Nell was already in the correct stance to defend herself. If she had to 
beat each of the girls to death individually, she would do it. But none of them 
rushed the elevator. Instead, the leader stepped forward and aimed something at 
Nell. There was a little popping noise, a
pinprick in Nell's midsection, and within a few seconds she felt her arms 
becoming impossibly heavy. Her bottom drooped. Her head bowed. Her knees 
buckled. She could not keep her eyes open; as they closed, she saw the girls 
coming toward her, smiling with pleasure, holding up the red ribbons. Nell 
could not move any part of her body, but she remained perfectly conscious as 
they tied her up with the ribbon. They did it slowly and methodically and 
perfectly; they did it every day of their lives.