The sun is high in the sky as i make my way over to the old record store. It’s only a few blocks away from my house, but i feel as if i should hurry, i let my feet quickly carry me through the dense woods surrounding me. it’s fairly quiet. Wait- why is it so quiet i think to myself. Where are the birds? The squirrels? There’s nothing here-. that’s when i noticed him. A dark hunched figure with clouded eyes. “ He must be blind.” i think as i ignore the man and continue walking.

“ Yessss!” i giggle to myself as i hold up the record in triumph. i decided to take the long way home, through the town instead of the woods since i was a little creeped out by that man. i stop in the dim light of the street lamp when i feel and cold- no frigid hand on my shoulder. It’s skin is pale yellow almost an ashy gray? i turn around to see the man from earlier. Chills rush through me. i’ve got to leave.

“ smile.” i hear these words echo in my mind, but it’s not my own thoughts.i look up at the man to see him slowly pull down the scarf that was hiding his mouth. he has no mouth. As if things weren’t strange enough, the man- no not a man. Creature begins to dance in the moonlight. I’m afraid but somehow i have to fight back a smile as one creeps upon my lips. I can’t fight the urge any longer. i giggle, and when i open my eyes, he’s. right, in front. Of. Me. Staring at me with empty eyes as he reaches towards my mouth. My face is stuck in a smile as i begin to cry from fear. a single name echos through my mind… Ala.

“ Good morning sweetie how are you?” my mother greets me with a smile on her face.

“ I am well mother. You seem… happy.” I say through the scarf that covers my face, my skin already beginning to turn grey. as i wait for the moment. The moment to make her like me. The moment where she to, can become… Ala.