Temporary Monsters by Craig Shaw Gardner

tends to kill them.”
    â€œThat would be unfortunate. Necessary, but unfortunate.” His tone was resigned, and final.
    The two shadow figures shifted slightly, so that they might actually be looking at Lenny. “But enough idle chitchat. You slipped through our fingers before.”
    â€œYou are necessary to the completion. We must take you now.”
    Lenny wished he knew where the rest of his team had gone. They would be able to deal with this. But shouldn’t his special gift be showing up? According to Ms. Siggenbottom, something should be happening right about now. An earthquake, maybe? A tornado? A meteor?
    â€œBut—” Lenny began. He couldn’t think of anything to follow that.
    Slowly, the two raincoats approached him.
    â€œHi guys.” A cheerful voice popped up behind him. “What’s up?”
    The two newcomers stopped. They turned their shadowed faces to look at each other. Both turned back to Lenny.
    â€œIs that Bob the horse?” two voices asked as one.
    Lenny heard a quaver in their speech, a sound he hadn’t heard before. He glanced over his shoulder. “You’re back?”
    Lenny hadn’t even realized the horse was gone.
    â€œJust taking care of pooka business!” Bob replied.
    Lenny glanced back at the strangers. Instead of moving forward, the mysterious duo were ever so slowly moving away.
    â€œWe are almost certain we have an appointment elsewhere,” one of them said.
    â€œAnd there’s always the chance—ever so slight—that we might be mistaken,” the other added.
    The two raincoats became one with the gloom.
    Lenny looked out into the void where the two shadowy figures had stood. Bob the horse cantered up beside him.
    â€œNice fellows. Good listeners, too, if you can corner them. I remember one time—we must have talked for hours!” Bob whinnied with delight.
    â€œThey weren’t even scared!” the ghost said by his other side. “What should I expect? Being stuck in that pit year after year, it dulls your edge.” The ghost sighed, the sound of a chill wind in February. “Shouldn’t we proceed with our quest?”
    â€œQuest?” Lenny asked. Oh. The bus stop. Lenny not only had to learn to lead, he had to do it when other things got in the way.
    Lenny saw a pool of light maybe a hundred feet away, with a small, half-enclosed structure and a black-and-red sign at the street corner.
    â€œThis way,” he called to the others as he walked toward the light. Maybe he could have some time to think on the bus.
    â€œWhoops!” said Bob the horse as they reached the bus stop. “Now this is really bad!”
    The shelter was occupied—by a man wearing robes of royal purple. Robes, but no hood. He grinned as Lenny approached.
    â€œWe have not met, but I know you. You may call me Foo.”
    Well, Lenny thought, he
was
waiting for something to happen.

Chapter Ten
    Lenny’s two companions didn’t seem particularly happy to see the newcomer.
    â€œThis is the man who made me what I am today!” the ghost complained.
    â€œI doubt very much he could even
pass
the pooka test,” Bob added.
    Neither of these remarks made Lenny feel any better about his situation. He studied the man called Foo. For a mysterious cult leader, he looked awfully ordinary. Foo had a pasty complexion and thinning hair, and sported a smile that was as large as it was insincere. He looked like somebody’s uncle who really should stop smoking. Especially if that uncle sold used cars.
    Lenny looked to either side of the bus shelter and out into the street. The night was still and empty. Apparently Foo had come alone.
    The cultist was still grinning. “You will want to come with us. Someone you know is waiting for your help.” He held out a cell phone displaying a photo. Lenny looked at the screen. It revealed his ex-girlfriend, Sheila, tied to a chair. She had a gag in her