He went around back to the alley. Lit up. The place was beginning to jump. Where were the pork?

Nos pulled the bottle out of his pocket and popped the lid. Poured a fistful of capsules into his palm. Hand met mouth and he swallowed, grimacing when the big-assed pills stuck in his throat. He chased them with a chug of warm beer. Repeated the process.

Stupid plan, really. It all hinged on the vamp coming back to the same spot.

“Hey, Nos, you decent?”

His heart thumped in his chest. “Slash, that you?” He stared into the darkness, trying to see his friend.

Slash stuck to the shadow. “Yeah, it’s me.”

“Where you been? I’ve been worried.”

“About me? What, you turn over a new leaf?”

“Hey, I know I ran out on you. What can I say? I panicked.”

“There’s not a lot you can say.”

Nos felt the pills take hold. Things would happen fast now. He had to get Slash out of there. “It’s not safe. She might come back.”

"If she might come back, why are you here? Grow a conscience all of a sudden?”

Nos fought to speak past his thickening tongue. “Look, I know you’re pissed.” Damn, his 's' words were giving him trouble. He shook his head. “You have to leave. The vamp could return any minute.”

Slash moved into the light. He crossed his arms, leaning against the building with easy nonchalance. He smiled. “I’d say the vamp’s here.”

Now, who’s long in the tooth? Nos thought crazily, as he fell to his knees. His mouth felt filled with marbles. “Slash, you don’t under . . . the cops . . .”

Slash grabbed him by the collar, twisted his hand in the fabric and lifted Nos from the ground. Nos felt the white hot tear of his flesh, felt the sear of blood as the heat of it was gulped from his body.

No, not Slash; it was supposed to be her. He thought he heard sirens wailing in the distance.

Then, he heard nothing.