31Tek hit her solidly in one jolting collision that threw both of them clear of the railroad tracks. Tumbling, Tek thought he had not felt the impact of their bodies. He was on top of her, holding her shoulders to the ground as she struggled to regain her feet. He stared at her face to assure himself that he had really taken her down. She was younger than him, maybe half his age, probably attractive if her hair was combed and makeup not smeared like a crayon.
“Are you hurt?” he asked.
A train roared by as she answered so that he could not hear her. Tek asked again as he became aware of Bull sitting by the woman’s feet. He did not remember what had he done with his dog before he started running.
“Get off of me!” The woman wriggled, getting stronger as she recovered her breath.
“Are you
