Taxicab

Doug slammed the door. “Drive!” he ordered, shoving a handful of bills at the cabbie. He could see the shadows darting down the alleyway, long coats flowing behind them. A clawed hand slapped at the window as the cabdriver peeled away.

Doug leaned into the patchy seatcover, breathing heavily. “Drop me off somewhere across town,” he said, slumping, exhausted…

Doug awoke as the cab jolted to a halt. The door swung open, and the scaly black face of the goblin grinned at him from the streetcorner.

He turned to the cabdriver, who shrugged and held up a golden goblin coin.