Page 117 of Death and Do-Overs

I grabbed two.

Two Marnies appeared at my sides.

We didn’t need to discuss forming a plan, as we all knew there was only one thing we could do. We had to fight.

The new Marnies ran toward the weapon rack where no one else was standing. By the time they got there, each had created another two Marnies.

“Nie—” Otis said, like he had a right to use her name. He’d followed me instead of going for a weapon of his own.

I cut him off before he could utter another infuriating word. “We have nothing to say to each other.”

I took two steps toward the other Marnies. But before I could take a third step, I watched one fall.

Then a second.

And a third.

Chaos erupted all around me in a tornado of motion and color. My eyes blurred as my body refused to blink. The clash of steel and the roar of battle cries filled the space so thoroughly, it felt as if the walls were closing in.

A glint of slashing silver caught in the corner of my eye.

Instinctively I ducked, evading the wild swing of a sword by an inch.

More Marnies—that was my only chance to survive.

Otis appeared again beside me and kicked my attacker in the stomach.

A ringing filled my ears.

I made two more copies of myself and searched for a safe path to the weapons racks. There weren’t any. I really wished I had my bag.

I had to keep moving to survive. I hurried along the edge of the wall, as far from the fighting as I could.

There, in the far corner, I spotted a hallway I hadn’t seen before.

I raced down the hall, the horrific sounds of slaughter following me, echoing off the walls.

Closed doors lined the hall.

I tried each one I passed, finding them all locked.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we're down to the elite eight!” the intercom voice announced. “These contenders have battled fiercely, and only the most ruthless remain. Who will rise to the top?”

Peachy, everyone but the most horrible beasts was dead. And then there was me.

Upon reaching the fifth door, I finally found one unlocked.

Hands clammy with sweat, I twisted the knob, slipped inside, then slammed the door shut behind me. I clicked the lock in place and took a long, slow breath.

Eyes half-shut, lungs burning, head raw, I turned around and leaned my back against the door. This reprieve would only be temporary. I needed to assess my new surroundings, find some way to defend myself or better yet, find a hiding spot where I could?—

I was standing in a tiny closet.

I was not alone.

CHAPTER 26

MARNIE

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