A retina-searing beam of light joins the artificial voice. The sapphire laser punctures the darkness, spreads out, and works up the entire length of my body.

“What’s your business here, outsider?” the harsh voice commands. This mysterious creature doesn’t sound even close to human—more like a pissed-off ATM. I still haven’t heard a peep from Quinn, so maybe it’s best we handle this delicately for now.

“Easy, friend. We just needed a place to hide and accidently stumbled in here,” I answer in an almost comically soothing voice. “We’re looking for a quick way out of town. See, there’s these people looking for us and they...”

“So, you bring a war to my front door then?” 

Balls.

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