The soft whimper was almost unheard, but the crashing footsteps and shouts were not. "Get her!" "Quick!" "Take a monster! She went that way!" She whirled, a gasp stealing from her swollen throat.

She staggered to her bloated feet, ignoring the protest that screamed up her body as she knelt. Her slim hands sought and found a backpack that she clutched with aching fingers as she began to move - slowly at first, but increasingly faster until one would have sworn she was flying once again.