“Seventy-three and rising,” Scotty said. “But the rate will only continue to drop.”

“Your beacon is glowing,” Darkholm said.

“I need some shade, Dark,” Sprite said.

“The ghost’s system is fried,” Ling announced.

“Good,” Sprite said. “Now throw some barriers in these new guys’ paths. We need to slow them down.”

“I’m on it,” Ling said.

Then there was a terrible feedback in their ears. They all cringed and pulled the headphone away from their ears, all except for Helen, that is. “Sprite!” she yelled, terrified for her fellow dart, friend, and nearly family.

There was silence on the headphones.