“Okay then,” said Ronnie. He took hold of Ricky’s arm and led him out of the bar. Linda released Party-Monster and followed, and Warrick went next, Two at his heels.

“Hey,” said the bartender weakly, “no dogs allowed.”

“Sorry about that,” Kelly said, and handed the bartender back his baseball bat before following the others outside. She found them in the alley behind the bar. Ricky was standing with his back to a dumpster, both hands over his nose.

“You broke it!” he said when he saw her.

“Ricky, focus,” Ronnie said, snapping his fingers. “Tell us about the Narrow Man.”

“I don’t know anything about that.”

Ronnie flicked his hand against Ricky’s, and Ricky howled. “My nose! Be careful!”

“Tell us.”

Ricky took a moment for the pain to subside. “I don’t know anything,” he said, but with less aggression this time.

“Then how about we tell you what we know,” said Linda. “For a start, we know he’s real. We know he kills kids. Have you seen him?”

“I haven’t seen anyone. I got nothing to say to you. You’re in so much trouble, you have no idea.”

“Where can we find him?” Kelly asked.

Ricky laughed despite the blood. “You don’t, you stupid bitch. He finds you. And you better pray he doesn’t. You better pray I don’t.”

“You?” said Kelly. “I don’t know how to break this to you, Ricky, but you’re not a very scary guy.”

“Not yet,” he responded. “But I will be. You don’t wanna be around for that.”

“I don’t even want to be around for this, but here I am. Make this easy on yourself, okay? We’re not leaving you alone until we know where to find the Narrow Man. Where did you see him?”

He shook his head. “I didn’t.”

Ronnie sighed, and kicked Ricky’s legs out from under him. Ricky slammed down on to his ass and cried out, and Linda stepped on his left hand while Ronnie pinned his right arm.

“Right on the tail bone, huh?” Ronnie asked. “Man, that hurts. Everyone knows how much that hurts. That is some exquisite pain you’re going through.”

“Let me go!” Ricky howled.

“Warrick,” said Ronnie.

Warrick brought Two forward. “Hi, Ricky,” he said. “This is my dog. If you don’t tell us what we want to know, I’m going to take my hand off his collar.”

Ricky shrank back. “He’ll kill me.”

“Hmm? Oh no. I mean, yeah, he would if I told him to, but he’s not going to attack you, Ricky. He’s going to seduce you.”

“Wh-what?”

“He’s going to hump your face, dude.”

“No way.”

“I’m serious. Look at him. Look at his big silly smile. Look at the way his tongue is hanging out. Two is ready for some lovin’.”

“Get it away from me, you freak.”