Would it hurt much? Would he feel the blade as it bit into his neck? Or was she as skilled with those swords as she was at stealth? He listened for the sound of the blades cutting the air.

It never came.

Instead, he heard the sound of metal striking wood. The next thing he knew, his daughter’s arms were wrapped around him, hugging him fiercely. “Daddy!” was the only word from her, then the sounds of her crying.

He didn’t say anything. He just put his arms around her and held her, like he used to do when she had nightmares. This was the worst nightmare ever.

Eventually, the tears slowed, then stopped. She slumped in his arms, exhausted after finally releasing ten years of anguish. “What do we do now?” she asked.

He sighed. “We have to go to the authorities. I would have years ago, but I wanted to get my powers under control first. Then we…”

She sat up suddenly, executed a back somersault, and picked up her swords. “Who knows you’re her?” she asked.

“No one. Just you.”

“Then who’s at the door?”