Page 34 of The Neighborhood Vampire

Ez handed him the business card. “Call their representative. I’m sure he’ll pass along the good word,” she said.

“This will work. I believe in this,” Alice said.

“Before I go, I wanted to let you know that it’s a wonderful display,” Ez said. “I’m really proud of everyone in here.”

Alice smiled. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”

Oliver stood up and Carol followed. “Let’s go show them no one comes into our town and pushes us around.”

Esmerelda took a deep breath and exhaled. “Be smart. Be vigilant. Be ready. Follow the plan, and don’t do anything you’ll regret.” She checked her watch. “It’s getting late. The sun will be going down soon. We need to move now.”

Chapter 9

The Sit-down

“Do you think they’ll show?” Hugo asked. He tapped the wooden stake in his palm as he paced around the empty front entrance of Raskin’s Neighborhood Market. The store was deserted of the evening shoppers. He checked his phone. “They’re late.”

“They’re not late. They’re pulling a power play,” Alice said. She leaned back against the checkout counter with her arms crossed and eyes focused on the door.

Hugo stopped. He turned to Alice and smiled. “Hockey lingo?”

She smiled back. “Thought you’d enjoy it.”

“Wrong term, but I’ll let it slip,” Hugo said.

“What term, then?”

Hugo shrugged. “More like delay of game.” He continued tapping the wooden stake in his palm and pacing around like he was on patrol.

Alice focused through the automatic doors, into the darkness outside and the empty parking lot. She checked her phone. It was only 8:00 p.m. This store should be bustling with activity, a haven to commerce. Yet, it was desolate. Quiet. Empty.

Her fingers tapped her arms like they were playing invisible piano keys, striking with purpose and building speed. Anything to keep her mind off what was about to transpire. Her heart raced and anxiety flowed through her like it was the source of life. Every nerve was on edge.

Something in the parking lot caught Alice’s eye. “They’re here.”

Two headlights cut through the darkness as an SUV pulled into the parking lot. The two yellow balls of light grew larger as the car approached the entrance. The vehicle pulled in front of the door. Two ghouls exited the front of the SUV wearing black suits and white shirts. One with a red tie and one with a black one.

“Now it’s a power play,” Alice said.

They opened the back passenger doors, and Sebastian and Sylvia emerged from the SUV. They wore matching outfits—a further attempt at intimidation. He was in an all-red suit and black shirt. She wore a fashionable red leather jacket, red pants that accentuated her figure, and a simple black top. Their hair was immaculate. They strode with confidence with their shoulders pulled back and chins high, wearing black sunglasses covering their eyes. They took their time as they approached the automatic doors.

Alice straightened her posture—shoulders pulled back, head tilted up, and no longer leaning against the counter. Eyes focused on their every move.

Hugo stood next to her in a show of support. “Sunglasses might be a tad much, don’t you think?”

Alice didn’t reply. She pulled down on the brim of her hat. Her eyes peeked out from under the black brim. Hugo unzipped his black leather jacket and pulled back his shoulders. It was a stalemate of body language, a precursor to the verbal and mental battle about to commence.

The automatic doors opened, and the Savinos entered with the ghouls following behind.

“They have to remain outside,” Alice said. “It’s only the four of us.”

Sebastian and Sylvia checked with each other in silence. It lingered for more than a moment as if they were communicating with each other in an unspoken language. Only the occasional eyebrow twitch or lip curl gave insight to their conversation.

Alice’s finger twitched. She gulped, holding her breath.

Sebastian turned away from Sylvia, and with two fingers, pointed to the SUV. The two ghouls spun around and went back to the car.

“Satisfied?” Sylvia asked.

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