With her identity partially hidden by her hood, Bennett moved to within an inch of his face. “You came into my town and decided to break the law, and I don’t like that. I don’t like that one little bit.”

“I’m s-s-sorry.”

“I don’t want your apology. I want you to understand that tonight could have gone dreadfully wrong. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you, and as of right now, drugs will never again be a part of it. Do you understand?” After a few seconds passed without an answer, Bennett grabbed the lapels of the boy’s coat and lifted him two feet off the ground. “I said…do you understand?”

Bennett tilted her head when she heard a noise. She lowered her eyes and saw the crotch of the boy’s trousers was now several shades darker, and urine was dripping off the tips of his shoes to the pavement below. “Yes, I believe you do,” she said, gently lowering him back to his feet. “So, I think it’s time for you to go find a taxi and get the hell out of here. You’re not to speak about what happened here tonight to anyone, and since I never forget a face, I think we can agree you won’t be back—yes?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good boy,” Bennett said, gesturing toward the distant street. “Now, off you go.”

Bennett turned to the drug dealers, who were still shaking off their concussions. Snatching up the acne-faced one like he was a bag of air, she dropped him next to his friend and then knelt in front of them. Bennett could feel the energy of her species now flowing in her veins, and if it weren’t for their lack of personal hygiene, she might have had a snack. Pity.

“Empty your pockets.” Bennett looked back and forth between the two, and when they didn’t move, she put her hands on their outstretched legs. She tempered her grip just enough not to crush their bones, but not enough to stop them from howling in agony. “Empty your pockets, or you’ll never walk again.”

The dealers scrambled to do as Bennett had asked, and before too long, there was a pile of tiny baggies filled with powder, crystal, and capsules at her feet. “That’s quite a collection you’ve got there,” she said, picking up a bag of pills. “I do hope the rats enjoy it.”

Bennett stood up and swept her foot through the litter, clearing away enough of the soaked cardboard and trash to uncover a small puddle. Kneeling, she opened every single packet, and after dumping the contents into the water, Bennett stood up long enough to grind it all into oblivion with the toe of her shoe before squatting down again. “And now that I’ve taken care of that, where’s the money?”