"I think so. But what was it?" He scratched his chin.

"Well," Quinn began. "You may have heard that I've recently retired from hunting vampires."

Stuart nodded. "Yeah, that sounds right. But there was something else." His brow furrowed, and then his gaze shot up. "Wait a minute. I remember. You… you're a—"

Quinn punched him in the face. "Bloodsucking freak?"

 The hunter howled and covered his nose as it started to gush blood.

Joe tensed and raised his stake. Quinn swiveled and kicked him in the stomach. He staggered backward and banged his head on the Dumpster, which immediately knocked him out. The stake clattered to the ground. Stuart looked up, holding his nose.

Quinn flashed fangs at him. "I've also lost a lot of friends recently. For some reason they're not speaking to me anymore."

The vampires huddled together, frozen in place.

Stuart rushed Quinn. Quinn grabbed the stake out of his hand and then flipped the hunter over his hip.

Quinn crouched down to press the stake against Stuart's neck. "Like I said, I'm just passing through town. I strongly suggest you do the same."

The hunter gurgled.

"Doesn't feel so good, does it? I've had a change of heart recently about killing vampires. Why don't I let you guess why that is?"

"Don't kill me!" he begged.

Quinn pulled the stake away. "The next time you're out hunting, just remember one of the bloodsucking freaks let you live. Got it?"

The hunter nodded, holding a shaky hand to his neck, fear naked in his eyes.

"Now take your little buddy and get the hell out of here."

Joe was beginning to gain consciousness. Stuart grabbed his shirt, and the two of them staggered away.

Quickly.

Very quickly.

Quinn watched them run.

Amateurs. Could spot them from a mile away.