No matter how much he wished it, there was no avoiding the date on the calendar, or the talk and excitement that went along with it. October thirty-first was fast approaching.

Although last Halloween had been a nightmare for him, it had been wonderful for Ryka. And he knew the demon would be begging for a chance to relive it. All Kyle wanted was to turn the lights off at home and wait for the night to be over, but now that Ryka’d had a taste of freedom - and a heaping helping of fear to go with it - Kyle suspected that riding the holiday out wouldn’t be allowed. Not without an excess of pissing and moaning, anyhow.

He had really hoped Adam wouldn’t be the one brazen enough to broach the subject. “Any plans for next week?” he asked, refilling his mug in the teachers’ lounge. Like he’d completely forgotten last year’s trauma.

Mouth hanging open, Kyle stared at him.

Is he taking us out again? Let’s do it!

Quickly realizing his mistake, Adam shook his head. “Oh no. I mean … I meant … shit. Sorry.”

“I was planning on locking myself in the house and pretending no one was home. I’m most definitely not going out for Halloween again.” Maybe if he said it, it would manifest.

“I was just trying to make conversation. I’m so sorry. Sorry, Ryka.” There was no one else in the lounge, but Kyle knew that wouldn’t have stopped Adam from apologizing to the demon. He had become exceptionally adept at staying on Ryka’s good side. And Ryka was exceedingly patient with him in return.

Sighing, Kyle plopped down at the table. It was too late, so may as well play along. “Dare I ask, but what were your plans? Is Kate taking her sister’s kids out again?”

“I think so. I’ll tag along for that this time. But a few days before, I’m taking her to one of those haunted hayride things.”

“I thought she didn’t like being scared?” Kyle wondered if that was really the case, or if it was just Ryka she was terrified of.

“Yeah, she’s not a fan. But this one’s not supposed to be too bad. They’re giving us some passes to give the kids for good behavior or whatever. I took a couple for myself because, you know, they barely pay us.”

Tell him he’s definitely going to Hell for that, Ryka teased. If he was being a smartass, it didn’t count as a lie. Kyle still didn’t understand the how or why of it.

There wasn’t time to think about it, or to interject before Adam continued, “I know there’s a corn maze a few towns over that’s crazy, though. They make you sign a waiver saying you won’t sue if they scare you so badly you have a heart attack or something like that.”

Sounds like fun.

Kyle put his head in his hands and groaned.

Adam immediately realized his mistake. “You know what? I’m going to stop talking now. And once again, I’m very sorry.”

With a wave and an apologetic smile, he departed, leaving Kyle to deal with Ryka. “How much torture will I have to endure if we don’t go to this place?”

More like how long can you go without fooling around?

Although Kyle felt sure Ryka would give in a lot sooner than he would, he decided he wasn’t willing to find out either way.

***

And so, Kyle found himself standing next to a corn field on Halloween night, signing a document promising that he wouldn’t hire a lawyer if he was scared half to death. Or that his family wouldn’t press charges if something in the maze ended up finishing the job. Really, he was much more worried about the poor bastards working that night, and the many other guests in attendance.

But there was no backing out. The screaming was audible from the parking lot, and Ryka was so excited by all the fear that Kyle was drooling. And the demon would be getting a two-for-one special – Kyle didn’t particularly like to be scared, either, and knew that even with the ultimate back-up, he still wasn’t going to handle this well.

The harassment started immediately, of course. The second he handed the waiver back, the staff began taunting him, asking if he was sure he was brave enough to venture out alone. He forced a smile and made his way into the maze.

He was given a few minutes to enjoy the sounds of distant chainsaws and the other guests’ shrieks before his first encounter. And although he had paid for the privilege of being terrified, and generally knew what to expect, he still stifled a scream when two people dressed as zombies burst out from between corn stalks.

His only consolation was that Ryka was getting a good meal out of this, and that no one had to suffer unwillingly for it. There was no doubt the demon could tell when and where the jump scares would happen, but he was so dedicated to filling up on fear that he didn’t betray the workers with even a glance in their direction.

A group of teenagers passed by, so wound up in teasing each other they didn’t even seem to see him. They disappeared around a corner, and moments later he could hear their shouts and laughter. He had been wandering around for what felt like hours, and although he could feel how eager Ryka was to continue, he needed a break.

Somehow, he found himself on a path that wasn’t crawling with costumed staff ready to leap out at him or full of other terrified guests. Just in case Ryka was going to argue, Kyle told him, “I’m just taking a break. My feet hurt.” There was a small stack of hay bales, and he took a seat there.

That’s fine. This whole place reeks of fear. It’s wonderful. He could easily imagine Ryka’s eyes rolling back in ecstasy as those last words. There was no doubt what Ryka would be looking for when they got home.

“Glad you’re enjoying it. But I think I pulled a muscle flinching away from that asshole with the machete.” Expecting a snarky retort, Kyle was instead surprised to feel that same muscle relaxing. “Thanks, dear.”

It’s easy now. And I owe you more than that ….

“Later, Ry,” Kyle told him, just in case the demon thought the corn maze was an ideal spot to show his affections.

Whatever you say. But there’s people coming.

“Do I need to worry?” So far, there had been no indication there was anyone here that Ryka was particularly interested in.

No, but can I have some fun?

“How do you mean?” Kyle asked, not sure he wanted to know, but fully suspecting he already did.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Let me out. I promise I won’t hurt anyone. For obvious reasons, Kyle didn’t think this was a very good idea. But Ryka hadn’t really been asking. I can do it myself, and you get to leave here shirtless. Or you can let me fuck with these idiot kids I already promised not to hurt.

Resigned to his fate, Kyle stood and took off his shirt and jacket, hiding them behind the hay bales. With so much available energy, the transformation was instantaneous, and corn stalks snapped as Ryka’s wings exploded open.

For the first time, Kyle realized how very flammable their surroundings were. Nothing but dry corn and hay for a half mile in any direction. Please let’s not make the news tonight.

“Don’t worry,” Ryka assured him. He perched himself on a hay bale like a gargoyle, sitting motionless as stone. Except for his eyes, which followed the group of young adults the moment they turned onto the path.

“This place is fucking insane,” one of the young men remarked. There was another man with him, and three women, all wearing sweatshirts from various Boston universities.

“The costumes and props are nuts,” agreed one of the women, stopping directly in front of Ryka. “We should try to get a picture, guys.” Already, her phone was out, and she was motioning for her friends to gather around.

Kyle knew there would be no selfie. His classroom and the few surrounding it had become cell phone dead zones. Once he had learned how to do so, technology had been something else Ryka frequently bent to his will. He needed to prevent them from winding up internet famous, and ensured this by forcing most technology in their general vicinity to fail, sometimes in catastrophic ways. A few students had wound up with half-melted phones after attempting to send texts from his room.

So it was no surprise that the woman was left staring angrily at a blank screen. “Ugh, this piece of shit is acting up again. Chase, is yours working?”

One of the guys handed his over, and they all posed around Ryka. But this phone wasn’t working either, to the woman’s great annoyance. She tried again to turn it on, but gasped and let the device slip out of her hand. “Shit!”

“What the hell?” the lender of said phone asked, reaching down to pick it up. He quickly dropped it, too, and when Ryka looked down, Kyle understood why. Black smoke was curling out of it, and the screen was starting to bubble. All five were staring at it in disbelief. They had, for one brief moment, forgotten about Ryka. He couldn’t have that.

“Funny you should mention Hell,” the demon growled, opening his wings and quickly curling them around the little group, trapping them well within arms’ reach. Two of the women, obviously already quite on edge from their jaunt through the maze, screamed and clung to each other. Their three friends moved in to join them.

But there was no safety in numbers where Ryka was concerned. Huddling up only made his hunting more convenient. In one fluid motion, he stepped off the hay bales to join his prey. “Foolish sinners, letting yourselves get caught so easily.”

Their horrified expressions were easy to read in the red glow of Ryka’s eyes. He really was worked up for them to be so bright, Kyle thought. Then quickly realized it wasn’t just his eyes.

The smallest ridge of flame licked at the tops of Ryka’s wings, and the five trapped mortals were staring wide-eyed at the fire. Kyle wondered if they, too, were imagining the inferno that would result if that flame spread. “Want to know what it’s going to feel like to roast for eternity?” Ryka asked.

Not one of the group could do more than whimper. Having been through most of the maze himself, Kyle knew there was a lot to be scared of. People in frighteningly realistic costumes pretending to attack you at every turn. Staff were allowed to grab you, and Kyle had experienced double the fear worrying for their fates once his heart had stopped pounding.

But in these students’ places, he’d still find Ryka the most terrifying thing here. He didn’t need jump scares or loud noises to get a reaction. He was pure intimidation, perfectly designed to elicit just the emotion he was so hungry for. His unwavering attention, especially in what now felt like an enclosed space, was scary enough.

Baring his teeth, he growled just a little louder. The fire along his wings went out, and as it extinguished, he reached a hand slowly toward one of the women. She took one look at his claws and shrieked, trying to squirm her way into the middle of their group.

Used to seeing Ryka move quickly in his defense, it was surprising to Kyle to see him move so deliberately. But it was also reassuring – he really was just playing with them. And he had apparently tired of this bunch. “On second thought, I’ll let you go to reflect on your sins. But I hope I see you in Hell.”

The moment he opened his wings, the group bolted out, tripping on each other, and completely forgetting that two of them had left their phones in the dirt.

You’re a natural, Kyle remarked, and he could practically feel Ryka’s idiotic grin. Not too much longer, please.

“A couple more?”

Fine. It was like trying to take away a kid’s Halloween candy haul.

Ryka found a slightly busier pathway – remembering to take Kyle’s clothes only after being reminded – and set himself up there. Truthfully, Kyle was thankful for the break, and since Ryka was doing an amazing job controlling himself, he didn’t even feel bad about it. These people were all paying to be scared, and Ryka was delivering.

After another hour, though, Kyle had to put his foot down. I do still have work tomorrow, dear.

“Fine.” He was trying to sound annoyed, but failing. Fully prepared to give control back to Kyle, Ryka paused when he sensed someone else approaching.

A young man dressed as a surgeon – covered in fake gore and wielding a rusty, blood-covered scalpel – burst onto the scene. Kyle panicked for a moment, his memories of last Halloween still fresh in his mind. But he quickly realized this new arrival was no threat. “Dude, have you seen Marcus?”

“Can’t say that I have,” Ryka answered, head cocked.

“Fuck. He’s supposed to be covering me tomorrow, and I need to let him know where my props are gonna be.” When Ryka only offered a half-hearted apology, the man turned to go. But he suddenly spun back around and took a few steps closer. “By the way, dude, that is a sick get-up.” Now Kyle was getting nervous. “Are you new? Don’t think I’ve seen you here before.”

“You could say that.”

“Sweet gig, right?” Ryka seemed amused, at least until the man stepped right up to him. “Seriously, though, man, where did you get these wings?” Awestruck, the man reached out to touch them.

In an instant, his wrist was tightly enclosed in Ryka’s fist, and he found himself with his feet dangling inches off the ground. “Try to touch me again and we can add some real blood to your costume.” Eyes bulging, the young man stared at Ryka. Just in case there’d been any confusion, Ryka clarified, “Yours, not mine.”

The man gulped and nodded. Ryka set him down, and the faux surgeon scampered off. “Idiot,” Ryka grumbled, finally receding.

Kyle dressed quickly, and made his way to the exit. As he was heading out toward the parking lot, he saw the surgeon talking to a man he assumed to be his supervisor. He sniggered, overhearing their conversation.

“Dude, there’s an actual fucking monster in this maze,” the surgeon was insisting.

The manager, arms crossed over his chest, rolled his eyes. “A monster, huh?”

“Yes!”

“You mean, like, every other person you work with?”

“No, listen. He’s got big fucking wings. Horns and a tail, too. And he’s wicked strong.”

The supervisor sighed and started to walk away, shaking his head. “Please stop coming to work high.”

Poor bastard. I didn’t even mean to, and he’s going to have nightmares.

“You do have that effect on people.” Heaving a sigh, Kyle dropped into the driver’s seat and started his car. “I suppose this is going to become a tradition now, huh?”

Take your pick. This or what happened last year.

“As long as you don’t burn down the maze, I’ll take this every time.”

Good choice.

Kyle was halfway home before either of them spoke again. “So, how are you feeling? I mean, can you get full on that? Can you even get full?”

Ryka laughed. I can feel satisfied. Never full. There’s always room for more. But I am pretty worked up. I know you have school tomorrow, but I do owe you for putting yourself through that. And being this well-fed, I think I could manage another dream.

He nearly lost control of the car when Ryka showed him a series of extremely pornographic mental images. As if he needed the enticement. “You know what? I can call in sick.”

Tell them you ate too much candy.

“Candy, huh?”

What’ll it be, stud: trick or treat?