Jeniva's back slammed hard against the concrete pillar, the impact sending a sharp jolt of pain through her spine. A loud whimper escaped her throat before she could stop it.
"Ahh!" she cried out when Xaris suddenly grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her upward. The force dragged her off balance as pain shot across her scalp.
AJ rushed forward without hesitation.
He swung his leg and delivered a hard kick to Xaris's side. The sudden blow forced Xaris to release his grip, and Jeniva stumbled away from him, free at last.
AJ quickly stepped between them. "Are you alright?" he asked urgently.
Jeniva ran her hand through her hair, wincing slightly as she steadied herself.
"Yeah," she said, though her breathing was uneven.
Her eyes immediately shifted back to Xaris, who had already moved.
With surprising speed, Xaris ripped a fire extinguisher from the wall bracket. Without warning, he hurled the heavy metal cylinder straight at them.
"Watch out!" AJ shouted.
