by Dan Knight
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Nimrod’s staff bounced off the window and spun out of sight. Shotgun broke cover. He crawled through the debris field gingerly avoiding the glass. The staff was embedded in a bean bag. Come to me, Excalibur! Shotgun drew the staff from the bag and quickly examined it.
At close quarters, he made out intricate details. Fine engraving filled the spaces between the filigree. Valkyries held the white stone.
Can’t let Nimrod have this back! Not in one piece anyway! He spied the eight ball in the pocket of the pool table. He picked up the ball and hammered the stone with it. The ball bounced off the stone without scratching it. The eight ball was not so lucky, and a distinct hole marred the surface. He tossed the ball.
If the stone won’t break, maybe I can melt the staff. Shotgun shot it. The lightning bolt burst on the stone. It singed the carpet. He shot the staff again, and the Valkyries’ arms curled away from the stone. The hacker pried the stone out of the Valkyries’ arms. The stone was cool, and unharmed, but the staff was hot, and he burned his fingers. He pocketed the stone and licked his fingers to cool his burns.
He crawled to the patio. He slid the door aside and crawled out on the penthouse deck. He dragged the staff to the rail. Rising on his knees, he reared back and threw the staff over the side.