“I really should… jump, head first, down.”

  I was about to when-“boom”-one more win for the crazy. Call it bravery or stupidity, that random girl pushed Licho aside with all her might. She followed us the moment time resumed next to that arc. Their difference in size was significant, forcing the unsuspecting Licho down onto the ground.

  My trance-like state was over. What was I even thinking? I must have been out of my mind. My head was hurting, pressing on both my temples, I opened my eyes to see this shiny. It fell out of Licho’s hoodie pouch.

  Thinking it could be important or have some magic in it, I picked it up before running to my car. Questioning where was that bird when I needed him, convinced of being right about his uselessness.

  My car wasn’t far from here. This time I didn’t waiver. I ran, too bad, I didn’t get far. I saw Licho behind me, she was already on her feet. Our eyes were about to meet, learning my lesson, rashly, I turned away. Her afterimage lingered in my mind.

  She wasn’t scary nor threatening at first glance, confusing me. Big eyes, large eyelashes, plump lips, slightly upturned small nose and a round face with rosy cheeks weren’t something one would normally call scary. She was…cute?

  Not a normal sense of cute. If there was anyone as close to embodying the style of Yami Kawaii, that was Licho. The cuteness of her face and petite figure was still there, but those extended arms with long, sharp nails ready to chop me into pieces added a touch of horror. Truly, a sick kind of cute.

  Wherever due to that time manipulation power of hers or me being too slow, Licho was gaining up on me. Estimating each of our speeds and distance left to my car, I knew I wouldn’t make it at this rate. There was but one choice. Fight! In search of anything I could use as a weapon, I ravaged through my backpack. Nothing there, I took another side eye glance, she was even closer than before.

  Her face was getting more distorted too. A creepy smile stretched way too far up was adoring her face. That true face of hers was starting to show. I had to run faster. “Faster,” was all I could think of. I was already at my limit. My breathing was heavy, I felt my throat burn from all that cold air I was breathing in. That right side of mine was hurting too, slowing me down.

  “Maybe I could use my car key as a weapon,” I thought. Hopeless idea, there was no way to fight those claws with a dull key, especially considering my lack of fight experience and flimsy arm. But, I wasn’t the type to go down without a fight. Still running with Licho just minutes away from me, I searched through the back pocket of my jeans.

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  I didn’t find a key, but there was a coin. It was that coin. For the first time since that day, I felt its inner portion move. This could have been my chance. Running, I took it out of my pocket, holding it in my left arm, I flicked that inner silver circle.

  And there was nothing. Sure it was spinning, but that was about it. Meanwhile, she was next to me, I saw her in my peripheral vision. With that coin still in my hands, I couldn’t think of anything better than throwing it at Licho, in hopes of gaining a few extra seconds to escape.

  And it fell. I didn’t throw it far enough to reach her. “Come on!” My eyes widened in frustration. “Really,” I groaned. She was so close.

  Where was that crazy, when I needed one. “Crazy,” something in my mind lit up. “Think Mara, think.” I was putting my all into this.

  I got an idea. There was no guarantee of it working. That didn’t matter. I stopped, turning sharply to my right, closing my eyes the moment my left arm touched her wrist. Intertwining our fingers, I had to do a full ninety degree bow to pull her into my embrace, locking her in as I placed my right arm on… There was a slight mishap, I was aiming for the waist, which didn’t work out due to our stark difference in height. Licho didn’t seem to mind that, as I placed my arm on her shoulder blade, she put hers on top of my arm. “Here goes nothing,” were my last thoughts before…

  “Padam, padam,” I paused, “ padam.” I couldn’t remember the other words to this French song. I was sure that "souviens-toi" was somewhere there. Being placed on the spot, I just made up words that sorta fit the tune of this song. Not that knowing the lyrics would have made this terrible performance any better, my voice just wasn’t made for singing.

  We were dancing and she was so confused. Bet, she didn’t expect that. Honestly, who would. It was kinda fun, not gonna lie. There was something about all this spinning. Waltzing with death was exhilarating. Although, it was a bit awkward with my backpack between us. The following remained true. Never before have I felt more alive than now. Her claws didn’t bother me either. Who would have guessed? She was following my lead.

  “Get away from her,” of course he had to ruin it. Yeah, look who decided to finally show up. What was up with his timing? Because of him, I was about to make a grave mistake. Opening my eyes due to Phobos’s screams, I looked into Licho’s eye. Yes, you heard it right. An eye. She was back to her true green skinned form. Thankfully, the coin saved me.

  It was under my foot. Feeling movement under it, I moved my foot away. In doing so, the coin levitated, rising into the air, its innermost piece spinning. Then there was a flash of bright light.

  Taking that chance, I sped to my car. That damn bird made it too, unfortunately.

  “Phew,” I breathed out in relief, driving full speed away from this nightmare. Licho wasn’t anywhere in sight. We made it, safe and sound. Only 20 minutes and I will be home.

  “Tik tak, tik tak,” the left blinker was on as I was waiting for a chance to make that turn. I would rarely make a full stop even next to the stop sign. Today was different, I pushed that break with all my might the moment I heard:

  “Hello,” coming from the rear seat of my car. That voiced didn’t belong to Phobos. As cold sweat was forming, blood draining from my face, I turned around.