Taken by the Demon King

Neon Nightmare

Nina sniffs the air, restless.

“Hungry? Me too,” I say, wiping away tears as she keeps watching the road. A quick stop won’t hurt. I glance at the clock: 2 a.m. Tyler’s probably waking up around 7. If I’m lucky, he’ll still be hungover and slow to notice I’m gone.

✧

I slow down and pull into a parking lot. I check the rearview mirror for the thousandth time—the road’s deserted. I open the trunk and find a few coins. I didn’t come this far to get caught now. Nina whimpers, and I scoop her into my lap.

✧

A neon sign flickers: “Paradise Café,” hanging by a rusty wire swaying in the wind. No cars around. My stomach churns, my mouth dry. Nina tries to wriggle free, but I hold her close.

✧

The door’s bell chimes, but the sound is muffled, metallic, echoing oddly.

A smell hits me before I step inside. Not coffee. Not food. It’s sweet, sickly… like dead flowers.

✧

The place is packed, despite no cars outside. Most people sit at the counter, facing the porch. They all seem strange, like they don’t notice me coming in. I swallow hard. Nina growls, baring her teeth.

“Stop it,” I say, trying to calm her.

✧

A waitress appears from behind the counter, her heels scraping the floor. She approaches, big blue eyes locked on me, unblinking.

Tight clothes, deep black suede neckline, full breasts, smudged red lipstick—and a smile that doesn’t fade.

I glance at Nina before setting her down, but she keeps her canines bared.

✧

“What a cute thing,” her voice is sweet, syrupy, almost sticky.

“Sorry, she’s usually friendlier,” I say, clutching Nina tighter; she stares back at me.

“Just you?” She pouts. Nina trembles in my arms, and I pull her closer, as if we’re one.

“Yeah, just a quick stop.”

✧

She leans in. Her smile doesn’t change, doesn’t move—strange, like it’s frozen.

Her hands find Nina’s leash. A chill runs down my spine. I stare at her fingers until they turn white.

I turn to scan the tables. Everyone’s still, no talking. No one chews, no one drinks, no one blinks. They just stare into the void, like forgotten dolls in an old shop window.

✧

I feel her eyes fixed on me. My hands shake, my throat tightens.

“Coffee,” I say, too loud, “and some pastries. That’s my order.”

She nods, releases the leash, and spins toward the counter.

✧

My phone vibrates, nearly slipping from my hand.

*“GET OUT. NOW. HE’S AWAKE.”*

My hands tremble. I tap the contacts, but the number’s blocked. I don’t think twice—I turn, almost tripping over the door with Nina, and sprint to the car.

✧

I glance back one last time and notice…

Faces. At the windows. All watching me. The café’s customers stand still, smiling grotesquely. Only their eyes move, tracking every step I take.

My hands shake so much I can barely get the keys in the ignition.

✧

The door creaks open with a sharp squeal, the hanging bell swaying slowly, echoing across the road. There she is, the waitress, with a tray and a coffee cup. She walks toward me, steps soft but precise, heels scraping the wooden floor. Her hair sways, faintly lit by the neon sign.

“On the house,” she drawls, each word savoring my panic. “After all, the road awaits you.”

✧

The engine finally roars. She stands motionless, watching every move of the car, tray still in hand, blue eyes fixed on me. Her hair sways lightly, glowing under the neon light. Nina throws herself into the back seat, paws on the window, watching as we pull away from the café.

“What the hell…” I mutter, trying to breathe, flooring it faster than I should.

I keep my eyes glued to the rearview mirror. The café’s neon sign flickers every second, casting shadows that twist through the trees, like black fingers reaching for me.

✧

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but nothing helps. My chest tightens, my heart pounding like a mad drum.

“What the f**k… what are those things?” I whisper, as adrenaline paralyzes and pushes me to speed up at the same time.

Nina barks frantically in the back seat, clawing at the upholstery, as if she senses the danger too. I try to ignore it, but the fear slices through my throat.

✧

The car radio crackles, static cutting through the silence like a knife. I didn’t touch it—it was off. My hands freeze on the wheel as the crackling grows louder, a low hum vibrating through the dashboard. The air feels heavier, like it’s pressing against my chest.

Then, out of nowhere, “You Are My Destiny” by Paul Anka blares, so loud it drowns out Nina’s barks.

✧

*“You are my destiny

You are what you are to me

You are my happiness…”*

“Damn it!” I yell, punching the radio. I slam the power button, but the volume only climbs, the lyrics echoing like a taunt. Nina barks frantically, growling at the empty passenger seat, her eyes wide with panic.