The surprisingly formidable grip of the younger girl slingshotted Sloan out of the way as the worm crashed upon the spot they had stood moments prior. Sloan staggered back in a wake of dust and debris, stumbling over her feet and slamming against a row of cabinets. In contrast, Winnipeg leaped at the same cabinet, hit it with both feet, and went soaring at the thrashing serpentine body of the worm-wraith. She tumbled over it, her katana flashing out like a streak of silver, and as she descended on the other side a long gash spread between the worm's meaty segmentations.

The worm howled in agony as unctuous black fluid seeped from its wound and seared the ground. Winnipeg jumped again, evading the flailing tail that tried to swat her out of the air and cleaving another, deeper cut across the body. The blood shot out in a splatter and Winnipeg landed near Sloan with droplets of the stuff adorning her uniform.

(Chapter 6)