"I'll take my chances on foot then with the skates. Anyone bumps into me and they'll get a blade in the eye, how's that?"

Tess had brought her skate up as she twisted to look at the young girl. Three things had stopped her; she looked young, she hadn't attacked her, and Tess would only lash out if provoked or if someone made the first move to attack her and it was in her defense.

Seeing the damage done to her face, Tess' bruising and swelling cut on her left cheek doesn't feel so bad anymore.