Page 55 of Prize for the Alien Grumpus

"I have to find him. I have to tell him..."

Mom squeezes my hand. "Then go."

I race out into the night, my breath frosting in the air. Somewhere out there, Krampus is fighting my battles, protecting me and Sam. Now it's my turn to protect him.

All I need is one more Christmas miracle.

CHAPTER 20

KRAMPUS

The grolgath's stench leads me through the tunnels. Putrid water splashes under my feet as I charge forward, my claws leaving deep gouges in the concrete.

"I can smell your fear!" My voice echoes off the curved walls.

A scuttling sound ahead makes my ears twitch. Got you.

The assassin's footsteps splash through ankle-deep water. Amateur. They might as well paint arrows pointing to their location.

"You made a grave mistake coming after what's mine."

Mine? When did I start thinking of Mel and her offspring as mine? No matter. The thought of them in danger makes my blood boil hotter.

The tunnel opens into a junction chamber. Perfect place for an ambush. They think I'm stupid enough to walk right into it.

I am.

"You can hide, but you'll never run far enough to escape me," I bellow into the darkness.

The acoustics make my voice bounce and reverberate. The assassin's heart rate spikes - I can hear it clearly now. They're close. Very close.

Let them think they have me exactly where they want me. I flex my claws, anticipating the satisfying crunch of grolgath bones. After I finish here, Gregor is next.

Nobody threatens my humans and lives.

A flicker of firelight catches my attention. The grolgath's trail leads right past... what's this?

Humans huddle around a burning barrel, passing small wrapped packages between them. The scent of desperation and unwashed bodies mingles with something else - joy?

"Merry Christmas, Eddie." A woman with matted grey hair hands a newspaper-wrapped bundle to a man in a tattered coat.

"Aw Martha, you shouldn't have." His weathered face breaks into a toothless grin as he unwraps a pair of wool socks.

These humans celebrate even here in the darkness? My hand brushes the wad of currency I took from Mel's pathetic ex-mate. Better use for it than his weekend plans.

"Clear out." I step into the firelight. Several gasp, but none run. They've seen worse down here. "These tunnels aren't safe tonight."

I toss the money onto a flattened cardboard box. "Find somewhere warm to sleep."

They stare at the stack of bills like it might vanish. The woman - Martha - reaches for it with trembling fingers.

"God bless you, sir. You must be an angel."

A laugh rumbles up from my chest. "Think lower. Much lower."

They gather their meager belongings and the cash, shuffling toward the tunnel exit. Good. I'd hate to have to protect them too when the real fighting starts.

Now, where was I? Ah yes. The assassin's trail leads deeper into the darkness.

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