The Doomsday Shroud

By R. L. Gemmill

DEMONS DON'T DIE!

Trouble continues for Kelly and Travis Bishop when their older brother Jon runs away to New York City, the nation embraces Majik Juice, and the American Security Administration makes house calls at two in the morning.
The good news? An assassin thinks he can save humanity from injustice.
The bad news? Demons have discovered the perfect lure to get Kelly back into Pandora's Cave.

READ WITH CAUTION

• Language: English
• Publisher: eBookIt.com
• Release date: Mar 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9780996373180

Book preview

Chapter 1

Demons Don’t Die

KELLY

---

When the demon alarm went off in the house at three in the morning (on a school night, no less), it felt like spikes pounding into Kelly’s eardrums. She hated that thing! But there wasn’t time to worry about the noise. She had to be quick, or she’d be demon fast food before dawn. There was only one reason for the demon alarm to go off. Demons! They were after her again. She put on shoes, grabbed a metal baseball bat, and got ready to rumble.

In the hallway, she met her younger brother Travis, who was loading up a slingshot with an egg-sized steel marble. His white-blond hair stuck up worse than usual, and he was barefoot, but he was ready for battle. Kelly felt scared, but he looked like he wanted a good fight. She doubted he realized what kind of danger they could be in.

I gotchur back, said Travis inside her head. Go to the panic room.

Not yet, she thought back to him. I want to see the demon.

You sure?

Kelly nodded. Their telepathic connection was loud and clear despite the blaring alarm.

All at once Granny Price flew out of her bedroom, still dressed in work clothes. She had on blue jeans, a white blouse, and her black leather jacket with the logo and name of her motorcycle club printed on the back: Satan’s Sidekicks.

Granny shouted over the irritating alarm. Where’s Angie? She hefted a ten-pound sledgehammer, though, in Kelly’s opinion, she didn’t need a weapon. That woman was strong. She was fearless, too. She would risk her life to protect Kelly and Travis. Heck, she already had.

A moment later Angie burst from her room carrying an iPad and a container of mace the size of a large bug spray can.

One demon! she shouted. Behind the Christmas tree! This one’s got two heads. She held up the iPad, which contained an app that ran the security system. On the screen, Kelly saw a digital thermal image of a two-headed something waiting for them in the den downstairs.

Granny squared her broad shoulders. Crikey, how’d it get in?

We’ll figure that out later.

Should we wait for the police? Kelly only asked because some demons could be tough to fight. Plus, they had hooked the alarm system into the local police department so that a squad car would be at the house any moment.

Angie shook her head and pointed to the stairs. It took them twenty minutes to get here last time. I’ll take the lead.

Granny raised her hammer. I got rear. It sounded more like I got reah. Kelly loved her Australian accent.

It was the third time in a month that demons had tried to grab Kelly in the night. The first time had been right after Thanksgiving when her family saved her, but not before the demons made a wreck of their house. It took two weeks to get the place fixed the way Angie wanted. The same night they moved back in another demon came after her. It was like they’d been watching, waiting for their next chance to get her. By that time the family had been ready.

Motion detectors had caught the creature’s image, and security lights lit up the outside like a football field. The demon had run off. Video surveillance cameras got some great shots of it, so they knew it wasn’t a deer or some other large animal that had set off the alarm. That demon had bright yellow skin, four arms, and his name was Grund. Kelly had met him before. Unlike Grund, the two-headed demon downstairs had somehow gotten past the security system and inside the house.

So why were demons after her? It could have been because she knew about their secret plan to take over the surface of the earth in the next five years. Or maybe it was her telepathy, though Kelly couldn’t read a demon’s mind at all, so technically she wasn’t a threat to them. But demons had human friends, and one of them had a serious problem with her being telepathic.

Until a few weeks ago Kelly figured she was the only telepath in the world, and she’d gotten a little cocky. Then she ran into a man named Mogen Deel, who had the same ability, only he was way stronger and dangerous, too. He’d nearly killed her with his mind! It’s like Granny once said, it doesn’t matter how good you are at something, there’s always going to be someone else who’s better. With demons, Mr. Deel called the shots, and they usually did what he said. For some reason, he wanted Kelly on the demon menu.

I wish Jon and Chris were here, she thought to Travis. We could use the manpower.

Travis nodded. Jon Bishop, their sixteen-year-old brother, was an expert with swords and martial arts. But Jon couldn’t help now; he’d gone off to New York City to become the greatest magician in the world, though, honestly, she almost felt safer now that he wasn’t around since he might have gotten possessed by a demon.

Chris McCormick was their foster dad who had invented a fruit drink a few weeks ago that made the family rich. Right after that, he’d gone crazy, and they locked him away in a psycho ward. Kelly figured a demon had probably possessed him, too.

Kelly and Travis followed Angie down the stairway. The foyer was shadowy, but the den was so black Kelly couldn’t even see the sofa in front of them. Angie slowly reached into the room for the light switch. They tensed, ready for action. She flipped the switch.

Nothing happened. Demons had cut off the power again. Now they had to enter a pitch-black room to fight a two-headed monster that could see in the dark. And the monster wanted to eat Kelly. Nice.

Angie touched the screen on the monitor, and the annoying alarm stopped. OMG! The silence surprised Kelly so much she stumbled into Travis.

Computer, backup lights! shouted Angie, probably because her ears were still ringing from the alarm. Her voice triggered the security computer system to use a different power source, and just like that the auxiliary lights came on.

Kelly saw the husky demon crouched in the corner of the den behind the Christmas tree. Sure enough, it had two ugly heads, both covered with scab-like discolored skin with four green eyes on the front of each head. Most of the demons she’d seen before had brightly colored skin, scales, feathers, or fur, but this one was drab olive green with thin orange tiger stripes all down its body. Its eight eyes bulged in surprise when it realized they could see it. It quickly gathered its wits.

You-ah! It pointed right at Kelly with a meaty arm. Da Kelly Bishop-ah. Yer mine-ah!

One thing about demons was they all had a different way of speaking. Some pronounced words perfectly, while others used accents from all over the world. A few talked weird, like this one. All the ones Kelly had heard so far spoke English.

The demon blinked its eight glow-in-the-dark eyes, then swatted the Christmas tree out of the way with webbed hands. Glass shattered as lights and decorations flew everywhere. The creature lumbered straight at Kelly, crushing presents on the floor in its haste.

Since Kelly was the one-and-only person in the house that demons ever came for, her job was to get to the panic room that Angie had had built in the basement. The rest of the family would do the fighting. It sounded wimpy, but Kelly wasn’t one of those super girls who beat up all the bad guys. She gripped the bat firmly and started toward the kitchen.

The demon charged. Angie stepped in its way. She sprayed a long blast of mace straight into the eyes on its left head. The demon yelped and covered the burning eyes with one hand, but it could still see just fine with the four eyes on its right head. It stiff-armed Angie. She flipped over the recliner and fell out of sight.

A second later, her head popped over the chair. Mom!

Got it, Angie! Granny took the sledgehammer and popped the demon under its right chin. The demon straightened up with the blow. It back-pedaled a few steps. Granny popped it again. And again. Each time the hammer struck, the demon stumbled in reverse. But this beast was tough and strong, too. It yanked the sledgehammer out of Granny’s hands and let it fly across the room. Kelly heard it crash into something and wondered what else in their house had gotten destroyed.

While Granny wrestled with the creature, she yelled. Kelly, go! A moment later, the monster tossed her out of the way and came after Kelly again.

Kelly sprinted through the kitchen to the basement steps. Travis and the demon were on her heels. In the distance, she heard police sirens making record time, but again probably too late. Travis turned and fired off the steel marble. Thwuck! The demon roared in pain and crashed into the kitchen table. It thrashed and floundered, then sent the table and all the chairs clattering across the floor. Travis ducked out of its way. The demon kept coming.

Run, Kelly! She heard Travis fire off another steel marble. Thwuck! The demon roared.

As she flew down the stairs, she glanced over her shoulder. The demon was only a few steps behind. Two of its nasty green eyes stayed focused on her. Four more had swelled shut from the Mace, and the last two had big steel marbles stuck in them. Could she beat it to the panic room? She leaped off the steps and landed in a full sprint.

Just as she got to the door of the concrete and steel reinforced room, a gnarled, slimy hand caught her arm and jerked her into the center of the basement.

Gotcha now-ah! Come wid me-ah! I take you to-ah the Demon Nation!

Demon Nation. Kelly hated those words. She broke free and answered with the bat. She struck the demon in the shoulder. Thump! She hit it again on top of its left head—her left, that is. Crack! The last shot she took was on one of its twelve-toed feet. Whack! The demon danced a brief jig of pain.

But demons recovered quickly. It knocked the bat out of her hands, which bounced across the concrete floor. The monster slapped a viselike grip on her wrist and pulled her toward the back door. She fought it all the way. She dragged her feet and grabbed for the stairs, but she couldn’t stop it. That sucker was too strong. Just as the demon grabbed the doorknob to go outside, she heard a booming voice.

Kelly! Hit the deck! She went limp as a rag and dropped to the floor.

The demon growled. Get up-ah!

Gunfire erupted. POW! POW! POW! POW!

Gooey black blood sprayed over Kelly. The demon released her arm and fell like a lump to the floor.

---

KELLY

---

Kelly was so shaken she could hardly move. She looked, expecting to see a police officer standing there, but it was Granny holding a handgun. She slid the gun into a shoulder holster under her jacket and helped her granddaughter up.

Are you okay, sweetie? They hugged each other, breathing hard.

Kelly pressed her face into Granny’s jacket and took in the ruggedly sweet odor of old leather. She loved that smell. Kelly nodded.

Angie and Travis hurried downstairs. Angie had fire in her eyes. Matilda, I told you when you moved in, absolutely no guns in this house. You’ve had that ever since you got here, haven’t you?

Granny nodded. Kind of a good thing, too, don’t you think?

Angie was furious. I can’t believe it! You know how I feel about firearms, and you deliberately went against my wishes. She went to a steel cabinet and produced some heavy chain and a padlock. Hurry. Tie it up and make it tight. We’ll put it in the panic room until the police leave.

Tie it up? Granny sounded confused. I shot it four times point-blank with a .357 Magnum, straight through the heart.

We don’t even know if it has a heart.

Good point. What do ya plan to do with the body?

Angie shook her head. Maybe we should call the press, let them take pictures.

I don’t know. We might end up in one of those tabloids lookin’ like freaks. Do you think Mark would want it? You know, to dissect or something in the name of science?

Kelly changed the subject. This demon came here by itself. That’s twice it’s happened. The first time they brought a small army, and now they’re working alone. Why?

Maybe our security system scares the others away, suggested Granny.

Somebody pounded on the front door upstairs. Granny looked up. Police. Angie, you’d better chat with them. The kids and I will move our two-headed friend to a more out-of-the-way place.

It took them twelve minutes and twenty-two seconds this time, said Travis, checking his watch. Eight minutes faster than before.

But they’re still too late. Kelly wasn’t cutting anyone any slack about this, especially the police.

The only way they could show up in time to help would be to move in with us. Angie shook her head and went upstairs. The kids helped Granny move the dead demon into the panic room.

Is this why we have a panic room? asked Travis, tugging on one of the creature’s scaly feet. To put dead demons in? I thought it was a hidin’ place for Kelly.

Granny laughed. I guess a panic room’s a lot like a garage. You have every intention of using it for one thing, but soon you find yourself using it for completely different purposes.

Her logic made Kelly smile.

We did better this time, she continued. The alarm gave us plenty of warning, though it’s way too loud if you ask me.

I agree, said Kelly.

Me, too, said Travis. My ears are still ringin’!

But it did the job. Granny looked Kelly’s way. We stopped another demon from getting you. We’ve got problems, though, like how to fight the nasty things. But we’re a lot safer now than we were a couple of weeks ago.

She’s right, thought Kelly to herself. The first demon attack had taken them completely by surprise. After that, Angie went all-out to have the house redone, and she’d spared no expense to have the best security systems installed on the property. They had plenty of money now, because of Majik Juice sales. Chris’ amazing fruit juice was the hottest selling bottled drink on the market. Angie used the money to install thirty-two security cameras inside and outside the house. Most stayed hidden, but some were in plain view to scare away bad guys and demons, too, if they understood the purpose of a camera. And they had all kinds of detectors that turned on security lights and set off the alarms. Motion detectors, audio pickup systems, thermal systems, CO 2 detectors that identified a person’s breath, and even pressure receptors around the yard in case another giant lobster demon was outside looking into a second-story window.

Also, all the windows were bulletproof, and the doors were solid steel with bolt locks. The only way to open the doors from the outside was with an electronic touchpad that had a secret personal identity number, or PIN, and they were the only ones who knew it. The entire house was hard-wired to the main power supply with solar and battery backup, just in case.

As if that wasn’t enough, the outside of the house was now brick. Angie figured it wouldn’t be too hard for demons to break through vinyl siding, so she’d had the contractors remove the vinyl and replace it with red brick. It impressed Kelly that the contractors had done so much work in such a short time, but Angie found out if you pay people enough money, they’ll work around the clock to get a job done. And they did, too. There had been at least a dozen companies working throughout the night, every night.

Granny closed the panic room door, and they started upstairs. Then they heard a desperate, muffled voice.

Lemme go-ah! Ya can’t hold me here-ah. I won’t hurt nobody, I swear-ah!

The demon had come back to life.

---

KELLY

---

They gawked at each other at the top of the stairs. The demon had only been dead for twenty minutes, and now it was back again. What kind of death was that?

Angie returned to the kitchen. I complimented the officers on getting here so fast, but I told them it was a false alarm. Maybe next time we should show them a demon’s body. I don’t want them to think we’re crying wolf. Angie stopped in her tracks as soon as she saw her family staring at her. What?

Remember that demon we killed? said Travis. Well, it just said somethin’.

They rushed back to the basement and opened the panic room door. Sure enough, though the demon remained wrapped in chains, it certainly wasn’t dead anymore. Both heads looked up pleadingly, fear in its two functional eyes. The bullet holes in its chest had disappeared.

I’ve got to get a bigger gun, murmured Granny.

Angie flashed her a look, then spoke to the demon. Why did you come here?

The demon stifled an obvious chuckle. To get the Kelly Bishop-ah, of course-ah. The Boss put a bounty-ah on her head and whoever brings her back-ah gets all the soup-ah he wants forever-ah!

Why did you come alone? asked Kelly, being careful to stand behind Granny.

Cuz the bounty-ah only counts as one-ah. If I had help-ah, I’d have to share my soup-ah. Slopgreez don’t want to share-ah. Slopgreez wants all the soup for himself-ah. I got two mouths to feed-ah.

You name is Slopgreez? asked Angie.

The demon nodded. But I don’t want her no more-ah. Let me go-ah; I’ll never come back-ah. I promise-ah.

"Like we can believe anything a demon says. Angie crossed her arms. If you want to see your cave again, you’ll have to tell us what we want to know first."

Its two functional milky green eyes narrowed. Like what-ah?

First, why should we believe anything you say?

Demons can’t lie-ah. We ain’t like humans-ah, it ain’t part of our nature to lie-ah.

Kelly could read people’s minds easily enough, but, so far, she hadn’t been able to pick up on any thoughts from a demon. Too bad. She didn’t trust this one.

Why does the Boss want the Kelly Bishop?

Don’t know that-ah. Only know he wants her-ah bad.

The Boss is doing what he’s told, said Kelly, boldly. "The man, Mr. Deel, is the one who really wants me. And he tells the Boss what to do."

Slopgreez became belligerent. No-ah! Nobody tells the Boss nothing-ah! He’ll put you in his soup-ah for sayin’ that!

"Not if he keeps sending in slackers like you to get her," said Granny with a chuckle. The demon scowled darkly.

Travis had his questions too. So how come you were dead and came back to life? Were you fakin’ it?

Slopgreez don’t know what fakin’ it-ah means. Demons die and come back-ah. You can’t kill us forever-ah. We’re immortal-ah.

Immortal? spat Granny. Bet I could find a way to keep you dead.

Slopgreez glared at her. Many have tried-ah. No such thing-ah. There, I told you what you wanted-ah. Can I go now-ah? I swear I won’t come back-ah.

Angie shrugged. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to let it go. I mean if demons really can’t lie and all. It cooperated with us.

I don’t know, Angie. I don’t trust it. Granny subconsciously touched the holster under her jacket. Maybe we should try to kill it again, you know? Chop it into lots of little pieces and set them in the sun.

The demon’s dark eyes flashed with fear. Slopgreez been good to you-ah! Let me go-ah!

Kelly scanned Angie’s thoughts and realized she had already decided to release Slopgreez, if he didn’t try anything stupid.

Angie made her offer. You’ve got to promise you’ll never come back here, and that you won’t try to harm any of us ever again. Especially the Kelly Bishop.

Slopgreez nodded both heads vigorously. Oh, I do promises-ah. I-ah will never come back-ah or try to harm the Kelly Bishop-ah again. Never-ah!

The Kelly Bishop. It was weird for Kelly to hear demons talk about her in the third person like she wasn’t in the room. That must have been the nature of demon-speak.

Slopgreez looked and seemed sincere, but who could tell? Both of its heads spoke at the same time and sounded like they really meant it, but her family had to remember that it was a demon. Kelly knew little about them, but words like honesty and trustworthy probably weren’t in their vocabulary. She was very uneasy about letting this one go. But if you couldn’t kill them, what could you do with them?

Angie unlocked the padlocks, and they unwrapped the chains. Granny caught the ugly creature by one of its throats and lifted it nearly off the floor.

Come back this way, and I’ll make sure you regret it.

I’ll never come back-ah, I swear-ah on the Boss’ left foot! She released the demon and drew her handgun.

Travis, open the back door.

Kelly moved as far from the demon as she could get but retrieved her bat and stood ready. Travis opened the door. A red security light came on over the door, and he punched in the code. The light changed to green. He took out his slingshot, loaded another steel marble and took aim.

The demon’s two good eyes grew large with anticipation. It looked to Angie for approval before it went anywhere. She nodded at the door. The demon took off running, but not before it hissed at Kelly on the way out. Then it started laughing like a crazy person. The family followed it outside.

What’s so funny, Demon? called Granny.

Somethin’ I said-ah, replied the demon as it trotted across the yard. Security lights came on and lit up the area. I said demons couldn’t lie-ah. But that was a lie-ah! The demon broke down laughing so hard it stopped moving. Travis fired. The marble struck it in the back of its right head. Thwack! At the same time, Granny shot it in the leg. It took off running again with a limp.

Ow! I’ll be back for the Kelly Bishop-ah! You can count on it-ah!

Granny shot it again, but the creature escaped into darkness.

Heck! Travis angrily fired his last metal ball at a thick maple tree beyond the backyard. The ball tore a chunk of bark right off the tree. We shoulda killed it. Kelly knew exactly how he felt.

Granny rubbed his hair in agreement. There’s got to be a way to keep those things dead. Something a bit more permanent anyway, you know?

Kelly shivered in the December night air. They’d see that demon again; she was sure of it. The question was, when would it come, and how ready would they be?

Damn those things, said Angie. You know, I should have asked it how it got in the house. I’ll call the contractors in the morning and let them know the house isn’t entirely demon proof.

You’re gonna say ‘demon proof’? asked Travis.

No. But I paid a lot of money to make sure things like this couldn’t happen. By the way, Mom, I finally figured out what you can get me for Christmas.

You’re cutting it close, said Granny. Only a few shopping days left and all. What is it?

I want you to teach me how to shoot a gun. And maybe you can help me buy one later.

But you hate guns, said Kelly.

"Yes, I do, ordinarily. But these demons are tearing up my house and trying to steal my daughter. As far as I’m concerned, this is war. Guns are pretty handy in a war."

Chapter 2

The Tortured Souls

TRAVIS

---

Two days later Travis hung on for dear life with fingers that were too numb to feel. He was so cold he wasn’t sure he still had any fingers. The rest of him was half-frozen, too, even with his warmest winter coat buttoned up all the way. But the cold didn’t matter so much anymore. With school out for the holidays and Christmas only a few days off, who cared about being cold? What really mattered was the reason he was cold. He’d spent the last hour and a half chewing gum and riding around northern Virginia on the back of Granny’s motorcycle. For Travis, life didn’t get any better than this.

It had taken Granny a while to convince Angie to let him go. But since she’d already bought a cool-looking red-sparkle helmet that he and Kelly could both wear, Angie gave in. Now Travis held on to Granny and watched the world go by as they rolled along Interstate 66 headed toward home.

Travis decided that riding a motorcycle was one of the top three coolest things he’d ever done, along with exploring Pandora’s Cave last fall, and fighting that two-headed demon the other night. The fight had been intense! The best news about this trip was they weren’t going all the way home just yet. Granny had promised to buy him lunch, and it was a good thing, too, because as usual, he was so hungry.

Granny turned into a McDonalds, parked the bike, and they went inside.

Super cool! said Travis when they’d gotten their order and found an empty table. You can really ride that thing!

"Crikey, Travis, that thing is a Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic with a twin cam 96B counter-balanced engine, and don’t you forget it."

A Harley-Davidson what? Travis lost her.

Granny repeated what she’d said, then rubbed his head and grinned at him. It’s a fine piece of exquisite highway machinery. You like it, eh?

Yeah! Pass the ketchup.

"Pass the ketchup, please."

Please?

Granny tossed him a couple packets of ketchup and leaned back in her chair. Travis liked Granny a lot. She treated him and Kelly like blood relatives, and that’s what counted. She even treated their older brother, Jon, with respect, though lately he’d either gone crazy or gotten possessed by a demon, nobody was sure which. Besides, how many grandparents could ride a motorcycle and fight demons the way she did?

How much longer do we havta wait for the video? asked Travis. Isn’t Dr. Parrish finished yet?

Not sure. I do know he’s disturbed by what’s on it.

So what’s on it?

You worked the camera. Don’t you know what you recorded?

Sorta, but I was worried about Chris’ broken leg. Sometimes I didn’t pay real close attention to what I was recordin’.

Travis wolfed down his French fries and went after the cheeseburger next. He always ate the fries first, though he didn’t know why. It just tasted better that way. About the time he finished the cheeseburger, he noticed three more motorcycles pull into the parking lot and take a spin all the way around the building. They left the lot, then returned and stopped by Granny’s bike. Travis pointed.

Those men like your Harley-Davidson.

Granny smiled and glanced over her shoulder. Of course they do, li’l mate. They know quality when they see it. When she turned back, her eyes had narrowed. In fact, Travis felt her entire mood swing from fun and festive to being darkly cautious. He could read people’s emotions like he was reading a comic book, and he knew her relaxed state was over. Now she was alert and combative, the way she’d been when the two-headed demon attacked. She expected trouble.

Granny, do demons come out in the daytime?

You mean like old Slopgreez the other night? Not sure, but based on your experience at Pandora’s Cave, I’d say they’ve got no love of sunlight. She kept her gaze on the men while she talked. Course…there're all kinds of demons.

Granny tore open a dozen salt packages and poured the contents into the center of the table.

Travis, don’t you have to go to the loo?

The what?

The restroom.

Naw, I went before we came.

Travis. Her voice was stern. Go to the restroom. Take your time, okay?

Travis looked up as the three bikers entered the restaurant. One of them turned, revealing the club’s name Tortured Souls on his leather jacket. Instantly ghost fingers touched the back of Travis’ neck. Something bad was about to happen with those guys. He shot a worried glance to Granny before he got up and went to the entrance of the men’s restroom. Rather than go in, he hid behind a corner to watch. Those men looked dangerous. Really dangerous. They sauntered over to Granny’s table and stood over her, just staring.

The biggest guy stood in front of her where Travis had been sitting. He had a long scar on his left cheek that cut through his coal-black beard like a path through dense jungle. Sturdily built, he had broad shoulders and eyes that were set in deep sockets. Travis reached into his pocket for his cell phone to call the police, but it wasn’t there. He remembered he’d left it at home so he wouldn’t lose it on the bike ride. He looked around for a weapon in case Granny needed help, but the only thing handy was a napkin dispenser. Travis could feel the leader’s boiling hatred for Granny all the way across the room.

A scrawny guy took the position on Granny’s left. He also had a beard, but his was scraggly and matched his worn out, filthy looking clothes. His facial expression was unreadable as he licked his red lips, but Travis measured the guy’s feelings and understood. The scrawny guy wanted to kill Granny right there in the restaurant.

The third biker was shorter, with a round belly and a pelt-like brown beard that dropped to his chest. He stood on Granny’s right with large, capable hands covered with scars. Travis moved closer and listened.

Matilda Price, said the leader in front of her. Long time no see.

Granny acted surprised when she looked up. Bruce! Carlo! Mac! What a treat!

Don’t call me Bruce, said the scrawny biker named Bruce. They call me Nitwit. Get it right!

Granny nodded slowly. Nitwit. I don’t know why your parents wasted a good name like Bruce on you when Nitwit is so appropriate.

Nitwit’s jaw opened slightly. Huh?

The big biker, Carlo, slammed his palm on the table, just missing the pile of salt. Mad Dog’s rottin’ in prison cause of you! And let me tell ya, he ain’t no happy camper.

A burst of many fears shot through Travis. A white lady at the next table collected her two toddlers, their coats, and all their food in a single sudden motion and rushed them out of the restaurant. Four businessmen from across the room calmly took up their food and went outside. They sat at a table in the freezing weather, staying to see what would happen next. Others raced for the exits, got in their cars, and drove off. Only a few stayed inside, choosing to be dangerously close to the action. A black man behind the counter with a manager’s tag on his shirt pointed nervously to the bikers.

Folks, you need to take it outside.

Carlo glared at the manager and grinned. Travis saw he was missing both front teeth. We’ll take it any damn place we please. Stay out of it.

The manager nodded but took up his cell phone as he ordered the frightened employees into the back.

Always making friends, Carlo, said Granny. So what’s this little meeting about?

You know what it’s about, said the fat guy on her right, the one named Mac. Mad Dog wants revisitation.

Granny blinked at the guy, confused. What?

Retribution, Dipwad, said Carlo. We’re here to get it for him. After that, you’re gonna tell us where you put the money.

Don’t know about any money, but you can tell Mad Dog I’m sorry he’s in prison. Hope it wasn’t anything I said.

It was everything you said! You squealed like a pig!

"He’s not exactly riding with my colors, you know. Neither are you blokes. What happened to Mad Dog’s between him and me. Not your concern, Carlo. Go home."

Carlo shook his head. No way. With a glance at his partners, all three men moved at once. Nitwit took Granny firmly by her left wrist and pinned it to the table. Mac grabbed her right arm the same way. Carlo whipped out a switchblade knife and pointed the blade in her face. He grinned with hateful intent.

Less see, ya spell Mad Dog, M-a-d D-o-g, right? That’ll look nice on your forehead. Hope I don’t have to erase. He leaned forward menacingly, bringing the tip of the razor-sharp blade to her skin.

Travis looked around in a panic. The collective fear of everyone still in the room was stifling. They wouldn’t help. But somehow, he had to get somebody to do something!

Granny looked over at Travis and clearly saw his terror. She winked at him and leaned away from the knife. She sunk low into her seat until she was partly under the table. Carlo had to lean over the table to keep the knife in her face. When he’d leaned far enough, Granny blew the salt pile as hard as she could. Salt crystals flew up into Carlo’s face like a dust storm. He covered his eyes with one hand and drew back.

Ahh!

An instant later Granny turned her hands outside and over,