The boy struggled to breathe, clawing desperately in a lame attempt to free himself. “You fight well . . .” the dragon-like monster laughed a cruel, rumbling laugh. “. . . but not well enough.” It tightened its grip on the boy’s throat. His vision blurred, and he struggled to breathe. Somehow, his fingers managed to wrap around the sturdy blade tucked into his belt. In a final attempt to free himself,