I went back to my house and stifled a gasp as it came into view. The yard was now full of plastic snowmen and reindeer, candles and carolers that had stood too close to a flame. Most of them were pointed toward the house like an angry mob, but a handful were turned to where I parked in the driveway behind Melanie’s car. It was as though they were there to usher me in, and as I stepped out of my car, I saw a path had been cleared all the way to the front door.

I glanced around for Melanie outside, but it was a dim hope. I knew where she’d be. Stepping up onto the porch, I pushed at the door, feeling no surprise when it swung in quietly. I could already smell the gagging aromas that filled my house—cinnamon and pine needles mixed with spoiled meat and soured milk. Holding a hand to my nose, I stepped in and called out for my sister. When I heard nothing, I called out to them.

“I’m here, okay? Now please let her go. Use me for whatever it is you need and then please leave us both alone.” I swallowed, trying to not think about what would come next, whatever unknown torture or shame was waiting for me in the shadows. The main thing was to try and get Melanie out. I just had to focus on that.

That thought, that goal, steeled me for a few seconds as I went deeper into the house. I saw with unsurprised dread that there was a large, lop-sided Christmas tree in the living room now, its discolored branches decorated by a combination of lights, old-fashioned ornaments, and various small dead things and bits of bone. Even from a distance, I thought I saw pieces of at least three small animal skeletons strung together and draped around like macabre tinsel. Just then I saw movement at the corner of my eye and turned. They were coming out to greet me.

I don’t know how to describe this next part in a way that will make sense, but I will do my best. One of them, the man that appeared to be human, was stepping out of a door made into one wall that I never knew existed. It swung closed behind him with a silent solidity that left no seam in the wallpaper or other sign a secret door existed at all. But the other two…