It was like some kind of magic act, clear in one instant and then she was there in the next. His body responded faster than his brain did, still fumbling to register this trick. He threw his hands up, still in no way prepared for the impact that followed nor the burn of her claws as they shredded through his sleeve and bit into skin.

Donnie was on the ground again, this time on his back, an uncomfortable position for the awkward bulk of his armored shell. Although it simultaneously saved him from knocking his head against the ground, it did nothing for the preexisting pain of his strained neck, but he was already flailing in an attempt to roll onto his side, to get up again.