Doom was not deaf, but he was stony and unsympathetic. There was not the slightest bit of comfort for Effie, no assuring words or even a haughty promise. Doom only looked around like a leery predator with its dead prey, seeing if any other predators were about that might take his prize, then stepped on through his portal.
It closed with a rumbling low sound that faded, the air rushing briefly. ALl that was left were burns and blood.