The worm shuddered—something was attacking its armored hide from outside, and it was getting angry.

The light disappeared and a flood of sand sprayed over Coco, pushing her farther down.

She flew up and slammed into what she thought of as the ceiling. The worm was diving, trying to get away, or launch a fresh surprise attack. Then it abruptly stopped, sending Coco pitching forward.

Enough already, she thought.

“Coco, are you okay?” Fox sent.

“Define ‘okay,’ ” Coco said.

“Alive?”

“Barely. What’s going on out there?”

“Velvet is rescuing you,” Fox said.

“What? How?”

“You have to get out before the worm burrows back into the ground. The skin is tough, but it’s thinnest in the back. Can you get to the last segment?”

“I’ll try,” she said.

“Go,” Fox said. “Hurry.”

- RWBY: After the Fall, Chapter 18