l space. He loomed over her, sm

you frumpy mute," he spat.

hed move, a clumsy attempt to shove

he world seemed to slow down. She saw the tension

ie programming didn't requir

fluid, unnatural movement tha

entum carrying him into the empt

ball of her foot. She

his solar plexus.

desperate, wheezing gasp. He collapsed to his knees, clut

sa sc

rdi

lling away. She lunged at Blake, her manicu

her head. She caught

twis

rotation. Carissa yelped, her body forced

Blake c

backward onto the mattress, bouncing on

up. His face was conto

ecision impact. The leg buckled, and he

e from the floor and t

public health haza

or. She checked her neck. No marks.

!" Hardin yelled from the floor, strugg

gainst the dresser, crossi

elf-defense," s

rmed man?" Carissa sc

dator and his accompl

the nightstand. She held it up to

like your excus

spun through the air and hit H

e in touch by morn

naline was beginning to fade, leavin