Every once in a while, when Ellie sees Abby fight, she realizes just how utterly insane she had to have been to go toe to toe with her.

But still, she's not invulnerable, and even as she pulls the stalker bodily over her shoulder and slams it down on the ground, Ellie's abandoning her axe to dart forward and scoop up the pipe, then bring it down with all her strength on the thing's skull. It comes apart like an overripe melon in a gush of blood and thicker things.

Ellie drags in a breath, looking up at Abby, and sees it. The figure detaching itself from a shadow just feet away.

Ellie tosses the pipe with both hands into Abby's chest.

"Behind you!"