The splicer's reaching long spiderlike fingers for Jay's face, and he twists away with his eyes squeezed shut so the sudden jerk of him dislodging, the loud grunt as he's smashed aside, takes Jay by surprise. He crumples again and finds himself staring up at Tim, holding a bloodied wrench.

The splicer's getting up, groaning, muttering feverish promises of violence. Jay scrambles unsteadily to his feet, groping at Tim's shirt, trying to propel them toward the door, not fast enough: the splicer is up, and it launches itself at Tim.