Free The Demon Signet by Shawn Hopkins Page A

from somewhere in the distance. Plows were already out, and their own yellow lights could be seen blinking beneath the moving shroud. A few people were running along the sidewalks with their heads down, fighting against the frigid air and blinding snow, trying to find their way indoors. The whole town would be shut down soon.
    “We should get off the roads now,” Heather said. There was no missing the dread in her voice, her fear of being trapped inside another car.
    “Yeah, I’m pretty hungry, myself,” Ian muttered. He was peering into the blur before them, squinting as if it might help.
    Ashley pointed to a line of lights standing off to the left. “I think that’s a shopping mall.”
    It was hard to tell what it was.
    Ian turned the wheel, but the Taurus slid straight into the intersection, the backend swinging counter-clockwise. Compensating by turning into the slide, Ian let the car slow on its own before trying to accelerate again. He navigated the rest of the turn into a powdered field he believed to be a parking lot.
    “This is crazy,” Marcus observed. “Can’t see a thing.”
    “Mom and Dad aren’t gonna be happy.” Ashley sighed, feeling the Christmas party gradually slip from reach.
    “They’ll be happy we’re still alive.” Heather was rocking back and forth in the seat.
    “You okay?” her sister asked.
    “I’ll be fine. Just gotta get out of this car.”
    Ian pulled up in front of the lighted windows.
    “Thank God,” Marcus whispered. The shining lights were not coming from a shopping mall, but a diner.
    Ian turned the car around and parked it in proximity to where he figured the first parking slot should be. “Looks like we’re the only ones here.”
    But two people, bundled in winter coats with their hoods up, just materialized in the glow shining forth through the diner’s front door. They eagerly entered the building and then had to fight the wind in order to pull the door closed behind them.
    “Looks like it’s open.” Marcus got out of the car.
    Ashley yelped when the air hit her through the open door. “It’s freezing!” She thrust her phone into her pocket and opened the door beside her.
    Ian took the key out of the ignition and looked back at Heather as Marcus and Ashley closed their doors simultaneously. “You okay?” he asked.
    She forced a smile. “You think they have tomato pie? I could really go for a tomato pie.”
    “Let’s go find out.”
    They stepped out into the freezing night and hurried after Marcus’ and Ashley’s footprints. They led to the diner’s door, which Ashley was holding open for them. They ran past her and into the warm embrace of the foyer.
    Following Heather into the restaurant, Ashley took Marcus’ hand as they all absorbed their new environment.
    Marcus turned toward her. “Your hand’s freezing.”
    “It’s cold outside.”
    A man with an apron tied around his waist appeared from behind the kitchen doors.
    “Hey, folks. Mighty nasty out there, ain’t it?”
    “Yes, sir.” Marcus nodded.
    “You from around here?” Not waiting for an answer, he continued, “It’s just that most of the locals don’t really venture out in this sort of weather.”
    “Who does?” Ashley asked, peering out the window and wondering where the parking lot went.
    The man looked back and forth between her and Heather. He appeared to be in his early fifties, and there was a worn wedding band on his ring finger. There was nothing threatening or inappropriate in his gaze, just pleasant honesty. Ashley liked him.
    “Where you headin’?”
    “Back home,” she answered. “Maryland.”
    The guy whistled. “You’ve got quite a drive ahead of you.” His eyes focused on the storm, and he shook his head. “Don’t imagine you’ll be goin’ anywhere tonight. Maybe not even tomorrow.” He picked up a handful of menus and slapped them against his thigh. “Damn. Sure hope you folks can make it back for Christmas.” He turned and waved the menus,