Travis Sanger looked out the big glass windows of the SuperQuickly konbini at the setting sun. He stretched his arms and ran his hands through his closely cut blonde hair. It looked so peaceful, but another Confluence was expected tonight.

  “I hope it’s going to be quiet tonight. We’ve been way too busy these last four months with the wolf-lizard, giant centipede attack, and that ghost-light incident with your daughter.”

  Yuriko was nearby at the front counter, putting fresh chicken nuggets into the hot food cabinet. “Having conspiracy theorists chattering away about these events despite the cover-ups didn’t help either.”

  “The TV news crews filming interest pieces about the mountain and its yokai legends sure added fuel to that fire.”

  “That’s still better than being put through the wringer by the auditors from Imperial Management Agency.”

  Travis gave a slight grimace at the memory. “Freaking hell. That lead investigator did not like us, or maybe it was just me.”

  “It wasn’t just you. I think Sota thinks we are irresponsible, acting too much on our initiative.” Yuriko rolled her eyes a bit. “At least we passed muster, so it’s behind us.”

  *****

  The black Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle screamed down the two-lane road from Odewara town. Its hunched forward rider, dressed in an equally black Kevlar riding suit, twisted the accelerator to bring the bike up to 250 km/h. The sleek bike could go faster, but a small cargo carrier and the man’s backpack at the tail created extra drag. With a roar, it passed a car also heading towards the forested slopes of Mount Kumotawa. The driver of the car looked in disbelief at the bike disappearing down the road in front of him. Soon enough, the rider saw the big red and white SQ sign he was looking for. The buzzing roar of the engine dropped in pitch as the bike geared down and pulled into the store’s parking lot.

  *****

  Travis admired the motorcycle as it parked in front of the store. When the rider stood up and pulled off his helmet, he just said, “Holy crap. Yuriko! You’ve gotta see who is here!”

  Yuriko was organizing an end-cap display of cup noodles near the cash register. “Who? Welcome to—" Yuriko’s customer greeting cut out when she realized who had just walked through the sliding doors.

  The black-clad man was a bear of a figure, the size of Travis, with a big brown beard and short hair. He looked slightly tired around the eyes, and his skin was weathered from decades of outdoor activity. The man just stood at the front of the store and said, “Hi, Yuri.”

  “Rick?” Yuriko slowly walked towards him and gave him a big hug.

  “It’s good to see you and Travis, too.” Rick smiled, hugging Yuriko back. “It’s been a long time.”

  Yuriko stepped back, her face turning stern. “Long time? It’s been two years! You dropped off the face of the earth after you left the army. No one from our team knew where you went. You didn’t answer texts or just gave short okays.”

  “I know. I needed some time on my own.”

  “Was that last mission of yours in Karanistan that bad? I heard it went sideways, and then you were gone.”

  “An understatement. Half of my team never made it back from that chemical weapons plant. But that is ancient history.”

  Rick went over to Travis, who was standing nearby. The big men fist-bumped and hugged.

  “Good to see you, man,” Travis spoke. “You shouldn’t have worried Yuri… and all of us too.”

  “I know. But I was tired of it all. I didn’t mean to worry anyone.”

  “So, where have you been?” Yuriko asked while looking Rick over. He did look more gaunt, but he hadn’t changed much since the last time she saw him.

  “I went through therapy. Did a long backpack up the Pacific Crest Trail, from Mexico to Washington, then stayed with my folks. Now I’m visiting all my buddies. Henning in Montana. Jordon in New York. Gord in Texas. Tanis in Hawaii. Sakamoto in Toronto. And now I’m here in Japan, seeing you and Travis.”

  “That’s quite the tour,” Yuriko commented. “Strange, we never heard about your visits.” She looked closely at Rick’s face and saw a sadness in his eyes. They were intimate years ago, had parted as friends, and she knew that something was up.

  “I asked them not to tell anyone that I was coming. I wanted to surprise everyone.”

  “Well, I’m glad you came. I hope you can stay for a while?”

  “I don’t have a schedule. I can stay for a bit. I figured I would go touring around Japan for a bit on my bike. Maybe do that Shikoku pilgrimage route near here. I have a small camping setup with me. I never did get to see much of the country when we were stationed here.”

  “My couch is free,” Yuriko said.

  “So is mine, but I think hers is more comfy,” Travis joked.

  The sun behind Rick sank lower in the sky. Yuriko realized it would be dusk in less than half an hour.

  “I have to work late tonight, but I can give you the keys to my place and the address. You can grab a bite to eat, shower, and crash for the night.”

  “You working late too, Travis?”

  “Unfortunately, yes. But you should get going before the fog sets in. It’s supposed to get pretty thick here tonight. Bad for driving, but it’ll be okay back in town.”

  “How bad could it be? I can stick around for a bit. Maybe help you around the store.”

  “Sure.” Yuriko casually said. “Just try to leave when the fog starts. Even the locals stay home.”

  Rick’s looked quizzically at Yuriko and Travis. “What’s going on here, you two? It’s like you’re trying to get rid of me.”

  “What do you mean?” Yuriko answered innocently.

  “Don’t give me that,” Ricks's voice rose. “You want me to leave, and something doesn’t add up. You’re both ex-special forces working as convenience store clerks! Both of you can do way better than that. You were going to go into private security, Yuri!”

  “I’m actually the manager,” Yuriko said flatly. “Travis wanted to do something different for a bit too. The country life out here is actually pretty nice – relaxing.”

  “You are not the relaxing type. The major always took you with him when we were meeting with the locals because of your people skills and your being really good in a pinch. I can see you getting a manager position, but a konbini manager?”

  “There are a lot of responsibilities with this job. There’s staffing, inventory—”

  Rick cut her off with a quick finger point. “Cut the crap. We have saved each others’ lives, for God's sake. You both want me out of here for some reason. But I’m hungry, and I think I’ll buy a little something to eat before I go. I sure miss konbini bento and those fried chicken nuggets you’re selling in the hot case. Being based in Japan spoils you as the stuff back in the States just doesn’t cut it.”

  Yuriko sighed. Rick was as stubborn as ever.

  “We should tell him,” Travis quietly said. “We made a pact back in Bolivia to have no secrets on the team. Those damn spooks almost killed us all on that rescue mission because we didn’t need to know.”

  Yuriko sighed again. “The team’s disbanded, but I suppose you’re right.” She looked right at Rick. We’ve got a bit of time to tell you a little. Let’s get you some of that food.”

  *****

  Branches scratched at Anson’s face as he ran through the dark and foggy woods. His cotton and silk robes were stained with dirt and torn in a few places. The big grey cat in front of him barely showed up in the yellowish wizard light from the tip of his staff. It easily ran along the barest outline of a trail while he stumbled every few paces. His master, Magister Lindolf, had sent him on this desperate journey with a message to bring help if possible. He was the youngest of the apprentices, a thin teenager who could still only use simple magic, but he was reliable. The other apprentices were still back at the tower where the local men-at-arms and the villagers gathered for safety from the marauding ogres, their goblin minions, and much worse.

  With a single soldier as an escort, they had almost made it to the Mistwald when a squad of goblin pursuers caught up with them. They blew a horn and attacked. Smaller than humans, their skin was drab green, with narrow heads, pointy chins and ears. They were well-armed with axes, spears, and crossbows. With arrows zipping by, they had been forced to turn and fight their pursuers. He cast a few fire bolts, killing two goblins, including an archer at range, but had to use a spell shield to stop an arrow. His guard charged the other archer to cut him down with his sword, then attacked the three remaining goblins up close. His magical power waning, Anson wounded another goblin with another fire bolt. The guard’s swordsmanship was giving him the upper hand, but just when they thought they could win, another goblin horn sounded nearby. The guard told him to run with the cat, and after a moment of hesitation, he did. Anson had lost his pursuers in the forest but was sure his escort had perished to give him time to escape.

  The fog thickened as he went up the mountain. It was eerily quiet, and the air felt strange and thick. A strange sense of vertigo and dizziness struck his senses. His pace slowed, but he could see the cat just at the outer edge of his light, its eyes gleaming in the light when it looked back. He thought it was a wizard’s familiar at first, one summoned by his master, but it wasn’t. He could actually sense a fraction of its power as a spirit animal. He didn’t know where the cat would lead him, but Lindolf said he would be walking world lines with the cat as his guide. He felt for his lucky frog amulet in a pocket of his robe and prayed everything would be okay.

  *****

  “Let me get this straight. There’s this Confluence thingy on this mountain that you and Travis are observing,” Rick said. “But you can’t tell me what it is or who you work for. And the fog here is bad. Monsters come out of it, but not always.”

  “Pretty much,” Yuriko replied. “You should eat the nuggets first. They’re better hot.”

  The two were sitting at the store's eat-in counter, which was placed at the front window. He had already eaten a quarter of his hamburger steak bento and was gobbling chicken nuggets. Rick took another swig from the can of chuhai, a popular and cheap lemony highball drink, and ate another piece of chicken.

  “Wow. That’s hard to believe, but I totally get the operational secrecy bit if it’s true. I'm almost sorry I made you tell me now.” Pausing, he looked at Yuriko and then over to Travis, who had gone back to restocking shelves in the store. “I’m glad I came to see you guys, though. And I thought you had retired… I do have something else I need to tell you, but it can wait for a bit.”

  “Sure, but finish your food and crash at my place. We all missed you.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Your beard still scratches.”

  “I know. But it’s the in thing now.” Rick smiled.

  Yuriko’s attention was drawn to a black and white police car pulling into the parking lot.

  “Goro’s here to close the road up the mountain. I’m going to get busy, and you need to leave soon.” She pointed a finger at Rick. “I’m serious.”

  “Yeah. Yeah.” Rick nodded. “I’ll shovel down this bento and go.”

  Goro finished dropping the road barrier from the control box at the side of the road and turned on its warning flashers. Wisps of fog began to form at his feet. The phenomenon unnerved him as the fog seemed to appear out of nowhere, and he knew that the mountain would soon be enveloped in thick mist.

  He noticed Rick’s motorcycle parked in front of the store and wondered who it belonged to. Not a lot of people drove one of those overpowered racing machines out here. Stepping inside the store, Yuriko cheerily greeted him.

  “Good evening, Yuriko. This fog won’t be the thickest tonight,” he said.

  “I’m glad for that,” Yuriko replied. “Way too much action recently.”

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  “I couldn’t agree more. Does that man in the corner own the bike out front?”

  “Don’t worry, he is an old army buddy of mine. A good friend.”

  “That’s good. I wondered if I would have to warn him off.”

  “He’s visiting and is going to be crashing at my place tonight.”

  Goro raised an eyebrow.

  “Not like that,” Yuriko blurted out. “He’s on the couch. Travis and I are going to catch up with him. We haven’t seen him in years. Let me introduce you to Rick, one of the best operators out there, retired.”

  “Okay,” Goro replied. Rick rose from his seat to meet them, and the two sized each other up. Goro looked up at Rick, who was big like Travis. American special forces soldiers tended to be on the large side, and Goro was awed that Yuriko fought with them as an equal. Rick and Goro had a friendly handshake as Yuriko introduced them, and a brief conversation about Rick’s travels followed. Afterwards, Goro made a fresh cup of coffee before he got back into his car to continue his patrol rounds.

  *****

  Anson thought he had been walking for five or six hours in the fog after walking most of the night from the tower before that. His feet were sore from all the hiking, but at least the hiking kept him warm from the chill air that his robes barely kept out. He could barely see in front of him at one point when the fog was so thick he couldn’t see his feet. Momentary panic struck him when he couldn’t catch up with the cat despite running ahead. He practically jumped out of his shoes when it rubbed against his leg with a meow. It had circled back to check on him. At another time, the cat stopped suddenly, hissed a little to warn him, and they waited for mysterious chittering noises to pass in front of them. A while later, the fog thinned, and he realized he was walking downhill. The cat’s tail was straight up, and it picked up its pace. For a moment, Anson thought he saw two tails, but it was one tail again after he blinked, and he scrambled to keep up.

  *****

  “You have to go now,” Yuriko firmly told Rick. The wisps of fog from the mountain behind the konbini now formed a thin layer over the ground outside the konbini. It would thicken faster now from this point onwards.

  “Thanks for the meal.” Rick picked up his empty food containers and walked over to deposit them in the trash and recycling. Looking out the front windows, he saw a cat run across the parking lot from the mountain access road and a frazzled-looking teenager wearing some kind of green and blue robes running behind the cat. “You got some real characters around here.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Looks to me like some kid who does medieval cosplay is coming in.”

  Yuriko looked past Rick and saw the red-haired boy.

  The front doors chimed and slid open to let in the grey cat that walked between worlds.

  “Ghost! I haven’t seen you for days.” Yuriko met the cat, who purred loudly and twined around her legs. She bent down and gave him a good, vigorous petting that the cat enjoyed immensely. She looked up to see the teenager staring in through the glass, frozen in place, his mouth hanging open in surprise. Moving forward, the doors slid open for her. “Can I help you?” She asked the stranger in Japanese.

  The teen said something in return that Yuriko didn’t understand. It sounded like some Eastern European language. She tried again in English: “Are you okay?”

  The teen spoke unintelligibly again before remembering something. He reached down the neck of his robe and pulled out an ornate gold owl on a chain. Holding the owl, he recited a short incantation, then spoke again.

  “Greetings. I am Anson Tarzuli, apprentice of Magister Lindolf II. What is this place?”

  The boy’s lips didn’t match the words Yuriko heard, but it was more like she was hearing the words in her head.

  Rick was amazed, too. He could also hear the words. “Woah!”

  “It’s a magical translator,” Yuriko said. “We have one in the office. I’ve never used it in the years I’ve been here.” She saw Travis at the back of the store. “Travis, can you call it in? I think we have a visitor from Ziemia!” Why were all these events happening on her watch, she thought.

  “Here we go again.” Travis shook his head and went to the back office.

  Yuriko thought for a moment about contact protocols, then bowed slightly. “I greet you, Anson Tarzuli. I am Yuriko Morimoto, manager of this establishment. How may I help you?”

  “I need to find the Tamatukuri Inn.”

  “I am sorry,” Yuriko said. “The Tamatukuri Inn is gone with the changing times. This humble convenience store, the SuperQuickly, has taken its place as the emperor’s office.”

  “This store is amazing.” The teenager’s face filled with wonder as he scanned the brightly lit store and its contents. “I’ve never seen anything like it. If you are the proprietor, I need to see the emperor’s seal as proof.”

  She reached inside her uniform shirt and pulled out a flat jade talisman shaped like a round, many-petaled chrysanthemum flower.

  Anson studied the seal and cast an incantation over it. “It is authentic.” He reached inside his robe and brought out a skinny metal canister with wax seals on it. “The scroll has an urgent warning for your emperor from my master about an ancient evil that is stirring again. It has been over a hundred years since my master visited your world. The ogres, I mean oni, in your tongue, are active again. They’ve grown in power to threaten the lands of men again and even now besiege my master’s tower. Many battles are being fought along our borders, stretching the army to its limit. My master requests help if possible. If the wielder of the sacred sword and the imperial treasures could lead samurai to reinforce us, it would be greatly appreciated.”

  Yuriko took the tube and would have to have it couriered to the imperial palace in Tokyo. “I will ensure that the message reaches the emperor. I cannot promise that any support will be coming.”

  “I understand.” After relinquishing the tube, the boy sagged and clutched his staff for support. Wizard’s apprentices were trained for mental stamina and concentration, not physical stamina. The half-day of adrenaline-fueled hiking in the foggy darkness had taken its toll.

  “You are okay? You’re not hurt?”

  “I am alright. Just tired. I have travelled far to get here with the cat as a guide. I cannot believe you play with a spirit animal.”

  “Is that what Ghost is? I knew he was special, but then he isn’t like any cat I’ve ever known. I’d like to think we are friends.” Yuriko looked down at the cat, who just rubbed against her outstretched hand.

  “You are blessed with such a relationship.”

  “Thank you, but you look exhausted. Why don’t we sit you down over here and get you some food and refreshment.”

  Anson gave a tired smile. “That would be much appreciated.” He sat down and looked curiously at the store’s interior again. His eyes wandered over all of the neatly organized goods in their multi-coloured packaging and branding, along with many realistic photo depictions on many products. “As tired as I am, this store of yours seems to hold such wonders. I have never seen anything like it, even in the capital. It is like a cave of magical treasures.”

  Twenty-first century consumer culture meets the Middle Ages, Yuriko thought. Visitors between worlds were rare due to the risks of travelling through the Confluence, and she remembered that Ziemia was a medieval world with magic from her briefing materials. Oni from that same world had been defeated by Princess Chikako and her samurai hundreds of years ago. There was also a name mentioned. “Did you say your master was Magister Lindolf II?”

  “Yes. That is correct.”

  “The same Magister Lindolf II that came here over a hundred years ago?”

  “Yes. He is quite old now, one hundred thirty-four years old, but still a powerful wizard.”

  “Amazing,” Yuriko replied. She motioned to Rick. “You shouldn’t be here, but you’re here anyway. Make yourself useful. Feed the kid and show him around. Give him anything he wants. I have to talk with Central.”

  “Thought you would never ask.” Rick grinned.

  Yuriko liked that grin. The grin was always genuinely from the heart, but sometimes, it went too far in both mischief and stubbornness.

  When Yuriko came back out of the office, Rick and the apprentice were having an animated conversation at the dining counter. Travis was off to the side, listening in. From the wrappers on the countertop, it looked like Anson had eaten a sandwich, some fried chicken, and a bag of potato chips, and there were another half dozen snacks and candies ready to go. He let out a belch after a big swallow of cola and laughed along with Rick, who was drinking a beer.

  “This Coke is an amazing drink. It has tiny bubbles that tickle your throat. These chip things are so light and crunchy. All of the food has been absolutely delicious!”

  “Sure thing, kid,” Rick happily said while turning towards Yuriko. “Anson is one satisfied customer. He was just telling me about their situation. Sounds pretty intense, with villages being pillaged and burned. These oni are like giant, red-skinned humanoids with crazy eyes, fangs, and horns on their head. Anson says they carry great big metal studded clubs or great blades that can sweep two men aside at a time. There is apparently a whole warband attacking right now, and they don’t know when the king’s army will come.”

  “Oni,” Yuriko said flatly. “Of course, there has to be oni.” Rick didn’t know about these mythological creatures, as he was American, but every Japanese grew up with their legends, like the story about Shuten-doji, the demon king, or the practice of throwing roasted soybeans to drive off oni for the Setsuban festival. She knew that oni were very real, but never expected to really have to deal with them.

  “What word do you have from your superiors?” Anson asked, his energy restored. “Rick says you used a device to talk to them across long distances.”

  “They send their best wishes, but unfortunately, they cannot help you at this time. They need to discuss options and consult the emperor.”

  “But we need help now! I have to return tonight with some reinforcements, or it will be too late.”

  “Can’t Travis and you do something?” Rick interjected.

  “Travis and I are the only tactical assets here. Our job is to observe, not to cross worlds to rescue people.”

  “What about a quick raid? We just hit them hard and bug out. We have better weapons, and I can help.”

  “Rick. You don’t understand. There is no quick in and out. The Confluence appears once a month, and it acts randomly. Sometimes, it connects to another world and not always the same one, but we don’t know how it works. People have been lost forever. By morning, it will have vanished, too. If you don’t get back, you’re stuck wherever you end up. There’s also monsters that live in the boundaries between worlds.”

  “But Anson got here, and he can go back.” Rick waved his hands for emphasis.

  “The cat got him here, and it’ll take him back, but Ghost comes and goes as he wants.”

  “Yuriko’s right,” Travis added. “We’re not set up for it. But I’ve seen that look before from you, Rick. Helping isn’t on the books.”

  Rick stayed silent for a long time. He then solemnly spoke. “There’s something I wanted to tell you guys later, but I think I need to do it now.” He took a deep breath. “This is like a bit of a farewell tour for me. I have incurable cancer. It’s in remission right now, but it’ll be back. The docs say the meds I’m on will give me four more months, and then I’m going to go downhill fast. I was exposed to some kind of chemical cocktail during that raid in Karanistan.”

  Yuriko put a hand over her mouth, choking back her emotions. “That’s horrible, Rick. I’m so sorry.”

  She moved towards Rick to hug him, and he rose to bear hug her to him.

  “I’m so glad you came out to see us,” Yuriko said.

  “That’s a bad break, man,” Travis said, joining in to make it a group hug. It was a little awkward, as Yuriko was a good foot shorter than the two big guys. “I always thought you would go out in a blaze of glory, myself.”

  “I know. I’m stubborn and fearless—reckless, some might say. I never thought about cancer, though.”

  Anson didn’t know what this cancer was but inferred it must be some kind of disease. He stayed quiet.

  The three were silent for a while; each person lost in their thoughts about the situation.

  Rick broke the silence first. “I think I can still do some good in the time I have left.”

  “Like what?” Yuriko asked.

  “I could go with Anson and help them out. I’m pretty much expendable. A one-way ticket isn’t so bad for me.”

  “That’s crazy!” Yuriko said. “You’d be throwing your life away.”

  “Not really,” Rick said with a sad grin. “I get a good fight instead of wasting away in a hospital bed. Taking down an oni sounds like fun. Besides, Anson says they have magical healers on their side. There must be a reason you can live to one hundred thirty-four. Maybe I can find a cure over there.”

  “He might have a point,” Travis said. “Some of that magic is pretty potent.”

  “Still. Rick is good, but he is not a one-man army.” Yuriko jabbed a finger at Travis. “And you are enabling him.”

  “The army was my life.” Rick looked directly at Yuriko. “You, of all people, know I’m really not much good at anything else. After you guys, I’ve said all my goodbyes. Let me do this. It’s fate that I showed up now.”

  “I don’t know… You’re going up against an army of monsters.” Rick hit a few correct chords deep inside Yuriko. Dying in a hospital bed was just not Rick, even with his family and friends around. He did have a knack for succeeding at difficult missions, too.

  “Central isn’t going to like this.” Yuriko looked at Travis.

  Travis just said, “screw Central. Let’s help Rick. Nothing in the last couple of months has been business as usual. You know that a well-placed man can do wonders. A proper sniper shot or explosive in the right place can change everything.”

  Yuriko planned for a moment. “I suppose we can say he’s going to do recon on the other side and send back a report if possible.” She then looked down at Ghost, who was listening to the humans. “Do you think you could bring a message back from Rick?”

  The cat looked at Yuriko and gave a low meow of assent.

  “That decides it then. You’re on Rick.”

  “Yes!” Rick fist-pumped. “Anson, I’m going to help you out.”

  “That would be great,” the apprentice said, looking happy. A mighty warrior with powerful weapons might do the trick.”

  “All I need is the powerful weapons now.”

  “I think we've got you covered on that,” Travis smiled. We’re short on manpower, but we have weapons.”

  “Follow me.” Yuriko smiled. “Travis, mind the store. I’ll get him outfitted.”

  “Just don’t give him my favourite gun,” was the response.

  “I won’t.” She then looked down at Ghost. “Thanks for your help.”

  Ghost meowed in acknowledgement.

  Yuriko took Rick and Anson into the back office. She flipped open a bookcase against a wall to reveal a steel blast door with a keycode. Punching in the code, she pushed the door open and took them down a concrete stairwell into the bunker. This was where they kept their equipment and sheltered if everything went to hell.

  “You guys weren’t kidding,” Rick said when he looked around the bunker.

  There was a rack of assault rifles, submachine guns, and pistols. Lockers contained boxes of grenades, explosives, anti-tank rockets, ammunition, body armour, night vision gear, electronics, MREs, and other gear. Yuriko pulled an assault rifle with a grenade launcher attached underneath the barrel and handed it to Rick.

  “This should take out an oni or anything else. But for some long-range action, try this.” She pulled out a large .50 anti-material rifle with a scope.

  “That’s a beauty.” Rick was impressed. “Thanks for doing this, Yuri.”

  “Travis and I are probably going to get into deep shit over this. Just don’t get your ass killed for nothing,” Yuriko replied. “I’ll miss you, you dumb ox.” She hugged him again and hid her tears. Rick had come to say goodbye, and they barely had any time together.

  When he emerged from the bunker, Rick was fully kitted out in weapons, armour, and other gear, including night vision. He left his riding suit below. Anson was warned not to play with grenades and carried the sniper rifle. He was also wearing a backpack that wasn’t as full as Rick’s but heavy enough for him. Yuriko carried her assault rifle with her and wore her helmet and combat vest, too.

  Travis saw the heavily loaded pair. “Ready for hunting, rabbit, I see.” He handed a bulging cloth bag to Rick. “There’s food and a bunch of small trade goods from the store in that bag. If you’re there awhile, I figured you could trade some small items like soap, small mirrors, combs, pens, lighters, cosmetics, and such.”

  “That’s good thinking,” Rick said. “I’m sure that’ll come in handy.”

  Rick then grabbed a couple of beers and colas to top things off. Anson was thrilled to have more soda.

  “I’m going to escort them for a bit,” Yuriko announced. “Get comms set up to track me.”

  “I kind of figured that when I saw you,” Travis replied. “You take care of yourself, Rick. Do some damage to them.”

  “They won’t know what hit them.” Rick fist bumped with Travis again. He then fished in a pocket and tossed Travis the keys to his motorcycle. “Take care of her. It’s all yours.”

  “I’ll keep it safe so you can have it back when you return.”

  “You know the odds are against me.”

  “Yeah. I still owe you one, so find a cure and make it back anyway.”

  Rick tied on his small travel pack from his bike, too. Then, the three humans, led by a cat, departed the store into the foggy night.

  *****

  Two weeks later, Ghost returned to the konbini to happily meet Yuriko and a meal of deluxe cat food. Around its neck was a handmade collar that had a note and an SD memory card containing a video report attached to it. The note started with, “Mission difficult, but successful. Oni have retreated for now. Seems like a bigger war is brewing. I will update as I can and search for a cure next. P.S. The beers were great.”