My eyes opened to flickering light and the sound of my own breathing. Too fast. Too loud. Every breath stabbed through my side like hot needles. The pain pulsed in waves, sharp then dull, sharp again. There was a hand around my wrist.
Miho.
She was dragging me. Fast. Her fingers were slick with blood - mine, probably - and she kept looking back toward the hallway.
Then the sound hit.
Gunfire.
Too loud. Too close.
I couldn't move my legs. I wasn't even sure if they were still attached.
Another shot cracked in the distance, followed by something heavier - a boom that shook the air. The hallway behind us lit up for a split-second like lightning. Then smoke. Then shouting. Someone screamed. Someone else barked a command. The world spun again.
I tried to speak, but my mouth didn't work. My throat was dry. It felt like I'd sucked on rust.
