She Didn’t Fire

***Hazel***

Victor didn’t warn us. There was no shout, no more threats, no pause in his breathing. The room was already shaking with screams, and then, a piercing blast detonated through the apartment, swallowing every other sound.

Victor acted before I even processed what was about to happen.

Piper screamed—a raw, animalistic sound that tore straight through my skull. I stumbled back, slapping a