Out There Screaming: An Anthology of New Black Horror

by Jordan Peele

“Fuck that, just get it out of here!” Candy shouted. She wore a long Arizona Coyotes night shirt and yellow Nikes, no socks. A light went on in the upstairs window of the house across the street. “This isn’t…just calm down, man.” I wrung my hands, trying to force my mind to manage the ridiculous situation. “I don’t…” But I was out of breath. I glanced at Ajofia again. These women didn’t even bat an eye at it. How? How were they not terrified? How were their eyes not stinging from the smoke? How were they not coughing?” “Kolo, come on!” Candy said. “It’s not even Halloween!” “We should totally call the police.” “Both of you just…shut the fuck up!” I shouted at them. “This is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!” “Oh, yes, it is,” Kate said. “We live here. We—” I was looking at the women, but I saw Ajofia with my peripheral vision. It rose up and bounced down, creating a great puff of smoke, dust, and dirt. Everything grew still. Kate and Candy moaned, backing away, finally seeing Ajofia for what it was. They whimpered with dread and scurried away and then rushed into their homes. I watched them go, marveling at the absurd meeting of my two worlds.