Page 108 of Demons Dig Donuts

The imp whimpered. “Look, some were told me! Tony! His name was Tony. And he says that Liam’s been telling everybody he got one of Minnie Moore’s scales and he can do whatever he wants now.”

Mr. Heiss grunted in what may have been annoyance. “And he’s at the Walmart? You’re sure?”

“Yes!”

“That’s Lou’s territory,” Azazel said quietly.

“It would be very kind of us to check on a potential threat for him, wouldn’t it?” Mr. Heiss chuckled. There was a rustle of fabric, perhaps his hand reaching into his coat.

“Very kind,” Azazel agreed.

“Wait, wait!” the imp pleaded. “Don’t—”

“Indy, you might want to cover your ears now,” Mr. Heiss said calmly.

“No!” The imp’s pleas rose to a scream. “No, please, please—”

“What? Why?” Indy looked back and gasped when he saw Mr. Heiss holding a gun. “Whoa, whoa, how about we not—”

Mr. Heiss grabbed the top of Indy’s head, forcing him to turn away before he fired.

Indy grabbed his ears, but it was too late. The gunshot was miserably loud and rang in his head until there was nothing but a high-pitched whine. He groaned and closed his eyes, wishing he could will the feeling away. He thought he was going to be sick, and the smell of blood was thick and heavy.

He knew the imp was dead.

Murdered a few feet away from him.

Great.

Fabulous.

Mr. Heiss helped Indy stand and then walked him out of the office. “Get Underwood and Tanze.” His voice sounded weird and echoey. “Now.”

Azazel was right behind them. “But, uh, he’s still not—”

“I said now!” Mr. Heiss roared.

Heard that loud and clear.

Indy continued to hold his ears as the plant vanished, his stomach rolling. They were standing in the overgrown parking lot of a decrepit Walmart, recognizable only by its shape, as the official signage had been ripped away quite some time ago. Mr. Heiss had switched to his human form, probably for the best since they were out in public, and he hadn’t let go of Indy.

Indy had seen monsters killed in battle, a few even by his own hand in the heat of the moment, but that…

That imp, helpless and struggling.

Begging.

Mr. Heiss squeezed Indy’s shoulder to help right him as he teetered. “Take a breath and—”

“Fuck off!” Indy struggled and tried to push away. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“Excuse me?” Mr. Heiss didn’t let go.

Indy’s ears still rang, and he continued to swat angrily at Mr. Heiss. “Maybe you could have let me step out of the room before murdering someone?”

“And risk you being taken again? No.”

“You’re such an asshole!”