Chapter 9

LIA

The tremors running through the floorboards send every thud that filters up from the floor below through me.

My heart hammers like a wild horse against my ribs. Each gunshot fired causes my breath to hitch and I jump everything.

At some point, I used my hands to cover my ears when I can't take the loud, jarring sound anymore but it doesn't stop the chaos erupting to drum loudly in my ears.

I don't understand what is going on nor why this is happening. I have no idea why these men are after me. Or what I have done wrong to deserve a target on my back? Nothing makes sense anymore. And that fills me with fear to the brim. I have never been this scared for my life. Now, I see what a privilege it is to wake up everyday because right now, I'm not sure I will make it past this night.

The sudden news of my father's accident juxtaposed with what's happening causes a large blumerage of terror inside of me.

A choked, muffled cry escapes from my lips, and tears blurs the empty room aroun