I stood in line, patiently. The book in my hands felt warm as my sweat mingled with the ink on the cover. I felt
(terror)
relief as the stoner kid with the hairlip departed, smugly satisfied with his newly acquired autograph. It would all be over soon, one way or another. My legs wobbled slightly as I shuffled forward, drawing me closer
(to HIM)
and closer. I could smell the girl in front of me, a mixture of cheap perfume and new leather boots. The ribbon in her hair reminded me of my childhood, the summer of 1968, where four children had fought something from beyond their nightmares
(murderers)
and would carry the memory of that day for the rest of their lives. I glanced over to my left and saw an old woman browsing the cookbook section. I remembered the cackle of the Beast even as
(He's looking at me)
the line moved forward. The girl with the blue ribbon was talking to Him, engaging in random chit chat as he signed her book.
Oh God, I was next.
I thought back to what Callahan had told me, about the vampires, the U Men. I thought about the horrors I had faced. The Thing from '68, the encounter that had unlocked my mind to the mysteries behind the curtains of the world. I thought of the life I might have had if I'd remained blind to the Things that walked among us, relishing their freedom in the ignorance of humanity. I thought about my grandfather, and the rainy Saturday afternoon where he'd given me his old WW2 sidearm.
"They're all around us, Charlie" he had said, as he handed me the .45, his hands shaking from the combination of age and worry. "If you can see them, you can kill 'em"
Blue Ribbon Gal laughed and thanked him. She shook his hand and walked away with a tiny giggle, tucking her book under her arm. His eyes settled on me
(I see you Charlie. I know why you're here.)
as I stepped towards him. His eyes were bright red, tiny pinpoints in the dull lighting of the bookstore. His long, yellowish fangs, dripped with ichor as he smiled at me. I glanced around the bookstore once more. They can't see him. Not as he truly is.
The .45 felt very heavy in my pocket. My tongue was dry, and my hair stood on end as he spoke to me. "Did you enjoy the book?" he asked, with a voice that reminded me of the dry laughter I'd heard a lifetime ago. The same laughter I'd heard echoing through the tunnels as Jessica died.
(Did you enjoy it when I skinned your girlfriend alive?)
He was still laughing as I emptied the .45 into his skull.