Finally, Rafferty had come to Bad End.

It felt weird to walk through the town, if that's what you called a place like this. Cute little houses set against the twisted, looming Ghosts. Rafferty didn't understand how anyone could live here. Of course, she also couldn't understand how someone could listen to Alex with Malice for more than five seconds, and still think he was an okay guy.

The ground was covered with colored paper, which crunched under Rafferty's feet as she walked. It was like the confetti they threw during parades. It only added to the pervasive sense of strange she felt in this place, especially when she had a sudden thought of a Bad End parade, complete with an effigy of herself bobbing above the crowd.

I wonder what color they did my hair?

Bad End was empty, like Vincent had said it would be. Everyone else was out, working one way or another toward the destruction of one of the towns in the Ring, but Alex would be here. At least, that's what Vincent said. Rafferty didn't know how he knew that, but there was certainty in his eyes.

She and Vincent had parted when they arrived. Vincent wanted to circle around to the other side, to make sure Alex hadn't arranged any surprises. He said they didn't need to look for Alex, said that Alex would find her.

Rafferty thought that this was probably true, but she had an idea someone else might find her first.

She didn't have to wait long when a door opened, and a familiar face emerged.

Hello Calamity.

Alex says you're angry.

Calamity J made a low growling sound.

That's okay.

I'm angry too.

Someone had fitted Calamity with a new vest. It had nails sticking out of the leather. That certainly wasn't going to make this more fun.

Calamity rushed at Rafferty, eyes wild with fury. Rafferty took a few steps forward, and jumped over Calamity with ease. It didn't accomplish much, but it told Rafferty something she wanted know. As she passed over Calamity's head, the girl full of Blue had swiped at her with her right arm. It meant the arm was working again.

Calamity whirled around, enraged or confused, and pressed the attack.

Rafferty was far more skilled than her opponent. Calamity, of course, hadn't spent hours a day in the Box for years, getting her wrists whacked by Leslie's stick every time she missed a mark or made a bad decision.

Heck, if the fight went on long enough, it was possible that Calamity would just stop working altogether. Whatever Alex had done to her, it wasn't meant to be done to humans.

But Rafferty didn't think she had that kind of time.

Hitting Calamity hurt. Getting hit by Calamity really hurt. And most of Rafferty body's already ached, thanks to Seth and Calamity's boss.

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Rafferty thought she might win every round of the fight, but lose in the end, because Calamity didn't care how badly you hurt her, she just kept coming.

But she had an idea, one she'd been nursing all the way here. It had to do with her backup blade, the stupid weapon with the sparking problem. The one she was only carrying because of her promise to Trevor.

Rafferty remembered the way Brianna shot into the air, or how Bolton had flown so far they couldn't see her.

She thought something like that might work, but it wasn't going to be easy.

First of all, she'd have to miss on purpose, which wasn't as easy as it sounded when dealing with Calamity, who was always right in your face. Also, it took concentration to hold the ball of Blue at the top of the handle, something that was in short supply when dealing with Calamity's relentless assault. Finally, Rafferty would have to use her left arm to keep Calamity from, you know, killing her, long enough to nurture a large enough ball.

Rafferty drew the blade, Calamity already closing in on her. She took a wild swing over Calamity's head, and a big step to her right. Calamity ran right by, offering a frustrated howl. Rafferty risked a glance down at the blade, and saw the blue sitting near the top of the handle. It was a good start, but she was off balance, and her back was turned to Calamity, who was already coming at her again.

Rafferty spun, and barely had time to set her feet before Calamity was in range. She swung the sword upward, twisting her wrist after it cleared the target, holding on to the precious blue ball. As she did, Rafferty kicked out with her left foot. It struck Calamity squarely in the chest, and it moved her back, but not as much as Rafferty would have liked.

Three angry strides later, and Calamity was in range again. Rafferty had just enough time to position herself for another swing and miss, but not enough to manage a meaningful defensive movement. She got her left elbow up, but Calamity swatted to aside, and crashed into her.

Rafferty screamed as several of the nails dug into her flesh. Calamity threw her head forward, snapping her teeth together.

I think she's trying to bite my throat. Perfect. Calamity bites now.

Rafferty hammered Calamity with her left fist and elbow, trying to keep her right arm as still as she could to hold the ball. Every time she hit Calamity, Calamity thrashed and twisted, so the nails in Rafferty's flesh also twisted, causing cascading waves of agony.

She got her leg up and shoved. She was able to push Calamity away, but it only moved her about ten feet. Calamity came forward, and Rafferty jumped over, looking to buy some time.

While she was in the air, Rafferty looked down. She saw Alex with Malice standing on one of the porches, shield in hand. It made her worry about Vincent.

She landed, and felt a twinge in her shoulder, realizing that one of the nails from Calamity's vest was still lodged inside her, under the edge of her chest plate.

Rafferty beckoned with one arm, urging Calamity forward, not that Calamity needed any urging. Calamity rushed, and Rafferty stepped to the right. Another miss. A bigger ball. She kept going this time, kept stepping right in a widening circle, taunting Calamity with her left arm.

Calamity hit the arm several times, even sinking her teeth into it once. When Rafferty finally pried her wrist free, the bite marks Calamity had left felt like they were stuffed with lit cigars.

By the time she got to nine misses, Rafferty was having trouble lifting her left arm.

Ok. I can't keep doing this. This will have to be enough.

"Hey, Calamity," Rafferty whispered between struggling breaths. "Wanna go for a ride?"

Calamity ran forward. Rafferty dropped the blade.

There was a bright blue flash, and Calamity left Bad End in a hurry. Rafferty let out a triumphant cry as the speck that was Calamity J disappeared.

She whirled to face Alex, changing her hair to a bright, Calamity turquoise as she did. Rafferty reached under the hard edge of her chest plate, and pulled out the nail in her shoulder. She tossed it on the ground in front of Alex, and made the best scoff she could manage.

Alex was smiling.

Though she didn't realize it, Rafferty was too.