Neil San Francisco — 1985 Warning

A thick coat of fog drapes the city. Neil walks through steep, curving streets toward Bert’s. Rounding a corner, Neil smells pine trees, damp moss, and old beer. Even though he is walking on pavement, his feet seem to crackle on soft fall leaves.

“Go home, Neil,” Neil turns.

A woman is standing behind him, a stranger so dazzling and pale that his breath catches in his throat.

“Go quickly now, you haven’t long.” There is something familiar about her, and suddenly, he knows.

It is Lisa, but not the gawky Lisa of high school. This Lisa is ashen and gleaming, fragrant and ephemeral as the night-blooming cereus that flowers on only a once a year, on a single evening. She lays a hand against his scar. It burns cold as ice. She smiles sadly. In the darkness, her teeth glisten sharp and long as icicles.