The deafening pops of exploding statues reverberated in Tess's ears. With her back facing one of the five paths leading to the outside, she mustered the strength to take her first step onto another path, only to be struck by a blast that seared through her upper left shoulder and exited the other side.
"Aaah!" she screamed in agony as two more blasts followed, hitting dangerously close to the same spot, causing her to crash onto the ground, her head slamming down.
The three intense sources of pain near her left shoulder drowned out any sense of urgency, even as the footsteps of Sheena's soldiers drew nearer. She clenched her legs together and clenched her teeth, fighting through the searing pain that made her wish she could tear that section of her shoulder off.
