He grabbed the Shadow's arm that held the knife and twisted it behind her back, and his other hand wrapped around her torso. He was too late, either way. A wave of horror seeped through his body as blood trickled onto the floor. He didn't cry out, he didn't recoil in fear, but his eyes remained dead set on the knife.

Only a few seconds passed, but to Duster, it was several minutes wasted standing around doing nothing. He readjusted his grip on the Shadow just as suddenly as he brought his mind back from wandering. There had to be no more attacks like this.

"Calm down," he whispered, though more harshly than he wished. "Don't do this!"