[relief courses through him as Yukina and Jay make it across the chasm. they're going to be okay, they'll be fine, they'll be alive, even if they'll have to treat some injuries later--]
[and the next thing he knows his shoulder is burning, white hot with pain that pierces through him like electricity. he's vaguely aware of the fact that his feet have left the ground, vaguely aware that he is being suspended in the air by a tendril that has embedded itself in his skin and bone like a hook. vaguely aware of the gaping maw underneath him, full of sharp teeth and stinky saliva and oh god he can't die like this, he can't, he can't]
[it's fortunate the creature grabbed him by the shoulder of the arm that wasn't holding the gun. with a yell, adrenaline pumping through his veins and telling him to survive god damn it, he levels his handgun at that mouth. at the creature that snaps at him hungrily from below]
PHANTOM THIEF IS NOT ON THE MENU!!
[and the next thing he knows his shoulder is burning, white hot with pain that pierces through him like electricity. he's vaguely aware of the fact that his feet have left the ground, vaguely aware that he is being suspended in the air by a tendril that has embedded itself in his skin and bone like a hook. vaguely aware of the gaping maw underneath him, full of sharp teeth and stinky saliva and oh god he can't die like this, he can't, he can't]
[it's fortunate the creature grabbed him by the shoulder of the arm that wasn't holding the gun. with a yell, adrenaline pumping through his veins and telling him to survive god damn it, he levels his handgun at that mouth. at the creature that snaps at him hungrily from below]
[his finger twitches on the trigger]
[and he shoots]