He leapt at the rope, catching it with enough force to swing far out into the darkness. He half expected to strike a wall, but there was nothing at the limit of his flight except a second of suspension, a moment of absolute stillness. Then he began to fall back the way he’d come. He twisted about to face his fate and found the beast had reared onto its haunches in anticipation of his return. It occurred to Senlin he had turned himself into a cat toy.
