A Mist Shrouds the Homeward Traveler

Family Rule No. 1: Lock all the doors and windows before dark.

Family Rule No. 2: If you hear knocking in the middle of the night, don't open the door or answer.

Family Rule No. 3: If a family member returns after going out at night, they must recite the family password outside the door. Get even one word wrong, and it isn't really them.

I followed these rules for sixteen years, until my father went out one foggy night to “pick something up” and never came back.

Seven days later, someone who looked exactly like my father stood outside and fluently recited the entire password.

My mother opened the door with trembling hands.