“I can handle it. Take her and go.” Benny said as the red-eyed elephant demon lumbered closer. When it saw them, it trumpeted in victory.

James was torn. It was his duty to protect Daphne but he didn’t want to leave the clown here to die. He would never tell but he had grown to like the bitter old man. “What can you do?”

“I said, go!” The painted face that never smiled, finally twitched into a genuine smile. “Don’t worry, I’m not entirely defenseless.” A stream of knives appeared out of nowhere. Benny effortlessly kept them moving in a large circle. “You have to keep her alive. She is hope.”

A tiny hand grabbed on to James’ hand and tugged, pulling him forward a little.

“You heard him, c’mon.” Daphne said, her voice insistent.

The bodyguard said a silent prayer for Benny and let Daphne lead the way. Behind them the demon trumpeted again and then the sounds of fighting broke out. James hoped the little girl really did know the way out this god-forsaken place or Benny’s sacrifice would be worth nothing.