Book Five: Chapter 80

The sword came at her again, glinting in the weak light of her flashlight, and she barely had time to duck to the side. The blade hummed through the air with a metallic shriek that sent shivers down her spine. Beth’s foot landed directly in one of the shifting shadows covering the floor, and she instantly sank up to her shin.

“Oh, fucking hell!” she shouted, her voice echoing off the basement walls. She struggled to pull her leg free, but a spectral hand shot up with it, gripping her ankle like iron. Other shadows slithered toward her, dark and sinuous, writhing like living ink. The sword arced toward her again, this time with precise, murderous intent.

Tick Tock, perched precariously on the edge of the freezer, shifted violently, metallic arms extending to intercept the blade. The sword clanged against the mimic’s body, sparks flying as Beth exhaled a shaky sigh of relief. She tugged again