From the basket, the Magician pulled a long, thin, and, above all, sharp spike, and held it up to the leather mask. "Ready, Karen?"<br />"yes-" came a soft reply, muffled by the leather.<br /><br />The Magician pushed the spike into the hood, twisting it as it penetrated, then emerged from the other side. "Karen, are you all right?"<br />"yes-" came the response.