They ran back towards Joseph with Prudence holding the net on one side and Samantha on the other. Wendell still clung to Joseph's neck, but even in her dazed state Samantha knew he couldn't hold out much longer. "Keep it low!" Prudence called.
Joseph turned to face them the instant before they reached him. The net sunk into his thighs, Samantha's corner threatening to shoot from her hand. "This way!" Prudence shouted. They ran towards each other behind Joseph, the net encircling him. Joseph thrashed around, hurling curses at them as he tried to throw Wendell off. The net became entangled in his legs until he started to wobble and then toppled like an ancient oak tree.
Wendell leapt off his shoulders at the last moment, landing awkwardly on the pavement a few feet away. As Joseph screamed and fought to untangle himself, Wendell took out a vial of orange liquid. Samantha and Prudence threw themselves on either side of Joseph to pin his arms as Wendell poured the potion down Joseph's throat. He continued screaming a moment and then went silent. His eyelids drooped until finally closing and his body went still. "Is he dead?" Samantha asked.
"No, he's still breathing," Wendell said. He held out another vial to her. "This is for you." Samantha took the vial and a moment later fell asleep alongside Joseph on the street.