Daemonblade

I grabbed the hilt and dove out the door into the darkness.

I ran into the pool of light cast by the headlights and crouched down. The thing climbed off the car slowly, sizing me up, unafraid. It was large and dark, almost reptilian, with glowing red eyes and fangs half as long as my knife. I've found that there are almost as many different types of them as of us humans, so this one was new to me. I don't even try to classify them any more.

"Hello darlin', wanna dance?" I asked

It emitted a raspy shriek and came at me then, but I was ready for it before it had even touched the cruiser. I sprang from my crouch and met it head on. Leaping up into the air, I brought the knife down towards its neck with all my strength. It dodged, but not far enough. I buried the blade into its collarbone all the way to the hilt. It grabbed me then; in a bear hug I knew I couldn't get out of. Its eyes glowed with triumph and it began to squeeze. I heard my ribs creak and I could feel its fetid breath on me, like brimstone and blood. I looked at Death then, right into its bottomless eyes, soulless, like a shark's.

I smiled, and gave the dagger a sharp twist, cutting whatever excuse for a heart that thing had cleanly in two.

"Goodnight, Gracie," I said cheerfully.

The light slowly went out of its eyes and it crumpled lifelessly to the ground and began to smolder. Nothing would be left when the sun came up, just dust in the wind.

I looked sadly at the two mutilated bodies, wondered if I could have done anything more to save them, and pushed the thought away quickly before I broke down entirely. I wiped my blade on the demon's hide and slid it back into its sheath. I'd need it again, probably soon.

"Well, crap," I said, standing up and dusting off my knees, " Why don't they ever listen?"

I stood there a moment, watching the demon smoke and the bodies grow cold. After awhile I turned away and began to jog away at a pace that would get me far, far away before first light.