The metal struck her wrist with a sickening crack.

The silver pistol flew out of her grip, skittering across the concrete floor into the shadows.

Evelyn shrieked in pain, clutching her broken wrist to her chest.

She spun around, her eyes wide with rage and shock.

“You little bitch,” she spat.

She lunged at me, clawing at my face with her free hand.

I threw my weight backward, dodging her nails, but my foot slipped on the wet concrete.

I went down hard, the iron pipe clattering out of my reach.

Evelyn threw herself on top of me, her fingers wrapping around my throat.

She squeezed, cutting off my air instantly.

“You’re going to die tonight,” she hissed, her face inches from mine. “One way or another.”

I thrashed beneath her, spots of black starting to dance in my vision.

I reached out blindly, my hand searching the floor for anything I could use.

My fingers brushed against a loose chunk of concrete.

I gripped it and swung it upward, striking the side of her head.

The blow wasn’t heavy, but it was enough to daze her.