Alizeh staggered back around, facing the crowd in a daze, her tired arms trembling, her heart racing. She couldn’t seem to focus her eyes as she listened to their raucous cries; she was busy trying to catch her breath when— There, again— Like déjà vu, another gleam of silver. She blinked, certain she must be imagining it, and the moment she took to steady her mind cost her the only opportunity she might’ve had to react. She heard a bloodcurdling scream as she registered, too late, a need to fall back. Suddenly, she was knocked to the ground.
