The Manifestation can’t touch me herself.

I blocked two paperbacks with my forearms in front of my face.

That’s why she’s using the books. If I can just—

A heavy impact on my shoulder made me stumble—but in the right direction. There were two bookshelves against the wall, with no more than two or three feet in between them.

If I can just barricade—

I ducked under a book and ran to the fireplace, my body knowing what to do without even finishing the thought. I shoved the items off the small round table between the chairs—something shattered on the floor, but there was no time—and picked it up by two of its legs. Two books slammed me in the hip and arm, as if trying to make me drop the table, but I grimaced and raced it over to the small space I’d found.

It just fits—

I growled out my pain as a book hit me, sharp end in the back, and turned around quickly to swat another one away with my forearm.

Now to guard the front—

I dodged around a book and skidded to a stop, the heat of the fire at my backside as I grabbed the arms of one of the leather chairs and pushed. It must’ve been solid wood underneath all that stuffed leather, or else it had just been in the same spot so long that it was stubborn to move—

I gritted my teeth against the books that fell on my lower back and leg, putting my entire body into pushing the chair. It started to move, but my momentum was thrown off by a heavy book to the side of my face. I fell to the hardwood, grabbing my stinging temple. I panted, drained. My head was ringing. Through my blurring vision I saw a gigantic atlas lying beside me.

Another book followed it, and I held back just in time before biting my tongue off.

Get up, Andi. You can’t just lie here and get murdered by books.

I tried to push myself up with my other hand, a dizzy spell and another book to my side nearly putting me back on the ground. There was the distinct tickle of liquid running down my face, creeping down my temple. I licked my lips, tasting the salt of my own tears to join the blood on my tongue. The hand at my temple came away red, and I grasped for the chair.

“Oh my God,” I gasped. “Help me…”

And then I heard muddled pounding. There was a rush and a shadow of something coming toward me, though it seemed to be taking the ground instead of the air. I panicked briefly, shielding my head and face with both arms. Instead of an impact, a metallic clang echoed, scaring me out of my cower.