The fourth tried to run. I let him. For three steps.
Then I appeared in front of him, my sword swinging in a horizontal arc. His head left his body before he could scream, bouncing across the blood-slick floor like a grisly ball.
THUD. THUD. THUD. THUD.
The fifth dropped to his knees, begging, "P-PLEASE, SEÑOR, I HAVE A FAMILY—!"
I didn't slow down.
My blade took his head mid-sentence, his last word choked in a gurgle of blood. His head rolled, stopping at Sarah's feet. She flinched, her face pale, but she didn't look away.
THUD. THUD. THUD. THUD. THUD.
The sixth pulled a knife. I laughed.
Then I moved—faster than his eye could track—my sword shearing through his wrist, then his neck. His head hit the ground before his body realized it was dead.
THUD. THUD. THUD. THUD. THUD. THUD.
The seventh fired—point-blank.
I didn't flinch.
