To The Shock of Miss Louise (Carousel Series #1)

Chapter 3: Brookings, Oregon | 1978

Jeremy was three years older then Ruby, was her protective older brother. He had gotten a job at the local gas station. Ruby adored him, as he adored her. She was 16, just finishing her shift at the fish and chips shop down on Main street. Jeremy was getting off 30 minutes later and had promised to give her a ride back to their parents' house.

Ruby had walked the five blocks to the gas station, which sat a little ways outside the main drag. Everything closed up pretty early in town, back then. The sun had set and the last hues of orange and pink were rapidly vanishing from the sky.

"Hey!" Jeremy called from behind the Chevy pickup he was filling. Ruby waved to her brother. "I'll lock up and we can leave early."

"Cool." Ruby grinned, heading inside the small shop that served as home to the register and phone. A small sink was in the back, where she washed her hands and face. It had been a hot day, and it was only now beginning to cool down. It was then that she heard the roars.

There were five, maybe six of them. They were dressed as punks, motorcycle leathers and hair done in wild spikes. A leader, a big guy of 6'3. His boots were buckled all the way to his knees, with thick spurs. A leather jacket decorated with patches and spikes. Gauntlets on both wrists, studded with sharp points. Short, spiked black hair and red eyes. He dismounted; the others circled around the pumps on their bikes. Three guys, two girls on the back of the bikes.

"Fill 'er up." The leader spoke, with a dark chuckle. Jeremy stared at them.

"Actually, we're closed." He finally said.

"I didn't mean with gasoline." The leader laughed again, suddenly roaring. All of them went into fang, bloodthirsty. Grabbing Jeremy with one huge hand, the leader snapped the poor boy's neck without a sound and began to feed, draining him dry within seconds.

The withered corpse dropped to the ground in front of the pumps. The leader mounted again, and waved for the gang to follow. Down the road they raced, leaving Ruby behind. A silent and unnoticed witness.