341

‘Don’t be afraid, Maria,’ you call. ‘Cal’s here.’ You push open the door to the candy store and enter, half-expecting little Maria to come running towards you with open arms, but the greeting you receive is not at all what you had in mind. Two bearded men, dressed in rags and clutching wooden clubs, step out of the shadows.

‘Hello, Cal!’ whines the taller of the two men, sarcastically. ‘Have you come to rescue me?’ Then, without warning, he swings his club at your head, forcing you to duck to avoid being knocked senseless.

Abilene Hobos: CLOSE COMBAT SKILL 15   ENDURANCE 27

Owing to the surprise of their attack, you are unable to make use of a close combat weapon during the first two rounds of this fight.

If you win the combat, turn to 205.