I was so out of it, my brain took several moments to register what it was.
A gun.
My panic exploded into a trapped scream that never made it out of my throat.
Not so paranoid after all. I was so stunned about being right that I couldn’t process what was happening. I felt like I’d been dropped into the middle of an action thriller with no warning.
“Don’t scream.” The gun pressed harder. “Or this will be very messy for everyone involved.”
How was he able to do this in public? Did no one notice what was happening?
But it was the lunch rush, and my body was shielding his, and…
My thoughts jumbled further.
I didn’t have the energy to sort through what was happening, nor did I have a choice.
I followed the figure outside and would’ve tripped and fell had he not held me up.
The world was a kaleidoscopic haze of concrete and distant car horns.
Eventually, the sounds faded, and there was only the crunch of gravel beneath our feet.
“Apologies in advance.” Now that we were somewhere quiet, the voice sounded clearer. More familiar. I’d heard it before. Where? “This is going to hurt.”
I didn’t get a chance to process his words before something hard hit me over the head and full darkness engulfed me.