Sweet Sixteen

Chapter One Tentacles writhed under the dark leather coat of the man ahead of Buffy. She knew they were tentacles because of the slimy tips poking out from the coat's wide sleeves. The slippery puddle of goo this guy and his three buddies left wherever they shuffled was another dead giveaway they were out-of-towners.Buffy readied herself for a fight. It was two in the morning, and the Slayer stood in line at the Quick Stop, waiting to pay for the cereal she'd picked up so Dawn wouldn't go hungry in the morning -- not that her little sister ever ate anything that was good for her anyway -- and a Twinkie.Allshe'dwanted was a Twinkie. A harmless Twinkie. You wouldthinkharmless.Tell that to Tentacle Guy.Buffy surveyed the potential battlefield. Okay, harsh overhead lighting, lots of narrow aisles, a double glass door entrance at the front, big glass windows looking onto a practically deserted parking lot and gas pumps, a hall leading to bathrooms, an office, a supply room or two, and an exit in the back. Two civilians, the bleary eyed carrot-topped teen at the cash register talking away on his cell phone, and a tall, scraggly-haired blond girl about Dawn's age wearing a dark oversized sweatshirt and jeans against the far wall, grabbing things from the freezer. Round mirrors were positioned in every corner to help Buffy have eyes in the back of her head during a fight, but there were also surveillance cameras and monitors.Better to get this out into the parking lot,away from prying video cameras. Better still to get it into that open field local developers had been promising for years to turn into a strip mall. But she had plenty of weapons on her if the uglies got ugly here in the store, and if she needed to improvise, there were lots of heavy cans that could be used for beaning monsters, and aerosols, lighter fluids, cleaning chemicals, and more -- all the ingredients for a late-night monster meat cookout.Outfit wise, she was fine for fighting. A beige turtleneck sweater under a short, dark brown leather jacket. Matching spandex-tight boot-cut pants, and shiny high-heeled boots. She could move in these clothes like they were a second skin.She tensed, waiting for the closest creature to make a move -- then noticed the big sack of cat food Tentacle Guy was carrying. The cutest little meow came from one of his deep pockets, and a furry little head with two bright inquisitive eyes popped up.I tought I taw a putty-tat!Running her hand over her forehead, Buffy wondered if the long nights were finally getting to her. Still, the most threatening thing this guy had done so far was exist, and she couldn't go after him for that.A tentacle reached out and stroked the head of the brown and orange furred kitten."Good Pumpkin," a deep, throaty voice rumbled. "Nice-nice."The kitten purred and hummed as the tentacle stroked her silky head. Sounding just like a tiny motor turning over, she contentedly slid down into the pocket.Well, this is new. Tentacle Guy is a member of Pet-Loving Fiends. Maybe this was going to work out after all....Tentacle Guy slapped the bag of cat food onto the counter while his buddies congregated near the door. They were all hooded, but, considering the way it had been cold and raining and everything, Buffy hadn't made anything of that. Now she glanced in their direction, scanning the odd shapes inside the hoods where human features would have been -- if these guys had been human.Carrot-top didn't look up into the face of his customer. He was still all gabby with his cell phone. "Can't wait to get off tonight, gonna quit this job, get out of this town, finally be free for once in my life. Hold on, I got a customer...."He set the phone down, scanned the bag, and said, "Nine fifty-three with tax. Do you need a bag?""No bag," Tentacle Guy said. "Thank you."Okay,Buffy thought.MonsteCiencin, Scott is the author of 'Sweet Sixteen', published 2002 under ISBN 9780743427326 and ISBN 0743427327.