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“The Darkness asked for it,” she said

Her fingers closed on it Slowly, knees creaking, she stood up

“I forgot I have to get so,” she said She walked directly toward the coyote

But this was too much for Pack Leader

“Go to Darkness, human”

“Go to hell, coyote,” Lana answered She did not un up and fired

Once Twice Three ti!

Each shot was a bolt of lightning Like a strobe light

There was an entirely satisfying coyote yelp of pain

In the strobe she saw Pack Leader leap Saw him land hard, far short of his objective

She was past hi blind and heedless down the path and as she ran she screamed But not in terror

Lana screamed in defiance

She screamed in triumph

She had the key

TWENTY-SEVEN