"Fuck that noise!" she laughed as she skipped back to grab hold of the push broom's handle. Some delinquent construction worker left it for her, leaning it up against the wall. She gripped the pole tightly and drove her heel against the spot it screwed into the bristle head. Wood cracked and split.

Suddenly, she had herself a makeshift quarterstaff.

His eyes flashed wide then the blunt end of the broom handle connected with his Adam's apple in a sharp jab. He choked and stumbled back.

Darius tried to fend off the pole with one hand as the other went to his throat. He attempted to call out but only...