The monsters were all slain before dawn, and in the smouldering remains of the south wing of the academy Victor sat among the rubble and stared at the glowing horizon. His right cheek bled from a gash he had received when crashing through the tower window, and his shoulder still ached. Gretel and Hansel wanted to make themselves useful by gathering all the goblyn bodies and other monster remains for burning at a later time. There was no sight of Sam.
Rodrick met up with Caesar under the inner wall; they were both in a state of disarray, with their clothes shredded and spoiled. Rodrick kicked over a stone. His eyes fell over the goblyn remains. “He was right!” he told Caesar. “This is our end. There is no coming back from an attack such as this, and even if we do the government…” He stopped himself from saying anything else.
Then they saw Sam stumble around the corner. She seemed pale and worn. Victor stood up and ran to her, as he had worried greatly after she suddenly disappeared. Now she fell into his arms. “Victor, I need to tell you something!”
Victor stopped her. “Hold on, Sam. You’re as white as a ghost!” He noticed her hand, and lifted it up. The cut from Astrid’s dagger had inflamed and the skin of her palm turned black. Dread came over Victor. “Rodrick! Sam needs help!”
At that moment she closed her eyes, as if fainting, and collapsed in Victor’s arms. He lowered her gently to the ground and everyone gathered around her. “What happened?” said Hansel.
“I don’t know!” Victor stammered. “She just… Oh god. Sam! Sam, please, wake up! Sam!”
ns 172.70.100.201da2