Firnulan went down, but Ruger refused to fall even though he’d been hit. He tried to shield Michaelson. "Run," he yelled. "Get back inside!" The troll pulled an automatic shotgun from under his tux coat. "Backup’s coming!" Michaelson couldn’t move. He heard a ka-thunk come from the black man’s position, then a second later the hotel behind them exploded in flame, throwing him face-first onto the painted concrete.