Beyond the sidewalk, there was a place where two different hedges met, leaving only an ovoid shaped hole, like an egg precariously standing on the wrong end. The darkness inside the gap was always black as night and bitterly cold, regardless of the brightness of the sun or the heat of the day. Other than that there was nothing special about this particular configuration of fauna- until today.

The leaves that framed that strange doorway began to shake and shudder, as if siezed by a strong breeze. A white foot extended from the darkness into the light followed by a long, skinny leg. The rest of the strange, gangly man emerged as if unfolding a piece of paper. Tall and thin, he wore little beyond a ratty coat that hung open and a straw hat.

Stretching, he sniffed the air, his prominent nose waving like a conductor’s wand. “The door is open once again and we are free at last.”

A bark echoed in answer as a little pug dog bounded out of the doorway and into the light.

“No, there’s no one to stop us this time.”