She raised a shield in self-defense just to see how much it would drain her energy. It was haphazardly constructed, meant only to act as an early-warning system of sorts. If she needed she could feed it more energy with just a pull. To her satisfaction, she didn't feel much of a physical demand. She was getting better at it.
Karla then returned her attention to the approaching figure. Her eyes widened when she realized his form was hastening towards her at a quicker pace. In fact he was just about to round the corner—
She dove for the floor, intending to ricochet off the opposite wall and take him by surprise when she caught first glance of his figure through the moonlight shining through the window.
He was big. He wore a black leather jacket—
Actually that was where her thoughts screeched to a stop.
Big. Leather jacket.
Karla’s ricochet was more of a face-plant Her head struck the cement wall instead and her face radiated pain. Her nose burned, she tasted blood. But through it, all she could see was Jayce staring her down.
Pure terror.
Her hand was shooting out before she could connect rational thought and her shield was expanding out with unequivocal purpose. To hit first and hit hard.
*Karla!* Scott’s alarmed telepathic shout cut through her panicked reflex.
She didn't know where she found the strength to pull back but she did. Karla pulled the shield back within herself with a sharp wrench, suddenly horribly sober with the realization that she was in a training exercise.
She found herself on her knees in the hallway, coughing as dust rained down on her from the stressed concrete.
