Dee let out an inhuman growl and pounced on the robbers. One looked up and, seeing his bright white fangs glinting in the sunset, ran. The man holding Virgil froze momentarily and jerked his hand against the merchant’s side before he, too, ran, leaving his dagger protruding from Virgil's stomach.
Virgil's mouth opened wide in a silent cry, too pained to even produce sound, and he collapsed. The third man was stunned, still gripping his satchel. He stared down dumbly at Virgil as the merchant curled in a ball on the ground, moaning softly, blood pouring from between his fingers.