up, I looked around and saw all the blood. I sat on the floor with my back against the wall and cried for a while. My family was dead. I cradled each one of them, apologizing because I couldn’t save them.”

Silas stopped talking and brought his hand up to eyes to wipe the tears in the corners away with his thumb. He had experienced so much, all in one night. I hugged him and told him, “I’m so sorry, Silas. It wasnotyour fault. You tried to save your family, but there is no blame to shoulder here. The blame goes to the evil man who murdered your family, and him alone. He’s gone because you did what you needed to do to make sure he didn’t do it to you, or someone else’s family.”

He blew out a breath before saying, “The cops showed up shortly after that and I had to explain everything to them. They took my family away in body bags. My family was all I had. No other relatives so they wanted to put me in the foster care system, but I ran. I didn’t even stick around to make sure they got a proper burial. I was seventeen years old. I would’ve been in the system for a year until I turned eighteen, and I didn’t want that. Couldn’t handle it. People feeling sorry for me, trying to understand me, sending me to therapy to try and help me cope. I didn’t need that.”

I took a drink of my tea and reached out for his hand, placing mine over his. “Did you ever go back?”

“No, and I never will.”

“How do you feel not knowing what happened to the remains of your family?”

He shook his head. “I thought about it for a long time. I chose to believe that they were cremated and scattered somewhere nice. What does a city do when no one claims family remains?”

I rubbed his hand. “Most states bury the remains. If they were cremated, they’re stored in a columbaria. The funeral home likely arranged a permanent burial for them. It’s ok, Silas. I understand why you did what you did.”

He shook his head. “Maybe so, but I still feel horrible about it. I hope they’re resting peacefully. I wish I could’ve done better for them.”

Silas and I sat there for a while, talking about everything from my family to his, and things he enjoys since he doesn’t leave his house. My heart hurt thinking of Silas growing up alone. He seemed more open and a little lighter after finally talking about what happened to his family. He told me about the couple he killed in the park when he transformed and how he doesn’t leave the house so that he protects others. That one night has tormented him all this time. After our conversation, I was convinced. I could help him.

Chapter 7

SILAS

October 31

It was Halloween. Cressida said it marks the period when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is at its thinnest. The week before had been incredible. We spent it together, just getting to know each other better. She stayed over every night with me, only going home a couple of times to do errands and get some cleaning done. She thought she could help but we needed to get through a bit of Trick ‘r Treating first. It would be good for me to see people. She was right, and I was actually looking forward to it.

Trick-or-Treating has always started at four p.m. in Furgón. Moonrise was at four-thirty. I wouldn’t have much time before my transformation, but that was enough. I was anxious waiting for that first knock at the door. I turned on my outside light, so they knew my house was safe and ready to hand out candy. When I made my candy order, I bought a large, purple bowl with Halloween decals on the side to hold all the candy. It was ridiculously big and held about twenty different kinds of candy, but I was excited to let the kids take handfuls. I was going to be the cool house that hands out tons of candy. Cressida came down the stairs and asked, “Are you ready, Silas?”

The first knock came, and I heard the faint voices of kids yelling, “Trick-or-Treat!” I rushed to the door as said, “As ready as I’ll ever be. I’m glad you’re here though.” I gave her a quick kiss before opening the door.

The first two kids were dressed as Chucky and Chucky’s Bride. What did the kids know about them? I laughed to myself, thinking,something tells me their parents picked the costumes. “Wow! Chucky and Bride of Chucky. Impressive.” I held out the bowl and told them they could grab a handful. They were excited they got to pick their own candy. I also made sure I had all the good stuff. They weren’t getting toothpaste frommyhouse. I had the expensive shit and a lot of king size bars, too.

Growing up, the police department would patrol the neighborhoods and if you stopped to talk to them, they would give you a D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) card and a king size candy bar. I always wondered if they still did that.

The next knock came shortly after the first, only this time I didn’t hear trick or treat. Instead, I heard the voice of a woman whisper, “Say trick-or-treat, girls.” It made me chuckle. The girls said it and she said, “Louder ladies, yell it.” And that’s exactly what they did. As I opened the door they yelled, “TRICK OR TREEEAAT!” My eyes went wide, making them giggle away.

“Let me guess, Elsa and Anna fromFrozen! Am I right?” They let out more giggles in unison and nodded. “Well, Elsa and Anna, take your pick.” They reached their hands in and when I looked up, I saw a woman with them. She waved, so I returned the smile and waved back. I felt awkward being so social, but Cressida’s voice was in the back of my head,“Speak to the adults that come to the door with their kids.”So, I said, “Hi. Your daughters are adorable.”

She walked closer and said, “Oh! Actually, these are my nieces. I’m on babysitting duty tonight, but thanks. Theyarepretty cute. I’m Erika, by the way.”

I smiled but hesitated to share my name. Then Cressida walked up behind me and rubbed her hand around the middle of my back. It was calming. Finally, I said, “I’m Silas.” Pointing to Cress, standing next to me, I said, “This is Cressida.” Then I turned to her nieces and said, “Well, I hope you little ladies get tons of candy. Don’t freeze anyone out there.” That made them laugh to each other.

Erika looked to them and asked, “Girls, what do you say?” In unison again, they shouted, “Thank you!”

“You’re welcome!”

Erika waved bye and said, “It was nice to me you both,” and left with the girls.

I always thought I would have one or two kids one day, but that became a faraway thought. My life was too much of a mess to be a father. At least with Cress, I was beginning to have hope.

With a quick break between kids, I turned and closed the door. That wasn’t so bad. Cressida’s soft voice spoke up, saying exactly what I was thinking. “Well, that wasn’t so bad. How do you feel?”

“I feel good. I do feel like time is flying though, and we should focus on getting set up. I know we only handed candy out to a couple kids but that’s enough for me. It’ll be moonrise soon, and I’m getting nervous. You’re here and there isneveranyone here with me when I change. I don’t want to hurt you.”

She stood up and walked over to me, wrapping her arms around my neck, allowing me to lean into her. “You won’t hurt me. I’m going to help you.”