“Ugh.” Day groaned. “Hi.”
Seymour got back in, gently setting Day in the passenger seat. “Get buckled up real quick and gimme that crystal doodad.”
Day meowed pitifully. “Eh?”
“The crystal!”
“Here.” She pushed it into Seymour’s hand. “I’m sorry… I’m just so full!”
“You did great, baby girl.” Seymour cracked a grin. “But now we gotta go help Sariel. So, go on and get buckled.”
“Let’s go!” Day meowed again and burped. “Ugh. I’m so sorry.”
“Better out than in, lil’ girl. We got this.”
Ahead, one of the trolls had managed to catch Sariel and drag him to the ground. He held Sariel tight while the other pummeled him mercilessly, and bright golden fluid dripped down Sariel’s body.
Blood.
Fuck.
“Hey! Fuckers!” Seymour rolled down his window and revved the engine to get the trolls’ attention. He waved the crystal. “Lookin’ for this?”
The trolls both turned to glare at Seymour.
Well, at least he thought they were glaring.
Hard to tell with all that fabric wrapped around them.
“Seymour…” Sariel wheezed. “Don’t…”
“Come on and get it!” Seymour hit the gas and sped away, zooming down the road and into the darkness.
“What are we doing?” Day groaned, clinging to Seymour’s shoulder.
“Sunlight!” Seymour replied. “We just gotta get outside! And hey, why aren’t you buckled?”
“But they’re all covered up!”
“I got a plan for that! Now! Seat belt, young lady!”
“I’m older than you!”
Seymour wanted to argue but he had to focus on the darkness ahead. He had no idea what to expect and cringed, not letting up on the gas. He might be about to crash through those garage doors at any moment, but he couldn’t stop now. He swore he could hear the thunderous footsteps of the trolls right behind him, and relief surged through him when he saw daylight.
Fuck yes for the sun still being up.
It was almost seven o’clock, so he knew they didn’t have much time.
The garage door was already open, as if anticipating their exit, but Seymour didn’t pull into the street. He drove around the building to the back parking lot, the tires squealing as he jerked to a stop.
Day had finally buckled, so the strap pulled against her hard and she gagged.
“Easy, lil’ girl. Now stay put!” Seymour jumped out, ran to the back of his truck, and lifted up the tarp.
Underneath was a gas can.
Half full, but it had to be enough.
