“We’re not the heroes, kid,” Milo said. “You are.”

“So you’d be willing to just drive away and let this continue?”

“No,” said Amber quickly. “We wouldn’t.”

“Yes, we would,” Milo said.

“We wouldn’t. We’re … we’re not going to.”

Milo shot her a disapproving look, but didn’t argue further. Amber looked at Ronnie.

“I mean … I guess we could try to kill the Narrow Man as well. Along the way. If we get the chance.”

“That’s what I like to hear,” said Kelly, straightening up. She turned the handle, and pushed the door open. “We have entry.”

Warrick took out the T-shirt he’d stolen from the Cookes’ laundry basket and hunkered down, letting Two catch the scent. “Okay, boy,” he said, “you got that? Yes, you do. Yes, you do. That’s Austin, okay? He’s why we’re here. Good doggy. Now go find him.”

He released his hold on Two’s collar and the dog hurried into the store. They followed.

The store had a big front window, but it was filled with displays and decals that blocked much of the morning light. It was a small place, with four rows of shelves packed close together, each shelf laden with tools and equipment and thousands of small parts that Amber would never know the names of. It smelled of sawdust and oil.

“He’s found something,” Warrick said.

Amber joined the others over by the hose display. Two snuffled madly at the floor, then started scratching at the wall.

“You sure, boy?” Warrick asked. “You sure Austin’s behind there?”

Amber half expected Two to give a bark in response, but apparently that wasn’t necessary. Warrick attached a leash to Two’s collar and led him away, and Ronnie and Linda stepped up, knocking on the wall.

“There’s something behind this,” Ronnie said. He took down the hoses as Linda ran her hands along the surface, searching for a join.

“It’s a door,” she said. “But the mechanism to open it could be anywhere.”

“I found it,” said Milo, stepping forward with an axe in his hands. He shifted into his demon form, and Linda and Ronnie took an involuntary step away. Even Amber, who had seen him like this a half-dozen times, found her eyes threatening to once again sink into that impossible black.

Two growled, then barked, and when he saw that no one was freaking out he bounded forward, sniffed Milo’s leg happily before Warrick tugged him back. Milo swung the axe into the wall.

Amber found an identical axe in the next aisle, and shifted as she came back. She hacked at the door alongside Milo, building a tireless rhythm between them. The plaster fell away and the wood behind splintered. Cool air wafted through the gaps. Amber’s muscles were strong. Her aim was true. She was so much better as a demon.