The larger man came at me with the branch. I used my forearm to hit it out of his hand, and then shoved the heel of my hand into his throat. In Claire-like fashion, I spun around, kicking him in the head. He fell to his knees. I reared back my hand and punched him with my fist in the jaw, knocking him out cold.

The skinny man kicked my back, and I fell to the ground, but caught myself before I fell flat.

“No! Nina!” Beth screamed.

I turned around, and threw every one of my limbs at him, kicking and punching. We were half way down the alley before he finally swung and punched me in the face. Half-surprised that he had landed a punch, half-amazed that it didn’t hurt, I paused. Taking advantage, the skinny man lunged at my middle. My motherly instincts kicked in, and rage welled up inside of me. I moved to the side, and his fist landed against the brick.

Seeing that he’d left his side open attack, I reacted, shoving my elbow into his throat, and then with one hand, I picked him up, and with all of my strength, I cried out, simultaneously throwing him against the opposite wall.

He rolled to the ground, and didn’t get up again.

Beth ran to my side and threw her arms around me. I could hear her heart thumping against her chest, and she could barely catch her breath.

Jared and Chad rounded the corner, both disheveled. Jared’s terrified expression melted into relief, and his shoulders fell.

Chad’s eyes were wide, his breath labored. “Beth!” he cried, jumping over the bodies in his way.

Beth released me and ran into Chad’s arms, immediately breaking into loud sobs. It was then that Chad noticed the limp bodies on the ground, and his eyes met mine. “What the hell happened?”

Beth held up her hand, palm out. “Don’t say it,” she said, sniffing. She wiped her nose and took a step toward me. “I love you, but please don’t tell me how you did all of that. I honestly don’t want to know.”

“Well, I do,” Chad said.

“It’s better that you don’t,” Jared said, shouldering past Chad. He reached for me, and I fell into him. “Every last one of them shelled. It took forever to get out the door.”

“It’s a shame, but we’re not going to that pub again,” Chad said, shaking his head. “It’s been taken over by misfits and criminals.”

“Where’s Claire and Ryan?” I asked.

Chad rolled his eyes. “Cleaning up. I think they’re enjoying themselves.”

We walked around the corner to find Claire standing alone, her arms crossed. Ryan grabbed a man twice his size and head-butted him.

“The PD will be here any minute,” Jared said.

“I know,” Claire said. “But I find him strangely attractive right now.”