~ Massimo ~
A bullet whizzed past my ear, the sharp crack of it so close I felt the heat on my skin.
I didn't have time to think. My body took over, snapping out of the momentary shock as I flung myself to the concrete, the rough pavement scraping against my palms.
The world around me descended into absolute, ear-splitting hell. It was a symphony of violence that I knew too well, but it felt louder here, more chaotic.
Men were barking frantic orders, their voices strained over the continuous, rhythmic spitting fire of automatic weapons. Civilians were screaming—high, thin sounds of pure terror—as they scrambled and dove for any cover they could find.
I heard the sickening thud of bodies dropping to the floor at odd angles, the sound of life leaving them before they even realized they'd been hit. Glass was shattering everywhere, a diamond-rain of shards that tinkled against the SUVs and the sidewalk.
