Before:

     Now Niki landed firm on two feet.

     And, immediately, attacks came from behind her and from either side.

     Directly in front of her, a cell wall.

     The creature to her left, something that looked like a tall, muscular stalk of celery on two legs, came at her with claws long and pointed, claws that Niki snatched and twisted as she kicked where its legs met its torso.

     This one made a clickety-click sound when it screamed, not unlike rustling bamboo.

CONTINUE