I pulled over and got out. I stood on the edge of the cliff and looked at the completely destroyed sports car. It smoldered but the rain stifled any possibility of fire. I got back in the Nova, pulled a U, and headed back the way we came.

In the back the ghoul held the silent bundles and said, “Uh-oh.”

I didn’t even get a chance to ask what before the three babies went airborne. Two flew right into Mo’Lock’s head. The third did a curve in the air and careened into me. I fought it off with one hand and drove with the other. I knew I couldn’t do both for long, so I pulled over and with the car still running I grabbed the little bloodsucker by its throat.

I pinned it down with one hand and reached for the holy water bottle. There was only a little left but I didn’t need much. The water hit the infant and it steamed vapors and shrieked until it sort of popped into dust.

“Cal!”

Mo’Lock was in the back. I could tell he wasn’t going full strength on the little bastards. They were biting and scratching the shit out of the ghoul. I turned the car off and spun around. I had out a stake but they were too small and fast to stab.

“Grab ’em and hold ’em up!” I yelled.

The ghoul got one up while the other chewed his throat. I stabbed the thing through the head and ripped the stake out again. It was my last one. I needed it.

The ghoul was about to grab the last one but it swiped at him, then me, and flew right out the open window. The little bastard was gone into the night, flying away like a pale little pig.

I pointed to the thing as it faded into the dark distance. “That is going to come back to haunt us.”

I checked myself for scratches. I was clean. Unfortunately, Mo’Lock was scratched all to hell. He looked bad but luckily he didn’t have to worry about turning. Being already dead and all.

I started the car. “Home?”

“We should probably return to the Griffin house and tell them we lost their son.”

“We didn’t lose shit. He ran away.”

“You took the deposit. They deserve to hear what happened.”

“What are you now, my fuckin’ conscience?”

The ghoul was annoying but he was right. I took money. I should finish the job. I drove down the hill and made a left on Ventura toward Sherman Oaks. It didn’t take long to get back to the house. I pulled up along the curb, turned off the car, and we both got out.

It was almost five a.m. The sun was an hour or so from coming up.