Tamalia and the Coin

'You aren't scared, are you? Tamalia asked Podolfo. The Toad croaked in defiance.

If you're scared, we can go back." The Witchy woman held her Toad up to eye level. "Because I am not scared."

Podolfo licked his right eyeball.

"Ok so we go on." Tamalia said placing the overlarge toad onto her shoulder.

Thick tendrils of fog swirled about. Grasping as if the very Spirits were trying to drag them back from the cemetery. The Living Spirits of the dead that had lingered in the graveyard were said to be vengeful, but some also said there were benevolent Spirits as well.

To win the bet the mature Human woman and her transformed husband would have to pluck a coin left on the central mausoleum in the center and return it to the Inn of the Gibbet and Crow by mid night or they would have to give up their room for the next night. An owl hooted, and a stray breeze made the branches sigh. Goosebumps raised on Tamalia's bare arms.

"It is not autumn yet. Why is there a chill."

"Because we are not dead, and you will soon be." A spooky voice said.

The hair on the back of the Witchy Woman's neck rose in fear. A branch broke.

"Harold. You fool get out from behind that mausoleum before you hurt yourself."

Harold came out laughing. The glint of moonlight reflected off his belt buckle.

"I had you there for a minute." Harold said resting his hands on his rotund belly.

"No, you did not. I was not scared. Now let me get the coin, and I will have won the bet."

Harold uncapped his bullseye lantern and showed it on the corner of the granite tomb. There was no coin. Just a smear of blood.

"Croak,”