The Manhunter roared and kicked. The bullet smashed fragments from the wall, lacerating my face, then ricocheted off to slam into the side of Dempsey's head. Her grip on my wrist and neck tightened spasmodically, then released. I dragged myself away, stumbled a step back. She was still alive, barely, which just shouldn't have been the case. Part of her skull was literally blown away, but she was still standing. Her rolling eyes, now looking far from human, fixed on me, and she moved forward. Her voice was a hideous, bubbling thing.