Amber’s demon-self took Brandon’s head off with one swipe of her claws. Dan kept laughing until she pulled his throat out. Blood gushed like a fountain and Amber turned her head away so suddenly that she tore free of the hands holding her. She tumbled from the table, landed on a sidewalk, and it was dark, it was night, and she was alone apart from Wesley Sterling, standing over there with his speargun.

She heard a voice – Kelly’s voice – raised in alarm. Amber got up. She didn’t know this street. Didn’t know the buildings. Didn’t know this alley she was now running into, tripping on unseen things in the shadows. Kelly was ahead of her, but blocking her way out was Amber’s demon-self.

“There’s a toll to get by,” said her demon-self. “One kiss. Just one little kiss.”

Kelly shook her head. “Let me go.”

“I’m paying you a compliment!” Amber’s demon-self roared. “Can’t you take a compliment? Stop playing the victim!”

She slammed Kelly against the wall and pinned her there. “I know you want me,” she whispered. “Not her. Never her.” The whisper was loud in Amber’s ears, as Wesley Sterling walked up behind her. “I can see it on your face.” Amber’s demon-self glanced towards Amber. “Look at her. She’s nothing. You want me. You’ve always wanted me. She’s weak and pathetic and fat and ugly. Admit it. Admit it. You want me.”

“I want you,” Kelly said softly.

They kissed, and Amber’s demon-self plunged her hand into Kelly’s chest and pulled out her heart and Kelly kept kissing her. “You can have this,” Amber’s demon-self said, tossing the heart to Amber. “I’ll have the rest.”

Tears came to Amber’s eyes, but thankfully Wesley Sterling stepped into her line of vision and blocked out the kiss.

“I like your dreams,” he said.

The tears were turning the world into a blurry mix of light and dark.

“Most people have surprisingly dull dreams,” said Sterling. “I like yours. I’d have liked to play in them, if only we had more time.”

“Wake up!” Kelly shouted from somewhere behind him.

“But as good as they are,” Sterling continued, “they’re just the appetiser. The Ghost of the Highway … now he has some nightmares worth devouring.” Sterling’s blurred outline moved a little as he pointed the speargun into her face.