Midnight_NNT1 Snack_NN1 "_" Werewolves_NN2 ,_, vampires_NN2 ,_, zombies_NN2 ..._... what_DDQ are_VBR you_PPY up_RP against_II ?_? "_" 
There_EX was_VBDZ a_AT1 pause_NN1 ._. 
"_" Demons_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 think_VV0 ..._... but_CCB I_PPIS1 ca_VM n't_XX be_VBI sure_JJ ._. 
We_PPIS2 've_VH0 only_RR had_VHN one_MC1 brush_NN1 so_RG far_RR ,_, but_CCB all_DB the_AT signs_NN2 seem_VV0 to_TO point_VVI in_II that_DD1 direction_NN1 ._. "_" 
Carson_NP1 leaned_VVD across_II the_AT mini-mart_JJ counter_NN1 ,_, peering_VVG closely_RR at_II the_AT boy_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 dropped_VVD his_APPGE voice_NN1 to_II a_AT1 murmur_NN1 ._. 
"_" Signs_NN2 ,_, eh_UH ?_? 
Like_II what_DDQ ?_? "_" 
The_AT kid_NN1 leaned_VVD in_RP too_RR ,_, giving_VVG the_AT mini-mart_NN1 a_AT1 cautious_JJ ,_, sideways_JJ glance_NN1 ._. 
"_" The_AT usual_JJ ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 muttered_VVD ._. 
"_" Strange_JJ noises_NN2 ,_, strange_JJ symbols_NN2 ,_, strange_JJ disappearances_NN2 ,_, the_AT occasional_JJ whiff_NN1 of_IO sulfur_NN1 ..._... they_PPHS2 're_VBR subtle_JJ ,_, but_CCB when_CS you_PPY 've_VH0 been_VBN around_RP as_CS31 long_CS32 as_CS33 we_PPIS2 have_VH0 ,_, you_PPY learn_VV0 to_TO pick_VVI up_RP on_II 'em_PPHO2 ._. "_" 
"_" What_DDQ 's_VBZ your_APPGE next_MD move_NN1 ?_? "_" 
The_AT kid_NN1 's_GE face_NN1 went_VVD hard_RR ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 go_VV0 in_RP ._. "_" 
"_" Guns_NN2 blazing_VVG ?_? "_" 
"_" Damn_UH straight_RR ._. 
Hit_VV0 'em_PPHO2 quick_JJ and_CC hit_VVD 'em_PPHO2 hard_RR ._. "_" 
Carson_NP1 whistled_VVD softly_RR ._. 
"_" Gutsy_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" Messy_JJ ,_, too_RR ._. 
Bui_NN2 somebody_PN1 's_VHZ got_VVN ta_TO clean_VVI up_RP the_AT night_NNT1 ._. 
It_PPH1 ai_FU n't_XX pretty_JJ ,_, bin_VV0 it_PPH1 's_VBZ the_AT only_JJ way_NN1 ._. "_" 
A_AT1 loud_JJ crash_NN1 abruptly_RR shattered_VVD the_AT tension_NN1 of_IO the_AT hushed_JJ exchange_NN1 ._. 
Both_DB2 heads_NN2 snapped_VVD about_RP ,_, eyes_NN2 hungry_JJ for_IF the_AT source_NN1 of_IO the_AT interruption_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX hard_JJ to_TO find_VVI ._. 
A_AT1 few_DA2 feet_NN2 away_RL another_DD1 boy_NN1 stood_VVD by_II a_AT1 toppled_JJ rack_NN1 of_IO magazines_NN2 ,_, arms_NN2 burdened_VVN with_IW chips_NN2 ,_, cookies_NN2 ,_, candy_NN1 bars_NN2 ,_, snack_NN1 cakes_NN2 and_CC an_AT1 impressively_RR unhealthy_JJ assortment_NN1 of_IO dips_NN2 ._. 
His_APPGE mouth_NN1 twitched_VVD into_II a_AT1 sheepish_JJ smile_NN1 ._. 
"_" Uh_UH ..._... sorry_JJ ,_, dude_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'll_VM pick_VVI that_DD1 up_RP ..._... "_" 
"_" Hey_UH ,_, no_AT worries_NN2 kid_VV0 ..._... 
I_PPIS1 'm_VBM on_II it_PPH1 !_! "_" 
Carson_NP1 ducked_VVD under_II the_AT counter_NN1 and_CC hurried_VVD to_II the_AT rescue_NN1 of_IO the_AT Newsweeks_NP2 and_CC X-Men_NN2 comics_NN2 ._. 
"_" Looks_VVZ like_II you_PPY got_VVD your_APPGE hands_NN2 full_JJ ._. 
Besides_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 hear_VV0 you_PPY guys_NN2 have_VH0 a_AT1 game_NN1 to_TO get_VVI back_RP to_II ._. "_" 
"_" You_PPY got_VVD that_DD1 right_JJ !_! 
We_PPIS2 got_VVD ta_TO ..._... whoops_UH !_! "_" 
A_AT1 few_DA2 packages_NN2 slipped_VVD from_II the_AT top_NN1 of_IO the_AT boy_NN1 's_GE mountainous_JJ ,_, teetering_JJ armload_NN1 and_CC smacked_VVD to_II the_AT floor_NN1 ._. 
"_" Aw_UH ,_, man_NN1 ,_, the_AT Twinkies_NP1 !_! 
A_AT1 little_JJ help_NN1 ,_, Kel_NP1 ?_? "_" 
The_AT boy_NN1 at_II the_AT counter_NN1 hurried_VVD to_TO help_VVI ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ nearly_RR a_AT1 head_NN1 taller_JJR ,_, and_CC with_IW his_APPGE superior_JJ armspan_NN1 was_VBDZ able_JK to_TO rescue_VVI the_AT remaining_JJ snacks_NN2 from_II further_JJR disaster_NN1 ._. 
Together_RL they_PPHS2 staggered_VVD to_II the_AT counter_NN1 and_CC unloaded_VVD their_APPGE booty_NN1 ._. 
Kelly_NP1 rifled_VVD through_II the_AT pile_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 professional_JJ eye_NN1 ._. 
"_" You_PPY got_VVD the_AT cheese_NN1 dip_NN1 ._. 
Kit_NN1 ?_? 
I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX see_VVI cheese_NN1 dip_VVI ..._... "_" 
Kit_NN1 adjusted_VVN his_APPGE glasses_NN2 ,_, then_RT produced_VVD a_AT1 yellow_JJ jar_NN1 from_II his_APPGE jacket_NN1 pocket_NN1 ,_, cradling_VVG it_PPH1 tenderly_RR ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 may_VM forget_VVI the_AT cookie_NN1 dough_NN1 ,_, but_CCB never_RR the_AT cheese_NN1 dip_NN1 ._. "_" 
Kelly_NP1 grinned_VVD ._. 
"_" Rock_VV0 on_RP ._. 
Got_VVD the_AT Dew_NN1 ,_, too_RR ?_? "_" 
"_" Got_VVD it_PPH1 !_! "_" 
A_AT1 third_MD boy_NN1 appeared_VVD ,_, his_APPGE wavy_JJ brown_JJ hair_NN1 just_RR visible_JJ above_II a_AT1 load_NN1 of_IO sloshing_VVG two-liter_JJ bottles_NN2 that_CST would_VM have_VHI made_VVN a_AT1 seasoned_JJ stock_NN1 mule_NN1 shy_VV0 nervously_RR ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ the_AT shortest_JJT of_IO the_AT three_MC by_II a_AT1 hair_NN1 ,_, sturdy_JJ ,_, with_IW a_AT1 friendly_JJ smile_NN1 and_CC confident_JJ stride_NN1 ._. 
"_" AJ_NP1 ,_, you_PPY 're_VBR my_APPGE hero_NN1 ._. "_" 
The_AT sodas_NN2 joined_VVD the_AT rest_NN1 of_IO the_AT countertop_NN1 pile_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 sugary_JJ thump_NN1 ._. 
The_AT boys_NN2 stood_VVD silently_RR for_IF a_AT1 moment_NN1 ,_, surveying_VVG the_AT landscape_NN1 of_IO their_APPGE sweet_JJ desires_NN2 ._. 
AJ_NP1 nodded_VVD slowly_RR in_II appreciation_NN1 ._. 
"_" Where_RRQ guns_NN2 and_CC bullets_NN2 fail_VV0 ..._... "_" "_" ..._... caffeine_NN1 and_CC sugar_NN1 prevail_VV0 !_! "_" 
The_AT boys_NN2 exchanged_VVD a_AT1 resounding_JJ series_NN of_IO high_JJ fives_MC2 and_CC knuckle_NN1 bumps_NN2 ._. 
Carson_NP1 slipped_VVD behind_II the_AT counter_NN1 ,_, surveying_VVG the_AT brightly-wrapped_NN1 ,_, preservative-enriched_JJ mountain_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 certain_JJ measure_NN1 of_IO pride_NN1 ._. 
"_" Gentlemen_NN2 ,_, I_PPIS1 'm_VBM impressed_JJ --_NN1 and_CC I_PPIS1 sell_VV0 junk_NN1 food_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 living_NN1 ._. 
Last_MD time_NNT1 I_PPIS1 saw_VVD this_RG many_DA2 goodies_NN2 in_II one_MC1 place_NN1 I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ unloading_VVG the_AT 5_MC a.m._RA truck_NN1 ._. 
What_DDQ gives_VVZ ?_? "_" 
"_" Munchie_NN1 run_NN1 ._. 
Got_VVN an_AT1 all-nighter_NN1 going_VVG on_RP ._. "_" 
Kit_NN1 began_VVD happily_RR stuffing_VVG the_AT goodies_NN2 into_II plastic_NN1 bags_NN2 as_CSA Carson_NP1 slid_VVD them_PPHO2 over_II the_AT scanner_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 parade_NN1 of_IO colors_NN2 ,_, chemicals_NN2 and_CC additives_NN2 that_CST nearly_RR dazzled_VVD the_AT senses_NN2 ._. 
The_AT rapid_JJ ,_, erratic_JJ beeping_NN1 rang_VVD through_II the_AT store_NN1 in_II an_AT1 eery_JJ and_CC unheeded_JJ parody_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 cardiac_JJ monitor_NN1 ._. 
Carson_NP1 grinned_VVD ._. 
"_" Yeah_UH ,_, right_RR ..._... off_RP to_TO do_VDI battle_NN1 with_IW the_AT forces_NN2 of_IO darkness_NN1 once_RR21 again_RR22 ,_, eh_UH ?_? 
I_PPIS1 hear_VV0 it_PPH1 's_VBZ demons_NN2 this_DD1 time_NNT1 ._. "_" 
"_" You_PPY got_VVD it_PPH1 !_! 
And_CC if_CS I_PPIS1 know_VV0 AJ_NP1 ,_, they_PPHS2 'll_VM be_VBI the_AT worst_JJT of_IO the_AT worst_JJT ._. 
I_PPIS1 swear_VV0 ,_, sometimes_RT I_PPIS1 think_VV0 he_PPHS1 tries_VVZ to_TO kill_VVI us_PPIO2 ..._... "_" 
Kelly_NP1 grunted_VVD his_APPGE agreement_NN1 ,_, digging_VVG some_DD bills_NN2 out_II21 of_II22 his_APPGE wallet_NN1 as_II the_AT mounting_JJ cost_NN1 of_IO their_APPGE feast_NN1 flashed_VVD across_II the_AT cash_NN1 register_NN1 in_II insistent_JJ green_NN1 ._. 
"_" Yeah_UH --_NN1 he_PPHS1 puts_VVZ us_PPIO2 through_II Hell_NN1 ..._... literally_RR ._. '_" "_" 
"_" So_RR what_DDQ 's_VBZ the_AT game_NN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Summoner_NP1 's_GE Song_NN1 ,_, "_" AJ_NP1 chimed_VVD in_RP ._. 
He_PPHS1 stood_VVD beside_II his_APPGE friends_NN2 ,_, making_VVG no_AT attempt_NN1 either_RR to_TO deny_VVI their_APPGE accusations_NN2 about_II his_APPGE sadism_NN1 nor_CC to_TO conceal_VVI a_AT1 sinister_JJ grin_NN1 ._. 
"_" And_CC tonight_RT 's_VBZ no_AT ordinary_JJ night_NNT1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 're_VBR running_VVG an_AT1 official_JJ playtest_JJT of_IO Nether_NP1 Regions_NP1 ,_, the_AT upcoming_JJ supplement_NN1 for_IF Song_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VHZ got_VVN new_JJ character_NN1 types_NN2 ,_, new_JJ rules_NN2 on_II midget_NN1 demons_NN2 ,_, plus_II a_AT1 totally_RR revamped_JJ system_NN1 for_IF determining_VVG the_AT effects_NN2 of_IO failed_JJ partial_JJ incarnations_NN2 involving_VVG deviant_JJ spirits_NN2 from_II the_AT Fourth_MD Realm_NN1 of_IO the_AT Underlands_NP2 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 drew_VVD a_AT1 new_JJ but_CCB obviously_RR well-loved_JJ book_NN1 out_RP his_APPGE rumpled_JJ army_NN1 backpack_NN1 and_CC dropped_VVD it_PPH1 on_II the_AT counter_NN1 ._. 
Carson_NP1 flipped_VVD through_II its_APPGE dog-eared_JJ and_CC underlined_VVD pages_NN2 as_II the_AT other_JJ boys_NN2 pooled_VVD their_APPGE money_NN1 ._. 
"_" Cool_JJ ..._... 'rhyming_VVG vs._II non-rhyming_JJ chants_NN2 '_GE ..._... 'Satanic_JJ rashes_NN2 '_GE ..._... 'the_VV0 effects_NN2 of_IO demonic_JJ possession_NN1 on_II daily_JJ job_NN1 performance'_NN1 ..._... looks_VVZ like_CS they_PPHS2 've_VH0 got_VVN it_PPH1 all_DB covered_VVD ._. "_" 
"_" Yup_UH ..._... "_" 
AJ_NP1 's_GE grin_NN1 broadened_VVN into_II a_AT1 hungry_JJ smile_NN1 that_CST had_VHD nothing_PN1 to_TO do_VDI with_IW junk_NN1 food_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 ca_VM n't_XX wait_VVI to_TO try_VVI it_PPH1 out_RP ..._... "_" 
"_" Ca_VM n't_XX wait_VVI to_TO turn_VVI us_PPIO2 into_II demon_NN1 kibble_NN1 ,_, you_PPY mean_VV0 ._. "_" 
Kelly_NP1 punched_VVD his_APPGE friend_NN1 on_II the_AT arm_NN1 with_IW good-natured_JJ enthusiasm_NN1 and_CC just_RR a_RR21 little_RR22 too_RG much_DA1 of_IO what_DDQ he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ really_RR feeling_VVG ._. 
AJ_NP1 winced_VVD ,_, rubbing_VVG his_APPGE shoulder_NN1 ._. 
"_" Yeah_UH ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ what_DDQ I_PPIS1 mean_VV0 ._. "_" 
Kelly_NP1 laughed_VVD ._. 
AJ_NP1 did_VDD n't_XX ._. 
Kelly_NP1 's_GE grin_NN1 faded_VVN and_CC he_PPHS1 flashed_VVD Kit_NN1 an_AT1 uneasy_JJ look_NN1 ._. 
"_" Great_JJ ..._... "_" 
Kit_NN1 's_GE eyes_NN2 rolled_VVD ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 'll_VM be_VBI payin'_VVG for_IF that_DD1 one_PN1 all_DB night_NNT1 ._. 
Thanks_NN2 ._. 
Thanks_NN2 for_IF that_DD1 ._. "_" 
Carson_NP1 passed_VVD back_RP the_AT book_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 handful_NN1 of_IO change_NN1 and_CC closed_VVD the_AT till_NN1 ._. 
"_" Well_RR ,_, have_VH0 fun_JJ ._. 
Do_VD0 n't_XX summon_VVI anything_PN1 I_PPIS1 would_VM n't_XX ._. "_" 
"_" Hey_UH ,_, man_NN1 ..._... "_" through_II the_AT reflection_NN1 of_IO the_AT plastic_NN1 bags_NN2 on_II his_APPGE glasses_NN2 ._. 
Kit_NN1 fixed_VVN the_AT cashier_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 steady_JJ gaze_NN1 ._. 
"_" Let_VM21 's_VM22 get_VVI one_MC1 thing_NN1 straight_JJ --_NN1 we_PPIS2 do_VD0 n't_XX mess_VVI with_IW the_AT Hot_JJ Place_NN1 ._. 
Do_VD0 n't_XX get_VVI us_PPIO2 confused_VVN with_IW the_AT Hell_NN1 Huggers._NP1 "_" "_" 'Hell_NN1 Huggers_NN2 ?_? '_" "_" 
"_" Yeah_UH ,_, you_PPY know_VV0 ..._... 
Satanists_NN2 ..._... cultists_NN2 ..._... robies_NN2 ,_, hood-heads_NN2 ,_, goat_NN1 boys_NN2 ..._... call_VV0 'em_PPHO2 what_DDQ you_PPY like_VV0 ,_, they_PPHS2 're_VBR the_AT ones_NN2 trying_VVG to_TO stir_VVI up_RP all_DB the_AT chaos_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 're_VBR here_RL to_TO stop_VVI 'em_PPHO2 ._. "_" 
"_" You_PPY got_VVD that_DD1 right_JJ ._. "_" 
Kelly_NP1 piped_VVD in_RP ._. 
"_" Bottom_JJ line_NN1 is_VBZ ,_, you_PPY bring_VV0 it_PPH1 into_II this_DD1 world_NN1 ..._... we_PPIS2 take_VV0 it_PPH1 out_RP "_" "_" Yeah_UH ..._... that_DD1 's_VBZ how_RRQ we_PPIS2 roll_VV0 ..._... "_" 
Another_DD1 round_NN1 of_IO hearty_JJ high-fives_MC2 and_CC knuckle_NN1 bumps_NN2 followed_VVD ._. 
As_II the_AT others_NN2 loaded_VVN up_RP with_IW bulging_VVG bags_NN2 and_CC continued_VVN their_APPGE animated_JJ reverie_NN1 of_IO impending_JJ cultist-thwarting_NN1 and_CC demon-thrashing_NN1 ,_, AJ_NP1 quietly_RR stuffed_VVD the_AT rulebook_NN1 back_RP in_II his_APPGE bag_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 paused_VVD ._. 
"_" Hey_UH ..._... you_PPY wan_VV0 na_TO play_VVI some_DD time_NNT1 ?_? "_" 
