Filch didn't see what was happening with Santiago and Jeanne, he was too busy with what unraveled before him.
The five slit demon had learned from their first exchange and it had changed its movements in order to counter Filch's powers.
He had stopped chasing Filch's feet and started cutting off the walls instead—positioning himself between Filch and any surface large enough to pull real material from, herding him toward the center of the street where the ground was the only thing.
Filch gritted his teeth. 'he is smart, shit!'
He was being outthought!
He dropped for the lamppost anyway, not because it was the best option but because thinking too long in a fight was a death sentence. His palm hit the cold metal just as the five-slit demon's hand closed on his collar and hauled him backward off the ground.
For a moment Filch was simply airborne, his feet hanging as the demon held him at arm's length with the ease.
"Caught the rat..." The demon laughed.
