Holly aimed, fired, then stared in horror as nothing happened.

Opal launched herself at Holly, screaming. Being now almost twice Holly's height she easily knocked her over. She clamped her hands around Holly's throat. “I will kill you, Holly Short,” she hissed.

Holly scrabbled but couldn't break free. Everything was turning white.

“Look at me!” screeched Opal. “Look at what I've become because of you! The coma warped me. I am human – everything I hate.” Despite herself, Holly's heart leapt. “I used to be beautiful!”

She flung her arms wide to illustrate this, releasing Holly, who gasped, “You still are.”