https://youtu.be/nSXIdQjff7Y

Alex knew this was special for Claire, so she let the girl pick the music on the Hilux. She was grateful it was Thirty Seconds To Mars instead of My Chemical Romance—jeez, the names of the bands these days!

She kept from starting any conversation as the Hilux cruised down the road by the lake southbound. She would've liked to try some prep talk, remind Claire what she needed to be careful about, repeat advices and warnings. But she bit her tongue and said nothing. A feebler with an offspring was no real danger, and she'd be there to keep her niece from harm.

They didn't trade a word until they were near Tyee Lake and Claire directed Alex to the house. Alex pulled over a few yards before the driveway. There were only three more houses on that street, already dark and quiet.

Claire grabbed her blades, handed Alex the shotgun and stepped out of the Hilux. Alex followed the girl across the lawn without a noise. At the porch, she pointed at one of the windows flanking the front door and glanced in through the other. The house seemed vacant. They stood together before the front door, traded a look and Claire kicked it open. Alex stormed in first, shotgun ready.

The living room was empty. Claire joined Alex and they moved slowly toward the back of the house. Two doors opened to the narrow corridor leading to the kitchen—the bathroom and the only bedroom. Alex pushed the bathroom door open. Empty. Claire did the same with the remaining door.

The girl had barely stepped into the bedroom when she sensed the creature hiding behind the door, ready to attack her. She spun around, swinging one of her blades.

The only thing remotely human about the feebler was its shape. Tall and slim, the whole body covered in a gray slimy leather, the hands ended in dangerous long claws. It had no visible eyes or nose on its face, only a big round mouth bristling with sharp teeth.

Claire controlled her shock. The drawings in Bootter's book were true to the original thing, but she didn't expect the violent hunger the creature oozed when it attacked her. She sliced the feebler's belly and withdrew toward the center of the room, tightening her grip on the wakizashi hilts. The creature charged, pain feeding its fury.

The girl sank her blade in its chest at the same time she opened a long cur along its arm. But the wounds wouldn't stop the feebler. She needed to cut off its head. She recalled Alex telling her she should always carry a machete. Damn, her aunt was right. Well, boohoo. Too late to cry over it. She stabbed the feebler again.

Alex stood at the doorway, shotgun to her face, waiting for a chance to shoot the feebler without hurting Claire. Soon the girl kicked the injured creature, making it stumble backwards, and ducked. She knew Alex would get it. And Alex did. Her first shot hit the feebler's chest. The second shot blew off the upper half of its head. The creature dropped dead. Claire turned to Alex, still panting, and saw her tight approving smile.