Following the Specter - Claw

This is a short story split into 13 parts for the Spooktober 2023 WA challenge.
This is the ninth part, click the button to read it.
Click here to go to the first part.
Click here to go to the next part.
(Warning, death, drowning and wounds.)
Claw

Dana reached out and touched the person's clothed leg. No response. Dana put away their modi, grabbed a hold of the leg with both hands, and pulled. The person fell out of the current and landed on the floor in front of Dana, who moved the person over onto their back. A tag with the name "Verti" was embroidered on one of pockets of his tattered shirt. Large claw gashes covered the Verti’s face and the front of his chest. Dana stumbled backward. Magical energy from the layline poured out of Verti's mouth and eyes.

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