COLLATERAL

Crow fell lifeless.

The blood splattered on Luke, mixing with his own blood from the wound on his side. He was stunned in place as if time had stopped. The bullet came from behind Luke, aimed for Crow’s head. Luke saw the gap it left in Crow’s forehead before his knees buckled. Crow’s lifeless body seemed alive, as if kneeling before Luke. Crow's dark brown eyes lost their light as he stared at the ground, forever.

The world was muted as they tried to register what happened, it was all too fast. Another wave of soldiers flanked them from the central plaza. Noah and Ophelia moved closer together unconsciously, awaiting the next series of fights. But what they saw next made them shudder. Behind Luke, the horizon was a black line smudged by military gear, reflecting the moonlight off their plates—men who seemed to have just arrived.

They ringed around them, sealing off the Plaza from the rest. Ophelia quickly scanned them to spot the one who killed Crow, but failing. Hero was the only o