Round 3 Transcript

The shot echoes through the house—a thunderclap closer than any storm. I drop behind the chair, its solid frame between me and the hallway where the sound came from. The lamp's still on; good. I need to see this bastard coming.

My head throbs already, blood trickling warm down my neck. Not fatal yet—won't be, if I've got anything to say about it. The phone cord... I yank it from its base, coiling it fast in one hand while the other grips that iron poker. Three meters of cable and a heavy lump of metal—that's more useful than any spell right now.

Footsteps in the hall. Heavy. Purposeful. They're coming to finish what they started. Fine by me. I shift position, pressing my back against the chair leg—low profile, weapon ready. Let them walk into this room thinking I'm helpless. The shadows stretch longer; night's still young.

"Show yourself," I call out—not a scream, just a command. "I know you're here."

Jeane's body goes limp upon the floor. Jeane is now deceased. Mission accomplished.