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Now that I’ve seen my opponent, I drop my compact back in my purse and speed up my steps I turn the corner at the intersection and break into a run, hoping to give myself a little distance between h, I’ into position

I have only seconds to decide on the best concealed location There are raised stoops and clusters of garbage cans to the right, cars and trees and a , boxy SUV with tires h to hide a s behind the front bu around the corner I slowand try to reach out withI have to learn how to harness ood a tiar

I peer out around the tire and see the creature looking around, its soggy shoulders slumped It looks disappointed

It thinks it’s lostWhich et away, but I have a duty to send it hoainst allplace and say, "Looking for so?"

I can tell I’ve startled it Good

It tilts its head to the side, confused byforward, it holds its aroing to be easier than I thought

I stashin front of the tire I’, followed by a hand chop to bring it to the ground Then I get the weirdest sensation It’s like slivers of ice all downblankly at a spot just overaway from the vile creature in front of nore the icicles ondown the sidewalk, about half a block away, is a wo-ed, forty-so, with her black hair swirled into a loose bun Despite her di the sidewalk between us quickly

The creature grunts I turn back, not sure why the wo lurching away

Now I’m not sure what to do Go after the creature, in front of the woht and a disappearing opponent? Or et away?

With a sigh, I lower my hands and watch as the monster waddles down the street Err on the side of noret away, are you?" the woman asks

What did she say? No, I enthal," she says "I know exactly who and what you are"

"I--What?"

"You’re a huntress" The woain my ability to speak

"Who are you?"