It came quickly and without warning—that’s all she knew. It was a devastating blow from behind, that left her crumpled on the ground, dazed and riddled with pain that radiated throughout her skull. Hearing the thump of steps, slow and measured, her pulse raced. Slowly and sorely, she turned her head, seeing the blurred image of bare feet, soles painted red with her own blood, walking away from her.
“I told you,” came a voice in a dismissive tone, “Never to come back…”
“I had to,” she said, straining through the pain, “I could—“her voice caught at the menacing sound the hammer made as it hit the floor. At that moment, a deep sense of betrayal washed over her. “Mikel…please…”
“No,” hissed the shadowed figure, “I will not die for a mere lie—tell Rupen his debt is repaid.”
