You slip into one of the isles, ducking low, peering through the shelves as you move, sucking in breath after breath, searching for Minjo or the kids' scents.
It doesn't take long.
Here. It's Marco. He's found something. I smell them. His howls are coming from the back of the store. Izzie. Minjo. Ji—
A woman steps out in front of you, tall, thin, and baring her teeth in a wide, ugly customer service smile. "Oh. Hello. I'm sorry. I didn't see you there. How can I—" she stops.
You know her. It's the vampire that was with Blackwell at the Rose and Cherry Cafe, still in the same green apron, still staring with the same dim dead eyes, still smiling the same eerily wide toothy smile.
Her expression doesn't change, but you can tell by her sudden stillness that she recognises you too.
"Oh dear," she says, voice oddly singsong.
Then, in a blur of motion, she spins and sprints back through the shop.
Chase.