As the ice cracked apart, Koltira grasped what he could of the parasite in his hands. He tore away whatever solid pieces he could grasp of the hat and dashed them on the cement. But he could see, also, that Regina was falling. He kept his grip tight on her arm, keeping her upright, even as he brought his boot down on the parasite's remains.

"Regina," he said. "Can you still hear me?"