Three

I count my strides as we run.

Almost there.

So close.

“Get down!”

I turn. The blast hits me like a wall.

Ash and dirt and someone’s blood.  I wipe it off my face.

Ten.

A second explosion. We’re even less prepared.

Eight.

We scramble for cover, crouch in the ruins.

“Where are they?”

No one knows.

Then the clouds lets loose. Metal ricochets, finds a target.

Seven

Six

Five

A shard bites into my shoulder. I fight the welling scream.

No noise, no sound.

Lungs hardly moving.

Wait.

Maybe they can’t see…

Another blast,

another spray of blood.

Three.