Page 179 of Demons Dig Donuts

“Uh—”

“Yeah? So, shut up and—”

“Okay, okay, I’m shutting up!” Neil panted as he held up the Rolodex. “Good thing I brought some help!”

“How is that supposed to fucking do anything?” Indy snapped.

“Just watch!” Neil hurled the Rolodex at the ground as hard as he could.

Indy skidded to a stop, watching expectantly. He really wasn’t sure what was supposed to be happening. Right now, it was a whole lot of nothing.

But then…

The cracks in the pavement twisted and curled, suddenly rolling forward like a wave until they crashed into the side of the club. The building rumbled, shook, and the entire right side of it ripped away like an earthquake had erupted and decimated it in a blink. Because that wasn’t insane enough, that broken section of the building then stood up.

Sure.

Why not?

The building stood on twisted legs that were vaguely birdlike and made up of rebar and chunks of foundation. The very shadows on the exterior wall shifted and formed new shapes—words.

YAY

“Holy shit.” Indy cackled. “Izba?”

HI INDY

Izba turned toward Neil.

HI NEIL

“Hey, Izba! Can I hitch a ride?” Neil asked, grinning.

NO

YOU STAY HERE

“What?” Neil scoffed. “Don’t you dare—”

BABY

YOU ARE GOING IN THE CORNER

YOU ARE MY FAVORITE

I WILL BE UPSET IF YOU DIE

“No way!” Neil shouted. “I am not—”

A thick length of wires from one of the broken pumps slithered over to snatch Neil up and wrap around him.

“Dammit! Izba!” Neil wiggled angrily. “I will dump paint thinner all over you, I swear to—”

BYE

The word curled across the ground as Izba dropped Neil on what remained of the club’s roof and then ran away.

“Fuck!” Neil shouted. “That stupid fucking house! I am never watching Wicked with him again!”