{STEPHANIE}
I just realised what had just happened and froze. The back of Francesco's jacket was soaked with his blood. But I had no idea where he was hit, and could only pray that the shot wasn't lethal. Time seemed to slow down, and it was slow enough for me to see the skin in Marco's cheeks fold and the corner of his eyes crinkle as his lips spread into a wide, devilish grin. He shifted his hold on the gun, aiming for Francesco's head.
Francesco's gun dropped to the ground as he lowered to his knees, preparing to lunge. I must have screamed out loud when I heard the shot ring out. I clasped my eyes shut, and when they flicked open, it took me a second to realise it wasn't Marco who fired.
I blinked and saw Marco bent in half, clutching his injured arm, his weapon lying on the ground. The sound of several voices and footsteps of men came from the left–Francesco's men. If I wasn't already sitting on the ground, I would have collapsed in relief.
