A monstrous shape crouched atop the mausoleum, silhouetted against the moonlit sky, something lean and muscular and decidedly unnatural. She looked up into the burning crimson eyes of an enormous black dog, big as a cow, lips pulled back to reveal fangs as long as dinner knives.

"I assume that's the Grim." She says, continuing to look up at it, not moving.

Its burning glare was fastened on the hand where she clutched the ring.

Ashs sword rasped free. The Grim glanced at him and snarled, making the ground tremble, then swung its terrifying gaze back to her. Muscles rippled under its slick coat as it crouched lower, drool hanging in glistening ribbons from its teeth. Ash brandished his sword, speaking to Claire though he never took his eyes from the Grim. "When I say go, run forward, not away from it. Understand?"

"Got it." She says.

The Grim howled, an earsplitting bay. It leaped, and Ash yelled 'go'.

She sprinted forward without a second look.

The dog hurtled over her head, and there was the crushing impact as the Grim hit the spot where she had been standing.

"Run! We have to get off the cemetery grounds, now!"

Behind them, the Grim roared in fury and attacked.


A hail of glittering shards erupted from Ashs direction, pelting the Grim with frozen daggers and stinging bits of ice. They shattered or glanced off the Grims muscular hide, not injuring the beast, but it was enough to buy them a few seconds head start.

She continued to sprint towards where they came in, fearing the beast behind her.

They fled down the aisles, dashing between crypts, ducking around statues of angels and saints, the hot breath of the Grim at their heels. If they had been in the open, the monstrous dog wouldve run them down and used them as a chew toy in three seconds flat, but the narrow streets and tight corridors slowed it down a bit. They zigzagged their way through the cemetery, staying one step ahead of the Grim, until the white concrete wall that marked the cemetery grounds loomed ahead of them.

Ash reached the barrier first and whirled to help Claire up, positioning himself as a step stool.

She jumps up, looking down at him, holding her hand out.