Wheels and Brakes
Mugler stared out his window, watching the boy, Tom, and his father climb into their rental car, warm it up, and then begin their long trek back to Haguenau. Mugler hadn't felt this good in weeks, like he was doing something right, finally taking a stand against the black witch who haunted his dreams. He couldn't explain it—the boy and his dad seemed to pulse with some invisible force, strong and magnetic. Mugler felt like a new person, as if powerful batteries had replaced his old junky ones, revving him up to face the world like he'd never done before.
The rest of the month could bring a new life. He'd go back to work. . . .
His thoughts petered out when he noticed another car pulling out into the road just moments after Mr. Noland had driven past it. The black Lexus had been parked on the sidewalk, idling, and wasn't in front of a house. Something about that didn't seem right. Not at all.
Then it hit Mugler.