Free Demon's Doorway by Glenn Bullion

business travelers were enjoying their complimentary breakfast, watching morning TV. The smell of waffles and biscuits pulled at him, but he decided he'd eat later at the reception. He set his suitcase and raggedy coat down and tore into the plastic of Victoria's mysterious package.
    Kevin's jaw hung open. Even if he wasn't alone, he'd be speechless.
    It was a new trench-coat. Long, about to his knees, and charcoal gray. He laughed aloud as he admired it, drawing looks from the others around him. It wasn't until he checked the inside, and saw the six pockets on each side, did he realize the coat was custom-made.
    "Wow."
    Checking the time, he had just under an hour before the limo would arrive. He couldn't get the smile off his face as he moved the contents of his old coat to the new one.
    He was a minute into the process when he realized exactly what he was doing.
    "Mommy, what's that man holding?"
    He glanced at the tiny voice to his right, several tables away. A family of four watched him as he held a vial of frog legs in his hand. He smiled sheepishly before stashing them away. They probably thought he was an eccentric drug dealer.
    The next vial slipped through his fingers.
    He watched in what seemed like slow motion as it fell to the floor and shattered. Bat teeth scattered across the dining hall floor. The adults looked stunned, curious, horrified. The children simply laughed.
    Kevin clenched his eyes shut. He was thankful it wasn't one of his sleep potions. Still, he could feel the heat in his cheeks as the whispers started around him.
    "Are those teeth ?"
    "What's this kid's deal?"
    "Should we call someone?"
    He squatted and gathered his teeth.
    "Don't worry, everybody," he called. "I'm a science geek. Don't freak out."
    The diners didn't seem convinced.
    "You're the most powerful thing out there," he muttered, doing his best to copy Victoria's accent and tone. "But that still won't stop you from looking like an idiot."
    Kevin decided to wait for the limo outside. He threw his old coat away, and felt surprisingly good in his new one. It felt reassuring to have some of his potion ingredients close to him. He knew it was silly. His mundane, boring life seldom required the use of an invisibility potion, or a feather that could defy gravity.
    Still, he was a witch. His mentor Martha told him there were things a witch should never be without.
    The limo pulled up sharply at ten. Kevin stepped forward, but then stopped awkwardly. What if it wasn't his limo? He addressed the immaculate driver.
    "Hi. I'm Kevin. Are you here for me?"
    "Yes, sir."
    "Cool. I just have the one suitcase. Want me to put it in the back?"
    "I can handle that for you."
    "Oh, it's no big deal. There ain't no reason for you to be carrying around my stuff."
    The driver smiled. "Is this your first time in a limo?"
    "Yeah."
    "Don't worry. You just climb in the back here. I'll take care of the rest."
    Kevin couldn't help but feel important as they drove through the city streets. Nice shirt, cool coat, new laptop, the back of the limo all to himself, a vial of year-old cow piss in his pocket. The streets were busy now. People jogged on the sidewalk, businessmen talked on their phones. Cars were packed at every intersection.
    They drove for another twenty minutes before they hit another part of the city. The tall buildings disappeared, replaced by more housing. The houses looked similar, and Kevin finally felt more comfortable. It was starting to feel like Walton.
    The limo stopped in front of a church. Kevin studied the few people making their way inside as the driver let him out. Of course, he knew none of them. The driver retrieved his suitcase.
    "Here you go, sir."
    Kevin's breath hitched when he realized the only money in his wallet was the hundred dollar bill he earned the other night. He had some money in the bank, but that wouldn't do for a tip now.
    "Oh, man," he said, feeling his wallet. "I don't have any small bills on me."
    The driver waved away