"Seven minutes," reported the officer, detailing the timeline of Hull's movements. The mage contemplated the situation, dismissing any notion of a trap. Clouded Leopard mused about the secretive nature of Hull's actions, prompting the middle-aged mage to suggest a test of his strength. Having received two necklaces, Clouded Leopard and Chipmunk vanished into thin air upon wearing them. The woman codenamed Cobra employed telekinesis to achieve partial invisibility, resembling a shadow. As a gust of wind stirred, three invisible figures—Clouded Leopard, Chipmunk, and Cobra—proceeded toward the apartment. The middle-aged mage, the last to remain visible, cast various protective spells upon himself. A cloak unfurled into bat-like wings, completing his transformation for the imminent confrontation. The stage was set for a clash between the enigmatic Black Seraph and the formidable special operations team. "The battle will be resolved within five minutes," the middle-aged mage communicated to his companions using a telepathic technique. As preparations unfolded below, Hull, too, readied himself, growing increasingly uneasy. The revelation that one of the opponents was walking up the wall posed a perplexing challenge—one that could only be attributed to magic or telekinesis. Unbeknownst to Hull, his fortuitous discovery of the ability to detect invisible entities in the mine tunnel now proved pivotal to his survival. Unsettled by the discomfort, Hull recognized the opportune moment to strike as the invisible enemy ascended the wall. Drawing the modified gun from his back, he took aim at the target below, a figure walking up the wall, and pulled the trigger. The middle-aged mage, sensing the impending danger through telepathic communication, urgently warned his companion, Cobra, to abandon invisibility, revealing Hull's ability to pierce through invisibility.
Tom Sawyer is a Michigan writer. Since starting out as a 17 year-old, with a weekly newspaper, he has authored the novels The Lighthouse, Fire Sale, The Sisigwad Papers and the Last Big Hit. He has also written a number of short stories that have been featured in various publications. A lifelong Waterford resident, he and his wife Colleen have three children. His latest novel is his Hammer Films-inspired vampire tale published by Black Bed Sheet Books, SHADOWS IN THE DARK, available in all ebook formats and special edition paperback at www.downwarden.com/blackbedsheetstore